COME ON PEOPLE, ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!
I mean, entertained is maybe the wrong word.
Are you not captivated by the ruthless efficiency of a well oiled Arsenal machine?
I am.
Arsenal is aggressively pursuing the goal of shaking out the mediocrity that’s hung over our heads for the best part of 12 years. Ivan Gazidis is finally demonstrating that he is a CEO with a vision. More importantly, his catalyst for change line from last summer wasn’t a PR soundbite, it was, in fact, the real starting pistol for life post-Highbury.
Inside 8 months:
- We have someone sensible dealing with contracts (HUUUUUSS)
- We have an elite Head of Recruitment (Sven)
- We have the exSporting Director of Barca (Raul)
- We changed our manager (#WengerOUT)
- We ditched all his dross staff (Not including Colin Lewin or Jens Lehmann there)
- We hired a new manager (#EmeryIN)
- We let him bring in 5 of his pals (will talk on this another day)
- We reshaped the spine of our side (Leno, Sokratis, Auba, Torreira)
- We shipped out the deadwood (Theo)
- We tied down Ozil (Should be a win)
- We’ll likely tie down Ramsey (Could be SO good)
- We binned Sanchez and he tanked (HOW’S THAT PIANO, MATE)
That’s how you say hello to the future. It’s how you shine light on the embarrassing carry on of the past. It’s everything we’ve been craving for ten years, achieved inside a single year.
Arsenal announced yesterday that Bernd Leno would be our new keeper. Sampdoria leaked to the press that Torreira is heading our way for €30m. The club said goodbye to Jack Wilshere, which was a shame, but a totally fair decision. One that I guarantee you would not have happened under the old regime. He’d be sitting pretty on a whopping £150k a week deal. Even more promising? It seems like we’re already eyeing a replacement in Banega.
I don’t want to enjoy this moment too much, but come on, how many years have we been castigated as the crazy ones? How many times were we told that it’s better to do deals at the end of the summer. That buying players wasn’t like going to the supermarket. That Brexit would make things difficult. That World Cups mean you can’t sign players. That only clubs like City can buy players. That it’s impossible to sell our shite players because they have big deals. That class, was the hallmark of rank amateur behaviour in the transfer market.
Didn’t we say that it was all nonsense?
The ‘careful what you wish for’ crowd are really eating a fat slice of ‘I didn’t have a clue’ pie right now. Even worse, the crowd of ITKs who faux-leaked that the issues were at board level and Wenger was just too honourable to rat them out. I told you at the time they were wrong, and fuck it, I feel vindicated. 10 years of having to listen to enablers talk bollocks about the real state of Arsenal and all along, the popular opinion was wrong. It wasn’t just a bit wrong, it was 1996-Gareth-Southgate-hide-your-head-in-a-Pizza-Hut-bag wrong. Each and every week that passes by, another nail gets hammered into the myth of yesteryear.
The banter era is over. At least from an infrastructure perspective. Sure the club will sign duff players, sure we’ll make mistakes, but the days of putting the club in the hands of total incompetents are long gone. We have the best minds our money could buy out there trying to prove they’re worthy of their status at the club. That’s exciting. The old boys club is over.
Can the playing side still go badly wrong? Absolutely. We have a horrendous start to the season. The players won’t know what hit them with the new management arrangement. There are still concerns about Emery’s ability to hit the ground running.
But it doesn’t matter. If he tanks, the club are now in the right shape to fix the issues. I honestly believe that outside a total disaster, we should give the manager two years. As long as we’re seeing a steady improvement as the months go by, I’ll be happy.
Fans won’t turn like they did before, the club is making a concerted effort to be better. They are serious about fulfilling Arsenal’s vast potential. This is what vision looks like. This is what strategic thinking brings to the table. This is how big clubs operate.
‘Careful what you wish for’ was an offence to progress. It was the talk of weak people happy with their lot. It was the death of curiosity bleated out by average thinkers who clung to the sagging teet of stale comfort. We were conned by positivity, fooled by stability, and held hostage by the past. That’s all over now. We’re about to experience the first season in over a decade where the feeling in the pit of your stomach before the start of the season will be butterflies. That’s something special.
