Why are Leicester out-summering Arsenal?

by .

Groundhog summer my friends.

Every day, I’m just here bringing you a slightly different blend of bland.

Reports in France allude to us having secured William Saliba for next season by dropping a £5m down payment today, allowing us to pick up the full tab next season. A bit like buying a sofa at DFS, except you let DFS have your sofa for a year while you basically sit on the floor like a lemon.

Anyway, I like the look of the deal, and for me it does tell you that the club, though moving slower than a golf cart in a tarpit, probably has a firm grasp of the finances. This sort of move doesn’t seem like the type that would predicate a begging bowl presentation from Raul and VV in America this week, does it?

I think this summer will likely land us where we want to be.

Wilfried Zaha is going to be a total menace to Hodgson if he isn’t allowed to move this summer. £40m (+Chambers) is great money however the deal is spliced up, and Palace know this is likely the peak of his value. They should cash in and spend their £94m wisely because making this drag on out of principle could be the difference between staying up and going down.

The Tierney deal chatter has gone quiet, but again, are Celtic really going to pass on £22m? They have a disrupted player on their hands as well, how many left back slots at big clubs are opening up that would see him as the ideal candidate over the next 3 years? He could end up at Southampton or Everton if he’s not careful. For such a pissy disparity (£3m), it’d be really fucking dim to let a deal fall away for both he and the club. That said, Arsenal might have a better player lined up, though I’d imagine signing a Brit appeals for many reasons.

If we throw a loan move for Raul’s fave Brazilian, Malcolm, you’d have to say that we’ve done some solid business for a small budget.

My big worry is the same as yours… it’s not really enough, is it? Additionally, summer is where you prepare and condition players for the season ahead. You have loads of free time to integrate new ideas, new players and a new team spirit. Introducing half-fit players in a months time is going to do us no favors. Having the rotting fish heads hanging around taking a sledgehammer to the ambience is also a disaster. Cancerous personalities can do so much damage to a team culture even if they aren’t actively pursuing destruction… the mere presence of someone you know is on the way out can be a distraction.

I’m also wondering what happens if we sell two or three of the wantaways at the death… do we just go really slim in defence or midfield? Will we be replacing? Or going with youth?

Still, back to the positives:

At the very least, there’s a platform emerging… it’s not absolutely elite, but it’s probably a little more interesting than a Hazardless Chelsea can do. Our summer might look better than the one going on over at United if Paul Pogba and Lukaku exit the building. I’m not sure it matters how much money you throw at Ole G, I am pretty sure the second half of his season is the real him and their season is heading for the central reservation.

I mean, this is a little rich coming from me, Emery has just as much chance of tanking next season as Lampard and Ole G… you can but dream. The 4th spot party feels like it’ll be decided on who makes least bad decisions this summer versus anything else.

My hope is that we don’t fall off a cliff next year because we don’t need Edu fighting forest fires again next summer.

The big worry is looking at Leicester having a good summer. Ayoze, Thauvin and Tielemann’s being added to an already competent squad with a very competent manager who will have had a chance to embed his ideas and ELITE motivational approaches.

‘Jamie, I have two fingers, I want you to pull one’

‘NOT NOW JAMIE, at the end of the season when the cameras are here.’

I’d imagine they’re going to lose BIG HARRY or someone like Chilwell, but if they can absorb that, they could be a surprise package next season.

Watching teams like Leicester do smart things is what keeps me going. Football rebirths don’t have to be a 15-year turnaround job. I thought Matt Scott put the situation very well.

Liverpool and Spurs made it happen in 5 years. Part of making it work is sticking to a plan for longer than 7 months. Our crushingly bad transfer windows over the past 15 years took a sharp turn for the better under Sven M, we identified talent early and finished our moves very quickly. He shifted on deadweights like Coq, Theo and Giroud. He bought some very tidy players. It was a mixed bag, no doubt, but the point for me was that we were following a process. That process would likely have produced if he’d stayed around.

