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!
New Arsenal boss Unai Emery is eyeing a move for Getafe defender Djene Dakonam, reports AS.
Who
Dissenter
“Pierre’s charge is that “don’t believe the newspapers gist unless it supports something that I believe in”
Right rules
These names are all being plucked from thin air it would seem
Has Ornstein confirmed N’zonzi?
“30 years later and after a couple of c-sections, she’s still pretty good at keepy uppy.If you understand what I mean.”
🙂
Marko,
“If your wife has a problem with you criticising someone so worthy of criticism then that woman is a freak”
I’m sure grahams wife has more important things to think about…. Like how many keep uppies she can make t
“We’ve had two years of Xhaka to see he is not a good footballer.
Replacing him should be blindingly obvious.”
This could be said about any player in our squad except for Aubamayang and Lacazette. I can’t see the club acting on the blindingly obvious though. Xhaka will stay, unfortunately.
MarkoJ
“New Arsenal boss Unai Emery is eyeing a move for Getafe defender Djene Dakonam, reports AS.Who”
lol
Are fans ready for a new era of cult hero worship along the lines of Eboue under Emery?
tbf he is pretty good at interceptions is quite quick and strong but he is just a little ragged in his overall play. A bit too ragged. Also not much about him in the air.
Victorious I admit, I lost respect for Wenger long ago. Nothing to do with past achievements, it was based on his post Highbury methods and, significantly, his condescending and patronising attitude towards those that deserved far better. My wife was in support of Wenger leaving long ago and was delighted that he left the club. Although, when he said his fairwell at the Emirates, there was a tinge of sadness there. She often reads some of the comments on here and although shocked by some of the language used, understands that passions can run high when talking about something that… Read more »
Nzonzi for Ramsey all day long…
Sell Ramsey for 40 million and put a large chunk of it on Nzonzi…. Perfect
The trouble is I can’t see any top sides wanting Ramsey and I reckon he will dig his heals in if a top side doesn’t come for him….
Nzonzi for Xhaka all day long…
Sell Xhaka for 30 million and put a large chunk of it on Nzonzi…. Perfect
Ishola he might be good I just don’t think a club like Arsenal addresses its problems by targeting players from Getafe. A 26 year old who’s made 28 appearances for Getafe…doesn’t scream ambition
I am no fan of Ramsey myself but Xhaka tops Ramsey in my cull list.
Nzonzi for Xhaka or Ramsey all day long…
Sell Xhaka and Ramsey and put a large chunk of it on two much better midfielders…. Perfect
Marko
I think he is just a little bit too ragged in his overall play this Getafe boy.
But say one thing for him though he stays on his feet for the most part unlike some other CBs.
He also presses well and wins clean challenges.
Fans would like his style of play. Cult hero material.
I love the divide. People who love Ramsey but hate Xhaka and the people who love Xhaka but hate Ramsey. It’s like they’re so alike
Nzonzi and Torreira for Xhaka and Ramsey all day long…
Sell Xhaka and Ramsey and put a large chunk of it on Nzonzi and Torreira…. Perfect
“What is it with these Africans and their unquestioning loyalty to the existing establishment?”
I’m African and Nigerian and there are so many “Wenger Out”Africans. Don’t you think you’re making a hasty generalization with limited data?
Transfer fees involving N’Zonzi £3m to Stoke and £7m to Sevilla so what is the fee to Arsenal ?
Ishola I think someone said it perfectly earlier it seems we’re just flinging shit and seeing what sticks. I don’t know what are the kind of calibre players we’re actually targeting this summer.
azed
”I’m African and Nigerian and there are so many “Wenger Out”Africans. Don’t you think you’re making a hasty generalization with limited data?
How long ago you started to be Wenger out then?
Just come across quite a few Africans on media being very pro-establishment.
I’m really gutted you call my opinion wrong Marko, what with you being such a football savant
Red
It’s Metro which is reporting NZonzi to Arsenal, so I will take the rumors with a pinch of salt. Fee is going to be 25M +
I’m really gutted you call my opinion wrong Marko, what with you being such a football savant
It’s okay mate. Kante since he’s been in England has been instrumental in two title winning campaigns and was player of the year during won he’s an outstanding CM so I’m afraid that you were wrong. It happens. You’re fooling no one by the way Charles you happen to think that Kante should be dropped for Nzonzi just as we get strongly linked to signing him…
“How long ago you started to be Wenger out then?”
