Well, it’s less than a week ’til deadline day slams shut almost 20 days earlier than usual, and there are still a number of items to be resolved.
What the fu*k are we doing with the back 4 would be a pretty pressing one. We’re apparently shipping Calum Chambers out on loan to Fulham, which makes sense if he’s not getting games with us, but I did hope he’d done enough to stay with us this year. His form in the back half of the season was very positive, he’s excellent in a defence that needs confidence on the ball and I really do admire his new beard and hair combo.
Will Emery look to move on Mustafi? Or are we going to stick with Mavrapanos, Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny, and roll with 5 options this season? Or will we see movement for a more experienced name like Vida?
As it stands, our group of centre backs looks a little weak, but I guess for the first time in a while we’ll be at the mercy of a system versus the hope that individual talent can pull the players through. The sum of the parts is a theory many average clubs adopt and it works perfectly well. I have to say, I was slightly sad to see Yerry Mina go to Everton for £32m.
Our major headache comes in the shape of Aaron Ramsey. The club need to make moves to shift him, or we need to pray the exec team has a plan up their sleeves. City, Liverpool and Chelsea are all sniffing around, no doubt armed with a deadline day pity bid. I was particularly sad to here Pep G talk of the need for a midfielder. Arteta and Ramsey had a great time together when they were paired back in the day, and it wouldn’t be wild to imagine the two linking up again (in a big fuck you to Ivan for this summers shennanigans).
His agency has been quashing so-called insiders hot takes on the situation on Twitter. I’d imagine they’re keen to make sure the world doesn’t think Aaron is holding the club to ransom… when the reality is that’ll be exactly what they’re doing otherwise he’d have exited by now, or he’d have signed a new deal. I had heard much earlier in the summer from a very good place that his agent was very keen on using the Ozil deal as leverage, the fact anyone at their agency would deny that was top of mind is quite frankly ludicrous.
Sure, there might be a strategy to get Aaron to the last year of his deal, but no one makes money that way, and in the world of football, the only Christmas bonus that matters is this years. Why would you push your injury prone client into seeing out the final year of his deal? It’s hugely risky, especially as the stand out years aren’t exactly plentiful with Aaron. Strike while the iron is hot and build would be my view. They also don’t know Emery, they have no idea how he’d treat a snub because let’s be real, the new Arsenal guys could just sit him on the bench for a year to make a point.
We’ll see though.
I find it amusing that the fans are already in, ‘never liked that slag anyway’ mode. Outside Nacho, he was a star in a shower of shite last season. I don’t quite abide by the weird internet cult he has behind him. When I read people talk about Ramsey’s achievements in the game, it makes me weep a little inside. He’s a solid player who has survived 10 years in an unstructured mess. I think he could be exceptional in a great system, but I don’t think he’s irreplaceable. He’d unlikely be allowed the freedom to be the all-action hero under Emery, so it’ll be interesting to see where he chooses head if he does go.
I kind of hoped he’d stay to be the captain at a club built around his talents… but hey, who can deny a man a change of scenery.
Let’s just hope the club has a decent backup plan. I’d be surprised if his energy and drive could be found with internal promotions.
Finally, a bit of a gripe about TV rights. What the fuck is football doing with all these fragmented TV deals? Community Shield is on ESPN+ (an app), EL is on TNT, NBC has the Prem rights except sometimes you need their shitty Prem pass offering, I don’t even think we get League Cup. I know it’s the same issue in the UK. BT are pulling back, Sky has some games, there’s that new disruptor channel Eleven Sports who have some action. It’s a fucking joke. Even if you’re a cable buyer, you still need to buy bolt-ons. Is it cheaper for anyone?
This fragmentation of TV just pushes people to do things illegally. At times last year, I had to stream illegally for things I’d paid for because the services were shite. It’s unreal.
Just give me a season ticket for the TV. That is all that is needed. Or someone get Reed Hastings on the blower and tell him Netflix should buy the rights and make it real easy. Or Apple now they’re a trillion dollar company.
Anyway, moan over.
PREMIER LEAGUE STARTS THIS WEEK x
DM
2
4th?
