I’m sitting at my laptop, and I won’t moan.
But come on?
Just one!
Arsenal dropping the ‘Dog ate my designs’ 2018 away kit line.
What are the lads at Puma thinking?
This looks like the sort of sportswear my mum would buy for the start of year 8.
‘Well, I thought it looked natty’
Geez Mum, I’m already getting wedgied for the extra-special braces and velcro shoes, how could you do this to me?
FFS. I’m trying my hardest to button up the moaning, but it feels like every other day Puma drop a new monstrosity for the fuck-you-very-much victory lap.
Anyway, let’s crack into Unai Emery. I’m gonna go all Buzzfeed up in this bitch.
5 things that Unai Emery needs to address:
Aaron Ramsey:
The only superstar in Wales these days is down to the final year of his deal. There’s no doubt he’s looking at the fat mega pay cheque part-timer Mesut Ozil just dropped thinking, damn, I want to get me some of that sweet sugar.
Knowing that Arsenal can only raise their wage bill £7m a season, I find it highly unlikely we’re going to drop £300k a week on a player who spends a lot of time injured. The leak from The Sun claimed Unai wanted to build the squad around Aaron’s engine, so it’s going to be interesting to see what they do there.
My gut feel says he’ll be moved on so we can crank up that weak transfer pot and free up some cash money. We could easily get £50m for him, that’d be good dough.
CAPTAIN:
Arsene Wenger didn’t believe in captains, which I always felt was an apt position to take from a man who showed a real lack of leadership in his last 5 years. We’ve cycled through Gallas, Arteta, Mertesacker, Cech and Koscielny. With the Frenchman out for the foreseeable, and our #1 likely on the chopping board, it’ll be very interesting to see who takes on the armband.
My preference is someone who actually plays, that’d be a good start. It looks like the options are basically Aaron, Ramsey, or Aaron Ramsey. I don’t see a lot of leadership outside those three.
XHAKAKAKAKA:
Lord of the Spare Key, Granit Xhaka, had a pretty awful season last year. I think he had more assists than Ramsey, but, you know, for the opposition.
Amirite?
You sure are Pedro, you sure are.
The Swiss midfielder needs a career reboot, Emery is apparently a major fan according to legendary ITK Kike Marin, so it’ll be interesting to see how he develops him. The biggest challenge he has is physical, he has no acceleration, and he’s a bit of a ding-dong when it comes to positioning. A lot of that comes from having played in Lucian Favre system where you’d get screamed at for being 5 yards out of position in training, to playing under Wenger who had no tactical system outside ‘express yourself.’
Also, Xhaka is a very fit player, he always plays… captain material?
Meeeeesut Ozil:
The German international takes more short breaks than my retired Dad. I’m not sure the new man is going to take that sort of nonsense. It’s very doubtful he’ll afford him the same freedom to do what he wants on and off the pitch. The #10 is dead unless you want to be a workhorse, which isn’t Ozil’s bag. Will he opt for a wide right position? Will he play deeper? Or will the club try and shift him on for a fee?
The German won’t be tolerated in the new setup if he doesn’t pull his weight, and the new head coach will pull him off if his fitness or effort levels are flagging. Ozil is just one of many now, no special treatment for a player on so much damn cash.
Keeeeeeeper:
Cech has been given the #1 jersey, but as John McEnroe would say, ‘HE CAN’T PLAY WITH HIS FEET AND HIS REFLEXES HAVE GONE’, so let’s see how long that lasts.
We need a keeper who can keep us in games, we need someone who can act as a sweeper, we need someone who can bring the ball down from 40 yards, stun it, and break the lines like a keeping version of peak Zidane.
The universe of great keeping passed Cech by, you’re not teaching someone those new skills in their mid-thirties. We need a modern take on a keeper, and that looks more like Allison and Ederson than it does Cech.