Notable that since he landed the boot, our whole approach is a mess. We can’t sell players, it’s taking an age to buy them and it’s not abundantly clear what we’re attempting. Meanwhile, Sven has sold 11 players and signed 4 in Stuttgart. Is that a coincidence? Unlikely. Say what you will about the shaggy-haired scout, his German efficiency is certainly lacking at Arsenal at the minute.

That’s why Edu really needs to be a central pillar for the next 5 years because after 22 years of doing things exactly the same way year after year, we’re now one of the most schizophrenic clubs in the Premier League. Give me the calmness of a setup that gets its work done quickly and delivers closely to a smartly devised plan that progresses the club every season.

That’s all I’ll ask. Until I get it, then I’ll find something new to complain about.

We’re a week away from the 7th rebirth since Wenger left… this one is most certainly the one I’m looking forward to the most.

Don’t let us down Edu… and Raul, get cracking on those signings. x

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Dream10

Edu is the front man. It might be his show from January when it comes to transfers.
But, Raul is running the show for this summer.

Marko

Good news, but still hard to believe that Arsenal will finish in the top 4 next year…

Hard to predict what it means in the short term but longer term it’s a good thing. I feel much better knowing he’s going to be the one taking us forward and not Raul or the manager

Pedro

Such great news.

5 year timer starts ticking now… book your champions league tickets NOW.

KAY Boss

No signings of note yet? Jerome Boateng for €15m? I know some say he’s finished at top level. Maybe he can do a little job and help steady the ship till the captain arrives. Tierney to be confirmed next?
Pretty admire Leicesters summer. Good players they’ve signed.
Very shocking we’ve got only £45m to spend(if u believe the press). Well it’s what it is!

Marc

Pedro

Mate I like the positivity but you really need to get checked out to see if you have symptoms of Bipolar in other parts of your life!

Dream10

So Saliba, Tierney, Martinelli and Zaha as incomings?
CB comes in if Calum goes
CM position will be by committee to replace Elneny when he moves. Willock at the head of queue.

CG

Marko

“”””””Edu confirmed. Good news now going forward”””””””

Certainly good news for Edu and family.
(5 year ‘lottery’ contract in the Bag.)

How many favelas does that buy?

Basically we have waited the whole summer for a glorified co-ordinater.

Are there no buxom secretary’s in London to coordinate?

What is there to co- ordinate in soccer apart from the defense, anyway.?

If he as good as- everyone makes out- why cant he become Head Coach instead of The Clown?

Anyway, he is arrived finally.
I Hope he has his paperwork and Visa in good order.

KAY Boss

Good to have Edu on board.
I wonder what’s going on with CG’s mind. He’ll be fuming till he’s out of gas.

Freddie Ljungberg

Raul on Edu:

“His arrival is the final and very important part of the jigsaw in our development of a new football infrastructure to take us forward. He will be working closely with Unai Emery and the first-team coaches, and will play a relevant role leading our football vision and ensuring we have – and follow – a solid philosophy through all our football activities.”

For those struggling to grasp what Edu will be doing. ( mostly for CG but to no avail I reckon, he’s beyond rescue)

Marko

Edu is the front man. It might be his show from January when it comes to transfers.
But, Raul is running the show for this summer.

You do not know this in the slightest. He’s in the job now and is obviously having an influence on our summer hence Martinelli

HighburyLegend

“Maybe he can do a little job and help steady the ship till the captain arrives.”

You mean, the same way Lichtsteiner once did ?? lol

HighburyLegend

“(mostly for CG but to no avail I reckon, he’s beyond rescue)”
lol

Victorious

Basically the 45M budget is a load of crap right?

I mean Saliba,Tierney and Zaha with ‘additional hope’ of a starting CB and CM being targetted?

Or are we hoping to get some serious cash off Kroenk’s wrinked arse..

HighburyLegend

“book your champions league tickets NOW.”

