Football Banter

Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles has signed a four-year contract with Chelsea, the Stamford Bridge club have confirmed.

artetta signs for arsenal!!!! i'm happy with our dealings. i think the man utd result left the board no choice but to flash the cash!!

Overall a rather dull climax to the transfer window, with some of the 'top' teams not getting their targets, most specifically Sneijder and Modric appearing to stay put. Depsite the fact I think that Liverpool were a bit silly to let Raul Meireles go, I don't view Chelsea's transfers as being strong enough to get them above third, and see that they will more likely fight with Arsenal for fourth this season (or is that giving Arsenal too much credit). And Arsenal's transfers largely smack of desperation - although Arteta could be useful if he stays injury free for a little while. Man City, Man U and Liverpool had already done the majority of their business some time ago.

Arteta is a good signing for Arsenal and Bendtner's off on loan to Sunderland.

Can't believe Liverpool have re-sign Bellendmy and Meireles has left to join Chelsea. I thought Meireles was a very good player at 'pool and thought he was happy...

Arsenal have brought reasonably well, a 2 new defenders, a striker, and two midfielders. Arteta is a great capture for them.

Stoke and Q.P.R have done pretty good business as well.

Aston Villa have confirmed that Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas have joined them from Tottenham <-- Good business too

Skateguy - I do agree with your point on desperation signings from Arsenal, but I think they did manage to get half decent players in, in that short time. They needed a centre back and they got it. That was the main weakness. Two midfielder's who are creative and good on the ball are perfect for an Arsenal team and I think they will slot in well.

I'm glad Stoke managed to get a few players in, I fancy them for an each way bet in the Europa League this season

Meireles leaving like that has left me feeling a bit deflated. Really rated him.

We had got rid of Cole, Poulsen, Ngog and Degen. I was happy with all that. The Meireles deal feels like a slap in the chops

(31-08-2011 22:30 )Money_Shot Wrote:  Skateguy - I do agree with your point on desperation signings from Arsenal, but I think they did manage to get half decent players in, in that short time. They needed a centre back and they got it. That was the main weakness. Two midfielder's who are creative and good on the ball are perfect for an Arsenal team and I think they will slot in well.

I agree - they're half decent. I think they were merely the best they were able to get at short notice - since Fabregas and Nasri departed, which is when you get the impression Arsenal began working on getting anyone in. In fact, you have to wonder when they decided they needed anyone - was it after the adorementioned left or after they lost to Man U at the weekend. Yossi is a bit of an unknown, having played very little in the last year and is 31 (the age that Arsenal would normally move someone on). Arteta's a little risky, although I think he does have the potential to be a good signing for a team aiming to qualify for the Champions League. But overall I think their signings are rather underwhelming given the cash you'd have imagined (and their fans would have hoped) they'd have at their disposal after making £50m+ on Nasri and Fabregas.

Very valid points indeed Skateguy. I think it was after the annihilation from united that pushed Wenger to the transfer market. How much he had of the £50+ million to spend we will never know but I do agree the two mentioned players are underwhelming considering the callibre of players departed.

However I think Arsenal are looking short term with Yossi, as they have two excellent midfield players in Wiltshire and Ramsey. I honestly believe Wiltshire has more to offer then Fabregas could. Ramsey looks a very decent prospect so I think both Arteta and Yossi will be taking the places of Arseshaving and Rosicknoti .

If I am right in thinking as well, Arteta is a dead ball specialist, so he will be on corner and free kick duty. I seriously think if he stays fit that will be a class signing for them as I rated him at Everton.

Gotta admit I'm not Meireles' biggest fan, but with Yossi* going, who I thought was always underrated, it's a great replacement. And he should be a very decent squad player

I'm just wondering how long before the Liverpool fans burn his shirt?

*good luck to him at Arsenal