Listen, you don’t need to feel bad about it. We all did it yesterday. Yep, we all cheered a Spurs player because he took MIGHTY England to the land of 3-Glorious-Points. What an adventure. Say it quietly, but I quite like Gareth Southgate. He’s level-headed, he talks intelligently about the game and he’s managed to make the World Cup far less of a spectacle than it usually is.
Funny to watch our boys get the thug treatment. A quarterfinal would be exceptional, fingers crossed we can keep our focus in the next two games.
In Arsenal news, there are rumours heading out of Italy that Arsenal is in for Éver Maximiliano David Banega. The central midfielder is plying his trade at Sevilla at the moment. He’s been a bit of a journeyman, he’s played at Atleti, Valencia, Newells Old Boys and Inter Milan. At 29, he’s no spring chicken, so I’m not sure why we’re going after him. He’d certainly bring additional steel, experience and a touch of class to the middle of the park… my concern is we already have that in Aaron Ramsey?
There’s nothing the Argentine can do that Aaron can’t do better. You can’t imagine a player who dropped 50 appearances last season would entertain Arsenal as a sub, so it’s a bit of a mystery? He only had 5 assists and 6 goals last season. In fact, over 5 seasons, he’s never broken double figures for goals or assists. I could only see him as a back-up, or a panic stop-gap if Rambo decides he wants out this summer.
The mainstream press are reporting that Arsenal are close to doing a deal with Bernd Leno. Ornstein doesn’t know who is making way for him, but you’d have to imagine it’ll be David Ospina? Or maybe it’ll be Cech? Crazy that I can’t decide because both are unappetizing, even as number 2s. I think I’d prefer to have some exceptional kid as our backup. Regardless, having a keeper with cat-like reflexes dropping sweeper keeper for us next season gets me very moist.
Torreira is also hot on the lips of Ornstein, deal isn’t done yet, it’s being held up by the World Cup. No doubt his agent is waiting for a MoM performance so he can squeeze a few extra pennies for his client.
Also, someone needs to run this analysis over Ozil.
Right, short post this morning. MORE WORLD CUP to come.
See you in the comments.
DM
2
Oi oi
has he done it…
Nice one Charlie
4?
and the crowd go willlllddddd
Well done, cc?
How’d you let that slip, DM?
10th!?
All luck DM, backed into it. Your crown isn’t under any type of threat from me! 🙂
“Does özil not play for the world champions… Or does that not count..” When did they become world champions? 2018? Oh it was 4 bloody years ago!!! A lot of players rose and fell in those 4 years don’t you think. It’s a long time in football. And dare I say that Ozil was not the most impactful player even then. He started as a CAM only to get shifted to the wings because Germany couldn’t control the midfield with him in there. From the 18 goals that Germany scored as a whole he registered 1 goal and 1 assist.… Read more »
Ever Banega is awesome, but in a ponderous ‘one day I’ll fulfilled my obvious talent’ kind of way. So not too sure about him rocking up at Arsenal. Unless however Emery is a manager that gets a tune out of him, then yes please because he’s a sexy little snarler. I’m happy with the Leno deal, 26 years old and bargain price thanks to a release clause. Smart decision to target him by the trio. He’s will not harm Arsenal, wonky be any worse than what we have, and off he’s no better then we won’t lose anything because he… Read more »
Banega is OK but in my opinion we don’t need him. if wilshere leaves (which is quite obvious) we need to promote AMN or go for a young experienced midfielder between 21-23 yrs.
Emiliano Martínez would be a great number 2. I doubt Ospina wants to sit there being our number 2 anymore. He waited for Cech to go and now he has he’ll expect to be number 1.
Banega is tidy player with good technique but is pretty weak player. I mean not a player to force issues like say Ramsey does. We need more player who can are sublime in some aspect with good work rate. We have Auba and Ramsey, another can be had if we get somebody with pace and dribbling.
“I think I’d prefer to have some exceptional kid as our backup. ”
Totally spot on, Cech and Ospina both OUT.
I even wonder if I would not choose to keep Ospina, Cech is definitely DONE.
