Do the numbers support a Ramsey mega deal? (long read)

by .

'But can he defend at the near post?'

Still the best Ramsey pic

Torreira sounds like a man who missed training, stayed in his hotel room watching Jay and Silent Bob, whilst dealing with 5-6 fat blunts.

‘Arsenal are a good team, one of the best in the world, but at this moment I am focused on playing for my country. Am I an Arsenal player at the moment? I don’t know.’

I can’t say I’m disappointed, man’s gotta relax.

You know who can also relax now? The whole Argentina team! The Croatians put in a masterclass yesterday, decimating the Argentinian’s 3-0 in a devastating second half. I mean, it could have been helped had Messi’s boys fielded a keeper who’d played extensive amounts of first-team football last season. Much like Colombia, they fielded an Ospina like figure in Caballero and he helped break the deadlock with some terrible sweeper keepering.

As for Messi, he’s taking a roasting in the press for not being able to carry his team. I don’t understand why people think he needs to support a side with Mascherano, Higuain, Aguerro and Dybala. Look at the state of the Portugal team Ronaldo is LITERALLY carrying on his back.

I also think the absolute hot take of ‘He can’t be deemed the greatest if he hasn’t won a World Cup’ is amongst the most appalling of opinions in world football. He’s been an incredible figure in the game over the last 15 years of his career. A man-monster of a player, his intelligence, grace, goals, assists, movement and penchant of the spectacular in big moments will cement him as the undoubted greatest for many years to come. I understand how Ronaldo makes the ‘maybe’ list, but as a friend said the other day, Ronaldo’s biggest compliment is that he’s even entertained in the conversation of GOAT. You can’t tell me with a straight face he’s at Messi’s level. No is or ever has been. I also can’t buy into going too far back in time. Messi is operating in a game that is more technical, fitter, faster, more powerful, knowledgeable and more analytical than at any time in history. He’s still dominating. Even Bergkamp was playing in an era where players had to be taught not to drink before games.

Gareth Southgate popped off at the press for publishing his team sheet.

“Obviously any time, if we were to give the opposition the opportunity of having our team it’s a disadvantage to us. So of course our media has to decide if they want to help the team or not.”

Amusing to see the press pop back saying that NO HUMAN MUST MAKE MISTAKES. Ahhh the hypocrisy of a press core that LAMBAST Sterling for turning up late and spoiling the team spirit, but are quite happy to reveal the team sheet to the world if it’ll generate some clicks for those ads everyone has blocked these days.

It’s also nice to read England coaches talking about tactics like they know what they are. This piece in the Guardian is really interesting.

“I spent a year with Antonio when Chelsea won the league with a 3–4–3, with [César] Azpilicueta, a full-back, in a back three, Gary Cahill on the left and David Luiz, as it was then, in the middle. The first time we’d tried it [3-4-3] with England, in the friendly against Germany [in March 2017], we lost the game, but it was a more than reasonable performance. So the next stage was how to get the midfield balance right. We had good forwards and if we played [3–3–2–2] we could get two on the pitch, rather than one. The only criterion, after that, was: ‘Do we have the wing‑backs?’ And the wing‑backs are the least of our problems: we have all sorts of different types of wing‑backs. So it made sense.”

When I read that, I thought, damn, this is exactly the sort of chat going on at Arsenal right now. Can you imagine how fucking great it’s going to be to see our coach experimenting with systems next season?

Then I started thinking about what still needs to be done at the club. Then I started thinking about Danny Welbeck saying goodbye to Jack Wilshere on the internet yesterday. Then I welled up, but held it together to write this post.

It’s clear we have our backroom team sorted. Rightly or wrongly the club has let the new manager import an entire team. A lot of people have been telling me that’s a normal thing to do, I won’t go into the details of why that’s not a modern approach when hiring non-Galactico managers, but just take a second to think about it if you’re having trouble… the manager brought in a fitness coach of his own. If we’re operating a decentralized corporate setup, you don’t bring in your own fitness coach.

Squad wise, we’re really shaping up. Banega and Torreira look like the final pieces of the jigsaw, then we’re good to move into phase two of the project.

Balancing the books.

We’ve added what looks like more than the £7m or so we’re allowed to add to our wage bill by the Premier League.

