Reaction to the move from two different Arsenal Americans:
Galaxy Gooner says:
“Since the chances of me getting Arsene Wenger to explain this to me in my face are about as remote as Tottnumb qualifying for the Champions League……can someone please explain the logic of letting Stuart Taylor leave for Aston Villa and keeping Manuel Almunia as back up to Jens Lehmann?
I thought after the dire performance he put in between the sticks at home to Manure last season that Almunia was on his way out of THOF.
Surely, this upcoming season that starts in under 50 days would have been a great opportunity for AW to provide Taylor a chance to prove himself at Highbury.”
SeattleTomBackInLondon says:
“Taylor leaves the club for Villa, which I think is a good move for the lad and I hope he does well. It shows how highly regarded he is by signing for Villa. Maybe OLeary listens to Bob Wilson more than Arsene these days. If Taylor has gone and Stack is in trouble with the rape case, surely Arsene has a keeper up his sleeves. He always says how its important to have 3 keepers available.”
48 Responses to “Taylor leaves for Villa”
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June 29th, 2005 at 2:34 pm
good move for Taylor perosnally but horrific move by Arsenal.
it is unjustified.
How do you explain Taylor being given away yet a player like ALmunia stays.
I thought nationality had nothing to do with it? I thought it all dependant on playing merit?
June 29th, 2005 at 2:46 pm
I really hope the lad does well and really well @ Villa. I laugh when I hear the phrase “Arsense knows best” Sure only if you think he is God. He is human unless I’m missing something.
We have 2 goalies. Out of the two I say he is 100% better than Almunia, so why let the good young keeper leave if you building a team around yound kids. This sounds like a big H.
We need reality check. One said football fans don’t live in the world of reality but I say not really cause there are fans and supporters.
How can we have 2 goalies, with one banned for the first 3 games in Europe so it leave us with Almunia. What happens did if he get hurts. Maybe Wenger will go in goals.
Is no serect. Wenger did not liked Taylor for reasons our greatest keeper”DS” and Coach”BW” still don’t understand.
What make me sick is the guy did not even had the chance and anyone that knows football know he is a wicked keeper.
June 29th, 2005 at 2:49 pm
Is very sad come to think about it. It really pissed me off knowing the kid is 100% better than that Spainish bloke.
June 29th, 2005 at 2:55 pm
People said the same about Mathew Upson. Both are quality players. Upson is a solid defender. But he’s not a great defender and loses it under great pressure. Arsene was proved right. I think Arsene will be proved right for the same reasons with Taylor.
I can’t explain away Almunia though.
I think the time to judge about Almunia is when we see the full squad in August. Transfer activity has only just begun….
June 29th, 2005 at 3:05 pm
I have always been a great fan of Stuart, he is a good keeper. I loved him the most against Juve when we won 3-1 in CL. That time, I thought we finally found the new David Seamen.
I remember when we had 3 keeper in the English squad for one week. It was, Seamen, Wright, Taylor in the reserves team. I never thought we will have a keepers trouble.
Wenger always says that English players costs more, and Taylor costed Villa 1 million pounds. Alumnia costed Arsenal 0.3 mill or less … I think Alumnia is very happy to be a sub keeper, and he never asked for more. Taylor, left and I am sure he will earn a first team action very soon.
Arsenal will buy a third young keeper or maybe they will promote a keeper from the youth.
June 29th, 2005 at 3:06 pm
Seems to me that if you’re short a keeper, you’ll be replacing him. Patience fellas, before we start wanking on Wenger.
Taylor just wasn’t healthy enough to get into the number two spot and maybe he’ll have a career in first team football with Villa. Arsene didn’t see him in our future for what must be logical reasons. Let it go.
Almunia came around after all the expectation that wracked his nerves began to release. He helped win the FA Cup with an outstanding and gutsy display. If we’re loathe to judge others too quickly, then I think we should do the same with Almunia.
If Wenger plans on going into the season with Lehmann and Almunia, then he must know something we don’t (adding it to a very long list).
Is patience, faith and a little blind support too much to ask in the month of June?
June 29th, 2005 at 3:07 pm
They said the same thing about M Upson? Well son Upson is 100000000% better than Cygan.
If Cygan was playing for B’ham then you will see how crap and **AYE CARUMBA**(censored) he is. Cygan is like a passenger @ Arsenal and is being carried around by the team. On one to one you see how **AYE CARUMBA**(censored) he is.
June 29th, 2005 at 3:11 pm
Scotty,
I’m not wanking on Wenger but talking about reality here. I love that saying he knows something we don’t know. Unless he is signing a new good keeper then there is nothing we don’t know about the 2 keepers Wenger don’t know.
