WELCOME SUAREZ (nearly)
In a twist of Harry Redknapp like fate, it appears that the mechanics of the January transfer window are whirring into action.
Barcelona released the dogs onto Raul earlier in the day by telling the press the deal was finished because our man wasn’t negotiating nicely, cool words from a club that lost exec leadership to prison.
Later in the day, it looked like Barca hadn’t picked up any offers for Suarez and had decided that maybe a loan to deal offering was better for them than a player sat on the bench. We paid 2.5m euros for the deal to happen. The other two teams interested were Real Betis and Sevilla.
It’s quite hard to pull out the positives when it comes to hard numbers. In his career that spans 165 appearances (3 clubs), he’s scored 19 goals and landed 28 assists. If my math fingers do not deceive me, that’s a goal every 471 minutes and an assist every 319. He basically does something every 3.5 games.
He favours the left side of midfield, he’s pretty nimble and he’ll give us more reliability with touches and passing (prays). I’m guessing he’s being brought in because the manager believes there’s a next level he’s not found yet, and a maybe a warm arm and a cuddle that goes on a little too long for comfort might do the trick? Emery is also packing out the club with things he knows. Suarez is his guy and that’s pretty important.
It’s also worth noting he looks a little like Aaron Ramsey. The old goldfish-death-strategy… just lob another one in the tank, no one really notices. Worked a treat on my brother when he was 24.
There are also strong rumours that Perisic is back on the cards whilst at the same time there are strong rumours indicating it’s over. But worse… IT WAS A SVEN RECCO, apparently. In my disappointment, I totally forgot there was a Dortmund link. Sven clearly fond of an ex, the type of guy who sits in and sends out 20 random ‘hey u 😊’ texts to loose female connections on Whatsapp to see where he lands on a Friday night.
Anyway, the player was annoyed he quit. Which is an odd thing to print, because Sven doesn’t leave until Feb 8th, so he should still be involved because he certainly doesn’t have enough holiday built up to roll it into the last 3 weeks of his deal. Reads like a media plant to me, THE FRICKING DEEP STATE WORKING AGAINST YOUR MINDS AGAIN.
Anyhow, LaGazetta Dello Sporto are now saying that some shit has gone down, Carrasco isn’t arriving at Inter, so Spalletti isn’t going to let the Croatian leave because he wants warm bodies to help his #Top4Dreams. Perisic has a more a meaty record, but it’s still not inspiring considering we’re looking for goals and assists. Across all his clubs, he scores every 255minutes and assists every 338. If you break down of contributions per game at Inter, he offers something to the team every 162minutes. Which in Italy is maybe sexier? The dream is when he was at his peak, contributing something every 126mins at Club Brugge.
Anyway, it seems that we’ll only be bringing in one left-sided player this window, and it’ll be the young Suarez who really needs to up his production levels to look like a good deal.
It does look very much like Raul might have used Perisic to pressure Barca into coming to the table… last time we did something that dastardly, we let everyone think we were going after Ben Arfa before BOOOOOM Samir Nasri landed. Good times. The next Zidane they said.
The manager ruled out defensive signings, citing the competition for places that’ll occur when players saunter back from fitness. We’re also forgetting Mavrapanos was flavour of the month before he picked up an injury a few months ago.
Arsenal welcomes Cardiff to The Emirates this evening. We know what we’re going to get. Not a lot of football, a whole lot of Brexit thunder, and likely a comfortable win.
What we don’t want? Any more injuries… City on Sunday is going to be scary.
Right, that’s all I have for you today… see you in comments. Also, behave down there, we’re debating Emery’s haircut, not changing the world. Be nice. x
DM
2
3
Tr4phy
Tr4phy
25 is a decent age, at least I hope so.
3rd
Ooh DM. 1st time I’ve managed to nick it off you 🙂
Lol groovey, nice one
not even close! Hopefully a win tonight, clean sheet (haha) and zero injuries.
And a photo finish to boot!
Oh yeh! ha. I was on the phone with a customer so didn’t have time to wait around and play it tactically today, just went all out for top 4 and suffered the consequences…
(bennydevito will be delighted I’m back to my old ways)
Not a lot of football, a whole lot of Brexit thunder
………..
What does this mean Pedro?
