Transfer strategy shift

by .

via @Arsenal Instagram

The Premier League is over.

Now we gear up mentally for a huge game in Europa world.

Arsenal vs Chelsea. It’s going to be a great match. Sarri has never won a trophy before, Emery has to win this to make his gamble in the league look a smart one. It’s a total toss of a coin.

There’s been a lot of debate about the host city. I think some of the outrage has been misplaced. I reckon Baku will be a memorable away day, I think the upset from most fans is coming from 1) The unreal expense of traveling there 2) The fact UEFA picked a final destination where there are questions over a players participation because of safety. Very grim.

I mean, I’m not going to fall on my sword for Mikhi, because be real, who fucking cares if he plays, however, because I love bitching… this all of a sudden becomes an outrage I want to be part of.

That said, how critical can western Europe be? In Spain, we can’t guarantee black players won’t get abuse, for, you know, being black. A Spurs fan threw a banana at one of our players a few months ago. A fan ran on the pitch in the Birmingham Derby and punched a player (terrible punch). Someone threw a bottle at me in The Tollington because I’m a great blogger. I HAVE SEEN FLARES AT GAMES. We had a left-back that took a knuckle duster to Shite Hart Lane. I mean, here’s my point, at the end of the day, we’re all awful in our own way. Amirite?

Contract news is interesting.

Arsenal want to offer Auba and Lacazette £250k a week extensions to their deals.

We’re apparently gearing up a £75k a week offer for the second most valuable teenager in Europe (MATTEEEOOOO!)

I mean, money doesn’t seem short, does it? Also reads like the story about KSE having budget communication issues were a little off.

All this lends credence to my accurate reporting on Aaron Ramsey… they pulled the deal because Emery didn’t fancy him. It seems silly now, but if we sign an exceptional talent to replace him, we’ll be rolling in LOLz.

In other news, Emery seems to be talking up the idea that we’re going to go young next season.

‘We need to use young players like Ramsey who played here when he was young. Every player can take chances and use these chances to improve with us,’

‘Willock and Nketiah played the 90 minutes, they used this time to help us with a good match. It’s our responsibility to give them chances but find the best performance as a team. ‘Young players need opportunities to be with us in training.’

There are a lot of people bitching about us moving into another Project Youth era, but to those people, I slap you with the wet side of a leather glove and dare you step up from the floor. If the youth is where we’re heading, I am all for that. Arsenal needs to be really fucking real about who they are this summer. We need a strategy. We can’t continue down the path of overpaying for ‘ok’ players in the hope they might come good. Our risks shouldn’t be Mikhi on £170k a week, they should be Djene Dakonam, Nicolas Pepe, Ibrahima Konaté, Ndombele, Aouar or Sarr… on £12 a week. Amirite?

Yeah I am.

Bollocks to the kids and their dreams of a 4 bedroom house at 16 on a minimum wage. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD SNOWFLAKES. Fuck me Corbyn, £10 an hour for a teenager? I worked in Maccy Ds for £3.12 an hour. I knew what the secret recipe for the Big Mac sauce was because it stained my skin indelibly like a 10 euro Ayia Napa henna tattoo. I wore that scent like it was CK1. Remember when that was the fragrance in 1998? Was I fired from McDonald’s? Yes. Did Barry who was certainly a sex offender have more stars than me? Yes again. Fuck him though, he’s still rocking the bookshop in a Kindle world while I’m out here writing for men I occasionally meet on the internet.

Anyway, we should be tracking the best young talent in Europe that has 1-2 years left on their deals, give them a London pay bump, bonus the fuck out of them so they are motivated, house them outdoors so they get nature wild, and see where we land.

If we can buy in players with one or two good seasons under their belts and give them a proper platform to thrive, we’ll be in a really great place.

