Emery chasing elite kids

by .

arsene

Quick post this morning, as I’m making sweet content in Berlin today.

Holland are back, Germany are in a death spiral as a nation. If only they had Ozil to rally the troops?! Great to see the Oranje back in business. They have some very exciting young players that are no doubt going to start peppering the sides of the elite very soon. De Ligt looks a really exciting defender, would love Arsenal to move on him.

Funny how nations just run out of good players for a bit. The cycle of success is interesting to watch. My theory is it’s all down to formulas. Countries find a way of making players great in the moment, they rest on their success, their methods become stale, they have to start again. It’s incredible a game as simple as football can advance so quickly and leave people behind. Every 5 years the game is unrecognizable. Better fitness, smarter tactics, more technically gifted players… it just gets better and better.

In France, Thierry Henry has decided his future is at Monaco. Our goalscoring hero has taken over the reins from Le Grove favourite Leo Jardim. It’s a very odd move whichever way you look at it. Their current coach has battled the mighty PSG, won a league and constantly dealt with an exodus of players. Now he pays a hefty price to a novice 10 games into a season.

For Jardim, his fate is the same as the one Wenger faced a Monaco. He’ll weather the storm and get another good job. For Thierry, he’s been handed the keys to a huge first job. I’m excited to see what he can do. Does his obsession with football translate into being a good coach? Is he going to be able to deal with players that are lesser beings than he? Can he shake that moody persona and be a man people go to war for? Is he technically good enough? He needs all of those items. Just being a great striker 10 years ago isn’t enough in a game that has grown to be incredibly complex.

If he is all of the above, we’ll be looking at the next Arsenal manager. If he isn’t, well, he’ll just have to stay at smaller clubs until he learns. Oli Kay wrote a piece yesterday about the rise of the designer manager. Lamps, Gerrard and Thierry have all taken jobs with little experience. It’s either inspired or hopeful. My guess is a lot of it is hopeful. Maybe not so much with Thierry because at least he’s spent a lot of time around Europe learning. He also assisted Martinez to the semi of a World Cup.

It is tantalizing that the south of France is Paddy and Thierry. Who will win out? We shall see… likely drinking a batch of 2018s vintage champagne, which apparently folk are extremely optimistic about, next summer as the saga plays out.

The Mirror report that Emery was the architect behind pulling the Ramsey deal. He wants to make more of an impact on the squad next year and is keen to reduce the wage bill to make room for his own players. We’re again being linked with Sarr, the exciting young winger from Rennes. He could be the next Dembele, could also be the next Gervinho. Guy has a lot of sauce about him.

We’ve also been linked with Kai Havertz, the German kid ripping up trees at Leverkusen. Apparently, he had to miss a European match last season because he was doing his exams.

I am all for young exciting players coming to Arsenal. Rip out the old guard, start afresh, make Arsenal the factory for elite youth in the Premier League.

Finally, Aaron Ramsey has been linked to United. Good luck with that mate. I assume he’s going to unlock Pogba, or Lukaku or Sanchez? That place is a steaming pile of shite. I’m not sure I’d be taking my career there, but who cares at this point.

Right, that’s me done!

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Leedsgunner

Apparently ESR is wanted by Henry at Monaco for a loan until the end of the season. What about asking for Tieleman in return or a first option on him?

He would learn from Henry and we would get a very very good midfielder to replace Ramsey?

A win, win?

Graham62

Can someone please tell me where you find all this salary information?

Samesong

Kolasinac came to us on a free so his wages are going to be high.

mysticleaves

Gonsterous

There was a bidding war with Man city and, I think, Chelsea. Kolasinac got his wage based on competition. How have you made out that Ramsey is twice the player he is?