Sven clearly fond of an ex, the type of guy who sits in and sends out 20 random ‘hey u 😊’ texts to loose female connections on Whatsapp to see where he lands on a Friday night.
This was funny
Whatever. I’ll take it. 🙂
Tr4phies are hard to come by when you’re lurking.
I think denis saurez will be a good signing, I guess he will cheap for wages and well if he performs we paying £21m which is not bad
I do want him to do well at arsenal, we need that quick technical player with a good work rate
It’s hilarious the number of posters who skip past CGs comments. He talks 10% sense and 90% bull. Never before has a posters reputation gone so low in so short a time. Gambon in the running for 2nd spot apparently.
RH “When he was at Almeira, he went 10 man down in a game tied at 1-1, rather than an extra defender he brought on two extra attackers and lost 3-1, no one at the club was surprised because that’s just the way he is, a risk taker.” Are you saying that it’s a good thing that we have a risk taker managing Arsenal. Would you be happy with the point I made about Emery wanting Torreira to attack more when he has no recovery pace whatsoever . I personally think that it highlights the weakest part of his game… Read more »
If Raul turns out be as shrewd as these articles stating at the moment, notably using Perisic to procure Suarez on a loan with no obligation.
I say well done on the negotiating front you bad man.
On playing front he’s not the right man for me, but time will tell.
Always exciting to sign a player from top club in world football.
Lets hope we didn’t just get pay back from Song.
..for SONG inho.
I would take nkunku and saurez for the next 6 months and see If they develop into good players
perisic I am not sure, he will be too expensive and we rather spend money on development players
Pierre j=have you ever sat down to look at the way Man City play?? Even their defenders are better going forward than actually defending. Walker, Danilo are awful defenders. Stones has his Mustafi moments every now and then. Take out Fernandinho and they are seriously trembling. But how do they offset this, they are incredibly efficient going forward, every player making efficient use of the ball, it either ends in a shot on target, a goal o a corner, they don’t just hand over possession trying flicks in the middle of the pack then jog back while pretending to defend.… Read more »
Raul played well but a blinder would have been getting Malcom as well.
Our forward lineup is not good enough.
Aubameyang doesn’t exactly glide through the gears like a Robben and Lacazette is a fatter version of Wiltord.
Champagne Charlie “To concede goals from the opposite box is abysmal defending. The kind that stifles attackers because they’re then pressured never to lose the ball despite needing to take risks.” Absolutely correct. The 3rd United goal was the same situation , lost the ball in the final third and no protection in midfield to the counter . It is criminal to have no player protecting the defence ,especially as we have our full backs so advanced….I believe we should have 2 players protecting to give the attackers the confidence to try things knowing that they are protected if they… Read more »
Good post! We need wide players and hopefully Suarez will do the biz and give us something than the nothing/very little/regular disappointment offered by Miki
I’m off to the game tonight, expecting GOALS and a comfortable victory and to keep up the pressure on our horrible London rivals…eventually leading to a sneaky and fully undeserved (making it all the better) 4th spot at the end of the year…fingers crossed, butt clenched 😉
RH
Fernandinho is vital to man city , he offers the protection….Torreira could do the same job but all I see him do lately is chase back from advanced positions..he has lost the discipline in his game , Emery is not using him correctly.
The 3rd Man Utd goal could have been prevented had the inept keeper not made such a terrible hash of the initial strike on goal.
Paulinho Agreed. Our CAMs are appalling. It’s something we’ve seen all season, it isn’t even just the ability to press off the ball it’s the fact they offer us nothing in terms of control on the ball and transition. That’s why Ramsey has been our best option because at least he has the physical and pressing side down. Mkhitaryan is average and Ozil is a pussy on both sides of the ball. I said about the whole gap thing in our attacking midfield, it is as if that part of the pitch is empty and we end up relying on… Read more »
Fernandinho is vital to man city , he offers the protection….Torreira could do the same job but all I see him do lately is chase back from advanced positions..he has lost the discipline in his game , Emery is not using him correctly.
Difficult to have a conversation with you when everything boils down to Emery for you.