I am so fucking charged to be an Arsenal fan right now. I hope you are too. There is no club more exciting than us this season, so enjoy it while you can
That’s me done, see you in the comments!
COME ON ARSENAL!
Marco Reus is anothe player who’s a shadow of his youthful form.
Injury has blighted him beyond recognition.
To many players in the German squad are there on reputation.
They better hope they get off the rust quickly.
Leno and Torreira will cost us £29 Million this summer, we will just have to take £9 Million out of our budget for the next two summer windows after this one for Torreira. Having said that, we will also be adding a lot of money to the club in terms of the new kit deal, new commercials and I think the TV money is being changed a bit. The summer window in a years time should see us with a lot more money to spend when you think just as one example we go from £30 Million a year from… Read more »
*a living on money denied to most mortals…
@ Dissenter With you on Marco Reus, the injuries haven’t been kind Reus did come one pretty early against Mexico and apart from a wild shot over the bar i can’t remember anything of note he did. The two center backs had nightmares as they were both slow and got caught under the ball Draxler did not beat a single man 1 v 1 nor deliver any half decent balls into the box. Mueller , a poacher went out hiding in the right wing and kept whipping in balls above everyone’s head Yet all i have read since that game… Read more »
The decision to leave Sane at home looks better and better.
What was Low thinking?
Ozil’s body language, and the sad look he seems to always wear on his face has caught up with him
He is now the official scapegoat for club and country and i am pretty sure he no longer enjoys his football.
He has to man up and show his worth or quietly seek an exit to China.
I get it: players wan’t to earn as much money as possible during their careers. Football, in the grand scheme of things can be a short career, indeed. I have no problem with that. I think Axel Witsel surmised this perfectly when he was headed for China. My gripe with Wilshere, is how he seems to think he’s worth more than what’s on offer considering his blighted Arsenal career. He’s not throwing up super-max salary stats. lol. So you’re offered £100k (basic) p/w. It’s alleged that there’d be top ups on the basis of us winning and him being in… Read more »
Are spine transplants a thing? If not, flight to China for Ozil I think.
Dissenter
So you don’t take at face value what Wilshire has said himself.
If he had stayed at Arsenal he would have been a squad player and nothing else.
Physiotherapists Andy Rolls and Ben Ashworth, osteopath Dr Philippe Boixel and travel manager Paul Johnson have left Arsenal. – BBC
More backroom changes.
Muller and Draxler should be replaced by Reus and Brandt. Ozil should remain the CAM, but should be replaced by Goretzka in the 60th or so. Bring Muller in in the 70th or so for his guile. Bring Gomez in late for a goal.
“Muller and Draxler should be replaced by Reus and Brandt. Ozil should remain the CAM, but should be replaced by Goretzka in the 60th or so. Bring Muller in in the 70th or so for his guile. Bring Gomez in late for a goal.” Spot on Brandt did more in the little time he spent on the field than Draxler who was a complete waste of a starting spot Mueller is a poacher..does not create anything just finishes off balls bouncing around in the box..never understood the hype around him, Bring Ozil off once it’s past the hour mark and… Read more »
I can see Ozil bouncing back in style with a few top notch assist creations against Sweden. He might even drop double figures in key passes if he’s really feeling like proving the doubters wrong.
It is interesting that so many former players who are so-called experts and pundits slag Ozil constantly.
Yet current footballers who play with Ozil have been always speaking highly about him including the likes of Ronaldo.
For all the negativity about this player from posters, the media and press he is
a wonderful footballer albeit a sensitive soul.
Pathetic comment
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? I AM FREAKING ENTERTAINED MWAAAAA TO THE ARSENAL!
So Wilshere and Cazorla are gone two players who define the word Deadwood the last couple years. This to me suggests that we shouldn’t be one bit surprised if Welbeck and Mustafi and a few others are gone this summer too. And I can see something happening with Özil. No way that poor kind hearted sensitive soul with lovely eyes and a constant tickle in his throat no way he can completely turn his game around at nearly 30
I’m not scared to say I really like Ozil and when his head is in the game he is a special talent.
But he was dismal the other day – even by the poor standard set by his teammates.
He needs a proper kick up the backside at the minute and regardless of what he earns with us if he isn’t up to the required standard then bench him. No player should get a start based on salary.
