#WelcomePépé

by .

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

You can chill those Heinz Baked beans, it seems that the deal to bring Pépé to Arsenal is basically done. Fabrizio Romano, who has been on top of this story even when it was a ‘OH DO FU*K OFF’ pipe dream, reckons the deal is done and the player is wetting his bed in excitement for the move.

I don’t need to continue to wax about this, but really, it’s the most exciting transfer of the last 10 years for Arsenal. We know he wants to move to us, he’s not a reject, his career is on an upwards trajectory.

… I still can’t quite believe it’s happening.

I’m also glad that this summer has well and truly seen the death of the ITK crowd. We’re back to journo’s knowing more. I much prefer things that way.

We still have our cuck fanbase praising Wenger for being part of the deal. Sure, Pépé wants to come to Arsenal, but be real, Raul having a relationship with Jorge Mendes is why this is happening, nothing to do with what we were doing 20 years ago. The pound notes speak and we’re finally dealing with the right agents that can make things happen.

Interestingly, Monaco are rumoured to be entertaining a €30m bid for Mustafi. Jorge Mendes has deep ties over there. He’s moved lots of names in and out of that club. It really wouldn’t be surprising to see us shift out players because we’re greasing the right sort of wheels with the Pépé deal.

I think moving on Mustafi would be the biggest deal of the summer. It would be absolutely unreal. I think I would write Raul a thank you note.

It’s been very amusing to watch certain Arsenal fans sanctimoniously slamming fans when it comes to his treatment. He’s a leach. He’s here because we make it too easy for him to stink out our defence. Why shouldn’t fans hound him out? To say it’s not Arsenal class to boo player just shows a lack of understanding of our history. I’ve been there when we’ve booed Eboue. Fans in the 80s were militant about moving on Terry Neil with protests. Away fans hounded Wenger at Stoke station. Arsenal fans were booing players as far back as the Chapman days. Fans were even booing in 2004!

Sure, it’s not nice. But this is elite sport. This isn’t dopey Dave the intern that keeps messing up the coffee run. He shouldn’t be given the choice to stay. He should go to Monaco and enjoy the good life. Then we should go out and sign someone better so we can crack on with a better defence.

If Gareth Bale can be shoved out a year after signing a new deal in Madrid after netting 4 European Cups, then Mustafi can be as well.

There is no class in accepting mediocrity.

Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments.

802 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcrgngJsfo0

For those of you who have time to listen and love the Blues

Going to my herb garden now.

Enjoy the’ Pepe’ day Gooners where ever you are. If Pepe realises his potential ceiling with us, today will be a day to remember.

Gonsterous

I expect to see a lot of shirt sales this season. Hell, people here in asia are already walking around with the new adidas Jersey. Feels good to be a gooner again 🙂 Pepe is the signing of the summer, I think I prefer him over Zaha, who is very good and PL proven but I think pepe has the higher ceiling. We can resell pepe for 150m if all goes well but for Zaha this was his final destination. Players that use arsenal as a stepping stone play better than those who see it as a holiday and final.destination.… Read more »

Moray

Gonsterous, if we can get back into the CL and bring some sanity into our contractual dealings (particularly our inflated salaries) then hopefully we don’t have to sell Pépé if he turns out to be good for us. That is the hope. Real Madrid, Barca, Bayern, Juve etc will all be a draw as they are more or less guaranteed trophies every year, but a well run Arsenal should be able to compete in a more sustainable fashion. The big worry is a devaluing currency, increasing nationalism and a country looking like it is slowly imploding. Who know, though, maybe… Read more »

China1

I give massive credit to arsenal for managing this Pepe signing but I also feel we should recognize how lucky we’ve been Only 20m up front and something like a 4 or 5 year installment package is kinda ridiculous imo. I’m shocked that Lille accepted it If one or two other clubs with genuine cash had shown a more serious interest, ie Utd, PSG, Barca before they bought griezman etc there’s no way in hell Lille would’ve taken our offer or that he’d have joined us This is one of those magic moments where a top player kinda falls into… Read more »

