Scouting Report: Centre midfielders assessed

by .

My word, another scouting report from Mike McDonald. I’m flying today, so likely not back online until tomorrow. Have a good one!

A new midfielder for Arsenal

This next transfer blog is about locating a Central Midfielder, not necessarily finding another Granit Xhaka.
Honestly, I think that would give Xhaka too much credit as his career would’ve been better served going to Serie A when he left BM.

You also need to know that this is not about finding a modern day, athletic DM as that blog is here…
Scouting Report: Where we are, where we should buy

It includes Partey, N’didi, Soumare, Danilo, William Carvalho, Witzel, Javi Martinez, Szoboszlai, Busquets, Sangare, Zakaria and Bruno Fernandez.

Modern day football has a midfield three in many forms. Either in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1/3-5-2 or 3-4-3 with an Attacking Mid/False Nine.

Modern day midfields are made up of …..
a) A destroyer
b) A play maker
c) A line breaker (with and/or without the ball)

Arsenal actually have all three already. Torreira is a destroyer. Ceballos, Guendouzi and Xhaka are all different types of play makers. Willock and Maitlind-Niles are line breakers. Smith Rowe could be a play maker or line breaker.

A few teams are still using an Attacking Midfielder. Often they move from wide areas as Ceballos does for Spain, Nelson could do, Ozil is currently doing, ESR and Willock have been tried and Pepe could actually find himself as.

In my opinion, as a coach myself, it is hard to say how good these options are as Mikel Arteta’s biggest asset is his coaching skills. In his first game alone Torreira, Ozil and Xhaka had their best games of the season so perhaps the answer is local?

What Arsenal might then do is buy based on profile rather than replacing.

The profile we lack is height, mobility, athleticism, speed, penetration and positional sense.

Again, I say that Arteta could change some of this eg; Willock playing as a ‘line breaking #8.’
Ceballos has the ability to be a ‘play making #6.’ I’ve even wondered if Guendouzi could be an ‘energetic pressing #10?’

Most likely

Name: Adrien Rabiot
Position: CM
Age: 24
Height: 6ft 2
Club: Juventus
Nationality: France
Potential fee: Loan or 35M

https://youtu.be/p7ot593dhn8

About: I’m going to keep this profile simple. If the goal is to find a better version of Granit Xhaka as a player, Adrien Rabiot is that.
Has better dribbling ability, mobility, defensive ability, agility, speed and and an ego to play at the highest level. His mother, who is also his agent, has been a hindrance to him as she has placed unrealistic demands on his career. Hence why after half a season at Juve, he is wanting to move on.
If we can get Rabiot for a five month loan, I cannot see this being an initial problem.

Others in same category: Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Salzburg), Thomas Lemar (A.Madrid), Emre Can (Juventus), Kessie (AC Milan)

Generational talent

Not all in this category are CM’s. Again, there is an argument that AFC already have a play maker/regista or two. Some of these could be AM’s or ‘line breaking 8’s’ in a 3 man midfield

Name: Eduardo Camavinga
Position: CM
Age: 17
Height: 6ft
Club: Rennes
Nationality: France
Potential fee: 50M

About: One day you might remember that you read about Camavinga. One day very soon. You remembered his name as you thought he was a Bond villain but now you feel silly because he’s now the most talented midfielder in Europe.
Unless he falls off the track, Eduardo Camavinga is destined for superstardom.
A regular for Rennes at 16 and dominating at 17, Camavinga has everything. Statistically he is the best ball winner AND passer in French football. Is best as a line breaking 8, but plays as a deep lying playmaker with the dribbling ability of a winger. Got spider legs that seem to time tackles like only Kante can, yet the passing range of DeBruyne.
Part of me thinks he should go to a club like Lyon, then to an Arsenal before he has his pick of the elite. The other part of me thinks PSG will snap him up and he will struggle to play and regret the move. Then I watch him again and remind myself that once in a generation there is a player that can play for and start for an elite club as the play maker at the age of 17/18.
The biggest compliment I can pay him is to write a list of every quality that you’d want a midfielder to have. I’d say Camavinga at the age of 17, already ranks as an 8/10 or higher in every area.
If you haven’t yet seen Eduardo Camavinga bless your day and click above.