Might you also be reminded that Ramsey isn’t asking for 250k pw, he got that and left it on the table for more than 1 month. So he rejected 250k pw. That’s already higher than what he deserves by 100k.

gonsterous

mystic

kola is not getting matches, Ramsey has featured in almost every game this season. Maybe I was being kind when I said he’s twice the player but he’s clearly better than kolac, the manager thinks so, the fans thinks so and surely the players think so. Hell Ramsey thinks he’s on par with ozil.So of course he’s going to ask for mad money when kolac is on 120k a week.

un na naai

Mystic Agree 100% Ramsey isn’t worth £250k when veratti is on £130k pw. The most telling aspect of this saga is that his game has picked up his game quite drastically since we pulled the contract It’s clear he had a couple of extra gears in him that he wasn’t giving until this. It’s always been about his attitude for me. He and ozil are the biggest problems at arsenal right now, I’ve said it for ages and we let the wrong players go in sanchez Wilshere and Cazorla. Each of those players would suit us now far more than… Read more »

China

Kolasinac ha seven a disappointment for us but there maybyet be a player in there with some coaching and game time

I won’t hold my breath but we’ll soon find out I guess

mysticleaves

gonsterous Your comments don’t factor in how Kola got his wage and how or why Ramsey got his own pulled. Kola might have been a disappointment so far but before he came he was the best lb in the bundesliga, was on a free tf and had 3 of the best clubs in England going for him. That probably added an extra 20k on his wage (He’s actually on 113k pw). Frankly, the reason Ramsey had his contract pulled was because he thought he was a 300-350k pw player which in all sincerity, he’s not. The club judged that, not… Read more »

mysticleaves

Un, I agree Ramsey is not worth 250k. But Ramsey is on 110k and Verrati on 130k. When Verrati goes up for renewal he will demand double. Hazard will also demand double. Most of the players you mentioned yesterday are up for renewal too.

samesong

How do you compare both Ramsey and Kolasinac they are both two completely different player’s in two different positions.

ddkingz

demanding double doesn’t mean he will get double….@ Myst.cleaves

I wouldn’t rate Ramsey among the best 20 midfielders in the world, so he doesn’t deserve above 150k pw, then plus add ons maybe 180k, since he’s all oldest players….

and man, in the Chelsea team, if hazard is to get a new contract, I bet it should be 400k pw or no deal…this guy his class…four times the player Ramsey would ever be even in his own dreams…

Emiratesstroller

Frankly I think that Ramsey’s contract was pulled because: 1. His wages + whatever add ons are being demanded do not offer value for money. 2. Arsenal will have by next season a player in Smith-Rowe who is younger and potentially better to replace him in starting eleven.He will cost a fraction of what Ramsey and his agent are demanding. 3. The club are clearly not prepared to pay inflated wages for players who are not super stars. 4. Personally I do not believe for one moment that the reason that the club pulled the contract, because they are short… Read more »

un na naai

I read that Emery pulled the contract. It was on his advice. He wants to utilise those funds on players he personally wants in his system. We could have 3 players on £110k a week and still have change from the Ramsey contract. Why waste it on him?

Mystic

Yes but verrati would deserve that rise. As would hazard
They are title winner and produce more for their teams than Ramsey does. Both are elite players in their position
Ramsey is not. In terms of value I’d rather hazard or verrati on £300k than Ramsey on £200-£250k

un na naai

Samesong

Your compare them in terms of ability to play their respective positions and how this helps the team. If your left wing back is worth £113k pw then pay him that. If your midfielder isn’t worth £300k people then you don’t.

Bamford10

Everyone is so busy slating Aaron Ramsey that they’ve forgotten that our midfield three is Torreira, Xhaka and Ozil (or Torreira, Xhaka and Mkhitaryan).

If we want to compete with City, Chelsea and Liverpool, Xhaka is not good enough.

Bamford10

Un na

“I read that Emery pulled the contract. It was on his advice.”

Citation, please.

Graham62

For me it’s simple. No player at Arsenal is worth the wages that Ramsey is demanding. The fact that Ozil is on a crazy contract had nothing to do with Emery and the new crew. Ramsey is being used as a scapegoat but also it shows that the club is going to get tough on player demands. ES When you look at what players have been on these past ten years at AFC, it beggars the question, how did Wenger and Gazidis get away with it? Those that say that Arsenal were held back due to financial restrictions are in… Read more »

Bob N16

Gons,
Kola was on a free transfer. As someone who had just been picked for the Bundesliga team of the year and considering his age, his transfer fee would have been maybe £10m. If you divide that out over four years, that’s 50k a week. For Arsenal the package was the same as paying a £10m transfer fee and paying him 70k a week over four years.
You obviously can’t just double Kola’s wages as a comparison……

Bamford10

Ozil on £350k was one of Wenger’s parting gifts to the club. One of the silliest contracts in all of world football.

gonsterous

Bob

either way. kolac Is a waste of the club’s money. The quicker we sell him, the Better.