Of course, already done!!
(Pedro need to smoke better stuff, I’m worried for his brain…)

CG

“Marko

“”””Also he’s straight to work. None of this taking weeks to pack his bags “””””

He has not worked for years.!
Why would he need a break…?
He is Teck Deck
That ain’t work
That’s co ordinating!

Anybody who believes Edu is going to do anything but turn into a Steve Bould impersonation ( take the money and easy life) they are kidding themselves.

If he had any gumption or ambition- he would want to become a manager not a Teck Deck.

To use PedRo’ s sauce analogy for Edu= The Arsenal Gravy Train!

Truth Hurts..

CG

If we need any Teck Deck
We should have headhunted Leicester Citys one!

Marko

Pedro throw us your PayPal there I’ll drop a couple hundo in it if you can perma ban the idiot

TR7

Really amusing to see posters who moaned day and night about lack of signings when Wenger was in charge now resort to manufacturing a buzz about every backroom signing -Sven, Raul and now Edu even though we remain as inefficient as ever in transfer market.

Left testicle

Hey Lemina, the 80’s called, they want their moustache back.

Spanishdave

We have lots of chiefs now but no Indians.
Get on the bandwagon Edu enjoy your vacation at Arsenal

Marko

Brilliant

Marko

TR7 if we had a technical director years ago instead of being at the whims of an old fart we probably wouldn’t be in this mess that you see now

Samesong

Really amusing to see posters who moaned day and night about lack of signings when Wenger was in charge now resort to manufacturing a buzz about every backroom signing -Sven, Raul and now Edu even though we remain as inefficient as ever in transfer market.

TR7 Wow you are a grump at times. I dont care about the others but I love Edu!. And who is Wenger?

Emiratesstroller

So Arsenal have now promoted four U23 players to first team squad in Willock, Smith-Rowe, Nelson and Nkietah. We have also recruited another youngster in Martinelli and it would seem that the club will also buy Saliba a 19 year old centre back and then loan him back to St. Etienne. All these are good decisions for the “future” of the club, but are unlikely to solve our immediate requirements. The question which needs to be asked is when are we going to recruit players for “today”. We need to recruit at least three quality players to join the starting… Read more »

CG

Well said Dave

Bandwagon
Gravy train

…Jump aboard.

Layers of beauracrcy
No accountability

Hogwash.

Just employ a Proven manager
And You won’t need a Teck Deck.

salpardisenyc

TR7

Speaking truth there, the lines have shifted but the story remains the same.

Carts

“Jerome Boateng is available for €15m.”

His form, of late, hasn’t been promising

But for that price coupled with inevitable shit-shows from Mustafi – maybe that isn’t such a bad idea

Carts

I’m must be getting dumber the longer I care for arsenal, but can someone explain to me what’s so hard in getting rid of our players?

Marc

Carts

It’s dead easy I’m sure you can name which clubs we should sell which players to and how much we can get for them.

James.wood

Tierney recovering from a Hernia operation .

So Holding -Bellerin -and if signed Tierney all

💉💉💉💉💉🚑 in recovery.
Bodes well.?…..
We are seemingly looking at players in the wrong positions.

Marko

Pretty easy carts underperforming players who are overpaid is a tough sell. Oh and there’s younger and cheaper available elsewhere. Other than that there’s no excuses really

Carts

Marc

I thought I could, but I really can’t, anymore.

We couldn’t shift Jenkinson to Palace a couple seasons back; rejected sizeable bid for Joel Campbell; rejected City’s advances for Sanchez in favour of a swap for Mhki; couldn’t force Elneney on; & got peanuts for Ospina while Liverpool got double figures for a 3rd GK

Marko

#AFC working on a loan with an option to buy deal for Malcom. Spurs and Everton are interested with the latter offering €35m for the player. Barca value him at €40. Difficult operation but the player’s decision counts [via
@Kike_Marin_

Marc

Carts

I think you’ve got to separate what happened under Wenger with now. By all accounts we turn down a £20 million bid for Chambers a couple of seasons ago and someone wanted Elneny but Wenger wouldn’t let him leave.