See, I’d love to sign someone like Zaha. People laughed when we wrote about him years ago, but the guy has grown into quite the player since he tanked at United after he was allegedly busted for dealing with the daughter of his ex-manager (who didn’t hear that rumour, right?). However, is he going to offer us the sort of value we’re looking for if he’s a £70m player? Tough to see that. If we could get him for £50m, maybe it’s a different story.

Arsenal has to focus this summer on power and pace. We’re going to have to move on Elneny and Xhaka. Our squad can’t deal with that sort of weakness in the middle of the park. We need to have players in our midfield that explode over 10 yards, players that are nasty, players that have engines in the mould of Aaron Ramsey. They also have to be able to maintain fitness for longer than 2 months (sorry Aaron).

I tell you what I WILL NOT tolerate this summer.

Banega. Nzonzi. Anyone that smells like Sevilla or journeyman. OR BARRY NEAR THE PARK. I see you book boy.

Let’s see what lands, what we’ve done so far has been really fucking bland because no thought went into it. We’ve racked up a collection of ‘ok’ over 5 years and somehow managed to land at a £235m wage bill.

Our decisions have to get better. The only way to get to better decisions is to have a sharp strategy in place. We need a sexy vision. We need a better footballing philosophy. We need to start shaping the club properly.

Let’s hope we win that Champions League spot. Looks more and more important as each day passes.

OH MY BEFORE WE GO. NYT reporting City could be landing the only sort of fine they can’t afford, a big whack at their prestige. UEFA are considering whipping their cajones on the table and banning City from the Champions League for being BAD PEOPLE.

As football fans, we tend to ignore how money arrived at these clubs, providing it’s being spent on elite talent. City are the first side that are so good, it looks almost robotic. The money in the hands of their execs is being spent so well, it’s going to make it very tough for anyone to break in… I mean, a bit dramatic, I doubt they can maintain a stranglehold as tight as United or Liverpool did back in the day, but regardless, they are breaking the rules to dope their team. It has to stop. Fines won’t work, but taking them out of the big trophy might.

then they can give that Champions League place to Unai Emery. No Europa necessary. Well, that’s how I think it should work.

BIG DECISION.

See you in the comments. x

526 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
englandsbest

It’s hard to believe that Man U will stick with OGS. I can see them off-loading players, so why not a clean sweep, and offload Olly too? The players relief when Jose left carried Olly through the first dozen games, but they showed no respect for him at the end.

Poch must be the Man U target.

Marko

Arteta is the star in the making at City. They love him. Pep loves him. So does the owner. The next City manager will not be Paddy

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-manager-after-guardiola-14689881.amp

Luteo Guenreira

No doubt Bamford is reading this mini discussion about him and is tickled to the brightest of pinks, all while trying to fellate himself from the gratification of having endured in our memories.

Don’t strain your neck too hard, guy.

Un na naai

Lloyd kelly at Bristol rovers earmarked for big things. Maybe worth a look.

Ishola70

So important that players are quick or at least mobile over the first five to ten yards especially in central midfield.

With Xhaka this is a great minus point for the side.

He will continue to be the albatross around the Arsenal’s team neck for a while yet which is unfortunate

azed

“Arteta made it to the end.”

And got trumped by no sauce, no sugar Emery.

Marko

Don you don’t understand my point how long were those guys assistants before they tried there hand at managing? At some point Mikel is going to have to prove his managerial credentials instead of being just an assistant

TR7

Arteta must have something about him to have been picked up by the best manager in the game as soon as he retires from professional football.

Receding Hairline

Doubt that # will garner a single retweet

Marko

Everyone knows how I feel about Bamford. But there are far worse cretins than him about here given carte blanche and are let back on or left alone.

CG

Tr7

Poch wanted him too…

Guns of SF

I agree, Xhaka is not mobile enough. Keep him as a back up ok… Our new midfield needs to be fast, track back, press, and create and score goals. Not sure where Xhaka fits into that. His long passes are ok when they hit the mark which is rare. We need goals from our mids…. much much more than what we have so far. We get a proper left back in and a new CB, then we can go back to 4 in the back… That still means we need some creativity in the middle. IF we can find someone… Read more »

mysticleaves

Ishola and RH

It’s one of those conversations that’s heading no where. IMO, Xhaka is good enough to be part of a system that can be successful. What’s the glaring difference between Xhaka and Fabinho? Foot suitability. You believe otherwise? cool.