Bob N16

Gons, different argument…..

Graham62

Wenger and Gazidis between them fudged up Arsenal big time.

The financial(and historical) implications are far reaching.

Jesus, a twelve year old with a sound knowledge of Maths could have done a better job.

Yeh Graham, but please stop “harping” on about Wenger, we all wanted him gone.

No you bloody didn’t!!

Onwards and upwards.

gonsterous

bob

in a way it’s the same argument. Both talks about money. One is how much he’s getting paid and the other if he’s worth that much.

Bob N16

https://shewore.com

Positive post re. an U23 team we could put out.

Ivan

This Ramsey saga is quite simple if we do some simple math. 250 pw x 4 x 60 = 60 mil pounds sterling if we take into account that averege contract is 5 years. How many of you taking injuries and dip in form think that Ramsey is worth that money to the Arsenal. After that we should take onto account shitstorm that made Ozil’s contract and powershift at Arsenal that happened with Wenger leaving. Tbh anything else but stance that Arsenal took regarding Ramsey contract would be lunacy. To add insult to injury agent making silly statements and releasing… Read more »

Bob N16

Graham, you got it in first but in my opinion if you want your posts to be read with interest, you might want to stop going on and on and on about our ex manager.

Bob N16

Gons, agreed this discussion is mostly about value for money but I thought the salary comparison between Kola and Ramsey was somewhat superficial.

If Ramsey was one of the first picks on the teamsheet, I would be keen for AFC to strike a deal. As he’s not, there is no way we should bend over for him and his agent.

I do think we need to move on Ozil somehow as his salary makes dealing with player’s agents tough!

China

Bamford neither xhaka nor ozil are really good enough but at least xhaka has done ok lately

Champagne charlie

Banford

Your Xhaka crusade is amusing, got anymore hypotheticals about wages to try and make out 200k Ramsey is ‘value’ for us? Loool

Ozil contract is also explainable by his commercial value which is tied into the club, his exact wages have always been a point of contention too, 300k in many other reports. He sells the most of any player we have, those guys earn more. Unlike Ramsey who, in terms of shirt sales, is behind even Xhaka 🙂

HighburyLegend

Your Comment Anywhere.

westy

As usual, living in Sydney, I come on and go back and read the comments from the start – was a while ago, but Ramsey, your comments on male abuse etc are deplorable and your attitude (along with the other fucktards with the same) are contributing to why male suicide is so common in modern society.

Marko, well done for calling this out

Now back to football

gonsterous

yes, can we go back to the time when we owned slaves ?? No more whining. Just every One getting shit done.

Jamie

Ramsey moving to Utd in Jan would be hammering the final nail into Mourinho’s coffin. With Ramsey and Alexis on the pitch at the same time (both of whom want a free role), the tactical discipline breaks down. Add Pogba to the mix and there’s even less balance. The list of clubs willing to pay him 200k+ a week can’t be extensive. Utd, Chelsea, City. If he goes to any of those clubs, he’ll start from the bench. Everton, West Ham, Spurs, Liverpool all need to manage their wage bills. I wish I could have been there when Ramsey and… Read more »

Graham62

BobN16 Are you giving me advice? Didn’t you note that I put “historical implications” in my post? I don’t come on here to satisfy the needs of other posters when it is clear that every nook and cranny of the club was infested by Wenger’s ways. You may perceive Wenger as a God, but I never will. That is why the implications of his positive and negative methods will go down in history, whether you like it or not. Regrettably for you, it his tenureship post 2006 that I tend to focus on and not the wonderful job he did… Read more »

KAY Boss

I don’t get some posters. Some wnt Kolac sold and who replaces him when Nacho’s injured? Maitland-Niles?
He may not have performed to our expectation but I don’t think he’s yet a dross. This is a position (lb) where quality is lacking across the world.
There’s a good player in there.

gonsterous

glad to see slowly everyone supporting the new regime, but as I keep saying, if we beat liverpool, everyone and their pet may just accept emery as the new manager. Too many still stuck on the old or having a man crush on arteta. This international break feels like it’s going on for ever.

gonsterous

KAY

in my mind, if a player is playing back up to someone, he shouldn’t be on more than a 100k. Especially not at arsenal. So yes, we need to sell him and get someone cheaper and better (not that hard)

KAY Boss

Reading Thomas Partey’s link to us. Would be extremely glad if we could bring him in. Good midfielder and seems to be the most improved midfielder in Europe as well as being tactically disciplined.

