Arteta, Pedro, RVP and fish

by .

Achtung! Alex here with a quick post as I am late for work.

Arteta has reportedly signed a one year contract extension. Is this a good thing? Well he’s been a good player for Arsenal, despite his injury-ridden campaign last season, and his positioning and passing are fantastic. But he just doesn’t have the pace or tenacity to play the holding role in the big games anymore. I think it was Dortmund away last year where his shortcomings were painfully exposed. Personally I’d be happy for him to stay on as third choice DM on the proviso that a) Flamini is fired into the sun and b) we sign either Schniederlin or Vidal right now (yes I’m now a Vidal fanboy after watching him for five minutes on youtube).

The Pedro rumours are resurfacing, and no not those ones about the erstwhile host of this site and his unusual paraphilia involving fish, the winger from Barcelona. Apparently he has rejected our interest which almost certainly wasn’t there in the first place. Well done mate, you’ve rejected NOTHING.

Finally these RVP to Fenerbache rumours just won’t go away. I don’t know why this story makes me so happy, perhaps because it vindicates what many Arsenal fans felt at the time – you swapped your loyalty for gold (albeit only one trophy) and now you’re being repaid with a lack of loyalty from United. Dropped from the team and binned off to Turkey. You could imagine if he had stayed at Arsenal, not only would he be a club legend, Wenger would have continued to support him through his injuries and given him time to find his form. Maybe I sound sentimental, and I certainly don’t buy into the idea that players shouldn’t move for more ££, but there was something so cowardly about the way he behaved, issuing a statement criticising the club that he captained, and then moving to our bitterest rivals. I hope he ends up in some backwater club in Qatar with lots and lots of cash texting Sagna and Theo Walcott asking when they are going to come out and visit cos he’s a got a really cool pool, and honestly its really good fun out there…

On a final note, I usually like to use this blog for good rather than evil, however I’d really appreciate if you could follow my friend @lizzrobs – please tweet at her the title of your favourite Disney film. She doesn’t have many followers so I thought I’d give her a boost.

You can follow me @aldo_doel but please no Disney films. Have a great day! x

698 Responses to “Arteta, Pedro, RVP and fish”

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  1. london gunner

    This blog is a bit of a joke.

    Come on to see a few comments about Muller not being supremely talented.

    Are you actually dumb?

    But if you watch long enough, a strange thing happens. You stop getting so hung up on how weird he looks and notice that there aren’t any deficiencies in his game. He’s just as likely to score a header or tap-in as he is a 30-yard screamer. “He’s just as likely to assist a teammate with a 50-yard Hollywood ball as he is a cross, a cutback or a backheel flick. He plays center forward, left wing, right wing, attacking midfield and central midfield — sometimes all in the span of five games and sometimes all in the span of five minutes. He is everywhere. He is everything.”

    “Müller’s been the best attacking player on two domestic double-winning teams, a treble-winning team and a World Cup-winning team. He’s about to collect at least one more trophy this season, if not three. He’s only 25.”

    “2009-10: 52 appearances, 19 goals.
    2010-11: 48 appearances, 19 goals.
    2011-12: 53 appearances, 11 goals.
    2012-13: 47 appearances, 23 goals.
    2013-14: 51 appearances, 27 goals.
    2014-15: 40 appearances, 20 goals.”

    If signed he would be our best player.

  3. Dan Ahern

    Indeed, hope we aren’t content with our squad. The Cech signing would seem to indicate we won’t tolerate “good enough,” but we’ll have to wait and see. As Sal and others said, we’ll almost certainly wait for the opportunities to pop up and try to pounce. I was talking about this a bit with Kushagra on twitter and he noted Kondogbia was a big miss in this regard, though.

  5. salparadisenyc

    Vicky

    Wouldn’t put much thought into that one.

    As others have illustrated if we’d didn’t up the bid when Madrid elevated the goal posts last time for Higuain, why would Wenger now bid £43m?

    Do like the number, very similar to Ozil fee.

  6. kwik fit

    WE all speak about upgrading Giroud but truth be told we could do with upgrading Walcott/Webeck. Pedro would be such an upgrade.

  10. Cesc Appeal

    Kwik

    Yeah Oxlade has real potential if he can just stay fit…and also start to take more responsibility, drive at the goal on the edge of the box like Sanchez or take a shot from distance.

