Wow, wow, wow… Raul S has pulled off the shock signing of the summer, with Dave Ornstein announcing the Spaniard has reeled in one of the best talents in Ligue 1 with Nicolas Pépé.
I am SHOOK.
Pepe to Arsenal. Hahahahah
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) July 13, 2019
The above tweet is obviously a massive L on my part, but there are layers to my unprophetic words. Firstly, the fact we’ve managed to scrabble together €80m for a player is quite incredible. If there were a saying from this summer it’d be…
‘It’s all about the instalment plan, fam’
Secondly, I am HUGELY surprised that we were the only major club outside Napoli in for his talents. I know I have repeatedly defended what Arsenal is to players and managers around the world, but I didn’t think we were in that league of intrigue for names that had clubs like Paris and Liverpool sniffing. Just goes to show you, London is a huge pull, the full stadium is unique, the training ground is special, the chance to play must also be important, and the new guys must be able to sell a dream.
What a moment, I can’t remember Arsenal dropping a signing this major since we brought in Thierry Henry. He’s the right-winger of our dreams. The most exciting Ivorian since Yaya Toure stepped foot in Boreham Wood (Jokes Kolo, jokes). He scored 23 goals last season and gave 12 assists. He’s been making a contribution to Lille every 101 minutes, which is far more impressive than what Zaha has been doing at Palace over the past season. The best he’s mustered is a contribution every 152 in his best ever year last season.
The player himself is a joy to watch, for some reason I spent a lot of time watching Ligue 1 last year and he’s been one of the stand out guys. He’s powerfully built, standing at 6ft. I think he’s slightly lighter in frame than Zaha, but he’s electric on the ball. He has deft feet, he moves at pace, he’ll come deep, he’ll stretch teams and in front of goal last season he blew up.
We’ve struggled for years to add players with athleticism to our frontline, it’s great to see we’re finally moving in on players that are a huge issue for teams on the counter. When you have a shite defence like we do, the last thing we need is to be pressed into our own half because the only person chasing a long ball is Auba (who can be crowded out physically in big games).
Outside that, this has been a fucking great signing for the fans. This is a premium signing. I really think Zaha would have been good for us, but that could have gone the way of Welbeck, or it could have just been a move that was ok.
Pepe has a higher ceiling than Zaha, I think he’s better technically, and he’s 2 years younger. Our guy has resale value as well, which is super important when you look how we’re going to have to work the ins and outs moving forward.
It’ll also be good for the squad morale. No one wants to go back to preseason and have no new faces to look at. This will add the squad vibes and it’ll be just as fun for the players as it has been for the fans.
I know that a few of journos are saying the move favoured us because we were willing to give his agency team the commissions they wanted. It seems like the cost of football these days, but it’s dodgy all the same. We’ve lost out on lots of big names in the past because we’ve ignored the dark arts of the game, and now it looks like that’s where we’re playing them… but like most things in sport, you cease to care if you have a shiny new player rolling out in a redshirt.
I did think it was quite amusing that Raul and the exec leadership team spent an afternoon getting pounded at the fan Q&A for basically no reason… they could have just said we’d be signing Pepe this week and everyone would have shut the fuck up. It’s a bit like chewing out your partner for not doing anything for your birthday, then packing up your bags and leaving them, only find out their last-ditch attempt to meet you was a surprise birthday party with the Rolling Stones.
What I find particularly handsome about this summer is that the roof of the house has blown off and we’re out the front painting with a really nice Farrow and Ball shade of gray. Where are the defenders?!
Are we Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle? It’s looking that way… but hey, at least the players are exciting.
See you in the comments!
Jamie
Oh, forgot about that, exciting times ahead indeed.
Freddie
I find the ManU link strange – they’ve got a ton of wide forwards why do they need another?
Even if your preference is Zaha, I don’t see how a real Arsenal fan can be displeased with a potential Pepe signing. At the beginning of the summer he was my preferred option, just thought that there was no way we can get him.
If we can get Tierney and a CB in addition, it would have been a sterling summer. Credit where credit is due to Raul and the team.
Marc
None on Pepes level though, and they do love an expensive statement signing or 2 over there.
Maybe moving Martial into the middle if they get rid of Lukaku? Not sure what they’re thinking or if there’s any truth behind their interest, they were not one of the clubs that agreed a fee apparently.
