Sorry for going dark on you, I’m on a pitch, travelled into Chicago and made a hilarious joke to my boss about coronavirus and travelling… news flash in the lounge 5 mins ago…
‘CHICAGO SEES FIRST CASE OF CORONA VIRUS’
I am the cooler of travelling. If you want a delayed plane, the furthest possible terminal, or now, a deadly virus, come fly with me.
Arteta’s press conference was fairly standard. He spoke of how happy he was about the attitude of the squad, going one deeper, saying he’s happy about how the club as a whole is responding.
A lot of things that I wanted to implement, not just with the players but around the club in terms of the culture, I’m seeing very good signs in progress.
A lot of things about our way of playing and style, even if the circumstances in some of the games have made it a little more difficult than expected.
In general I can see the direction towards what I wanted a month ago.
Remember, his sell isn’t just to the players, it’s to all the backroom team he’s working with. I’ve heard the buzz about him transcends just the players. That’s great to know.
He had little to say on transfers, outside one being quite complicated. The name that seems to be drawing the most smoke is that of Mykola Matviyenko. I actually had the first UK lead on it because some guy with 8 followers sent me the links from Ukraine. Does that make me an insider? Does that make me bigger than Ornstein? Yes to both, so show some fucking respect.
I did some deep scouting… 4.5 minutes to be precise.
What I have ascertained is:
- He’s quite short, 5 foot 11, but he does have a tremendous leap
- He’s built like a left-back, so he’d have to bulk. Being Eastern European naturally makes you 3.8x tougher than the average European, so I’m not too worried there
- He sprays the ball around like Toni Kroos, his long balls are something else. He also looks like he has quite a lot of pace in his game.
- Arteta had been trying to persuade City to sign him, the player has a bit of the Laporte’s about him, so makes sense
- He has 18 months left on his deal, so he’s primed for Arsenal
I always worry when we sign short defenders that don’t look big enough for the league, but Saliba is huge, so little and large might work next season. I am open to this sort of defender if it moves our game forward. Also, Shaktar played future football under Fonseca, so he’ll come preprogrammed with Arteta ball in mind.
Kurzawa, a full back heavily linked to us, looks like he’s going to Juve. Made little sense to move for him with Kola and Saka playing well. Arsenal fans getting furious about a player we might not have been in for is quite something.
Arteta also spoke about another position he’s looking at.
“There are other positions as well, depending on what happens in the market that we might need to assess.”
“At the moment I am 50/50 because this transfer [window] is very complicated and I only want to bring somebody in if I’m convinced he can really improve the level that we have.”
I think he’s going to look for players that can mover the ball between the lines. Ceballos doesn’t sound like he’s impressing and the only two that move the ball the way Arteta needs are Ozil, Luiz, and Xhaka, hardly ideal. I would love more athleticism in the squad. Power and pace is still severely lacking, I really hope we address that in the summer.
In other news, there’s a breakaway Arsenal club being formed. A really mental story from The Athletic, because breakaway insinuates there’s some tie to Arsenal… but the only tie is it’s being set up by Arsenal fans. This story is like me, iPhone user of 10 years, setting up my own phone company and calling it an ‘Apple breakaway.’ It’s a rich guy setting up his own football club and trying to generate noise by tying it to Arsenal. There’s no story here… AFC Wimbledon setup because they moved the original club to Milton Keynes from London. Arsenal’s disgruntled fans have what, 3 years since we last won a trophy? 2 years out of the Champions League? Seems like the most middle class move ever. Like being mildly upset with Monmouth Coffee not having a matcha line, so setting up your own version to really show them up. Then calling it a Monmouth breakaway. I’m not telling anyone how to be disgruntled… but there are clubs in far worse situations than us with fans that have genuinely been shafted. Ditching your club because of a bad patch really isn’t cool imo.
NOT COOL.
Right, short post today because I’m in the process of catching a deadly virus. As a deathbed wish, could you please listen to my podcast. Thank you kindly, maybe see you tomorrow. x
Agreed Bob.