    When he first arrived he sort of played without fear and with a real directness, I think it was Blackburn at home I went to see and he played, he was magnificent. He needs to bring a little of that back, fearlessness, directness and driving at his defender/at the goal.

  11. Nasri's Mouth

    london gunner: I am also glad we choose Sanchez over Griezmann

    Griezmann was my 2nd choice behind Sanchez last summer, but he’s taken a step forward last season. I suspect he’ll end up at Chelsea though

  13. Nasri's Mouth

    @Cesc Appeal / Kwik

    I imagine Ox will get a lot of game time early on with Sanchez missing.

  14. MidwestGun

    I don’t think Griezemann was that under-rated. I had him in top 5 wingers last season. It was more people wanted Sanchez over Griezemann at the time. Still think he’s staying at Atletico.
    I expect Cuadrado to get a run out next season. His agent says he’s staying as of yesterday.

  15. kwik fit

    Totally agree CA. If he stays fit and keeps his focus he can be one of the first on the team sheet. He seems to have many attributes and if he achieves consistency in his game he could be WC.

  16. vicky

    Chances are if we replace Theo with Pedro, not only will we get an upgrade but may also register some profit in monetary terms.

  18. london gunner

    Nasri

    Where does that leave Cuadrado? Thought he was a strange purchase to begin with.

    Griezmann is like a substantial upgrade to Schurle, has the same ability to finish from tight angles, but offers more across the other disciplines.

  19. Marko

    I was calling for Griezmann back in his Sociedad days and I can’t remember who but some ding dong was arguing Vela was the better player and cheaper. Absolute nonsense. Even gambon argued we didn’t need another clinical winger cause we had Walcott and needed a playmaker winger instead. Boggles the mind. He’s top class

  20. london gunner

    Vicky

    But what I don’t get is why is the conversation always is about replacing Walcott when Welbeck is obviously worse as an attacking player.

    Yes Walcott is on higher wages, but Welbeck is only on 10 k less and offers far less goals.

    Get rid of Welbeck and get a Griezmann, Fekir, Pedro or in a dream state situation Reus.

  22. Nasri's Mouth

    @Kwik fit

    At least with Sanchez we know he’s not going to get fat in the next 3-4 weeks, so fitness wont be a problem.

    I think he’ll miss August

  23. kwik fit

    Apparently Reus is available for 40m euro. A real bargain by anyone’s standards , except Wengers it seems.

  25. Nasri's Mouth

    @london gunner

    Well, it might not be this summer. Depends whether Mourinho perseveres with Cuadrado. Maybe another season.

  26. Cesc Appeal

    Except Welbeck is on a fresh contract, Walcott may be pushing for ridiculous wages for his limited use with only a season or something to run on his deal…so it makes sense to cash in with some imbecilic team like Liverpool probably giving us £20-30 Million.

    Kwik NM

    I really rate Oxlade, as Kwik says, has everything in his game to make you think he may be something special…aside from that end product, needs add lethality and danger to his game. Perfect role model for him on the opposite flank.

  27. vicky

    London

    Walcott if sold – 25-30m
    Welback If sold – 10-12m
    Pedro if bought – 20-25m

    My point was we could actually make a profit If we sold Theo and bought Pedro……..not the case If Welback is sold which would ensure we don’t eat in our budget which hopefully is earmarked for a quality striker. Besides, Theo has not signed a contract extension. So his chances of departure is more than Danny.

    Of course he would be an upgrade over both.

  28. Dan Ahern

    I’m with Marko, been on #TeamGriezmann since Sociedad, think he’s pure class.

    I doubt Atletí would sell, but them signing a pair of strikers gives me the slightest bit of renewed hope, despite Griez inking a huge extension.

    Anyway, am I making it up or did we have some interest in Vietto as well? A fun thing to think about is how he probably costs about the same as we’re paying Yaya over the life of his contract.

  29. Dan Ahern

    Have to agree with london gunner though, Walcott offers us more in scoring than Welbz and even Pedro, even if Pedro is a better all-around player.

    It doesn’t make much sense to shift Welbz already, but to me he’s pretty low in the value rankings among our forwards.

  30. MidwestGun

    Scanned a few Pool blogs… they are convinced they are getting Lacazette.
    Altho, I guess their fallback is Pedro.
    Because they want to give up CL and play on Thursdays apparently.

