When Father Christmas and I had a meet up last December, he said he had nothing for me, but if I kept the faith, good things would come.
‘Father Christmas, I shall follow your ten commandments in the hope of a ripe harvest next summer’
Follow those commandments I did, and now the fruits of committment are starting to bloom. Blossom? What’s the word? Bear?
Anyway…
1. Arsene OUT + the stodgy backroom team
2. New coach IN
3. Abramovich OUT. NO VISA. No way in, even on an Israeli passport. LOLOLOLOLOL.
This story is giving me goosebumps. Firstly, Chelsea has shelved their plans for the rebuild of Stamford Bridge. Roman ain’t putting his blood billions into a ground he can’t attend. Secondly, the club are fretting over Conte. Basically, he wants them to sack him and put him on a £9m a year sabbatical. Chelsea don’t want to pay that. Thirdly, Chelsea won’t pay to free Sarri from his Napoli deal. FOURTHLY, they’re not sniffing around Avram Grant.
SOMEONE FETCH ME A WATER PIPE AND HOSE ME THE FUCK DOWN! 💉💉💉
4. Real Madrid moved on Zidane
Firstly, I LOVE watching the Arsene apologists trying to will on Wenger to land the job, like he’s somehow deserving of a humiliating half season at Madrid to cap off a nightmare 10 years. Anyway, the really interesting story and more realistic candidate is THE POCH. Now, I didn’t think the Argentine would move from Spurs before the new stadium move. I don’t know why I thought that, he was talking about Spurs like it wasn’t part of his future after they Spurzed out of the semi final of the FA Cup. Anyway, Joachim Low has ducked out of the job saying, “I rule this out totally.”
Poch had this to say: “When Real Madrid call you, you have to listen to them” 💉💉💉
FEED ME SPURS FANS TEARS!
Anyway, good bless the Patron Saint of summer gifting, for he has delivered.
If Spurs lose Poch, they are in some serious fucking trouble. Whatever you think about the trophy record down there, Poch has turned a solid squad into a very classy outfit. That team is more than the sum of its parts. It’ll be very hard to replace a man of his talents. Hopefully, they’ll do something stupid, like give it to Eddie Howe.
In other news, Kike Marin, master of the ITK game, reckons the biggest issue Emery has at Arsenal is Mesut Ozil. Not because of his talent, but because of his commitment. Damn, I hate be so right about players, but I’ve been kicking this narrative to everyone for a few years. The man doesn’t care about the club, which is why you sometimes see all guns blazing Ozil, but mostly a bit of a wet flannel.
Trouble is, we can’t sell him because no one will pay the wages his managed to con out of a club desperate to save face.
Will Emery go hard on a player of genius? He certainly didn’t with Neymar. Ozil is a bit different, but he’s still a big name who could cause problems for him. You can’t ostracise a player on that sort of money, you also can’t allow someone not to work in a system that demands all 10 outfield players to bust a gut.
It’ll be interesting to see where he plays him, how he deals with the usual half season of fitness you get from the German, and what he does in big games. It’s amusing how Arsenal fans speak out of both sides of their mouths. One of the issues cited for our failings last season was a lack of service to our forwards, whilst on the other side we’re celebrating Ramsey and Ozil as kings of the midfield. Something is broken there because on paper we have the goals and the service.
Oh Emery, how we wait for you solve all our problems…
Right, see you in the comments!
We’re being linked to lots of midfielders rather… lol. Silly autocorrect
Same song
Agree
But his finishing has not really improved in 4 years
When he was rangers youth he can to the attention of big clubs because he could score all the time.
So he must have it in him…
could be suprise package ?
Watching yesterday’s England v Nigeria game there were two Arsenal players on view. Iwobi playing for Nigeria was on the pitch 90 minutes and his overall performance was rated by some of the media as the best on both sides not to mention just the goal. Interestingly he started off in first half playing primarily on flank, but in second half was moved into a central midfield role. Welbeck came on as a replacement for Kane in second half. He showed his usual game where he can cause panic in opposition defence with his pace and penetration, but unfortunately lacks… Read more »
Sterlings goalscoring exploits last season, I believe, was a one off… I likened him to Martin Hayes (though sterling is a much better player) who had an excellent goalscoring season in the late 80’s when he scored over 25 goals in a season but never got close to replicating it. You could also put Ramsey in that category after his one stand out season, scoring wise, 5 years ago. Sterling scored with quite a few mis hits and rebounds off his body but did well to get in goalscoring positions. Pep is not stupid, he knows that sterling is not… Read more »
Stroller
Yes, Iwobi had a very good game..