Can you imagine what Ozil’s fate would be if he hadn’t got that mega contract.
If he had decided to wait until after the world cup to make up his mind regarding his free transfer, he would be royally fukced.
I’d like to see Germany start with Brandt centrally – direct, will take people on, can shoot and would be difficult to deal with. Won’t happen but would be good to see.
Ozil will get the nod and probably play ok.
One day it will be Brandt centrally flanked by Draxler and Sane with Timo up front.
That will be super exciting.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/20/germany-players-hold-crisis-meeting-joachim-low-urged-axe-mesut/
This is what we pay £300k pw for. Thanks Arsene.
Ever Banega would be a great deal especially at the reported price, a seasoned pro who will hit the ground running. However, he shouldn’t come at the expense of a winger.
This summer is shaping up quite nicely.
Pedro
I’m with you to an extent but my optimism is. cautious as opposed to rather wild like yours.
If things go wrong on the pitch, then all the ‘told you so, it’s all on wenger, Gazidis is a god’ diatribe from you falls apart like a gluten free cheese cake.
If arsenal finish out of the top four, that’s a failure regardless of whether we made transfers early or not.
It’s way too early to gloat my friend.
I’m sorry to see Jack go because he is one of us and loves the club. But his performances are not up there with what we need, so the bit part Emery said he would have was generous. Sure Jack had so much potential. But like so many promising youngsters he was hamstrung by Wengerism. Jack came back from injuries that have finished lesser players but it doesn’t mean we owe him a place at the expense of more reliable players. He’s a Gooner and I’ll love him for it always. But if you think we were wrong to let… Read more »
The curious thing is that while I am a critic (generally) of Ozil, I actually don’t think he was one of Germany’s problems the other day. I mean, I’m not saying he was an energetic dynamo, but he was far from one of their under-performers. Frankly, he looked fairly up for it. There was even a play where Ozil tracked way, way back to make a tackle or defensive action when frankly this was Khedira or Kroos’s responsibility. The real weak spots the other day, IMO, were Muller, Khedira, Draxler and frankly a little bit Kroos. All were ineffectual in… Read more »
Bamford
I agree with you on that. Never been an Ozil fan. Ever. But there were several players that performed badly.
Draxler is playing how he does for PSG. Kid is just stuck in 1st gear.
I can only hope Emery moves Ozil on.
He’s an over-hyped, under-delivering expensive luxury we can do without. We need a player who at least gives 100% effort and wants to go to war for the team. Ozil does nothing close to that.
He was a panic buy to begin with, and his £350k pw contract was a fuck you very much to the club as Wenger saw the writing on the wall. Let him make another club his beast of burden and free up space for someone who will show up for more than six games a season.
If things go wrong on the pitch, then all the ‘told you so, it’s all on wenger, Gazidis is a god’ diatribe from you falls apart like a gluten free cheese cake. If arsenal finish out of the top four, that’s a failure regardless of whether we made transfers early or not. It’s way too early to gloat my friend. Disagree my friend even with the potential 4+ players coming in even if we fail at least we tried and that’s more than you could say of the club under Arsene the last few years. Signing up one or two… Read more »
he was far from one of their under-performers
He underperformed therefore he wasn’t far from one of their underperformers. He doesn’t get a pass because others performed worse. They’re all sharing in the criticism if it seems like he gets more criticism than say someone like Kroos it’s because with Kroos it’s something of a rarity that he’d play that had whereas with Ozil it’s becoming all too familiar
Alexander Except that it WAS all on Wenger, and as long as the club is making an intelligent and sincere effort to improve the squad and its performances — and compete with the best teams — we will be headed in the right direction. Yes, we obviously want to finish top four, but doing so is not going to be easy both because of the competitiveness of the PL today and because of the hole Wenger has put us in. Therefore, even a fifth place finish will not necessarily constitute “failure”; we will have to look at who was bought… Read more »
“even if we fail at least we tried” – Marko
This.
gambon
You have to be able to distinguish between an AKB or WOB.
I was Wenger out from 2008.
I like Lacazette and feel he will be a major asset to the club.
If Emery feels the same, that’s a bonus as far as I’m concerned.