DM me, bruh:
Arsenal made a massive hash of a DM during Wenger’s terror reign. The club thought Xhaka and Coq would be a better alt than Kante, so we passed on the Frenchman. Oh how that stung. We need to address that deep-lying midfielder. We need someone with power, pace and smooth bald head. I think AMN is the future, he has it all. Recovery pace, aggression, footballing intelligence and that cool/calm composure usually only associated with elite riflemen. He could be the answer… or the club could go big with an unknown from the Bundesliga.
Will Arsenal take a chance on youth? Let’s see…
Right, that’s me done, see you tomorrow you sexy beasts. x
pedro Good post though you omitted the defence and nearly made me choke on my food stating ramsey has what it takes to be our captain. hello, this is arsenal we are talking about not a league two team. I can categorically say Ramsey is one of our players who lack discipline on the field. all our captain for the past five years shite on him. he lacks the charisma to be the captain. if you have been taking notice, you can count the number of times he usually apologise to his teammates whenever they frown at him when he… Read more »
Wilshere can go, he’s just an accident waiting to happen. He hasnt the bones nor the stamina to put in the kind of season that he and his agent are asking money for. This one, in my opinion, is a buyer beware scenario. Nothing good can come of signing Jack Wilshere..
When assessing the current first team squad it’s difficult to know how much to blame (or credit) Wenger for. With him gone, who will get better under Emery, who may worsen? That’s why it’s safer to focus on commitment and attitude. On that basis two players don’t measure up: Ozil (who doesn’t give a stuff) and Bellerin (who thinks he is a winger). Perhaps Emery can resurrect them, but more likely he won’t even bother. Whether any Club is daft enough to buy them is another matter. The very last person to let go is Ramsay. His commitment is total.… Read more »
As I have said before make a statement of intent
Maitland niles as captain
No I fully get that I’m just saying shouldn’t a striker who scores more goals be on the plane instead of one who scores less? No just me? Anyway I’m sure Matuidi is as merited as Giroud. He likes a certain type for sure matuidi to Giroud? if you must know, Giroud has the attributes that match the game plan of the coach which explains why he is always inbtge first eleven. for your information, Giroud Shites on lacazette and Ben when it comes to international football. he has been able to break some records. lacazette and Ben are competing… Read more »
You’re such an obvious latecomer to football with your outlook on transfers. Such a Fifa fanboy comparing transfers in terms of glitz to others. Arsenal need what Arsenal need, it’s really that simple. I couldn’t resist Charles. Better that than think we can sort out our problems internally and seemingly be so against transfers. We don’t need a defender we just need better tactics and training. Probably only one midfielder away from sorting out our horrendous midfield. And you’re right Arsenal need what Arsenal need and that’s starters first and foremost. Impact signings. Even you can admit the Naby Keita… Read more »
“Naby Keita signing was a brilliant bit of business and the potential of Fekir is huge.”
Yea Liverpool have struggled to score this season, that should tip things in their favour. Especially with their worldie of a GK and solid backline.
As I said, I’m interested in Arsenal, I don’t give a fuck who the rest of the league sign. The fact you do pretty much says it all.
On top of that Lichsteiner can be a bit of a leader figure for him he has won 5 titles on the bounce a winners mentality for free? I will take some of that
I believe in Emery to put into place a functioning unit which explains why I don’t look into what other teams do other than what my club do in the transfer market.
naby is a great buy while the fekir news is just mere rumour.
Lyon president said there as been no contact from Liverpool (it doesn’t mean it can’t happen).
thanos
seconded
The transfer budget of 50m and apparently another 20m is telling. It tells us that mangement are of the belief that we have the right pieces in place and little tinkering is required
I’d say the owner is a cheapskate who didnt become a billionaire cause he spent money to make money.
We shall see what we can get on a limited budget, Skinflint Kroenke not withstanding.
Your Comment Here
Your Comment Here
can someone please drop predictions for tomorrow’s UCL finals?
much appreciated.