China1

Seriously compare the Lille and Celtic transfer negotiations and it’s night and day

Celtic are dragging this out all summer and desperately haggling over every penny and installment arrangement despite the fact they dominate their league and already have a replacement in the squad

Meanwhile one of the world’s hottest prospects negotiates an insane installment package in a matter of days and it’s easy as you like

These two transfers are the wrong way round lol. Tierney should’ve been the easy buy not Pepe… though better this way at least

China1

If Pepe was coming from Celtic they’d be doing a crystal fucking palace and asking for 200m all up front lol

Un na naai

Tony 1) I already did pepe’s got a brand new bag!! 2) yes and no on the instrument front. Yes parents should encourage their children I’d agree with that and I’ll certianly try to steer mine away from the junk that’s being created these days but there’s only so much a parent can do in the modern western world. Once a child becomes a certain age they are heavily influenced by the peers and the culture with which they are growing up in. Mine was britpop/rap/ska and bubble gum pop of the 90s. I preferred the Bripop/inde Oasis, ocean colour… Read more »

Un na naai

Had we kept hold of Giroud last season we’d probably be in the champions league now

Un na naai

Tierney set to sign today apparently

Good stuff
Now just a centre half and we are set for the season ahead.

Un na naai

Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Martinelli, Nketiah, Nelson, Saka, John-Jules, Smith Rowe

Not a bad talent pool to choose from for your front 3 at all.

Xakha, Torreira, Ceballos, Guendouzi, Willock, Chambers, AMN

Not great but certianly could work if he finds the right combinations

Bellerin, AMN, Sokratis, Holding, (Saliba)Chambers, Monreal, Kolasinac, Tierney

Hmmmmm

Dark Hei

China1

Celtic are within their rights to do as they please.

And so do we with our low balling.

As for the Pepe deal, it happened quickly because we greased the agents and the middle man.

Whole thing is probably a 100m affair.

If it gets done without a significant sale, I will tip my hat to silent Stan.

But the realist and cynic within me thinks otherwise. We shall see.

karim

Sal you crazy bastard, I’m all over the moon !
Man !

Bob N16

My oldest son plays guitar and my younger son plays sax, both play a lot of football, both spend too much time on screens.

I’m away for Burnley so my first home game will be Spurs…..bring it on!

Un na naai

Bob

Did they gravitate to it naturally or did you persuade them?

Un na naai

Ceballos has 7 goals and 4 assists in over 100 senior games

Hardly scintillating is it for an attacking mid/no10

karim

Over the moon

Carts

If we shift Mustafi on, you mean to tell me that we won’t bring another CB in, or is Monreal going to fill in while Kola and Tierney occupy LB

Un na naai

I hope we will add another centre half defo.

TallestTiz

If we’re selling Mustafi and Kos, we should be careful who we bring in.
I’d rather keep Bielik tbf than signing a midget or a slow cb

fsaf

Don, Ceballos is more of a #8. In the U21 Euro a month ago he achieved 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games. He will add a goal threat but his skills lay somewhere else. I think he will do very well in here and hopefully he will want to stay with us. Also with Auba, Laca and Pepe we have 3 ppl that can score over 15 goals in the league alone. I don’t think that Ceballos would be less of a threat than Ozil. And using Ceballos the front man in a middle three of Torreira and… Read more »

fsaf

Don,

Iniesta has 1 season in which he scored 8 goals in La Liga. His 2nd best goal tally in La Liga is 6 goals followed by 4 goals. He has 8 seasons in La Liga where he’s scored either 1 or 0 goals.

Would you care if Ceballos doesn’t score often if his all round contribution is anywhere close to that of Iniesta?

Bob N16

Un, when my oldest son was 5 he bizarrely came out of nowhere and said ‘when I’m grown up I want to be a violinist’. By 11 he’d had enough of the violin and took up guitar, he’s now more in to making music on his computer (logic). My younger son, followed but chose the cello and then giving that up for the sax.