Also, who gives a shite what John Cross says.
Have a goalkeeping issue and continue with the goalkeeper isn’t trying but signing up a 26 year old from Germany is trying. Conceded 60+ goals the previous season and you don’t bring in a CB isn’t trying but bringing in a two new CB’s and a terrier mix from Uruguay is at least trying.
Marko
Give it a break you rabbit along about Ozil underperforming against Morocco
as though he was entirely at fault for what went on in that game.
Actually Ozil’s personal contribution to that game was a lot better than most of
the other German players.
If you want to slag an individual player then be at least constructive. Most of
the so called German ex players are focussing on Ozil not because of his performance, but rather because of what went on with Erdogan. That is obvious
when you read comments by them about him not signing the National anthem.
Ronaldo feasting here lol could score a hat rick again.
He has scored more goals in this WC already than his previous 3 tournaments combined.
Leno, Lichtsteiner confirmed and Sokratis and Toreirra all but confirmed with Soyuncu looking like he’s on the way too.
Have to give props to the club, addressing problem areas in the team and adding a nice blend of experience and young potential in there.
If we can add a wideman and someone like Banega onto that I’ll be pretty damn excited about the new season.
Correction Mexico not Morocco.
I’m sort of glad Jack’s left. But at the same time think having him in the squad could have been useful. He admitted that he would have signed a reduced wages contract, so the cost for us would have been no worse than keeping elneny or xhaka. If he played well, we have a useful player on a reduced wages contract if not we have a player to sell in a year’s time that would probably still raise 10-15 million, that teams could afford as his wages aren’t to high. So we actually make money from him. I’m pretty sure… Read more »
Jack made it clear that he didn’t want to be a bit-part PL player though which he would have been under Emery.
Who is this awful commentator on BBC?
SO desperate to be ultra-liberal that theyve hired the worst possible person, probably because she was available.
Sounds like a cross between Katherine Hepburn & Boycie from only fools.
Yeah agree with others about Ozil.
We have properly fucked ourselves giving him 350k per week.
Literally no one will every buy him on those wages unless we ship him off to China.
I’ve cut Ozil a lotta slack the last 3-4 years but I’m thoroughly over him as a player.
Lazy, self entitled, pompous and a proper shirker of responsibility. Turning it on once every six months for a fancy goal against shit opposition like Ludogrets.
Its almost laughable.
Dont like Banega.
Great footballing ability, but Im not sure hes physically up to the PL.
Oh dear gambon, you English lads stuck with Gabby Logan on the Mic?
You have my sympathy.
The Wilsh isn’t giving us all of the details. He turned a contract extension three times I believe. His wage offer was not reduced. Injuries are a bitch. But no reason for the Arsenal to make him the second highest paid CM at the club when he’s the fifth option.
Morocco outplaying pub team Portugal.
Kike Marin saying we want Banega next for less than we got Leno which he considers a fantastic move.
Guy called Emery, Torreira, Leno….
“We have properly fucked ourselves giving him 350k per week.”
There’s only 2 persons who have fucked us on this case.
But yep, they did it in style.
gambon
Yeah balance wise don’t see him and LT working too well given both like to drive forward and are very diminutive, I just think that Banega is too good a player to turn down for a low sum which is being touted and he’s a top class baller as you say. Experienced too.
We’re actually very short on numbers in CM so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that we sign LT, Banega and another player.
Give it a break you rabbit along about Ozil underperforming against Morocco
as though he was entirely at fault for what went on in that game.
Merely pointing out how he underperformed yet again. No one’s blaming him for the result just blaming him for another lackluster showing. You see he leaves himself open to criticism because it’s becoming the norm. People like you are just burying your head in the sand and ignoring it. And that’s fine
WengerEagle
No, not Gabby Logan. I rate her.
Some woman with an unbelievably annoying voice.
Portugal is CR7.
If he’s injured or if he has a bad game, then it’s game over for them.
Champagne Charlie
Reckon one of Ramsey or Elneny will be off. Strange that the Welshman has not signed on yet.
Kike Marin knows it seems
Pedro’s on-off relationship with Gazidis is stuff that would make soap opera gold.
