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…
Take that take that XHAKA BOOM!
I’ve noted over the past few days many posters moaning about the WC.
From my own perspective, it’s been refreshing to actually watch games of football knowing that I no longer have to concern myself with the suffocating negativity that surrounded AFC.
To be honest, I could quite easily sit through a whole WC tournament of 0-0 bore draws, content in the knowledge that my club are no longer being weighed down by a regressive and deluded mindset.
COME ON ENGLAND!
Great goal from our boy Granit
Xhaka boom. Has been pony and then does that, fair play.
Props, he blistered that one.
Shit defending…you are suppose to put your body on the line not duck under the ball.
azed
“Musa >>>> Messi.
Don’t believe ask Dissenter.”
Another confused member of the Messi-is-the-best-ever regardless of his failings at the national team level spewing bollocks.
Musa doesn’t reside anywhere near the pantheons of the great, He’s a mere mortal who couldn’t cut at Leicester. Messi’s place is set in marble already. There has to an asterisk on him, that all I’m saying.
I don’t know understand how my mild opinion can make you so butt hurt to be throwing out falsehoods.
I just wish I could charge you for the time you made me waste replying your silly post.
That’s my xhaka
GX!!!!!!!!
That’s why we all love him.
Fact that you had to comment on his goal, stev, you wanked your lil peepee off..
Lichsteiner looks like a tough cookie.. good
Serbia back to their average best
Xhaka La Ka Boom Boom Boom
I hope Xhaka doesn’t get banned for using political gestures.
This game was charged from the outset due to the Swiss players of Albanian and Kosovo descent posting charged material.
He should have realized that FIFA will be watching closely.
That gesture of the flying wings could be easily construed as the eagle on the unique two-headed eagle on the Albanian flag.
Before the Swiss score Xhaka carelessly gave away possession just outside his own box with a sideways pass that he didn’t even look before making. The Serbs got a corner out of the possession and a close header from the corner.
These are the errors that are unforced and he makes regularly.
Xhaka boom. Has been pony and then does that, fair play.
How very Ramsey of him
Come ON Serbia
That xhaka goal just reminded me of something. The no shooting policy will have left us with wenger. Bring on some more worldies next season
def pen
Pedro
“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. ”
What a total pile of bullshit.
Pat
Right he just needs to do that 12 times a year for Arsenal and he’ll be above criticism from me, simple.
How the fuck wasn’t that a penalty for Serbia? VAR is no use if the ref is is so bent he won’t refer to it
How can none of the officials see that holding in the box,not 1 but 2 defenders.
FIFA need to assess the protocol around how a team can challenge the decision for holding,if not given by referee.
Embolo with the winner kids great.
Lol sancho wasn’t talking about xhaka alone meant the whole squad but I get your point.
Going to go into this season giving all the players a clean slate myself
What are these clowns in the VAR centre watching,I was under the impression they were viewing all contentious incidents and asking the referee to take a look and make a final decision.
He’s a greedy little fat midget that Shaqiri
Lichtsteiner trying to get a man sent off. Maybe a bit of a cunt? Question mark
Funny thing is Messi is not even considered the greatest back in his home country….not winning the WC is fair enough as its not as if its an easy tourney to win, but not even winning a Copa? Neymar would love to win league trophies and UCL but ask any Brazillian what trophy puts you amongst the best to them and what they desire most and they will always point to winning a trophy for their national team. Messi will go down as one of the best to have ever played the game, but The GOAT!! Not even close. (Diego… Read more »
I’m wondering whether we have an issue, with holding in the box for a penalty,that the refs are not wanting to make the call,hoping that the VAR centre flags it up.
It’s happened in cricket where the umpires will not give close decisions,but know that a team can challenge the decision and overturn if challenge is successful.
Maybe we need a challenge system where a team has the right to 1 challenge,if unsuccessful loose the challenge,but right keep it.
Coach15
It’s obvious now
The whole thing is just a charade to be used only when it suits them
Hope so marko the more cunts the better
See it like Boxing. Ali was/is not the best boxer that ever lived, but for what he meant for the sport and the drama that came with him he will always be considered the greatest.
I put Maradona in that category. When I think of best goal ever scored in the world of football Diego’s second goal against England is the first that comes to mind.
(Even some of Ronaldino’s goals for Brazil and Barca come to mind before any of Messi’s!?)
“Lichtsteiner trying to get a man sent off. Maybe a bit of a cunt?”
Let’s hope so eh.
Someone tell Xhaka and Shakiri they are playing for Suisse not Albania
Obviously Political reference especially playing against Serbia
Brilliant second half here. Really competitive between two decent teams. Wonder if any of the big teams will pick up Shaqiri.