Tony

Don “I already did pepe’s got a brand new bag!!” Whoops! Re music I don’t disagree with what you’re saying regarding outside and peer influences. That said, I believe parents can make the difference if they have the time and inclination. Do you play anything, Don? I guess it’s different for me because I’m retired and music is a big part of my/our lives. I have 2 Sonos Play 5 systems in separate rooms. Another system in the TV lounge, a 5000 WATT PA system in my gym with 4K TV and media player. Then there is the cinema being… Read more »

Tony

Don
My kids asked to learn their instruments as Bob’s son did.

Bob
I echo your sentiments re kids’ screen time.

HighburyLegend

Yeah, you never know, there’s always a big risk, we could sign a player worse than Mustardi.
(lol)

HighburyLegend

I was answering to TallestTiz…

HighburyLegend

Any photos of Pépé with the shirt ??

HighburyLegend

Juventus agree to a Dybala/Lukaku swap.
Even the greatest clubs are dumb, sometimes…

David Bolo

OPAL combination loading….Ozil, Pepe, Auba, Laca. We will win games 7-6 because we still have Mustafi…

fsaf
Receding Hairline

Mauricio Pochettino says his job title should be changed from manager to head coach as he has no influence over Tottenham’s transfer activity. “I am not in charge, I know nothing about the situation of my players. I am only coaching them, trying to get the best from them. “These types of things, what will happen, what will not happen, selling and buying of players, extending contracts, not extending contracts, I think it is not in my hands. It is in the club hands, and Daniel Levy. At the moment I am managing the team in the best way possible.”… Read more »

Guns of Brixton

Juventus agree to a Dybala/Lukaku swap.
“Even the greatest clubs are dumb, sometimes…”

Looool. My thoughts exactly. May be theres something Im missing but this sounds ludicrous

fsaf

RH,
“If I was a Spurs fan I’d be concerned.”
“If you asked me which boss out of the top teams would leave next I’d have to say Poch.” “I don’t feel he’s committed to the football club long-term.”

Tony Cascarino thinks Pochettino won’t last the season at #THFC.

https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1156469526105640960

Un na naai

Tony Played the drums at school for 3 years, was decent. Wouldn’t know how to now. Tried the guitar several times but just didn’t have the patience. I’m not sure it’s in my hands if I’m honest but I certainly appreciate those who can There is no higher form of human art in my mind than thinking of a beautiful or stirring melody and being able to translate via your hands into something transcendent. Nothing compares. My daughter is going to begin piano lessons and Art. She loves painting and drawing and I was very very good at school but… Read more »

Un na naai

Fsaf

So we’ve signed a Spanish Wilshere on loan…..

Emiratesstroller

The instalment payment plan proposed by Arsenal is probably very useful to
Lille.

Firstly they know that Arsenal is one club which will honour their commitments.

Secondly Lille are a club who are unlikely to go out and spend mega bucks on
transfers and wages. Therefore they don’t want to land up with a huge tax bill.

Most probably the money they receive will cover the club’s running costs over
5 years.

HighburyLegend

Thanks for the gif, fasaf, seems to be a “real” one.

“If I was a Spurs fan I’d be concerned.”
They have the most awesome and beautiful stadium in the world, so why worry ?

HighburyLegend

Sorry, fsaf!!
🙂

fsaf

Sorry, rap.*
There you go.

LOL

Spanishdave

Hope Pépé doesn’t let the money and status go to his head.
When Ozil joined us the headlines were the same and look
what’s happened.
The Premiership is tough and there are many cloggers about in the lower teams.

Receding Hairline

Fsaf yea he has been unsettled for sometime now, would have walked away if they had the bottle to win the Champions league, Liverpool had put in much more last season yet still found a way to play the final at their own pace, Spurs failed to take the game to them.

He is a great motivator and all but i don’t consider him a that great a tactician

Pierre

Un
If ceballos is anywhere near the quality of Wilshire then we have a decent player .
Jack could have been world class were it not for the injuries.

He had everything u would want in a midfield player..superb technique and balance. Could glide past players with ease. Confidence. Superb first touch… What a shame injuries ruined a potentially great career.

