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
“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“
This is so contrived. Ozil has a fat contract, the carrot to take him to China would be unreal even by their standards. Plus it’s a simple no-go if the player rebuffs any interest through his agent.
The reason Chinese sides are interested in Fellini is because it’s something he’s open to. Laughable to suggest any side would be interested in Fellaini first over Ozil.
It’s strange how the guy complaining the most about our fullbacks bombing forwards and leaving space to exploit behind doesn’t comprehend that having wingers in front of them takes that need away. Doesn’t make our fullbacks good defenders though but at least they can try and focus more on defending than doing the job our so called creative players should be doing.
Sometimes you think maybe I’ll give him another chance maybe he’ll actually want to be part of a discussion and actually speak sense. Then he says something like what he just said and you know he’s not going to change and he’s not someone to take seriously and CA is absolutely right. But just so you know the day Ozil is finally dumped I’m coming on here with the biggest smile on my face and with the biggest boner. It’ll be a glorious day. Until then fuck off micro P
Marko
Only another 6 months to go at the most. Will be a great moment for the club, we can get 2 great players for the same salary or 5-6 top prospects. How can anyone not want that, it’s almost like you don’t want what’s best for the club then…
Laughable to suggest any side would be interested in Fellaini first over Ozil.
Is that what I was suggesting? Quite the opposite I’m actually suggesting what you were suggesting in that no one is interested in Ozil. It’s not an either or it’s simply someone wants to sign Fellaini and no one does Ozil. A Chinese club could afford his wages and we want him gone and yet nothing. Transfer fee isn’t an issue we’re willing to loan him ffs
Bamford
“You tell the defenders they need to stay home more and defend better, and you look to replace those players in the summer.”
I’m not sure that the manager will tell the defenders to stay at home more , it’s not how he sees the game ..
There is nothing I have seen or heard from Emery this season that makes me believe that he wants to change anything tactically that will improve us defensively…
Ruth
“Emery is addressing the defence by focusing on strengthening the midfield”
Is Saurez any good defensively.
Are we even certain Ozil would be off in the summer? How many more years on his deal? As someone said earlier, he has us by the balls with this contract.
Fred
“Only another 6 months to go at the most. Will be a great moment for the club, we can get 2 great players for the same salary or 5-6 top prospects. How can anyone not want that, it’s almost like you don’t want what’s best for the club then…”
That would be good news …2 great p!ayers coming in , who wouldn’t want that , let’s hope it happens .
Chris.
Ah yes…Maybe fred should curb his excitement a little.
Sometimes you think maybe I’ll give him another chance maybe he’ll actually want to be part of a discussion and actually speak sense.
You have just detailed the mistake i made today engaging him
Just like i made a mistake engaging the other fellow and he lost his rag and started insulting me
Chris he’s definitely gone. No way his commercial value stays intact if he’s a footballer not playing football.
Marko
You’re missing the point, and totally dismissing the variables of a transfer.
It isn’t that nobody is interested in Ozil, it’s that Ozil doesn’t want to leave and no club is willing to dangle a monetary incentive because his wages are already the top tier in world football.
Just like i made a mistake engaging the other fellow and he lost his rag and started insulting me
Ah the other fellow…so emotional sometimes. But always right
Charlie here’s the simple facts:
We don’t want him.
A Chinese club can afford his wages.
And that’s it.
And nothing is happening. Instead a Chinese club is willing to sign Fellaini. I know he doesn’t want to go anywhere he’s loving getting paid a tonne of money barely playing football. You can’t put a price on fleeting genius apparently
It isn’t that nobody is interested in Ozil
Is this even up for debate anymore? Who is then?
Have a feeling it may closer than some may think tonight.
Probably will concede. Lacazette and Aubameyang to score.
2-1 or 3-1 to the Arsenal.
I for one would have thought the Chines will be all over Ozil
I mean they have gone for Pelle and the rest in the past and Ozil pisses all over all of them in terms of commercial pull. They can’t tell me they are buying all those overpriced players for footballing purposes
I think it’s more a case of Ozil not wanting to leave than not being wanted as far as China is concerned
His agent has said Chinese clubs are interested and yet no one has tried to sign him. Someone’s signing Fellaini though
To be honest, I’d take Fellaini over Ozil.
Would give us protection and a physical presence.
I think it’s more a case of Ozil not wanting to leave than not being wanted as far as China is concerned
He was incentivized to stay why couldn’t he be incentivized to leave? I mean no one actually believes that he wants to play for Arsenal do they
“Charlie here’s the simple facts: We don’t want him. A Chinese club can afford his wages. And that’s it.And nothing is happening. Instead a Chinese club is willing to sign Fellaini.“ Right…. here’s the rest of the simple facts: Fellaini is on what? 100k? So China can incentivise him to move there offering circa 250k (made up figure). Fellaini will therefore entertain China. What the fuck would Ozil want to go to China for? He’s on 350k already. You think someone is going to drop 500k a week on him? And even then, let’s say they want to… is that… Read more »
Pierre
“Is Saurez any good defensively.”
