Say it quietly, but I quite miss the Europa League. I was like, totally over her, she’s kind of frumpy, not exactly a head-turner, the funny accent doesn’t suit my Brexit sentiments, but now she’s gone… I’m a bit, you know, alone?
Still, you can’t deny that an early kick-off on Saturday isn’t great. When I lived in London, it controlled my Friday night, the danger with the 1230 kick-off is you start drinking at 10am, go to the game, win, then carry on the festivities ready for a brutal 8pm crash… you basically ruin your weekend. Still, at least you get the football out of the way early.
Not sure the players will be treating Saturday that way, the pussies. They have a tough game on paper game against Palace, though scratch beneath the surface and Palace are not having a good time at the moment. They had to field 5 academy players at the weekend in the cup and they lost to Rooney’s Derby. Big Roy Hodgson is not happy with the state of his squad and I’d imagine the Zaha to Spurs/Chelsea/anyone that will save him can’t be helping.
Rumours are that he’s landing Kyle Walker on a 6-month loan from City (honestly wouldn’t say no myself (but it’s obvs the Spurs guy, which I knew lololol)) and Cenk Tosun. Hopefully, they won’t be in place by Saturday.
Good news is this: At least they are weak.
Won’t change the ferocity of the game, but I’ll take it.
Arsenal are sniffing around players themselves, there’s a lot of talk AGAIN about Yan Couto. The Brazilian 17-year-old right-back is going to move to Europe and a fee of £4.2m is being mooted, which is very much within the reach of Arsenal.
As a right-back, what I have deduced from 6 minutes of scouting is he has beautiful tight control of the ball, Hleb liked. Stunning acceleration, so he can move like a modern full-back. Solid delivery and an absolutely ferocious strike. He’d not be a now signing because he’s not 18, but he’d hopefully be very much in the mold of Martinelli.
God bless Edu (or Cagigao)
Talking of kids. Rules are now in effect that you can’t traffic children anymore.
Booooo…
‘FIFA’s rules say players aged 18 or under can only be transferred abroad if one of three criteria are met: if their parents emigrated for non-footballing reasons, both clubs are in the EU or European Economic Area and the player is aged between 16 and 18 or the player lives within 100km of the new club’
When you think about what went on, it’s quite mad. Football’s #MeToo was literally hiding Fran Merida in the mountains of Spain until he came of age so they could traffic him to London. You’d be disgusted if a bank was doing that, wouldn’t you? Unless you work in the City or Wall Street, where you’d applaud, you disgusting capitalist FIENDS.
Arteta seems to be less confident about bringing players in than he was a week ago.
‘I’m not expecting big things. I’m expecting big things from the players I have now to get through the season in a more balanced way. We always have to be looking because of some injuries’
I suspect that comment is related to this economic reality.
‘We’re not thinking to sell. There’s nothing concrete at the moment on the table, as I said, I’m focusing on the players we have now and this transfer window is a little bit tricky and things might come at the end. But I don’t know which way.’
Though I’d love us to move on £100m worth of talent this window, I think we need to be honest about the situation. There doesn’t appear to be a lot of top talent available, and if we’re in financial trouble, I’d rather us spend what money we do have on the best possible talent in the summer, without the January premium. That Boateng is still being heavily linked at £200k a week tells you all you need to know about the state of the window.
I also have mild ‘don’t say it out loud’ concerns with a massive ramp-up in talent. We’ll raise expectations, probably still not have enough to make top 4, then finish right back in the Europa League places again. It’s not a surprise that Leicester are doing far better this year without Europe to bother them. They have a full 7 days to train with Rodgers and it’s paying dividends. Older players look fresher, younger players are getting better. They won the league like that, exited the cups early, and kept everyone fit.
If we’re not making the Champions League next season, I’d rather a run at the league next year with no Europe. I think it’d be a strategic advantage.
