Italian clubs drop out of winger race

by .

courtesy @allthatchas

Landed this comment yesterday, cut through my damn soul man.

Truth be this: I’m going to be padding blogs this summer harder than Mesut pads his stats, or his dictator guilt with charity offerings. The summer is tough for writing, I’m out here slogging it with the click baiters… so until something happens, it’s tough to get passionate about a goodbye Instagram post from a kid I’ve never heard of (you read that, don’t lie).

So let’s get straight into real talk.

I was thinking about advertising for hair-loss treatments yesterday. It must be the easiest game out there. If you have hair, all you think about is losing it. If you are losing it, all you think about is losing it.

Additionally, the whole of western civilisation is built around making men in their, cough, late twenties, paranoid about losing their hair. Why does there need to be a mirror on the elevator ceiling? Why are there LED POWER LIGHTS in bathrooms that shoot through your hair? Why will no female EVER say, ‘yes, you are a bald cu*t’… it’s a nightmare.

My advert for hair loss:

‘Hair loss pill. Buy.

*not scientifically proven, probs makes you grow breasts and die real quick’

GIVE ME 10 PACKETS.

Oh… I get it… football.

There are rumours that we’re in for Kieran Tierney. They aren’t very strong, regardless, they give me a sexy feeling I’d rather not have on the train. He’s 22 years old, played 170 games for Celtic and his numbers are pretty good. The pace on the lad is absolutely outrageous (again, tough to gauge how that translates), and hopefully his defending can translate to the Premier League like it did for VVD.

Barca are apparently being told €22m for Kola, who I didn’t realise is only 25 years old… so all in all, we’d be looking at a pretty good deal.

I think the challenge Arsenal fans are having at the moment is there’s literally no clue as to what the plan is this summer.

Meunier was heavily linked, now that’s gone quiet. It’s an odd place to start a rebuild… like blowing all your house budget on 2 couches when there’s no cooker for the kitchen.

… however, it’ll be hard to judge anything based on one signing. If there’s a perfect plan mapped out and he’s just part of a wider blitz of the squad, I’m happy. Two great right backs works if we take care of central defence, midfield, and the two wide positions up top. My concern is that we had glaring issues this January and we spent our loan fee on a player that was outrageously unsuited to the league and the objectives of the club because he was a friendly face.

My view on right back is that if you have Hector Bellerin who is 24 years old and an excellent player, why would you put Meunier behind him? Wouldn’t your money be better spent on someone that’s the Kieran Tierney of the right bacary world (see what I did there?)?

Anyway, I won’t say no to great players. Or any players. Or elite hair loss treatment.

I’m interested to see what ‘contacts’ football looks like. Are we going full on bargain basement from the big clubs? Find players that have something to prove, give them a new lease of life, hope they feel slighted by football and want to make something happen… a little Inter Milan under Jose.

… Wesley that season, outrageous.

Or do we hunt out elite youth talent like Saliba?

Have the feeling it’ll look more Inter Milan (if we’re lucky) based on the personnel we have at the club, but let’s see.

Carrasco rumours are hotting up a treat. The Belgian star is GAGGING for a return to Europe and the Italian clubs are dropping like flies… this is a risky move, but as many have pointed out, I’d take him over anything rolling in from Bournemouth or Palace. We’ll see… but this one seems to have legs aplenty.

Neymar seems to be loading up on problems, this model story is running hard in Brazil.

‘He beat me and he raped me, he was drunk and drugged, he says it himself in the messages, he’s a drug addict, violent, he’d need to be a prisoner or a boarding school, he has no conditions to be in society, he’s a threat to himself,’

Oof…

I only raise this story because I do find it interesting how so few players land themselves in trouble for drugs. London is littered with stories of Premier League footballers doing naughty things. Mad that only one major player has been caught and that was because Jose wanted to take him down (Mutu).

Mildly amusing watching all the Tory candidates getting pummelled for their drug stories… we constantly bemoan weirdo politicians, then insist that the people we put into power have zero life blemishes. Give me someone that’s majorly fucked up over a melt whose worst crime was to once thing about shoplifting a free newspaper.