  34. Nasri's Mouth

    Midwestgun: Scanned a few Pool blogs… they are convinced they are getting Lacazette.

    worth following @RAWK_Meltdown on twitter for impressive quotes from their forums.

  37. Marko

    Mid wouldn’t worry in the slightest mate. Lacazette isn’t stupid enough to join Liverpool. He’d be better off where he is than go there and worst case scenario is he signs a new deal stays one more season then goes somewhere.

    Also Kwik wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss Wenger signing someone like Reus this summer. Something big’s coming I think. Something Sanchez or Ozil big and there’s absolutely no reason why we couldn’t attract Reus or someone of that ilk

  39. Cesc Appeal

    MidWest

    ‘Was it Bendtner’s signing that made you leave?’

    ‘No. At the time I was not sure if I was staying or going and so in the then end I just made the choice.’

    ‘Yeah good answer, but was it Bendtner that made you leave?’

    Haha…if he had just sort of grinned and cocked his head, would have been brilliant.

  40. MidwestGun

    Thanks Nasri……. always love reading the delusional.

    Was reading they think Americans don’t know who Stevie G is and that’s why he’s having to do publicity promos. . ….. nope its just in LA nobody gives a crap. He’s not even a D lister in Hollywood.

  41. Cesc Appeal

    DA

    Haha 🙂

    It’s a good question from Graham Norton though, because he asks it in a totally passive, ‘I don’t even like football’ kind of way, if you love them so much, why did you leave.

  44. Honest Bill

    I’d much sooner keep Theo than Welbeck.

    Theo is quite a prolific scorer. If we can keep him fit he will be invaluable to us. We need more players with the balls to shoot, not fewer.

    I’m not saying Welbeck could never come good, but Theo is a far greater assett to us. All Welbeck gives us is decent link-up play. But we have plenty who can offer that better than he can.

    We don’t need to sell anyone to buy.

  45. Aa23

    I hope there’s no truth in this Higuain for 42 million stuff
    He’s far too fat to be an Arsenal player.
    Why don’t we just out in a proper offer fur Benzema instead
    Having said that I think it’s bollocks
    We’d never pay 40 plus for fat bollockd anyway
    As you were

  46. Dan Ahern

    Follow me to the promised land, Arsene.

    4-3-1-2

    – – – – – – – – – – – Cech – – – – – – – – – – –

    Bellerín – – – Per – – Kos – – – Nacho

    – – – – Ramsey – Coq – Cazorla – – – –

    – – – – – – – – – – – – Özil – – – – – – – – – – – –

    – – – – – – Alexis – – Griezmann – – – – –

  50. vicky

    Love this:Can/Busquets
    Hendo/Rakitic
    Coutinho/Iniesta
    Lallana/Messi
    Pedro/Neymar
    Firmino/Suarez

    ———————————-

    F*ck me, even Untold are better than this lot.

  53. Cesc Appeal

    Marko

    If only people had realised No.10 was Ozil’s position sooner and stopped thinking he would be good out on the left…*facepalm*

    But maybe that’s just me being anti-Arsenal and twisting things to fuel my hatred for the club, manager and players.

  55. salparadisenyc

    “(July 2014 / LFC sign Marković) …never seen him play but from the descriptions i’ve read it’s got me thinking of a Pavel Nedved”

    You really can’t right this stuff…. I mean just fucking comedy!

  59. Cesc Appeal

    Liverpool fans and Spurs fans, it’s tight as to who is the most delusional as to their station in football

  60. Dan Ahern

    I think Liverpool fans are definitely more delusional, they all seem to expect silverware every year, completely unaware of where their squad stacks up next to the rest of the league.

  61. MidwestGun

    Sad part is even American Pool fans are delusional. Was wearing my Arsenal shirt out and about and got stopped at the supermarket by some dude and he said. … I’m sorry. And I was like. .. here we go. Probably a Chelsea fan.

    Nope Pool fan….. I was like sorry for what the 80’s? I’m over it.

  62. Sam

    I think the Turks should complete a hatrick of signing arsenal strikers.
    Galatasaray took Poldi, Besiktas are taking Campbell now Fenerbahce should wrap up Yaya Sanogo.

