Gouffran’s picture just kills me in this! In the beanie and the scarf, it’s just a puddle of “awwwww”. He should pose for like Abercombie or something. Also, Carrasso and Chamakh.

Or maybe more things, I guess. Just a quickie update before Rennes.

-Gourcuff had to rush away from training after a thigh injury. He might not be available for Rennes as he was told not to exert for the next 48 hours. (The above image is from yesterday.)

-Wenger has allegedly said that he will not consider putting in another bid for Chamakh when the January window opens. He claims that he doesn’t need another striker since he has many capable players already (this is true). I think he just wants go wait till Chamakh is free and then make a grab for him.

-Also good news is that Bordeaux (the city) has been selected as the French candidate that will go for Euro 2016. If this does happen there will be a spanking new stadium for Bordeaux and all kinds of amazing things will happen.

I recently spotted an article titled Arsenal Target Marouane Chamakh Isn’t Very Good, and guess what, besides their video proof, I have proof too. I agree wholeheartedly with him. Chamakh is a terrible player. Everything from his ridiculously ludicrous headers to his impossibly insane moments in the air. The man is a beast (and I mean that in the bad way.)

This is why I say so:

1. His hair defies gravity, and he probably uses enough hair gel to fund a small economy.

2. He defies gravity. <— most ridiculous photo I’ve seen of him yet.

3. He gets chummy with Gourcuff.

4. He gets kisses from Triaud.

5. His head is small.

6. He ain’t no arshavin or brazillian.

7. He’s really old. I mean, 25? Come on, he is only functional for like 5 more years.

8. I think he has a nightclub in Morocco? (<– cannot be confirmed)

9. He photographs too well.

10. He’s skinny.

There you go Wenger. 10 reasons why you shouldn’t sign Chamakh on even a free transfer. Do you really want him ruining the lucrative hair gel market, skyrocketing the prices for the average Londoner? ‘Course not. In fact, no club deserves the completely undesirable Chamakh. If Gourcuff didn’t have a slight crush on him, we wouldn’t even want to keep him for ourselves (but obviously, to please Gourcuff we must, and we must pay him a lot of money.)

(If it’s not obvious I was totally stuck on the 7th reason and beyond.)

Can someone else give 10 reasons why Arsenal shouldn’t sign Chamakh?

In other news, I am completely grateful for the international break. I’m going MIA for the next week as I’m packing like crazy and moving. Also, frosh activities and the beginning of school is going to eat a chunk of my time. Similarly, since school is starting and I don’t think I want to fail post-secondary education, I’m going to take it easy on this blog.

Some genius decided to tell Google Translate that Mickaël Ciani = Adam Clayton. Hmm, I wonder why. (You might have to fullview that seeing as I don’t have Photoshop yet.)

As you can see, I’ve been absent for the past few weeks, but hopefully I’m back (for a while before school starts again). I know I missed some very exciting/interesting games. I badly wanted to watch them (especially Lens’ return to L1, but also Nice), but both weekends happened to be very busy. I hate to think that I lost chances to see Ciani’s performance, but there are always other times.

But, just reading some of the reviews, it’s apparent that the two players pushing the squad this season are Gourcuff and Chamakh. In some ways it’s very worrying since one of them will be leaving soon and the other will be leaving in a while.

The most important thing right now is that we’re scoring against some good teams and some good keepers (Ospina has been a real catch for Nice).

As anicho in the comments pointed out, we have a most crucial game coming up this weekend, again OM. I don’t see it online yet, but all of the active L1 Offside bloggers have done a little Top 10, and it seems that everyone thinks that OM will be the team to beat and the team most likely to win the title this season. I see where they’re coming from, but I think we’d like to prove them wrong .

In my opinion though, after some reading around, OM’s play hasn’t been THAT stellar, though it’s just the start of the season and they’re bond to pick up. IF we can beat them this weekend, it will set a tone for the rest of the season for sure. Picking up points is crucial from the start and it’s even more imperative when it is picking up points from our biggest opponents (OM and OL both)

I think I’m a little weary after the Chamakh drama (Arse? West Ham? Fulham? Greek club?). He’s obviously going to leave on a free transfer and Bordeaux will lose potential profit. But the opportunity cost gained in him assisting the title run obviously appealed to them more. I’m pretty sure that they’re not idiots and probably did realize that if they don’t let Chamakh go on his request, he will get significantly pissed and refuse to extend. At this point they can hope that 1. Chamakh scores a shitload and secure a lot of points (6 so far) and/or 2. Chamakh does really well that he will consider his situation to be a good one and stay. I think so far Blanc’s plan is working. I guess we won’t know if he’s going to stay for sure until the end of the transfer window on August 31st. It’s drawing quite close and I’m waiting anxiously.