HighburyLegend

#Ramseyout.

Bob N16

Graham, In response to your post, why do you come on here? You fall into the group who falsely create this army of Wengerites who you imply, can’t accept any criticism. You go on the attack when you are criticised for droning on and on. Can you not accept that there was only a small number of people who would not hear any criticism of Wenger? You justify your continued attacks on Wenger by exaggerating the numbers who still hold a torch for him. I wanted Wenger out for I would say 5/6 years before he left. I certainly still… Read more »

Champagne charlie

Well said Bob N16, and that’s not exclusive to G62/M24. The whole Wenger wonderland thing needs to be moved on from, old habits and all that i know but this place is full of adults (allegedly).

Think it’s about time the attitudes of yore remain very much part of the fabric of history. This proclivity for coining someone an AKB and going on a tirade whenever a disagreeable point is made is fucking myopic.

un na naai

Reading reports that we are in for loftus cheek

Not sure how I feel about that. Gimme Wilshere any day. Or santi.

Champagne charlie

Un Na

What’s our home grown quota like?

Loftus cheek would be a squad man like Iwobi imo, capable of the odd run of matches but more a filler. Chelsea have a more talented version in Barkley so can see why he’s on his way out.

Ирина

Интересует сотрудничество

un na naai

Cc I never got a chance to respond due to the site crashing but you totally missed the point on my post regarding England I never once said that we are entitled to anything. My point is that we wasted a golden generation of footballers. World class in every position. The squad we had was as good as any in the world. I refute ddkingz assertion that England are shit or have achieved nothing or a massively overrated. Hardly banging a drum. That all may be true of our current squad but even then we made it to within 15… Read more »

Champagne charlie

Un na

If so my mistake, though I don’t agree we had world class talent all over and feel we’re very much guilty of over asserting the ability of our own. Decent become good, good great, and really good become world class.

We had a better bunch then for sure, but the competition was way better too.

HighburyLegend

“Ирина
October 15, 2018 12:36:16
Интересует сотрудничество”

Ah ah ah welcome to Vladimir, didn’t know he was a fan!!
(you’ve been hacked Pedro)

un na naai

Charlie
We’ve got AMN, Bellerin, holding, ESR, welbz, iwobi, Willock already. If we do add another home grown wouldn’t you want it to be someone who could push us up a level? I’d break the bank for Harry Maguire.
I like loftus cheek. He’s got thrust to his game but I’m not sure that he’s at Ramsey/Wilshere level. For me he’s a step down.

gonsterous

of all the sites to hack into, why an arsenal blog ?? what’s the purpose there ?

Dissenter

England stand a chance with all the recent successes at the youth level. You just need to find a way to get these young players actually playing games, not just earning big money doing nothing. Chelsea and City have become the biggest impediments to English football. They stockpile talent and destroy them be abuse there’s no escalator to the top. Wenger, for all his weaknesses was one of the few conveyor belts of youth. It stopped working after inthe last quarter if his tenure but he did his damn best to give youths chance. We should have won several league… Read more »

un na naai

I’ll make a list of players then Charlie. Players that I considered to be world class

Cole
Campbell
Ferdinand
King
Terry
Neville
Gerrard
Scholes
Lampard
Hargreaves
Beckham
Owen
Rooney
Shearer

With players like sherringham,joe Cole, carragher, Carrick and Robbie Fowler being the level below.

un na naai

Dissenter

Too much too soon. They aren’t grounded any more. They’re buying million pound homes for their parents before they’ve left school on some occasions. The old way seemed to ground them more. You don’t see up and coming boxers or rugby players treated like it and it helps their career rather than hinder it. They retain their sense of desire and purpose as opposed to young british footballers. Too much, too soon.

Dissenter

Highbury legend
You do realize that there’s such a thing as google translate, right.
Why do you associate some troll posting in Russian out of boredom. With hacking.
Putin won’t be happy with you.

вы все доверчивы .”………..stands for “you’re so gullible”
Google translate

It’s just someone trying to be a dick.