If Raul starts taking brown envelopes then we’re in a different ball park but you only need to look at Wengers nearly signed squad to understand the importance of greasing the wheels sometimes.
Not a fan of agents either but if you want to play with the big boys then you play big boy rules.
No more of the self sustaining values waffle, thanks.
Ishola
Aussiegooner was literally the guy who stated ESPN were now reporting it.
You claimed no serious news source was, and I asked what a serious news source was for football transfers.
Now you’re walking it back and claiming I’m “crying” and “in a tiss”, so standard bullshittery from you all the while you’re having a pop.
Suggest you dry your own eyes you daft prick, and let us all in on these serious news outlets at some stage.
Charlie
Aussie Gooner stated that there were no major news outlets reporting it but a bit later said ESPN were running with it.
Whatever way you want to look at it just ESPN running with it is sparse at this point.
And really ESPN is akin to that Talk Sports radio station in the UK.
Now dry your eyes now. Everything will be ok.
Seems like Arteta has worked with Mari before, albeit briefly as he went on loan from Man City for all 3 seasons. He must therefore have a reasonable view as to whether he can cut it or not. Had a look at the YouTube clips and they do at least show him making good tackles in a number of different matches rather than the usual same tackle or pass repeated fifty times
Ishola
You a parrot now?
Tell everyone what the serious news outlets are for football transfers, shouldn’t be a hard one.
Not ESPN Charlie.
Please don’t hang your hat on the Mari transfer going through by just an ESPN news boy scouring the internet.
Please don’t.
Ishola
So you have no answer.
I: ‘ESPN aren’t a serious news outlet’
Me: ‘Who is?’
I: ‘Not ESPN’
Gold standard commentary.
Unai
“I only hope that those decisions of 3-4 years ago are never repeated again”
Quick question. Where were you when we were dishing out extortionate contracts to the likes of Bendtner, Denilson, Diaby, Almunia etc?
Such decisions were being made long long ago.
Don
There is nothing silly about implying caution with a transfer that has only been reported by Brazilian websites and been regurgitated by ESPN.
We saw it all before when Arsenal were meant to be buying that Argentine defender from another Brazilian.
But of course it is too much for some. They weep he he!
Graham
‘ Quick question. Where were you when we were dishing out extortionate contracts to the likes of Bendtner, Denilson, Diaby, Almunia etc?’
Those contracts were validated. We reached the target of the owners with those players.
Keep up old bean. We’re taking present day and how decisions made now will impact on MAs team and vision. Leave your Wenger obsession in the past.
Did the window cleaner that looked like Arsene have a dabble with your mrs? You can’t be that bitter otherwise.
I have a feeling that Mykola Matviyenko is the player Arteta wants. He is fast and is good on the ball. The problem is the price. He costs £30m and Pablo Mari for £7.5m. Mari is probably a stop gap for this season. We’ll wait until Summer to decide on a permanent solution.
“Arsenal working on loan deal for Spanish defender Pablo Mari, with an option to buy. Club hoping to finalise deal with Flamengo quickly.“ – Charles Watts
Someone tell Charles we’re awaiting the serious news outlets to report matters before taking any interest.
Lego Hair
If I want to highlight a few things on here that you and a few others don’t like, then so be it.
Your underhand comments seem familiar to me. Yet another poster on here hiding behind a new moniker.
Just so that you know, our present day predicaments are due to our past operational failings.
Suck it up.
Haha typical Ishola, condemns almost everything but would never proffer a suggestion.
That sounds very unrealistic Charlie this loan talk regarding Mari. Why would Flamengo entertain a loan of one of their better players for just half a season? He may get injured at Arsenal while on loan and then Flamengo are stuck with a crock they can’t sell at a later date. Surely Flamengo are more interested in cashing in with Arsenal buying him outright in the next week. The only way I can see a loan happening is if Mari has a clause in his contract at Flamengo that states Flamengo must relent if a european club of a certain… Read more »
Un
A Wenger lookalike definitely serviced his mrs. So so bitter.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11917325/pablo-mari-flamengo-centre-back-set-for-arsenal-medical
All over all the english papers now. Keep bickering though.