Also pretty terrible that another footballer, at the absolute peak of their powers, is being accused of sexual misconduct and violence. Not a good look if it’s true.

Right, that’s all I have today… see you in the comments x

265 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
China1

The Suarez deal happened and no defensive deal happened because Raul has no pressure hanging on his job performance. That simple. When you work for Stan, the bare minimum performance is not even seriously quantified. It’s like telling a delivery driver their only objective getting from A to B is to not run over old people on the way. As long as we still have a half full stadium and tv money comes in we’re solid for Stan. He tolerated wenger and Gaza did quite happily for how long? Don’t tell me he suddenly noticed we are shit. Stab doesn’t… Read more »

Sid

apologies..Just checked
“this means the Gunners could dip into the market in January, and Emery made his preference clear.“I think if we can take one player to help us at centre-back, I think it’s a good option,” he said.Well they didn’t do a very good job whoever is to blame …how can it go from wanting a defender to signing suarez.

That just cracked me up :p pile everything at Emery’s door and steeped into the dog shit yourself…lmao

Though you did look it up yourself so kudos there!

How you holding up with Ozil on his honeymoon?

Sid

The real renaissance for the club will happen after 2 years with deals of Ozil/Mikki and mustafi expiring (no I don’t believe anyone would buy them and I’m sure they aren’t getting a renewal). That would be about 35ish million a year off wages…take a second and think about it, we give 35 million to Ozil, Mikki and mustafi to do fuck all. The room to maneuver this will give us in our wages would go a long way in helping us streamline. Till then the best we could hope for are bandaids on the squad and hope they hold… Read more »

Moray

I can’t believe nobody’s seeing Emery’s Long game play with Suarez.

Get the guy on a season loan. Pretend he’s shit and don’t play him. Release early and send back to Barca.

Then, when they think the guy is completely useless they will either release him or sell him for peanuts.

Bang! A 15m player for nothing or next to nothing.

I can see nobody on here plays chess.

Moray

China, if Stan is looking at any numbers, it’s season ticket sales rather than attendances. Though, in honesty, I doubt he cares much either way. Arsenal is ballast for him and nothing more: he couldn’t even be bothered to attend our Euro cup final. He is no fan for sure.

Dark Hei

DB10

Let’s just put it this way.

Typically a BOD is just a bunch of old guys dropped into a public company to give the company some credibility.

Honestly, if Stan wants to, he can do away with the entire bunch since Arsenal is now privately owned.

So, if you ask me, it is on Mr Stan K.

Dark Hei

DB10

Oops, didn’t see your earlier post.

Tony

Keep up there good work, Pedro. Don’t give the idiots who don’t appreciate your efforts while trying to forge a career in America a second thought. Most of us are extremely grateful for your input in providing Le Grove, especially those of us who have lived and are living in (and working) in other countries and making a success of it. You certainly get my respect. 40 years ago the Britain was a great country to live in – not any more unless you have enough money not to be affected by the appalling way the country is run and… Read more »

Tony

As for the TW window?

Now many clubs want wholesale clear outs and are looking for the best of the youth.

I have an uneasy sense of impending daja vu, but let’s see what transpires in the next 8 weeks.

Marc
Why do you bother with Pierre?

Tony

Goober
Great bloopers post – thanks.

Bob N16

Bit harsh on immigrants Tony, particularly since you’re one yourself!

Champagne Charlie

Tony

Christ mate that was a sideswipe on the immigrant front 😂 you fresh off a naughty Thai coffee?

CG

So ,apparently these are not just Chinese Whispers- we are after the Carassco Chap. Footballing talent. Undoubtedly Footballing appetite. Jury still out.. Let’s see how he fairs when Troy Deeney elbows him from a corner. Is this Vinai Outsmarting The Market plan taking hold? Or Perhaps Rather than be too clever outsmarting anything ( except maybe yourself) just pay a bit extra**- and get Wilf Z! Last time we bought an exciting and fiery Cystal Palace player – Ian Wright. Zaha coukd be our 2019 version of Ian Wright. One presumes Vinai can use a phone. All he has to… Read more »

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Hear me now….