Name: Martin Ødegaard
Position: AM
Age: 21
Height: 5ft 9
Club: Real Madrid (on loan at Sociedad)
Nationality: Norway
Potential fee: 80M

https://youtu.be/Pc6frggNXF8

About: When Mesut Ozil was at Real Madrid he was at his peak. Raking up titles, both team and individual. The king of the assist that Arsenal have rarely seen on a consistent basis.
Martin Ødegaard has this ability but has arguably started excelling more consistently at a younger age. You may remember him touring Europe‘s biggest clubs picking where he wanted to go. Many feel that he has been the best player so far in La Liga and he’s at Real Sociedad. Much like Valverde (below), there is no common sense reason for Real to sell as he is their future. It’s Real though and so you never know. Ordinarily plays as a 10, but perfectly able to play as an 8, penetrating on the dribble or floating between the lines. What I wish Dani Ceballos was, who has this level of talent but prefers to simply maintain possession in his eternal rondo. Heerenveen to Vitesse to Sociedad to Arsenal then on to Real Madrid, perhaps?

Others in this category….. Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Salzburg), Boubacar Kamara (CB who has played FB and DM… Marseille), Dani Olmo (Dinamo Zagreb), Phil Foden (City), Kai Havertz, Dejan Kulusevski (Parma), Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax), Bruno Guimaraes (Athletico Paranese)

Established talents

Name: Fabian Ruiz
Position: CM
Age: 23
Height: 6ft 2
Club: Napoli
Nationality: Spain
Potential fee: 55M

https://youtu.be/wdDpxo8Jx9A

About: Much like Rabiot, see Xhaka, think upgrade. Faster feet than both and more likely to use all surfaces of his golden left foot. Fabian also excels in his ‘second touch,’ the one that accelerates you away.
His fine form has seen him as a staple in the Spanish national team. An achievement that Granit Xhaka would never touch (if he were Spanish), due to his lack of mobility.
Real Madrid have been sniffing around but Fabian must be careful if he were to move as he has established himself. Could return to being an after thought at RM.

Name: Houssem Aouar
Position: CM
Age: 21
Height: 5ft 9
Club: Lyon
Nationality: France
Potential fee: 50M

About: Smooth. Graceful. Makes the hectic look simplistic. Small of frame and light on his feet, Aouar is a natural footballer. Much like Weigel at Dortmund, he makes me a little insecure as he looks too lightweight but he seems to glide effortlessly away from physical pressure.
You may remember Mikel Arteta teaching the players the concept of ‘ball, opponent, space and teammate’ at the first session. Aouar plays this way.
I was trying to think of a comparison to a player we’d all know and then I watched the video again and saw Arteta himself in his Everton days. Interesting.

Others in this category ….. Doucoure (Watford), Pellegrini (Roma), Van De Beek (Ajax), Zielinski (Napoli), Koke (AM), Ruben Neves (Wolves), Isco (RM), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Merino ( Real Sociedad), Nandez (Cagliari), DePaul (Udinese), Sanson (Marseille), Cyprien (Nice), Pulgar (Fiorentina), Bentancur (Juventus), Weigel (Dortmund), Saul Niguez(AM)

Possible for different reasons

Name: Federico Valverde
Position: CM
Age: 21
Height: 5ft 10
Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Uruguay
Potential fee: £50M

About: As hot as fire in the Spanish capital right now. Valverde has broken into a super competitive midfield with his all-action style.
Valverde is a supremely athletic box to box #8 who has recently been called a ‘jack of all trades and a master of ALL.’
So, why would they sell a youngster that has broken into the first team when they normally ship out youngsters on loan?
Aubameyang.

It’s not likely as I’m sure they’d offer players they don’t want, but if Arsenal have the upper hand in negotiations, never discount a Real Madrid president from doing something that the coach and fans oppose, just to get a star player he wants.

Name: Santi Cazorla
Position: CM
Age: 35
Height: 5ft 6
Club: Villarreal
Nationality: Spain
Potential fee: loan or £10M

About: I wasn’t going to profile Santi but I went on YouTube and I couldn’t resist!
I think that this is a very real possibility for a variety of reasons.
The long term fix is likely to not have PL experience. Cazorla would give us this. If you are concerned about his age and form then recognize that he was not in Spanish squad whilst in his latter years at Arsenal. At the age of 35, he is now.
Five goals and four assists in 15 LaLiga games. A goal against both Barca and Real too. On fire!
Is it coincidence that he has mentioned many times that he didn’t say goodbye? Just saying.