In your estimation we have the perfect squad and all we need is to sack the manager, build a team around Ozil (I notice you hate Ramsey for some reason), play Auba and Lacazette together and we are good to go
“He favours the left side of midfield”
The only time I watched Suarez,he played on the right side of the attack. He is a right footer. I don’t expect Ramsey to give 100% in the last two months of his contract. Emery will probably use Suarez to replace him.
RH
“Again it boils down to what Paulinho is saying and has been saying, better attacking options upfront will eliminate the need for our defensive players to join in the attack hence lowering the possibility of a counter.”
I’m not sure if will make any difference who we bring in , as you say Emery’s a risk taker…
Anyway , I believe that used correctly
Aubamayang,Lacazette,Ozil,Mhkitaryan,iwobi and Ramsey are good enough attacking options …it remains to be seen whether Emery improves on what we already have at the club.
How long can we keep depending on Ramsey?
At this point, it’s unfair to keep expecting him to put 100% in. Some will say he’s still contracted to us but we really are asking too much of him. So far, hes been the paragon of professionalism but how long can we stretch this.
Surely we have to match the deal he got with Juventus, should he get a season-ending injury that may nullify his Bosman move.
Cardiff 14-1 tonight, Mustafi and Monreal at centre backs just saying
I hope the deal goes through at first I wasn’t excited about this deal but no the more ive seen of his videos (yes edited to make him world class) he does something that no other player does for us and that’s get the ball and dribble at the defence, especially down the middle. I cant remember the last time ozil got the ball in a tight space, made a quick turn and dribbled past a couple of players – normally he passes back or sideways – ramsey is very good at making off the ball runs looking to get… Read more »
He wasn’t much of a risk taker against Chelsea. 2-1 down to United and yeah you’ve got to take risks hence why you saw United on the counter for the third. I personally would have preferred if our fullbacks were more targeted by you for criticism but yeah Torreira helping out going forward he shouldn’t have to do that our CAM should be enough whoever the person is…oh it was…oh
RH
I don’t hate Ramsey , I just think he is over rated though I admire him for the way he has performed this season ..I didn’t like him in a 2 man midfield ( no discipline) but that was as much on Wenger’s tactics but I still think he’s over rated
Receeding
Thanks Silverhawk I knew there was something dubious about that stat.
Cup game or not though a 32-0 scoreline brings the game into disrepute, even if it’s women football.
I made a further research on this and discovered that there are apparently 2 female Benfica teams.
One is CP Benfica who plays in the top division while the other is SL Benfica who plays in the and division. They are apparently beasting that division though.
Denis Suarez cost Barca ( Raul in charge ) £3.5 million from Villareal.
He has undoubtedly been a flop.( as PedRos points out -Suarez stats are alarming). He has flopped in his easier domestic arena.
And yet Raul now believes his transfer price has increased FIVEFOLD ( £20 million, inc loan fee)
How can this be justified ?
And has this latest overseas arrival – put the Arsenal career of Rowe-Smith into jeopardy.
Cardiff could be inspired or insipid depending on their reaction to the tragedy. Either way, we ought to win.
Hope to see Mavropanos!
I made a further research on this and discovered that there are apparently 2 female Benfica teams.One is CP Benfica who plays in the top division while the other is SL Benfica who plays in the and division. They are apparently beasting that division though.
Silverhawk don’t tell me there is actually a Benfica female team that has scored 200+ goals in 16 games and conceded none
Aubamayang,Lacazette,Ozil,Mhkitaryan,iwobi and Ramsey are good enough attacking options
No they are not really. You are entitled to believe they are though, changes nothing really. it’s just your opinion
Ozil,Mhkitaryan,iwobi and Ramsey are good enough attacking options
Simply not true. Mhiki has barely played well enough since joining from United, Ramsey isn’t an attacker, Iwobi simply isn’t good enough and Ozil is Ozil. The simple fact that those are expected to feed our two strikers is a testament to the imbalance in our attack and the lack of quality. But of course you know that
The fact that it’s Iwobi who is by and large the most effective attacker this season says it all really. He dribbles the most crosses the most and I believe has the most assists… I mean that’s fucking criminal. It’s indicative of how bad some of the others have been this season
DM,
Lol – I do love your excuses as to why you get pipped on the rare occasion! Tbf today you and grooveydaddy posted exactly the same time so there must have been a split second in it.