Tr4phy
We’ve accumulated so many meh/average players that no decent team is interested in loaning/buying them. Ozil the superstar, with 0 teams fighting for him. Ramsey, probably our third star player behind Aubameyang, at least there are some rumours connecting him to Pool and chavs, but it doesn’t sound that real yet. And that’s it. Who else is star/ world class quality in our team?! I don’t even want to start counting the world class players that our competitors have and we’ll have to fight them how?! With tactical nous? This group of fans having problem with the rest of the… Read more »
How do City need a midfielder? They walked past Chelsea yesterday and that was without David Silva or the king KdB… they’re pretty damn well stocked
Claimed our spot this season.
raptora
Your analysis of world class players is laughable.
Thanks gambon. Can always cound on you for a good word 😉
Raptora,
Quite a few of those players on your list are not World class in my humble opinion
you just list Lukaku as a world class player, raptora? 🙂
Its easier in the Middle East. BeIN has the rights for Premier League, EL, CL, Both cups and Charity Shield not to mention the major European leagues and their cups and all that for the price of 15USD per month. This is were monopoly pays off.
Perez to West Ham according to Sky sources?
DM,
City only have Fernandinho in the DM position. I mean, they have like 4 top quality wingers and only 1 specialist DM on their books.
Loaning Chambers seems an unbelievably strange decision.
Hes 23 now, he had a season long loan 2 years back.
He is also currently a better option than Mavropanos and Holding, who probably could do with loans.
We really should either keep him or sell him.
If I count Aubameyang as world class then Lukaku should be as well. Similarly useful to a team.
if Yerry Mina goes to Everton for 32m I’ll be pretty distraught. thought he was an absolute monster in Russia. him and the Spud the best CB pairing at the tournament.
“Jurgen Klopp has admitted the Premier League will still be difficult for his side this season, despite his summer recruitments. ”
Jurgen trying to demonstrate that he has a great sense of humour.
You are exaggerating the class of other players Raptora Alonso fabregas willian keita mane Fernandinho Mahrez Sterling Jesus Walker matic martial Lukaku Valencia world class?
Does anybody actually believe there will be any more incomings?
…or that he can’t handle pressure, depending of the point of view lol
Pedro transfer deadline day is Thursday for the premier league not a weeks time.
If some of those players played for the Gunners they certainly wouldn’t be called WC
Aubameyang is Arsenals only world class player. That is very obvious.
@gambon : so I guess we’re in trouble…
‘World class’ is certainly a talking point but the ability of a club’s manager to affect the performance of his team can’t be ignored. For example, most people would agree that Pogba is world class ( ability to play in any team in the world without looking out of place – one loose definition anyway) but his performances appeared hamstrung under Mourinho last season.
Highbury Legend
Not in trouble, but we arent getting anywhere near the PL trophy at the moment.
Leno could become world class if he cuts the mistakes out.
If we can find a WC centre back, centre midfielder and attacking player we could win the PL.
Been saying for years we need to buy a world class spine to this team, 20 purchases later we still need exactly the same players (apart from CF)
NW9 gooner,
you mentioned – Alonso fabregas willian keita mane Fernandinho Mahrez Sterling Jesus Walker matic martial Lukaku Valencia
Out of those even if you are very, very strict Mane, Fernandinho, Walker and Matic are absolutely world class. So you are not correct either. You didn’t say anything about me putting Ozil in there though?!
Chambers won’t be seen as good enough in the long run but the more disappointing is Holding because there were some hopes for him in some of his early matches that he could be something in the future.
Too many of Holding’s appearances for Arsenal now have been average to poor.
Both not good enough most probably but Holding at this point is seen as even weaker than Chambers at this point in time.
Arsenal’s major problem in recent years is that we have too many mediocre players on grossly inflated wages, which renders them unsaleable and in some cases even unloanable unless we pay their wages. The defence has been a mess for a very long time primarily because Wenger and the coaches have never addressed its weaknesses. You do not need to spend £50-60 million to recruit capable defenders. There are plenty of clubs in EPL and Europe who have put together a competent and better defences than us at a fraction of the cost. I think that Arsenal have recruited in… Read more »
Pedro,I hear your pain regards the major players with the TV rights.
I think they have decided to take the goose laying golden eggs and pop it in the oven.
This fragmented arrangement as you have alluded to will drive people away from subscribing.
I for one have had enough of Arsenal and the TV. Companies taking the piss out of me.