I also said if we can replace him, we should. But Tielemans?? FFS

Guns of SF

Pedro

The racists and bigots need to be binned all others should stay!

Marko

TR7 all his assistants must have something about them. I just don’t think it means they’ll end up managing one of the most successful and ambitious clubs in Europe once Pep leaves.

MidwestGun

Hahaha If you guys could get #FreeBamford trending on twitter .. that would make my banter week.

Although over-taking #FreeBritney is going to take some serious doing.

azed

“Arteta must have something about him to have been picked up by the best manager in the game as soon as he retires from professional football.”

Yep all graduates who get jobs immediately after schooling must be geniuses going by the logic.

Ishola70

Mystic

“What’s the glaring difference between Xhaka and Fabinho?”

Are you trolling Mystic?

mysticleaves

Marko, how can’t you see that Arteta is being groomed to take over from Pep? Or are you just sticking to the other side of the argument just because it’s possible he might not take over?

mysticleaves

Ishola, are you?

Receding Hairline

No one is suggesting Tielemans to replace Xhaka mystic …where did you get that from? Different type of player.

Un na naai

Marko

I do Indeed understand the point you’re trying to make. Jose was assistant for years before taking over a coaching role as was Jacquet and Lowe.

Also the article you linked mentions arteta as a leading candidate. A year ago. With hi. At the club impressing the right people and vieira making his own way elsewhere I’d say arteta has the inside track.
Of course it’s allconjecture and nobody knows what will happen. I’d happily give either a go over emery.

Marko

What’s the glaring difference between Xhaka and Fabinho? Foot suitability

Fabinho has excellent defensive ability. Xhaka doesn’t.

I also said if we can replace him, we should

We absolutely can. He’s easily replaceable

TR7

‘Yep all graduates who get jobs immediately after schooling must be geniuses going by the logic.’

The ones picked up by the most prestigious companies are generally the brightest of the lot. Arteta was chosen by none other than Pep.

Ishola70

Fabinho was impressive in the second part of the season.

Not many went by him and he was putting in a lot of winning tackles in midfield. Compare that to Xhaka who gets passed by in most matches by the opposition.

He also has stamina that Xhaka lacks as well.

It’s like chalk and cheese comparing them.

Words on a Blog

Pedro, The questions on Arteta aren’t is he good enough or does Everyone at Man C rate him or does he have vision/special sauce. He is one of a few assistant managers and a large staff at Man C. So with Pep being the recognised “genius” that he is, backed with money, and a large technical and coaching staff, the question is how much of Man C’s success can be credibly ascribed to Arteta. At worst the answer would be: not very much, he is a small part of a much larger whole. And at best, we simply don’t know.… Read more »

CG

“Marko

“”What’s the glaring difference between Xhaka and Fabinho? Foot suitability””

One is coached by Jurgen Klopp t’other Unai Emery

Klopp will inspire, cajole, and improve.
Emery will complicate demotivate and finally ruin…

Has any player under his tutelage improved- except Banega.?
(If so – who are they?)

He could not even get D.Suarez going ……

Marko

At the club impressing the right people and vieira making his own way elsewhere I’d say arteta has the inside track This is the point though Patrick is a manager set on the path by City and continuing to impress as a manager. He’s still well thought of at City always has been. He continues to impress at Nice or at Lyon for example and it stands to reason that he’s got a better chance of getting the City job than an assistant. That’s literally one of the reasons that they gave him the New York job in the first… Read more »

mysticleaves

“Fabinho was impressive in the second part of the season.
Not many went by him and he was putting in a lot of winning tackles in midfield. Compare that to Xhaka who gets passed by in most matches by the opposition.
He also has stamina that Xhaka lacks as well.
It’s like chalk and cheese comparing them.”