This was January-ish.

Wages Out:

  • Theo: £140k
  • Sanchez: £140k
  • Giroud: £110k
  • Coquelin: £80k

Total: £470k

Wages In:

  • Mikki: £200k
  • Auba: £200k

Total: £400k

Net Spend: £70k (£3.6m)

So far this summer if all the deals drop.

  • Ozil: £210k
  • Lichtsteiner: £60k
  • Sokratis: £80k
  • Leno: £60k
  • Torreira: £60k
  • Banega: £80k

Total Spend: £550k (£28.6m)

Players Leaving:

Jack Wilshere: £100k

Arsene Wenger: £192k (net £96k)

Net Spend:  £406k (£21.1m)

Now, it looks like we’re massively over budget at the moment. We need to sell, and we need to do some serious cash juggling.

  • Ramsey £100k
  • Ospina £60k
  • Cech £100k
  • Nacho £90k
  • Welbz £100k

Where do the new deals go?

Here’s what we do know. Arsenal have very publicly stated that Ramsey is a priority, he was our best player last season, and he’s most suited to an Emery system. He’s going to be asking for Ozil money. Why not as well? It’s his last major deal. He’s at his peak. He’s fit. He’s on form. He’s rested. He’s our longest serving players. His agent will feel the leverage, especially as the fans universally love Rambo. Question is, how do the club drop another net £200k+ without blowing that wage limiter?

Where else can we save money this summer?

Now, I won’t pretend to be an expert, the above is very topline and it’s not 100% exact. I’m not considering the Rwanda deal impacting our ability to push the wage bill up. But topline, that’s not going to impact £21m worth of deals.

Are the club preparing for life without Ramsey, or do they have some deep cuts they can make that we’re not aware of?

All we do know is this: There will be a plan, because the club have proper people looking after it.

Let me know how wrong this assessment is in the comments below.

P.S. Someone fetch yer da a cup of water, Neymar just lost a penalty because VAR caught him cheating. If you’re not happy about that, football isn’t the game for you. Shame Costa Rica couldn’t hold on…

 

 

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karim

10 long minutes ahead..

Victorious

VAR is SHIT!!!!!!

kc

VAR gets it right again.

azed

Fuck!!!

karim

Such an unnecessary foul !

Middy

Hasn’t Per officially retired now and taking a lower wage as a coach? (£70k a week)
What about Cazorla wage as well? (£90k a week)
What about loaned players where we was still paying for part/all of the wages while the player is out on loan, for example, Carl Jenkinson? Perez? That is around £85k a week just for those two.

£245k a week from those 4 players, 2 have already left and the other two are still on our books…

WengerEagle

Right decision stupid tackle.

salparadisenyc

VAR is quality, simply based on Neymar’s reversed dive.

That was a Tottenham man on the spot there.

Victorious

bottles it.. lol.. sweet justice

WengerEagle

Sheeet, them Iceland birds…

steve

Iheanacho is fucking shit.

WengerEagle

Lol was a clear pen Vic.

Carts

Gylfi bottled it. He’s usually deadly from that range.

Come on the Super Eagles!!!!!

TR7

VAR is one of the best things to happen to football, was long overdue.

Victorious

Argentina has got to be really woeful for them not to get 3points against this Iceland team, I hope we tear them a new one

WengerEagle

Touch of Gary Glitter from Iwobi.

Samesong

Lol WE

Was just about to mention that.

Dissenter

I didn’t think Nigeria will be able to overcome the organization of Iceland, silly me.
It’s still going to be hard to beat or draw against Argentina- they are diving cunts.

Frost

Nigerian fans doing the Iceland clap is everything.

salparadisenyc

Nigeria far better deserved win.

I hope they do Argentina.

Leftsidesanch

Well done boys

karim

Are the French gonna play Nigeria again in the 2nd round ?

Victorious

YES!!!!!!…. just the small matter of taking care of the Argies then.bring it ON.

Frost

P.S. Pretty obvious Nigeria are a second half team.

Carts

That tackle was beyond re.tarded

Marko

bottles it.. lol.. sweet justice

100% a pen

Graham62

Argentina will beat Nigeria.

Graham62

Beware…………………MESSI!

