Positives to be had against Madrid

by .

via @Arsenal Insta

Well, Arsenal didn’t disgrace themselves in a fun game against the MIGHTY Real Madrid.

We more than held our own against Zidane’s team of champions, in fact, it’s hard to say that we didn’t dominate them at times.

Unai Emery looked like he really wanted it… the scariest PE teacher this side of the Atlantic last night. It looked like he really needed to show the world, the fans, and the press that he can cut it against big teams and he wants a seat at the big boys table.

Once again, we rolled with players that really shouldn’t be anywhere near the tour, but hey, Bale landed some game time, so I guess everyone is out here shop windowing players they want to move on.

I thought there were some real positives. Firstly, we went two goals up and dominated from the start. Arsenal looked like they’d adapted to the heat more so than Madrid. We pressed well, even Ozil was getting involved in the dirty work. It is true, blondes really do have more fun.

How about Carl Jenks smashing into Marcelo? Take that you ‘I’m too good to play with Carl’ mug.

The second half was more interesting for me because we brought Saka, Eddie and Reiss into the game. They were a real menace. The pace and athleticism they gave our forward line was transformative, the shame of it was that it was meshed in with youthful bad decision making. They were all fluffing their lines like shy teenagers attempting to ask the head cheerleader to the dance.

It was a touch embarrassing to see us take the ball to the corner last minute, but at least the players are taking the preseason seriously.

Madrid won on penalties, but who cares, really?

So what have we learned…?

Things are getting desperate now. We may or may not have signed Ceballos. We’re no nearer on a powerful winger. We seem further away on a left-back than ever before. Emery is trying to promote an exciting future on the pitch, but it’s with kids, not mature stars.

The four players he thought he was landing haven’t materialised, and we’re very close to the start of the season.

I mean, I’d rather that than attempt another season with a bunch of players that are unlikely to find the next level for us… at least it’ll be exciting and committed.

We’ll see though, plenty of time until the window shuts… sort of.

See you in the comments! x

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Receding Hairline

Pierre is really bitter towards Emery

This goes beyond Ozil

It’s a case of “how dare you replace him”

In his mind all good players will say “you are not a coach” once Emery is mentioned.

Left testicle

Dissenter
If he helps us improve/achieve CL football it’s all good.

Mysticleaves

RH, your snobbish attitude to our youths, I don’t understand it. Honestly, you think none of them will come good?

Very great news this Ceballos deal. Hopefully he adjusts to the league and plays a blinder and we end up signing him. Big improvement to our team if all clicks. One winger and we easily overtake Spuds and Chelsea this season.

Ndombele for 62m 😅😅😅

Dissenter

Receding
Try and avoid those types of exchanges. They aren’t edifying at all. You know what I mean,

Receding Hairline

RH, your snobbish attitude to our youths, I don’t understand it. Honestly, you think none of them will come good? Mystic it’s experience ..once bitten and all Fran Merida, Arturo Lupoli, Jay Emmanuel Thomas, Seb Larsson this were all supposed to be player who hit the next level just to name a few. Last season we saw Nelson go on loan to a club that finished 9th in the Bundesliga and fade away. We have the Polish kid who did well in League one and some demand he walks into the team. Osei-tutu could only get a loan deal at… Read more »

Unai

You’re tying yourself in knots
You really did go school in your garden shed

Pmsl, the irony.

Receding Hairline

“Receding
Try and avoid those types of exchanges. They aren’t edifying at all. You know what I mean,”

Dissenter Pierre or Battle angel??

Dissenter

Receding

Battle

Pierre is just Pierre. He’s besotted with Wenger and now Ozil.

Receding Hairline

Yes something seriously off about Battle Angel…..nothing he writes makes sense. Which is why i usually stop replying to him abruptly. It’s like talking to a baby.

Alex Cutter

RH, just to refresh your memory, you’re arguing science/biology with an uneducated sociopath who was soliciting advice about treating his bleeding anus on an anonymous soccer blog, because he didn’t have the money to spend on proper treatment.

Unai

But Alex, hes a successful business owner… how can he not afford proper ass treatment?

Valentin

Fran Merida, Arturo Lupoli, Jay Emmanuel Thomas, Seb Larsson this were all supposed to be player who hit the next level just to name a few. Those were bad example, because anybody who has follow the U21 could tell you that bar Seb Larsson who had a decent career none of them had enough between the ears to make the grade at Arsenal. Fran Merida was a sub par Cesc without the will to right in him and everybody could see that. Arturo Lupoli was a goal hanger who looked good because he was playing with a bigger striker in… Read more »

KAY Boss

After my disgust for the yellow numbers on the home jersey, glad to see adidas rectify it with white.
Ceballos in now. Saliba next. Then it’ll be down to getting a cb, Tierney and either Zaha or Everton over the line. Honestly, I think the excitement about new signings have been drained out of arsenal fans.