Graham
‘ You do understand the workings of an hourglass. Of course you do. 12 years of drip drip drip.’
You do know there isn’t water in an hour glass Graham.
It was definitely a plumber.
A loan?
Well this would be all for the player. He does well he gets signed up if not he slouches back to Flamengo at the end of the season.
It is of no benefit to Flamengo whatsoever really a loan deal.
And the question must be asked given his purchase price why Arsenal are entertaining a loan themselves. Do they not trust his quality? This isn’t a loaning of a youngster is it. At 26yo he’s either good enough or he isn’t.
No clue about this fella, hope due diligence has been done though and hope we’re not taking the cheap route to trying to fix a position we’ve ignored for years now.
Ishola
Don’t think anyone cares whether or not the deal is beneficial to Flamengo as long as he does well here
Loan with an option to buy then.
Option is £7.5 Million.
Not a bad deal really, get to see what he’s like and make a decision in June.
Basically means we will have spent next to nothing to bring him in, maybe a little loan fee that likely will be taken out of the fee.
Don’t mind this type of scouting. Arteta knows him from City, Edu will know him. Worth a go.
Next up Lemar?
Batistuta
“Don’t think anyone cares whether or not the deal is beneficial to Flamengo as long as he does well here”
As long as the deal is not finalised and confirmed then talk of a loan seems a bit fishy.
I don’t know of a club that loans one of their better older players to another club at a certain level.
But as said Mari may have something in his contract at Flamengo that sees this happening.
It sure doesn’t make sense for Flamengo a loan.
Looks good in the air and decent long balls.
Just worried at the lack of pace. Its Like giroud doing defense
Graham, I’m old skool when it comes to moaning about old transfer dealings
Still upset about cashlys £5k
His lack of pace a concern but his tackle timing and ability to read the game should nevertheless be huge assets. He’s also 6’ 3” – I do like tall and powerfully built CBS if that doesn’t sound wrong. As I said before, Arteta will know enough about his attributes during his City days even though on loan in that time to at least know what he’s in for
Un na If he’s going in for our 8th centre half I don’t see any more coming in. Not unless they are flogging 4-5 I think he will buy again if he can get someone like Upamecano. I’d see Sokratis being sold and Chambers not available for half a season. Luiz i think has one more year on his contract and i wouldn’t be surprised if MA isn’t tempted to re-try the Emery experiment of using him as our CDM. So that would give us a quartet of CBs – Upamecano, Saliba, Holding and Mari which would put us in… Read more »
Arteta knows him and it seems Arteta was leading the drive for the CB with Matviyenko and Mari being known to him when he was at City.
He wants ball playing CBs in a high line and so he must have considered that. If Mari’s lack of speed impacts us it is Arteta’s call.
What is for sure is that we will need to continue to do a number of savvy deals in the future if we’re to keep up with the cream. Until he appointed Mourinho, I’d say the role model for this was Daniel Levy, who recently stated in his Daily Mail interviews that he wasn’t disturbed by the fact that he couldn’t compete for the very best players. We can’t do the Pepe deals if we’re to compete as we cannot afford that level of risk and the likely impact on other key signings. We have delayed the Upamecano deal to… Read more »
Looking forward to the FA cup 4th round . Playing in a competition that we have a chance of winning is always a bonus. Why anyone would want us to be eliminated is beyond me . The league’s liverpool’s, so all other teams in the FA cup should be in it to win it. Winning trophies is what football’s all about , to put finishing in the top 6 above winning a trophy is foolhardy. A good FA cup run can be the catalyst for a strong finish in the league , they often go hand in hand . Any… Read more »
Now there’s a literal video of Pablo Mari walking through Heathrow with Edu, he gets asked if he’s excited to sign for Arsenal and says “of course”.
But still eagerly awaiting serious news outlets 😂
Charlie – lol. There’s been photos of the two talking that were posted some time ago. Obviously faked by ESPN
Who said this Pablo Mari lad lacks pace?
People watch a 2 minute YouTube video gives them a professional scouting license.
