The Mesut Ozil story continues to drag on, and as suspected, the chances of him leaving are somewhere in the region of no chance, to no f*cking chance. This is what his agent told GOAL.
“Unless you are on the inside and privy to what happens on a daily basis, it is best not to speculate.
“In every journey there are highs and lows, but it is important to consider the bigger picture rather than simply making knee-jerk judgements without proper context.
“The speculation around Mesut’s future has not come from him or us and is unfortunate because the situation is clear: his future is with Arsenal, end of story.”
It’s not surprising, the German’s agent pulled off the heist of the century with the deal he reeled in. He knew our exCEO was ego driven, he knew the club couldn’t lose Sanchez and his client at the same time, he squeezed right up until the last minute. £350k a week is staggering… likely why the club is e-mailing its staff to cut down on kettle boils at the Colney training ground.
What is interesting is how the Aaron Ramsey saga is playing out. Remember, his agent, a firm believer that his client was of more value than Mesut, was pushing for similar money. Arsenal pulled the rug from that deal when Emery realised he wasn’t going to extract the value he needed from Aaron, and maybe found out the extent of our finances. Now he’s likely to be a free agent in the summer, Juve has come knocking. This is what Fabio Paratichi had to say (SD).
“He’s a great player, we really like him and he plays for a great team. His contract is expiring and we’re always alerted to situations that the market offers, so we’ve also been alerted to Ramsey.”
The salary they’re talking about is closer to £150k a week… which looks more like a 50% payrise, and much more in keeping with the sort of money you’d expect him to be bringing in. Italian football is certainly a lifestyle choice more than anything, no doubt he’ll pick up some world class coaching, he’ll eat like a king and the tax laws now work more favourably for foreign stars. If you pay a 100,000 euros flat fee on your foreign income, that’s all you pay. Great if you’re Ronaldo, but likely advantageous if you’re Aaron. Boot deals, foreign tours and CL income can all be written off this way… so he could make up his cash that way. Ideally though, his biggest win is the truckload of trophies he’ll pick up. (I read that we’re considering Khedira as part of the deal and my eyes began to bleed)
The harsh reality of our world right now is we’re paying Champions League wages without the revenue. Arsenal has to take a sledgehammer to that this summer and recalibrate. I cannot listen to people tell me it’s impossible for us to compete when we have such bad finances.
“Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash is king.” I thought it might be interesting to look at where Premier League clubs source their money and what they spend it on by reviewing the clubs’ cash flow statements over the last decade. Some thoughts in the following thread.
— Swiss Ramble (@SwissRamble) January 3, 2019
The Swiss Ramble has a threaded tweet above that analyses how much money club owners pile into their vanity purchase.
SPOILER ALERT: Stan K hasn’t put in a penny of his own money into the Arsenal kitty (Though commendably, we pay the most tax by a margin)
Whereas… Chelsea and City are almost totally bankrolled by their hideous owners.
Now, you could get on your high horse about how f*cking tragic this is, or you could stop being a bitch and look at the opportunity we had and now have.
Stan hasn’t spent his own money, but he’s also not taken out. I can’t be outraged about a tiny bit of fee back in the day. Who fucking cares?
The issue with Arsenal has been that we’ve been deeply inefficient with our cash. Our wage bill is hideous, our player purchases have been very average and I think it’s fair to say that the young player production line has been pretty miserable for over a decade.
Think about this, in the world of crazy transfer fees, we’ve never sold a player for £50m! Our biggest ever sale was Oxlade Chamberlain at £35m.
The absolute key to Arsenal moving forward is to invest proper money in the best young talent from around the globe. Arsenal needs to aggressively target young players with a high ceiling, even if that means some transfers looking at the higher end of the spectrum. We can’t keep taking small gambles on OK young players, then investing average money into players with no resale value. That’s why Sokratis and Banega don’t work for me.
Think about Dortmund, they just sold bench merchant Pulisic for £58m! Sancho cost £9m and he’s worth £90m!
Arsenal can compete, but we need to make more aggressive moves on our wage bill and we need to come up with a more interesting approach on the field.
I don’t want to bang on about Spurs too much, but I think the Poch is such an interesting coach because he does such a huge amount with the players he brings in. Almost every single one improves. They work hard, they stay fit and they play on for the cause on smaller contracts than the rest of the league. He ALWAYS gives the kids a go. Do you think he’d have played Lichtsteiner over a young player against Liverpool? No way. He’d have thrown a well trained kid into the mixer.