I think you’re the most prolific trophy winner of all time as well as a record run of uninterrupted comments from 1st surpassing my old top 12, N5’s 15 and Bankz 54 – What was yours again?
Off to read the post.
Marko “I personally would have preferred if our fullbacks were more targeted by you for criticism ” I have said all season from day one that our full backs are too advanced , I presume they are only adhering to the managers tactics. I do not blame Torreira for his recent performances , it doesn’t suit his game being more advanced .. From what I have seen this season he looks much more comfortable with the play in front of him , he covers space well sitting in front of the defence and it suits his game much better but… Read more »
Receding
If Pierre admits our attacking options aren’t good enough, then he would have to admit Ozil is not a great player and that Emery has tried with what he has( he can still do more though).
You know Pierre would never admit that.
I have said all season from day one that our full backs are too advanced , I presume they are only adhering to the managers tactics.
Clearly more of a case of AMN not being a full back and Kolasinac being an idiot. He loses track of his marker and where he should be positioned it’s unreal. Been doing it since he joined
“Anyway , I believe that used correctly Aubamayang,Lacazette,Ozil,Mhkitaryan,iwobi and Ramsey are good enough attacking options”
Sure they are, for scrapping for top 6.
Our fullbacks are that advanced because in effect we don’t have a CAM (no Ozil and his 1 assist doesn’t count) and no wingers, where are the chances going to come from? Auba and Laca are not like Henry or even Sanchez that could take on a couple of players and score on the regular.
Charlie George
if Perisic and Saurez sign, be prepared for Smith rowe and Saka to follow in the footsteps of sancho,Nelson ,Hudson odi and go to Germany to fulfil their ambitions.
Fred
The reason we are scrapping for top 6 is due to us conceding more goals at this stage of the season since the 1960’s…
I’m not saying our defence is great, it clearly isn’t and we need massive upgrades there if we want to improve. Doesn’t make our midfield or attack great either.
We have 2 great attacking players, Auba and Laca, ideally they shouldn’t play together except end of games and we should have 2 goalscoring, dribbling wingers flanking one of them.
We don’t so Emery has to do the best with what we have, which can’t be easy. That means the fullbacks push forward. Bring in 2 wingers and they won’t have to. It’s not rocket science you know.
Free
“Our fullbacks are that advanced because in effect we don’t have a CAM (no Ozil and his 1 assist doesn’t count) ”
And we are back to the manager using our offensive players correctly …I have enough stars to fire at you to prove that Ozil he isn’t being used correctly .
“I have enough stars to fire at you to prove that Ozil he isn’t being used correctly .”
No you don’t. Chances created is useless and that’s all you have.
How many double digits assists seasons has Ozil had at Arsenal?
Auba and Lacazette are that great playing together. Either of them will be more optimized with an outright winger on one side and an attacking midfielder that can operate on either side.
Just one of the mismatches that were forced on the manager.
We’ve all seen your stats Pierre, believe me, yawn.
Of course you want to blame everything on the successor to your god and not the ineffectual players said god brought to the club. Nothing new to see here, carry on…
Fred
Maybe tell Emery it’s not rocket science ,not me.
We will see if our defence suddenly become this tight disciplined unit with the arrival of Saurez and Perisic..somehow I doubt it.
How many double digits assists seasons has Ozil had at Arsenal?
A single season, it came in a flurry and dried up in January i believe. He was on course to break an assist record as early as December yet somehow bottled it. Guess he was being used incorrectly then.
Pierre,
if Perisic and Saurez sign, be prepared for Smith rowe and Saka to follow in the footsteps of sancho,Nelson ,Hudson odi and go to Germany to fulfil their ambitions.”
That’s not even remotely true and you know it.
Perisic would have a shelf-life of 1.5 season, Saka can push him all the way without any pressure heaped on his shoulders…if he’s really that good.
Smith Rowe can take over the Elneny spot in the summer.
We will see if our defence suddenly become this tight disciplined unit with the arrival of Saurez and Perisic..