2011.
My bad. For some reason I thought Wales had qualified.
“Complete joke. Not pacy at all. Sorry.”
Don’t be sorry for your ignorance. I watch him live, you watch him via highlights, he’s got plenty pace about him and is rapid at top gear.
Pierre
Jesus Christ, mate. Ramsey and N’Zonzi aren’t even the same type of midfielder. If N’Zonzi is coming in, it’s Xhaka’s spot that is in question, not Ramsey’s.
And btw, even if Ramsey is just traveling with the Welsh team and more or less on holiday, the notion that one of Emery’s first orders of business would be getting Ramsey on the phone is fucking dumb. Like really fucking dumb. Sorry.
Marko
Being a good player doesn’t mean you suit international football for a particular nation. Wouldn’t expect you to understand a layered concept when it comes to football though.
I already said Nzonzi himself doesn’t do himself justice at international football because it’s pedestrian paced, so try and keep up. You’re talking utter bollocks to try and angle that I’m talking Nzonzi up OVER Kante because we’re linked. Clueless
What makes Nzonzi better than Xhaka.
Both not bless with speed.
Nzonzi positives over xhaka? I have no idea
Xhaka positives over nzonzi, he better goal threat, and longer passing range
No, Charlie, you just don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s like when you challenged my claim that Xhaka isn’t the athlete that Fernandinho. No offense, but anyone who has trouble seeing the difference between a Fernandinho and a Xhaka in terms of athleticism isn’t to be trusted when it comes to assessing athletes. And sorry, but Iwobi is of middling pace; he is not “pacy”.
So how come you think Nzonzi should replace Kante now?
azed
”2011.”
That’s good. Top marks.
Maybe you boys should have shouted louder perhaps because the pro-establishment guys seemed to be more noticeable in the media but then again as I disagreed with them I may have noticed them more than people I was in agreement with.
But your overall point that it is a mix of views is taken.
Sanmi
N’Zonzi makes better decisions with the ball at his feet and is better under pressure. He’s also a much, much better tackler. Xhaka makes some of the silver decisions re tackles in all of world football. Like really boneheaded shit.
But again, I personally don’t think N’Zonzi is what we need. I think a Torreira type is a better option. To each his own, though, I guess.
‘What makes Nzonzi better than Xhaka.’
Physically more imposing
Can tackle
Is a smart footballer unlike Xhaka
Can cover ground
Graham
“Now that Wenger has gone, like many, I am delighted. Now it’s all about positivity as far as I’m concerned. Even feel upbeat about Englands hopes in the WC( God knows why).”
Good to see mate,
just a bit shocking to see the level of which one man’s action can completely change the attitude of another,never could have thought in a million years you have these ‘positiveness’ in you…..I had you for a complete twat(sorry)..when you opined you’d changed allegiance if Wenger stayed on,you really were on breaking point..Delighted to see we are on same side again.
Ishola No, I’m not being a turncoat. I’m still a seller of Xhaka. But I also don’t think we’re going to replace our entire midfield this summer. So it’s a question of what you think would be most beneficial, and for me, the most beneficial thing would be to get in a quick, battling, tackling type, like Torreira. I also think Xhaka should be slightly better under Emery. Long term, I still think he should be moved on, but I don’t know that that has to happen this summer. Now, if we bring in TWO new holding mids this summer,… Read more »
“Charlie, you just don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s like when you challenged my claim that Xhaka isn’t the athlete that Fernandinho. No offense, but anyone who has trouble seeing the difference between a Fernandinho and a Xhaka in terms of athleticism isn’t to be trusted”
Oddly enough you’re not the authority on athleticism you fucking whopper. You’re saying I “can’t be trusted” because I don’t agree with one of your assertions. Laughable.
All this coming from a middle aged fat cunt at a keyboard, the bloody irony.
apparently azed is another Nigerian who gave up on Wenger in 2011..interesting..anyone get anyother secret to share?