I would have added, Ishola, apart from foot suitability, one plays in a successful system while plays for us. Wait till you see Fabinho in a dysfunctional system like ours. Remember Bakayoko

TR7

David Ornstein on #AFC:
-Not the most spectacular window
-Budget without CL is £40m
-Targets identified (youth & experience) and talks underway
-Priorities CB, B2B, wide attacker.
-Secondary targets LB, RB, ST.
-#AFC adamant they won’t breach FFP

Guns of SF

I would add Tielmans… young and good midfielder.
Plenty upside

We need creators in the middle…2 new wingers would also help immensely

Keep Xhaka in the cup comps and as back up if we cannot get $$

Marko

The ones picked up by the most prestigious companies are generally the brightest of the lot. Arteta was chosen by none other than Pep. It’s never a given though. It’s more like a punt. You take on this lad in the hopes that he amounts to something but he could end up being a dud. Half a season managing the under 18’s and playing for us in his final year how impressive could he have been. Plus you’re assuming that simply being an assistant to a great manager means that you’re capable of being a great manager. It doesn’t. Ask… Read more »

mysticleaves

Right, RH, I was looking at a combo of Torr and Tielemans and it wasn’t feeling me with joy. At all

mysticleaves

TR, that tweet is a lie. We have sponsorship money coming in next year. Or aren’t we self sustainable anymore?

MidwestGun

Well I think on the Arteta thing it was Raul who nixed the deal.. Allegedly, Arteta was” in” and lining up assistants to manage at Arsenal. And Raul and Sven talked Gazidis out of it. So I would be shocked if Raul changed his mind, now. So yeah it is a bit pointless to keep debating it. Be more like who does Raul want.

Guns of SF

Rabiot for Xhaka
Tielmans for Ozil/Mikki

Ishola70

mystic “I would have added, Ishola, apart from foot suitability, one plays in a successful system while plays for us. Wait till you see Fabinho in a dysfunctional system like ours. Remember Bakayoko” I see Fabinho winning one one duels in midfield regularly. I see Xhaka losing one on one duels in midfield too many times due to being outpaced in the first 5-10 yards. It’s got nothing to do with systems. Fabinho is a good defensive midfielder while Xhaka is a liability trying to defend his goal. This is about individual player weaknesses and strengths. If you want this… Read more »

Marko

I’ve heard Ornstein on an Arseblog podcast speak about budget of 100 million the assumption that if we get champions league football. I still don’t understand the 40 million stuff they spout in all honesty. There’s championship clubs who’d spend that much

Ishola70

lol 40m

Band aid europa league standard additions.

Emery’s remit is to improve the existing squad because they haven’t the filthy luca to do anything else.

Emery yet to sell a Wenger player yet.

Un na naai

Marko

Yes vieira is doing well enough. Yes he may well get the job. You’re being very narrow minded and too simplistic though in denying the high possibility that it could aslo be arteta because you’ve once again nailed your colours firmly to the opposing mast. Can’t you just look at a situation objectively and say, “yeah, you know what, I might be wrong on this one, arteta looks a decent bet for the city job and if he’s good enough for them he’s good enough for us”

Elmo

Mystic

The club is making an operating loss of £50m. Do you really think a guy like Kroenke, who is purely a financial investor, is going to allow that to continue? No – he’s going to order that the club break even again, by reducing the wage bill, and by covering the remaining excess costs with the new sponsorship revenue.

You’re crazy if you think Kroenke would allow a business to run at an operating loss for consecutive years. That’s not his jam.