I don’t think anyone here is arguing the arrival of two wingers equals to a mean defense ..try and stick to what is being said
Two dribbling wide players will help a great deal — on both sides of the ball. I hope the news is true, and I think we are smart to only do lien deals in this window and to save our money for the summer. It’s a risk not to sign any defenders, but I think they are ready to make do with what they have (while improving our attacking play). Time will tell if this was wise. Given that winning the Europa is another route back into the CL, this is another reason they may be less concerned with our… Read more »
Pierre
I sincerely hope not..
The erosion of any Arsenal identity is truly alarming..
Non descript Overseas players hired in whimsically by Overeseas Coahes and a DOF -Who have no allegiance to our club – Will not ultimately wash with the majority of Arsenal fans….
The reasons why Bayern/Barca/Man Utd/Juve/Real are ubiquitous juggernauts – is they keep their unique identity.
We currently have nothing about us…
Of course it’s not going to become a tight disciplined unit with players like Mustafi and Kolasinac and an over the hill Kos and Monreal. It will probably ease the burden a bit on them though.
I’m sure he knows this already, not sure what you expected him to do in the summer with a 65m budget and holes all over the pitch needed plugging.
Smith Rowe can take over the Elneny spot in the summer.
Providing he proves his fitness. Emery took to the kid in a big way but he has failed to recover from an injury sustained pretty early in the season. Shows why you cannot rely on kids
Pierre = straight troll
Pierre = straight cretin/idiot
Exactly, Freddie.
Mitrovic has taken the most shots this season but nobody here would call him a top striker.
Ryan Fraser leads in big chances created this season. Also in the top 10 are Digne, Callum Wilson and David Luiz.
I don’t think anyone here wants any of this players signed.
…I have enough stars to fire at you to prove that Ozil he isn’t being used correctly .
Really because his output is down 2+seasons now. 8 and 9 assists the last two seasons and 1 or 2 this season shows an obvious decline. Deny it all you like I don’t care. He’s about to be further down the pecking order and then soon enough he’ll be gone in the summer and then what? Who’s the next Pierre cause
It’s amazing how Jo.e is always canned off but these same repetitive trolls are allowed to frequent the blog daily. At least afford Joe the same privilege, he’s no worse than they are. He at least wants to see Arsenal do well.
Pierre = straight troll
We can’t be certain that he’s straight. You see how he defends Ozil
Azed
“No you don’t. Chances created is useless and that’s all you have.”
Unbeaten with ozil starting since the 2nd game of the season.
Lost 5 games in the last 6 weeks without Ozil starting .
Conceding less goals per game with Ozil starting.
Maybe Emery should use him more and results and performances will improve.
Pierre = straight troll
We can’t be certain that he’s straight. You see how he defends Ozil
Ok, gotta admid I lol’d on that
Pierre
Wenger finished outside the top 4 twice in his Arsenal career. He had Ozil both those times…….
Are you telling me Wenger wasn’t using Ozil correctly?
“Ozil,Mhkitaryan,iwobi and Ramsey are good enough attacking options.”
No, they’re not. Whoever said this is clueless.
“It’s amazing how Jo.e is always canned off but these same repetitive trolls are allowed to frequent the blog daily. At least afford Joe the same privilege, he’s no worse than they are. He at least wants to see Arsenal do well.”
Agreed.
Is Joe binned? Are you sure he’s not vacationing in his mountain cabin somewhere in the pacific NW?
“I know that Denis was in this situation, it’s not official and we have to wait a little bit, it was a possibility that everyone valued and we hope that if it happens, it will go well.”
Valverde on Suarez today, looks like it’s done then.
Pierre
“The reason we are scrapping for top 6 is due to us conceding more goals at this stage of the season since the 1960’s…”
Arsenal conceded 33 goals at this stage of the season back in 2011-12 season….you fuckwit.
Bamford10
Would you be surprised if I told you it was Pierre?
Apparently there’s an option to buy in the summer and not the obligation to. Plus point there.
Leftsidesanch
“It’s amazing how Jo.e is always canned off but these same repetitive trolls are allowed to frequent the blog daily. At least afford Joe the same privilege, he’s no worse than they are. He at least wants to see Arsenal do well.”
Is me supporting one of our players (ozil)not wanting Arsenal to do well .
Is me saying we have good offensive options not wanting the team to do well.
And that makes me a troll for supporting players that play for Arsenal football club.