Think they need to be careful, the younger generations don’t watch the live football with the same enthusiasm as my generation,which I think will be a major problem for on the near future.
*problem for them in the near future.
Part of me wants Emery to go with youth and sweep away the failed projects. Have no idea if this is likely and hasn’t been unrealistically affected by pre season games.
Agree with you ES, Mavropanos looks like he might have what it takes but his inexperience can’t be ignored. Our lack of stand out quality in central defence is what’s going to let us down against best opponents. Was hoping that Emery had a magic wand and would turn Chambers into a starter (not for Fulham).
Guardiola comes across as somewhat spoiled, like a brat on a trust fund who’s never worked a simple job in his life.
So city are still loooking for the “special player” , eh?
It’s a pity you had to use vulgar swear words in your article,you could have used many other words to make your point,without offending people who don’t have those words in their vocabulary.
I hope you will take on board my comments and use other words to make your points in future.
most centre backs take a while to mature enough to the extent they can play for a big side. Harry Maguire an obvious example. spent the last few seasons at Hull & Leicester, and now – at 25 – probably ready to make the step up. Chambers(23) & Holding(22) both very promising, and now coming into the period where they’ll have to add consistency to their games.
Raptora
Ramsey isn’t a DM, though. Pedro mentioned City needing a midfielder in relation to Ramsey. In his sort of position they have Gundogan, KdB, Silva, Foden…
Sure they could probably add a DM (although they could also use Gundogan and maybe Delph in that position), but Ramsey isn’t that.
I don’t think Ramsey is that big an issue.
I have mentioned this before, but it just makes putting Lacazette into the side much easier.
And I do think we have a better squad than what the naysayers think.
For LB, just put AMN there. He is better than Kolasinac anyway; until we get our tank mode back.
I agree Wallace, but that’s why it makes sense to buy CBs that are already mature and experienced in the game. CBs are not as expensive as attacking players, yet you can see a top young forward way, way more often than a top young CB. In that regard it doesn’t make much sense to buy expensive young CBs and suffer for years until they get ready, might as well spend a bit more money for a ready CB and to compensate buy a young highly rated forward instead of a much more expensive already proven one.
DM,
Yeah, Man City most certainly won’t be going for Ramsey. They wanted Jorginho, although not a typical DM, but he chose the guaranteed starting place at Chelsea. Pep wants everyone in his team to feel comfortable with the ball in their feet so his definition of DM is not the classic one. Still, City can afford it, so he’ll ask the management for one.
Black Hei: “And I do think we have a better squad than what the naysayers think.”
Don’t you agree as things stand, we have the 6-th best squad in the league? For me that’s an absolute fact. Not bashing the team.
raptora I do think we have a very, very strong team offensively. The problem is more with balance, not talent. Cept for the backline. No helping there. Mustafi is great once he gets to push up to the mid and play a pass but his defending is confused. And I have no idea why we push the boat out for Sokratis. Think it is more for convenience. Also I am not too sure putting so much muscle mass on football players is a sound idea by Darren Burgress. I am much more into camp Shad Forsythe. People say that Bellerin… Read more »
Ramsey would have been the captain for me, after this though even if he stays I’m not sure you can give it to him. The captain and leader who caused uncertainty through the summer and failed to commit to his teammates so he could get £250 000 a week? Not a good look in your leader. Really not sure who you give it to now. I would think Xhaka would be one of the choices but I can see him losing his place this season being sold next summer without drastic improvement. That leaves Cech who might not even play,… Read more »
Black Hei: “And I have no idea why we push the boat out for Sokratis.”
Maybe someone faster (random name Manolas) made more sense then getting a bit slow defender for the EPL.
Part of me wants Ramsey to go so the like of Ozil Mikhi, Auba,and Lacazette are left their own devices, and then the muppets that think Ramsey leaving is ‘no big deal’ are left wiping egg off their faces when throw in woeful performance after woeful performance.
Ramsey leaves and old Mesut has to stop hiding behind his runs and actually do something.