Others in this category….. Allan (Napoli), Alcantara (Bayern), Lallana (Liverpool), Vidal and Arthur (Barca), N’domble and LoCelso (Spurs), Paredes (PSG)

Upcoming midfielders

Name: Kalvin Phillips
Position: DM/CM
Age: 24
Height: 5ft10
Club: Leeds
Nationality: England
Potential fee: 35M

About: Wow! How is he not playing in the PL? How??
I understand that he’s not played at higher levels but to my eyes he is quite easily England’s most talented defensive midfielder. That’s England’s weak point. How is he not in the squad? Watched the video yet?
Kalvin Phillips should become a top player at a top team. Hard as whatever is harder than hard. Fantastic feet too. Converted from a CM to DM but so talented , he could play either. Not entirely sure what PL refs and those lovely VAR folk will make of his force of tackling but they say Arsenal are too soft so..?
The modern day argument is, do you want a deep lying play maker or a ball winner. Kalvin Phillips says, ‘do you want both?’

Others in this category…..

Sander Berge (Genk), Mwepu (RB Salzburg), Aribo (Rangers)

Potential Attacking Mids in a 4-3-3

Ziyech (Ajax), Maddison (Leicester), Fekir (Betis), Mooy (Brighton), Grealish (Villa), James Rodriguez (Real), Yazici (Lille)

My choice

Initially after researching, I had a list of 48 options. Amongst a list of supremely talented midfielders, there was one stand out choice for the circumstances Arsenal are in.

I’d choose Santi Cazorla.

Arsenal have a young group of midfielders made even younger if Xhaka leaves.
A PL experienced player on a short term deal, who clearly wants to play for Arsenal again AND here’s the big one…. we’ve had an awful season so far. You want to lift the fanbase?
Can you imagine the happiness?!?

I’d also attempt to buy N’didi to initially partner Cazorla and Szoboszlai and send him on loan to a PL team to understand the physicality. I’d also buy back Bielik as a very useful squad player.

What will Arsenal do?

I think we will sign Rabiot on loan and buy Szoboszlai. I think we will sign Fernandinho and Thiago Alcantara in the summer.

You?

Like these transfer blogs? I write review blogs after every game @mike_mmcdonald

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Pierre

Gel

Marko

And still be the most talented player of his generation. Tell me. How is the great Paul Pogba faring?

Don you make me laugh I swear. Most talented of his generation and yet he never kicked on at Arsenal went on loan to Bolton and Bournemouth and joined West Ham on a free. Even now at just turned 28 he’s talked about like he’s close to retirement. Pogba has done more in one season than Wilshere has his entire career and it wasn’t even one of the seasons he had at Juve. Jack isn’t fit to lace his boots.

Chris

It’s a shame we didn’t get Soyuncu, him and Luiz together with Guendouzi sitting in front of defence might have caused a bit of confusion with their hair styles.

I’d be happy to see Mavropanos given a run in the team but unfortunately the question mark remains over his fitness. If he can stay for now is the time to see what he can do and how he can fit in under Arteta. If he struggles or can’t stay fit it may be best to let him go in the summer.

Valentin

Pierre, I am in favour of a manager having a veto but not the final say on players. The manager should state his need in term of position and players characteristics. He should be able to make suggestions, but the recruitment cell should should go and find players based on his recruitment. In project management one of the classic mistakes People makes is letting the client dictate the solution instead of gather the requirements. A manager should say I need a defensive midfielder who can run X km, who can make Y sprints, Z interceptions per game but can also… Read more »

bennydevito

I really hope Arteta does have more authority on the final say of who we sign and who we sell. As long as we keep improving on the pitch and get a run of wins together that will surely strengthen Arteta’s hand in having the final say. As for transfers we should firstly keep the group of players we have right now including Aubameyang, Ozil and Xhaka until the summer at least. We should look to raise funds by shifting Mkhitaryan and Elneny on permanently. Any money we do have should be used to sign Upamecano only. That’s it. No… Read more »

CG

PedRo “””””Think they’ll have a brain trust model.””””” Well this Brain Trust Model has propelled us from 5th to 6th to mid table. And Burned through 1/4 of a billion on players And gave us Emery and his 9 Goons. And gave us Vinny crawling the streets of Manchester like a drug dealer in the night. We dont need Brains Trusts or Committees. We need one person Mikel Arteta ( who has integrity and is competent)to make the decisions. Arteta in 18 days has got more decisions correct than Raul, Edu and Vinny have in 18 months. reminder Vinny when… Read more »

Marko

Feed his confidence and he will blow. Distant
Sounds like my Mrs!!

Cat’s out of the bag Don. Pitching or catching?