Pace for what?….to run 200m or to catch the departing train on the platform?
As Don said so juvenile.
You were looking for an argument just because it was said at the time that news sources were sparse and they were at time of posting.
You are the champion of transfer links Charlie.
Congratulations
The talk of getting a LB all seems to fly in the face of the facts – Kola is scheduled to be back after the Burnley game so only one Premier match to go. Tierney is being reported as back in training early March with having had a successful op.
Meanwhile Saka is getting valuable game time and very useful lessons in the more disciplined requirements of the LB role which will be invaluable for his development as a LW.
Says the Xhaka fanboys.
Now that is something to laugh at.
Ishola thinks ESPN Brazil is nit reputable enough?
Hope he’s mopping off the egg all over his face now.
“Barking up the wrong tree”
The sweaty sock fucker didn’t tell me it was ESPN Brazil.
Just ESPN. lol
I take it he is a sweatie.
Says “folk” a lot.
Some Borders chappie.
I expect Ornstein will make his customary tweet soon about something he knows little about just to remain relevant.
Ishola
Yoo do realize that you were wrong, very wrong about ESPN Brazil?
Dissenter
If he is really good why are Arsenal only loaning him?
What is all that about?
Think you are right regarding pace though.
Folks will have to tell us what youtube video they looked at and at what time in the video Marin trails like a snail in a match.
“You were looking for an argument just because it was said at the time that news sources were sparse and they were at time of posting.“ Not even remotely true. Folk were merrily discussing chat about Arsenal and you swoop in, being the Debbie you are, to hoover up any enthusiasm or excitement by trying to educate folk on the merits of the reports. ESPN and the Brazilian sources you derided looking like they were pretty serious after all. Couple of doozies from you: “If he thinks this transfer is nailed on then he needs some learning to do.“ “Please… Read more »
“Says the Xhaka fanboys.Now that is something to laugh at.“
Normal service has been resumed. Absolutely mugged himself about Arsenal transfers this morning so reverts to his crush hahaha start your weekend as you mean to go on ya wizard 😂😂
Ffs Ishola – bow out of a defeat gracefully
I had some sympathy with the basic Ish point given the nonsense (I hope) of the Kurzawa stories
Folk know that ESPN and ESPN Brazil are a different kettle of fish.
Or at least folk should.
My bad.
I thought it was just ESPN english mob.
Folk eh.
https://mobile.twitter.com/charles_watts/status/1221047945702838272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Elist%3ADailyCannon%3Adaily_cannon&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fdailycannon.com%2F2020%2F01%2Fphoto-arsenal-target-pablo-mari-with-edu-transfer-close%2F
This Mari Chap.
I am always wary of Center Backs that are as good looking as this hottie we are supposedly getting.
I like my defenders to look like, Big Willy Young, Terry Mancini, Tony Adams,Steve Bruce or Kenny Burns.
I like to see , a splattered nose or missing teeth on my defensive players – evidence that they are prepared to put their heads/faces on the line.
In a game that is getting ever faster – it seems bizarre that we have recruited another allegedly slow one.
But that’s Edu for you.
CG
Cannavaro? Ramos? Pique? Hummels?
Are calves reserved for midfielders and forwards? It’s the boat race for centre halves. Interesting appraisal.
For clarity i don’t know whether he has pace or not but I have simply read other reports on this and agree its not really possible to see on youTube. The clips i have seen have focused on a large number of expertly timed tackles from a wide number of games. So to the extent you can get anything from that it’s all good. He’s also matches the powerful CB build that most of us would want for that role. – Pace is not possible to assess at all and as its all relative to the pace of Prem attacks… Read more »
Anyone got Football Manager? Dig Mari up on there to check whether he is fast or not.
CG
Sokratis fits that ugly mould but would you really want him in the team going forward?
So we are signing pablo Maris who couldn’t get a game ahead of John stones at city, only signing cos he is cheap.
Dearie dearie me.
Just read that his agent is a close friend of Raul Sanllehi. So Raul ‘s contact book is not that useless.
