Mario Balotelli has accepted a 50% pay-cut to join Liverpool from Milan but the stunning transfer will proceed only if Brendan Rodgers is convinced the Italian striker is willing to develop at Anfield.
The striker has accepted a basic £80,000-a-week deal from Liverpool, half what he earns in Italy, with top-ups dependent on a series of stringent behaviour-and-performance clauses worth up to £2m a year. He has been offered a three-year contract with the option of a fourth belonging solely to Liverpool.
he's experienced at defending as a deep lying CM and LB, and United will tend to dominate possession
typical English thinking CBs need to be huge physical beasts to defend
edit: let me preempt concerns about his speed by asking whether Mertesacker has dramatically harmed Arsenal's defense? Is he beaten several times a game by balls over the top...?
Blind's positioning isn't very good at CB. Look at the goals we've conceded in pre season at times he goes wandering into MF. He also doesn't have the physicality or aggressiveness of Mertesacker when defending deep. BFG also has Kos to bail him out we don't.
Who are some good twitter people i should follow (consty?)? And whats your name on it bjorn? Dont use twitter but if its people linking to some good articles etc i may aswell get on it to try improve my extremely limited (basically none) knowledge of football. Guess twitter is the best place to get those type of articles? no idea where else to look
There is a large group of West Ham supporters that think Balotelli would be ace for us. Really. Don't put it past our board to play to the gallery and do something on deadline day, we need a striker as well.
CAZORLA AND WALCOTT SIGN NEW DEALS
Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott have both agreed contract extensions with the club.
Walcott, 26, is Arsenal’s longest-serving current player, making his 300th appearance for the club last season. He has scored a total of 76 goals since joining the Gunners in 2006.
Theo finished last season in outstanding form. The England forward netted a first-half hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion in the final Premier League match of the season, before scoring the opener in the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa the following week.
As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch
Wenger on Cazorla and Walcott
Cazorla, 30, enjoyed another excellent year for Arsenal in 2014/15. Playing in a deeper midfield role for the Gunners, he made 53 appearances in all – more than any other player.
In total, the gifted Spaniard has featured 148 times for Arsenal since his arrival from Malaga in 2012. His tally of 27 goals includes many important strikes, most notably in the 2014 FA Cup Final victory over Hull City.
An experienced international, Cazorla has won more than 70 caps for his country and was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Arsène Wenger said: “We’re delighted to have extended the contracts of Santi and Theo. Both are top quality players who are hugely important and influential to our squad.
"As well as their huge contributions on the pitch, they both have a great deal of experience and are very popular off the pitch. We’re very pleased with them both signing contract extensions, as it provides our squad with further stability of quality.”
Everyone at the club is looking forward to the continued contributions of Santi and Theo in the seasons ahead.
I told you guys weeks ago that Theo 4year contract is basically a done deal. Really happy about Cazorla he seems to be playing in the form of his life and getting a 2year contract must ease his mind considerably(and buff his bank account)