The only way we get to that level is if we have a coach that young players know will make them better, and if we create a project that is really enticing. We’ve kind of worked the other way traditionally. We’ve enticed average players with big money on the promise they won’t get better, but damn, will they be comfortable in a world of unaccountability.
Question is, will players gravitate towards our current coach? Can he make players x3 what they were? Time will tell. The great thing about the new era is if it’s not working out, we can recalibrate quickly and work towards something a little less safe and a little more visionary.
Well, we can do that if Raul, Vinai and Sven really want to the kick the club forward and really want to attack a strategy that feels progressive. If those guys live in a comfort zone, we’re really in trouble.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments.
anyone see the similarities in Denis Suarez and Ramsey? look like twins or def brothers…. hmmmm uncanny
I like Denis Suarez that boy can dribble.
I especially like the steal from behind ala Torreira at 1;55 mins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTW_e2miP5o
we seriously need Suarez- now that Chelsea have got Pulisic Im hoping that they will back off with Suarez and we can nab him! Boy can dribble wooooo
Guns I’d say Santi and Lucas do have a little bit in common yeah
Santi is to cm-offense what torreira is to cm-defense
A 3 man midfield of peak cazorla, torreira and a physically imposing CM would’ve been pretty awesome
Joe
Name me someone as versatile and as effective as Welbeck off the bench for his salary and transfer costs, plus home grown status.
Welbeck is athletic, hardworking, willing to press, technically proficient and occasionally a goal threat (usually as a sub)
He can play on both wings, play as a goal facing striker or with his back to goal.
His only downside is being injury prone.
China1
I think Torreira would work well alongside Arteta, even better than alongside Cazorla.
Cazorla’s deep mid role for Wenger’s jackpot 4-2-3-1 cannot be easily replicated when in another team.
He was peak only under those narrow circumstances.
Dark Hair.
His only downside is being injury prone.
That and he’s a bit shit
To be fair here and looking at us in the cold light of day We are 7 points off of third which is easily doable. We have scored more than chelsea and untied and the same as Tottenham. We have lost less than spurs and most of our point a dropped are points I’d expect us to drop except Southampton and the pltheora of draws we’ve conceded We should have beat Liverpool at home and Chelsea really but for Leno giving a goal away and Aubameyang and iwobi missing 3 goalmouth tap ins between them against Chelsea What does this… Read more »
Things noticed against Fulham Lacazette- what a difference his inclusion makes!!! Why isn’t emery starting him?? I just don’t get it. Somebody posted stats on Tuesday on our win rate and goal record with him in the side as opposed to when he’s excluded and the evidence is there for all to see Iwobi- if he has movement and players to bounce off he comes to life. He’s probably not the best with space around him but put him in a 1-2 touch environment (with Lacazette and Kolasinac) and he really dovetails nicely off the others. Sokratis- just awful. Even… Read more »
We should have beat Liverpool at home and Chelsea
—————————————-
Liverpool had a clear goal disallowed against us and Chelsea didn’t bring on Hazard till the end otherwise with him from the start we all know they would’ve had destroyed us.
UN I
I will prefer a back 3 with 2 wing backs.
Kolasinac is distinctively better as a wing back.
Thought Emery is working hard to be Arsenal’s very own Claudio Raneiri with his ever changing lineups.
So yeah, only Emery knows what players he wants since nobody can guess his formation.
Un Yeah,I posted those stats, I thought I’d have a look back to confirm that we are a better team all round(defence and attack) with Lacazette in the side. The figures are slightly warped because of Emery’s reluctance to play Aubamayang and Lacazette together in the big games….it’s normally just Aubamayang starting. As I said before ,the only time he has had the bottle to start with Lacazette and Aubamayang ( along with Mhkitaryan and ozil) in a big game was at home to Liverpool and we caused them all kinds of problems that day . Emery needs to show… Read more »
I think Pedro was more focused when he was back in the UK. Now his posts have the hurried logic of a person who has other things to do
Dark hei
Why didn’t he start back 3 vs Liverpool?? The one game where you would start a back 3 and play Lacazette and he doesn’t!!!