Tierney and Pepe looking so close. If these deals get done this will be our best transfer window in some time and if we can also sign a good CB while offloading some of our deadwood i would probably rate it as our best window in the PL era at least. Idk about the windows prior to that anyway. Raul,vinai , huss have done a brilliant job. Identify weak spots, make a list of targets, thrash awesome instalment deals(lol), do a lil dance in the announcement video. Raul means some business. Maybe he wants to prove the world ( to… Read more »
Jamie
Unfortunately I didn’t believe him when he said it and he’ll just find a why to back out of it now.
Dissenter I don’t think the £45m figure was illogical when you looked at the fundamentals: – the club will declare a big pre-tax loss for the 18/19 season, and ran a large operating loss the previous season (the new sponsorship money simply plugs that shortfall) – the owner will not accept a loss-making business, so costs have to be rationalised – the club still had a healthy cash hoard on the balance sheet, but there was little evidence that the owner would allow this to be spent on transfers – the club has always been financially cautious, so was unlikely… Read more »
They clearly want to bin Alexis but are in an Ozil-esque situation there themselves because of his wages.
Leaves them with Martial, Lingard and Daniel James as wide options seeing as how the plan seems to be to play Rashford as the CF with Lukaku looking likely to leave.
They could do with a starting wide player seeing as how James is coming from the Championship and Lingard is shite.
I reckon we’ll get Pepe over the line mind.
Young Jamie “”Don’t worry, Tobs. CG will no longer be posting here on Jan 2nd assuming Emery hasn’t been sacked by then. He gave us his word.Tick tock truth hurts””” And you have my word. Emery will be gone by Nov Expectations Levels heightened by this bizarre signing Cebollas immediate team selection will alienate other players. Newcastle 2 Arsenal 2 Arsenal 0 Burnley 0 Liverpool 3 Arsenal 2 Arsenal 1 Spurs 6 Emery sacked International weekend after Players Revolt Fred caretaker until Enrique ( most likely ) Joins up with The Spiv CG continues on Le Grove Apologies forthcoming… (That… Read more »
Has any of you mugs ever watched Luther? Better yet, have any of you enjoyed Luther? My wife assured me it was dark Don’t watch it she says It will give you nightmares…… Is she for fucking real? Has everyone gone backwards or just women?? This is shit The biggest lot of shit I’ve watched since doctor who The bbc sure know how backwards Mongs speak to each other They look like they were going for snappy dialogue The only thing that snaps when I watch it is my banjo string This is awful I’m ashamed someone I love told… Read more »
Everything seemed slow, ponderous and frustrating- your typical Arsenal summer, but they obviously were working hard behind the scenes. Making bids, negotiating, trying to stretch our funds as far as they can and importantly not compromising on quality.
We can’t do all the work in one summer but there are incremental changes.
Could argue that Pepe will be the best wide player in the PL outside of Man City and Liverpool if he translates his level in France to the PL.
Would you swap him with any of Chelsea/Spurs/Man United’s wide players? I wouldn’t.
Son is the only one in the discussion but he’s more of a CF.
CC
I’m with you on that one. What Arsenal fan can be upset with signing Pepe? He’s a good player who looks like he could get better, it’s a position we’re desperate to fill and it’s a great statement of ambition.
I don’t think I’m that dense CG. And I know my football.
Its not often I get that excited about a signing.
But the boy looks like the real deal.
Unn
Not Elba’s best work, watch The Wire instead.
WE
What about Miki at ManU – Doh!
any way to block the negativity coming from CG when the club is actually trying to do something nice and getting fans excited.
If Pepe can contribute to 16-18 goals in his first PL season id say it was a success.
This is a TH14 level signing, CG.
Its all good. Enjoy what lies ahead.
Karma hit Shawcross hard. Harder than a bulldozer. Feel sorry for him though.
Marc
I’m still not sure who got the shittier end of the stick in that deal.
Both clubs thought that they were being really clever and pulling off a masterstroke and they are now saddled with players years past their sell-by date on silly wages. We probably edged it purely on virtue of Sanchez’s contract being double that of Miki’s.
It should be a given, that you should be an Arsenal fan to post on this forum. CG definitely isn’t one. Irrespective of your views on Emery, a Pepe signing is exciting and it lays down many markers. It speaks to our ambition, drawing power and negotiating ability.