Yes
Receding
Hasn’t it occurred to anyone that Chinese Football followers are as up to date on all things Football as we are. They expect and demand a solid work ethic, not someone who’s comfortable getting paid £350k a week for doing sweet fa.
Hence, no interest.
Ozil’s image is world renowned.
‘Rumors Jenkinson may start today One of those quality players Wenger amassed we can’t move on and pay a whopping 45k a week’
Jenkinson is still a better right back than our ‘combative leader’ Leichteiner.
Wenger and Gazidis did this deliberately.
A parting gift.
Thanks guys.
TR 7
I’ll be happy with jenkinson at right back for tonight .
What the fuck would Ozil want to go to China for? He’s on 350k already. Right but he could be on 350k a week over there and actually playing football. I know right totally unheard of. Also the commercial possibilities over there would be huge for him. That’s the main fact at play here, not your made up nonsense about no club wanting him. Plenty do, he’s just too damn expensive for them. Hardly made up. Who wants him? Go on give us a list you seem pretty adamant (and testy) about the whole thing. Surely someone must want him… Read more »
Is Pierre capable of making any comment that isn’t carrying an agenda based on Ozil is amazing?
I’ll answer that myself – no he isn’t.
Maybe this was Arsene’s plan all along. He kept Jenkinson on all those years because he knew there’d come a time when we were so desperate at RB that he’d actually get a game. Thanks boss
Jenkinson is still a better right back than our ‘combative leader’ Liechtensteiner.
Lazio
Coppa Italia: 2008–09
Supercoppa Italiana: 2009
Juventus
Serie A: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
Coppa Italia: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
Supercoppa Italiana: 2012, 2013, 2015
Jenkinson can only hope to have had a career a third of that when he is 35.
Jenkinson ahead of AMN, madness if true!
Marko
Nothing testy about my POV, it’s sheer disbelief that you can be so dense to say the things you say.
You’re expectant that any footballer (let alone Ozil who’s played at Madrid, Arsenal, Germany his whole career as a star) would want to move to a shithole league in a China for first team opportunities at 30/31? It’s laughable.
Yea, earn 350k in London or move to China for less. Let’s see you dart the other side of the world in your final years at the post office for half your wage. Honest to god you’re so detached.
Arsenal have an agreement with Ivan Perišić over personal terms: £50,000-a-week after tax until the end of the season then £110,000-a-week after tax should he join permanently. (TuttoMercato)
Yea, earn 350k in London or move to China for less.
Ah less. Because players don’t get paid more over there. Oscar and Hulk are on more. Again commercial value in that region is huge. And he clearly loves money. But anyway I can see there’s no point arguing with you. Yes he’s clearly a player in demand… and even though he’s not playing he’s in a decent situation all things considered.
I know everyone has gotten then knickers in a bunch regarding incoming players and who is worth it and who is not.
At the end of the day it looks like the club will be going the sensible, predictable route of bringing on extra players in areas we are weak while not greatly affecting our ability to maneuver in the summer. Who would have guessed it eh.
I’ve kind of warmed to the idea of Perisic and will be pissed if we don’t get him.
Marko
There is no argument. You’re championing FOR a point you yourself have made, and nothing more. The basic principles of transfers don’t change for anyone, but you’re seeking to change them for Ozil because you don’t like the guy.
He’s on great money, in a great city, at a great club. But you’d rather he take a pay cut to play in a Chinese field for game time, then wondering why someone calls that a daft POV. Get a grip
David Ornstein:
“As widely reported, Arsenal close to completing deal for Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez. Not signed yet but 25yo to join on loan + option to buy (reports he’ll also extend #FCB contract to protect value). Won’t be at #CCFC game. #AFC continue winger hunt, no plans for defender“
Benatia off to Qatar for 8-10 mil Euros. Worse stop gaps surely?
Think too much is made of the fact Suarez doesn’t start for Barca, how many in our current squad would play for them? Maybe 1 or 2 of our players would make their bench, that’s how far behind we are now.
Could be a really good signing, and if not we say goodbye either in the summer or after a year or 2 and hopefully make some money on it.
‘Jenkinson can only hope to have had a career a third of that when he is 35.’
Way to miss the point. Licht is a spent force, can neither defend nor attack. Jenkinson can’t possibly do any worse than Licht at this point of time. Expecting him to be rusty tonight but if given a run of game he will improve.
“Benatia off to Qatar for 8-10 mil Euros. Worse stop gaps surely?”
We already have enough 30+ defenders on our books. No point spending summer transfer budget on a stop gap.
It is most disappointing to see that Benatia has just signed a deal to go to UAE for a very modest transfer at a time when we see that our club is denuded of Centre Backs and has been leaking goals all season, because our defence is not fit for purpose. Okay Benatia is not a spring chicken and has probably a limited shelf life, but he is and has always been a solid defender and at a time when we are without Holding for rest of season and Sokratis probably for a couple of months not to mention that… Read more »
Azed
Pretty paltry investment if he was to prove the difference between 5th and 4th. Especially as each loan signing is circa 3mil euros.