I’m baffled by the talk of us looking for Banega or N’Zonzi. It has to be pointless gossip. We know for sure that Xhaka, Elneny and AMN are going to compete in this area. Add Torreira to that mix and you have more than enough coverage to allow Ramsey to play in a more advanced role. There’s simply no need to add any more midfielders. Assuming Leno, Torreira and Sokratis go through, this has been an incredibly efficient window. It’s still uncertain if it will prove to be a successful one, but you can’t fault the new regime for lacking… Read more »
Yesterday’s game showed how England can be controlled if teams were to match their physical level. So Brazil, France and maybe Portugal, Belgium should cause England most trouble. The likes of Spain and Germany are sublime technically but don’t have any players to force issues except for Isco and Costa for Spain and maybe Muller and Gomez/Werner for Germany. England doesn’t have any CM with good passing range other than Henderson. Probably would have taken Shelvey along. Both Ali and Stirling are at their best when playing behind striker. Dier and Henderson midfield is not good enough. RLC can’t play… Read more »
Leno, Torreira, Sokratis, Licht and some younglings would be an okay window I guess. Don’t know what is going to happen with the CB Caglar and our need of a speedy winger.
Also, I think England’s weakest aspect is defending. France and Brazil have enough pace and dribbling ability to wreck England’s defence.
Incidentally, France and Brazil while they do have very physical midfield, their defenders are quite soft physically but very good technically.
Raptora,
We must get in speedy winger. Otherwise Pep’s team will continue pinning us down.
Raptora
Obviously he impresses the German manager which is all that matters and he must have a little football knowledge as he has taken Germany to at least a semi final in every tournament.
“Probably would have taken Shelvey along.”
Shelvey is better than Wilshere. It’s true they needed a similar player and now they don’t have anyone. Cannot see England doing anymore than the usual first knockout loss.
Brooklyn,
We need a fast dribbling winger so bad, that I’m ready to stay with Cech as our GK, but get a player with pace, skill and finishing.
Brooklyn
“Banega is tidy player with good technique but is pretty weak player. I mean not a player to force issues like say Ramsey does. ”
We need to get away from the notion that we need our central midfielders to score and assist and force issues ….
How about having a midfield that controls the game , protects the defence and allows the attacking third to provide the goals and assists …..
We have had 10 years of our midfielders forcing the issue and it hasn’t work ,maybe it’s time to try something different.
“Also, I think England’s weakest aspect is defending. France and Brazil have enough pace and dribbling ability to wreck England’s defence.”
I agree. Midfield isn’t too smart either. Nobody central who’s comfortable on the ball and who can control play and tempo from deep.
“Shelvey is better than Wilshere.”
lol
Ozil played as winger last world cup due to their 2 CM’s being shit defensively. Not to say that Ozil is any good defensively for a team with such weak CM’s. Ozil will again be moved to wings when German face tough opposition or maybe from next game against Sweden. Anyway, midfield 3 of Kroos, Khedira and Groetzka with Muller and Ozil as winger is way more balanced team for them both offensively and defensively. Muller, Striker and Groetzka to make run in behind. Khedira to supoort Kroos defensively. Neuer, Boateng, Kimmich, Hummels, Ozil and Kroos can maintain their technical… Read more »
“AW is considering taking an international job for his return to management.”
Let’s see… Japan maybe ??
Glad with the new efficiency in getting these signings done, we don’t need fancy names – just players who can work in a system and do their jobs effectively. We’ll be much better for that alone. Add in a winger (we don’t have a pure one in the squad) and we’re doing alright.
Leno to undergo his medical today it seems
Pierre, I don’t think Banega is at his best in 2 man midfield. And when I meant weak, he is weak in every aspect except circulating the ball around. We already have Xhaka, Elneny, Torreira as non risk taking midfielders for midfield 2. Ramsey is risk taking one and can work better in 3 man midfield. I would rather have Ramsey in 3 man midfield then Banega, with two of Xhaka/Elneny/Torreira behind him. And, yes I have problem with Ramsey’s technical ability to play in final third or even middle of pitch, but overall he will still do better job… Read more »
Banega is a banana spill waiting to happen…for those calling for wingers; R. Nelson any one!
“for those calling for wingers; R. Nelson any one!”