Don’t feed the troll.
Steady on, 16-18 PL goals is a huge ask for a wideman in his debut PL season. It took Sadio Mane 4 seasons of PL football to crack those numbers.
I’d be very happy if he scored 10-13 PL goals and 15-20 overall. Anything more than that and I’d be thrilled.
CG
I said what Arsenal fan.
According to RAI sport Pepe’s salary is around 10m euros per year… That’s high isn’t it??
By the end of the window here, there will still be 3 weeks to shift players. I’m pretty confident that there’ll be some sales.
It’s been a slow window, probably because of our relative lack of funds and a difficult market, but we are finishing it quite professionally. There will be no excuses for Emery this time.
WE
He did say contribute rather than score. 8 goals and 8 assists isn’t crazy for a talented player.
Weagle
It’s so so bad
So bad
BBC is so lost
They make programmers about people who work for the bbc
Nobody talks like this
What a fucking yuppie bubble
Weagle ive been meaning to watch the wire but the mrs has begged me to wait for her
The fact that she endorsed this absolute vomit endusing horse shit is enough to make me refuse her requisition.
Man. How did he put his name to this
Swear to god it’s funnier than step brothers
Last season was a crap one for CF’s around Europe in general, I mean 22 goals was enough to win the Golden Boot in the PL and the Bundesliga.
Take out Messi and M’Bappe and nobody else in Europe came near cracking 30 league goals. Quagliarella put in a career season with 26 Serie A goals but after that, nobody anywhere across the top 5 leagues scored over 22 league goals.
Wonder why anyone replies to CG. Nothing he writes makes sense so what exactly are you guys replying to?? How is Zaha one of us? He would have been tearing it up at united if that move worked out.. One of us indeed.
Receding
It was reported earlier that it was circa £4.5 million.
Am I on a Manu blog now?
I thought we had signed someone on an EMI. Who plays on the left wing now – Will the Nigerian still be our left winger or are there other plans?
My bad Wasi/Marc, thought he said score. If including assists, yeah that’s the baseline number I’d be hoping for.
Unn
Mate watch The Wire without the missus, worth the potential divorce. Best TV show you’ll ever see.
“Best TV show you’ll ever see.”
Sopranos has to be up there.
Does this cunt ever arrest criminals or just befriend them?
Marc
100%
Been meaning to watch the wire for a while though
Naive Tobs “”””It speaks to our ambition, drawing power and negotiating ability.”””” I would say it speaks volumes that Raul and Vinny got it in the neck this week at the Q&A and decided to impulsively pay the fee Lille and his agents have demanded.. .. Basically they have BUCKLED and PANCIKED at the first sign of supporter strife.. ( good luck Unai- your superiors Buckle Quickly) I have not said Pepe is not an exciting prospect… I have said he was the wrong choice ( Zaha was The Clowns No.1 choice as well as mine, remember ) And we… Read more »
WE always knew you were my type of chap. I must have seen The Wire in full at least 4 times.
Marc I have my doubts on the 4.5m figure. This is his big move. His agents are raking in some serious cash, his salary is bound to be in excess of a 150k weekly
Absolutely, Sopranos is right there.
About preference really because there’s so little to separate them. Sopranos is arguably more entertaining and enjoyable but The Wire is the best all-round show for me as it’s more educational than spending half a decade in school in addition to being an amazing show.
Weagle
I’m in it
I think I’ve got to get Chernobyl in first though
True detective is great though
British crime dramas are just humiliating
Why do they try? Who convinced these people that their interpretation of the world is worth a watch?
Shit I actually prefer Hollywood
Having said that, Tony Soprano is the goat TV character and it’s not close.
Hitman
“”I don’t think I’m that dense CG. And I know my football.”””
I apologise
I should not have called you Dense.
WE
I’ve been doing Dexter recently – completely missed it when it came out but a mate nagged me into giving it a go and I’ve got to say I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
I enjoyed Luther when I saw it. Nothing special but it wasn’t bad either. Certainly not bad enough for the BBC to be abused but abuse seems to be Un na nai answer to everything.
For a man who enjoyed a kids movie so much he changed his moniker you should pipe down.
Un
I thought True Detective season 1 was really top notch, couldn’t get into season 2 the same way. Season 4 was pretty good though.