CG

Distant Le Grover “””””There is an argument to be made that Arteta wouldn’t have been ready 18 months ago. It’s 18 months later.”””””” He knew all the players. He was more ready then than he is now. ( he dont know half this new team) Off course he was ready. We would have finished in the top 4 both seasons. And probably chasing Liverpool down for the title this season We would not be in The Loosers Cup We would not be posting a £ 50 million loss this year and £100 million loss next year. Arsenal will take years… Read more »

Valentin

Romford,/Bamford,

Last summer Todibo or N’Dicka were two of the left side CB I was advocating when Koscielny made clear he wanted to leave.

Barcelona got Todibo initially on a free then for 2 millions when he was freeze in January by Toulouse. They were willing to sell him for £17 millions with a buy back clause to ManUtd who refuse the clause.
At the time Barcelona went after Todibo, Raul was too busy in the US sucking up to Kroenke to think strategically. So Obviously for strategic reason we later went after David Luiz the short term solution.

Marko

Jack was a better player when they were both 20

No he wasn’t. He was bit part while Pogba was at Juve winning things.

Had he been managed properly he’d have been one of the best

You basically need an asterisk added to everything ever written about Jack Wilshere. Jack Wilshere best of his generation * had he been managed properly. Jack Wilshere better than Pogba * had he been managed properly. Don’s Mrs feed his confidence and he will blow * had he been born a woman.

Thomas

Wilshere was/is shit. More like most overrated player of his generation. Mostly sat on his ass with his arms out complaining to the ref. Little shit.

Valentin

“They were” should be “this summer Barcelona were”

Marko

So Obviously for strategic reason we later went after David Luiz the short term solution.

Todibo and Luiz were signed in completely different transfer windows.

CG

Well Said BD

Now we have a genuinely great coach.
Lets look for in house solutions and coach upwards.

NO MORE GARBAGE!

Marko

Blowing….obvs

Knew you had a dirty mouth Don

Bamford10

Reports we’re in for Norwich right-back Max Aarons. Continued reports that we’re interested in Guimarães.

Distant legrover

CG

Have you ever heard that familiarity breeds contempt ? Also don’t get in business with family ? If he had joined before Emery he would have been joining mostly his old teammates. Its hard to listen to someone you used to bunk beds with. That may not have worked out well.

You saw how Lampard got rid of Luiz first thing right ? He was eradicating a potential obstacle to his reign.

Marc

“I love Mikel, but it doesn’t matter how good he is, he can’t be given too much control. Need a club run properly”

It’s not just running a club properly it’s about giving someone a manageable work load and allowing them to focus their talents most where they are needed. People forget that when Wenger joined and was picking up great talent it was David Dein who actually did the dealing – Wenger highlighted players he liked.

Cesc Appeal

Talk that City are going to offer Fernandinho a one year extension.

If not I agree with the post and think that is a player Arteta might well try to get on a free.

Don’t know much about Guimaraes but he certainly seems to be surrounded by a lot of excitement from football writers.

Aarons would be a good signing for the right price, potential there, but I don’t think he’s been that great this season. Although to be honest might be harsh on him given the state of Norwich.

KenyanGooner

Konstantinos Mavropanos

Sokratis Papastathopoulos

Dayot Upamecano

More tongue twisting commentary fun

Luisjo

Great article Pete. I’ve got to say Fabian or Valverde. Valverde has a massive engine he’s like a much better Guendozi as in he’s always busy, great passing % (late eighties), scores wonder goals, can break a press with a dribble. Problem is he won’t want to leave and Real Madrid won’t want to sell, they dropped Modric for him. Fabian is simply an amazing central midfielder also got a great engine, can play as a DM if injuries are bad, can literally play anywhere in midfield, superb passer including defence splitters, his vision is maybe his best quality, he… Read more »

Marko

Anyway. I’m not doing the wilshere debate again. Nobody is changing my mind on the matter

Wrong is wrong I suppose. Still though if playing regularly and being successful wasn’t enough for Pogba at 20 one wonders how you got to Wilshere being better at 20. He wad neither playing regularly nor influential at 20. Or ever really. Football really passed by the lad meanwhile Pogba has been a record signing, won major honours and even won the world cup.

Marko

Fernandinho will be 35 next season. Nope for me. Can’t complain about Sokratis and Luiz and Lichtsteiner and then think about Fernandinho.

Freddie Ljungberg

Aarons for 30m+? Only if we get more than that for Bellerin which doesn’t seem very likely unless Barca feels like overpaying. Would rather we focus on CM and CB the next 2 windows, have to sort out our spine once and for all. No more short term buys either, if it’s short term make it a loan so we’re not stuck with more aging declining players. Upamecano doesn’t seem likely this window but still strong links with Demiral, earlier links with Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille. Wouldn’t hurt getting some of Pepes pals so just travel to Lille with a… Read more »

Marko

Aarons would be a good signing for the right price, potential there, but I don’t think he’s been that great this season.