Victorious

Kudos to Gernot Rhor,really a flexible coach,used 433 against Croatia and got beat,goes ahead to drop Iwobi and brings in MUSA then change to a 352,regardless of what happens next I hope we retain him

propably gave the players an earful during the break, and they came out different beast,hope u watching Unai,top coach

WengerEagle

Don’t see Iceland beating Croatia even if they rest Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic.

They have guys like Kovacic, Pjaca who will want to impress and push for starting berths and still habe enough oversll quality to ensure a draw.

Really is set up for a winner takes all for Argentina and Messi.

Victorious

oh yeah, removing the bias tinted glasses, as clear a penalty you’ll ever see

Victorious

Eagle,
so Nigeria Vs Argentina..who u rooting for

Receding Hairline

Ahmed Musa can be some player when in the mood, hasn’t lost his pace.

It was a very good second half performance if you overlook the brain fart that led to the penalty

gonsterous

gambon
June 22, 2018 17:38:42
Gonsterous

Yeah…Ronaldo is a born winner….who hardly ever wins the league.

more face palm moments from a messi fan boy.

WengerEagle

Vic

Argentina purely because it will make a more interesting last 16 tie with France imo. Also don’t want to see Messi killed for getting dumped out in the group, don’t think he will get half as much grief if France put in a strong performance and beat Argentina because they will be favourites over Argentina.

Wouldn’t at all begrudge you boys if you can pull off a draw though.

gonsterous

also I don’t get the hype about the Nigerian jersey. I prefer the dark green jersey to this tiger striped one…

Marko

oh yeah, removing the bias tinted glasses, as clear a penalty you’ll ever see

Biased? Honestly something wrong with you

gambon

gonsterous

Ronaldo has had 9 seasons at Madrid….2 league titles.

Care to excuse….sorry I mean explain that?

Receding Hairline

“”also I don’t get the hype about the Nigerian jersey. I prefer the dark green jersey to this tiger striped one…””

I prefer the dark green too but i can understand why this one seems to be the rave at the moment…its an unusual jersey

Akilan

Marko,
He was referring to himself. He’s a Nigerian, o he’s gonna be biased towards Nigeria.

Marko

Oh… you see he such a usual contrarian that I didn’t see him making a joke I guess. My bad

gonsterous

gambon

yah and how much did Henry have ?? was he not a leader and a winner ? how is winning the league the same as guiding a team to a CL or any other knock out tournament ? it’s a 9 month long season and you bring up only the league to justify that Ronaldo isn’t a winner ?

Akilan

I was rooting for Nigeria till now. Now I’m torn. Will feel sad for whoever goes out. And you can’t hate Iceland too. Mad mad group.

Sancho Monzorla

I rate Messi higher than Ronaldo. Obvious to me why.

But Ronaldo has individual areas in which he is superior, I don’t think anyone is arguing that. Overall what they bring to a team though is not really on equal terms.

Still, if Argentina lose/draw against Nigeria and Messi is marked out of the game again, if Argentina don’t make it out of the group with Messi scoring zero goals while Cristiano goes on to win the golden ball/boot, it will definitely affect his legacy in the eyes of many, without question,

salpardisenyc

Don’t think we should dismiss the 3x premier league titles CR7 has won if were looking at whole picture.

Waz

Agree with the comment earlier re cazorla and Per wages off too.

I also like the fact Unai told Jack he won’t play, shows a ruthless streak so let’s hope he’s not afraid to get rid of the dross or lazy buggers!!

Sancho Monzorla

Sal

People tend to credit Sir Alex for all the United titles more than anyone else, maybe rightfully so, but very true that Ronaldo’s work in the PL goes largely forgotten now.

WengerEagle

“Winning the league makes me more excited, it’s the most difficult competition and I also think it’s what the players want. But if you look at the club’s record in the Champions League you’ll see no-one has achieved what we have,” the Frenchman added’

Quote from Zidane. Yep, the guy that has won 3 consecutive CL titles.

Brian Clough in an interview with Motty also said that he’d take the league over continental success every time, and he won back to back European Cups.

Chika

Der fada!!

azed

Musa >>>> Messi.

Don’t believe ask Dissenter.