Left
Same, Sopranos as well I’ve seen 2 or 3 times. Each get better on the re-runs imo which speaks to their quality.
Breaking Bad is brilliant in its own right but it’s much more reliant on the suspense/element of surprise, doesn’t hold up nearly as well on the re-watch.
I assume you’ve all done Billions?
The only realism offered in Luther is the absolute ineptitude of the metropolitan police
In fact it under sells it
Zaha or Pepe? There are no wrong answers here. Either will do a job. Zaha is prem ready and proven, Pepe is younger and has more end product. I ain’t mad at either of them.
Sidebar – the negotiations began at least 2 weeks ago and the so called oracle said ‘ Arsenal has not submitted a bid and do not have the level of money being reported’.
WE
Breaking Bad is another one on my list of missed greats.
Unn
The Brits do comedy better than anyone imo but yeah, they should leave the dramas and thrillers to the Americans.
Americans don’t do comedy very well but when they do it’s fantastic -Curb Your Enthusiasm, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Entourage. Seinfeld and Frasier are classics too even if they are a little dated at this stage.
Marc
There is a season 4??
You know what though? Carmen Ejogo from season 3 is one of the most genuinely Anglicly beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Every scene she stole. Captivating
The Sopranos, the wire, breaking bad. Doesn’t get better than that on tv.
Un
What being made or already out?
Marc
Never watched Dexter myself, heard it’s quality for a few seasons and then tails off pretty drastically but so do most long-running TV shows.
Brits know when it’s time to call it quits and keep some integrity while the Americans are more shameless and flog it to death, raking in the gravy.
Unaai
Ozark is decent, as are the rest offered up. Brit tv shows have been shite for a little bit, we do period stuff well but anything original doesn’t seem to get the budget needed to bring it to life.
WE
I’m on season 6 and it’s still well worth the watch. It’s not as strong as season 1 but part of that is the novelty of the idea.
Is Afterlife any good? Big Gervais fan but Derek was pretty shite so not sure he still has it.
Eagle
Come on man
The yanks don’t have the dry humour of the every day Brit, or Irishman but they know how to write comedy at elite level
They’ve over taken us
When was the last time you watched a funny British production?
Shameless
Gavin and Stacy
Love honour and obey?
Bo selecta?
CC
Is Game of Thrones considered to be US or UK?
Chernobyl is the best show of the year so far.
Euphoria is just fucking mental.
Have to agree with some of the earlier comments… The Wire is a classic, Sopranos is still incredible… and I like Gommorah as well.
Fleabag for comedy.
Cc
Yeah that’s on the list but the Mrs offered that and Luther
I’m now duty bound to laugh at her suggestions
WE, I liked it, bit cheesy. If you know anyone that’s tried to kill themselves, it was refreshing to watch.
Marc
I think US, but we flood the cast and a lot of the locations for shooting.
Ideas are American and budget is American, hence the ability to put on a show.
Marc
It’s HBO
R H
“”””Wonder why anyone replies to CG. “””
States the Most Boring Man On The Planet.
I got married in kinds landing
Under the bell
Dubrovnik
Beautiful city
Kings landing
Un
Yeah American money but almost all UK cast and a lot was filmed in Northern Ireland.
Not sure about the screen writers, obviously Martin is American.
Unn
Black Books, IT Crowd, The Inbeweeners, The Office, Extras, Shameless, Peep Show, Alan Partridge, Fawlty Towers is hilarious to this day.
That’s off the top of my head.
What are all the elite US comedies?
Unaai
Went with the wrong one there then, Luther is fanny magnet stuff with Idris. Ozark is the story and the character relationships, some good characters there. Classic drugs, money and gangsters routine, with a twist.
Just a shout out but I re watched the first season (I say season it was a couple of episodes) of Prime Suspect a little while ago.
That was still as good as when it came out.
I think Everton should be signed to take the other wing. Iwobi is all but a good squad player or perhaps can generate circa £20m from his sale. He’s too consistently inconsistent. Pepe’s acquisition was a rabbit pulled from the hat. No one saw it coming not even the so called itks and even Ornstein. Ornstein reported weeks back that if we sign Zaha, he’ll be very amazed because of lack of funds. I wonder what’s up in his mind now. Waiting for the media/pundits to come mock us about our structured deal since they all went aloof when we… Read more »
Pedro
I’ll check it out, have you watched Black Mirror? Show’s insane although a few episodes are skippable.