June 29th, 2005 at 3:12 pm
alright you got me there. Cygan is a modern day Gus Caesar.
I’m totally bemused by Wengers faith in him.
June 29th, 2005 at 3:15 pm
…. I strongly suspect that outside of the public glare, i.e. in training, Almunia is a truly exceptional keeper but he can’t hack it when on the main stage.
June 29th, 2005 at 3:22 pm
Are you serious or just joking FredDread. Is like saying I’m a good singer in the bedroom but in public I can’t singer.
I know you joking but not having that excuse.
June 29th, 2005 at 3:27 pm
Looking at how many goals we conceded once we got Gilberto and Sendy into things, I’d say we should feel pretty confident with Emma Byrne in goal.
Lehmann performed well in the Confederations Cup, especially against Brazil, who are 2 up on Argentina right now. That’s good company. I agree that the issue is more with Almunia, and I for one think we haven’t seen his best and Wenger has. That’s what I mean by him knowing more.
Like I said, we had quite a string of shut-outs at the end of last season, including the FA Cup. Lehmann had a blinder in that one, and he’s been doing well competing with Almunia. Bring in another big name, and now we’ve got a Kahn situation on our hands.
Maybe Stacks’ situation is looking good. If it is, I’m satisfied.
June 29th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
I think that may have been true early on, but he did quite a job in the FA Cup. In fact, he performed well many times as he got a few more minutes under his belt when our defense was lying down on the job.
I’m certain Wenger has seen him play incredibly well when the pressure wasn’t as high as it was when he walked in on the Champions trying desperately to defend their title. His head straightened out and he finished the season on a high as did the rest of our defence. There’s no emergency there at the moment.
Above all I’m confident with Lehmann. Not to suggest you or anyone else is, but I don’t need a big name to calm my nerves. Big names must be made somewhere. Why not at AFC?
June 29th, 2005 at 3:41 pm
You right about Lehmann coming back strong in the second half of the season and it was due part to a good defends but not taking anything away from him. My points is letting a good goal keeper leave whiles we still have Almunia. That don’t make sense. Any sense if you loved the beautiful game.
As for the Confederations Cup Hmmm. Brazil are winning but don’t think they are playing well. Hey the end results is what counts
June 29th, 2005 at 3:47 pm
…. well if you don’t laugh you’ll cry….
June 29th, 2005 at 4:11 pm
Hey Scotty
I take my words back about the Conf Cup. Brazil are playing some fking good football. Their 4th goal was wicked. Is like watching my Arsenal 2 seasons ago.
Oh **AYE CARUMBA**(censored) they scored. 4-1
June 29th, 2005 at 4:22 pm
hey, hey, hey, hey, its MY Arsenal !
June 29th, 2005 at 4:29 pm
Why are we ranting and raving about a back-up keeper 6 weeks before the season begins.
Wenger will buy a keeper, and probably already knows WHO it is.
He’s a great coach, not an idiot. Let’s save the bashing of the master for another time, not based on letting a back-up keeper go. Sometimes, he actually has the BEST INTEREST of the PLAYER at heart. He might have said, Stuart, you’ll have more chance to shine at Villa, go on son.
Positive and Patient.
Thats how I’ll remain. At least until we get close to the start of the season!
June 29th, 2005 at 4:38 pm
Another symptom of boredom. We all imagine any number of scenarios and begin commenting on them. This lot needs a game and badly.
Me included.
To your comments, I think you’re dead on about Wenger making decisions that he thinks is best for everyone. Have you read the latest from Edu? He says he left because it was time. Not because the money, not neccessarily for more first team football (though I have to think it factored a bit), but because that’s the kind of player he is. He wants a variety of experience in his career and Italy is just up next on the list. Wenger and he discussed it, he left, and now he’s trying to get Robinho to join us. Both he and Wenger set the bar for footballing professionals in my opinion.
Another insight revealed today, too. Dein’s testimony exposes some dirty agent dealings. Is it any wonder he went after Barnett like he did? Bastards are the enemy of all creativity and talent. Drop it Cole, before its too late.
June 29th, 2005 at 4:41 pm
Yikes. Argentina will be gutted. World Cup seems wrapped up. But a lot can change. Especially with Germany beating Mexico in OT. Hats off to Mexico for coming back three times. Just couldn’t manage a fourth.
If you miss AFC from two years ago, wait until you see them this coming season. The team spirit will be back, and stronger. That’s all we need.
Up the Arse, Kiss the Crest, Keep the Faith!