Cha Cha
“”Cannavaro? Ramos? Pique? Hummels?””””
None of that of that quartet play real soccer.
The British Version of it.
No Winter Break.
3 Games a Week. Every week.
Having said that. Ramos would have been a Legend at Arsenal had our Wenger signed him.
(Shame we have to go via the Contacts and Cronyism route nowdays)
Lewis Dunk is an absolute beast of a defender, for example.
NorthBanker
“””CG, Sokratis fits that ugly mould but would you really want him in the team going forward?”””
Huge fan of Sok.
Great competitor.
Good team man.
Keep him.
Ishola
Who said Arsenal are only loaning him?
I suspect it’s an outright transfer in the range of 5 million , netting Flamengo a hefty profit.
“Lewis Dunk is an absolute beast of a defender, for example.”
He’s also 28 and linked with a transfer to Chelsea for 50m. No way we’re overpaying that much for just a decent CB.
A director of football that does not have a hefty contact list is as good as a priest that doesn’t know how to say the grace.
Pedro runs down the benefits of a contact list and people run with it.
Dissenter
That’s what all the papers are saying, loan with option to buy.
I quite like that approach, if the player doesn’t adapt to the PL we’re not stuck with them for years and years, we just ship them back.
Does this mean the Ukraine guy is not coming now.
I can confirm, Pablo Mari FM stats:
Acceleration 11
Pace 10
Settled.
Apparently it’s an initial 6-month loan with 8 mil fee arranged for potential summer transfer.
He’s an alternative to the lad from Ukraine. 6’3, left footed, speaks English.
Suits Flamengo because they bought him for 1.7 mil 6 months ago, won a domestic double with him, now stand to earn a huge profit relatively speaking.
Brentford playing some nice stuff even though they are one down. Wouldn’t mind seeing them in the Premier League next season.
New stadium looks good too.
Chris
What do those numbers mean?
I read somewhere that the Ukraine side didn’t accept a loan agreement. Two days later, the name Mari appear. Probably, Mari is the plan B.
CC
Rating out of 20 I believe.
Un
He owns a book?
Chris
So is that shite or average? Looking at him he seems like a moderate runner, not sharp off the mark.
Very few CB’s are in truth, positioning and anticipation so vital to a defender. Seems to be pretty flexible, that left leg appears above head height more than once in what I’ve watched of him – Zlatan eat your heart out.
Un Wasi Really I didnt get your reply. Is it about the Grealish comment. If so then Yes. Grealish has a well defined position free 8 , 10, 8. Lemar is good but different people will say different positions as his best one. For me its LW or Left mid and i wouldn’t want to stunt Gabi’s and Saka’s growth in that area + we also have Auba there rn. Grealish is Prem proven and handles the physicality well, has hazard like ability to win fouls and doesn’t shy away from a good 50/50. Also his end product is very… Read more »
RSPC -hope thats the case as this deal gives us cover and keeps our powder dry for a higher quality deal in the Summer. There is also the case we may have a great buy on our hands. Understand he was impressive v Liverpool in World Club finals
Lol Mustafi is faster than Alderwierld
CC
I agree. If he was accused of being slow, for the sake of the computer game, you would expect to see a rating way below 10.
Absolutely positional sense and intelligence over pace for a central defender, although it’s nice to have all that.
Auba to leave Arsenal as last deal of transfer window with Barca and PSG in auction to get him. We get a hefty cash sum in excess of £60m.
Sid – I’m telling you that for a negotiated sum.
If he can stop Salah, he is good enough for me.
How fast was John Terry, even at his peak?
Le-grove has always been obsessed with pace. It’s almost as if people mate looking for the next Ussain Bolt.
I remember people talking up Danny Welbeck when he was shitting up the place because he had ‘pace’ and destroying Giroud because he lacked it.
£60m.Sid – I’m telling you that for a negotiated sum.
LOL
Dont know why Psg would want Auba . They already have Icardi, Mbappe to play in that position even if Cavani leaves. Agent talk imo
Last word on the computer game stats!
