via @ARSENAL INSTAGRAM
I was going to write this blog like a letter, but I felt like an idiot, so instead, let’s just talk about issues like we normally do.
That letter…
THE GOOD
Josh wrote back in double-quick time and he also did an interview on the website.
However you cut it up, he was affected by the critique, he penned a thoughtful response and he said some things that should please. He also spoke with passion, which makes English people happy.
He correctly called out that Arsenal has been making a lot of changes. I can go along with that. We’ve also made a lot of mistakes, which is why things are so bad at the minute.
He basically said what we all knew… Arsenal is a Champions League spender on wages with a Europa League budget. So forget about financial favors some of you thought Raul was going to snag in his sit down with the KSE crew this month.
He also empathised with the fans. He really tried to double down on the fact that he went to Baku and saw the tears in the players eyes. I understand that he wants to be seen as a fan, but flying out privately to watch your team in the final is par the course. Regardless, he wants you to know he gives a fuck.
He really drilled home the importance of Edu, calling him the final piece.
He said the club and his family is in it to win it. That was great to hear.
Overall, it was a good response and timely.
HOWEVER.
I don’t want to write like the leftwing media here, ‘we got what we wanted, but it’s still not enough’, but I do think there are a few things about the response that need addressing.
Firstly, if you want to win and that’s what the focus is, what happens if, like the last 10 years of KSE bland-on-toast, it fails?
Will they sell up and move on in shame? Is there any consequence for not winning? If you can’t make a club work in over a decade, why not sell up if you fail again?
Seems a ridiculous thing to ask, but ultimately, if winning at all costs fails, why keep it going? Pass it onto someone else and make $2.5b in the process.
Secondly, I find it staggering that someone overseeing the wreckage of this summer can confidently say that Edu is the final piece of the puzzle.
Are. You. Kidding.
We have a bang average manager, there’s no chief scout, our head of performance was booted back to Australia, we are a total mess.
Edu is the FIRST piece of the puzzle.
Another point, that hasn’t been addressed by anyone at Arsenal.
What is the timeline?
You can’t keep talking about winning if you don’t state what you want to win and by when.
Is the whole exec leadership team going to be held to account here?
I read that Josh is a very likeable guy behind the scenes. He looks like a fun guy, he has a yacht, is a total playboy, and probably has Thierry Henry in a WhatsApp group.
My question is… do they fear him? Is Raul’s neck on the line if we are not in the Champions League in 3 years. What is Vinnai being held accountable for? Who is demanding absolute fucking excellence at the club moving forward?
Where are we going to be in 1 year, 2 years, 3 years… and what is the crowning glory of this group of men?
Saying you want to win means nothing without a timeline and brutal consequences for failure.
If we want to be seen as an elite team, there has to be a standard we’re held to… because the sharp reality of business is this: If you don’t hold people to account, they generally don’t hold themselves to one. This is exactly what happened with Ivan Gazidis. His main goal was self-preservation and all of his decision making was geared around prolonging the gravy train.
He bottled firing Wenger when Klopp was available. He bottled paying a little extra for BIG names. He allowed Wenger to sit on cash and treat it like his own, when the real value was in rapidly appreciating players. He bottled the manager decision. He bottled creating a structure with hierarchy. He bottled seeing his vision through. Why? Because Josh and Stan didn’t hold him to sporting standards. His standard was to never rock the boat, which meant low-risk decisions, always.
Raul has the job of his life, he has fallen up the ladder and now has incredible wealth and power. He will hold onto that job in the same way as Ivan did if Josh isn’t careful. Winning SHOULD be part of his remit. Not a nice to have.
I would love to hear Josh come out and tell us the standards he expects. I would love to hear in the press that losing at Arsenal comes at a cost. I don’t want to hear our manager say that he likes Arsenal because the pressure is different. I don’t want a coddled environment. I don’t want to hear the players let whingeing get in the way of prep . I don’t want the bus driver running team motivation speeches. I don’t want to see average players prancing around at the club because they love their contracts. I don’t want to see our head of psychology on the club website 5 years straight if he’s not improving the mental state of our players.