Receding Hairline

Un na nai why not just wait and see if Ceballos contributes or not. You are treating his signing like some sought of personal insult.

Dream10

According to Transfermarkt, Tierney is scheduled to return Aug 12 from his latest hip injury. That will mean he’s missed 146 days due to a hip injury over the last eight months. I’m worried by this.

Would prefer if we went for 21 year old Jamal Lewis from Norwich. He had a great season in the championship. He’s homegrown as well. We can sign another quality left back in 2020 when Monreal is off the books.

Spanishdave

Tony thanks for the blues albums. Luther Allison was a favourite of mine, because he lived in Germany he didn’t get the exposure he deserved.
I am going to the Stones last tour date in Phoenix. late August, Hope Mick is ok.

Tony

Don Sounds like we understand music in a similar way. Pretty much playing an instrument is using muscle memory, but you have to put in the months/years of practice for the muscles to instinctively know how to work. There are research papers about the differences in the wiring of a musician’s brain to others who don’t. If you could play drums, then that suggests you should be able to pick up the guitar. Have you thought about learning an instrument when you daughter starts piano? Maybe the time is right now and you have different incentive to learn. Did you… Read more »

Pierre

If Ozil is to be a part of the current team then he needs to raise his game to a level that makes him difficult to leave out. Emery obviously has his doubts about him as he is not his type of player…many think Ozil is past it.. I don’t…it’s now or never for him in an Arsenal shirt The arrival of Ceballos may give Ozil the kick up the backside he needs.. I believe Ozil is a class above Ceballos but he needs to basically play out of his skin to convince Emery.. I would be more than happy… Read more »

Graham62

Pierre

The “injuries that ruined a potentially great career” we’re always going to materialise. His running style, caused by his bandy-legs, meant that he was always going to suffer the consequences of any form of impact from opponents.

Was he overplayed from a young age? Maybe.

Knee/ Ankle injuries though were bound to occur, especially as he had the Paul Scholes attitude towards tackling.

No doubt the powers that be realised all of this early on in his career.

Receding Hairline

Dream10 Tierney played 40 games for Celtic last season, 55 the season before, and 40 in 2016/17 hardly a sick note judging by those numbers.

Tony

Pierre
I would say it’s a make or break season for both Ozil and Emery.

Both will be under the microscope, so it’s going to be interesting.

Let’s see what happens.

Dream10

Pierre

4-3-3 can work for us. 4-2-3-1 as well.
Defensively, Emery has to improve the team’s structure through coaching. We’ll get a LB,. perhaps a CB on loan. The player who has escaped almost any blame for last season is Torreira. He was poor for the last six months due to fitness. Personally, I would sell and get a CM who is more physically capable. But, he was a consistent part of the disastrous results. Even Aubameyang and Leno were criticised!

Dream10

Receding

Tierney’s hip issues started last winter. 40 games is a good number. Celtic played loads as they were in CL qualifiers, a good run in Europa, SPL and two cups. Hoping it’s not a recurring issue.

Receding Hairline

Dream10 let’s hope the medicals is a thorough one if the deals goes through.

fsaf

SkySports: “Rennes back in for Laurent Koscielny”

If we manage to get any decent cash of Koscielny, Mustafi and Bielik we better get a very good CB cause 3 of our CBs will be out with only Chambers being brought back and I don’t think that his class is enough to be considered for anything more than cup games.

HighburyLegend

“If Ozil is to be a part of the current team then he needs to raise his game to a level that makes him difficult to leave out.”

Priceless, as often…

Freddie Ljungberg

Rap

New CB, Holding, Sokratis with Chambers and Mavro as 4th and 5th choice is still much better than what we had last year. If the new CB is a top plyer I’m very happy with that. We can then move Chambers/Mavro on next year when Saliba arrives.

I can’t remember when I was this excited for a new season to start

Dream10

Fsaf

Rugani seems to be the name doing the rounds. Haven’t seen much of him for Juventus. You rate him?

Bob N16

You may be being a little harsh on Torreira,Dream

He was great up until Xmas and faded. I think there are mitigating circumstances, WC, new country, adjusting to a new league, young, playing with Xhaka, having to deal with an ever changing line up.

