Joey Barton has revealed that his brawl with Gervinho ended his chance of moving to the Emirates. Arsenal supporters should be praising Gervinho for keeping the QPR thug away from the club.
The incident occurred when Barton was still at Newcastle. During the first match of the season at St James’ Park, Barton picked Gervinho up by his shirt ,and Gervinho gave a slight tap to Barton’s cheek. Barton then dramatically fell to the ground in mock pain, and Gervinho was given a straight red card.
The current QPR thug had this to say to BBC Sport: “If I hadn’t played against Arsenal, I may have signed for them. There were a couple of conversations [with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger] but that’s different to actually signing.
“The Gervinho incident happened and there’s nothing I can do about it now. If it happened again, I’d like to think I’d deal with it differently.
“Things happen for a reason and there’s a lesson to be learned from it. Right now we sit above Arsenal in the table – hopefully that’s the case in May.”
Gervinho is now officially an Arsenal legend. If Barton’s story is true, then the Ivorian striker saved Arsenal from the controversy and drama that Barton brings to a club.
This week, Barton is having an ongoing fight with Wolves midfielder Karl Henry. Next week, Barton will going after another innocent victim. Arsenal aspire to have a sort of class and dignity, and nothing would do more to take away [...]
Joey Barton answered critics on his Twitter account after his brawl with Gervinho yesterday. Jack Wilshere attacked Barton on Twitter for his behavior in the scoreless draw between Arsenal and Newcastle.
Here is what Barton said on Twitter: “Cheats dive to win pens. If there’s contact go down but dont blatantly try to con the ref. Refs have it hard enough.
“Hopefully, today proves my commitment, if it was ever in doubt? ‘Imagine if I’d stamped on Song, all the numptys would be out calling for a public execution. Cos its on me its alright? #hypocrites.
“What do people want me to do, stand and trade blows with Gervinho. If you raise your hands to players faces, you should be off. Ref got it right…
“Maybe I shouldn’ have got involved but diving and trying to win a penalty, is ****. Needs stamping out (No pun).”
Then, Barton admitted that he went down easy on the Gervinho slap: “I went down easy, no doubt. Still cant raise ur hands. Ref got it right.”
Barton is complaining about Gevinho’s “dive” (it wasn’t a dive) even when he admits that he went down too easy. Joey Barton is a menace to the Premier League. Good thing I never endorsed an Arsenal signing of this Newcastle thug.
But then Barton went overboard: “Correct or stamped on 1 of there [sic] players. I’d of been hung, drawn and quartered by u mob? Fact not conjecture.”
Gervinho was shown a red card late in the match after a scuffle with Joey Barton. The match finished scoreless between Newcastle and Arsenal at St James’ Park in the first match of the new season. Neither side looked like winning the match, and the Gooner faithful were left disappointed.
The biggest moment of the match came in the 75th minute. Gervinho was tripped up in the box, and Joey Barton thought that Gervinho had taken a dive. The Newcastle thug yanked Gervinho up to his feet by his shirt, and the two wrestled with one another.
As the brawl went on, Joey Barton collapsed to the ground in pain. Barton claimed the Gervinho had punched him, when, in reality, the Ivorian only lightly tapped Barton on the head. Gervinho was sent off, while the instigator, Barton, was only given a yellow card.
Barton was in a foul mood after being stepped on by Alex Song in the 58th minute. After a collision which left Barton on the ground, Song appeared to stamp on Barton’s leg. The Arsenal midfielder had already been given a yellow card. The Magpie bad boy cried to the officials, and was later rewarded by getting Gervinho sent off.
Here is how Arsene Wenger reacted to the incident (from Arsenal.com): “I think I saw two yellows or two reds but not one yellow and one red.
“There is a link between the incident [and Diaby’s sending off last season]. He got away with a yellow card [...]
Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip in the second half against Boca Juniors. Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey were the goal scorers for Arsenal, but the lead was wiped away by goals from Lucas Viatri and Pablo Mouche. Arsene Wenger spoke after the match about recent transfer speculation.
Gervinho used his electric pace to set up Robin van Persie for the first goal of the match. The Ivorian put a cross right into the Dutchman’s lap, and RVP finished it off in the 29th minute. Gervinho was the centre of many Arsenal attacks this afternoon.