Sanmi “What makes Nzonzi better than Xhaka. Both not bless with speed. Nzonzi positives over xhaka? I have no idea Xhaka positives over nzonzi, he better goal threat, and longer passing range” We never see this long range passing to any great effect though do we over a period of time or to any great benefit to the team. And his goals lol. Shut your eyes and spank the ball and hope for the best. Most time fails. N’Zonzi has more maturity in his overall play, is more mobile than Xhaka despite your view that both are slow and has… Read more »
‘It’s Metro which is reporting NZonzi to Arsenal, so I will take the rumors with a pinch of salt.’
If Metro are running with it then you can almost 100% guarantee that it’s complete made-up nonsense.
“So how come you think Nzonzi should replace Kante now?” I said exactly why he should in my original comment, you just don’t read things as per. “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.” You don’t need the insane ball recoveries of Kante in International football given the tempo imo, France would be a better midfield unit with Znonzi sitting and building (which he does 100x… Read more »
Metro don’t usually report first on transfers or have exclusives.
They just parrot others and plenty of shite as well.
The N’Zonzi links in The Mirror today as well.
Marko
I neither love Ramsey nor hate Xhaka. Instead, I think Ramsey is a good footballer who has a good engine and who could be valuable to us under the new manager; as for Xhaka, I had high hopes for him, but I think he’s slow of foot and of mind and I don’t think he’ll ever be good enough in the PL or at the CL level.
But I don’t love the one or hate the other. I don’t know that anyone here feels that way about these two.
Don’t particularly like N’Zonzi and think that he’s vastly overrated by some on here.
Good player but nothing more, wrong player to be pinning your CM hopes on for the new season. Can’t imagine that he would come cheap either, Sevilla are good at pulling fees for their best players.
N’Zonzi link originates from The Mirror.
I posted recently that xhara has been the worst signing since debauchy.
I know think he is worse than gus ceaser,
Who was the Nigerian lads we signed couple years ago,?
Will they make it.
Just checked Estidio Deportivo reported Nzonzi to Arsenal and others picked it up.
Now, if we bring in TWO new holding mids this summer, then yes, Xhaka should go; but if we only bring in one, then I think it should be a mobile, tackling one to pay alongside Xhaka, as I say above.
Pretty much the point of everyone here,except Ishola of course.
Spanish press stating N’Zonzi being linked to Arsenal and say it originates from The Mirror.
Marko
I rarely agree with Charlie, but I kind of see what he is saying re France not necessarily needing Kante. I’m not saying I’d replace Kante with N’Zonzi, but I think Charlie does have a point.
The real weakness in the French midfield the other night, though, was Pogba, not Kante. If Pogba doesn’t do more for that XI, Deschamps should think of playing Fekir as the CAM, in my opinion.
N’Zonzi is no better on the ball than Kante is.
I rate Kante over him on both sides of the ball, and it’s not even close defensively.
N’Zonzi
Blackburn: 86 apps 5 goals
Stoke: 109 apps 6 goals
Sevilla 86 apps 6 goals
Xhaka
Borussia 108 apps 6 goals
Arsenal 70 apps 3 goals
Apps-league appearances
Kante is being made a scapegoat for Pogba’s shit form.
Who are you realistically holding out for WE for the holding midfield position? Realistically that is.
Your Comment Here
What happened to Payet? The guy was a fucking magician. One of the best French players in recent times albeit he peaked very late in his career. In his prime he was absolutely delightful to watch.
Said it all along Pogba was overrated, getting exposed now rather too often.
“Kante is being made a scapegoat for Pogba’s shit form.”
Not by me he isn’t. I don’t think Kante is necessary for a dominant international side to assert themselves.
He’s a fantastic sweeper, and hassles for 90 mins, but he’s the last player in the French squad I’d want on the ball in midfield (him or Matuidi). Rabiot or Nzonzi from deep would be a huge improvement there, and it’s exactly that ethos which reigns supreme in short-lived tournament football imo.
Like i said 2 years ago Kante is a persistent fouling water carrier.
Let’s be clear here.
N’Zonzi is not even like Kante so to compare them seems pretty daft.
Kante has much more dynamism than N’Zonzi and is more CM. N’Zonzi is very much DM.
N’Zonzi would be a direct replacement for Xhaka as deep employed midfielder and be better than what we currently have at deep midfield bar the once in six games long balls and hit and hope long shots on goal.