And people wonder why he’s being doubted
Danny
Yes but Leno allowed a silly goal and we should have been 5 up by the time hazard came on
What’s your point? We still could have had 5 more points on the table but for those individual errors alone
we really really need two world class players in ,a right back and a young quick centre back are a must for Emery ,as it is he will let manu take our position in fifth and let spurs increase the gap in the prem over us and win nothing.if we are honest about one thing that has to be our defense is appalling and the stats tell you this we should really be looking at four new defenders , people on here are talking about holding as our best defender …..jesus christ we are in bad shape at the back… Read more »
Pierre Yes As seen against Fulham when he is linking up in tight spaces he (iwobi) seems to flourish. Like Walcott when he has time to think he seems to panic slightly or get caught in two minds. He’s not adaptable enough for direct counter attacking game plans until he does which is why when laca is dropped Aubameyang is so isolated. If we are going to only start one of Aubameyang or lacazette for big games then for me it’s Lacazette every time. High line- if you’re playing sokratis you’ll get mauled. Sessegnon roasted him 3 times and should… Read more »
Un
Not sure that sokratis is as bad as you are saying though he is prone to “doing a mustafi”..
We are missing holding and Monreal defensively , maybe mavropanos can come in and do a job.
The Lacazette situation is a fudging conundrum as far as I’m concerned. Don’t get Emery’s line of thinking on this. Is he protecting Lacazette? Does he not trust him? Is it all down to discipline? What is it exactly? One incident earlier in the season against Liverpool highlighted why I would have Lacazette in my starting eleven week in week out. Yes, that wonderful goal he scored typifies his attributes and commitment to the cause. Reminds me of a boxer. Relentlessly searching for an opportunity to strike. Nagging away at defenders, causing a general nuisance of himself. For me, one… Read more »
Pierre
Watch him agaisnt Fulham and Liverpool
He was awful
Almost every opportunity Fulham or Liverpool had was due to his bad positioning or just failure to mark
The state of affairs surrounding Lacazette has made me have serious doubts about Emery’s credentials.
Yes, that’s right, just this one thing. The way I look at it, a top manager should be able to see our existing strengths and our weaknesses. In a transitional phase, you need street fighters that will ruffle the feathers of your opponents. Lacazette does this 100% of the time.
I would love to have an explanation.
I defy anyone to question Lacazette’s attributes and benefit to the team.
Sean
What’s wrong with Holding??
He played very well for us until his injury and kept our 22 game unbeaten run going until his injury
I don’t know Graham maybe he doesn’t want to risk his capable strikers from injury considering we are lightweight enough as it is? I’d rather two at the top too rather than Iwobi who endlessly dribble into the cul-de-sac or the ineffective Mkhi/Ozil.
If it’s about effort and energy Lacasette have that in abundance and complement Auba well who can’t play as a lone striker with his non-existent hold up play or missing sitters after sitters only to score on irrelevant matches just to pad his stats.
Un
Agree ,Liverpool and Fulham games were not too clever for Sokratis , I think he should get back to basic defending ,he’s trying to do too much…….though I think he is our only defender atm( with Mustafi,Monreal and holding out) who will put his head in where it hurts ….AMN, Kolasinac, Kosielny and bellerin are not exactly the type of players you would take to the trenches ….I’ve noticed Torriera has ducked out of a few challenges recently as well though xhaka and Guendouzi are always willing to stand up and be counted.
Unai
Holding has done well this season, much better than I thought. However, if we want to be a team that regularly gets over 85 pts, Holding and Sokratis should be the #3 and #4 CBs. Don’t see us buying more than one CB in the summer, so Rob has a chance to be in the XI next season.
My work today,has taken me to the retirement capital of the UK.
Welcome folks to EASTBOURNE!
What I don’t like is recently we’re really slow in transitioning from defence to attack resulting in crab football with hopeful aimless crosses. Only occasionally there were flashes of brilliance with quick distribution from back to front but other than that it’s just ye olde probing football without any off-the-ball movements at the final third of the pitch. I get it if playing from the back is to try to stretch the opposition or to push them further upfield but if we don’t utilise the space created why even bother? Instead more nervousness and more calamities.
Watching Liverpool and City play last night reminded me of the intergalactic distance there is between us and them. Embarrassing.
“Alderweireld’s deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but after triggering this option Spurs have activated a clause in his contract which states he can leave for £25m this summer instead of on a free transfer.”
I reckon we go for him. Us and around 10 other clubs probably. He would improve us.
Alone + Easy Target
I’m sorry, but to me it doesn’t make sense.
Graham62
Does it smell of piss and Werthers Originals?
Whoever offers him the highest wages will sign alderweireld ….
Guess that the old fuk was right after all. Big players winding their contracts down. Rabiot and Alderweireld two that come to mind. Trend looks likely to continue.