Nothing worries you Charles good to know
Frankie: I’d say the owner is a cheapskate who didnt become a billionaire cause he spent money to make money. But it’s not his money. The club has cash reserves, so he wouldn’t be spending his money. If he is a billionaire he must know that you have to spend money to make money. He is deliberately limiting the club from spending its own money. It’s clear that his long term strategy is based on Arsenal’s value appreciating over time. As long as we remain one of the top half a dozen clubs in th EPL it will. It looks… Read more »
qna
correct.
Make Auba captain!!!!
First time in ten years someones been totally honest about things.
Liverpool 4 RM 2.
Real Madrid 3-2
Ain’t he 34 Lichtenstein
An has the speed of per ?
Ain’t going down that road again surely
RM 4 pool 1
“The Licht will not be slotting into CM if he signs for Arsenal. Never. Ever.”
Lol. the king of absolutes strike again. Ever get tired of having mud on your face? “Shola boy” lol
Lichtensteiner would be great. He is a leader and maybe Bellerin can learn a thing or two from him. He had a great performance against the spuds at Wembley – totally changed the game.
Ffs
Is that the future 34 year old full backs ?
Lord above
I can get why Rabiot was left out of the squad. Matuidi is a great player for the national team. Always plays to a high and efficient standard. I think Tolisso is the one to be questioned but he too has better performances for France than Rabiot. Deschamps just went for people he trusts. Without looking at those things though, (who plays better for the national team, not style of play) I think Rabiot is now a better player and had better seasons than all of Matuidi, Tolliso and Pogba. Can’t believe Kongdogbia is not there too, had a storming… Read more »
http://www.redlondon.net/bbcs-david-ornstein-reveals-arsenal-are-working-on-signing-another-player-after-goalkeepers-deal/
The man in the know Pedro says it…
Am I alone in thinking this is madness
Apparently we are offering a 2 year deal to Licht.
RSPCA
Honestly you are not alone. Everyone lapping up the signing would have slaughtered Wenger for it lol.
I don’t know if it has to do with how bad Bellerin has become. Even if I see it as a crazy prospective signing, I could see him benching Bellerin.
Hopefully it’s all gossip
But 34
Can’t see logic in it
Free but too old
RSPCA
He has been one of the best full backs of his generation, professionalism, leadership, defensive know-how and a winning mentality – all things this team lacks.
So he is 34, he’s not been brought in for 1st choice imo but will be good cover and can teach the whole team a thing or two, not just Bellerin.
So long as the contract is not significantly more than what he was getting – £50k – I think its good value.
Nothing wrong with the signing providing its as cover
If it allows us to sell Jenkinson and promote a youth player for the future
Signing Lichtsteiner now is possibly the ideal way in which to maintain the growth and dynamic of the team.
Bellerin is 1st choice and the club are heavily invested in him, having another kid as his competition/back-up would be counter productive, as would signing someone who would displace Bellerin.
I was calling for them to sell Gibbs and buy a young LB years ago while we had Monreal performing so well, but people said No, we have Monreal, Gibbs is great cover.
Absolutely no foresight.
Yeah, sure, but a 34 year old from Serie A to play fullback in the EPL is a bit far.
It’s a body, but that’s it. A viable option to rotate and/or deputise for Bellerin for a potential 6 week injury layoff? Not a chance. Complete waste of wages.
On the list of complete waste of wages, £5m for a 34 yo Lichtsteiner would be waaay, waaaaaay down the list.
A dozen or so league cameos, the odd dead rubber and lower league game. That will be more than enough on the playing side for me.
How much did signing Debuchy cost the club?
Another ill thought out signing.
Lichsteiner – Emery’s Remi Garde
Do one
1st signing?