CA, most big players have done it. Including Rooney and CR7 both twice or so. Not sure but there was a chance that Messi was going to leave Barca last summer?! His contract was running down and it wasn’t renewed. Definitely not something new that’s happening. Would not stop Ramsey from being 100% committed when/if he eventually signs like it didn’t stop the others doing this. Of course on a fan level I don’t approve this behavior. It’s just that Ramsey has the leverage of Ozil’s mega fked up contract. He can always say that he is as valuable as… Read more »
Arsenals ability to sell players is astonishingly bad, and surely something that has to be looked at.
Talk of Perez going to West Ham for as little as £4m, while Newcastle are spending £20m on Danny Ings.
I really dont understand why we struggle to get money for our players.
We cant give Ospina away, we made peanuts from Akpom, Campbell literally cant find a club. Ditto for Jenkinson.
When Wenger says things like he left us in a good position, its laughable.
“Part of me wants Ramsey to go so the like of Ozil Mikhi, Auba,and Lacazette are left their own devices”
Mikki especially has been in a woeful form. Last game he came in for 20 mins when everyone was saving their strength to show how good he is. I hope he does well this season but I’m not full of optimism re his contribution.
the muppets that think Ramsey leaving is ‘no big deal’ are left wiping egg off their faces when throw in woeful performance after woeful performance
I mean we’ve had woeful performance after woeful performance with Aaron Ramsey in the team also. Nearly 10 years here honestly how good for how long has he been really?
What I’m full of optimism is the contribution that Auba, Thor, Lichtsteiner and yes – our starboy Matteo, will have this season. Leno is a 50/50 as things stand.
Ramsey has had one elite season in the best part of a decade. One. Uno. Ein. Yi. Our midfield hasn’t always been shit like last year and yet where were Ramsey’s elite seasons back then? He managed just one. It didn’t matter who played alongside him – good bad or ugly. He’s had one great season and somehow he has this ludicrous reputation As for last year, he was decent. Nothing more. He played in the worst arsenal midfield in the last 2 decades and managed to be decent and the contrast between decent and abysmal (the rest of our… Read more »
Yeah Wenger left us in some state alright. So many overpaid turnips just laying about
Ramsey and his team are taking a big risk, he had a great end to the season and this is the ideal time for him to sign a good deal. The problem for Ramsey is he is inconsistent and injury prone, right now most of us have forgotten this and over-value him because of this.
His style of play is heavily dependent on the team around him, he can’t really be pitching himself for an Ozil type deal until he starts having the same influence.
“he can’t really be pitching himself for an Ozil type deal until he starts having the same influence.”
Arguably he’s had the same influence.
I would say Ramsey is worth the same as Ozil.
The problem is Ozil is on 3 x what he should be.
Take the average of what Eriksen, DeBruyne & Hazard are on……..they should both be one notch down from that in wages.
“When Wenger says things like he left us in a good position, its laughable.”
Don’t forget our awesome stadium!!
(lolZ)
Your Comment Here
Ramsey is just a more marketable version of Ross Barkley, and he’s older.
Ramsey much more of an influence than Ozil and should easily be getting the same.
Ozil could play in a 100 cup finals and not even look like scoring.
Ozil’s was effectively (re)signed on a free. Hence, his wages reflects including a sign on fee. The thinking might have been losing Ozil would mean signing an alternative that would cost quite a bit in signing fee and wages if when aggregated surpasses Ozil’s wage demands. If Ramsey remains with Arsenal till January or later chances are he could get the same wages as Ozil based on similar logic. Problem might be that unlike when Ozil signed his contract we have alternatives. I really don’t see why Chelsea will want Ramsey except they get rid of one or more of… Read more »
Wenger made things so bad, even his number one fanboy, Stan eventually had no alternative but to sack him when he let it be known he wouldnt walk after his disasters on the pitch and with buying and selling players. That is pretty damning.
He left with a nice payoff, but his legacy and reputation wrecked forever, I know he is stubborn and deluded, but I suspect reputation matters to a man like that
The thing is though we all know Ozil should not be on £350 000 a week, so how long do we keep overpaying players by 2 or 3 times their worth just because they are important to the team or useful to the team.
What happens when Torreira becomes a crucial part of our team then asks for £200 000 a week, Leno, Mavropanos etc we could end up with a ridiculously inflated wage bill purely because Ozil was given far too much money.
You have to make a stand and recognise a mistake.
I think we’re currently trying to raise funds for a CB.
Chambers going on loan surely wouldnt happen without a CB being signed.