Gervais is top comic in the UK for me Weagle, guy creases me. Like the Scots lads patter too, Kevin Bridges.
Hangover
This is the end
Pineapple Express
Superbad
Wedding crashers
Zoolander
Anchorman
Step brothers
Meet the parents
Curb your enthusiasm
You forgot Ali g in the usaaiii
RH
What on earth goes through ones mind and comes put with a name like Receding Hairline???
If Emery does stay beyond Jan and I go into Permanent Exile.
I will not miss you one iota.
Every other poster is interesting in their own way- barring you!
You are the Unai Emery of Le Grove.
Bloody Useless.
Bloody Gormless.
They are all films though, was talking about tv shows.
Films is a different matter entirely, US do that better than the Brits.
Will Ferrell is a no for me. I don’t get it, he’s ok.
Bridges is great
Billy Connelly too
Mickey flannegan is funny as hell
Love Dara O’Brien doing stand up
Charlie
Agree. Not crazy on his stand-up but he’s hilarious in everyday conversation and is just extremely quick-witted and sharp. Dominates interviews with anyone, even elite US comedians.
Brent is my favourite comedy character of all time hands down.
Cc
Yeah I was thinking the same myself
This Luther bollocks is all about middle aged and middle class London women fantasies.
It’s not written for men. The dialogue is obviously vag based
Old Big yin is a legend. Unreal humour and delivery. Brilliant bloke
Not fussed for Flanagan, but 1D for me. Dara I can take or leave, what’s his “best” stuff?
Will Ferrell is funnier than you expect him to be. I enjoy his movies. He goes OTT most times but still funny.
Weagle
No
I meant just well written comedy. In any medium
We have lost our mojo on this side of the pond
They are underrated too. It’s just that their common man doesn’t get british humour
Yeah not crazy on Ferrell’s shtick either, Steve Carrell to me is much funnier.
Unaai
Yea Luther smacks of eye candy carrying a show. If the story and characters are bland then it’s not pointless imo.
Weagle
Yea Gervais makes smart US comics look very deliberate and slow. Who are the top US comics anyway?
Pepe?
Please can someone tell me this is true and not some awful prank?
I’ve just come back from hols… is this for real?
😂 😂 😂 😂 of joy!
😳😳😳😳😳 of shock.
Has anyone told Tottenham Hotspur?
Zaha as smokescreen… absolutely love it.
I’d take Jason Bateman over Will Ferrell every time, like my comedy dry and sharp. The theatrical stuff is a bit meh for me, gets the laugh but it’s kind of cheap. Kevin Hart going a bit that way.
Cc
I’ve watched dara and been caught off guard by his humour
I’ve iriah family and maybe I’m swayed but he tickles me
Flannegan 100% makes me laugh. He’s just got one of those faces that sets me off before he even opens his mouth
Saying that cc
You make me laugh too. But you’ve got that jack d, funny when I’m annoyed humour. But I do watch out for your barbs and they do tickle me
Don’t forget Six Feet Under.
Weagle
I found Afterlife really self-indulgent. Didn’t want things to work out for Gervais’ character, and many of the rest are just annoying (especially his dead wife!).
Really enjoyed The Americans on Prime Video. Great Cold War setting and it’s enjoyable viewing you can pick up any time, rather than needing to be in the mood for something dark, grim, complex etc.
Cc
Come now
Anchorman
Step brothers
Both era defining comedies
Elmo
I find everything gervais does self indulgent bar his stand up and Oscar performances
Chappelle and Bill Burr by far the best US comics for me. Chapelle far out in front but Burr is the only one a worthy second.
As for UK/Ireland, I like Bridges too, Frankie Boyle when he’s not being overly dark and alcoholic is great and rate Dave Mitchell, Dylan Moran, Dara O’Briain, Steve Coogan, Greg Davies Jack Dee and I can take about 10 mins of Jimmy Carr’s one-liners.
Thomas
No Chelsea fans watch anything like six feet under
Love thy neighbour more like
Unaai
Lol Jack D, never heard that one but I’ll take it.
Idk mate, they don’t blow me away. Like I appreciate them, but I don’t lose my shit over those.