TR7

‘Plus you’re assuming that simply being an assistant to a great manager means that you’re capable of being a great manager. ‘ No, I have not said anything about his managerial capabilities. Impossible to judge his managerial acumen until he takes a full time job. All I am saying he must have something about him – perhaps good understanding of tactics or ability to read a game well or ability to work on young players- to be picked up by Pep. I have seen many mocking him saying he does little more than setting up cones and markers in training… Read more »

Marko

Pedro last 3 Barcelona managers weren’t hired from within mate

MidwestGun

Yeah…maybe Pedro. He was easily persuaded it seems. Anyhow. most likely his head was already out the door. His best interests were never the Club, imo as you know. If so he wouldn’t have enabled Wenger for so long.

I suppose Edu will have some say now as well going forward after this season.

TR7

£40M.without CL sounds right. I had posted a detailed calculation a few months ago about our transfer budget. My number was similar- £35 to £40 M without CL and close to £70M with CL.

Marko

Can’t you just look at a situation objectively

I am literally looking at it objectively. I don’t have a horse in that race how could I not. Man City are a club who literally are only interested in success they buy the best players and hire the best people with that in mind. There is no evidence to suggest that when one of the best managers in the game finally moves on that they won’t hire up one of the best managers available to replace him but will instead give it to his assistant. Highly doubtful

Marko

TR7 you did that’s true. I recall there was some holes in some of the things that you said and it didn’t take into account the new Adidas money. Also I love how you have us having the same amount as last season with Champions League

azed

“£40M.without CL sounds right. I had posted a detailed calculation a few months ago about our transfer budget. My number was similar- £35 to £40 M without CL and close to £70M with CL.”

We have to be creative then…
Out Mustafi, Mkhi, Mavropanos
and add whatever we get to the 40M

Marko

If those budgets reports are true (I personally feel that it isn’t) then it really doesn’t matter who’s Arsenal manager. We’re fucked with budgets like that either way

gambon

TR7

Your detailed calculation failed to address the significantly increased revenues next year….as you admitted at the time.

No way we’re blowing 15% of our budget on a 17 year old striker from a regional league in Brazil. No way.

We do need to sell well however.

The way transfers are accounted for means selling players is vital if you want to have a big summer.

azed

“If those budgets reports are true (I personally feel that it isn’t) then it really doesn’t matter who’s Arsenal manager. We’re fucked with budgets like that either way”

Arteta can turn Mustafi to Maldini with a sprinkle of his special sauce FACT!!!

gambon

Marko

Liverpool signed Robertson, Matip, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah and Ox while operating on a far smaller budget than we have.

The club need to be ruthless and stop holding onto players that have no place here.

Un na naai

James tavarnier has scored 14 and assisted 14 from right back for rangers this season and is available for £2.5m

Could be a great shout for us as back up right back

Marko

We do need to sell well however.

Very important.

TR7

Marko

‘Also I love how you have us having the same amount as last season with Champions League’

Last time around our cash reserve was much higher compared to our current cash reserve. We have suffered heavy losses this financial year leading to our cash reserves reduced to £70M (without CL) and £ 100M (with CL). You would expect KSE to keep £30M as a buffer and thus the budget of £40 M and £ 70 M without and with CL respectively.

Un na naai

Marlo

You literally just posted an article that said Arteta and Vieira were front runners to succeed Guardiola and now you’re contradicting it. Which is it?

gambon

Ornstein is pretty questionable with his knowledge as well.

2 years ago, after we won the FA Cup he was talking about £100m budgets

He said we have no money at the end of the Summer 2017 window, then a few days later we bid £92m for Lemar

Most of his time is spent confirming transfers that are widely known about.

Marko

Liverpool signed Robertson, Matip, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah and Ox while operating on a far smaller budget than we have.

True but things are slightly more expensive these days I’d say

Guns of SF

what about adidas.
dont we get about 50M per year???

Receding Hairline

Yep ruthlessness is the word

All this so and so is a good squad player talk has to stop, most of our starting 11 can barely make the squad at our rivals

Un na naai

Rh

Fuck off. You were squirming earlier with champagne Charlie on how you don’t really have any players to recommend as signings as you aren’t a scout

Not one name. So turn it in. You lost the right to be taken seriously after that on this particular subject.

