So the latest transfer update now that Rogers is going to Chelsea

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Let me help you with that opinion that 'Arteta and the board are far more closely aligned to me than you on our Vik', Rich.

It's wrong. And it's not even close. You said he was the worst player you had ever seen play for Arsenal. We said he is a good but limited in some ways player that brought things to the team that no other striker that we currently owned, did. And that he needed time to integrate into the team. He led the team in goals scored, both overall and in the league. In his first season with the club. His ability to win and hold the ball up front is easily the best at the team and the best we have had for some time.

So no, Rich, their view is far more aligned with ours than yours. And it's not even close. Regardless of what happens, you were grotesquely wrong about Vik. And you aren't far off with Gabi as well.

And now, like Peter, I'm going to let this go.?

Other things to note about Vik.

Firstly, he was getting a lot better at the end of the season and they all learned to play together. Think that Fulham 3-0 where he combined with B for the first two goals {and got the third} or the CL SFs where he looked at least as good as Alvarez.

Secondly, while everyone else could be rotated, Kai's injury meant to had to come in and play straight away as opposed to coming in gradually.

Next year we'll have Kai and Vik and the MnM option, especially from the bench like against NUFC where we went to a back 3 temporarily until we equalised.

None of our big summer signings {outside defence} started the CL final. Vik, Zubi, Noni and Easy were on the bench but we won the league because of all of them. Triphop started because of both RBs being injured, so it was only really Hinchappy who timeshares with Ricky C depending on whether we want to be more defensive or offensive.

MLS in MF could be like a new signing and imagine if he can unlock Vik a bit more? Likewise the young doctor will be playing more.

Ødin was looking better at the WC and B scored a hat-trick in his final match there but both were injured or coming back from injury for much of the season. If we can get B-Ødin-RB triangles again, they make exactly the sort of 6 yard box chances Vik thrives on.

If you look at that first goal against Fulham, it was MLS who played the ball to B on the wing and then BW comes forward to just outside the box and draws a defender away from B to cover him - had he doubled up on B, then there would have been a simple pass to BW in acres of space on the edge of the box with no defender in front of him.

[Peter]

Agreed on all points. I believe it's a 6 year contract as I'm sure they stopped 7 year ones

6- with the option of a 7th.

They just cant help themselves

Getting him to say he is joining the biggest club in London is the funniest part. It is just so childish

[Peter]

Other things to note about Vik.

Firstly, he was getting a lot better at the end of the season and they all learned to play together. Think that Fulham 3-0 where he combined with B for the first two goals {and got the third} or the CL SFs where he looked at least as good as Alvarez.

Secondly, while everyone else could be rotated, Kai's injury meant to had to come in and play straight away as opposed to coming in gradually.

Next year we'll have Kai and Vik and the MnM option, especially from the bench like against NUFC where we went to a back 3 temporarily until we equalised.

None of our big summer signings {outside defence} started the CL final. Vik, Zubi, Noni and Easy were on the bench but we won the league because of all of them. Triphop started because of both RBs being injured, so it was only really Hinchappy who timeshares with Ricky C depending on whether we want to be more defensive or offensive.

MLS in MF could be like a new signing and imagine if he can unlock Vik a bit more? Likewise the young doctor will be playing more.

Ødin was looking better at the WC and B scored a hat-trick in his final match there but both were injured or coming back from injury for much of the season. If we can get B-Ødin-RB triangles again, they make exactly the sort of 6 yard box chances Vik thrives on.

If you look at that first goal against Fulham, it was MLS who played the ball to B on the wing and then BW comes forward to just outside the box and draws a defender away from B to cover him - had he doubled up on B, then there would have been a simple pass to BW in acres of space on the edge of the box with no defender in front of him.

You are absolutely right. Check his stats in the second half of the season compared to the first. Genuine improvement.

[Rich]

Let me help you with that opinion that 'Arteta and the board are far more closely aligned to me than you on our Vik', Rich.

It's wrong. And it's not even close. You said he was the worst player you had ever seen play for Arsenal. We said he is a good but limited in some ways player that brought things to the team that no other striker that we currently owned, did. And that he needed time to integrate into the team. He led the team in goals scored, both overall and in the league. In his first season with the club. His ability to win and hold the ball up front is easily the best at the team and the best we have had for some time.

So no, Rich, their view is far more aligned with ours than yours. And it's not even close. Regardless of what happens, you were grotesquely wrong about Vik. And you aren't far off with Gabi as well.

And now, like Peter, I'm going to let this go.?

Hey WES, I note that The Times (specifically Ben Jacobs) is reporting that we are happy to let Gyokeres go to Athleti as a makeweight for Alvarez. Jacobs is usuaully spot on with Arsenal news, too.

Makes perfect sense as well - Althleti don't have to sell to a rival. They get a replacement who will excel at their style of football. We get rid of a player that never (or at least very seldom) looked anywhere near the standard of a player that can operate in tight spaces. We get perhaps the best 9 in the world at operating in tight spaces. It reduces what would be a British record transfer fee to something more paletable thereby allowing us to address the issue on the left wing (even if we fail to find a buyer for Martinelli).