With lower expectations this next 5 months, the manager can experiment more heavily with young players, can put more focus on winning one of the cups, and be free of pressure to chase a goal that looks very much like a stretch from where we are now. He can also spend more time with Edu, Per, and Cagigao planning the summer.
Again, I was totally wrong with how Arteta would approach the cups, so could end up with egg on my face here as well when we unveil Mbappe.
There’s some interesting news that Timo Werner has a €48m release clause in the summer (The Athletic). I’m not trying to tell the club what to do… but my word, wouldn’t he be a great signing if we moved on one of our two contract rebel strikers? He’s young, fast, can play in an aggressive press, and he scores LOTS of goals. Even better news for Arsenal, he turned down Liverpool because he wants to play (so he lacks ambition) and the same is thought to be true of his concerns about joining PSG, where Tuchel is a fan. Chelsea are interested, but again, why would you stifle Tammy Abrahams? According to reports, the English sharpshooter is waiting to see who Frank brings in before signing a new deal.
I think we should move on Werner (just typed Wenger by accident), makes total sense. Certainly a sexier name than Kevin Volland.
On exits, the club is unsure whether to let Eddie go out on loan, but it looks certain they’ll move ESR and John-Jules out. Great news, no point in keeping them if you’re going to bench them. I am very excited by ESR, I think he has immense potential… I also think it should be noted that PSG and Juve were sniffing around John-Jules. The future is bright if they can make that potential a reality.
Right, that’s all I have. See you in the comments.
Bob N16
Marc, statistical bollocks.
Everybody should be aware of the obvious improvements on the pitch since Arteta’s arrival.
Well said Bob.
If the cap fits…then so be it
Marc
“Arteta5 matches – 6 points = 1.2 points per game.”
What?
Football fans are all partisan. I agree that I will shout ‘red’ from the rooftops.
It was a red card, took VAR 1 minute to review so I guess there were some nuances to it, hence my argument
I know that you want to us to get top 4 this season, but remember, we are at the beginning of a process of change. If anything will happen, it’s not going to in this transfer window. And you know it.
I know it? Sure do. Excuses from the Arsene era. Signings are hard who’s available mid January what can be done. Alas for poor Arsenal the only club stuck with players because there’s simply no one available.
Cool beans. I can help you improve your style.
1. Stop asking the blog if people ‘are still laughing at you’. We are.
Bob
I’ve already said I won’t judge Arteta this season but there does need to be measurable signs of improvements.
My stat of earlier was a comment on how pre Arteta our season had included the longest run without a win in 42 years but yet he hasn’t managed to even match the average points return.
Aces
Not sure if that response was shock or not understanding the maths!
What everyone seems to be forgetting is that Auba was already on a yellow (for a challenge that did not really deserve a yellow) and that this foul was going to be a yellow all day long. Hence the red card.
This excuse that Arteta has only been here for 3 weeks and can’t properly judge the players needs to stop. He had eyes before he came to the club right? It’s clear as day that some are not good enough and never will be. It can’t be anymore obvious, and he just persuaded the biggest liability, that we had a bid for and finally wanted to leave, to stay. Big mistake that will keep biting us in the ass if not rectified this window. Weird how other teams that are already better than us can improve their teams in January… Read more »
Jeff go put yourself in the bin you silly cunt.
DissenterJanuary 11, 2020 13:55:59
It wasn’t a red card.
Then
It was a red card, took VAR 1 minute to review so I guess there were some nuances to it, hence my argument.
Like I said dishonest and cunt
DB10
No he wasn’t otherwise the ref would’ve pulled a red out straight away on showing him the second yellow.
Bob n16
You just knew the same names are sat gleefully waiting for the hiccups, poor performances, moments in matches to explain their usual diatribe as if folk haven’t heard their bollocks enough times already.
Context completely absent seems to me. Must’ve just come off a preseason with the club in a bright spot ehh? Or are we digging ourselves out fo a hole mid season with 5 games in how many days over the Dec/Jan period?