CB is also the position in pre-season that has looked weakest by a long way.
As things stand, we dont have much money at all though (assuming we have spent our entire budget so far)
Gambon
I agree.
I think that is Ramsey were to be sold for £35 Million that whole amount and any other money raised from Perez, Welbeck etc will go on a CB now.
You can see that Emery is working the team out, he liked Chambers but now has changed his mind on the team after watching them in games.
Nothing wrong with that.
A squad of full of primarily holding, sitting central midfielders.
Flaky wide players (Ozil, Mikhi no leg, Iwobi can’t hit the broad side of a barn door)
If we do sell Ramsey hoping Emery has got an athletic attacking midfield dribbler type lined up.
I just don’t see how Jonny Evans is markedly worse than Sokratis. We and City were in for him only a few months ago. At £3.5m would have been a decent bargain stop-gap, allowing us to spend more on a more promising prospect.
Raheem
Come off it…………Evans doesnt play for Dortmund.
I can’t get behind this Yerry Mina hype.
Barcelona stand to make close to 400% profit on a CB they signed in January.
Yes he had a few good games in the WC, but as a CB, the pace of the EPL is even comparable to playing a couple shit team in the WC.
If he turns into the next Kompany then I’d be the first person to come back in here, standing corrected.
More important than personnel at the back is playing our system properly. If we can’t play through the lines consistently it doesn’t matter what CB we buy, they will be get exposed badly when we get dispossessed near our own goal and the centre backs are just starting to move up from their ultra deep position near the byline.
What do people think of Boateng?
Lots of links suddenly to him today. United are interested in Boateng but also Maguire and Alderwiereld which means we might be able to offer solid interest and a fee that will make Munich part with him.
Bit perplexed as to why Chambers has gone on loan, instead of Holding and/or Mavropanos.
Not a fan of Chambers, but with him being the more experienced and versatile of the 3, not to mention already having been out on loan, sending him to Fulham instead of just selling him is an odd one
Cesc
there’s a reason Boateng is available, he struggles with injuries and he looks quite heavy on the feet, these days.
Personally, I’d avoid.
On TV fragmentation, this has been something that’s been pissing me off for years. The EU decided that Sky having a monopoly on football here wasn’t good for consumers. It was one package and monthly cost and, let’s face it, some of the best camera work and production value anywhere. But the EU said the games should be shared around. We now have this shit fest where football addicts who want to see lots of games now have to stump up at least an extra £30-£40 a month for additional subscriptions to see what Sky used to give us more… Read more »
Maybe Sokratis will surprise us. He’s not impressed me so far but let’s give him a fair chance. I have a bit of a bad feeling about him but that’s all it is. Maybe he’ll do enough to be a proper player for us I feel like he should be playing with holding but I’m not sure emery agrees with this. If Ramsey goes for 30+ we’re in a predicament of having no clearly top quality CBs or wingers in the squad. The defense is a more important problem however I think average defenders who are well organized can do… Read more »
“While Leon Bailey was born in Jamaica, he is eligible to play for England, and Gareth Southgate has previously suggested he could become part of his England squad were he to commit to the Three Lions.”
Did not know this. Nice bonus, no?!
Ramsey much more of an influence than Ozil and should easily be getting the same
Are you suggesting that Ramsey should be getting 350,000 a week? No offense but that’s horse shit. You don’t complain about one inconsistent fragile player getting ridiculously overpaid and then want another inconsistent fragile player getting ridiculously overpaid. Ramsey is not even remotely good enough for a pay bump like that. You can romanticize all day about the things he does (both real and imagined) but he ain’t worth it
Fulham and Arsenal have agreed a loan move for defender Calum Chambers – and that may not be all.
According to Football.London, not only could he join on loan, but a potential permanent deal has also been agreed.
It’s quite surprising given Chambers only recently inked a new four-year deal at the Emirates.
But it seems that was merely an exercise in protecting his value.
mirror
If Fulham are going to put the cost of buying him onto next year that makes more sense then, especially if we’re secured a decent amount for him and I feel better about new deals for Xhaka and Elneny in that case.
It seems Fulham wanted to sign him permanently but had to settle for a loan, perhaps this is because the fee was too much for this season or perhaps Arsenal want the chance to see if he can develop and then take him back. If not they can let Fulham buy him with him already being settled in the club.