Am I surprised no one else on Le Grove brought this up… Not really.
I’m sure if iwobi had a poor game the comments section would be awash with negative iwobi comments… But I suppose that’s Le Grove for you.
Pierre
Sterling is still a young player. Bluntly at international level he is very average,
but Manchester City would be daft to sell him. He is still young, home grown and scored a lot of goals.
Manchester City can afford the luxury of retaining his services. City are now
in the position of been highly selective in their transfer policy in contrast to
most other clubs in EPL.
TallestTiz
Thanks for the nice words, my friend.
Go Super Eagles !
I dont get it why iwobi isnt playing as nr 9
He has the frame, enough speed, good at shielding the ball, capable in the air… The only thing he lacks is experience in the position and hours of training on finishing.
Just thinking about the team playing a 4141 formation with him on top and auba, ozil, laca, Miki behind him is mouthwatering 😀
Throw in a world class holding midfielder and centreback and we would pulwerize midtable teams alle day long again.. Who knows might even be able to fight back agaisnt some top teams
Really hoping that we are working on transfers behind the scenes and something will drop soon. Watching the news around Rabiot, there will literally never be a better time to get him, one year left on his deal, kicking out at the French media, unhappy with PSG and unhappy at being left out of the France squad which you could easily sell to him as needing to move and get into the starting line up somewhere else. The suggested price of just under £30 Million is a steal as well. I would chance my arm at swapping Ozil for him,… Read more »
Sorry I duplicated Akpom twice in my list the eight departure is Campbell whose
contract expires this summer.
I’m surprised with haven’t been linked with Zakaria given he plays in Bundesliga, read a lot of good things about him.
CA I believe we have but nothing too concrete.
Marko
Similar to the manager situation I think the media are going for the throw enough shit something sticks approach.
I hope so CA. I hope we’re not all just waiting around until the world cup finishes before announcing 34 year old Lichtsteiner 29 year old Sokratis and 30 year old Nzonzi. Somewhat underwhelming
Karim
You’re welcome.
For the few times I’ve watched Ousmane Dembele, I’ve never been really impressed by his game.
Really like Martial. Wish we could nick him off the boring Portuguese Pygmy.
But he might have learnt his lessons re: Salah and De Bruyne.
We should swap Oil with either of Martial or Rabiot.
If the former, fine and we get a Midfielder.
If the latter, we sell Xhaka, Sign Martial and Replace Xhaka
I’d hate to think that with Liverpool signing Fabinho and Keita, City looking to sign Jorginho, United looking to sign Fred and possibly Verratti and with the likes of Rabiot available we end up with Nzonzi. I’m hoping that we ignite interest in Kondogbia feel like him and Torreira would add much needed steel and composure to the midfield.
Marko
You saying good bye to jack n rambo
I’d drop them like a bad smell
Pierre
Iwobi was poor all season this season. One decent game for Nigeria doesn’t do much. Sorry.
Well, Emery apparently likes Ramsey, so it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere.
N’zonzi would make no sense as long as we still have Xhaka, so I think the N’zonzi stories are just paper talk.
I am more and more beginning to think that Emery & co.’s view is that the team needs a GK, a CB or two and a CM. but not much more — at least for his first season in charge.
T I’m not convinced playing a midfielder (who isn’t a good goal scorer and has an inconsistent final ball) up front whilst playing two CFs in midfield is the most efficient use of our resources I don’t hate iwobi like maybe some on here do, but he’s a pretty raw talent with very inconsistent end product and he has had a poor season. He’s more likely to be dropped from the starting 11 than he is to displace two major strikers into midfield. It’s an interesting idea but I don’t personally agree with it and I’d be very surprised if… Read more »
Tallest
It’s possible we could interest United in Ozil, but not PSG. The latter are too intelligent to see a need for Ozil. As for United, Mourinho is desperate enough that he might see Ozil as a promising move, and they might not even be bothered by his enormous salary. It’s an interesting thought.