I want us to be the best.
Ok, I’m sounding like a brat now, but simply put, I appreciate Josh speaking to the fans… but we have been fed inspirational words for too long. Time for action, great results and dire consequences if things don’t move forward.
In other news:
The Saliba deal is nearly done. That’s great fucking business.
Arsenal are still chasing down Tierney
Ceballos on loan is something we’re pursuing
Malcolm could also be on the cards
The talk is hot for Everton
Emery is expecting FOUR players this week
Get a centre back in the mix and the summer won’t have been a total disaster. The season will be, but that’s another story.
See you in the comments. xx
Marko
White English boyyy. Loud and proud.
English til I die
Reports in now that Arsenal have a clear run with Ceballos.
Spurs dropped out.
Apparently didn’t like Real Madrid’s insistence of having a buy back clause on Ceballos if he is brought after loan.
Un na naai
You project the dark and ugly side of you on legrove. The things you end to post are …
I thought here was only one type of proud Briton
I really do hope that have better angels than you’re showing here.
Shows the state the club are in atm though.
A one season loan with no option to buy.
Ceballos can be a handy player this season but that’s all it will be for one season.
As one season loans go looks to be a very decent one.
This reminds me of when Arsenal first moved to The Emirates and were in bad financial shape then. Loaning Baptista. Around that time. I think Baptista was an option to buy though lol
The Ceballos deal will help Willock, competition is a very good thing..
Ishola
Actually the Ceballos deal is smart because both sides are walking into it with open eyes. If we get back into the CL we can get the midfielder of our choosing and wont be constrained by any clause to buy.
Exactly what we need right now.
Dissenter
“The Ceballos deal will help Willock, competition is a very good thing..”
Yes it can.
But if both players perform to their capabilities Willock will not get a look in.
And this loan deal shows really that Willock is indeed not good enough as yet.
Dissenter
We are not talking smart here.
We are talking about Arsenal having to loan players for one season with no option to buy because they are skint.
Said before as one season loans go Ceballos looks a pretty good one.
Apparently United want £75m for Lukaku.
As his replacement they want to buy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from us for £62.5m.
???
I hope we tell them exit stage left!!!
“We are talking about Arsenal having to loan players for one season with no option to buy because they are skint.”
Reports we wanted to buy but the amount mentioned didn’t really meet Madrid’s asking price so they just took a purchase off the table
As a club we have embarrassed ourselves a lot over the past two windows, being skint isn’t excuse enough to go around low balling clubs
I like the no drama signing.
We get a quality player for one season with no commitment to buy.
Who knows whether the lad will even do well in England.
If I were Emery, I would use Ceballos to drive Willock all the way. If Willock lives up to the hype, he may step into that role somewhat next season.
The thing is in the time Dani Ceballos is here things can change, it’s rumoured that Perez is the one that likes him and wants to see him play for Madrid in the future. The situation at Madrid changes all the time and if they get Eriksen, Pogba and anyone else they might get then the attitude toward Perez might change.
I watched the game last night. The starters were mostly the same old arsenal… no new ideas or techniques except some good wing outlets to Auba, who played aggressive and really well. In the 70 min onward when the kids came on, I really paid attention…. they bring a new spark… and style that our old farts do not have. All of them seem to have better dribbling ability than our starters for one. The ability to take on, and beat your defender is evident. I am beginning to like these kids… they have some potential Coman- wow what a… Read more »
Yeah it looks a good loan deal but also at the same time is sombering regarding Arsenal’s financial position now.
When Ozil and Sanchez were signed we thought and the club projected this would be the new Arsenal now. Big exciting signings. No more loan signings, no more bargain bucket signings. What they didn’t tell us was that this was dependent on Arsenal remaining at a certain level.
Roll on a few years later and we are back to loaning players.
Oh well it is what it is.
Cesc
If Ceballos comes in and helps us get CL football for next season and then returns to Madrid – job done. We’ll have more money to spend on a replacement.