TR7

Gambon

True, I haven’t taken in to account increased revenue from.Adidas deal as I am not sure of the quantum.of additional revenue and when do we actually start realizing that revenue. My estimation has always been based on assuming status quo.

gambon

TR7

You are completely misreading the way Arsenal budget for transfers.

We don’t empty out our cash reserves every summer to buy players.

Transfer spend comes out of our revenues for the year. Specifically for the season ahead…rather than the season just gone.

Also you are very wrong about our cash reserves. They will be more like £170m-200m

Marko

now you’re contradicting it. Which is it?

I’m not contradicting anything the article was produced to show that Vieira was and is highly thought of at Manchester City. The article doesn’t really prove that they’d consider Arteta for the job. It’s all pointless anyway. We’ll see what happens with them but I highly doubt they’ll hire an assistant after one of the greatest managers leaves them.

Un na naai

Sf

It’s an extra 60-70m per season through our new sponsorship deals. With PL and CL money, revenue and player sales we should have over £100m every single season minimum to spend. Like Pedro says we should be one of the top jobs in world football. Pep and Klopp wanted in before these deals so why we’ve gone with Tesco manager emery is still a mystery to me.

gambon

TR7

Its not just Adidas.

New club level seats £5m
Adidas £30m
Emirates 12m
Visit Rwanda £10m
New TV deal £10m

That’s at least £67m of increased revenues.

Luteo Guenreira

I really hope we sign some Brazilian/South American players once Edu gets here. Maybe it’s a bit simplistic expecting Brazilians because a Brazilian is coming in as director but I will be disappointed if it doesn’t happen lol

Un na naai

Marko

Why? It’s extaly what Barca and real have been doing recently. And United.

Radio Raheem

“2 years ago, after we won the FA Cup he was talking about £100m budgetsHe said we have no money at the end of the Summer 2017 window, then a few days later we bid £92m for Lemar”

Signed Auba and Laca…

Monaco were never going to accept that offer that late in the market.

Think you’ve just proved Ornstein right gambon.

Luteo Guenreira

If the number don’t support the fact that only £40m will be available why is the club saying they only have £40m? Not doubting the numbers being posted at all, just genuinely curious what the basis of that spin would be from Arsenal’s perspective.

Guns of SF

so glad now we didnt get lemar.
how did this chap work out for Altheltico?? lol

HillWood

West Brom equalise
These clubs not fond of each other
Should be a good watch

Guns of SF

Luteo

We always cry poverty before the transfer windows. its a old Wenger trick that does not work at all.
Wenger always waited until the end of the window for bargains…
What a wanker

Champagne Charlie

Pornstein is questionable at best, tend to see his output as club PR if anything and we all know clubs don’t disclose actual plans.

Left back a secondary target? Seems odd given Kola isn’t one, and Monreal is a ball hair from getting a bit of lecky through the temple.

What do people think of that young cunt, I mean player, Jack Grealish? Hear of him being a talent. Villa might not get promoted.

TR7

Gambon ‘Transfer spend comes out of our revenues for the year. Specifically for the season ahead…rather than the season just gone.’ Does it really matter from where does the transfer spend come from ? Eventually it all boils down to net profit which flows from revenue numbers and net profit eventually determines our cash reserve to a large extent. As for cash reserve number, let’s wait and see. We are all estimating here so no point debating about it. I will be really surprised though if our reserve is anywhere close to 170M , looks very very unlikely to me.… Read more »

Marko

Pedro you are unsurprisingly shifting the goal posts. The last 3 managers of Barcelona were not hired from within like you said. In fact Martino had no affiliation with Barcelona. That Barcelona he made 5 appearences for as a player is a club in South America.