Iwobi doesn’t strike the ball well and has never shown himself to be a natural goalscorer. He also doesn’t have much pace. What reason is there to believe he would make for a good #9? None. Sorry.
The ideal world for me would be let Wilshere go, sell Ozil as well, sell all the players that are just clinging onto the club get in a CDM and a new CM with a winger as well and let Ramsey play the role he does internationally.
Ramsey could be interesting under a new manager because he has things you cannot coach like work ethic and an engine, the things he lacks are positional discipline and basic use of the ball at times which can be coached.
I think it’s very possible that we will make no offensive signings. If Ramsey and ozil are both to be accommodated then emery may put one out wide and leave the other as AM. It’s quite possible that we’ll be playing with laca Ramsey ozil and auba all on the pitch at the same time. It’s mikki who should probably fear for his place the most as he’s not an elite winger and he’s not as expensive as ozil or considered the future like perhaps Ramsey I’d prefer we don’t go with a setup like this, but if it happens… Read more »
China
I’m in hopes that Lacazette is the one who has to give way, not Mkhi. I’d prefer to see Mkhi, Ozil, Ramsey and Aubameyang (through the center) than see Lacazette in the XI. But others feel differently obviously. Ultimately the q is what Emery thinks.
Bamford
“Well, Emery apparently likes Ramsey, so it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere”
Yeah, he likes him so much that he hasn’t been bothered to contact Ramsey in the last couple of weeks despite being in the middle of crucial contract negotiations…
If it is Ozil as CAM and Ramsey in the centre as well whoever we bring in at CDM has to be top rate because he is going to receive no help.
Ozil is a spineless jellyfish of a player and Ramsey leaves the middle too often. Really we need two buys in that central midfield and to get Ozil out of the team.
Struggling to see how a midfield with both N’Zonzi and Xhaka in it would work. Both like to receive the ball from deep, both like to do short lay-offs. N’Zonzi has quite a languid style. Of course he is better defensively than Xhaka and gets around the pitch better. N’Zonzi plus the Uruguayan kid from Sampdoria as additions now that would make more sense. The Uruguayan can put real energy and drive in this team between holding midfielder and further up the pitch. If N’Zonzi is brought as direct replacement for Xhaka in the first team then of course I… Read more »
Torreira and Rabiot for me make the most sense, about £55 Million there because of the former has a release clause and the latter is in the last year of his contract and has fallen out massively with the French media and might well be looking for a fresh start.
Torreira, Rabiot and Ramsey as a middle makes more sense, seems more balanced, very physical as well.
Pierre
Ok, mate. Ramsey has been offered a new deal. According to the papers at least — so who knows if you believe these reports. The notion that the brand new manager would need to have called a player preparing for the WC at this point is silly. Sorry.
Ishola
That’s exactly what I said. Those two make no sense whatsoever together.
Rabiot is likely to have many suitors CA and clubs that are in a better way than Arsenal atm or if not that clubs that can throw the money around.
Very unlikely Arsenal sign Rabiot and that is with the previous Emery link.
It was reported a few PSG players were not overly keen on Emery. We do not even know if Rabiot was one of those.
Bamford10
“That’s exactly what I said. Those two make no sense whatsoever together.”
I’d of course take N’Zonzi as direct replacement in the first team for Xhaka all day every day but the tempo of the team if both are first teamers is going to be a little slow from first transition.
If they are both in the side what you will have is two deeper midfielders who like to be on the ball in first transition of build up from deep. Doesn’t seem right.
Cesc
I like that midfield. That would be an interesting three.
Yes there’s a lot of expensive maghony in the squad, but be careful you don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
Remember some of these players have only had one set of coaches
So give them a chance they could change .?
I’m more concerned£ with the freebies and oldies we have been linked with.
N’Zonzi Rabiot combo would be good.
trorreira ? yes please.. he’s a bit like santi, low center of gravity… let’s stop this nzonzi nonsense please.. even swansea wouldn’t touch the guy..
Yannick Carrasco …..
Hmmmm.
I’d rather have N’Zonzi as direct replacement for Xhaka in the first team than get in this Torreira guy to play alongside Xhaka.
Doucoure still being mentioned.