Might as well sell both Auba and Lacazette and play Eddie instead.
Brooklyn I think you’ve underestimated how much change is needed in the German XI and how poor Khedira and Muller were. No way can Khedira start in the next match; he should be replaced by Gundogan. Khedira was not their only problem and not their only slow-moving player, but he was slow and a problem. Draxler didn’t impress either and in general I think they need to bring more pace into the side; to that end, I would start Reus and Brandt wide. For the moment I would stick with Ozil as the CAM, but I would replace Ozil with… Read more »
Yeah, we are buying certain attributes but not overall quality it seems with Leno.
Good at sweeping role and passing the ball from back. Good reflex but mistake prone. Will not help during setpieces, or crosses. He is quite young, and should improve on those aspect, but will need time.
Quick google search says he is 1.9m tall so has physique to develop his game to premier league’s requirement.
http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/2/942837688?-19387:844:0
Watching again the highlights of all goals we conceded last season and I discovered both Cech and Ospina should be nowhere near the goalpost this season if Top4 is really a target for Emery.
Leno’s deal is a no brainer,looking at figures touted for both Allison and Oblak then we just might have nailed the deal of the summer already .
Allison for 75M,Oblak for somewhere between 80m to 90m none of which have twice the ability of 19.8M Leno, yeah it’s a great deal,Sven and co means business it seems
I thought England looked really good for the first half hour. Really good. Their shape was excellent and everyone was buzzing. After that, though, they had difficulty controlling the game and when they had the ball, they weren’t that incisive. I mentioned this last night, but instead of playing with one holding CM (Henderson) and two advanced CMs (Alli, Lingard,) I think Southgate should flip that and play with two holding and one advanced. Whether the additional holding should be Alli or Loftus-Cheek would be a question, and whether the CAM should be Alli or Lingard a question. Otherwise, Kane… Read more »
Bamford, Loew doesn’t care for pace that’s why Sane was left out. Draxler, Brandt and Ozil all are similar player at varying degree of quality but Sane was left out. Germany are always playing slow buildup game. They won’t change that midway through worldup. They will counter of course but slow buildup is what all of Kroos(as deepest mid), Ozil, Muller, Brandt, Draxler, Hummels, Kimmich etc are suited for. Muller was poor, but he hasn’t been very good as wing forward for last couple of years. That’s why leaving out Draxler and Bringing in Groetzka should theoretically help all of… Read more »
Agree that Leno is a smart signing, even if he isn’t quite as big or dominating or mature as some of the top, top keepers. He’s a great shot stopper, we’re getting him at a very reasonable price, and we cannot continue with Cech or Ospina as the starter.
Brooklyn
OK, well, we’ll just have to agree to disagree on a number of fronts there, but one question: why is Gundogan a no-go for you? That’s interesting to me.
And two, doesn’t Goretzka like to get forward a fair amount? Wouldn’t he be better in front of a holding two rather than as one of the two holding?
Three, you seem to know a lot about the Germans: do you think leaving Sane out was as big of a mistake as some here think? I personally don’t, but I can see why some think this.
I thought I read that Leno was 6ft 5 ?
Leno is 6’3? Great. For some reason I thought he was an Ospina-type 5’11 midget.
https://youtu.be/qNBW6p4m9JE
yup, you can expect more of this, next season…
Gundogan, hasn’t been very good for both Man City and Germany. He has engine but isn’t ball winner in the way Rudy, Khedira and Groetzka are.
In slow buildup one of 2 CM’s getting forward to create overload in certain areas in a controlled way is not problem. Khedira does it very efficiently. Problem is geting back to support Kroos who is quite weak defensively. Khedira has slowed down with his age. Groetzka is quicker at covering ground, winning ball high up the pitch as well as has more flair then Khedira to hold up ball in final third.
“Agree that Leno is a smart signing, even if he isn’t quite as big or dominating or mature as some of the top, top keepers.”
Do u think we could have done any better on that front this summer?
Victorious
Doubt it. That’s why I said it was a smart signing.
gonsterous
oh,what a shocker,how about you also paste in howlers of De gea,Neur,Karius..etc and let us all have a laugh
Leno is a very good signing. He isn’t Oblak but that isn’t what this transfer is about.