Leftsidesanch

Saliba announced

Un na naai

Don’t all you pussies get your knickers in a twist over proving to hairline what a shit hole Nigeria is and how hypocritical it is for him to insult anyone’s IQ or british politics. Cutter You’re the sort of guy who’d piss your pants if your Mrs was groped by a stranger. Right little pansie Unai Yes that’s right. I own my business and I earn well. Never said I was a millionaire did I?? Look at the gaggle of bitches. Like a little sowing circle. Pull your tampons out girls. Nigeria is a dump High levels of testosterone is… Read more »

Left testicle

Saliba done.

Left testicle

Beat me to it Leftside.

Unai

Your in the uk aren’t you? I mean, you do know the NHS is free?

Un na naai

Bet none of you can kick a ball either. cutter is some weedy little beta Male soy boy. Guaranteed. #metoo eh cucker?

Why would an American leftist even get interested in arsenal anyway? Get bullied out of sports class at school by the bigger boys cutter? How old were you when you decided to drop a pin on the map when looking for a football team to follow?
Did you think you would look cultured by following a euro soccer ball side?
Rent a personality.
What a veiny little penis you are.

Un na naai

Unai

Naaaaaaaa??? All this time I was paying an Arab in Bradford to do it!!! Fuck why didn’t you say this a year ago?

HighburyLegend

“Fran Merida, Arturo Lupoli, Jay Emmanuel Thomas, Seb Larsson…”
Thank you Wikipedia!!

Mysticleaves

RH, yea. But we think maybe something could be different this time around. These guys can play. More than any I have seen in my time in this club. Willock, Bieliek, Eddie, ESR, Saka, Nelson. They just need a stage to show it.

We have never had a crop like this at same time in a long long time.

Dream10

Ceballos, Saliba, Tierney. Expect all to be done by next week. Still need a first XI level CB, CM and wide forward. Probably a RB as well. Hector and Holding coming back from long term injuries so they won’t be at their best till 2020. Would like to see us make a ballsy move to sell Torreira to either to Spain or Italy and sign Thomas Partey. He can cover more distance and absorb more games easier than little Lucas. Torreira highly thought of in Serie A, so you take advantage and ship him for a profit. A Partey plus… Read more »

HighburyLegend

Amazed by the hype of the Saliba announcement…
What about the players able to play right now ??

HighburyLegend

@Dream : sorry to break your mood, but concerning Tierney, Celtic are far from being ready to let him leave…

Thomas

One player is only on loan and the other is getting loaned back lol.

Unai

Un, I was gonna go with self employed gardner not being a business but couldn’t decide.

salpardisenyc

Raul better be on a roll, summer a disaster if we don’t bring in a CB, LB and cut shot of Mustafi otherwise the quality needle has moved backwards.

Dream10

HighburyLegend

It’s all bullshit from the English media and ex Celtic players who are fueling the outrage. It absolutely infuriates them that he’s about to join Arsenal. one of the reasons I want it to happen. Reckon the clubs will sort thepayments out. Tierney has a chance to double/treble his money. Hard to pass that up.

HighburyLegend

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it clear to Ed Woodward that he wants to sign Harry Maguire as soon as possible”

2 different ways to make business…

Marc

OK that’s 2 down, now focus san switch to a winger and LB.

I still think the CB issue is a relatively new one this window. I believe the plan was for Kos to be back up this season with Saliba lined up for next season.

Marc

Dream10

I agree – I’m still waiting for the Braveheart quotes and talk of a new Independence referendum because those English cunts are stealing our players.

Dream10

After all the noise surrounding Tierney, I’m not sure how good he is. Don’t watch Celtic enough to make that judgment. Some say he’s an overwhelmingly offensive fullback. If I see pundits/journos praising his intangibles more than his actual play, then it isn’t a good signing. Jamaal Lewis LB of Norwich has received positive reviews. Type of player we should consider as well. He started in the Championship as a 20 year old. So physicality isn’t an issue. Think he’ll be a better player than Tierney and is homegrown. If we don’t sign him this summer, he’ll end up in… Read more »

Dissenter

Raul is a master tactician spawn out if the pit of Barcelona
They carefully released both signings just before he meets with the fans. Now there’s a bit of buzz, a little bit of excitement.