Why are we look8ng at meniuer when we have Bellerin coming back and a good young right back in tutu

Tony

Bob & Charlie Wasn’t just aiming at immigrants, but immigration as a whole has had serious negative effects on UK life. Enoch Powell saw the rot potential back in the 60s. I think I was one of the few who took his vision seriously and started on the road in the music industry in the late 70s and never really looked back after that. Very few people worked around the world from the UK in those days. In Thailand you need to have money to live here. Around £16,000 for a yearly retirement visa for at least 3 months in… Read more »

Tony

Bob
To further that I helped/advised my Thai wife build her international company to over US$25 million a year turnover over the last 15 years to having over 150 employees and continue to consult when asked now I’m pretty much fully retired.

We’ve put kids through school and Uni other than our own 2, so I’d say I’m an immigrant who contributes as much as I can.

But you have a point 🙂

Pierre

Sid You may think that getting rid of our more talented footballers is the way forward, I dont.( Don’t be surprised to see the back of Aubamayang as well). History will tell you that the most important person at a football club is the manager. Mee, shankly, George Graham, Ferguson, Wenger , Pochettino, Guardiola, Klopp, Pochettino have raised their respective clubs to another level , some have completely transformed those clubs and their style of play . A manager can make or break a player as we have seen last season with Paul Pogba… The best managers will always get… Read more »

Pierre
Dark Hei

Tony

Look buddy, it is not politically correct for a rich white guy to say this. It smacks of elitism, like only rich white guys are entitled for immigration.

Though the Thai folks that benefit from your generosity ain’t complaining!

The EU was a lofty experiment but one steeped with a lot of challenges. Always going to be difficult trying to marry the cultures and aspirations of different communities who are at different stages of economic and social development.

Pierre
David Smith

It’s clear nobody at the club has a clue how to run a football club, and Kroenke seems very reluctant to take on board those who do. There were reports of.a “ friendly offer” to Stan from a consortium who reportedly care about the club , to buy out Usmanovs holding for a seat on the board and work with Stan to help bring success. It doesn’t take much imagination to have an idea who might have been on this consortium, possibly the one man who could even bring out a slightly ambitious side of Wenger. But apparently, Stan refused… Read more »

Tony

ah Pierre enjoy your life in downtown Hastings – maybe one day you’ll move up onto the nicer Westfield ridge country area or even Battle – I had a country property near Battle so I know Hastings well.

Used to be very good fish & chips in the fisherman’s huts area of Hastings sea front.

You do seem to have a hang up about money, though.

Is it the lack of it that upsets you so much?

I started life in orphanages and foster parents but made something of my life.

What’s your excuse?

Tony

David Smith

“Still, I guess the law of averages states that one day, he might make a half decent decision on this club, in terms of success, and not just his personal finance,, because up until now, in terms of bringing the club success, just about everything possible has been wrong under Stan.”

Don’t hold your breath.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Tony
Do you currently reside in Thailand..?

Pierre

Hastings?..I don’t think so..

I’m much more down market than Hastings/ Battle ….much too posh for me..

Too many nice but dims talking about how incredibly rich they are.

Champagne Charlie

Tony

Just a bit of needle, I’ve actually come to think quite highly of you on here. Always very forthcoming with your own views (not regurgitating others), yet open to debate, and your very interesting life experiences are a welcome share on here I must say.

Plus I know who to contact if I fancy a mail order bride, so that’s a win too.

What were you doing at 30? It’s interesting where you’ve ended up, but maybe more-so the journey getting there. Always sought different shores?

Moray

What was it most about 1979 that you enjoyed so much, Tony? The weekly IRA bombings, the 3-day week or the very present threat of nuclear Attack?

It’s very easy to look back with rose tinted specs. I would contend that the UK has always been a pretty shitty place to live.

Emiratesstroller

David Smith I don’t think that there is a cats in hell chance of a consortium being allowed to buy into Arsenal by Kroenke. Is there any evidence of him working with partners outside his own family in other businesses or sports franchises which he owns? What I suggested at the start of the process of recruiting senior management was that there would be mistakes made and more importantly personnel who did not match the requirements of the job. We have seen already departure of Mislintat and Gazidis. My guess is that will not be the end of the process.… Read more »

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Es

I agree with your post few weeks back
Liking the rugby team to play the youths..