Oooh! And why not?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NBtinqxmyw
Sign him up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doWQW3rDuwI
I don’t think scoring more goals should be the only criteria for making a squad Giroud brings a very useful alternative way to attack compared with the other options mentioned If you’re struggling to break down a big, burly and compact defense with 10 mins left, I’d be happier throwing on giroud to try and nick a header than laca Giroud is far from perfect but he’s a good striker who does score and has very distinct uses. In the same way Kanu was our lowest scoring forward during those days – but he brought some extremely useful qualities to… Read more »
Ozil gets good numbers in AM but we all agree that he’s not all that
I think most of us would be willing to trade him for a player with 25% fewer assists per year but more contribution in other aspects, such as showing up in big games, work rate, pressing from the front, goals etc.
Laca is a better goal scorer than giroud but it doesn’t make him a better choice for their squad when they already have griezman
ok ok so now we’re all over the almost disastrous appointment of Arteeta, lets be real about Unai. So he has a few milestones to reach from now until Jan. If for whatever reason he doesn’t address these extreamly high priority issues, I think it’ll be safe to say, dudes a dud. 1. Bellerin So far we’re seeing Lichtsteiner linked. If so, thats STRIKE 1 for unai. Not off to a good start. 2. Ozil Motivate or sell, there’s no middle ground here. You have to do one or the other unai, otherwise its STRIKE 2 3. Cech Only good… Read more »
How much did signing Debuchy cost the club?
Another ill thought out signing.
How is debuchy signing an ill thought one?
I don’t get it, like there is a technology that tells unforseen injuries?
debuchy was a great buy till he get injured.
Lichtensteiner is being signed on 44k weekly, on a free transfer is a pretty old deal.
We paid Debuchy more than that. If we get 20-25 games out if him then that would be great.
It hurts to say this. The only way we entice a player from Spuds will be to blow them out of the water with wages. Problem is we only have room for £7 million wage increase this year so Spuds are a bigger draw than Arsenal. They have a manager that’s known to develop young players. They have a squad that many will want to join They will,have the most modern and newest faculties in London, some players get drawn by that Finally and importantly they can offer champions league football and don’t look like they will be dropping out… Read more »
Your Comment Here
E54
The only STRIKE is if we’re 7th in January. I don’t care about who plays if we’re winning.
PEDRO I think that Arsenal need to make three changes of policy following departure of Wenger. 1. The new head coach needs to be provided with a larger budget than previously discussed. £100 Million should be affordable and realistic factoring in the sales from last year which were £108 million. Only about £60 Million was spent on Aubameyang and Mavropanos. 2.There needs to be a much more proactive policy on transfer business. We have DITHERED in the past before making transfers and that has cost us dear. Seri’s agent has commented on the slowness of Arsenal’s negotiations in past. 3.… Read more »
correction “three acquisitions of offensive players last SEASON [Not summer]
We never publicize who we’re looking to sign but this list has some interesting names.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5770601/Unai-Emerys-Arsenal-transfer-targets-Jean-Michael-Seri-Jonny-Evans-Ousmane-Dembele-radar.html
I don’t think that Arsenal’s wage situation is as critical as some suggest.
There is too much focus on the mega wage of Ozil and not on the disposals which have been made during course of last season i.e. Sanchez, Ox, Coquelin, Walcott, and Giroud. That was nearly £500K pw.
Then you can add in the departures of Mertesacker, Cazorla and any other players we farmed out on loan whose wages were paid/subsidised by Arsenal.
why do people assume that if licht comes, bellerin is off ? I think the reason licht will come in is to teach bellerin how to be a class RB… no 34 year old is Playing 3 times a week. Not the brightest people on le grove…
thats the point. if he doesn’t addresss these issues we will be losing, struggling, continuing Wengers way. oh there will be excuses excuses. most of you will say ‘give it time’ but if he can’t see these glaringly obvious problems that have been hurting the club for years now, then he’s obviously not ‘The guy’
It only took the club about a month to replace wenger. when was it 1st announced in april? So they knew what they were doing and they knew who they wanted. Wengers head still spinning from it all. he actually couldn’t believe it was happening. poor sod. scratch that, wealthy sod.