WengerEagle

Agree Sancho.

I think that Portugal will get dumped out in the QF though. Don’t see them beating France again.

Akilan

Gonsterous
No one is denying the influence of Ronaldo. It’s not even a debate.

We just dont buy the BS that Ronaldo is single handedly carrying Portugal on his back.

WengerEagle

Backing Serbia to win tonight, will be close think it’ll be another 1-0.

Just think they’ll have too much in midfield for the Swiss.

Redtruth

Witch Doctor 2 Iceland 0

WengerEagle

Expecting big game from Milinkovic-Savic.

Bamford10

As I mentioned last night, I’m no longer going to be posting on Le Grove. I’m just tired of the constant abuse and unpleasantness. I will, of course, continue to post about Arsenal/football on Twitter, though, so if you are one of those here who didn’t despise me or my commentary, give me a follow and a shout there (J.M. Bamford, @afabulousopera6). Best – JMB

Freddie Ljungberg

Womp womp

Do One Gambon

Messi – amazing exciting player. Obviously understand why people get hard / wet over him as the GOAT. If pure excitement is your thing then fair enough.

But my preference has always been towards the players that absolutely control games. Your Xavis (and I can’t stand that tap up merchant), iniestas, modrics, Vieira’s etc, players of that ilk completely make their teams tick. To me these are the MVPs for their teams.

gonsterous

akilan

We just dont buy the BS that Ronaldo is single handedly carrying Portugal on his back.

but you’ll buy the BS that Messi is carrying the barca team on his back ? and without him, they wouldn’t have won as many titles as they have ? why one rule for one player but another for a different player ?

Marko

Jesus anyone got a spare sack just lying around…

kenyangunner

Does every Icelandic name have to end with ‘sson’?

gonsterous

also we can’t draw any conclusions cause when fit, both players start in their respective teams…

Redtruth

Portugal proved they don’t need Ronaldo by winning the Euro Final and Argentina need to drop Messi.

Cork City Gooner

Top quality posts every day,,,le grove is the king of Arsenal blogs

azed

Bamford

I don’t think you should take it personal or let it get to you. Like Gambon said, we are all cunts.
Take the weekend off come back Monday and be ready to go.

But if you follow through on your decision, all the best.

WengerEagle

Seems to be the way, just like Italian names ending in a vowel and Croatian/Serbian names ending in -ic.

TR7

Weird Iniesta’s name doesn’t feature in best footballer discussion. A great footballer at both club and national level and one of the most sublime and magical players of this era.

TR7

Serbia a very solid team, should be going through to the next round. Savic was brilliant in the last game.

Nw9 gooner

B10 don’t stop- it’s the net anyway, just avoid people you don’t like. You are a good poster , just tone down your reaction to a view you don’t agree with. It’s people like you and others who make this blog interesting

Steveyg87

Disagree with two things on todays post. Ronaldo beats Messi IMO, and Ramsey can piss off,Ozil money for Him? Hells no

WengerEagle

Yeah was surprised with Serbia’s talent that they always failed to qualify for tournaments, even Euro 2016 where it was pretty hard not to qualify given the expansion to 24 teams.

Always been top heavy with defensive talent, Subotic doesn’t even feature anymore (ha remember when he was rated as highly as Hummels? Seems an age ago now). Mitrovic getting his act together in qualifying and finally providing that goalscoring threat and focal point has helped them massively.

Savic bizarrely left out beforehand as well, coach didn’t like him.

Marko

Good header that. Could be a good game here

WengerEagle

Always liked Tadic. Shame he’s not faster.

PessimisticPat

Find myself wanting every team with an arsenal player in to lose so our players get back sooner.

salpardisenyc

Sancho, Fair point, greatest manager the Prem has ever seen. But i’ll never forget the abuse Ronaldo inflicted on us, notably in 2009 when I was rocking a season ticket. Total pain. Don’t think well see another player spearhead a side like Barca and methodically decimate everyone in there path with the type of consistency Messi’s done. Incredible. Also don’t think well see another Ronaldo and his ability to always make the runs, find the space and convert, total goal machine with work ethic to match. I bet he’s in the gym right now. As Paulinho said yesterday, those off… Read more »

Steiner

Difference between Messi for club and Country is that he has team built around him at Barca.
For Argentina he has to fit into a team.