Ishola
I’d prefer Torreira + Rabiot. We need some quickness and battle, IMO. N’Zonzi + Rabiot would be too slow for me.
Nah don’t think so Bamford.
N’Zonzi would be deeper with Rabiot more CM.
Both get around the pitch ok especially Rabiot.
N’Zonzi has a languid style but he is quicker than people think because of his long legs.
Also the combo would have more balance to it than a Rabiot-Torreira combo would think.
Ishola
If that is the case then we couldn’t, of course.
I like Partey as well, of Atletico.
I understand of course that atm there is concern on Le Grove about the age of the team being too old and don’t want another player nearing 30 in it.
But if it means the end of a weak link in the team then age concern goes out the window for me.
I mean N’Zonzi and Torreria would be good, no way we can play N’Zonzi and Xhaka though.
One of the problems with Xhaka that is less mentioned is his lack of maturity in his play at times.
N’Zonzi in this respect is far ahead of Xhaka and would only be of benefit to the team.
Unpopular opinion: France would be better without Kante in the starting XI, I don’t think he’s that necessary and his ability with the ball is bang average for that level. They’d be better with Nzonzi sitting, and Tolisso/Pogba charging about imo.
–
“Iwobi doesn’t have much pace”….. open your eyes. That’s a tragic statement, he’s rapid.
N’Zonzi and Torreira could basically be out Matic and Kante in a sense.
£40-47 Million for the pair.
Just a hangover from Wenger I worry it will be N’Zonzi and then no more midfield additions which solves nothing.
N’Zonzi and Torreira and you can be a little less concerned with what goes on in attack in terms of having to help out defensively.
Should work out very well CA an N’Zonzi – Torriera combo.
Torreira springs out for interceptions and N’Zonzi backs him up from deeper.
If Emery is as big on pressing as has been said then he should be all over Torreira.
Xhaka only stays in the first team if Emery decides it’s a good idea to have two deep lying midfielders in his team.
I also don’t think N’Zonzi could be termed a runner or workhorse that some say would be beneficial to Xhaka.
His style is not of that kind and I don’t think he would want or be inclined to do running for Xhaka.
So it remains to be seen what happens here.
Iwobi is pretty fast, he just doesn’t base his game around bursting down the channels like a winger would, so it’s lets obvious
Hah told ya it’s going to be nzonzi
I think it can work. Also Xhaka is the issue not nzonzi. Sell Xhaka
Rambo and nzonzi
Mikki ozil demebele
Pea
Up front
I’d rather have N’Zonzi as direct replacement for Xhaka in the first team than get in this Torreira guy to play alongside Xhaka.
Yet again your absolute hatred of Xhaka clouds your judgement,come off it, Nzonzi is not much of an upgrade,both very slow and not remotely susceptible to the press.
Tallest
cheers mate!Good to see I’ve got my naija brothers on here,which state do you come from?
N’Zonzi is an upgrade on Xhaka.
He has far more maturity in his play than Xhaka, gets around the pitch better than Xhaka and has better defensive nous than Xhaka.
Is that enough for you Vic?
Charlie
“[Iwobi] is rapid.”
Complete joke. Not pacy at all. Sorry.
Can you see Xhaka and N’Zonzi playing together in the same team Vic?
Victorious
“[N’Zonzi is] not remotely susceptible to the press.”
Either you don’t know what some of these words mean or you need to revise this.
How pathetic btw with all this talk of hatred.
I see a weak link in the team and I would like to see it resolved.
And that is termed hatred. Pathetic.
Iwobi reminds me of those type of players who tends to play well for their country as against their club sides
he’s probably our best player and has hit double figures in goals and assist for the super eagles already…Emery will like him
If that is the way we’re going:
———————N’Zonzi———————-
——-Torriera———————————–
——————————-Ramsey————
Winger—————————Mkhitaryan
—————–Aubameyang——————
That would be my set up.
Vic is an African equivalent of Ty of Arsenal Fan TV then on Le Grove.
Ty has Nigerian roots.
What is it with these Africans and their unquestioning loyalty to the existing establishment?
Can you see Xhaka and N’Zonzi playing together in the same team Vic?