Unai has till January.
unai has till January ? to do what exactly ?
I always liked Lichtsteiner , reliably solid player throughout his career. Experienced head to teach Bellerin some skillz maybe ?
How come Pedro you havent listed what to do with Welbeck and Iwobi ?
A proper keeper, a proper CB and a proper DM, supplemented by 1 or 2 experiences freebies and selling of a few of our shitter players and we’re laughing
Maybe if I repeat this enough times the club will listen.
IVAN??? CAN YOU HEAR ME???
Welbeck and Mustafi combined can hopefully bring us the best part of 40 million with zero negative impact on our squad quality
E54 “thats the point. if he doesn’t addresss these issues we will be losing, struggling, continuing Wengers way. oh there will be excuses excuses. most of you will say ‘give it time’ but if he can’t see these glaringly obvious problems that have been hurting the club for years now, then he’s obviously not ‘The guy’” What makes you so sure we’ll be losing? Are you saying no manager can coach this group of players and make top 4? We can’t say Wenger is a bad coach then say our problems will only be solved by buying. Coaching should have… Read more »
The same people who hailed Cech are now looking for a new keeper lol
Making Ospina our no 1 Keeper will resolve the issue..
Puma has been a disaster. There’s a reason why they are way behind Adidas and Nike.
Let’s be methodical about our squad rather than fanciful.
GK LENO [replace Ospina]
GK CECH
GK MACEY
CB SOKRATIS [replace Mustafi]
CB KOSCIELNY [? replacement]
CB MAVROPANOS [replace Mertesacker]
CB CHAMBERS
CB HOLDING
RB BELLERIN
LB MONREAL
LB KOLASINAC
DMF XHAKA
DMF ELNENY
DMF MAITLAND-NILES [+ RB]
CMF SERI [replace Cazorla]
CMF RAMSEY
CMF WILSHIRE [? replacement if does not sign contract]
LW IWOBI [+RW]
RW NELSON [ promoted from U23]
AMF OZIL
AMF MKHITARYAN [+ RW]
ST AUBAMEYANG [+ LW]
ST WELBECK [+ LW]
ST NKIETAH [promoted from U23]
Add to list
LACAZETTE
Total squad 25
RedTruth
Ospina is accident waiting to happen.
Is he fuck.. Name me a better Premier league keeper..
Xhaka, Mustafi will not improve under any coach as they are mature players.. they are just bad signings from Wenger.
David De Gea. Hugo Lloris .
RedTruth
Who do you recommend signing in place of Xhaka and Mustafi then.
Lloris is shit, De Gea is okay, he has his moments but not better than Ospina.
Divine Sherlock
Xhaka is not going to be sold this summer. This is just wishful thinking on part of posters on Le Grove.
RT is just being the usual contrary WUM. The one certainty is that a new GK will be recruited to replace him. Too small and made far too many mistakes this season.
Ospina has hardly featured …..give him break as he is the best keeper in the league.
Red Truth
You have no football brain if you think Ospina is better than Lori’s or De Gea…Ospina is a dwarf erratic calamity. What are you talking about. Mug
“The same people who hailed Cech are now looking for a new keeper lol”
We all hailed Cech , we thought he was world class , because he’d been world class for Chelsea , his first game for us showed we made a mistake – now we want a new keeper , not surprising is it ?
To summarise Ospina’s performance.
Who can forget the goal conceded early in season in Europa League when ball
lofted over his head when he was in no man’s land.
Or the two successive games when he was again lying on ground and we conceded goals.
Or the occasions when we conceded a goal because he failed to reach the shot,
Or his poor distribution including the goal conceded when he kicked the ball
out to opposing player who then scored.
Loris is tremendously overrated. He often embarasses himself coming off his line and fluffing clearances. Too nervous and error prone to become a top keeper.
Ospina is also a bad GK. Sczesney was/is very talented.