If things change at Madrid, he’s fitted in well and likes it here and it’s made permanent – even better.
With limited funds it’s a decent way to get us back where we need to be.
I mean we can negotiate during the loan for a permanent transfer if he enjoys it here and if things go well. I don’t think it’s necessarily an embarrassing thing not having a obligation/option to buy written in. I don’t think we should be embarrassed with getting in a loan if it helps us with actually signing up someone else
Ishola
We are where we are but let’s say we make CL football next season – a positive step in the right direction. Season after same thing only the contracts of Ozil, Miki etc are now off the wage bill.
We need to go throw some pain but there is a light at the end of the tunnel we just need to make sure we keep to the right tracks.
Receding
Putting low opening offers isn’t a problem for me. It’s the perception that the club doesn’t seem to have any inkling of where the selling club stands that is amateurish; it doesn’t feel like we have done any due diligence to assess what the selling club realistically will accept, to determine whether we are wasting our time or not, and then we engage in successive rounds of embarrassment.
It seems we gave up a 20% sell-on clause to Saint-Étienne to facilitate the Saliba deal. That really riles me somewhat.
It seems Celtic are demanding the same 20% sell on clause before selling Tierney to us.
Is this the new trend for contracts or are other clubs just bullying us because they know we are in a precarious position right now?
Marc Agreed. I think it will be a very good signing. Has far more balance than any of our other CAM type players, more a hybrid CAM/CM type. If he takes to the EPL then he could be a real asset for us. We literally just need UCL qualification and the funds that come with it. Again yesterday showed for me the lack of full backs this squad has and lack of wingers. We’re still after Tierney and we’re still after a winger which is absolutely necessary. A flank with Mkhitaryan and Kolasinac/Monreal is going to get ripped apart, and… Read more »
Roll on a few years later and we are back to loaning players.
Chelsea have loaned players before buying them. Juve had Douglas Costa on loan before signing him. I’m not sure we should be embarrassed about a loan given some of the loans that became permanent signings at other clubs. Dortmund currently have Hakimi on loan. PSG loaned Mbappe for a season until they could afford him.
Dissenter
Wasn’t more than a few months ago you were saying what a big heart I had and you had me all wrong…..
And that I’ve got thick skin and clearly love a wind up.
Clearly human being are nuanced and multi faceted
Cue marko and gang with a not so clever whip on my depth of intelligence and personality
Anyway peace out le grove
I’m busy
It seems we gave up a 20% sell-on clause to Saint-Étienne to facilitate the Saliba deal. That really riles me somewhat.
What is with you and believing every little thing that you read. 30 million euros for an 18 year old and a 20% sell on fee? Doesn’t sound right does it. Relax will ya
Getting Ceballos in is good regardless, but it would be a real shame for him to shine then have no option to lock down long term. Equatable to say Cesc coming on a loan in 05 not prior and without option, we’d of never seen him again.
We are at the phase of summer where beggars cannot be choosers.
Well MBappe is a different kettle of fish isn’t he because of his valuation. And really you do want option to buy in there. Atm if Real Madrid say they have no intention of selling him then you have to think that the player himself will also not be interested to move. It makes him feel valued at one of the biggest clubs in the world. But as CA said circumstances can change and he is not a Madrista boy or anything. He is a Sevilla boy so he may be open to move away in the future. Looks a… Read more »
Even if there was a sell on clause in the Saliba deal it wouldn’t be forever. We’re bringing in a young player I’d expect him to be here for a good while.
Holding looks like he’ll be back by the start of the season, a month ahead of schedule, that’s good news. Still need a starter ready CB in now, Just Sok and Holding is not enough.
Upemecano has been linked to AC Milan for 30m meanwhile we’re linked with some (6ft6) dude from Olympiacos for 10m no one ever heard of. Don’t get me wrong he could turn out great but would be nice if we just took the obvious choice for once.