I can’t see them because I absolutely don’t want Nzonzi,he’s leggy and can make a short pass along with being better than Xhaka defensively,other than that can’t see much else what he brings to our side,not sure he’s even suited to EPL football, he failed at stoke
Torreira Xhaka dwarfs anything with Nzonzi for us, sorry
Ishola
I have been wondering the same thing, as I think of the rabid positive type — ‘support the players and manager, you negative fucks!’ — as being an exclusive product of north London. Thus it is a little odd to me that a Nigerian fan would approach things this way. Clearly this is as much a function of one’s personality as it is a function of where one is from.
Victorious
N’Zonzi is better than Xhaka; no question. However, I personally think too much is being made of N’Zonzi here at the moment. I don’t like Xhaka much, but I think pairing him with a Torreira is more important for this next season than replacing him is.
I’d be inclined to see if Torreira would help out Xhaka and he should really because he is the ultimate runner and workhorse that the Xhaka sympathisers/advocates want.
But considering personally I do not like the idea of a player needing this much assistance because of their own weaknesses I’d rather Xhaka just be ditched.
N’Zonzi rumours are quite strong Vic so if Emery does get him in I trust you will back the manager in his decision.
Bamford10J “I have been wondering the same thing, as I think of the rabid positive type — ‘support the players and manager, you negative fucks!’ — as being an exclusive product of north London. Thus it is a little odd to me that a Nigerian fan would approach things this way. Clearly this is as much a function of one’s personality as it is a function of where one is from.” No there definitely seems to be a trend with plenty of African fans supporting the existing establishment. The most impassioned crazy bleating commentary in support of Wenger was last… Read more »
Unpopular opinion: France would be better without Kante in the starting XI, I don’t think he’s that necessary and his ability with the ball is bang average for that level. They’d be better with Nzonzi sitting, and Tolisso/Pogba charging about imo.
Unpopular…wrong…sure
Bamford you turncoat. Just over a month ago you were saying Xhaka had to be replaced in the first team. Now you see a possibility of a runner/workhorse being brought in you are for Xhaka staying in the first team. Ask yourself this question. Why does Xhaka need a runner/workhorse in the first place? Because he is a bit of a luxury player in the position he plays in. By all means carry on with these luxury players if you want. Xhaka, Ozil and even Mhiki in the past has shown traits of going missing too much. So keep them… Read more »
As another poster said is Xhaka even that good to see a signing brought in to remedy his weaknesses and be a workhorse for him. He said no and from what we have seen so far most would be of the same opinion.
I’d understand to get a workhorse in for a 10 or attacking midfielder who is very good offensively but doesn’t like the defensive side or running but holding midfielder position? Sorry not for me.
Ishola/Bam Africans will likely find it more difficult and disgusting to be bitchy and use curse words towards a man and an establishment on the internet because unlike other parts we really understand how hard it takes to build and grow(two key words we can relate to arsenal)…we have a history of being classy and positive no matter what, it’s natural and, probably still has more to do with the personality..all thesame that’s all bygones. don’t understand while Ty attracts some criticism,he has African root and i find him very measured and balanced in his views,really hope Emery brings to… Read more »
*us
I will give Emery the benefit of the doubt on N’Zonzi.
Bow upgrade the rest of the team with class not carthorses.
“N’Zonzi rumours are quite strong Vic so if Emery does get him in I trust you will back the manager in his decision.”
Oh really?I shudder….except if all theses rumors are to always be believed…Arteta or Allegri will be our manager right now..
point is NOBODY know the fvck what arsenal will do this summer.the managerial appointments should tell you all u need to know abt how arsenal conducts it’s business,and ehhhh…. Nzonzi will be your new Xhaka ‘IF’ he ends up joining…..
I could get behind Nzonzi if he was a Xhaka replacement otherwise nah not for me. The thought of him and Xhaka in midfield makes me want to vomit if I’m honest. To be honest a 34 year old back up RB a 29 year old CB and a 30 year old CM kind of seems like kicking the can down the road so to speak
Victorious
What has happened to African football.
Nigeria are such a shit side.
It seems European coaches have sacrificed African rhythm for stale pragmatism.
African footballers have been Europeanized as have South American footballers.
Vic
I am not saying signing N’Zonzi to replace Xhaka will be the end of Arsenal woes but most commentators realise that he is an improvement on Xhaka in that position.