Marko

Everyone is so busy slating Aaron Ramsey that they’ve forgotten that our midfield three is Torreira, Xhaka and Ozil (or Torreira, Xhaka and Mkhitaryan). If we want to compete with City, Chelsea and Liverpool, Xhaka is not good enough.

Odd way to try to change the subject. Yeah we know Xhaka is in the starting 11 and I’d imagine that’ll be addressed in the future. But that doesn’t change the fact that Ramsey has been poor and needs to go.

Dissenter

Una na
Can’t blame the kids
Imagine if you were given that much money so early in life.
I think the FA should set caps on how many youth players clubs can stockpile.
Like you can’t have more that xxx players of a certain age grade.

City and Chelsea never play these kids at the senior level.
Arsenal to our credit we always have some youth players knocking. On the door and actually plying substantial games.

HighburyLegend

“It’s just someone trying to be a dick.”

Just like my avatar ?? lol

Dissenter

I’m glad everyone caught unto how Bamford tried to switch the conversation away from Ramsey.

Really, Ramsey is only half in at this point. We should bring in his replacement in January and start blooding the player immediately.
Ramsey can save his hamstrings for his new club.

Marko

Some great players in that list Don no doubt about it but if you’re classing them as world class then I’m afraid there’s at least 10-15 countries with as many and much more world class players. England actually have improved a bit under Southgate but there’s something lacking when they come up against any half decent sides and you can forget about the really good ones. It’s almost like they forget how to play and just sit back and defend

Champagne charlie

Maybe its Gunz with a revenge plot involving his special ops dad?

un na naai

Cc

Yes I agree the competition was way better. If Del Piero and inzaghi couldn’t get a start for Italy or cesc or Reyes or Joaquin for Spain or Adriano for Brazil then it speaks volumes but we had players to compete with and beat those sides back then. We don’t now.

Marko

Just like my avatar ?? lol

I see that

HighburyLegend

Yes it’s embarassing… wonder if Pedro could do something about that.

un na naai

Dissenter I’m not blaming the kids at all. It’s the system and the clubs who are to blamed. The way it’s set up for these kids now it takes their hunger away. Look at the south amaericans by comparison. Their hunger and desire to fight and succeed way surpasses the kids in the U.K. these days. Marko Give me a list of players at any country that this group of players could not match or compete with. I loved the Italy side from 98-06 and France 98-06 and Brazil 98-06 too but these players had it in their locker to… Read more »

Marko

Thomas Partey links ain’t going to happen Simeone likes him too much and he’s improved so much the last two seasons. It’s a way of getting him a new deal which is a shame because he’d be a brilliant signing for us

Marko

Don then why didn’t they? They didn’t even qualify for 98. They may have been world class but they never really shown it. Closest they came to anything since 66 was euro 96 and that’s it. No they didn’t come close last summer because literally the first half decent side they played beat them

Graham62

Bob N16

My principles and philosophies are based on respect being earnt(which Wenger managed to do) but, on the flip side, that same respect can also be lost when someone constantly ignores or disrespects others.

So, keep scrolling.

Your prerogative.

Cheers.

un na naai

Marko???

10-15 countries?? During that period of 98-06?? Not a chance
Brazil, France, Italy and Spain, maybe Argentina, maybe. That’s it. Germany’s level was poor in those years and nobody else had that amount of world class players in their national side

Champagne charlie

Un na

The issue i have with your assertion of world class is that those players didn’t deliver on the international stage, how can you be world clas and fail to do that?

All excellent players, but if they were truly world class they’d have made an impression at that level far beyond what they achieved. Referees, managers etc can only be blamed so far.

Marko

Maybe a little bit much with the 10-15 but certainly Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil I’m probably missing a couple others like Croatia and Mexico. Actually I kind of stand by it imo especially in tournament football I’d say there’s about 10 teams who were always capable of knocking out England

Marc

The reason the “golden generation” of English players did not compete on the world stage is because they couldn’t function in an environment where ref’s let them get away with murder. Everyone slags off the foreign players for diving etc but Gerard, Rooney were worse, Scholes couldn’t tackle and would get away without bookings far too often. The list is huge, if you want to improve the quality of the England team ref them properly.

Marc

ref’s didn’t let them get away with murder!