Ishola I was just pointing out that this idea of us being embarrassed by a loan signing is silly considering there’s so many examples of clubs loaning players for a year sometimes two until they can actually afford to buy him outright. I’m not too happy about the lack of an option either but apparently it’s the players wish and it’ll be up to us to show him that he can be happier at Arsenal. I’ve no doubt Madrid would sell him especially if they bring in Pogba or Erikson. They might jack up the price but if he helps… Read more »
Looks like Bielik will go.
Emery doesn’t count him in his plans.
Won’t sign a new contract as well.
Who said embarrassed.
All that was said was it highlights Arsenal’s financial position atm and was reminiscent of when Arsenal first moved to The Emirates and had tight financial constraints then.
Arsenal is the worst run football club in top flight football.
Dream10
“Looks like Bielik will go.”
Dissenter will be gutted lol
Iwobi may be better than Saka at the moment, but Saka is the more natural talented.
naturally
Iwobi is not talented at all, period.
Ishola70
Lol I’m disappointed as well. Think he could be useful for us. Remember that Torreira won’t start every match and he is one player that Emery doesn’t mind leaving on the bench every four or five matches. Bielik can cover him and play middle CB when we throw a back three out there.
Saka probably imo scores more goals too. As he wants to get in box and shoot.
We are talking about Arsenal having to loan players for one season with no option to buy because they are skint
Fine you’re implying embarrassment
Dives in a bit at this stage Dream10.
A Bielik and Xhaka partnership in midfield would be genuinely scary.
No reality Marko.
Bielik going? And Jesus wept. Who cares
Saka is going to be a top player but at 17 needs time to grow and learn a few cameos will be good for him. Freddie rates him highly
Bielik is ok not good enough for us move him on we have an embarrassment of riches with the kids he does not cut it
“Bielik going? And Jesus wept. Who cares”
He had a succesful loan spell at League 1 Charlton, considering we are getting ready to compete in league 1 next season it’s a huge loss.
Upamecano to Milan… come on… come on
“Upamecano to Milan… come on… come on”
You sound embarrassed
“Upamecano to Milan… come on… come on”
They are reportedly sending Hakan C the other way to sweeten the deal
The Spuds about to lose Rose after Trippier ?? What a bunch of idiots…
We are not close neighbors for nothing!! Ah ah!!
(Not funny ??)
GS88
Romford Pele, Patthegooner, N5, Louis Almeida, Carts and a few other elite posters, look we need you to come out of retirement and contribute to this blog. Don’t be a stranger now.
…..
Agreed GS88, the standard of poster has deteriorated.
At least Cesc Appeal is still about.
Left Testicle, GS88
This site is a shadow of what it used to be, agree.
You sound embarrassed
How so? Club with no European football who can’t rub two pennies together are signing up Upamecano? I don’t see it. A loan move for that Turk Juve just bought is more likely.
Rondon passes Chinese medical Zfree.?
That’s what she said.
Too much yammering here, one can’t even find a common theme anywhere. And some fella begging for some ‘A’ listers to come ‘rescue’ the blog, what blatant tosh!
Anyway, Willock is here to fulfill Jack’s potentials. A combination of silk and steel, something our midfield cries for.
If Ceballos was that good, Madrid would tell people to go fuck themselves. They too are rebuilding and they need all kind of concepts to get their level back. So don’t go on overdrive just because some kid had a good outing in an age grade competition.
And……
MR ZAHA is coming!
bris
No he’s not.
Not unless his old man’s going to become club gardener at least.
So Zaha has told Palace he wants to go
‘Wilfried Zaha has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave after returning from the African Cup of Nations, Sky Sports News understands.’
By the time we go over there for another talk, Palace will be serving us tea to sweeten our mood.
Rumours are Spurs are going to spend £70 Million on Lo Celso, potentially a great signing, but does seem they are stacking talent in one area.
That would be £130 Million on central midfield players.
If they’re losing Eriksen to Madrid I’m not sure those players will replace his creativity and they’ve also got a RB and LB problem. Unless they are selling someone else or they are going on a massive net spend seems an odd one.