Similar to what the Aussies did in cricket when we beat them in 86
Came back better with younger players

Youth can only work for me with arsenal

Dark Hei

Anyone a little miffed by the impending signing of Yannick C?

He plays on the left and he likes to dribble. Right footy and likes to cut inside.

Isn’t that kind of similar to Iwobi? And no, he isn’t an upgrade on Iwobi.

I would think we need someone who operates on the right, basically an upgrade of Mik.

Tony

R.S.P.C
Yes currently in Thailand and been here for almost 20 years now.

Met my Thai wife at a business expo 15 years ago.

David Smith

Think you are right ES. That consortium was being reported a couple years ago, with Wenger floundering, Usmanov making his bid, but it being rejected. Have heard nothing since, from what I read, Stan just rejected out f hand, the rest is history. Just hope they have a plan, because teams not far below us certainly do. As many have said on here, a lot rests on Edu, or whoever it is that ends up in that role. But Stan can do what he wants, can make disaster decisions, but no accountability, his mistakes, or at least mistakes on his… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

Carrasco isn’t an upgrade on Iwobi…

Jamie

“Carrasco isn’t an upgrade on Iwobi…”

Then we’re fucked.

Receding Hairline

“Carrasco isn’t an upgrade on Iwobi…”

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/115472/Show/Yannick-Carrasco

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/136824/Show/Alex-Iwobi

But I will just take it as fact because Charles says so…..

siddharth14

Carrasco showed great potential at Atletico Madrid until the lure of insane money. Imo, he is a much better player than Iwobi in terms of ability and footballing intelligence which would give us much needed creative outlet on the wings. Let’s see how the club have done on this deal. Not many clubs are after him which is a slight worry and the step-up from china to EPL is going to be a system shock for him. I’d be very disappointed if he is on more than 70k a week considering he has to again prove himself first on the… Read more »

Tony

Charlie You said it before about our mutual respect – equally I enjoy your posts and thought processes. As with you I really like the diversity of posters here who are fun to spar with and learn from. “Plus I know who to contact if I fancy a mail order bride, so that’s a win too.” As long as you’re willing to pay the postage and packing I’m happy to oblige. For some reason I thought you were married with young children. Yes always had the urge to travel so combined with work and pleasure as much as possible. Probably… Read more »

Frank Mc

C.C. yeah massively underwhelmed…

Champagne Charlie

“But I will just take it as fact because Charles says so…..“

Or glance above and see it wasn’t my statement, it was me reciting what I’d just read.

Champagne Charlie

“24 onwards music industry: management, tour management (around 13 countries) and sound engineering.“

Explains the audiophile side of yourself noticeable when you talked about the home cinema system.

Sounds like a very fulfilled life there Tony, sampled a few ways of work, decided what suited you, and engineered good success using your strengths. Very admirable stuff.

No, no wife and kids for me, I’m you when you were approaching corporate life basically. Much of the road ahead of me

Emiratesstroller

David Smith Kroenke would not be my personal choice of owner of the club, because of his limited knowledge about football and also being a “distant landlord”. However, the one major plus in his stewardship is that he now owns the club 100% and he knows very well that if he fails to deliver success it is going to cost him value and ultimately lose money. My guess is that in short term he will experiment with management of the club, make some mistakes and attempt to rectify them. Hopefully he will get the system right in the medium to… Read more »

Globalgunner

Iwobi is gash, Anyone who has played for Atleti is a definite upgrade on his waste of space contributions

CG

Carassco and google images.

You will see a handsome man -well groomed with gloves on…..IN LA LIGA……..

Gloves on-in La Liga matches…?

Always a worry…..glove wearing footballers…..

Leedsgunner

Osei-Tutu being courted by Bundesliga clubs… if he is eager to play why don’t we offer him a 2 year contract as a back up to Bellerin and see how it goes? With Lichsteiner out the door and Jenkinson clearly out of favour, surely he can see that he has chance to make a name for himself? I suppose we can always play Ainsley Maitland Niles tries hard but I’m not convinced that he is going to make it as a full back, he’s just not consistent enough. Why don’t we move him back into his strongest position as DM… Read more »

Leedsgunner

*I suppose we can play Chambers if we’re desperate…

Bob N16

Tony, you’re a good advert for immigration. The vast majority of immigrants I’ve met want to get on and create a better life for them and their families, sound familiar?