Sancho Monzorla

kenyangunner

That’s just how that country’s naming worked for generations. Your son/daughter would not have the same surname as you. If your father is John, you would be kenyangunner johnson. Your son would be firstname kenyangunnersson.

Same applies for women but with “dottir (daughter) instead of son.

Redtruth

“Find myself wanting every team with an arsenal player in to lose so our players get back sooner.”

Xhaka can stay in Russia.

Marko

Serbia could go far you know. Decent defense some very good midfielders and a striker in confident form

WengerEagle

Hope so Marko tournament needs a dark horse.

Mexico as well.

Bob N16

You’re making the right decision Bamford, what is the point of receiving so much abuse – whether you deserve it or not.

Redruth will love to take up the slack and receive the abuse that you won’t be getting if you stop posting. He clearly gets off on it, whereas you clearly don’t.

Cut out the racism Redruth, go with your shit but leave out the racist stereotyping.

PessimisticPat

Milinkovic-savic is a puzzling one. I have no idea why he’s rated at 90m

Marko

15 million for Justin Kluivert is absolutely nothing in this market. Monchi knows

TheBlaster

Someone know how income from players image rights/endorsements works these days and whether Arsenal gets a piece of that pie… for the famous people like Ozil or Auba? Wonder if it affects the above accounting?

DaleDaGooner

Bamford10June 22, 2018 18:49:27
As I mentioned last night, I’m no longer going to be posting on Le Grove. I’m just tired of the constant abuse and unpleasantness. I will, of course, continue to post about Arsenal/football on Twitter, though, so if you are one of those here who didn’t despise me or my commentary, give me a follow and a shout there (J.M. Bamford, @afabulousopera6). Best – JMB

Is Bamford Jose Mourinho??

DaleDaGooner

Pedro where are you getting all the figures??? And did you conveniently add Wenger’s salary and leave that of Sven, Raul and Emery as added wages?

I agree with you regarding Messi. Cristina is still not a individually great as Messi, never mind the teams his carrying or not carrying.

DaleDaGooner

gambonJune 22, 2018 15:16:52
How is ROnaldo more complete?Neither player defend much.They score equally.Messi touches the ball far more, creates far more chances, passes far more, dribbles far more.What exactly is your definition of “more complete”?Im guessing “more complete” means “scores a few headers”. Which is laughable.

Wow!! I’m in agreement with the fat one!!

Do One Gambon

Tr7

Farca are really going to muss iniesta, that’s for sure. When xavi went they had him to fill the void albeit in a slightly different way. Can’t see a transition Luke that this time.

Absolute dream player who in any other generation probably would have won a balon dor

Do One Gambon

Fecking auto correct

Marko

Finally read the post yeah some of your figures are all over the place. Mhiki and Auba aren’t on 200 k a week

James wood

Your Comment Here

Sancho Monzorla

Pedro where are you getting all the figures???

I almost forgot about that. £210k for Ozil’s salary? That’s a far cry from the £350k figure that’s being usually being thrown around.

Marko

Not nice to see from Lichtsteiner there. Been in Italy too long perhaps

salpardisenyc

Mitrovic must be absolutely shitting himself, now that he’s looking the ballon d’or right in the eye.

TR7

Swiss team very bland and dull.

Bob N16

Messi/ Ronaldo debate……both are unarguably all time greats. Their records over 12 years + mean that their stats are up there with the best. If Ronaldo had a touch less vanity I might warm to him slightly more but an incredibly, consistent talent. I prefer Messi as his touch and movement is more sublime, but that’s an aesthetic thing. I’m not suggesting that either can’t be criticised but if you don’t rate either of them then clearly you have a personal agenda. Every player playing in the last ten years has to be judged against the pair of them, it’s… Read more »

DaleDaGooner

The Nigeria v Iceland game second half was a good one. This group is probably the most interesting, the final games would mean a lot now. Musa always comes through for Nigeria. He did score 2 goals last world cup

DaleDaGooner

I liked the goal where Musa made the Iceland goalie lay down in green pastures…lol

Samesong

Xhaka with a worldie

steve

Let the Xhaka fanboy wanking commence.