via @Arsenal Instagram
BACK TO THE FOOTBALL.
I watched Arsenal play on the plane yesterday as we beat the mighty Bayern Munich. I know it’s tough to read into these sorts of games, but a win is a win however you chop it up.
The players looked fit, the haircuts looked fresh and that away kit looks stunning.
I don’t want to pontificate on the details, but here are a few things I enjoyed.
Ozil looked like he wanted to play. No point in having a haircut that pretty if you’re stuck on the bench. He moved around the pitch really well and caused a nuisance.
Auba looks very fit and ready to go, I thought he had an interesting game drifting in and out of wide positions.
Joe Willock could be a surprise package this season. He’s an actual athlete and he looks like he has something about his game. He’s very composed and focused, hopefully something happens for him this year.
I was also very happy to see Eddie score. That kid is a poacher and I’d love him to land a little more game time this year.
I also really like the look of John-Jules. He’s compact, fast and making a difference when he shows up. He has teams like Juve and PSG chasing him, he either plays or we lose him. We are long overdue a Jack Wilshere like kid on the scene.
Also… how about Emery and those pearly whites?
Things look like they’re moving in the transfer market. Zaha has said he wants out at Palace, Tierney is moving forward, the club are nearly done on Saliba and Ceballos looks like he could be reality with Spurs dropping out. Throw in a ‘now’ centre back and we’re rolling.
I know the French papers are reporting a bid for Pepe, but be real, we don’t have £80m to spend, so any money flashing from our wallet is monopoly paper or it’s a ‘we tried’ bid.
Right, Fiorentina up on Saturday. I’ll be back with a more imposing blog tomorrow! In the meantime, know that The Arsenal Opinion is back on the regular starting soon… in the meantime, I did a little something with the team over at Mundial. It’s about the Arsenal vs United rivalry. You should put it on your playlist RIGHT NOW.
Nearly a week since the whatever it was and the response from Josh and we’re still talking about the same deals which is tedious. I can see said deals dragging on and then 3/4 being announced and people thinking it’s going to be enough but it won’t be. It’ll be so stupid if we spend a significant amount of of money on Zaha and still have AMN at RB while players like Everton, Fekir and Ziyech go for much less.
It is a massive fee for Zaha but I think he will be absolutely brilliant for us.
Also, I’m not sure Everton Soares will go for less. Gremio want £37 Million for themselves and they own 50% of his rights. His fee could end up being massive and complicated.
Zaha and Dani Ceballos could really change things for us going forward and also off the ball as well. A front line with Aubameyang and Zaha instantly changes how the opposition approaches us.
CA how much do you see Zaha going for though? Cause I don’t see them accepting anything less than around 55-60 million and even that is being conservative considering they’re apparently demanding 80-100 million. I think you get anywhere near that and your better off looking at Everton, Fekir, Malcom and Ziyech cause you could potentially get two of them for the price of Zaha. I can see them just going balls out and thinking that’ll get the fans off our back a huge fee for Zaha meanwhile we’re still playing Iwobi or Auba out of position or Ozil is… Read more »
Mentor is to try to at least try to get something useful from our weekly outlay of 350k. As of now Ozil has been a disaster every time he was played recently. Maybe in some situations he might be motivated to play .
AFC wereMAD to offer him that disaster salary. Out of country team he would not get 200k these days
What’s going on today douche bags? This morning I took the mother in law, wife and wonder baby to a National Trust house here in the midlands. To my absolute horror, it was ‘fun day’ with the local peasants. Fuck me. You look at these poor kiddies with their chain smoking mums and dads, puffing salmons all over the babes and think “they have no chance”. I saw one particular specimen literally dropping ash over one baby while of course stuffing crisps into baby’s mouth, while the dad (maybe) also smoked and drank K Cider straight out the can…at an… Read more »
Marko
If we were to go into the season with Tierney, Ceballos, a winger (whomever) and a CB even if they are a stop gap CB with Saliba loaned back I’d be thrilled with the summer.
My natural position is avoid buying English players from the PL – they’re too expensive and you can usually get better for less elsewhere but if we did get Zaha with the above it would certainly go a long way to balancing the team.
I think Everton has a higher ceiling than zaha even if they were going for similar fees. Brazilians can be such an unknown quantity, especially in our league but I just think he looks like he would flourish at arsenal a la Sanchez.