What next to come

Unai

Marc on Kos, looks like it was sell to replace or used as back up.

Kos clearly took exception and wanted to line his pocket with the potential transfer fee and everyone has come off badly. Shame really.

Valentin

Dream10,

I agree with you. Only possible issue is that Norwich may want a lot more than 15 millions. And they may also want all payment upfront.

Cesc Appeal

Saliba just has superstar written all over him, looks a supremely confident individual which is exactly what we need from a CB when we play the ball out from the back.

Shame we won’t see him for a year but I understand why he wants to stay one more year. Really excited about that signing.

Also, enjoyed that Guendouzi helped us pull this one off at a funfair in Paris!

Dissenter

Highburylegend
“Amazed by the hype of the Saliba announcement…
What about the players able to play right now ??”

He picked us over Spuds
Make Arsenal great again 2020

Mysticleaves

Marc, is LB that much a priority this season? I doubt. If we get a winger and a ready made CB likes this am set. Winger negates the need to use Kolasnic as an outlet down the flank so he can concentrate a little bit more on defense.

Top 4 with these 2 additions is almost certain

Marc

Unai

He’s been really stupid. If he’d approached the club in a different way I think the club would’ve worked with him.

Now Sanllehi can’t be seen to lose face – I still think he’ll go but it’ll be mid August maybe later. He’ll either be forced to buy out his contract or we’ll sell for £3 million ish.

Marc

Mystic

I disagree on Kolas – he’s not a LB he’s a WB. If we’re going to play 4 at the back and tell him not to push forward what’s the point of him.

Biggest question on Kolas is when can we get him off the wage bill and what fee can we get.

Unai

Hope so Marc, no point in having him sulking around the club for a year.

As much as I thought he was finished I had a lit of respect for him until recently.

Dream10

Valentin

If he’s clearly the better player, then you try to find a way to sign the player with star potential. It’s cheap in the long run.

Mysticleaves

Cesc

Imagine he turns out to be the real deal and also Mavropanos turns out to be the real deal. Two monsterly built defence first but ball playing CBs.
I think I just got hard..🥺🥺

Dissenter

The fact that Spuds were willing to splash even more cash than us shows that there must be something about Saliba.

Marc

Cesc

Didn’t know we’d used Guendozi on the deal – that’s got Sanllehi written all over it. Remember the pressure Cesc was put under by his Spanish team mates?

CG

Has The Clown gone yet?

And I see The Spiv has brought another Spaniard on board..

12 month loan …..with no right to buy…..

By my calculations:

Suaraz £5 million…
Cebolas £3 million…

Another £8 million down The Drain…..

Good these Spanish Jokers….ain’t they…

Tick Tock

Marc

Unai

I always thought of Kos as an honest pro – not the greatest player ever but he’d always work hard for the club.

No he just looks like a money grabbing cunt.

Dissenter

Mystic
I think Mavros needs to stay healthy to even stand a chance. He missed preseason again this year.
I feel sorry for the young lad. Arsenal is already planning the future away from him. It’s not looking good for him.

Marc

Fuck me and every thing was going so well.

Dissenter

O0000000000H NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

CG is back

Unai

Mystic, I just have a feeling it will be Holding and Saliba, lots of hype around Mav but I’m not sold on what little I’ve seen of him.

Could be that hes just not ready but just have this feeling hes not quite good enough.

Marc

Dissenter

Do you know what injury he’s picked up?

Dissenter

Marc,
He has not featured as much this preseason.
I’m not sure of the exact nature because the club has never really disclosed it publicly.
If Arsenal buy a new CB, then it will be because Mavros is not ready for whatever reason.

Cesc Appeal

Mystic I was a little disappointed in Mavropanos when he got chances last year but I’m hoping he improves this year…would be ideal for us really. Saliba, Holding and Mavropanos as CB options going forward could indeed really be something. Not only does that potentially sort or CB situation out for the next 10 years or more but they would have been bought for a total of £31 Million. I they make it to starter level the value they will add to the squad will be immense and will show that we’re starting to run things well. Marc Apparently he… Read more »

HighburyLegend

O0000000000H NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Mustafi and Xhaka are staying this season

Batistuta

Saliba looks a huge prospect, hopefully he fulfills it with us.

Hard to get too excited about it right now though as he doesn’t kick a ball for us till next year, still like that the back line at least looks like we could have those guys in there for a good number of years.

Marc

Cesc

That’s was a convenient coincidence wasn’t it!

I’ve already said on here today that Emery will be spitting teeth all these young players.

HighburyLegend

If Ceballos have one hell of a season, we will look like idiots when he will return to Madrid…
Old habits die hard.