Let’s see how he gets on this year, I’m hopeful, particularly with Ceballos in the picture, another Spanish speaker, same age and dynamic( in contrast to Xhaka). Wilock would combine well too.

Dream10

BobN16

Hope he’ll be better this season. I’m not having the playing with Xhaka as an excuse though. Fitness and the ability to absorb games is a key factor. Especially for CMs

Freddie Ljungberg

Bob “He was great up until Xmas and faded. I think there are mitigating circumstances, WC, new country, adjusting to a new league, young, playing with Xhaka, having to deal with an ever changing line up.” Exactly this, but Dream has had it in for Torreira even from the beginning of last season for some strange reason, even though he was arguably our best players during that period Advocating that we sell a player that even though he was adapting from a slower league an had to do the defensive work of 2 players, was still our best midfielder is… Read more »

Cesc Appeal

Torreira was fresh to this league and was partnered with a CM who cannot cover ground meaning he had to do the role of both players in terms of pressing. It didn’t seem as if he had the best stamina anyway and by the second half of the season he looked like his was tired. The EPL can be a shock to players in their first season, it’s the most intense and physical league in the world. Ideally I’d like to see us go for a strong midfield 3 of: Guendouzi/Willock/Xhaka, Torreira, Dani Ceballos. I’ve no doubt Xhaka will get… Read more »

Bob N16

Dream, as Freddie mentioned, Xhaka’s defensive deficiencies added to Torreira’s workload, meaning he had to cover more ground.

A midfielder that can help Torreira with the defensive shield in front of our defenders, should mean that Torreira looks great for longer.

Dream10

Cesc Appeal

Think we’ll see
GK RB CB CB LB Torreira Guendouzi Mkhitaryan Pépé Aubameyang Iwobi in some away matches.

Moray

I sincerely hope we don’t see much of Iwobi at all…

Moray

Ideally just twice a year when his new team plays us.

fsaf

Freddie, I dunno man… That’s the problem with buying super young CBs…. Cause CBs need experience more than any other position in the game except maybe GKs. We bought Chambers 19 yo for £18m FIVE years ago. In the same summer we bought Bielik 16 yo for £2m although that one looks a good transfer since we are going to sell him on a good profit no matter what. We bought Holding 20 yo for £2.70m 3 years ago. Mavropanos 20 yo 1.5 year ago for £2m. And now we got Saliba 18 yo for £27m. Makes you wonder if… Read more »

Cesc Appeal

Dream10 I think Dani Ceballos is going to play. Emery is a massive fan of his and has promised him a lot of games here. That’s one of the reasons he picked us over other offers. He would have to be not that great for him to be left out and I think actually with him being the only midfield player who can run with the ball and beat his man, carrying the ball out of midfield, he’s going to be an asset in away games. I think Arsenal fans have a hangover from last season but with Pepe here,… Read more »

Marc

Cesc

You’ve also missed off that Torreira got to the qtr finals of the World Cup last summer.

People make too much of his drop off him form – it wasn’t deficiencies in the player it was asking him to do to much.

Biggles

I wonder if Mendes is going to help us shift players as well as bring them in. I’m delighted with Pepe, pleased with Saliba and think that Martinelli seems a decent gamble. Ceballos I’m not sure about – he could be another Suarez, he could be Cazorla, but at least there’s little risk. If we bring in Tierney, I’d also be quite happy. My biggest disappointment though is that Ozil, Xhaka, Mustafi, Mhkitaryan, Koscielny and Monreal are all currently still at the club. I expect Koscielny to be gone soon, maybe Monreal too if we get Tierney in. I just… Read more »

fsaf

Dream, Haven’t watched him for more than 5 games in total. He looks and plays like a younger Mertesacker. As much as I liked Per, his game was never suited for EPL or Arsenal. Game moved on from sending the ball high and see what happens. Defenders with pace and power thrive. Rugani has neither. He could still be a decent acquisition to fill the gap for a year or so, but no way that I see him as a permanent solution for our defence. In a league where 70-80% are happy to give us the ball and wait for… Read more »