UTarse

Un,
I do admire you fighting the England corner as I would but let’s call a spade a spade, we really have not come close to winning or even realistically competing for any major world cup since 66.

None of those you mention above was world class as say a zidane or ronaldo or maradona, matthaius, etc. etc.

What I don’t understand are the numptons who think the fans and media bellowing out “It’s coming home” as expectant of us actually winning it !? It’s a frikkin song, a war cry, an atmosphere ffs.

un na naai

Cc So is Messi and to also not world class because they didn’t deliver at world cups? Everyone of those players delivered at the highest level of club football and all can be considered world class. Utarse You don’t have to be maradonna or zidane to be a world class footballer in your own time. All of these players are world class with the weakest being Rooney and Neville for me but all are world class. Not all zidane levels but world class. If you’re telling me that ozil is better than Scholes becks gerrard or Lampard just because he’s… Read more »

un na naai

Marc Do me a favour They ruled out two sol Campbell goals in knockouts Lampard v Germany. Nothing to do with kicking people. Becks sending off was pathetic against Argentina. I’m sorry but it was a fucking shit decision that killed a fantastic game of football in a do or die game. Wanker ref had to take front and centre Holland v Spain in 2012 i think it was, that Holland side kicked teams off the park and made it to the final. Italy and Argentina were dirty sides and let’s not forget Argentina 86 and the hand of god… Read more »

un na naai

Only Italy and France have as comprehensive a list of players in that era

Brazil were front loaded. Their defensive players were not world class
Germany didn’t arrive again until 2010 and Argentina apart from 98 were shit until the dawn of Messi

un na naai

Marko

Of course
But remember during that period that Italy France Germany and Holland all went home in group stages so THERE IS ALWAYS some semi decent side knocking out big teams but show me a side with a list of players like that apart from 2-3 teams
You can’t. They didn’t exist
We were less than the sum of our parts and that was partly down to a variety of issues
Club rivalry
Injuries
Managers
Misjudged preparations
Poor mentality
Bad luck
The dreaded penalties
And last but by no means least refereeing decisions

Marc

un nu

You need to go back and see the PL matches a lot of these guy’s were playing. ManU players who could get away with murder because ref’s were afraid of Fergie. Ref’s scared of the media so Terry, Ferdinand, Neville getting away with blatant fouls that don’t lead to pens. It goes on and on.

Your point just mentions ref’s making mistakes – this is the opposite this is ref’s showing favouritism to players who then wonder why they can’t compete when they don’t have the advantage.

un na naai

Marc

Clearly my point is more than referring mistakes but let’s just say you’re right.
Why did they rule out 2 perfectly good Campbell goals (Argentina and Portugal)and one from Lampard v gearmany?

un na naai

And no I would t say they got away with murder just that our league was not a pussy league. Proper tackles. Proper defending
Many of our opponents had teams in our league who got away with tough tackles too

gonsterous

yah too bad about England’s golden generation. I enjoyed picking England when playing fifa 2002. That’s why it’s important to have a good manager along with a good squad.Someone who can man manage or bring out the best of the group.

raptora

“Barcelona are facing a defensive crisis ahead of next week’s games against Sevilla, Inter Milan and Real Madrid after Thomas Vermaelen was ruled out for six weeks.
Vermaelen injured his hamstring while on international duty with Belgium and the club confirmed on Monday that he will be sidelined for the next month-and-a-half, which could see him miss up to eight games.”

Vermaelen has played 36 league games in the last 5 seasons. A normal player makes 36 league apps in a season. God bless we sold the cripple at the right time. Literally stealing a living.

Champagne charlie

Un na Messi and co.? I don’t expect any ONE player to put a team on his back to prove his worth, Messi has performed and underperformed for Argentina but always performed at club level. With club level being at an output no other footballer in history can compare to. So not the best comparison. If Argentina were littered with apparent world class players then you maybe have a point, but they’re not even close. You’re watering down what being world class means imo, Hargreaves and Neville are on your list ffs. Please offer up a reasonable argument why England… Read more »

Samesong

That booty gets me everytime I reload the page….

Bob N16

Samesong….agreed. Put it this way, my eyes are not drawn to Wenger!