He’s good but likely massively overpriced because he’s English. Anything past 20/25 million I’d forget it considering Atal and a few others would be available for that and better value for money.

Be interesting to see what Watford do with Joao Pedro. Massive amount of buzz around the lad to the point where apparently Liverpool were trying to get him from Watford before he even kicked a ball for them.

CG

Distant Le grover “”””Its hard to listen to someone you used to bunk beds with. That may not have worked out well.””””” No- it worked out well with Emery, instead Lampard was very astute in getting shot of the woeful Luiz. unlike Edu- who bought him.. Chelsea would not be having the season they are having- had we not solved one of their problems. they still cant believe their luck – we were that foolish enough to buy him. He may have had a couple of resolute games- but history will tell you – he is a complete and utter… Read more »

Major_Jeneral

Soyuncu is gone. Let’s stop crying over split milk and get someone who is in that mold or even better.
Is it true that Upamecano’s present teammate is a better prospect because Upamecano had an injury and the teammate was playing better.?

Secondly how the hell did Moyes win 4-0 against Bournemouth in his first match back at westham. I Never saw that coming?

Distant legrover

CG This isn’t about Emery . Seeing as Luiz has actually won titles playing for them and his replacements aren’t exactly playing like John Terry then I would wager that u don’t know what you are talking about. “Chelsea wouldn’t be having the season they are having” ? You make it sound like they are competing for the league. There is nothing special or extraordinary about their season. Their defense this season isn’t known for its meaness either lol. Those young defenders could have used Luiz on their side this season and I m not even a fan of Luiz.… Read more »

Marko

Is it true that Upamecano’s present teammate is a better prospect because Upamecano had an injury and the teammate was playing better.?

Funny thing is that since Konate has been out injured Leipzig have looked better with Upamecano in.

Nelson

It is going to be exciting to see how Arteta wii convert Pepe to become a complete winger. Previously, Pepe always tried to cut inside and shoot. Last game was the first time I saw him forcing his way passed a left back (Luke Shaw) and centered. Pepe has a very good shot. Arteta’s structure uses the right back to help out the midfield and the left back to attack and cross the ball. Pepe will have a lot of chances to pick up those crosses and delivers his strikes. A good system can really bring out the best of… Read more »

Distant legrover

Major jeneral

Perhaps he isn’t as clueless as the world has been saying he is.

Distant legrover

West ham is Moyes Level too.

Major_Jeneral

I agree @Distantlegrover

Marko – I guess that settles it.
if the transfer guidelines allows Arsenal should get an agreement with Leipzig or Upamecano so other rivals won’t get him in summer. We need to tie down our targets.

Great scouting report @mike
I am mesmerised by the huge potential of carmavinga.

Valentin

Marko,

Saint-Clair Todibo was available on the cheap during summer 2019 either on a year long loan or for £17 millions with a hefty buy back clause.

N’Dicka was also available this summer and in view of this year lack of involvement at Frankfurt should be cheap. He has also the advantage of being able to play left back if needed.

Luteo Guenreira

Laughing at Bamford avoiding responding to Bill’s last comments like the plague after that stoning he took. I’ve seen Bamford take many a bitch slap around here but that was a heavy backhand yesterday.

Valentin

Even before we consider his astronomical price, I doubt that Arsenal could get Cavaminga this winter. Every clubs know the potential of Cavaminga, whose French citizenship application was fast forwarded. Rennes is still involved in the Ligue 1 Champion’s League position, so unlikely to accept less than an outrageous amount for him. Also he has an outside chance of making the Euro 2020 French squad, leaving mid season will put paid to that. So any decent agents would tell him to sit tight and make a decision in a summer. Real Madrid may then decide that he is the better… Read more »

Graham62

Am I missing something here, why is Unai Emery being blamed for all of Arsenal’s financial woes?

Valentin

Gazidis and Raul should be blamed for Arsenal current financial woes and poor squad. Unai Emery should be blamed only for the turgid messy football.