TR7
Except you said Jenkinson was a better right back.. And left it at that hence the reality check
‘I’ve kind of warmed to the idea of Perisic and will be pissed if we don’t get him.’
I have always liked Perisic. A hard working and physically strong player who keeps going at it.
Someone here must be very unhappy.
Ozil starts and captains the side
Arsenal: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Monreal, Kolasinac, Torreira, Guendouzi, Elneny, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Subs: Cech, Jenkinson, Mavropanos, Xhaka, Ramsey, Iwobi, Nketiah
AMN injured?
Ozil is captain and he’ll probably dominate Cardiff so we can all assume a certain poster would be orgasmic all week.
Another poster gets his wish today and Xhaka is benched.
All that means is Emery thinks Xhaka is more important than Ozil in getting a result against City this weekend.
Would imagine Ozil won’t get anywhere near that match.
8 defenders and 3 attackers against Cardiff????
Last year, Auba couldn’t play for us in the Europe League competition. They have changed the rule since then. Denis Suarez is allowed to play for us in the UEFA Cup competition.
And we will still concede
Home against the bottom club in the league… time for a fleeting moment of genius from Ozil
Neil Warnock will pack the midfield. And try and get bobby Reid running in behind. Set pieces will he good for them.
What we need to be is direct all this tippy tappy left to right bullshit isn’t required today force them to make errors in defence rather tuan tippy rapt back to Leno every 5 seconds.
Its a 4-3-1-2 formation…… Enough room for Ozil to be himself.
By the time City arrives , wouldn’t we have Suarez available ? also what is that lineup ? diamond formation ? 4-3-2-1 , assumimg Laca to drop back .
Good evening Ladies.
Glad Newcastle are getting Almiron. The league is so shit now, we need the lesser sides to get some quality in their ranks and get it back to how it was in the late 90s early 2000’s.
Why’s he going there though doesn’t he know Benitez will be joining Arsenal in the summer
By now, I think Emery finally gives up the idea to deploy Auba on the wing.
Three defensive midfielders and three attackers. Interesting tactics. this looks like the diamond again. Actually quite glad to see monreal at the back but Mustafi is the weak one. Cardiff shouldn’t be causing us too many issues at the back anyway but City is totally different prospect. I notice no Maitland Niles on the bench even,
BTW thank god Xhaka isn’t in the team!
3 holding midfielders at home to cardiff
Hmmm
Mustafi and Litch are the weak ones!
The spuds manager is really afraid to fail
I feel in just one comment he has talked himself out of contention for the Manchester United job with a defeatist, mis-informed and out-of-touch comment for any manager of a top-level football club. He has completely missed the point of what he is there to do.
Come on The Arsenal! Let’s bounce back from the loss vs Manure.
Great to see Cardiff supporters showing FC Nantes colours.
RIP Sala.
Great ball from Guendouzi to Kolasinac
1st miss of the day.
Looking clueless as usual. Cant do anything in the opposition box, porous in our own.
Guendouzi is playing some great balls
I counted 3 times where Monreal is the wrong side of his man. Even our supposed good ones are just dumb
Laca should have gone down. We may have had the pen then.
That was a Cardiff pen
Ozil is playing behind Lacazette and Auba…are they still not being used well??
Boring boring Arsenal
Gonna be a long night
Lacazette has given the ball away like 5 times now.
Where are the dribblers in this team? Who is supposed to carry the ball forward and beat his maker with some silky footwork?
What a squad we assembled over the years
@azed
I mentioned that this afternoon. Our forward players are masters of the loose pass
This team sucks big time. Im sorry, but its true
RH
I know. And then you got our resident troll who doesn’t get the importance of getting some actual wingers.
Like Freddie said @ 17:05:24 having wingers should stop all that bombing forward from our defenders.
Monreal is having a bit of a shocker
Get Eddie on…
He will score
El Neny is genuinely awful.
We have a great squad. Up there with the best
Christ! This is so painful to watch!
I mean I already have my feet soaked into waters to avoid dozing off
Emery is really a clueless coach,you can tell that with how the players look so confused on the ball
Guendouzi is a little pissy sometimes but at least he’s trying to get us going
You have to remember that these players have had a supply teacher for last few years so they ain’t been taught…
He needs to be ruthless ..
Dressing room humiliation.
Kolasinac is truly clueless. I mean his positioning is the absolute worst. Who’s the fucker who recently said he was an elite wing back who couldn’t be asked to play full back. I want to thump him
Horrific half of football
Not at the game, but have just heard that they have had 8 corners to our 2…
What channel is it on please
HT Genuinely awful from the home team
Guendouzi’s passing is really developing well
Ozil doing what he does best: nothing!
LeMassiveCoq
Cardiff have 6 corners to our 2.