The issue we have now is moving on Xhaka, Mustafi, Miki and Ozil. The others will drift out.

HighburyLegend

What’s a “kike” ??

Marko

Ask CG HL

salpardisenyc

Whoa, Nasri to Anderlecht didn’t see that coming.

TBone

Let’s face it – it’s not looking good is it? I think that we could be facing the prospect of the first seriously catastrophic season for decades. By that I mean a mid-table finish. Our team spirit is undermined by the continuing presence of Ozil, the pisstaking German tosser. He needs to be singled out for criticism and abuse from Emery at every opportunity so that a hostile environment is created and he puts in a transfer request. A house divided cannot stand. The defence which shipped 51 goals last season needs immediate reconstruction. Nothing else is good enough. Oblivion… Read more »

HighburyLegend

Yep, he “wants to be champ”.

In the Belgium championship, it will be very difficult, indeed.

Carts

Marc

Yeah, uou’re right.

Leedsgunner

Finally, we get our man in Edu. At least something has gone right.

Hopefully with Edu in place our transfers in and out will move quicker than a glacier.

Freddie Ljungberg

If we can get Malcom in now and buy him next summer if he works out our window could look pretty good once done and dusted. With Saliba coming in next summer as well. Leaves us more funds now to sort the defense and midfield, which should be the priority imo. We absolutely cannot rock into a new season with a bottom half midfield consisting of Ozil and Xhaka, it will just lead to more embarrassing results. Likewise we can’t afford to have Mustafi or Kos/Monreal anywhere near our starting line up. This needs to be addressed this summer, or… Read more »

HighburyLegend

If only Kroenke could melt…
(like a glacier, indeed)

Marko

I mean the money still isn’t there though. It’s great to have Edu on board but he’s not bringing financial backing from Stan with him

HighburyLegend

Absolutely Marko, and that’s why Pedro’s “reaction” to his signing is a bit… well, you, know what I mean.

Victorious

Kike Marin is a fraud and I don’t see barca accepting a loan offer when Everton is slapping 35M on the table

Looks like another deal when we end up being a laughing stock yet again.

Leedsgunner

So far so good.

Joe W.illock, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah all promoted to the first team.

However we need defenders. I really hope to see either Medley or Bielik to follow suit if we don’t sign a ready defender very soon.

Marc

Vic

You’re assuming the player is happy to move to Everton and see his family butchered.

Marko

I don’t see barca accepting a loan offer when Everton is slapping 35M on the table

I mean the player could prefer a move to Arsenal. Shocking I know.

Looks like another deal when we end up being a laughing stock yet again

You get used to it after the Wenger years

Marc

There’s also the Sanllehi side to the Malcolm deal. If he knows him he could sell the long term plan to the player.

Receding Hairline

Malcolm and Emery allegedly share the same agent

Marko

Power grab. I fooking knew it

Pedro

Raul loves his favored agents, that’s for sure.

Marc

Pedro

You of all people should know that lube makes the world go round!

Guns of Hackney

Has Edu reversed global warming yet?

Marc

Well it’s cloudy here

Guns of Hackney

Rumour has it, Edu has solved famine.

Guns of Hackney

Edu builds bridges…figuratively. Tonight, Iran and Israel sit down for some Baclava.

Guns of Hackney

Edu is coming over tomorrow to sort my roof out. What. A. Guy.

Zfree

Is Malcolm that good?

NW9 gooner

I always skip CGs comments but for his first one today- can anyone explain how Emery at the helm can ensure that Spurs win the PL and with someone else as our manager helps MC win it

NW9 gooner

Zfree, He is better than anyone we have

Marc

NW9

Easy CG’s is not only a troll but an epic cunt with it.

NW9 gooner

After reading Dick laws comments on our Lemar bid it is obvious that it was made after M city bid for Sanchez at the last hour and it would have been funded by Sanchez’ s sale proceeds-

NW9 gooner

And Sanchez was a cun’ of the first order- he agreed a new deal with us reneged on it and signed with MU for much more money

Freddie Ljungberg

That article was just so much drivel. Does he think it’s 2015? Ozil is not that player anymore and hasn’t been since before Emery arrived.