Victorious

Buying Carrasco when a much better and cheaper Player in Ziyech is available

Only Arsenal.

HighburyLegend

“Then we’re fucked.”

Between “breaking news” or “scoop”, I don’t know what to choose…

China1

Having a sole owner in Stan is hopeless

If you have more than one owner you have voices, disagreements, compromise etc

At arsenal we have absolute silence. There is no one and nothing above Raul.

Tony

Thanks Charlie Judging from the way you think and write I think you have an eventful life ahead of you. I think a good time to marry is between 35 & 40 with having kids around 45. I’m so happy I’ve had the time I have/had with my son and daughter. Had I had children earlier I wouldn’t have been able to have the input I have had and continue to have with their development and character building. Our daughter is like me and wants to work around the world in aerospace engineering after she graduates next June. But first… Read more »

Leedsgunner

If we get our skates on, and sell our deadwood why is it even a question of “either” and “or” with Ziyech and Carrasco? If we sell off our deadwood smartly we should be able to afford both. Apparently Inter Milan want Xhaka for £30m, push them for £35m and buy Ziyech for £25m. As for Xhaka’s spot promote AMN to step in. He doesn’t have Xhaka’s passing variety or range but he makes up for that by his increased mobility, and lack of stupid errors. Elneny being looked at by Leicester. Sell him to them for £15m and then… Read more »

China1

Stop talking sense Leeds, it’s the arsenal way to just plead poverty and cover out mismanagement

Graham62

Leeds

I concur with China1.

Everything you say makes perfect sense.

Problem is, when was the last time Arsenal FC applied any sense in their decision making?

Exactly!

China1

Leeds Just shit your mouth already and enjoy your Suarez and kallstrom signings

China1

Real fans don’t complain. They get behind the boys and buy a park chu young shirt

#realfansbuyrandomsouthkoreanpkayershirts

HighburyLegend

The more shirts are selling, the more Stan is happy….

Leedsgunner

I’ll be more excited to see who leaves the club than who comes in this summer.

In the nicest possible way,

Elneny
Jenkinson
Mkhitaryan
Özil
Mustafi
Xhaka

Thanks… but no thanks.

Please just go.

Leedsgunner

Did we replace one dictator (Wenger) for another? (Raul).

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Good on you Tony
Enjoy life … That’s what it’s there for

When growing up was u a London lad ?

Moe

Hey Tony don’t get carried away now, the adulation isn’t universal. Did the mighty British immigrants (explorers they were called) add any value to the foreign lands whose resources they pillaged and looted for centuries? Wasn’t that the primary contributor to your comfy lifestyle that these modern day immigrants have ruined? Remember the sun never set on the British Empire: from India to Faulkland Islands, to Africa, to the South Pacific, to wherever there was a resource to exploit. You are lucky your hosts in Thailand are not steeped in stupidity like you. Please open a book once in a… Read more »

Nelson

“The January situation is blatantly on Raul.”

That’s what I read:
“Former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat felt he was sidelined by the growing influence of Emery on Sanllehi, leading to his targets – most notably Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco – being sidelined in favour of pursuing Denis Suarez on loan from Barcelona.”

HighburyLegend

“Enjoy life … ”

Yep, especially if you’re a Gooner.
(sorry, couldn’t resist…)

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

I remember 79 40 years ago
London was a drab place
Sunday’s nothing opened
Sat boozers only opens from 12_3 7-11
Pretty shit really

Food was shocking the explosion of immigrants coming to London has opened up the taste buds… Much better now.

Champagne Charlie

Tony

Sounds like a nice little setup you’ve got going there, appreciate the kind words.

I’ll say again, it’s a nice read seeing some of your life experiences shared here. Something real instead of the constant hearsay of the Arsenal summer. That shits going to drag

S Asoa

To all the closet AKBs . Yes UE has been a plain damp toast , few are disputing that. But realise that even AW has realised he is passé and no one in his senses want to sign him as manager. At least be aware of what nostalgia you wish for