Not that it’s remotely an issue but rather just one created by a clear imbecile but if us making much needed signings were to lead to the likes of Saka or Smith Rowe wanting to leave then so be it. Neither is remotely ready. Thankfully it’s a made up scenario
Fred
“Of course it’s not going to become a tight disciplined unit with players like Mustafi and Kolasinac and an over the hill Kos and Monreal. It will probably ease the burden a bit on them though.”
Wouldn’t it be ” not rocket science” to replace the players you mention to improve the defence instead of buying wingers to improve the defence.
It is when you support that player (or manager) over the wellbeing of the club. Saying our attacking options are good enough is just an outright lie, you can’t be that clueless. You’ll say anything to point the blame at the new manager (a guy that’s had the job for half a season with a dreadful squad left behind), how is that good for the club? It’s not a new manager we need the most it’s new players. I don’t really care who the manager is and if we don’t see improvements next season then sack him for all I… Read more »
Attention is the food of a troll. If you don’t feed it then it curls up in the corner starving and will make some last ditched efforts and clawing and scratching desperate to be fed before it shuffles off.
Don’t feed the trolls.
Take away Man City’s and Liverpool’s midfield and their defence would crumble.
“Wouldn’t it be ” not rocket science” to replace the players you mention to improve the defence instead of buying wingers to improve the defence.”
Sure, do you have any suggestions of:
1.Clubs willing to buy our failing defenders in this window so we can free up wages and squad places and get enough money to buy someone
Or 2, someone that’s willing to come on loan, with an option to buy that would improve us, and that said players club is willing to let go.
I’m holding my breath over here.
CA
I know, but Pierre doesn’t go away by himself, he’s been on here for years with his trolling. He’s not like Bob that pops in now and then with a silly anti english comment and then sails off again.
In other unrelated news apparently a Chinese club is willing to sign Fellaini. Incredible that a Chinese club would be willing to sign him but not you know who
Pierre The January window is not necessarily the best time to be signing a CB or LB or both. One has to look at what is available, what you can get. Sometimes the market is such that you can’t get the kind of quality you need defensively but you can get a couple of quality wide players. If this would improve you (on both sides of the ball,) then this is what you do, because this is the smart thing to do. You tell the defenders they need to stay home more and defend better, and you look to replace… Read more »
Put Arsenal’s midfield in Man City’s team and the defence would wave a white flag.
FL
We went through a stage were people were ignoring and it worked, the trolls just spoke to themselves and said increasingly outlandish things to try and get a reaction.
Then a few bad results and people started biting again.
To each their own. I’d rather see them starve to be honest. Their patheticness as pro-Wenger fans is matched by their patheticness as trolls and the deserve only to be ignored.
CA
I know, hard to not bite back when the inhabitants of fuckwit mountain are in full flow though. Pierre, Una na and CG in particular are so annoying, but I guess that’s what they do.
(Predictable threats incoming from Un na in 3 2 1)
I’m sure deep down , marko,azed,fred,Cesc appeal and dissenter are confused as to why our manager is not addressing our defensive issues .
It must be very frustrating for you as you really need something positive to come from the window so you have decided to put a positive spin on it by suggesting that the signing of 2 wingers will improve us defensively .
I commend you for your efforts ( some may say stupidity)
Rumors Jenkinson may start today
One of those quality players Wenger amassed we can’t move on and pay a whopping 45k a week
Hope we get Nkunku
FL
Oh I know.
But just think of how pathetic it is, laugh at what miserable lives they must have and leave them to it.
Soon they will start talking to themselves about everyone else then they will start saying truly stupid things wanting someone to bite.
They are scumbags, they aren’t Arsenal fans, they haven’t been for years, why should anyone give a f**k what they have to say?
So don’t. Laugh.
Emery is addressing the defence by focusing on strengthening the midfield.
I’d imagine a Chinese club would most definitely sign Ozil, he just won’t approve move. He’s got Arsenal by the balls with that contract, seems perfectly happy to wait Emery out and collect.
Unless club takes a bath and pays partial wage for him to play elsewhere like Inter Milan, its for Emery to figure out how to use him. Presumably that was part of the deal when he took the job with his being our highest earner.
Agree SF, Nkunku looks the most interesting player weve been linked with in this window.