The agendas are rife, all rather boring to read such fuss from the same people.
If you all had sold off Xhaka at the first off from Hertha Berlin in the first hours of the winter window.
Do you have any certainty that the replacement player you desire is available in January?
If you were a new manager that needs squad cohesion to get results=, would you have taken that chance of letting go of the one-wing bird in hand when there’s no guarantee he can be replaced?
Marc
Not understanding YOUR math!
“You have to remember that buying players is not like going to the supermarket.”
“We will only buy if we find super qualidee because our players are the greatest and bestest evah”
Ok, the second one is paraphrased.
Dissenter
Plenty of players available to improve on Xhaka. You know it’s possible to line up a replacement at the same time as you sell someone right?
Marko
The honest and disgusting cunt is actually you
Your mantra is to change every bad player like it’s Subbuteo or something.
If it was so obvious then why did it take VAR one minute to make the determination? Aren’t I allowed to reflect further? What’s cuntish about that?
I’ll enjoy you moaning here about Xhaka until he is rightly sold off in the summer.
Freddie
Give me a few suggestions of players that are available in January
I just think the prudent thing is to line up a replacement for the summer, not have to settle for the paltry offerings available in January.
Dissenter 15.01
Hypocritical and driven by ulterior motives what are you on
I gave you a list of 6 first teamers Palace where short of?
I Want to see us win I crave for us to improve
So perhaps you could tell me what my ulterior motives are.
You really are something.
Can someone please explain what a 90min sub is supposed to do?
The player coming on can’t make an impact.
The player coming off doesn’t need the rest, he can survive for another 2-3 mins.
Either yank the player off at the 80th min or just stick with him for the remaining 10+mins.
Gonsterous
Very simple. To kill time for the draw
Jeff, , assume you must be collecting match attax, I’ll give you Bong of Brighton for VVD? Deal?
Agree with your reasoning Dissenter on Xhaka, people just like applying their Football Manager skills to a real life situation. Of course Arteta and Edu would okay a Xhaka sale if it meant financial sense and we were able to get a top target for the right money. January always smacks of desperation.
James Wood
Ulterior motive it you persistently trying to pose a Palace team that started with their best player [Zaha], highest goal scorer, starting goalie and best defenders aa a “weakened” team.
Miliojevic is the only dead certain starter that wasn’t available for them.
New post
Dissenter
Soumare, Sangare, Bruno Guimaraes, Sander Berge etc.
At least 2 of those looks certain to leave this window and the other 2 plays for smaller clubs. Who is this amazing player that we need to wait until the summer to get?
Zach
Were we seriously playing for a draw? Against C.P?
Jesus, I’m glad I missed the game.
Marc
Arteta5 matches – 6 points = 1.2 points per game
1+0+3+3+1 =8
Maths!
“Can someone please explain what a 90min sub is supposed to do?
The player coming on can’t make an impact.
The player coming off doesn’t need the rest, he can survive for another 2-3 mins.”
To use up the clock? Duh?
VAR is overrated, how is that a penalty for Chelsea????
New Post
Our midfield has no goal scorers in it.
So if sides closely mark our three forwards we struggle to score.
Guendouzi, Torreira and Ozil do not score or shoot.
We have to address this it is a serious problem.
Chelsea – Burnley VAR rules!
Abu red card all day – not so much intention but missed the ball and studs up into the ankle. Reckless. And lets be honest Xhaka has never been anything more than bang average and should not be commanding a first team start every week in an EPL side hoping to finish in the top 6 (10?).
How is that a penalty???? Was it even VARd????
Was the VAR referee who decided the red card the same than the one who refused to give a second yellow card to Jorginho in our game against Chelsea?
Because it looks like when a referee makes a mistakes against us, instead of being banned from refereeing us for a while, Mike Riley just move him to referee VAR away from view.
Paranoid MOI?
Maybe, but that does not mean that they are not after Arsenal.
.