All he lacks which Xhaka has on occasions is the long sprayed pass and we don’t see this long sprayed pass to much use anyway.
What N’zonzi has over Xhaka is maturity in play, more mobile and better defensively.
The numbers say 3 to 1 in N’Zonzi’s favour.
Is it me or all the Arsenal transfer rumors are a bit meh. We are getting linked to either obscure names or old past sell by date players.
Bamford
“Ok, mate. Ramsey has been offered a new deal. According to the papers at least — so who knows if you believe these reports. The notion that the brand new manager would need to have called a player preparing for the WC at this point is silly. Sorry.”
The only notion that is silly is that you think Ramsey is going to the World Cup.
My wife is African, but like myself, was not a fan of Wenger after about 2010. PS. My wife is(was!) a bloody good footballer and played to a high standard in her late teens early twenties. With four older, football mad, brothers, she could basically kick a ball as soon as she could walk. It was one of the many reasons I fell in love with her. First date, down the park for a kick around. Wonderful! 30 years later and after a couple of c-sections, she’s still pretty good at keepy uppy. If you understand what I mean. @Victorious.… Read more »
Anyone who had doubts about nzonzi should watch man u v sevilla last season at Old Trafford, champions league….
Nzonzi bossed fellaini in the air which is very rare and controlled the game from start to finish… A performance of class and maturity, strong on the ball, perceptive passing between the lines and would be our Vieira at defending corner kicks, put him at the near post…. Sorted.
Actually Nigerian fans are more likely to pay too much deference to institutional figures like Wenger. They are more likely to fall in line. “Obey before complaint” was the mantra during the lengthy periods of military rule. Ishola The rigidness to which you hold your Xhaka views often tends toward near-delusional. You may not know it but you’re biased. Your Xhaka talk is NEVER going to change in the face of contrary evidence. You’re so biased you are convinced changing Xhaka is the team’s main priority, higher that replacing Cech or our central defenders. I love you man but damn,… Read more »
Pierre’s charge is that “don’t believe the newspapers gist unless it supports something that I believe in”
B10
Can’t be true. Did you think Ramsey was going to the WC?
Surely not.
Nah Eff this.
Our Transfer targets atm are really underwhelming.
And yes. Especially compared to everyone else around us.
Ruth
African football suffered alot majorly because of corruption and lack of leadership but the fans remain as passionate and enthusiastic as other fans worldwide,nevertheless we still have some major stars you might be familiar with…Salah, Mane,Zaha,Victor Moses,Iwobi,Iheanacho,etc
Nigeria is a brilliant footballing nation,actually the biggest and most successful in Africa and also a regular feature in the world cups
we have stunted recently mostly because of managerial issuesbut we seems to have struck gold in Gernot Rorl(a German coach) who has brought us back to life and looking to punch above our weight in the world cup
Dissenter All this talk of priority is getting boring now. We are talking about Xhaka today because of links with N’Zonzi. If there were new links to a new GK or CB then we would be talking about those positions just like I spoke at length about Sokratis. That I do not like Xhaka as a player nor the idea of his style of play and see him as a big weak link in the team which seems to irritate you has no relevance to me. The holding position in the team is of big importance to Arsenal just like… Read more »
TR7 agree the legitimate links do nothing for me. The least likely to happen ones like Dembele and Torreira are exciting as far as how unlikely they are
Pierre’s charge is that “don’t believe the newspapers gist unless it supports something that I believe in”
Yup
Marko
Barça President has already confirmed Dembele will stay,so we can cross off his name from potential signings list.
cheers Graham
you certainly have done well for yourself in having a wife from Africa,really wise of you.not sure she’d approve of your abusive tone towards Wenger and his achievements together in some instances the club on the internet though.
We’ve had two years of Xhaka to see he is not a good footballer.
Replacing him should be blindingly obvious.
really wise of you.not sure she’d approve of your abusive tone towards Wenger and his achievements together in some instances the club on the internet though.
If your wife has a problem with you criticising someone so worthy of criticism then that woman is a freak
I recently posted that I was concerned on our transfer targets.
This has not diminished
Freebies , old out of contract never played in league platers, untried teen stars .
No I’m sorry it’s a no from me.
I will judge emery on his results
I’m judging thevsigningsbon S&M
No golden buzzer from me I’m afraid