To be honest the way we are operating this summer is very efficient really. We have looked at all our weak areas and are working on solutions.
If we have gotten this right and everyone fits in well, then next summer we can maybe add some more marquee type signings.
Getting a solid squad with a blend of experience and youth is the primary aim and I feel like we are doing that.
“looking at figures touted for both Allison and Oblak”
Both are probably too expensive + they absolutely wants to play the CL, what can’t you understand in that ffs ??
I don’t know lot about ze zermans. I am just putting forward my opinion similar to you. In the end Loew will do what he will see fit. Sane should probably have been included in their worldcup roster. Loew couldn’t leave out Draxler who has been in periphery of German national team for long time and seems like one who follows coach order to help maintain team balance. Brandt is far better player than Sane and Draxler for the way Germany wants to play, but is inexperienced. Individually Sane is probably best of those three. My opinion though it may… Read more »
vic
calm down. stop getting your panties in a twist. it’s just a clip of a player learning the trade. You know these are professionals who don’t need YOU to wrap them in cotton right ??
Honestly the ball did bounce of the grass in a weird way.
If this is his biggest howler he’ll do well for us.
Price, increases exponentially for a bit more quality in a player at highest level. It is the difference between two teams at very high level, small quality gaps in individual players all of whom are at very high level.
you post some thing and there’s always someone who’s triggered here. never happens in the pub though. sharing a pint with someone and you take out a video of a player making a mistake for a laugh and then someone comes over, gets in your face and demands to see mistakes of other great players. Nope, never happens, just the internet hard men..
**for a bit more quality and consistency.
Just read that Sturridge is in last year of his contract. I know he makes Wilshere look like action man but he can put the ball away. Perhaps as a pay as you play deal? With Laca and PEA up front and Sturridge off the bench, an okay attack.
“vic
calm down. stop getting your panties in a twist. ”
lol
GOH,
Sturridge won’t come to be third choice. Nektiah probably is good enough to be third choice??, or even better if we could sell Welbeck and get in some one like Rashford/Martial/Perisic?, who can play both as winger or forward.
Brooklyn
Alright, I get it; then I like Sebastian Rudy in place of Khedira. I don’t like the idea of Muller and Ozil wide, though, so I’m sticking with the idea that Loew should go with Brandt and Reus wide. For the moment, I’d keep Ozil as the CAM, but I would also consider playing Goretzka there.
A starting XI in the next match like so for me:
__________Neuer
Kimm__Boat__Humm__Hect
______Rudy____Kroos
___________Ozil
Reus_____Werner____Brandt
Or alternately:
__________Neuer
Kimm__Boat__Humm__Hect
______Rudy____Kroos
_________Goretzka
Ozil______Werner____Brandt
Brooklyn Another good post. I like your thinking. Nuanced. We don’t always get a lot of that around here. 😉 You’re pleasant in disagreement as well, which is nice. This discussion has actually restored a bit of my faith in the Germans, who were my pre-tournament pick. I think that if Loew makes a couple of key changes going forward, they can still win the whole thing. I’m not going to make them my favorites again just yet — they were too poor the other day and I want to see what changes Loew makes — but I am feeling… Read more »
How is Ospina at 5’11 a midget?
I had visited blogs of all 20 teams in the EPL on purpose -to satisfy my curosity -and truth be said we Arsenal fans are the most bitter; less agreeable; most irritated: most pessimistic; most cursing; and least appreciative.
I can understand that emperor Wenger reign has had its toll on us. But hey! give healing a chance. lets be more positive and accomodative of our players and of ourselves. until they fail again under Emery, we should stop these conjeculations.
Bamford,
While I agree with your team, I get the feeling, Neuer, Kroos, Hummels, Kimmich and Muller are untouchables for Loew. You can probably add Boateng and Ozil in there too.
Alternatively, If Loew wants to go in with his trusted players, he may go for back 3 like he did against Italy last year in friendly and couple more times I think, adding Sule/Rudiger in place of Khedira and playing Kroos and Ozil as CM.