Carlos Vela set up Aaron Ramsey for the Gunners’ second goal in the 46th minute . The Mexican made a brilliant run around three defenders before he was finally taken down. The ball rolled to Ramsey, and the Welshman fired it into the back of the net. Ramsey has shown a lot of confidence leading up the the season.
Two quick goals in the second half from Boca Juniors negated all of Arsenal’s hard work. Juan Roman Riquelme is a midfield general, and he was at the centre of Boca’s attack.
In the 68 minute, Lucas Vitari cut Arsenal’s lead to one with a powerful shot past Vito Mannone. The goal was a result of a give-away from Sebastien Squillaci. How is Squillaci still getting playing time?
Then, three minutes later, Boca substitute Pablo Mouche scored the equaliser, much to the dismay of the Gooner faithful. Mouche out-muscled Johan Djourou and was alone with Mannone. The keeper [...]
Gervinho made his Arsenal debut earlier today in stunning fashion. The Ivorian striker netted both Arsenal goals as the Gunners surged past FC Cologne 2-1. Cologne’s only tally came on an embarrassing own goal by Carl Jenkinson.
Jack Wilshere was key in both Gervinho goals. In the 7th minute, Wilshere unleashed a brilliant through ball that found Gervinho. The Ivorian lifted the ball over the keeper for the easy finish. I say easy because that is how it appeared. The finish was really very skillful.
Gervinho struck again in the 15th minute. Jack Wilshere threaded a ball to Theo Walcott, right by a stretching Cologne defender. Walcott put a low cross into the middle and Gervinho stuffed it in while colliding with the Cologne keeper Michael Rensing. Rensing had to leave the game after the impact.
Gervinho was substituted in the 29th minute for precautionary reasons.
Near the end of the first half, Cologne were turning up the pressure, and Carl Jenkinson gave in. Jenkinson, in an attempt to clear a cross, chipped the ball into the air in the direction of his own goal. The ball looped magically over Szczesny, who could do nothing about it.
The second half flow was disrupted by changes on both sides. Regulars Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri, and Bacary Sagna made appearences in the second half. Besides a few crosses from Sagna, the trio did not make much impact on the match.
Lukas Podolski and Milivoje Novakovic were the main attacking threats for Cologne. Both [...]
Arsene Wenger has been defiant in recent weeks when talking about Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas. Earlier today, the boss admitted that the Nasri situation is “not completely sorted.” Wenger also confirmed that Cesc will miss the trip to Germany, and that the Fabregas dilemma “is not settled.”
Here is what Wenger told Arsenal.com: “[It is] not completely [sorted that Samir will stay] but I want him to stay. He knows that. Hopefully we can sort that out in the coming weeks.”
Manchester City are still firmly in the hunt for Nasri. Mancini is the odds-on favourite to sign the talented Frenchman. Wenger may look to Valencia midfielder Juan Mata to replace Nasri.
Nasri’s first wish was to end up at Old Trafford. If he is determined to join the Red Devils, Nasri may wait out his current deal at the Emirates and leave on a free transfer to United. This is certainly the worst case scenario for Arsenal.
Wenger also spoke about Cesc Fabregas on Arsenal.com: “[Fabregas] has not completely recovered from his muscular injury. It is too early for him, he is not ready.
“As long as the situation is not settled, we have to focus on the coming season with the players we have. The players who are uncertain, it is difficult for them to focus on being completely committed.”
The Cesc ordeal needs to be resolved quickly. If he commits to Arsenal, then possibly Nasri signs a new contract. If Fabregas joins Barcelona, then Wenger can look [...]
Arsene Wenger has been talking his side up in Malyasia. He believes that Arsenal are good enough to win the league this season. Apparently, they are ready to reach their full potential. We have heard it all before:
“I believe we are perfectly good enough. What we did last year, considering the age of the squad and the problems we had with injuries, was a credit to the team and we have a good opportunity now to show that we have the quality. If you are a winner, you say: ‘We were very close last year, let’s do it this year.’ You come back.
“I believe that the real destiny of this team is now there. They know as well as I know that we were very, very close last season. We intend to show everybody that we can do it. We are a young team and we can only be better. It demands the strength of character that the champions have. That’s what we want to show.”