He was wank under Wenger at the end and he was shite for Germany and subsequently booted out.

Spare us the chances created stats Pierre and be a good boy and go have some quality time with your Ozil real doll. Sounds like you need it.

NW9 gooner

Pierre- just leave it now I luv Ozil, was over the moon when we got him but he is probably past his best or at least does not fit the system Emery wants. You are just sounding stupid with your obsession with your pro Ozil and anti Emery tirades

NW9 gooner

With Ozil’s wages we can probably get two even three very players who would improve the team much more than Ozil can – our concern should be the team . Every one of us have our favourites but he should not be to the teams detriment

Marc

Pierre

Your obsession with Ozil has gone from making you look like a twat to being a completely fucking retard with that article. To actually link to it on here is the actions of a jilted ex who needs to realise that the other party has moved onto much better things.

The author of that article needs to get their heads out of their arse – how do you compare a driver who is at the peak of their powers and leads the current Championship by 31 points to “I’ve got a sick note and can’t play today” Ozil?

Ishola70

That article has a cheek to make a comparison of Ozil to Fabregas and Bergkamp.

Fans love a top star player at a club don’t we all but their is delusion in thinking that Mesut Ozil is a top star player.

NW9 gooner

Pierre
The last few matches I strongly feel that if Ozil had not played we would have won at least one match and that would have got us CL. We would have been defensively better and not leaked the bloody goals that we did. Ramsey injury cost us dearly and Ozil just did not rise to the occasion.

NW9 gooner

Ozil was a world class player but has deteriorated abysmally the last few years

Ivan

Marc – that article is pure clickbite for trolls

I watched that interview author reffers too, and bs he wrote is taken out of context.

If anyone interested it os pulled out of Nico Rosbergs interview of Toto Wolf.

Rosberg had quite a few sucessfull persons interwieved on his yt channel. Its called beyond victory and he had some interesting people there (Xabi Alonso and Flavio Briatore are really good watch, Toto Wolf too).

NW9 gooner

Ornstein has said we are still interested in a center back midfielder and a winger We are linked with wingers but are the midfielder and back

TR7

‘Ozil was a world class player but has deteriorated abysmally the last few years’

Ozil never really was a world class player. Also I don’t agree he has deteriorated as a player, he is still the same player he was 4 years ago or for that matter 7-8 years ago. He was always tremendously overrated. Griezzman, Pogba, Delle Alli etc. also have this great hoopla around them but they are all limited players.

Marc

Ivan

Giving a “special” individual leeway beyond what other’s get is fine if they are performing at a superior level.

Ozil hasn’t broken a sweat for fuck knows how long let alone performed at a high level.

Marko

I didn’t even bother reading the article. It was posted by an obvious fuckstick and even by the title you just knew it was written by an idiot. There is no one in the world of football who is capable of getting that googly eyed fucker back to any semblance of the kind of player that he once was which was honestly not world class to begin with. Think about it even at the height of his career Real Madrid made the conscious decision to keep Angel Di Maria and sell him and that pigeon looking fucker was never close… Read more »

China1

Guns mate you laugh but edu has done all that and more!

In all seriousness tho, he was a quality player for us, has had a good career post retiring so far. He knows the club, was s winner when he played and should have inside knowledge on the South American market, especially Brazil’s. He’s also young

He might end up failing but he’s a good signing on paper and probably more exciting than the actual players we’ve been looking at!

Mr Serge

So Tierney was omitted from the Celtic squad and their new left back played which means good news for us

China1

ozil Goes down in arsenal history as ‘wet blanket’

Ishola70

Mr Serge
“So Tierney was omitted from the Celtic squad and their new left back played which means good news for us”

He’s recovering from a hernia operation.

He was never going to play in the match even from subs bench.

He was listed in the 24 man squad list for CL.