  63. salparadisenyc

    One of my best mates is a Liverpool supporter, born and raised up there. He’s been quite somber of late but suddenly today is now convinced there back in the mix for top honors.

    Like the clock hits July and all’s forgotten. Personally think Rodgers could be gone come January.

  65. Dan Ahern

    Liverpool seems to be Spursing still, but they’re doing a little better. This season’s smorgasbord started with Clyne and Firmino, which looks like good business to me. We’ll see if they keep up the standard or revert to signing five more average players though.

  66. salparadisenyc

    Dan

    If they land Pedro to replace Sterling I may start to believe.
    On paper if they can keep Sturridge fit or get Balotelli firing who knows.

    Just fell Rodgers will bottle it, he got massively over rated due to Suarez’s all time season. Nearly won em the title, incredible stuff. Nearly as good at that feed Nasri posted up.

  69. Emiratesstroller

    Looking at Arsenal’s current squad on the OFFICIAL website there are currently 33 players in the first team squad.

    I anticipate that the following players will still leave:
    Ospina [sale/loan]
    Jenkinson [loan]
    Flamini or Rosicky [sale/loan]
    Campbell [sale]
    Sanogo [sale/loan]

    That brings the squad down to 28.

    However, Messrs Hayden,Zelalem, Bielek and Akpom are more likely to play
    with U21 or be loaned out, which would bring the squad down to 24.

    That would still leave 3 U21 players in Bellerin,Chambers and Gnabry in first team squad, but not having to be registered.

    The maximum number of registered players for EPL and CL Games is 25.
    Dependent on whether the 3 listed above are included in registrations there
    are potential vacancies for between 1 and 4 players to be registered.

    My instinct tells me that Wenger will buy one Forward [Number 9 shirt] and
    maybe one surprise additional player to complete his 25 registrations for season.

  70. Leedsgunner

    Marko

    I personally discount anything from the Metro. If they report it chances are it probably isn’t happening. They’ve become as bad as “Caught Offside” if you remember them.

  71. Leedsgunner

    The silly season never ends as far as AFC is concerned, the media in this country will literally write anything that puts our club in a negative light.

  72. Wallace

    nice to see the players back for pre-season(go Sanogo!). this summer’s flown by.

    will be interesting to see how Chambers, Gabriel, Bielik, Zelalem, Gnabry & Akpom develop this year.

  73. Emiratesstroller

    The Di Maria story is pure bullshit.

    Yes I am sure that Wenger would love to see him at club, but Man Utd would never sell him to us even if we could afford transfer fee [unlikely] or perhaps more realistically his stratospheric wages.

  74. tunnygriffboy

    I’ve got a sneaky feeling Wenger is going to come up trumps and buy someone off the radar.

    He said he’d only look at top/world class players. To be fair he’s snagged one already.

    I’ve got a feeling there’s more to come 🙂

  75. tunnygriffboy

    Wallace

    Yeah looking to see the above mentoned youngsters in pre season games. There’s a heap of potential there. Add Bellerin and Ox and that’s some young talent coming through. Notice Dan Crowley traing with first team as well. So are a couple of our academy signings from the summer.

  76. Gregg

    We have a realtively deep squad and only top class additions improve it. Agreed a couple more players would make the difference. When the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, possibly PSG start doing their business, then we’ll get involved. IMO.

    I’m still hoping Bayern want shot of Javi Martinez

  77. Emiratesstroller

    Tunnygriffboy

    I agree.

    I do think that Wenger will make a ‘major signing’ this summer as he did in 2013 and 2014, but it is not going to be Di Maria.

    I think that he will look around Europe or possibly even at Sterling as I suggested 2 days ago. If I was a betting man he will buy someone whose transfer
    fee is around the £30-45 million and wages on par with those of Ozil,Sanchez
    or Cech.

    There is currently a gap at number 9 following departure of Podolski and I am
    pretty sure that will be filled before window closes.

  78. Wallace

    tunny

    has Crowley grown any? i like him, but he’s tiny. and 18 next month, so if he is a serious talent you’d expect him to feature in a few games this year.

  79. Wallace

    Gregg

    “I’m still hoping Bayern want shot of Javi Martinez.”

    i can’t see anyone willing to part with the 30m+ it’ll take to get him before they’ve made sure he’s completely over his injury.