Luteo Guenreira

I would take Boateng on a loan paying just his wages for the rest of the season, but paying any kind of fee is ridiculous. Maybe this is all just tabloid bullshit but hopefully there is truth to some of these rumours. The noise from the club regarding any January moves is pretty positive if they are to be believed. Now really is the time to make a move if it’s there’s one that makes sense. The energy around the club is on an upswing, a top signing will reinforce everyone even further. The timing is now for the biggest… Read more »

Bamford10

Luteo I responded to both of his comments, and at length. Anyone who wants to see the exchange between me and Bill can read it himself and make up his own mind regarding who is in the right and who is not, who is talking sense and who is not. That you dislike me and come here, in part, to say insulting things about me was established long ago. You are not some impartial observer here. In truth, you’re one of a handful of guys (like Bill) who doesn’t like me and who comes here, in part, to say so.… Read more »

Luteo Guenreira

Bamford

He responded further, go ahead and keep at it then.

Also fuck off with your condescension, it’s so easy to insult you it’s literally like breathing, trust me that there’s nothing I’m missing out on by hurling one liners at you a few times a day.

Valentin

Houssem Aouar is a big No for me. There is no doubt that he is talented, but also very lazy with the bad habit of perfecting his disappearing act when things don’t go his way. People complain about Özil and his lack of effort off the ball. When he is not in the mood, Aouar is worse on that aspect. He was benched by past Lyon and France U21 manager for that reason. We have enough moody player, we need more fighters, players who take game by the scruff of the neck and by sheer willpower and talent make you… Read more »

Marko

Shame about Reinier. Really thought with Edu it’d see an improvement in getting in South American prospects. I’m sure we tried and ultimately it’s the players own fault if he wants to risk his early development being dicked around by Real Madrid. Just ask Vinicius Jr Lucas Silva and Odegaard off the top of my head if they regret moving to Madrid so early.

Marko

Am I missing something here, why is Unai Emery being blamed for all of Arsenal’s financial woes?

Because he’s not Wenger I suppose. He’s public enemy number one he’ll be remembered for a hundred years

Bamford10

Luteo

OK, I’ve just read Bill’s “replies”. There is literally not a single thing there that is of any value or merit whatsoever. All he has done is make a complete mess of all of the arguments and of everything I said (and frankly that he said). There is literally not one single thing worth replying to in what he wrote. Zilch.

I will post my replies to him again below. If he wants to try to reply to what I’ve said in a meaningful, honest and coherent way, he is welcome to do so.

Marko

Antony is another seemingly linked with a move. 19 year old winger from Sao Paulo linked before with us

azed

Pedro

Anyone who mentions the name Boateng should be banned. Like Romford has said, we already have Sokratis, Luiz and Mustafi. Any defender coming in should be a proper defender and not a stop gap.

Bamford10

Bill “I know no-one who thinks Emery ‘over-achieved’. Even Emery, in his own words, admits he didn’t know how to fix Arsenal.” Whether anyone agrees with me on that point — plenty of people do, btw — is irrelevant. That’s called the fallacy of the majority, and you’re resorting to it. Emery had something less than the fifth best squad in the league last season and yet he managed to finish 5th. That’s over-achieving. He had nothing like the quality that Spurs or Chelsea had, yet he finished 1 point and 2 points below them, respectively. That’s over-achieving. Objectively. “I… Read more »

Valentin

Bamford, You should have a little more introspection. Also like Bill and many others have repeated you have a tendency of repeating your opinion without ever presenting facts to argue it. It is a shame because some time I agree with your opinion. I also thought that ManUtd even with OGS at the helm would finish above Emery’s Arsenal. With Arteta now in charge I believe that Arsenal has a good chance of finishing above them. However my opinion of OGS is that he is a mediocre coach. Somebody who knows only how to implement a counter-attacking tactic. Tactic that… Read more »

duvee

Boateng has a stench of Mikael Sylvestre about him. An auld fill the gap.

Luteo Guenreira

“There is literally not a single thing there that is of any value or merit whatsoever. All he has done is make a complete mess of all of the arguments and of everything I said (and frankly that he said). There is literally not one single thing worth replying to in what he wrote. Zilch.”

I think your biggest mistake in life has been you telling yourself that if you can’t understand it, it doesn’t make sense.

Valentin

Luteo,

I think that Bill has proven it is not possible to have a sensible discussion with Bamford. How can somebody alledgedly teaching debating skills do not understand that the basic tenet of debating is presenting argument not repeating ad finitum eternam an opinion?

Marko

Bamford I’ll be honest one paragraph in and all I can ask if for you to stop. You’re talking such nonsense you’re not nearly as smart as you think especially on the topic of football which makes your utterly dismissive attitude to people that more infuriating. Here’s a thought stop getting into rigid pointless arguments that you never win and you’ll get along with people

Bamford10

Bill I already accepted your “olive branch”. That is clear from what I said in my comment at 19:40:53 (January 2). However, you continue to be hostile, unfair, dishonest and unfriendly, so I’m not terribly sure how valuable or sincere your “olive branch” is or was. Nothing you’ve said above accurately or fairly represents what I said in my reply to your long comment. So again, here are the basics, Bill: 1. I base my conclusions on what I glean from watching a lot of football. Just like everyone else here. I don’t rely on some database or metric or… Read more »

Bamford10

Thanks for your input, all, but I’ll stick with my interpretation of the exchange and of things in general.