Only few weeks ago, Pedro was lashing out at Gazidis over the Arteta betrayal.
Looking forward to the next episode.
Did Elneny not sign a new contract recently?
Banega is 10 times the player he is, we’d be in dreamland if we binned Elneny and bought Banega for a snip.
Dream
Dissenter said it yesterday mate, all bubbling under to a late depart from Ramsey.
Can see Arsenal dropping circa 120 mil and getting a cool 40-70 late with a couple of sales (chambers and Rambo seem good bets)
Banega? He’s a better version of Xhaka isn’t he?
The female commentator said Benatia like Ben-ah-tia and then Keown said it exactly the same… which was wrong. It’s pronounced Ben-nat-tia
Hirving Lozano, the scorer against Germany would be a smart addition to the squad if we could get him… a scoring winger on the left hand as well. Ziyech, the Moroccan playmaker strutting his stuff against Portugal also doing well from the highlights I can see.
Portugal definitely scored against the run of play.
Wenger Eagle
Yep. New contract for big Mo. Think he’ll be here for one more year and then move on to another London club. Good that Fulham have been promoted. Another club to sell to.
It’s like watching Spain v Portugal all over again except Morocco are a toothless Spain.
Rambo,
Yeah Pedro’s fellating of Gazidis and Arteta will forever be a black mark.
Really don’t know how his brain got so warped over pushing that insane proposal.
Ziyech is quality and has a peach of a left foot on him but he’s one paced and needs a team built around him to be at his best.
A throwback to the old school playmaker.
I think Adli would have gotten Wilsheres minutes, but the rumours are hes now staying at PSG.
Think you may see us sign a young, slightly attacking CM with a high ceiling.
I turned the volume off. Women should not be commentating on football.
Most of the deals we seem to be doing look shrewd enough a bit dare I say it cheap but I got a feeling that we’ll make a marquee type signing as well. We’re spending money but the type of money that once we sell a couple players we’d be back in the green.
I think you can be critical of the board, and especially the owner as well as not letting Wenger off the hook, the two are not mutually exclusive. After-all, it has been Stan who has kept this past his sell by charlatan and all his hangers on at the club for so long. But that is in the past, and credit where it is due,Stan, probably encouraged by his son has made some much needed changes, very impressed so far. very exciting times, to make up for the wasted years where one man was allowed complete control to waste what… Read more »
Leeds
Lozano seems to have good stats. Apparently, we were in for him during the January window. His style of play is unaesthically pleasing for me. Similar to Alexis, but not the same ceiling. Would take him as he’ll be easy to move on if it doesn’t work out
The sooner grease ball Ronaldo is out of the World Cup the better.
I turned the volume off. Women should not be commentating on football.
Total cunt. Bet you wouldn’t have a problem if your mum was doing it you might have to make your own dinner for once but it’s about time don’t you think that you get out of your mother’s basement
I wonder if Redtruth has ever liked anyone…..
….apart from David Ospina.
Where do we reckon is realistically going to be shown the door?
Santi and Jack already.
I reckon Perez, Ospina, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Chambers, Campbell, Asano, Akpom.
50-50 on Welbeck, reckon we probably will sell him if we’re offered 15-20 million.
Lozano had 17 goals in 29 games for PSV last season. He’s a talent alright. Definitely a winger is being targeted though with the Gelson interest and apparently we tried for Malcolm and Pavon last January
WengerEagle
Asano is already on loan. Hes so bad that we already accept selling him isnt possible.
In terms of “outs”
Ospina
Martinez
Jenkinson
Mustafi or Chambers
Perez
Welbeck*
Akpom
Campbell
*Think Welbeck will only go if we sign a wide player
Weagle
I’d agree but I wouldn’t get shot of Mustafi.
We’ve lost Per and Kos until December. Mustafi is our senior CB and will be alongside new boy Sokratis. Think it’s too much to absolutely rely upon one of Mavropanos, Holding, Caglar (if bought).
I reckon Perez, Ospina, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Chambers, Campbell, Asano, Akpom.
Apparently Chambers is going to be given the preseason to convince Emery whether to sell Keep or loan. Might end up being a homegrown quota issue in the end. Definitely Mustafi and I think Welbeck are off.