June 29th, 2005 at 6:10 pm
Let’s face it, Taylor was never going to make it at Arsenal, he was there for major emergencies. Personally I don’t think Almunia is any better, but that’s irrelevant, Taylor was just first out the door.
June 29th, 2005 at 7:40 pm
The difference betwen Taylor and Almunia is that Taylor minds being on the bench, but Almunia doesn’t!!
Our goal keeping situation is a mess. Lehmann is in good form now, but God help us if he get’s injured. Wenger say what you want, but u’ve blundered on this one.
June 29th, 2005 at 8:01 pm
A-G, last time I checked the calendar it wasn’t even JULY! The season doesn’t start for about 5 weeks. Do you think we are going with 2 keepers?
Its obvious we will bring in another keeper. So,lets be patient before we call releasing a back-up keeper a blunder.
June 29th, 2005 at 9:16 pm
Well let’s see what happens first. Pre-season training and the opening friendlies are not far away, I would expect Wenger to be wrapping up moves for the players he wants within the next 2 weeks.
Maybe Taylor’s exit is a good sign, perhaps Almunia will be relegated to 3rd and a new keeper brought in.
But I agree, that if Wenger does not bring in a new keeper and Almunia screws up in those opening Champions League games it will be the mother of all f*ck ups. I can’t believe Wenger will allow this to happen.
June 29th, 2005 at 11:01 pm
no one is under the illusion that upson is world class, but if we hadn’t sold him that year to birmingham, we would have retained the title and subsequently finished the next season unbetaten to win 3 in-a-row.
ouch
June 29th, 2005 at 11:26 pm
taylor reminds me of manninger in that they both showed some promise through important stretches of a particular season. but, inexplicably, they both lost confidence and became a bundle of nerves out there between the posts. in the end, they both got what they deserved.
June 30th, 2005 at 1:07 am
Taylor maybe 1st choice somewhere, but not at Arsenal, big deal if he`s gone. So at present we have only one ‘Top notch’ keeper (when he has a good day). Wenger will buy a mid 20`s back up before the season starts and my guess is he`ll be #1 by January. Who will it be? haven`t a clue! But to leave it this late (or later) I bet he`s a frenchman and Wengers been watching him for years!
June 30th, 2005 at 1:27 am
I really like Taylor a lot. I’m not very pleased to see him go. And personally i think he deserves more chance to prove himself, afterall when he did get his chances at the past, he seldom let us down.
But i do believe it’s time for Taylor to move on, he needs to get first team opportunity, at the age of 24. If he’s staying with us, unless he’s starting for us, it would not do him any good on his career if he’s continue to sitting on the bench. Of cos it would be nice if we have Taylor as our backup, but i hate to see him settle to spend his career as a back up and waste his talent.
June 30th, 2005 at 5:12 am
and if my aunty was a man…..
June 30th, 2005 at 7:09 am
Taylor was never a very good keeper and you will find out why Arsene has let him go. I would have Almunia before Taylor any day. Good luck to him though.
June 30th, 2005 at 11:05 am
I think DannyT is probably right, Almunia, who is a popular member of the squad, will move to 3rd choice and we will be getting in someone to really challenge Lehman. Although Jens should have a great season and will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that he is the german number 1 when the World Cup in Germany rolls round…we will continue to be linked with Isaacsssssson and Kameni.
As for Taylor, good luck to him as the Villa number two, I never particularly rated him as his reactions always seemed a little slow. Bob Wilson may have disagreed with Arsene on this one, but I suspect Arsene took Bob’s advice before signing Richard Wright and we know how good a keeper he turned out be….
June 30th, 2005 at 12:49 pm
I hear Wright projectile vomits the moment he catches a glimpse of the AFC crest. Poor guy. We really did light him up spectacularly.
Yeah, I see a number 2 coming in somewhere along the line. Training starts in earnest in July, Lehmann will surely by taking a well-deserved vacation, and I doubt Almunia is going to be doing 100% of the honors with the team.
Still would like to know the status of Stack.
June 30th, 2005 at 2:35 pm
I think the purchase of Richard Wright was more of a board directors decision, at least according to the papers. I do believe that Taylor is a far more superior goalkeeper to Almunia who I do not like at all. Almunia is too much like Calamity David James.
I liked Stuart Taylor and I am sad to see him go. However it is clear that Arsene Wenger did not believe in him and I trust his judjement.
June 30th, 2005 at 10:32 pm
…she would be your uncle…
July 1st, 2005 at 5:26 am
exactly!!!
July 1st, 2005 at 10:04 am
Well it appears Robinho is not coming to the Arsenal. He apparently has hit heart set on Real Madrid. Quite a shame, I think he’d be a great fit for us, and our style (as would Madrid’s) would certainly suit his game.