Another lovely day on London. Hope everyone is enjoying it.
If we were to go into the season with Tierney, Ceballos, a winger (whomever) and a CB even if they are a stop gap CB with Saliba loaned back I’d be thrilled with the summer.
Marc
I would to. As long as that winger was Everton and not Fraser or Keane
Report that there is nothing in the Everton Soares rumours.
Most probably the Zaha move will be a lot of hot air as well.
Still only a youngster signed for peanuts with a few weeks left in the window.
Un
Yeah I was assuming the winger was Zaha or Everton etc.
e. You look at these poor kiddies with their chain smoking mums and dads, puffing salmons all over the babes and think “they have no chance”.
GOH
Mate
And the way they speak to their children too. Unbelievable. Many of them without dads
Is it any wonder there’s such a violent crime epidemic with half a generation’s worth of selfish, impulsive and negligent parents?
I’m so glad I moved out of London.
Yeah if Everton is more expensive than can be justified in the end, why not Ziyech and fekir instead?
As was said, it feels like the Zaha transfer is more about making a statement than it is about doing the right thing. If he was a world class player it would at least be a statement, but he’s not, so spending close to 80m on him is such a bad idea when we have so many holes in our squad
I know it’s meaningless but I would laugh if City were to lose to Wolves on pens in the Asia Cup whatever it’s called thingy.
Marc
I’d be happy with zaha but not at anything above £45-£50m. If we had that and could add to the other positions you mentioned.
Doubtful though so I don’t understand the reports that we are not in for Everton. Especially whenyesterday the same outlets report that our doctors are in Brazil for a medical examination.
In non football related news-
Man Katie melua really has a sexy voice.
China
We’re not paying £80 million for him even with player swaps.
If we were to go into the season with Tierney, Ceballos, a winger (whomever) and a CB even if they are a stop gap CB with Saliba loaned back I’d be thrilled with the summer. Depends really on the CB in that scenario. I also don’t like the term stop gap. Sokratis was a stop gap Lichtsteiner was a stop gap. We need to have some thought behind the signing. And there’s still the issue at RB which seems to be amazingly looked over by a lot of people. It’s absolutely fundamental that both full back positions are addressed. I’m… Read more »
Un
Leaving London was one of the best decisions I have made…and that’s sad as I lived 38 years in London.
You couldn’t pay me to go back now.
China
Fekir looks like ozil MKII for me. I’d steer clear. Ziyech looks decent but Everton looks levels above for me. I really think we could miss a trick here. Another “we were so close to that superstar” moment. Without wenger.
First 2 pens saved.
Un
Problem is with all the click bait and generally bollocks that goes round about transfers you don’t know if there was ever anything in the Everton rumours. It could have been “Arsenal hire Brazilian TD link them to a Brazilian player”
1 all after 3 pens each
Guns Same mate. It’s no place to raise children. My parents could offer me their Clapham town house and I’d straight up refuse. They could offer me £1m on top and i would still say no. It all was starting when I was 15-16 the crime, the anti social behaviour. The financial rewarding of single parenthood and irresponsibility. The further off the grid I get, the better I want to end up in the south of France. Place called Tournet. Not far from Toulouse. If I could earn what I earn now I’d go in a heartbeat, well and if… Read more »
Zaha would fit straight in. No one season transition. No adapting to the EPL.
I would love to have him at Arsenal, irrespective of the fee.
We wasted £60m on Sanchez, plus the Ozil debacle, not forgetting our losses on Ramsey.
We need something to happen to reinvigorate the club.
Zaha would create havoc for our opponents.
Marc
Or agents stirring up interest.
Wolves win it!
Pep you useless fucking cunt!
sack him
Un
Definitely. Again easy / lazy rumour to start after appointing Edu.
Un
I offer a euthanasia service and I’ll even give you the Gooner discount.
Only question is bat or pillow?
There was supposed reports from “reliable” journalists in Brazil about Everton. And to be honest that’s kinda one of the points in Edu isn’t it? His knowledge and ability to bring in talent from South America. I mean are we to just allow all of them to go to Spain or Donetsk or Benfica? Anyway I’m hoping that reports from Brazil and Sky Sports are more genuine than that of some guy who writes for goal.com
Marc
Would be sweet if true though
Lord knows we could use some imagination
Do you play yourself Marc?