The difference between Banega and Ramsey is slap in the face obvious when you look at their passing stats. Banega: Average passes a game: 68.8, pass success: 86.8%, key passes: 2.1 a game, crosses: 1.1 a game, long balls: 5.3 a game. Ramsey: Average passes a game: 51.6, pass success: 84.9%, key passes: 1.2 a game, crosses: 0.1 a game, long balls: 1.8 a game. Banega also makes a tackle a game more but Ramsey marginally has more dribbles, 0.2 more a game, and more interceptions, 0.6 more. In short though, Ramsey is not a much better player than Banega.… Read more »
The budget issues being reported today show why Arsenal are really trying to get a payment plan of sorts working with Sampdoria.
We have to start selling now, essential we get ourselves a winger in addition to the good work we’ve already done.
I’m not sure if the Soyuncu transfer is already being counted as spent budget or not? Most seem to regard it as formalities now.
Leno, Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Soyuncu, Torreira and a winger would be the best summer we’ve had in over a decade.
McBright
For a keeper 5’11 is short. Obviously in the general population it’s an average height, but there’s no way you’d say the likes of Barthez (5’11) weren’t short, and thus likely to have comparatively more trouble claiming contested high balls against tall players.
CA
But does banega make as many runs into the box as Ramsey as that seems to be so important to many on here.
I would really like to see us go for Pavon as our winger
Pierre
They are just different players.
By the looks of things Bangea is more of a CM where Ramsey is more of a CAM but the type who relies on getting into attacking positions as opposed to passing.
It is all a matter of building a well balanced midfield which we have not had for years.
That is why the Torreira signing is so good, great player to balance the midfield.
I’m not sure if Banega is just low effort journalism though because of the Sevill link?
*Sevilla
CA,
I don’t like the Banega rumours. Dude is 30 yo. Need fresh, young blood. Give me Cesc number 2.
Personally I am glad that Arsenal are focussing on upgrading the spine of the team rather than the policy of Wenger bringing in players who may have been technically gifted but failed to address the weaknesses of the team. The priorities of the new management this summer were bringing in GK, CB and a defensively solid CMF. As was indicated by the club there is absolutely no need to recruit this summer offensive players. There is enough talent and goalscoring potential in those positions not to factor in as well that the club will need to offer game time to… Read more »
Raptora
I don’t actually think there is any truth in it.
I think it is just low effort journalism, especially with Xhaka having just signed a new deal.
Not stirring things up but Banega would be a CM and do Xhakas job – good range of passing, better at retaining the ball under pressure and more mobile. Not Xhaka bashing, just saying he isn’t really an AM.
Can’t see it happening personally – I think we are just getting linked with midfielders because Wiltshire is apparently leaving.
For the people questioning Tunisia’s penalty decision:
Peter Schmeichel: “It was a penalty, there is no doubt about that. He actually hits him and he is very, very lucky to get away with a yellow card because according to the rules, if you hit someone with your elbow, you’re off – it’s a red card.
Wilshere – stupid autocorrect
Leno, Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Soyuncu, Torreira and a winger would be the best summer we’ve had in over a decade.
Very true. And it looks like we’re looking at another midfielder which is brilliant. I just hope we can do better than Nzonzi or Banega the. Both would start for us but I’d like better if I’m honest. But I like the idea that we seem to be getting in players before we sell players. Shows that we’re not waiting around and letting it dictate our summer
Barking Arsene
Agree. Don’t think we’ll get Banega. Convenient link now that it seems likely Wilsh will leave. Can see West Ham going for him now that Pelligrini is manager
Get Chucky Lozano and we win the EPL!
Can’t see it happening personally – I think we are just getting linked with midfielders because Wiltshire is apparently leaving.
Not so sure about that. I dunno if it’s because they think Ramsey and Jack are going to go but it seems like we’re in for another midfielder. Torreira seems like a good bet it’ll happen and then there’s links to Nzonzi which won’t go away and the apparent late attempt to sign Fabinho and apparently we have made an attempt to snatch Fabian from under Napoli’s nose and also links to Pelligrini it looks like we want another midfielder
Marko
I am all for another midfield just as long as it does not stop us getting a winger.
I don’t want to see Mkhitaryan and Ozil both playing at the same time as our wide players and I do not want to see Aubameyang out there just to fit Lacazette in the side.