Vieri leaving Inter, of course Spurs are linked!
J.Aliadiare is off to Celtic for a season long loan. I really thought Ali could be the ONE for Arsenal this season alongside TH14, if given the chance, so I am not thrilled to see him go out on year long loan. However, he signed an extension at Arsenal as well, so his future SHOULD be here after this season. Good Luck Ali, you deserve some.
Quincy also signed an extension on his Arsenal contract. Here’s hoping HE gets some playing time for the first team, and we get to see if he can make it to the next level. He’s got skillz, mad skillz! I wouldn’t be surprised if he contributed a good deal for the 1st team this year.
HAPPY 4th of July Arsenal Americans… be safe and enjoy!
July 1st, 2005 at 10:29 am
And happy Canada Day to all ArseCanadians, the oft-overlooked segment of this site.
July 1st, 2005 at 10:34 am
One of the good things about Ali being off to Celtic is that he’ll likely get first team European experience. Having him sign an extension really lays out Wenger’s plans. He’ll be back next season ready and hopefully healthy.
Le Boss may think Quincy is ready right now. That’s pretty exciting, too. I’ll be following along as best I can with any and all news as training commences. If I hear that Quincy and Henry have been linking up for goals, I reckon we’ll forget all about Robinho.
A safe and happy 4th, backatcha.
July 1st, 2005 at 10:41 am
I’m somewhat ashamed to say I didn’t even know there was such a thing as Canada day. A country?unfairly maligned by human and cartoon alike?that’s flourished and managed not to piss many off in the process. Happy to all!
This is nice:
http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/canadaday/index_e.asp?bhcp=1
July 1st, 2005 at 11:30 am
Cheers Scotty, that was nice!
July 1st, 2005 at 11:44 am
That’s ok, I think most people in the US forget there is such a thing as Canada up here, unless someone from our country says something which ticks off the powers down south.
Well Happy Holiday weekend to all
July 1st, 2005 at 3:09 pm
Quite happy Robhino isn’t coming. He’s nowhere close to being the finished article. Not physical enough and I don’t think we can risk another Reyes in the team. Barely stood out during the Confed Cup. The money that would be spent on him can now be spent on someone else.
July 1st, 2005 at 3:14 pm
Marking this one down.
Please do not complain if a big name is not brought in. Robinho will be a superstar for whatever team he plays for. It might not be next year, but he will do well next season, and be a fantastic player during his career, (Barring injuries).
His skills and talent are so evident its easy for even a fan to see.
July 1st, 2005 at 10:26 pm
it’s kinda funny to see all the file photos of Ali while his loan deal has been worked out. he absolutely is not the skinny kid that we’ve become accustomed too seeing. he obviously hit the weights hard while he was out and it will serve him well in the SPL. i expect him to score a hatful of goals for the hoops. good luck to him.
and don’t you find it interesting that we are now taking the initiative to re-sign some of our players to improved contracts? whether ashley stays or goes, i think the whole affair was a wake up call to the board to recognize a players worth and renegotiate if necessary even if he has time left on his current contract. look at lionel messi for barcelona. he started as a sub for argentina in the world youth cup, but has since become the star of the tournament. barca saw this and said shite, we better tie this boy up. and so they improved his contract. smart move.
forget robinho as well. wenger is apparently in brazil right now talking to baptista and his people. would love to see ‘the beast’ line up with henry to start the season. wow.
July 1st, 2005 at 11:01 pm
He probably will, but he’s not what we need right now, the flicks and tricks. We already have Quincy an unpolished gem, why get another? I’d rather take a Lampard or Rooney - or this Sevila guy Baptista. I wish him well, just not for us.
July 2nd, 2005 at 12:28 am
Well, Lampard & Rooney are not exactly available! There is no chance of getting either of those two, they are now the faces of their teams respectively. Robinho, could have become the face of Arsenal in 2-3 years time. Secondly, if you bring in a high profile Brazilian, and he blossoms into a superstar, its much more likely others will come. He wants to go to Real because there are great Brazilian players on that team.
July 2nd, 2005 at 6:06 am
I’d prefer Baptista, Arsenal need that type of player. Robinho looks a bit lightweight, it’s unpredictable how well he would do at Arsenal, Baptista is an animal and he’s pals with Reyes.
I’d take Adriano over those two though, he looks even better than Henry, complete dynamite. You could imagine him banging in 40 goals a season.
Poor Brazil.
July 2nd, 2005 at 6:34 am
Don’t think Adriano is better than Henry, but I agree with you on Baptista. I think we could use the tough bulldog of a player which he seems to be.