Marko

Old fish eyes isn’t fit to sniff on Cesc Fabregas’s jock strap. He’s a con man

Ivan

Marc – exactly, author of abysmal article Pierre linked took his drivel out of context from Toto Wolf arguing about importance of taking individual approach in higly stresfull and competitive enviroment.

Toto has really deep and interesting view on leading succesfull team, and hack that wrote article about Ozil took some of his points trying to be clever, looking like a proper fool in the proces.

Same happened with Pierre linking that article here 😂

Ishola70

Fabregas was interviewed on TV quite recently about Ozil.

He tried to be polite as possible in saying that Ozil needs a world class team around him to really see the best of him.

Basically implying not “world class” player.

CG

China “”””but he’s a good signing on paper”””” Well done. Finally caught up. That’s all it China A Superficial appointment. Co- ordinater!!! (Male version of Miss Moneypenny.) But the masses will lap it up. They always do! (GoH and Pierre excepted.) T.H. He will have a different role within 18 months( hopefully replacing Raul The Spiv) And Emery will be gone within 18 weeks Nothing will improve at Arsenal – until they appoint a proven proper manager not a proven Looser! I KNOW IT! YOU GUYS And GIRLS KNOW IT! The rest is all Fudge! And delaying the inevitable. Until… Read more »

Marko

Sky now reporting the Ozil loan to Fenerbache and they usually report stuff when it’s pretty far along so hopefully it’s true.

Thomas

I’m not sure why people still refer to Ornstein. The guy is a complete fraud.

Btw Arsenal ceased to be a joke yet or what?

Graham62

“Why are Leicester out-summering Arsenal?” I think it’s pretty obvious. Over the past four years they have become a far more appealing product than ourselves. Progressive and proactive owners, they also now have a manager that knows what he is doing and a far eastern fan base that pours millions into the club. They captured the footballing worlds hearts not only with their magnificent EPL win but also in their handling of the tragic events following the helicopter crash last year. Compared to our inept leadership of the past decade, Leicester City FC make us look second-rate in so many… Read more »

Whitty

Edu won’t change a fuckin thing with the tight yank cunt owning the club.

Just PR for the fan boys.

What’s the point?.

Ivan

Ozil’s greatest enemy is his flimsy character and lack of ability to adapt or improve apects of his game that are not related to his talent. There were quite a few players from continent that were surprised by phisicality of prem. Succesfull ones improved themself. Ozil and other flops didnt. Its not that he cant, simply he wont, hes the talented guy that takes easy route instead of going for the jugular of problem, same attitude we all resent him during games. He can be fantastic if the stars are well aligned on his day, but mostly football matches are… Read more »

CG

Well said Graham( hope you dont mind I borrowed one of your words)

Leicester City are brilliant football club.
A shining example

The Thais owners see to that!

We had those Thais in charge- what a football club we would have again!

!!!Boycott the Buggers!!!

Marko

Ozil’s greatest enemy is dry land and physical exertion

Champagne Charlie

Haha Leicester City more appealing than Arsenal.

CG

Cha Cha

For young players they are.
Without question

Emery or Rogers?

What talented young player would want to play for Emery???

Saliba – is the luckiest player alive.
He swerves him!

NW9 gooner

Marco -the news is encouraging but still a
long way off – my only relief will be that we have to get someone to replace him

Marko

Leicester City have overpaid on Tielemans and pissed 30 million away on Ayoze Perez. We do not need to be more like them. People do realize that they’re a midtable club right? That’s not just me

NW9 gooner

TR7- you are just biased regarding Ozil – he was world class at RM and playing for Germany and the first one and half years with us. Very few players have his vision of the field – he could probably still be very good in a slower league say the Italian. Don’t compare him with Dele Ali for gods sake-it’s a sacrilege

NW9 gooner

Marco – Leicester may have overpaid for the two but they are better of with them

Cesc Appeal

Smith Rowe has been called up to the first team squad as well.

That’s Willock, Nketiah, Nelson and Smith Rowe called up to the first team.