I quite like the look of Pavon but could understand us going after Martins.
Marko
Yeah maybe – we could be looking at someone in case of Ramsey going as well.
Hard to tell though as we still don’t know for certain what system Emery has in mind – unless he plans to rotate him with Xhaka and Ramsey depending on the opponent?
Guedes or Chucky and we good.
Also what do you guys think about Group H? Possibly Poland going through and? Colombia look like a good team on paper.
CA I would be shocked if we’re not in the mix for Gelson shocked. Rui Patricio just signed for Wolves for FREE now I heard that they might take it to a tribunal to try to get something for him but that’s only because he’s was there since he was 12 and they got those rules where if a club puts in all that effort training someone that they are entitled to some kind of money but it’s usually not that much. Gelson started his career at Benfica so there’d be no compensation needed.
“I am all for another midfield just as long as it does not stop us getting a winger.”
This.
Even though there are times when Auba playing wide with Laca through the middle would be a viable option, it should under no circumstances be our only one. We really do need a wide player that can take on his marker. Otherwise we will be too predictable going forward as we currently are.
I’m just happy that we seem to be targeting TWO midfielders and TWO defenders. I always maintained that these areas need big change that we weren’t one midfield signing or one defensive signing away from addressing these issues. The only thing is a slight worry about Caglar being good enough to start for us on a regular basis it’s a big step up and an unforgiving one.
CA
“It is all a matter of building a well balanced midfield which we have not had for years.”
Absolutely
raptora
I can see Poland, Senegal and Colombia all finishing on 4 or 5pts. Could come down to goal difference
Cesc
Those passing stats are eye-opening. Banegas looks quality but unspectacular when I’ve watched him, but those stats make him seem a better player than I thought him to be. He could be an inexpensive replacement for Wilshere or Cazorla, depending on how you think of him (and of Torreira).
Hearing we’re still interested in Lozano and we made contact with him in January but he chose to complete the season with PSV. We badly need a winger. Lozano/Pavon would be great!
I could live a season with Ramsey, Xhaka, Elneny, AMN and Torreira if this would mean getting a winger that could become a top player in our shirt. Mikki and Ozil can always cover for Ramsey so that leaves 4 players for 2 positions. Doesn’t sound half bad especially knowing that Xhaka never gets injured………
If we sign another holding /sitting /defensive midfielder (or whatever you want to call it) as well as torreira then the 3 options available for Ramsey will be CAM, the bench or another club as he will not play in central midfield.
“I am all for another midfield just as long as it does not stop us getting a winger.” I agree. But it seems like no matter what we’re not waiting around and getting in players and then I’m assuming that we’re going to sell a few and that could determine whether or not we go for yet another defender or winger or whatever. It’s very possible and probable in some cases that selling the likes of Mustafi, Welbeck, Ramsey, Lucas and Ospina might pay for what we’re bringing in. Lucas and Ospina might just about pay for Leno. Mustafi should… Read more »
Raptora
“Mikki and Ozil can always cover for Ramsey”
Excuse me while I just pick myself off the floor through laughing so much.
Careful with your old bones.
In line with the apparent strategy signing statesmen and winning mentality, let’s pick up Robben on the ‘cheap’. Even factoring injuries he would still be miles ahead of Welbeck, Nelson etc. Yes, we should be desperate for a proven wing player who scores.
Banega (or a CM of his type) would allow rotation between Torreira, Xhaka, new CM and Ramsey.
The thing that people often overlook is that Ramsey can be disciplined when he wants to be, but I’m sure in the past he has been given a lot more freedom than he necessarily should have.
It’s up to him now to show he can work in a midfield pair – unless Emery is going to use him and Ozil together, which would require one of them playing wide.
Leno for 19 million seems a good bit of business I think. He is Germany’s number three don’t let the ball sniffer picking Trapp fool you. And considering you have people like Pickford going for 30 million it’s a good deal. Get him back to playing like he did a couple years ago and he’ll be great for us
The thing that people often overlook is that Ramsey can be disciplined when he wants to be
I’m sorry but in the 10 years he’s been here he hasn’t shown it enough.