Emiratesstroller

I think that Ramsey’s current wages are fair value when you are looking at what is currently paid to players of similar ability. From what I understand Arsenal are paying £60K pw to Torreira so we are already paying Ramsey almost double his wages. If Smith-Rowe is promoted to first team squad I would be surprised if we pay him £30K pw for his first contract. So it is frankly difficult to justify paying Ramsey north of £200K pw. The only thing which justifies an increase in current contract is that he is moving into final contract and you can… Read more »

Dissenter

“This calculation was obviously used by Arsenal when agreeing to pay Ozil the £350K pw. They were factoring in the saving of a transfer fee or loss of transfer fee if he had left on Bosman.” Still doesn’t explain how they arrived at 300-350k weekly. Why don’t you just admit the Ozil deal was a Cluster f-up of epic proportions. Your math doesn’ t add up for the Ozil deal and in the current set-up Ramsey is worth as much as Mykhi, Laca or Auba…at the very least. He was angling to earn more that the above mentioned which is… Read more »

Marko

I’m getting the feeling that if Raul and Emery were in charge during Ozil’s contract negotiation instead of Ivan and Arsene things would have been different

un na naai

Cc Messi’s Argentina got to the World Cup final 4 years ago and Messi was shit throughout the tournament. His team got him to the final. Not the other way around. He failed to produce So is he not world class? You’re telling me that Scholes Gerrard Campbell and Cole were not world class because they didn’t produce at the World Cup?? No. Sorry Charlie but that’s not right. You don’t have to be World Cup winner to be considered world class as Messi and Ronaldo have proved What about Dennis bergkamp?? Was he not world class?? Rvp? Modric? Scholes… Read more »

HighburyLegend

Yep, Mesut would already have left the building.

un na naai

Cc I offered a list of reasons why. All of which doesn’t preclude them from the world class bracket Hargreaves was world class in my book. He was a mainstay in the successful Munich and united sides when he was fit he played. Had he stayed for he’d have brought more balance to our midfield too. You seem to have a real bee in your bonnet for the English national side. Funny. You defend lesser arsenal players yet criticise WORLD CLASS English players Yes they underachieved but that doesn’t make them overrated. Rvp and bergkamp underachieved on a similar stage.… Read more »

Dissenter

Una na
Point well made and certainly taken.

Graham62

World class is banded about far too much for my liking.

Messi(100%),Ronaldo, Hazard, Ramos, M’bappe (getting there), Silva, Aguero, Kompany, Buffon(was), De Gea…….??.

Neymar is an exceptional talent but, as it stands, his attitude and image goes against him.

Victorious

“Scholes was a better player than modric. ”

Is this guy for real? Lol

I mean I get you’re English but and as such likely to overtly sentimental, but surely you should know your present national team is shit and your so called ‘golden generation’ didn’t also live up to expectations right?
Your overselling of their true abilities it’s evensome major indictment on it’s own because according to you they were undisputed ‘world class’ talents and yet didnt made the world sit up and take notice of these absolute gems,odd don’t you think

Victorious

I rarely agree with utASS but the man has this spot on
“I do admire you fighting the England corner as I would but let’s call a spade a spade, we really have not come close to winning or even realistically competing for any major world cup since 66.None of those you mention above was world class as say a zidane or ronaldo or maradona, matthaius, etc. etc.”

Champagne charlie

Un na I just stated I don’t expect a player to haul his country to glory, but Messi has both performed and underperformed for Argentina at different times. I don’t care how good a player is there needs to be an XI for ultimate success, and didn’t Messi put it on a plate for Higuain in that final a couple of times and see the lines fluffed? I don’t have a bee in my bonnet about the English national side, i have an issue with the furore and expectation around. It comes with total arrogance and disrespect to grass roots… Read more »

Victorious

World class is banded about far too much for my liking.”

Agree G62

Do we even have any worldclass talent in the current squad?

Auba, Ozil on their absolute best of form can be regarded as such but even that is a major stretch going by recent outputs

un na naai

Victorious 100%. Scholes was a better player than modric He was top level all throughout his career Modric only spent the last half of his career as an elite. Zidane and xavi say Scholes was the best player they ever played against Imagine if he never had athsma He was England’s best player in his time and should have had the team catered to him. Not Gerrard and not Lampard Yes I’m aware that they under achieved brains did you actually read my comments. And yeah we may be shit now but we still were 10 mins from the World… Read more »