Composure 15
Decisions 13
Positioning 14
Tackling 15
These two are for you CG
Determination 20
Bravery 15
*People are looking for the next Ussain Bolt.
Northbanker
You actually think that’s a good idea? Not only our top scorer but the only player we have at the moment who’s scoring on any sort of regular basis.
Looks like Barca have beaten us to the signing of the Brazilian RB wonder kid Yan Couto. Thats a real shame and looks like Edu failed to sell the dream.
Terry was slow as fuck, he played the game upstairs (which is so, so ironic given he’s a fucking mong) which negated it. Adams was awful off the mark too, didn’t matter at all.
Really liking the fact Mari is left-footed, called for that after watching Xhaka back there last time out. Balances the defence so well imo, here’s hoping he makes the necessary transition.
Dissenter
Maybe it’s because at some point the team was filled with non-athletes which is vital especially in our league as Pool have shown, we still have some of that mind you
Curios. What is the computer game stats on PapaSok?
Marc
Auba doesn’t even give off the vibe he’s leaving soon, looks like it’s his agent trying to get him renewed on better terms and i wouldn’t mind giving he’s our best player
CC
“which is so, so ironic given he’s a fucking mong”
That could be considered a bit harsh on mongs!
Marc – yes and no. On the footballing side i can’t disagree but I think its going to happen either way. He hasn’t signed an extension and if we get that sort of money on the table I think we have to take it. If we want the club to build its position then we do have to be prepared to sell at the top and not hang on watching the values decline. It’s a fact of life for us.
Bati
I understand the argument that we either need him to re-sign or sell him in the summer but to sell him in Jan with no replacement is – to borrow a bit of CC’s phrase “a level of mongness beyond comprehension”.
We can’t win matches at the moment as it stands let alone getting rid of last seasons Golden Boot winner.
I also don’t think losing Auba will be that disastrous in the medium or even short term. It will pave the way for a new younger version to emerge or be bought – new signing and Martinelli will thrive. Would also sell Laca in Summer if money is right
Northbanker
Out of interest precisely how many goals will £60 million in the bank score?
Un
Behave lad, it’s 2pm. Won’t see him for another couple of hours. Fully expect a scouting report at 5pm complete with nihilistic drivel and behind the scenes access to Colney.
Nelson not sure but I would imagine ‘grappling’ and ‘suplexing’ to be quite high ratings for Sokratis
This TW really exposed our suffering under the ownership of Stan Kroenke. We have to settle on a plan B because of a lack of fund. Any complaint should be directed to the owner.
Chris
Thanks for the reply. The number doesn’t mean much to me. I would like to compare Mari with PapaSok.
Marc – its a pointless question. We need to sell at the top to buy new younger faces. We won’t compete if our plan is to hang on to waning stars (as he will be) until their sell-by dates have gone. Martinelli and I believe Pepe will thrive in a post Auba world and thats before a replacement striker at half the cost is added to the mix.
It would be great if we were in a position to ignore money but we’re not so we have to get real. We have to trade our way to the top.
Nelson – maybe but the reality is that very few people are rich enough to pour half a billion into a football club to piss up the wall on transfers. There’s no return on it either – clubs don’t play dividends so its a shite investment. Whoever owns AFC the likelihood is we need to maintain a business model that is self-sustaining. That means having Plan B purchases which is much better than Gazidis who had no plan at all
Northbanker
Auba’s form and ability is not going to change between now and the summer. Selling in Jan is a terrible idea that sends a negative signal to perspective new players as well as us losing our biggest goal threat.
And Plan Bs can often work out much better than Plan As. Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean lower quality. I like the Mari deal. It gives us options and keeps our powder dry
I read that Auba’s contract has a number of significant loyalty etc payments that are back-loaded. If we let him run down his contract we will be in for some really hefty payouts., all of which are reducing our kitty for new signings. I think the Board will take the money now when its gets high enough.
Un na – those were the days!
Marc – if a deal is there then we’re not going to ignore it. We will survive. It will be last minute so won’t affect any jan deals and by the Summer we’ll have moved on – even you!