‘All this coming from a middle aged fat cunt at a keyboard, the bloody irony.’
lol,thought were all too nicey-nicey today being Sunday and all that forgetting legrove don’t give a flying f.
Kante has by all accounts been a pretty consistent performer in international football as opposed to Pogba and Tolisso who blow hot and cold.
You don’t need the insane ball recoveries of Kante in International football given the tempo imo,
You would against decent opposition in the latter stages.
Again I ask why now?
TR7
“Said it all along Pogba was overrated, getting exposed now rather too often.”
Guy still has class about him but can’t find his niche.
“Again I ask why now?”
Because there’s a World Cup on and the squad has been announced.
WE
Have you seen the goal Neymar scored today against Croatia? Looks like he’s returning from injury quite well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRa-2xulXs4
Only Croatia, tell me when he does it against a top side..
Dare I say the French midfield only works with Kante in there. Take him out and you’ve got no defensive awareness. He actually ticks it along nicely with his passing. Not as average as Charlie suggests
Ishola
Not even sure that we need a strict CDM, shouldn’t a B2B be the priority?
Xhaka if he is to have a role will surely play CDM, we know that he isn’t shit when it comes to running.
lol.. oh no, not again…
Because there’s a World Cup on and the squad has been announced.
Must have missed where you said it the last few days. Purely a coincidence that we’re linked with Nzonzi on the same day
Emery had a little dig at Neymar recently.
He said he went to PSG to become one of the best players in the world lol
TR7
Payet was on course to make the plane for Russia, he got injured in the EL Final and missed out as a result.
Just put up his best season since he left England, think he topped the European assists charts.
Again, I’d say the biggest problem in the French midfield at the moment is Pogba, not Kante, though I do agree with Charlie that Kante may not give that midfield as much as some people imagine.
Rather than the Kante-Tolisso-Pogba midfield they went with the other night, I’d try N’Zonzi-Tolisso-Fekir or Kante-Tolisso-Fekir.
Nigeria is not the most successful football nation in Africa, they’re not even 2nd…. nor 3rd based on trophy wins anyway. Unless “success” is measure by finishing 4th ?
CC
With you on Rabiot, even Tolisso but N’Zonzi?
Absolutely pants going forward.
Bamford
Oh I seen it alright.
He’s coming for that Golden Ball, mark these words.
Xhaka if he is to have a role will surely play CDM,
Then nothing gets sorted. Guy can barely tackle, can’t read the game and rarely tracks his runner. He can’t play DM. The whole putting him in a three man midfield to cover his inadequacies is because the inadequacies he has are he can’t play DM.
WE
What a shame!
Payet in the hole behind Dembele, Griezzman and Mbappe -irresistible and unstoppable !
Genuinely feel Umery won’t be giving himself his utmost best shot at success..IF he does bring Nzonzi in.. what with all better CM being linked…Rabiot,Torreira,Savic,Tolisso,thiago….ffs dippers are getting Fabinho,Keita..United in for Fred and Verrati?…surely we need better than Nzonzi.
WengerEagle “Not even sure that we need a strict CDM, shouldn’t a B2B be the priority?Xhaka if he is to have a role will surely play CDM, we know that he isn’t shit when it comes to running.” Yeah if you read the earlier stuff mostly everyone thinks N’Zonzi and Xhaka in the same midfield is a complete no go. I’m talking about N’Zonzi as direct replacement for Xhaka in the position he currently plays for Arsenal. N’Zonzi like Xhaka can pick the ball up deep and pass through the lines well enough has much more maturity than Xhaka and… Read more »
TR7
Payet was my favourite French player to watch at the last Euros, was also dynamite for West Ham to the point imo he was the best creative midfielder in the league edging out even Ozil who was on fire in 2015/16 and KDB.
He’s lost a little bit of mobility but his on-ball talent hasn’t let up at all. Big miss indeed.
“Must have missed where you said it the last few days. Purely a coincidence that we’re linked with Nzonzi on the same day” Did you miss the warm up game that brought it to light even more? Really not sure what you’re getting at, but you sound like an idiot. Kante (Nzonzi as well) does his best work over the course of a season in a demanding league which is up and down. The pedantic, slow pace of international football nullifies his best assets. His passing and decision making with the ball is bang average at that level. Given the… Read more »
utASS
Nigeria is not the most successful football nation in Africa, they’re not even 2nd…. nor 3rd based on trophy wins anyway. Unless “success” is measure by finishing 4th ?’
sigh!..like clockwork,only you will come up with something dumb such as this.