Cheers.

Receding Hairline

Wow

Bamford we have read all that in the last post

You and Bill are welcome to continue it on there

Una get strength o

Luteo Guenreira

“Thanks for your input, all, but I’ll stick with my interpretation of the exchange and of things in general.”

If you only knew this was the root of all your loneliness and lack of friends and lack of sex.

PhD2020

Third day into the new year -2020 and he’s still going… Quite sad and tragic at the same time.Like a punch drunk boxer,keeps coming back for more hammerings. The jig is up,the fans feel sorry for him,the opponent takes pity on him,tells him to quit having busted up his nose,closed both his eyes,broken both his ribs,broken his jaw.Absolute carnage in the ring.. The crowd baying for the trainer to throw in the towel..Nope our resident punch drunk boxer refuses to quit, believes he has one big punch in him to deliver the knockout blow.When,in actual fact he’s toast. A bit… Read more »

Champagne charlie

I remember when it was said with great vigour that I “bullied” Banford. I’ve purposely kept mostly at arms length more recently. Safe to say the finger pointing is best served for a mirror from our resident student of the game.

Absolute state of him, apparently a handful of people that don’t like him and come on here just to express that….let that level of narcissism sink in.

Oh, and stunning example of NOT wanting any attention like professed yesterday. You want so little at enticing you’ve reposted two great essays from earlier. Very low key.

Marko

You mean the bloke who hoarded money into the clubs coffers and was told to get his cheque book out by the fans?
Yeah
It’s his fault

He pissed hundreds of millions away, gave underserved contracts to broken players, didn’t sell players at peak value and was responsible for the club going out of the Champions League.

Distant legrover

N’dicka sounds like a guy we can use at Arsenal. We need players with some big balls.

Jamie

No man in the history of the world has ever needed to get laid more than Bamford.

Valentin

Bamford, “If you can affirm that statement — i.e., that your and my opinions on Arsenal and football have equal standing — then I would be happy to accept your olive branch.” You do realise that this response is wrong on so many level. 1) that show you as an arrogant idiot more concerned as being accepted as important as anybody else on the blog than on the debate itself. 2) you don’t understand the basic concept of debate. Not all opinions are equivalent, some are not even valid. You are entitled to think that the earth is flat. But… Read more »

Marko

Thanks for your input, all, but I’ll stick with my interpretation of the exchange and of things in general.

So you’ll stick to being wrong and stubborn with zero humility? Shocking

PhD2020

JamieJanuary 3, 2020 17:06:49
No man in the history of the world has ever needed to get laid more than Bamford.
——–
The 40+ year old virgin??That’s yet to be broken into!! 🙂 ?

Marc

Jamie

“No man in the history of the world has ever needed to get laid more than Bamford.”

Why are you offering to help him out!

Marko

No man in the history of the world has ever needed to get laid more than Bamford.

You just know there’s a rigid and stubbornness to him that he’d never eat any pussy. Ever. Would probably insist on the lights being on and have mirrors everywhere.

Bamford10

Apologies, Receding. But Luteo brought it up, and I needed to reply.

Luteo Guenreira

You just know there’s a rigid and stubbornness to him that he’d never eat any pussy. Ever. Would probably insist on the lights being on and have mirrors everywhere.

Actually I think he would eat OGS’s pussy.

Marko

Val definitely googled tenet recently and has used it ever since the release of the trailer.

Bamford10

Marko

What exactly am I “wrong” about in what I’ve said to Bill? Please highlight a couple of these things. Be specific, and please stick to what I have actually said.

kristoman

am not a fan of bamford neither do i agree to some of his claim. But he is right when he says some of infers that your opinions are fact just because you have majority of le grove support your claims

PhD2020

MarkoJanuary 3, 2020 17:15:50
No man in the history of the world has ever needed to get laid more than Bamford.

You just know there’s a rigid and stubbornness to him that he’d never eat any pussy. Ever. Would probably insist on the lights being on and have mirrors everywhere.
——-

What makes you think he’s that way inclined in the first place?
Now,now-you can’t just make an assumption without backing it up with factual evidence.. 🙂

Graham62

Valentin

History will clearly state that Arsenal’s financial woes started to materialize as soon as we left Highbury.