Other things in the transfer window that are coming up is Fernando’s potential transfer to Werder Bremen for 4 or 5 million euros. I wonder if this Fernando would want this considering his open request to go La Liga.

Anyway, hopefully I will find time to put up a real preview of the game against OM sometime soon. (Seeing as I’m going to be busy this weekend again.) So long ’til then!

I think the Chamakh dilemma coincides with a difficult time in my life. As you might know right now, Real Madrid is in Toronto and that means….Karim Benzema. I’m been a big fan of him for a while now, and it’s a shame that I have to work through the times he’s in Toronto. I can’t decide if I want to go to the airport tomorrow and get an autograph or what. If only I knew when they are leaving! I know which hotel they’re staying at but…

Okay, I’m starting to sound like a stalker, but you understand that the chances of me seeing players of his calibre again is like, never.  (It’s even worse than missing Bordeaux in Montréal….)

But, alas. Chamakh dilemma. Chamakh was in England (reportedly) trying to push through a deal. I can’t say I didn’t predict Chamakh’s relationship with Bordeaux turning bad.  (<– I did, I did. I just can’t find the comment/post where I said it.)

As you may have heard, Chamakh is now accusing Triaud/Blanc of intentionally blocking his transfer out of mean-spiritedness. They have rebuked Arse(nal)’s 6 million bid for Chamakh, and also preparing to block the 7.5 million Arsene “Voyeur” Wenger is thinking of offering. But of course the Wenger is now putting Chamakh off. He states that Chamakh only has a year left on his contract, and in 5 months, Bordeaux will not make a cent off Chamakh (I never said Voyeur wasn’t S-M-A-R-T).

Chamakh seems to think that 6 million is totally reasonable for his qualities. He also promises that if nothing happens, he WILL be playing Lens. I hope that’s a promise he’ll keep.

Also, season starts tomorrow against Lens. I’m excited.

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Jennifer is still stuck on this.
Looking good Gaby

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ETA: Mickaël Ciani (central defender) might sign on to Bordeaux for 4 years.

Gourcuff wants to keep working with Chamakh:

“I really want to continue playing with him because I really enjoy it. He is very important in our system because it can be traced all the team keeping the ball well. He is right of the head and very generous in the effort. Few players have this style of play in Europe and it would be a big loss if he were to leave, for we would not have much time to find another player of this quality. Following is the club that runs it with Marouane, and I do not care about that. “

Is LOL. Apparently, it wasn’t even technically a date. They have the same lawyer and went to dinner just to discuss that. Of course, it doesn’t mean nothing happened during the dinner.

Also, along this update, there’s also reported interest in Michaël Ciani, a central defender from Lorient. Only about 3-4m compared to the other interest Adil Rami from Lille whose selling price is about 15m. Also, Blanc has reported contacted Marko Baša from FC Lokomotiv Moscow as a replacement to the irreplaceable Diawara *tears*.

You’ve also probably heard about the arrival of Jaroslav Plašil from Osasuna. Read the interview with Triaud and Plašil here.

As well, I have an article about Obertan over here if you want to read it.

and by MJ I mean the respectable Marc Jacobs. It’s evident that this amazing designer (and fine specimen of of man) has the hots for Gourcuff (get in line Marc! And allow Yoann a face in either your work for LV or your eponymous label. Commercials? Runway shows? Front row seats?).

Yoann has a bright future in fashion ahead of him. Maybe a capsule collection for LV? Or a celebrity line for D&G? Who knows. At least I hope a little but of his style would diffuse to the masses via ads for these big fashion houses (or even a collection for Zara Men?)

I’m just getting ahead of myself..
Gourcuff is always open to his fans, no matter how busy he is with his social life.

andddd
The new kit!

Aha, I found the rest of it! 7 minutes of glory! I gotta go grab my dictionary.

Yoann Gourcuff signs on to Bordeaux on a 4 year contract!

He says: “I am very pleased to continue the adventure that I engaged with the Girondins. My decision to sign with the FCGB has matured throughout the season.

We managed to create all conditions for a sporting success while fostering true relationships within the group.

I learned a lot when I was at AC Milan and I would also like to thank the players and the trainers of the club with whom I was learning at the highest level.

The trust that Laurent Blanc and my teammates have put in me since the beginning of the season, the ambition of the club for the upcoming season, and the unwavering support of our supporters, made me determined to accept this new challenge, to beyond the purely economic aspects that have not been a priority in my decision. “