CG

Would it not be absolutely delicious If were were to meet St. Etienne in The Loosers Cup and Saliba scores the winner to knock us out……..

Pure Comedy Gold …..
Apt for The Spanish Clowns in Charge…

Batistuta

Rugani or maybe Cahill on loan seeing as the bulk of our budget seems to be going into signing a Winger….

Really can’t do another season of Mustafi, Sokratis and Montreal at CB.

Marc

Highbury

The biggest question is which would you take – no more CG or no more Mustafi and Xhaka?

Remember the players can be dropped!

Cesc Appeal

Sal

That’s what I mean…just looks a superstar in the making.

Marc

Probably make an offer for Ashley Cole just to placate Emery, all these juice boxes, Nintendo Switch game-a-ma-boxes and dabbing everywhere. Need some people who remember the first Gulf War, that’s what we need.

Marc

It’s taken patient zero about 7 minutes on his return to wish Arsenal lose a game.

Pedro when the fuck are you going to ban this cunt?

Marc

Cesc

Nah mate we need to go full on Falklands – I say bring in David Batty!

Batistuta

We absolutely have to do something at the back for this season though, very critical for me really, I’d forgive that same midfield for another season given we get in a Winger but something has to be done about a CB

Marc

Bati

Cahill is available on a free.

Think there’s a chance of that one.

Dissenter

The Saliba marketing is better than Arsenal’s roll-out. He has good people around him.

He has a song waiting for him at the Emirates
Sali…Sali…Saliba
He came to Londing and told Spurs to fcuk off
Sali…Sali…Saliba

CG

Mr. Gazpacho

“””””The biggest question is which would you take – no more CG or no more Mustafi and Xhaka?”””””

I had intended to retire from Le Grove…..but you and Cesc Appeal in particular speak so much garbage – I thought it was my duty to re enter the fray…

I have to say… you are a complete imbecille.
And I doubt – I am alone with those sentiments.

salpardisenyc

Cesc,

Quality future signing, very curious to how rest of budget is spent for next season.
Ceballos loan could prove very smart if they spend well with remainder. For me thats on defense.

Raul got bummed on the terms but thats his situation to remedy, well see how gangster he is in next two weeks.

Cesc Appeal

Marc

I like it.

Someone who remembers the Thatcher and Reagan administrations.

That is literally the Emery sweet spot for a player.

Dissenter

It’s now or never for Mavros, with a big money signing coming back next season and Holding approaching full fitness.
One part of me wants the club to bring in a veteran like Cahill just to leave the door open for Mavros. It’s just that we can’t afford a repeat of the Lichtensteiner signing.

Better sign a 10 million transfer-fee Senegalese on a 5 year low wage deal than 5 million for Cahill for one season.

Cesc Appeal

Sal

There was meant to be a Q&A with him today, not sure when but I imagine it will come out on Twitter.

That could be telling to an extent.

Marc

Cesc

Yeah if a player hasn’t been hardened by the cold war and threat of nuclear annihilation then they just don’t have the balls.

Batistuta

Marc

I hope that’s true.

Juve are looking to offload Rugani, could so something there too especially on loan too

Dissenter

I don’t like Mavropanos, not robust enough for me, there’s options in the market, just wouldn’t make sense to not even touch the defence and I’m not talking Tierney

Unai

“Arsenal are not playing properly,” Jordan said during an appearance on talkSPORT. 

“If they can afford to pay £27million for a player and send him back on loan [William Saliba], they can afford to play £60/70million for Wilfried Zaha.”

Jury’s still out on new regime but nice to see us being cuntish in the transfer window, unsettling players and winding fans of other teams up.

Best way to extract value is to get the player pushing for the deal as we have found to our cost in the past, sometimes a drawn our chase ensures value.

HighburyLegend

@Marc : I would choose Xhaka and Mustafi of course, the most important is the good of the club, and CG is just a… he’s just nothing, in fact.

Marc

Unai

And if we fuck over a team we have to play even better.

Marc

Bati

It’s true he’s been released by Chelsea.

Cesc Appeal

“If they can afford to pay £27million for a player and send him back on loan [William Saliba], they can afford to play £60/70million for Wilfried Zaha.”

This is just stupid logic though.

We’re paying £27 Million over 6 installments. Saliba is likely to have cost us £4.5 Million this summer.

Zaha would likely be an Arsenal player already if Palace would accept a 6 installment payment plan for £60 Million (plus a player) and £10 Million this summer.

Unai

Dont get your point Marc? Are you saying teams will be more up for it if we take there best players or destabilise them?