Stroller
And when he somehow dives backwards behind the line trying to save a shot – I still can’t work out how he manages to do that ?
I never rated Cech at Chelsea which is why i was so dissappointed when we signed him.
The point is that we need a new goalkeeper and not whether Cech or Ospina
should be retained.
Cech is well past his best , and has no resale value. Ospina may have a small resale value. Both have contracts expiring in June 2019.
Cech on past evidence will not want to move out of London.
No coicidence our league form suffered when Ospina was replaced.
Cech was one of the best keepers in the world at his height during his Chelsea days. Red Truth you are a mug!
“Cech was one of the best keepers in the world at his height during his Chelsea days.”
He had a good defence which protected his sorry ass.
For me , in order of priority – GK -CB-DM On the whole xakha argument- I know he’s had 2 seasons , but to see the best from him , he is a player that needs the clearest of instruction and coaching , Which people forget he actually came out and pretty much said , when he complained about his lack of instruction- I think we at least have to see what Emery can do with him – it’s not going to be a quick 6 month fix so we’re going to be seeing the same faces for a while… Read more »
It is inconceivable that Arsenal will not buy a new goalkeeper who will be expected to play regularly in EPL and major cup games.
The question is who do you then keep on the bench. Bluntly I think that Macey will come into the frame next season for that role and possibly play the occasional cup game. Tech will wind down his career at the club next season.
Ospina will certainly leave if we buy as expected a new goalkeeper.
The same old suspects who rated Cech also rated Xhaka, Mustafi, Koscielny Schneiderlin etc
How many Home Grown players are needed for the squad?
RS
We are not short of HG players.
Currently qualified for that role are:
Macey
Bellerin
Chambers
Holding
Maitland-Niles
Wilshire
Ramsey
Welbeck
Iwobi
You can probably bring in Willock, Nelson and Nkietah if required.
I’m sure Emery can find a replacement for Xhaka who can tackle and make a pass…
Anyone with a football brain will tell you Cech during the height of his career at Chelsea was world class and contributed massively to Chelseas defensive success. Just ask Terry, Lampard, leaders on the pitch who played with him. Ospina apart from looking like a Greek Ronny Corbett, punching the ball out one handed and failing to command his area offers zero to the club. He at best is a good back up keeper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYvHmYWdWuU
Is that the same Terry who said Cech would be worth 15 points to Arsenal lol
Bob
Name me a better keeper than Ospina…
Emeriatesstroller Have to disagree with you regarding the state of play re wages. Whilst it’s fair to assume the departures you talk about probably saved weekly circa £500k and yes you can probably factor in another £160k when you also include Carzola and Mertesacker but you then have to look at what sort of wage the incoming players . So let’s say £660k a week saved. Kolasnic was a Bosman so the fact that there wasn’t a fee will mean his wage is significantly inflated. It’s widely reported he is on £140 k a week , I would also expect… Read more »
ES
A few of them could be sold or loaned out yet. Is it eight HG players needed?
We should sell Welbeck at the first opportunity imo, should be able to get good money and I just don’t see him improving under any manager.
We need wingers and he is currently taking up one of those spaces in the squad along with Iwobi – neither of whom have made the LW position their own over 2/3 seasons. Same could be said of several positions in the squad tbf but LW needs immediate action.
Redruth
Have you ever thought that he has been worth 15 points a season ?
Just for clarity in the PL sduads you are only permitted to have 17 non HG players over the age of 21
If a club so chooses it can have any number of HG from 0-25
Terra loon
Kolasinac came in the summer 2017 and we sold or released several players who
were not included in my list e.g. Gabriel and Perez.
Lacazette is not earning anything like £200K pw. I believe that his wages are
closer to £100K pw.
RT
The following goalkeepers are most certainly rated better than Ospina.
Courtois
De Gea
Ederson
Loris
Pickford
Butland
The following would be rated at least on par if not better
Hart
Forster
Mignolet
Karius
Begovic
Romero