“I wonder if Redtruth has ever liked anyone…..
….apart from David Ospina.”
I like Ospina’s girlfriend!! 🙂
Wenger Eagle
Would sell Holding. He’s the worst player in our 1st team squad. Little upside. Welbeck has value in this market. Think he’ll stay and leave on a free if he’s not offered a new deal.
Morocco are playing the type of football which here in Ghana we call it ‘praising the ladies’. looking stylish but no better end product. all apologies I don’t interest intend to hurt any feelings of sort.
We’ve lost Per and Kos until December. Mustafi is our senior CB and will be alongside new boy Sokratis. Think it’s too much to absolutely rely upon one of Mavropanos, Holding, Caglar (if bought)
Probably why we’ve apparently tried for Luiz. Nah I’d get shot of him no way he deserves another season after the performances he put in last season after trying to move last summer. Besides it’s simple common sense you can’t bring in all these players particularly defenders without someone making way without someone bringing in money
Kay Boss
Lmao that is sensational.
I don’t like listening to women commentators. They are too high pitched and their goal commentaries sound like an excitable child.
Commentators need a vocal range, including a good bass for periods where it’s quiet, so they can get louder and higher pitched as the passage of play gets more exciting. A goal should be roared, not squeaked. A women’s voice can’t do that – unless of course it’s Sandi Toksvig or Mariella Frostrup…
lol
Marko
You’re overselling mustafis faults as per.
We lost per, and Kos is out until December. Our oldest defender is Mustafi at 26. He rest are 22, 22, and 20. It’d be foolish at best to get rid of a senior CB for a prospect.
Get shot of Chambers for Caglar by all means. But if you sell Mustafi for Caglar then all the experience comes in the form of Sokratis. One injury, or lack of adaptation and our CB pairing is Mavropanos/Holding/Caglar. Do me a favour
Guedes can play across the front line and is rapid with and without the ball. Just needs to improve his finishing. Rather him than Lozano. He’s got a higher ceiling
So many chances in this game. Crazy stuff!
Re what Red said: I won’t lie that I find this particular woman’s voice a bit annoying and it is indeed a bit of pain to listen to. I don’t want to insult anyone, or females in general. Just this particular caster’s voice I don’t really enjoy.
InsideRight,
Good comment. I agree.
Experience is pointless if there is no quality.
Mustafi is absolutely awful.
Im not a huge Chambers fan, but there is no drop off in quality between Mustafi & Chambers.
“Im not a huge Chambers fan, but there is no drop off in quality between Mustafi & Chambers.“
Total nonsense.
gambon,
Don’ you think that under the proper guidance Mustafi can get better or at least get back to his best, a bit like Otamendi did at City. I think I could give him one last chance.
I like Chambers but Mustafi is a bit better. If Chambers in FIFA score is like 77, Mustafi is around 80.
Held on Martins come on. A bundle of high energy and talented. Persistent.Proved at Sporting too. Arsenal would be stupid to miss this signing
raptora
No, I personally dont.
Mustafi has been absolutely terrible since we signed him. He just isnt a good player.
Lee Dixon said at a recent AST meet that Valencia couldnt give him away before we rocked up with £35m.
‘Women should not be commentating on football.‘
Unless it’s to ask when it’s finished.
You’re overselling mustafis faults as per.
You’re absolutely shameless if you’re about to spend your afternoon sticking up for Mustafi’s performances last season. He was absolutely gash last season there’s no debating that even a contrarian like yourself can’t
Sadly I’m not a fan or Chambers or Mustafi.
Chambers’ positioning improved a little last season but Mustafi was a horror show. The test we should be applying to players is whether they would walk into a top 8 PL team. If none of the other top 8 teams would have them, why should we?
Your Comment Here
some might say moaning about high pitched ‘, ‘like children women commentator is hackneyed sexism.. (then again what sexism isnt hacneyed aye..? and what isnt hackneyed.. i reckon women commentators. people. perspectives. woo hoo
.
InsideRight
I agree. I would have liked to have sold both Mustafi and Chambers.
Koscielnys injury probably ended that hope.
Your Comment Here
The idea of keeping Mustafi around because he’s 26 and the other defenders here are early 20’s isn’t a good enough reason either