It does in certain matches where the result is already sealed so he got subbed out but maybe Emery trying to make a balanced starting line-up that suits the match of that day which usually with lone striker as that’s his preferred way since his La Liga days. But yeah so what’s the most suitable formation to get the most out of defence and attack then with the depleted squad marred with injuries we have right now? 3-5-2? Even he has to see now that he must be more flexible and pragmatic in trying to forge the team to play… Read more »
Alone “What I don’t like is recently we’re really slow in transitioning from defence to attack resulting in crab football with hopeful aimless crosses. ” That’s what happens when a team loses confidence as we have recently….players are scared to make a mistake so the play becomes negative . Others may say it’s because we are not playing with intelligence and composure and we know who gives us that . The one player, from what I have seen, who always remains positive is Aubamayang , he’s not afraid to miss, his head never goes down , his off the ball… Read more »
Pierre We know that there are problems in defence and that is reflected by the number of goals conceded and lack of clean sheets. Our first team squad has on paper 5 specialist centre backs and 5 full/wing backs. Realistically none of these players apart from perhaps Bellerin would make the starting lineup of any of the top 4 EPL Clubs. My view is that for Arsenal to progress in defensive department we need to invest properly in a top class centre back which will cost serious money particularly since many other clubs like Man Utd, Real Madrid and Barcelona… Read more »
If you have a moderator, how the hell do you allow some of the disgusting posts.
I read Pedro because he makes some really interesting observations. The same applies to some responses.
Please block the people who bring this blog to the lowest conceivable level
Jeanette, there’s no moderator. It’s just me.
Which post disgusted you?
The problem with Holding is he is bang average and would not be getting a run in any top four team he still makes rookie mistakes and he has been lucky on a number of occasions handling and fowling but we got away with it , he was getting shredded against utd just before the injury but that is besides the point…..the point is we do not have one world class defender at the club …anywhere across the back line and my point is give us a world class center back and it will improve our defense by 80% that’s… Read more »
Jeanette
Hold on to your hat.
Every one that sinks to the level of using filthy comments/aspersions about other posters and says nothing about football. It betrays their intelligence (or lack of it).
Don’t want to speak for Jeanette, but I think she probably finds Pierre’s support of Ozil over the years disgusting. Am I right?
Dream 10 I disagree mate. I think holding is highly underrated and is constantly surprising people. He reads the game so well and has authority for such a young Cj. He also isn’t afraid to put his head in as Pierre pointed out earlier I think Wenger was right in that he only cost £2m from Bolton and people look down on him for that. Had he been a £35m signing from a more prestigious club he may have received more plaudits. I’d love to see maguire or a cb like him alongside holding with a quality left back added.… Read more »
The rumour going round is that we want N’Koulou as our only January signing. Likely because he’s cheap and the best we can find for the money we’ve got.
Really does show what a poor position the club is in.
Jamie
I think that Jeanette has taken umbridge to Marko’s assertion that emery coaching the defence is fanciful or Bamford’s outright disgusting claim that PSG are a more prestigious club than Manchester United. 🤢🤢🤭
NEW POST
No, Jamie, you are not right.
Özil is/was a great footballer, he and Sanchez were a great team. He looks lost and I can’t see things improving. What a waste!
When he arrived at Arsenal, Amy Lawrence (who really knows her stuff) compared him to DB10 for his vision and we saw that in his partnership with Sanchez.
He is lazy in defence and is perhaps a luxury we can’t afford.
Well, that back-fired.
Anyone who compares Ozil to DB10 has never seen DB10 play football.
Or that Kane isn’t world class
Mwah Hahahaha
Un na naai –
PSG being more prestigious than Man Utd has never been said, surely..
Jamie
You got served!!!
It’s the nature of internet. Call it toxic or whatever at least they have a place to vent even though it’s to each other, players, managers, owner, other staffs or whoever else related to Arsenal. I’d rather have this laissez-faire approach then muh PC gone mad censor everything of larger websites/communities in case one or other feeling got hurt. The appeal of this site after all is that spicy edge. Just ignore those comments though I must agree it has lead to some drama and some exodus in yesteryears but even then people come and go. The site stays true… Read more »
Alone
You are right. I just wish people would stick to talking about football. Or have I missed the point?
Not interested in the dippers “ net spend”only interested in what they go out & buy & yes they & kloppy have spent a shed load on the likes of Allison,Fabinho,nobby keita,dick van dyke etc etc.& this has been done over 4 seasons .
New post, folks.
Emery don’t like to play young players that is the reason we will finish fifth or sixth , he will run the team into the ground instead of rotating with some of the younger players