Cesc
They’ve listed a dozen or so players they want to sell. Some of which are down to a year on their contracts so they can’t afford not to.
What the fudge is Charlie Nicholas talking about.
He says it would be a good idea to bring Wenger back to the club to help in our player recruitment drive.
Is this a joke or what?
“So Zaha has told Palace he wants to go”
Scoop alert!!
@Graham : don’t blame him too much, he’s a bit old.
(Nicholas, not Zaha)
(lol)
Gentlebris
I agree.
Zaha still a possibility.
‘No he’s not.Not unless his old man’s going to become club gardener at least.’
Marc,
No banter bro, I keep having the feelings that this guy will come here and piss on Hazard’s record.
Highbury Legend
Only 57!!!!!
My age.
bris
We might get him but he’s not on Hazard’s level – no where near.
Sorry Graham, I thought he was older!!
I still hope the Everton Soares rumours are true. Lad looks built for the prem
But seriously, he was probably drunk…
Anyway, the return of the specialist in failure would be the cherry on the cake!! lol
Zaha submitting a transfer request will certainly spice up things
Interesting to see how long Palace hold their nerves.
Reckon deal might be done for 55M +add ons
No way should they force him to stay
No wonder Emery has been yapping about expensive signings and what not.. Might be that all eggs gave been chunk into the Zaha basket
Marko
Everton Soares is been used as a smokescreen to force Palace hands..
They play same position and we’re never signing them both
Looks like Emery wants Zaha and Edu has come in and say look this might be a better alternative but Emery wants to linger on a bit and see if Zaha will happen first
Risky but worth it
“Zaha submitting a transfer request will certainly spice up things”
No transfer request, just a verbal confirmation to Palace he wants to move to a top six club
Respect for some of your responses to my earlier post.
In my opinion the A listers of Le Grove are:
Romford Pele
Cesc Appeal
Emirates Stroller
Gambon
Wenger Eagle
Tits MaGee
Midwest Gunner
Leeds Gunner
Marc
Marko
TR7
Ishola 70
Carts
Kerim
Louis Almeida
Finecuts
Alex James
Freddie Ljungberg
Salpardiesnyc
Michael
Moray
Paulinho
N5
London Gunner
Pat The Gooner
And there’s a few more that escapes the memory at this time, but only about 9 or 10 more.
The ones that have stopped posting are totally missed. We need you all back posting again.
‘I agree.Zaha still a possibility.’ Graham, I would even say a reality. Unai has put Palace in their place by subtly declaring we would pursue a second option if they don’t sell. I’m sure they want to sell. They have been hoping for a bidding war but nobody is even remotely interested but us, not even Spuds who seem to be licking our footprints around this summer. People are not particularly interested not because Zaha is not excellent but because there are too many hot wingers in the market this summer, and people would avoid buying from a prem team… Read more »
I believe it normally starts from there RH, Guy is probably avoiding creating a messy situation and hoping Palace see reasons with him
Wouldn’t be shock horror to see a transfer request quickly drafted if Palace remain adamant
“In my opinion the A listers of Le Grove are:”
Maybe you should post something worthwhile yourself rather than waiting for your celebrities to
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
How dare you hurt the prince of Le Groove by leaving him out of your ‘A’ listers.
Trust him to sob in bed tonight.
Gentlerbris, I think you make some good points around Zaha. It seems to me that Emerson, a recent success for Brazil, would be half the transfer fee of Zaha – 5 years younger with a much higher ceiling. Sure Zaha is use to the premiership but our vision of attracting top quality younger players is much more Emerson than Zaha. We have PEA and Lacazette already established as quality attackers, so having say Emerson or Malcolm as newbies with fantastic potential, is the way to go. Apart from the obvious fact that we have a limited budget. If we can… Read more »
Hi custodian jnr
Considering the fact you commented on the “A listers” thing first I can only assume you are projecting your feelings onto me.
Back to duty
CG will be happy. Everton is learning English.
Joke Friday
What is the difference between a Arsenal fan and a baby?
The baby will stop whining after awhile.