Moray

Fsaf, youre right about the CB position. I also think the balance of the pairing has been underestimated by us and affected a lot through injury when we have seemed to get a good partnership going. We have bought some young CBs with potential. Unfortunately I think we have let them down by either throwing them in the deep end too early (Chambers) or just being shit in our defensive coaching. A Tony Adams night rose to the top regardless but players with that level and motivation are few and far between. I thought there would be more intensive focus… Read more »

fsaf

Yeah, midfield of Torr, Xhaka/Guen and Ceballos looks a decent midfield. I hope Matteo improves even more this year so we can bench Xhaka and maybe Willock can show me that he’s better than I consider him to be.

We wouldn’t need much of a goal threat in midfield with a front 3 of ALPepe.

Un na naai

Tony It’s on the list mate Guitar, classical piano or (strangely) harp I really like. I need more time though mate as I work 6-7 days every week and have two young kids so down time isn’t a luxury I’ve been afforded much of in the last 6 years. Also, I’m just not sure it’s in me. The Mrs got intoher grammar school through playing cello though so she could well have passed those genes onto the kids. The youngest seems the most creative and the eldest is more academically gifted so we will see. No never got Into African… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

Rap I get the importance of experience in central defenders, but there are always exceptions, players like Varane and De Ligt that dominates from an early age, I think the hope and expectations is that Saliba is one such player. I would still prefer buying someone young but ready now with massive potential at CB this summer, we’re a couple of years away from seriously compete for the big trophies so we have to build with that in mind. I’ll be ok with Holding and Sok competing for 1 position this year if we get a top CB in. At… Read more »

Marc

Haven’t we just extended Monreal’s contract by a year?

fsaf

Moray, Exactly. Imagine that we field out a CB pairing of Holding and Chambers. I mean come on. It sounds like a Fulham defence ready to concede 4 goals in every game. Freddie, I hope Saliba is the bees knees. I have high expection and we must really liked him to buy him for so much money in such a young age. I hope he is more of a Varane/De Ligt than a Chambers. There was some noise around Umtiti. He could be our Kolo Toure. Would certainly prefer him to Rugani and he would also strengthen the French vibe… Read more »

China1

My eye is on holding this year

He’s the one cb we have who is both young and good. Certainly a 7/10 player which by arsenal standards is very good

But can he stay fit?

And if he can, can he become an 8/10 player. 7/10 is good enough for now and if we had better players as a 3rd choice. But if in the coming 2 years we want to have a really serious CB pairing he’ll need to make that jump up to an 8/10 and with greater resilience to injuries

Here’s to hoping

fsaf

Just read that Manure want Umtiti but I get the feel they will eventually get Maguire. If we can get Umtiti for £30-40m we’d do well imo.

Kos, Mustafi, Bielik out. Umtiti, Saliba, Chambers in.

I’d say pretty neat business if we can pull it off.

Un na naai

China

I fully expect him to cement himself as a first name on the team sheet and probably our captain
I really rate him. Read the game so well and for a slowish defender always seems to be in the right place to avert danger

Loves to defend and seems to love the 1-1 challenge of dominating his opponent

China1

Yeah he’s good on the ball and has an imposing frame as well

He comes across as a cultured CB consider he’s pretty big and physical

China1

I gather untiti also has a poor injury record and would be expensive but in the unlikely event that we actually got him he’d be a pretty exciting gamble

Marc

The Umtiti rumours are ManU trying to put pressure on Leicester or to get Maguire to play up to force a transfer.

It’s all good though whilst they’re playing games tick tock.

Marc

Aargh I’ve been infected.

Valentin

Spanish Dave,

If you like Luther Allison, check out his son Bernard Allison.
I went to him in the 90 in a club in Paris by accident. My friend and I thought we were going to see Luther Allison.
At the concert, His dad came on stage. We thought he was going to do just a few songs. In fact he enjoyed himself so much, that he stays an extra hour.