Victorious
Cheers! Glad to know I have a thick skinned Arsenal fan here. You can attest to the fact that it’s not easy being an Arsenal fan here in Nigeria for the past ten years. The Chavs and Manure fans have been a handful.
I’m from Akwa Ibom state, and you?
Marko
Agreed but our CM options are so diabolical atm that it’s him or Elneny and you can bet on it that Emery is going to opt for the Swiss bloke.
While it would be great to bring in two first-choice midfielders, I can only see one happening.
Victorious smartest thing you’ve ever said.
Weagle
I’m not tipping Nzonzi for his ability to go forward. He’s a better passer from deep than Kante, and France need much more of that than they do a busy bee. He’s a better anchor for a dominant midfield than Kante imo – I think Rabiot is actually the player France need in that role personally, but c’est la vie.
WE
Yes I am a big fan.
A bit controversial but ability wise he has been the best player in the league since Suarez left for Barça imho.
N’Zonzi for Xhaka WE.
That’s one player you have described as shit out of the first team.
Although you don’t rate N’Zonzi in an overall football sense he will bring much better stability to the midfield when Arsenal don’t have the ball.
Ishola Does he? I don’t think that he is married to the idea exactly. Draxler played as one of the 3 men in midfield for PSG last season at times. And the first choice was Verratti-Rabiot-Lo-Celso for more than half the season. N’Zonzi in and Xhaka out could work but I don’t see it panning out and I’m seriously questioning how anybody that watched much of N’Zonzi could come to the conclusion that he’s a collossus defensively. Like I said he’s a good player but he’s fairly average, especially going forward where he offers basically nothing. There’s better midfielders out… Read more »
Emery had problems with his defensive midfield position at PSG especially in his last season.
It was seen as the teams weak spot.
I’m Nigerian… and no, I’m not what is being tagged African. I’ve been Wenger out since 2012. I also feel it’s wrong to generalize.
We have been linked to everyman and his dog since may so I’ll advice we call take any news with scepticism. Let’s see what this new management can bring in come August.
And I’m tipping two African countries to qualify from their respective groups…also a Brazil Germany final!
I’m all ears 12 year old, waiting for you to educate me on your claims.
CC
With you on Rabiot and I still can’t wrap my head around omitting him, Deschamps really is a prized tit.
Don’t subscribe to this notion that N’Zonzi is noticeably better at passing from deep though, he’s an extremely conservative CDM and doesn’t probe with his passing.
Kante will come in handier once France flatten their group opposition and have to deal with teams with a pulse in the knockouts.
Did you miss the warm up game that brought it to light even more? Really not sure what you’re getting at, but you sound like an idiot.
You can’t be one of those idiots who judges someone on the back of one friendly. You weren’t saying much during the qualifying campaign about it or the euros. Oh no now you’d play Nzonzi over Kante.
TR7
Ability to strike the ball I’m with you, just look at his smasher for France vs Romania with his ‘weak’ left foot as an example.
But my Payet love ends there as far as rating him above the likes of Coutinho, KDB, Hazard, David Silva, etc goes. 😀
Was the best player in the league outside of the top teams by a mile though along with Mahrez.
Marko
because I don’t like international football, so the qualifiers are a total irrelevance too me. I still know what I think of Kante irrespective of the squad chosen because I know what he’s good at and what he’s not, and now it’s the only football of note..
You’re being a schoolgirl and trying to make out I’m talking up Nzonzi on the strength of him getting linked of late. Grow up you fucking melon
Give us a name then WE. But this midfielder as well as excite you going forward must have as a premium abilities to show he can achhor the midfield in a mature and effective way. N’Zonzi has showed us that he can anchor a midfield in a mature and effective way. N’Zonzi doesn’t dive around and win lots of tackles that look good for the TV cameras. What he does and is decent at is anchoring a midfield which in turn can help the team as a whole defensively. Atm Arsenal have a deep holding midfielder that couldn’t anchor a… Read more »