Marc

Un

Wasn’t Wenger at the club when Laca and Auba were signed?

PhD2020

Yeah,I don’t clamour for attention much..Third day into the fornicating new year..

What a mess…

kristoman

Marko what did bamford wrote that is wrong. He has an opinion, whether you like it not does not make your opinion right just because you have people here agreeing with you. Mind you he didn’t say his opinion are fact neither are yours

Marc

Graham

That’s a little unfair – the club knew that taking on the stadium debt would hold them back for a time. It was planned and considered debt the criticism of Wenger is in his last few years at the club and how he handled transfers and contracts.

No matter how much you love Wenger you have to accept that his conduct with financial matters and squad management in those latter years was poor.

Luteo Guenreira

“But Luteo brought it up, and I needed to reply.”

Oh did you really “need” to? How rude of me to bring it up, I didn’t realize I was throwing crack at an addict.

I’m kidding. I actually did know 😀 You simple crackhead.

Luteo Guenreira

kristoman

That’s fine for a stand alone comment, and you’re right that many do it. It’s hard not to, it’s the nature of speech. But once you start engaging in debate over a specific topic and the opposition offers points that dispute what you say, it’s incorrect to dismiss those points as meaningless and just repeat (or copy/paste) what you wrote previously as if it suddenly makes sense this time around. That’s the nuance we’re talking about.

Graham62

Marc

Who’s talking about the stadium debt?

That was a given.

Marko

Don he literally wasted away hundreds of millions, was responsible for a wage bill that was out of control, was responsible for holding onto players for too long instead of selling at peak value (off the top of my head not selling Campbell for 10 million to Milan holding onto him and not using him until he left for nothing) and he was responsible for our demise as a Champions League club. All that meant that our finances suffered greatly. It’s beyond disgusting to suggest that Emery or the current management was responsible for this. It was Wenger and Ivan.… Read more »

Graham62

Ouch!!

“No matter how much you love Wenger”

Sorry, you’ve got me confused with somebody else.

Marc

Graham

If your saying that leaving Highbury coincides with Kroenke buying into the club and it’s Kroenke that is the issue why not just say our financial issues go back to Kroenke buying into the club?

Graham62

Wenger was responsible for our financial predicaments.

Gazidis aided and abetted and the Krankes let it all manifest.

CG

Graham “””Am I missing something here, why is Unai Emery being blamed for all of Arsenal’s financial woes?””” …only your marbles ( have a peek in the shed) Well , Mr.Wenger in 18/20 seasons balanced the books and made the CL. Wenger didn’t post losses of 50 and 100 million either. Wenger beat Chelsea in Cup finals and didn’t loose 4 zero. This club will take years to Recover from the Clown. And as a consequence the man who chose him- should be sacked. That man also is fat Spiv. Exactly like Pogba s fat Spiv agent. And We should… Read more »

Graham62

Krankies

Dissenter

Pedro
Save your blog from this nonsense.

Vladdy P

Bye Felicia (Bamford)

Bill

Oh dear, I post on the yesterday’s piece from Pedro, realise my mistake, shrug my shoulders and get in with life. I come back to today’s subject and Bamford reposts his opus from the early hours. So, in the spirit of balance, I’ll do the same and address Bamford’s posts and unravel the muddled and dishonest precis.

Jamie

How any AKB can still love Wenger after he sold RVP to Utd for £25m (!!!) and handed them the title blows my mind.

Giving him and the scum Mancs the guard of honour that season was the ultimate humiliation.

Genuine cucks.

MGooner

Marc loves the Kronkes

Graham does not like the Professor.

Pedro does not like Bamford

Bamford does not like a lot of things.

Graham62

Marc

Remind me again, who had an Masters degree in Economics?

kristoman

Was IWOBI sold for 40m or 28m? Here what le grove will say

Marc

Pedro

You in the bar at departures?

Bill

(from earlier today on Pedro’s piece yesterday) Bamford, I’m well aware of the fallacy of the majority. I don’t think you have used this correctly to undermine my argument. If you read my post you will see that I expose your opinions as just that – opinions. You dont use statistical data, in fact you think evidence is “impossible” to obtain. My view with my academic background, is very different. I believe that data is essential in coming to a conclusion. The data must be filtered to ensure it is reliable and accurate and then needs to be interpreted. You… Read more »

James wood

Porridge porridge porridge.
Can’ believe you brought that on
yourself again.
Schoolboy error Twat.

Vladdy P

Wasn’t it 35, kristo?