  80. Dream10

    Emiratesstroller

    Do you think there is a specific target in mind or does AW sign whoever is available (Reus or Benzema)?

  81. Emiratesstroller

    Dream 10

    I think that the situation at Arsenal is different from 2 years ago.

    Wenger must only buy what we need and/or is upgrade on what we have got.

    I am sure that he has a list of players that he would be interested in, but one has to be realistic. That list must now be growing increasingly shorter either
    because the players are unbuyable at present time or their clubs want more
    often than not unrealistic transfer fees.

    You need see only how both Man Utd and Man City are struggling to bring in
    players and their requirements are probably more acute than ours.

  82. tunnygriffboy

    Wallace

    He is Jack Wilshere. Will need to bulk up alittle but I imagine he’s still growing. Prodigious talent and I would expect to see him in some pre season games. He’s a better prospect than Zelelem imo. Arteta has raved about him as has Wilshere

  84. Wallace

    tunny

    yeah, can’t see Zelalem making it at Arsenal. i think Gnabry’s the player with the best chance. got the game and the physique.

  85. tunnygriffboy

    Emirates

    For goodness sake will you stop being mature, realistic, sensible and honest about the transfer window. It’s not fair we need a meltdown everyday on who weare buying, selling or missing out on. We all love LG hysteria 🙂 🙂

  89. Wallace

    Sanogo’s the dark horse for me.

    i’d also think about moving Flamini forward into the 10 role. let him fry his creative juices.

    also wondering if Liverpool would take 20m for Balo…

  91. Dream10

    Wallace

    Flamini is an excellent solution at #9. He can link play and get in behind. Also, he is capable of defending from the front. Can Benzema do that ? Nope!

  95. R.S.P.C.Arsenal

    Stroller

    Who in there right mind would loan San no goals

    The fella can’t score no confidence he’s shot.

    Best he goes back to France unless Wenger thinks there is a Harry Kane like loan out enough will become good enough thing about him?

  96. Emiratesstroller

    tunnygriffboy

    Sorry if I am being realistic about transfer window, but I have been supporting/watching Arsenal for a very long time.

    The club and Wenger are not going to change their philosophy for all the wishful thinking.

    Leaving aside the ‘scrooge mentality’ following the development of Emirates
    the club continues to be careful in transfer market particularly when it comes to making major transfer deals.

    In 2013 we made just one major transfer deal. Having chased Suarez for 2 months and failing we then bought Ozil in the last hour of transfer window.

    Last Summer we were advised by Gazidis that the budget would be £100 million and whilst we did not spend that amount we were not far short if you
    factor in Gabriel and Bielek in January as well.

    At the end of this season Gazidis advised that our budget was £50 million. Wenger went on to say that he had a very large squad and was only interested in upgrades. If you follow those statements and factor in a small adjustment
    I doubt that the balance of this summer’s transfer budget is much more than
    £40 million after deducting fee of Cech.

    When you look around Europe at what is going on I don’t think that it will be
    a vintage year in transfer market. Real Madrid and Barcelona appear to have
    restricted budgets this summer. I don’t think that Bayern, Chelsea or ourselves
    will be major spenders.

    The only clubs in the ‘big’ financial league who might be prepared to spend
    big money are the two Manchester clubs and PSG. As you can see they are
    struggling to put together deals. Most of the big players are now at big clubs
    and reluctant to sell.

    The smaller clubs when they have a half decent player want an unrealistic
    transfer fee and the agents ask silly money for their cut. You need only look
    at Liverpool’s demand for Sterling and Napoli for Higuain. Neither player is
    a world beater and worth what these clubs ask.

    Having said that the counterbalance at Arsenal is that we have built our stadium and training facilities and the club has a responsibility to its major sponsors [Puma and Emirates] to spend the money on improving team and winning trophies.

  97. Gregg

    ES

    I’d say £50m is probably realistic, plus the little we may get from sales. That will obviously not appease many but it is what it is.

    We may look to add one stellar signing or a couple of up and coming’s. But I cannot see anymore than two new recruits.

  98. tunnygriffboy

    Emirates

    I wasn’t being snotty. You just talk a lot of sense talking about the transfer window and I was commending you on it. The media try to turn things into a frenzy and we aas supporters often get dragged into it even if it is ridiculous.