FUCKIN YES!!! I might not like Xhaka but he is our own! Licht is there as well! Go Swiss! Shaqiri is class. Told you guys – sell Ramsey for 50m, get Xherdan for 25m = profit plus an upgrade!
That is just dumb defending stepping up to play offside when the attacker is so far in front of you
Agree with Elmo, evenly matched and the Swiss looking the fitter.
Great second half.
HW
Its supposed to be used to eradicate the clear and obvious errors.
How was that pen appeal not an obvious error.
Need a challenge system,to be able to garner any sort of fairness,from
Contentious decision that are not given imo.
https://youtu.be/0oq974EmpBo
That was a bad goal to give away near the end of regulation but good finish from Shaqiri.
Second game after Spain v Portugal that I’m really enjoying. End to end stuff. Top manly fight. Very entertaining stuff.
Did I read Shaquiri was available for £12 m? He is a real talent . Lichsteiner is a hard bastard. Just what we need
Diabolical from the officials and FIFA
Huge goal for swizz
Can’t see Serbia going through now
Brazil might not make it out of the group stage. The Swiss beat Costa Rica and Serbia beating Brazil.
Yeah Shaqiri can be had for £12m
Worth a punt I think – he has the talent, just needs to find some consistency.
If it goes wrong you get your money back and some.
Think I read that Shaquiri has a 12 mil relegation clause in his contract. He’s got ability, but always strikes me as a lazy fucker.
Dhaka going to see some retrospective punishment for that?
With good management you could do well with shaqiri. At very least would be make a great standard squad player
Xhaka
Pierre, no idea what you’re referencing as bullshit
Sell Ramsey, get Shaq, 35m profit + a better player.
Shaquiri is absolutely not better than Ramsey, behave!
Xhaka should be banned for that goal celebration.
He is a better dribbler, is stronger, better passer and has more pace but Ramsey has a better eye for goal
London
Nah sorry, not for me. Rambo’s issue is he doesn’t stay fit all season, Shaquiri’s is that he drops influential games 1 in 10. For the shit Ozil gets on here you have to laugh at the calls for Shaquiri.
NO chance is he Arsenal level, lets not let world cup fever cloud judgement. Shaquiri isn’t Bayern Munich level or Stoke City he falls somewhere in the middle.
Wait…..
What should he get banned for. Doing an Eagle sign cos he’s from Albania. Behave. If serbians are butt-hurt by that who gives a shit. No way he should get banned
Agree with PP, but lets see what FIFA have to say about that.
@PessimisticPat
Keep political bullshit out of football.
You shouldn’t have foreigners (Khedira, Ozil, Xhaka, Costa) playing for adopted Countries.
Pedro “Arsenal have very publicly stated that Ramsey is a priority”… Bullshit…give me proof. “He was out best player last season”… Bullshit. “The fans universally love him”… Bullshit The only thing that you said wasn’t bullshit is that he is our longest serving player (ten years)… And in those ten years our unbalanced midfield has been our biggest problem but you want Arsenal to carry on the Wenger way and pick a player who has been the main reason for our midfield problems… During his ten years at the club he has failed to create a decent midfield partnership with… Read more »
Shaquiri pisses all over Ramsey, Ozil and Co….
I respectfully disagree. Doing an Eagle celebration in honour of your families heritage isn’t a bannable offence. If serbians are butt-hurt by that then that’s on them.
I get upset by the flossing dance as I have a fear of the dentist so should that be banned
Also im with cc on rambo. Fitness is the problem. And same on shaqiri. 1 in 10 player not worth it imo
Pierre
You seem to forget that it is a possibility that Ramsey can be coached and have this Roy of the Rovers attitude ironed out of him and that he becomes a better player.
Like Xhaka. He makes individual mistakes but who says that this can’t be coached out of him?
Of course this remains to be seen. Let’s wait until the end of next season before we make a definitive judgement, unless it has become obvious mid-season that the player is not responding to Unais’ coaching.
Dodgy Xhaka should play with his Albanian brethren………
Ramsey has to be sold,to injury prone.
Can’t see Dick putting his reputation on the line for a player who misses large chunks of most seasons.
If a suitor can be found this summer,cash in.
8 goals, 7 assists playing by himself in a bad, bad team. Nice 1 out of 10 games performance.
Just watched the “cutting the throat” gesture that Neymar made. He is the one that should get punished not Xhaka.
Pierre
The reason you “don’t get it” is that Wenger was the problem, not Ramsey.
Emery will not play the Wenger way, which means Ramsey won’t play the Wenger way.
Do you get it now?
Xhaka’s duties are supposed to be that of a solid dependable Midfielder and not one who scores the occasional flukey goal.
Why don’t we just buy giroud back from Chelsea, keep Ramsey and carry on as before….