Wenger is much more optimistic now than he was at the end of the season. Arsene even admits that last season’s collapse took a real toll on him: “It was because I took full responsibility for what happened. I knew at some stage that it was lost and I had so much hope for the team, because through November and December, you could feel that the team had really taken off and could win everything. And it was so close.
11 July 2011: It is official. Arsenal has completed their first signing of the season today. Gervinho has been signed to deal, and the transfer fee is reported to be around £11 million. The Ivorian striker was key to Lille’s French double-winning side last season. This news may begin to quiet the media dubbed “Arsenal collapse.”
Gervinho, 24-years old, can play either as a winger or a forward. Wenger will likely use him as a striker to complement RVP up top. Gervinho can find the net, scoring 18 goals in all competitions for Lille last season. He also chipped in for 10 assists.
The big question is how quickly will Gervinho adapt to the Premier League/English style of play. He will miss time once the African Cup of Nations rolls around in the winter, and that will not help him. The tournament runs from 21 January to 12 February. Expect Ivory Coast to advance far as one of the favourites.
Gervinho has scored six goals in 27 apearances for his country. In fact, Emmanuel Eboue is Gervinho’s mate. They both came through the ASEC Mimosas youth academy in the Ivory Coast. Both also spent time together on KSK Beveren in Belgium.
Gervinho’s arrival is still “subject to a regulatory process” according to Arsenal.com. But it is a done deal for sure. Hopefully, this news provides a little peace to those Gooners who are worried about our club.
Check back later for a preview of Arsenal’s Asian tour.
7 July 2011: Arsenal have rejected a £20m for Samir Nasri from Manchester United. According to reports, Wenger has launched an aggressive campaign for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. Barcelona are growing impatient as Cesc negotiations wear on. The transfer market is really heating up.
Let’s start with the Nasri news. We have now learned that Alex Ferguson opened the bidding two weeks ago, offering £20m for Nasri. Arsenal have now rejected that offer and will not let Nasri go for less than £25m. Manchester United has already spent big this summer, signing Phil Jones, De Gea, and Ashley Young. Will they hand over more cash in order to improve the centre of their midfield?
This news may open the door for Manchester City. Mancini will be looking to turn his club into title contenders, and money is not an issue. It could turn into a bidding war between the two Manchester clubs for Nasri. Hopefully for Arsene Wenger, this auction will drive the price of Nasri sky high.
Wenger will need as much cash as he can to replace Nasri, Clichy, and possibly Cesc. Do not forget about the centre-half conundrum. We need defensive help, and that should still be the main focus this transfer season. I would not fear Cesc and Nasri exits because Arsene will have talent scouts across Europe and South America looking for the next gem.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsene is pushing hard for Karim Benzema. Wenger will offer Real Madrid £27m for the 23-year old striker. Mourinho might [...]
The first day of the transfer window came and past without learning anything substantial. Nasri could be on the move, or could stay. Clichy is likely to go but no announcement on that yet. Gervinho is already talking about the Arsenal despite no official confirmation. Different sources say different things about Cesc. Just one tangled mess so far.
Let’s start with Samir. We learned that Chelsea may join the bidding war for the Frenchman. Abrahmovich will likely go hard after Nasri if his club fails to sign Luka Modric. Chelsea, United, City, Milan, Inter… now all we need is Real Madrid to get into the mix.
According to The Telegraph, Nasri will meet with Wenger on Monday when training is set to begin. The two are likely to discuss salary. The club wants Nasri to settle for £90,000 a week. Samir wants £110,000 a week and Wenger to promise to strengthen the squad in the transfer market.
Where is the logic in these negotiations? Paying Samir £110,000 a week would only limit Wenger’s spending power. The modern footballer expects to be paid handsomely and assured that the manager will spend millions on transfers. This is what makes Manchester City and Chelsea so appealing to these money-grabbers.
Southampton manager Nigel Adkins stated yesterday that Arsenal have not submitted a big for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: “I think it will be interesting when it does materialise, whether it’s Arsenal or whoever starts talking to the football club.
“I think probably there’s conversations going on in the boardroom at Arsenal about [...]