Un
What football?
Marc
Haha
I’ve got my eye on one in Switzerland if it comes to it 😉
I don’t think it would be any good on my old fella. He will outlive us all.
If I could earn what I earn now I’d go in a heartbeat
Eh
Marc
Yeah
Un
No mate I’m 46 – only dribbling I do is after too many beers!
Marko
?? Yes. If I could move to France and continue to earn what I earn now. I could stay here mid week but barely see me kids so what’s the point? Not in a position to run things remotely either
Marc
Wouldn’t do a vets team?
I’m considering it myself.
Been out of the game for 6 years
34 now and just come back to 5 a side in last 5 weeks
At first was abysmal and thought it was fine but it’s all coming back now.
Not sure I’d handle a 21 year old any more though. In every sense.
Marko
Charles Watts is saying Zaha is still the top target. Everton joining Arsenal might be his agent using us to drum up interest for a richer club
Thought it was gone
Not fine
Dream
Who though? All the top teams have their targets drawn or signing made. He’s not proven enough for the elites. We are Europa but we are still a big draw for a tier 2/3 talent
Un
Nah too lazy.
I know who is saying it but who is Charles Watts? Why should he be believed over Sky sources and reports in Brazil and Italy? Zaha is priced at 80-100 million and he’s dismissing our interest in Everton Soares? Okay I’ll wait and see what the tea leafs say
Marko
They’re all rumours so need to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Marc
Fair enough. Not to lazy to get your arse up the Emirates weekly though. Seems like more hard work to me.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vwmU343eBu0
Fucking tune
Un
PSG a good fit for Everton as well. They’ll have a lighter wage bill with Neymar going to Barça. Less pressure on him there. Also, Milan were the first Euro club linked to him
Don
Guns was talking about the midlands by the way not London? even though parts of it are shit.
London is what it is.
Moise Kean
Anyone interested? Not for me. Everton all day long.
If the rumours come off ie Tierney, Ceballos, winger and a CB what does this mean for how we set up this season?
I reckon it means we’re going to go 4-2-3-1. Xhaka and Torreira in CM with Auba and new winger playing wide but does that mean Ozil is side lined for Ceballos?
You’d certainly see limited playing time for Mustafi, Miki, Kolas and possibly Ozil and Iwobi.
Outside of Xhaka playing too much I quite like the look of that.
Apparently according to sky sports Zaha has been Emery no 1 target. Since the first time they played us. Makes sense going. For him last 😳 or are we trying that last minute bs cheap shit.
Same
I know. However the same applies to shitty London parents and I drew a parallel. Don’t think I haven’t funk it
Un
I’m a fucking sadist – worse thing is I know it!
Same
You don’t think Everton at £36m is last minute shit? Surely?
I’ll take Everton
Marc
Hahaha. Me too. I find an altogether different outlet though 😉
Same
But would prefer zaha?
PSG a good fit for Everton as well. They’ll have a lighter wage bill with Neymar going to Barça. Less pressure on him there. Also, Milan were the first Euro club linked to him PSG aren’t going to be interested in him they’re likely to get a player from Barcelona if the Neymar deal even goes through. Milan were linked to him when they weren’t in trouble with FIFA over FFP and when Leonardo was there but now they can’t afford a pot to piss in. There might be a couple English teams in for him and it’ll be a… Read more »
No I would take Everton over Zaha.
Marko
If he’s the player being talked about on here and he goes to Everton or Newcastle he’ll be gone in 18 months or so.
Don
No question. Zaha ain’t worth all that money. Everton comes with a lot of pluses.
Everton Soares has been offered to Arsenal, with Gremio in need of money & Edu close to the player & his representatives, although sources at Arsenal are distancing themselves from a deal, but there is a chance the club could pursue a move before deadline day. [@charles_watts]
This was literally two days ago from the same person saying that there’s no interest in him. Between “distancing themselves” and “there is a chance the club could” you get the idea that said individual is covering every single base/angle known to man so as to appear knowledgeable.
New post
Marko
I’d also guess that his income is linked to “hits”. He doubles up by contradicting himself and then triples if we do go for him.
Anyway
Enjoy your day batty creases