Zaha for example will 100% want the move, Palace are in a bit of a corner now, either sell or deal with potentail sub par performances for at least the start of the season.

What’s obvious is that neither Zaha or Teriney have poured cold water on either deal, they will both want to get the deals done, without doubt this puts us in a better position to negotiate.

Chris

Any info on whether the Ceballos loan was completed with or without an option to buy?

Un na naai

Reports coming in that the tierney deal is very close.

Doesn’t look like we I’ll be getting a centre half at arsenal this season. Just Sokratis over 3 transfer windows since the new regime came in. Glaring holes in the centre of defence yet we blow money all over the rest of the side and ignore the most pressing matter in the team.

Unai

Cesc, I think the point hes trying to make us were not as skint as we are making out, it benefits us to be seen to be.

BacaryisGod

General Mattis once said ‘the most important 6 inches on the battlefield is between your ears’. For that reason alone we have to find a way to get rid of Mustafi and Xhaka. I truly believe that if we had spent the 65-70 million on different players in the 2016 season then Wenger might still be manager. Not that him staying would be a good thing, but I think their signings in such critical positions put him over the edge. Just imagine the following: We sign N’Golo Kante buy offering 36 million instead of Chelsea’s 32 million (transfermarkt.co.uk values him… Read more »

Cesc Appeal

Unai

I don’t see how he can make that point at all.

No evidence for it.

If we’d paid £27 Million for him this summer sure.

I don’t think anyone minds us paying £4.5 Million out of our £45 Million budget for a prospect like Saliba.

Valentin

Not hypocritical at all.
We should go and try to destabilise other clubs player so we can get them on the cheap and then complain to all mighty when one of our players is destabilised and want to leave on the cheap.

Marc

Unai

We destabilise them and also start a bit of fuck with Arsenal at your peril.

I like a bit of fuck you attitude in the club.

CG

Cescy

“””””Zaha would likely be an Arsenal player already if …..””””

…..We had beaten Brighton Hove Albion at home….. 1 nil up…..at half time.

Cescy… remember…

We were 3rd with 6 games to go…..
Only The League Champs and Euro Champs were in front of us…..

Truth Hurts Cescy…..

I know you struggle with it.
That’s why you agree with Mr. Gazpacho so often.

He hates The Truth too….

3rd with 6 to Go!

And Unai F**ked it….

Tick Tock….

Chris

Anyone on twitter see Ozil’s tweet to that Spurs fan, well played Mesut! 😁

salpardisenyc

Chris..

TOP banter from Blondie.

Marc

Cesc

Actually what I found interesting in Jordan’s comments was the £60 million figure.

I know he’s not involved with them any more but that usually means pundits push values higher for a bit of kudos. He’s pitching Zaha at £60 million that’s a lot closer to our £40 million plus a player than the £80 million that was being talked about.

CG

Mr. Gazpacho

“”””We destabilise them and also start a bit of fuck with Arsenal at your peril.

I like a bit of fuck you attitude in the club.”””

What with Raul “””Outsmarting the Market””” Sanelli and Vinny?

Good luck with that….

Gentlebris

We have done one that will not be here for another year and we have done another that will leave in a year.
When do we do the one that will come now and stay here?

Unai

Marc, were in the same page, always wanted us to be more ruthless.

Cesc, £45m budget will have been a myth if we sign Zaha, Tierney, Saliba & Martinelli this window.

kristoman

Cesc appeal
we are not paying saliba fee over 6 instalment, rather we pay 5m this year and the remainder next year when he come to us. Please get your facts right

Marc

Bac My take on what’s happening at the moment and it’s only a personally view but Mustafi looks like he’s being sidelined – can’t see him getting many matches unless we have huge injury crises. Ozil will be sidelined by Ceballos as he settles, that leaves Xhaka. With 2 of the clown school not in the team to make mistakes / not contribute it will show Xhaka’s fuck ups all the more. If Willock or Guendozi have anything about them they’ll be pushing him out of the team as the season goes on. It’s not the instant solution we all… Read more »

Cesc Appeal

Unai

‘Cesc, £45m budget will have been a myth if we sign Zaha, Tierney, Saliba & Martinelli this window.’

How?

That depends totally on how much we pay for each of them this summer.

Marc

Our £40 Million was a little low but I never got the hysterics abut it being ridiculous etc. A big part of this is, I think, how much we give them this summer and how we offer to pay the balance.

Marc

bris

Madrid could well be signing Pogba next summer, they’ll be looking to raise some funds and Ceballos could be settled.

It’s not an automatic pit stop for him.

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