TheLegendaryDB10

Luteo

That £40 million touted is to try and avoid selling club’s jacking up their prices to ridiculous levels. We need to ensure that we spend within our means, considering that there is so much to do. We literally have to buy 3-5 first XI players this TW to start making us look more competitive.

The catch in all this is we must make the CL to make this £100 million spend happen; and this will if course include selling players.

salparadisenyc

Marko you really going to argue that Enrique isn’t a Barca ‘hire from within manager.. coming from same DNA as Pep? ”

Thats a ridiculously narrow view.

Champagne Charlie

Marko

You’re being a bit obtuse there, seemed to me that Pedro was referring to their managers having Barca blood. Ok, they weren’t physically there when the previous guy was sacked..

Receding Hairline

Un na nai you really need to grow up

That you are dragging up names from league 1 and thereabouts doesn’t make you a master in the art of building a team. You really need to conduct yourself with a bit more self respected even if this is anonymous space.

You have been looking for a back and forth with me all day but you aren’t worth the time. Your inputs and general conduct on here will shame a teenage girl

Luteo Guenreira

SF

I don’t think it’s as simple as that, other clubs aren’t stupid and they should well be aware of the financial situations of whoever they’re doing business with. Pretending to be poor as a tactic is ridiculous at our level. Doubt Wenger was doing that either, more likely he just didn’t want to spend money and didn’t feel like he didn’t need to answer to anyone for his reasons on that front.

Marko

Even Tito Villanova is a bad example to use. Prior to his leaving due to cancer there was mutterings that he wasn’t up to the task. No cups and a semi final 7-0 defeat to Bayern isn’t the standard set around Barca then

Graham62

Am I missing something with Willock?

Is he really that good?

I just don’t see it.

Ishola70

Luteo Guenreira
“I really hope we sign some Brazilian/South American players once Edu gets here. Maybe it’s a bit simplistic expecting Brazilians because a Brazilian is coming in as director but I will be disappointed if it doesn’t happen lol”

Problem is competition is hot for these Brazilians if they are any good.

Take the kid Pedro from Fluminense.

The real big hitters will be in for him soon.

TR7

You guys really think selling clubs will drop prices of their prized assets because Arsenal are declaring themselves as pauper ? Good players often have plenty of suitors and if AFC doesn’t cough up the money someone else will.

Nelson

Just read that Edu is not 100% committed to join Arsenal yet. Here is what he said,”I had a conversation with Arsenal. There’s an interest, If, by any chance, you [Arsenal] want to speak to me after the Copa, propose something after the Copa, I will make myself available so that we can talk. As for now, I am fully focused on the Copa.”
It looks like we can forget about Edu’s involvement for this TW. What has Raul been doing all this time?

Marko

Tata Martino had no previous affiliation with Barcelona. Valverde made 22 appearences for Barcelona as a player the last of which was in 1990 and Enrique was technically speaking not hired from within they got him after stints at Roma and Celta. The point he made was hired from within

Radio Raheem

Like I said a few days I’d be surprised if we signed more than 3 players. And with 40m-70m it’ll be more of last summer’s activity.

Don’t need Ornstein or any other IDK, just a bit of common sense.

salparadisenyc

Whenever Marko sees the word Arteta he sees RED and like the bull its death in the afternoon loosing all reason running full tit into the matador.

Agree with the link you posted stating City will likely move for Pep or Vieira post Pep, which gets back to core of my original point.

My money’s on Arteta…. steady now.

Marko

Plus citing Barca DNA is irrelevant in the conversation cause it gets back to being about Arteta and he has fuck all Man City DNA

salparadisenyc

Arteta or Vieira….

David Smith

Edu would have to say that even if he is fully signed up Nelson, or he would be accused of not being committed to the Brazil cause.
But get your point , always room for concern, Arsenal don’t exactly do things quickly.
If this falls through, and I personally doubt it will as it would mean an exponential increase in salary for edu for starters, it would take months to get someone else, and in the meantime, our summer would be at the mercy of the two men who bought us Denis Suarez