Ishola70

Freddie “I hope Saliba is the bees knees” Well at 30m for an 18yo he has to be the bees knees. This isn’t a Dortmund style youth signing where they pick the player up for comparative peanuts. It’s good to see that the club are laying out the money albeit over a few seasons period for players like Saliba and reported Pepe. It puts pressure on the club to succeed in getting back into CL pronto and we have said before lack of pressure to succeed can be a handicap. The alternative not getting back into CL for another few… Read more »

HighburyLegend

“Aargh I’ve been infected.”

Do you mean “wengerized” ??

fsaf

Dani Ceballos: ‘This is a historic club that I’ve always looked out for because of Jose Antonio Reyes, who is from the same town as me and played here,’ he told the club’s website. ‘He made history at this club, winning the league title, so it’s an important step in my career for me to join Arsenal.‘ ‘I spoke to his father just before coming here and he told me not to think twice because this is a wonderful club. José had a fantastic time here. ‘When I came into the training ground I saw a picture of him and… Read more »

Valentin

4-2-3-1 is Emery favourite formation, however I don’t think that it can work in the EPL with our personnel. Emery plays one more defensive midfielder Torreira and one more offensive focus on long range passing (Xhaka). Most of the other teams playing that system have two aggressive holding midfielders that quickly pass the ball to the third midfielder further forward. The two players don’t need to be as good passers, but they are better at patrolling the area and hunting in pack anybody trying the go through the area. They are athletes first, footballer second. Spurs have Sissoko and Wanyama/Dier,… Read more »

China1

Carts ‘Lille have made €70m up front on a player whose true valuation was more like €25m-€30m.‘

I dunno what you mean

We only paid 20m up front and the installment plan lasts 4-5 years

And if he’s only worth 20-30m why are we not the only club bidding their asking price with several others sniffing around even knowing he’s expensive

On what planet is he only a 20-30m player anyway lol? Are you a Zaha fan?

Lol

Ishola70

If this effort in this summers window results in a top four place come next season it will be telling what the ambition will be after that. Will the club revert to sitting on their hands after achieving a short term goal like they did under Wenger. At this moment there are seven players at the club who are not deemed worthy of the first team shirt. Then there are a few others that have question marks against them and also not good enough in the first place. That’s an awful lot of players in an overall squad. Still heaps… Read more »

Marc

“Most of the other teams playing that system have two aggressive holding midfielders ”

If we do that isn’t there a chance they’ll both try to tackle the same player or make the same run?

Freddie Ljungberg

If we do that isn’t there a chance they’ll both try to tackle the same player or make the same run?

Ouch

HighburyLegend

Thanks fsaf for those Ceballos words, very interesting and moving.

Marc

Ishola

Remember that the window for selling players to the continent doesn’t close until the 2nd of September. We’ve still got plenty of time to move on some players.

Marc

Freddie

He’s got absolutely no sense of humour – I’m fully expecting to be called all sorts!

Valentin

Marc,

Here is the xenophobic troll who think that adding two players who have the same game will result in twice as many goals.
I wonder why coaches have not thought of playing with 10 strikers, that should result in ten times more goals.

I make analysis on system, you see that as a opportunities to score points without even commenting on the systems itself. Classic trolling.

Ishola70

Marc
“Remember that the window for selling players to the continent doesn’t close until the 2nd of September. We’ve still got plenty of time to move on some players.”

Yes that will be a start and put the club in a better place to get back into CL sharpish.

But if we look beyond just CL qualification and onto even better things in the future than that then there are many players that need to be moved on over time. Around just over a quarter of the present squad. Lots of work to do.

Nelson

I can see that both Ozil and Xhaka are weak defensively. They should not be playing in the same formation. I can see that Ozil and Ceballos can play together. This reminded me of playing Ramsey and Ozil in the same setup. Ceballos can draw the defense towards him while giving more room for Ozil to operate. This is particular useful when we play against weaker team. We’ll need someone who can pass in the final third to open up a tight defense. Against other top 6 teams, I’ll go for 4 3 3 formation since our defense is below… Read more »