Marko – Obviously not, but considering Ozil is on that ridiculous wage it’s no surprise Ramsey’s contract talks have hit the buffers.
I think he’s probably asking for 200,000 and we are offering £160,000.
Over the long term he is not a big loss, because Emery will eventually have time to bring in players and shape the squad how he wants, but I’m saying this season at least he will be a massive loss.
No way we’d be in for Boateng Bayern would be asking for too much and he’s PSG bound likely. Should move for Kimpembe I think possibly on loan but Caglar could be more likely
Look, out defense is still not a winning defence. I think our defensive midfield options are much improved which should add more protection to the back line. However, individually we are severely lacking mobility and speed.
Lacazette needs to fucking butch up and score some goals. Last seasons performance was pitiful.
Ozil. Cunt. Ramsay. Cunt…but could be worth £30m so get rid and score another CB and LB.
I’m already paying about £14pm for Sky Sports package and about £7pm for BT Sport.
Now that Sky have lost La Liga, I’m going to have to take out another subscription for about another £10pm. Fuck all that.
My pal, has some platform he bought from some dude on twitter called @highburystreams.
Might have to take a serious look into that..
it’s no surprise Ramsey’s contract talks have hit the buffers.
Yeah because he doesn’t really want to be here and if he does have to stay here he’ll fleece us for as much as he can get. And I don’t necessarily agree with you that this season he’ll be a massive loss because in all honesty we don’t need another number 10 in the team and a legitimate winger benefits us way more. Certainly I’d keep him before Ozil or Iwobi but he’ll be no great loss
Cannot believe that James McClean, Roque Mesa and Kyle Bartley moved this summer for more than 4m pounds each, which means higher amount than the one mentioned in the supposed Perez’ deal with West Ham.
Watching how much Chicharito struggled there last season, and how more than decent was Perez for us in 2016/17, I’d think he gets equally important and wins a starting place week in week out. In this market if you get a better player than what you have in that position, for 4m pounds, you sign as fast as possible.
Sky lost the la liga rights? For fucks sake
It’s a squad of dispensable players. Hoping by the end of the season that’ll change.
gambon
Yeah looks like Sven was doing his old chums a favour there.
I recall I was the lone voice here railing against the signing of Papadopoulos.
Too much money for a 30 year old with zero premier league experience, one who lacks the pace to handle himself.
People are catching up now.
Marko
It’s alleged that the owner of Leeds utd, also owns Eleven Sport.
I read that there could be an agreement in place whereby Eleven license some games to Sky. Only rumours at this stage.
To be fair Dissenter you haven’t been proven right or wrong for that matter it’s just we always needed more than one new starting CB.
I don’t want to talk too soon, but if we end up with Vida, then I think some serious questions need to be asked of our technical team.
Carts if I don’t get my Valencia/Villarreal fix I’ll be worthless. What else would sky be offering fucking shite eredivisie? Fuck that. Wouldn’t mind if they got the Bundesliga but they might try for Serie A now that Ronaldo is there
It appears like a shit show from the outside. I just hope there is a method behind the madness within the club. Needless to say, they will be shovelling the fraud’s shit for a while to come.
“To be fair Dissenter you haven’t been proven right or wrong for that matter it’s just we always needed more than one new starting CB”
I second this . Jury is still very much out.
All we have now are reservations, so nothing has been proven either way yet.
Fucking Raptora, counted williams, and Alonso as world class, and he doesn’t count Torreira and lacazette?
I stopped reading at that point. Is Alonso even better than Monreal?
Ramsey is not Sanchez. Let him go to MC. For us, MC is already out of sight. Just look at their LB, RB, CB and GK. It is like an all star team. Just don’t sell him to Chelsea. They are not that good if they lose Hazard and Kante.
This green background means I can’t le-grove in anonymity at work 🙂
I missed Dortmund buying Witsel. Good for his career and for football in Europe 🙂
Top players on top wages desperate to leave Arsenal? It’s happened before – Liam, Frank, Ray – but rarely, and with due process..
Now it’s become a habit and a shambles.
Ramsey is not a top player
Repeat it again….Ramsey is not a top player.
Hope he goes to city and wastes on the bench.