‘Xhaka should be banned for that goal celebration’
Do you have anything positive to say about Arsenal FC or any Arsenal players? Looking forward to the new season? Just wondering.
I like Xhaka.
Graham62 problem is he’ll miss a third of the season through injury so we’ll never know how good he can be.
Also raptora you’re right 1 in 10 was wrong but was more a figure of speech. 1 in 5 any better 😉
Pierre
We definitively will not be carrying on as before. For one, Unai will be using tactics and various formations to suit the opposition as he would have analysed the opposing team beforehand.
Graham
Chelsea, league cup semi, 2nd leg..
Arsenal one nil up, Ramsey on as sub, the game is in injury time..we were 2 minutes away from a cup final.
Do yourself a favour and watch the last 2 minutes and you will see Aaron Ramsey playing schoolboy football (under tens)..
In those 2 minutes Ramsey showed me that he really doesn’t have an understanding of the game and what is needed to win a game of football….
And there are many more instances
“Emery will not play the Wenger way, which means Ramsey won’t play the Wenger way.Do you get it now?”
The problem is Ramsey is not good enough to play the Emery way….
Pierre
What did I just say? Ramsey was not being coached properly then. So what do you expect from someone who has been told to “express” themselves?
Didn’t realise shaq stats were that good, playing for Stoke as well.
Deffo would be an upgrade on the rest of the bench
TLDB10
Fudge me.
Analysing the opposition.
Can’t remember what that was like.
George Graham?
Your Comment Here no
Pierre
Why pick on Ramsey?
The last ten years has been all about “schoolboy football” at AFC.
All supervised by a dipshit of a PE Teacher.
“1 in 5 any better”
Twice as good I’d say 😉
In all seriousness though little Shaq is better than many give him credit for. He can be lazy at times but that could be knocked out of him I reckon.
Injury record is ok too.
Nobody is pretending he is Neymar but I think he is well worth the money.
If someone gave us £10m for Iwobi we would have basically gotten Shaq for £2m.
Got to be worth it.
@ Graham!? Rambo playing the “Wenger way” got us(and him) 3 FACs (with Rambo having an influence on 2 of those occasions) I really don’t feel Ramsey gives a hoot whose ever way he plays for, the fact that he can still play football after his leg break against Stoke is good enough for him. If he doesn’t play for Arsenal he will surely play for another club and not skip a beat. And just to add, Ramsey also won us some tight games as someone willing to get in the box when others were flaffing about. His “Roy of… Read more »
Pierre
Wenger is gone and you’re still in denial.
THE PLAYERS WERE NEVER THE PROBLEM.
Graham
I know. That’s why some seem to have forgotten that this way of playing is an actual possibility.
10 years plus of a manager who was becoming more and more concerned with his control of power that on actual focus on the needs of the team. (This was done but selecting players who had a high propensity of becoming yes men (c.f. Bellerin and his entertainment bullshit that he said after the Chelski game) than being all out winners who would have and have challenged the system (like Sanchez and Perez who hated AW “system”).
Chelsea, league cup semi, 2nd leg.. Arsenal one nil up, Ramsey on as sub, the game is in injury time..we were 2 minutes away from a cup final. Do yourself a favour and watch the last 2 minutes and you will see Aaron Ramsey playing schoolboy football (under tens).. In those 2 minutes Ramsey showed me that he really doesn’t have an understanding of the game and what is needed to win a game of football….And there are many more instances Any chance you remember any of the many instances of Xhaka going on walkabouts and actually costing us goals.… Read more »
THE PLAYERS WERE NEVER THE PROBLEM
I mean some of them were
Touché barking
Marko
Of course they were. When you are not being coached the following day to have these errors ironed out, what do you expect?
Is Shaqiuri still a Stoke player? How did they end up with him? Was he this skilful for Stoke or is he just putting on a show to get a move? I knew he was one of their better players but I didn’t think he was this good!
This is how Jack should have played if he had some proper coaching and conditioning…
Leeds
Not sure how you hadn’t noticed Shaquiri at Stoke
Shaqiri is capable of playing well I tournament footy, he’s well suited for it. Ability on a given day has never been his problem.
Consistency has always been his problem, he’s bang average over the course of an entire season.
Serbia robbed.
Lichtsteiner and that CB literally Khabib’d Mitrovic to the ground.
“Shaqiri is capable of playing well I tournament footy, he’s well suited for it. Ability on a given day has never been his problem.”
Thanks for that WengerEagle, a good option to have on the bench it sounds like, if not a consistent starter.
How old is he? I’m guessing 27-29?
Happy for Xhaka’s goal reminiscent of the one he scored against Hull when first turned up at Arsenal. Why Wenger actively discouraged shooting from distance.