Ok, so Ced…
SHUT UP AND SUPPORT THE LADS
… Soares is
SHUT UP AND SUPPORT THE LADS
not really that…
SHUT UP AND SUPPORT THE LADS
Ok, I give up.
I strained out an excitement yelp for Pablo Mari because he’d been picked up as a talent by Manchester City, then had a good time in Brazil, and he’s sexy.
I WILL IGNORE THAT HIS AGENT, CANALES, TOLD RAUL THAT EMERY WAS THE BEST MANAGER IN EUROPE. WHICH LED RAUL TO HIRE HIM WITHOUT ENGLISH AS A CORE COMPETENCY. HE WAS PREDICTABLY SHITE. THEN RAUL HAD TO FIRE HIM EARLY AND SHELVE THE 4 YEAR DEAL HE WEIRDLY HAD PLANNED. NOW CANALES HAS A NEW RECCO AS OUR GREAT WHITE HOPE IN THE CENTRE BACK DEPARTMENT.
Cedric Soares is a signing that’s a little lost on me. Southampton fans don’t really rate him, he went to Inter last season for a loan and they gave him 4 games, now he’s with us. He’s 28 years old, so by no means finished, I’m just not sure he’s quite the elite specimen we hoped would be driving the Arsenal forward.
I’ll be blunt… he seems like a favour… you know, like when you were 19 in Time & Envy and your mate met a babe called Vicky, who is totes fit, and you’re left with Keeley, who is fine for a chat, but she wants to tattoo your eyeball for banter but that’s not your scene.
Anyway, he’s a Portugeezer international, he’s potentially a Swiss Army knife of a player, and he’s obviously good enough to land the nod from Mikel… we hope.
At this point, I’m just going to sit back, shut the fuck up, and hope there’s some sort of majestic plan that I’m not aware of that’s being undertaken.
I will NOT bring up the uncomfortable reality that this is a Jorge Mendes special. We have almost certainly vetted this move with a slathering of deep data analysis and the blessing of the scouting wonks.
If I were to try and be super positive about this move, I would say this used to happen under Arsene back in the day. You had no idea who he’d signed, you just knew there was a plan and a coach good enough to elevate the talent.
PARK CHU NOOOOOOOO. KABA DIAWANOOOOO. STEPHAN MALZNOOOO. FABIAN CARININOOOO. KIM KALSTROMBROKEHISBACKBUTWESTILLSIGNEDHIMNOOOOO!
BUT WENGER DIDN’T FUCK WITH SUPER AGENTS.
Shhh, shut up and support Raul. Maybe there’s a properly elite superstar they have their eye on this summer. (take a look)
I also think there’s a harsh reality here, we’re skint and under pressure. Quite possibly the worst mix to have heading into a transfer window. I’d rather plug needed gaps with loans, let Arteta make all his mistakes now, then hit the ground running with a quick transfer window this summer.
We know that a lot of big names will likely move on this summer. Auba, Lacazette, Luiz, Sokratis, Mustafi and a number of others might all push for exits… we might cash in on a diamond… whatever happens, it’ll be an aggressive summer.
Until then, let’s just see how it pans out.
We’re improving as a team, the energy levels will go further as fitness improves, the team showed signs of where the attacking side of the game might go, and we’re already showing strong signs that we can learn how to defend.
Two players is two players. It’s a dead season. Let’s just be thankful we did something and pray to the gods of football that no more defenders land nightmare injuries.
IGNORE THE SUPER AGENTS WHO ARE ON OUR SHIT.
See you in the comments.
MGooner
“I think we paid good wages in the past because we” ………….were fudging stupid.
I actually think it good idea to pay minimal fee to see if players can do a job for us.
In defense, the sum is often greater than its parts. There are very few world class defenders but four competent defenders who compliment one another can make top quality defense.
Loan signing gives club idea if they appropriate for our vision of future playing style before we spend colossal sum on dud.
Mgoon
I dont make the rules, i just post dawg
Mgooner of the list, are u saying Kolo was a crap player? Maybe you were born just yesterday.
Chamakh was on high wages because we got him for free. The fact that a player never worked in a team doesn’t mean he’s crap. Will any of you say Kaka was a crap player because it didn’t materialise for him at Madrid?
Every player ‘may not be crap’. Systems can define the career of any athlete whether good or bad.
Graham ““I think we paid good wages in the past because we” ………….were fudging stupid.” I believe the reason we gave players generous contracts was , in my opinion, due to the club losing our best players to clubs like city, chelsea, United and Barcelona because they were offering much higher wage incentives which decimated our very good side at that time. I believe a decision was made to give our players lucrative contracts to keep those other clubs away This policy did work in that we kept our players and they were not lured away by richer pickings elsewhere… Read more »
This Corona virus pandemic is beginning to get really scary.
My next door neighbor just texted me that he’s staying off Chinese take-outs for a while. My jaw is all over the floor.
Dissenter
Is your neighbour a complete retard?
Pierre
I think you need to re look at your assessment. Have a look at the players who stayed and the ones who left – then apply a quality gradient.
Hoijberg to Arsenal?
Marc
The point is , players like Cole, Adebayor, nasri left for money, cesc , song and rvp could see the writing on the wall and left a sinking ship.
If we had paid top money around that time, the team would have grown together.
I believe, rightly or wrongly, a decision was made around that time to up our players wages .
And no , city were not a successful side back then , the only reason players like aguero and ya ya Toure joined was due to the massive contracts on offer.
Pierre
When have I ever claimed that City were a “successful” team prior to the oil money being pumped in?
Cesc went “home” to Barca, Song was good riddance and Van Persie just acted like a cunt. We lost plenty of other players to the likes of Barca and Madrid and what you need to realise is we always will. Where we fucked up with the wage bill was paying average players “top” money when no one else ever wanted them anyway.
Marc
I’m beginning to think his IQ is equivalent to his house number.
Marc
Van Persie’s wages went from around 120k per week to 250k when he went to United. A 3 or 4 year deal for a players that had always struggled with injuries, you wouldn’t turn that down.
As Pierre said, a decision was made a few years ago to up players wages. We wrongly gave average players like Bendtner, Debuchy, Jenkinson, Mhikytarian and Elneny good contracts and have struggled to move them on. Now finally we look to be back in control again.
Dissenter
Just tell me he hasn’t been allowed to reproduce?
Overmars I don’t blame anyone in any walk of life for taking a huge rise. Van Persie was a cunt because he was with us 8 seasons and was constantly injured for 7 of them. Strangely in the season where he’d clearly decided to leave at the end of it he stayed fit. Even more strangely he managed to stay fit for his first season at ManU, Fergie then announced his retirement and Van Persie suddenly had an endless supply of notes from his mum again as to why he couldn’t play due to injury. My view is be honest… Read more »
Marc
You’re right. From Van Persie’s point of view, at the time he’s scoring more goals than Rooney, Aguero and Drogba.. and getting paid half of what they were getting. I don’t blame him.
Marc
“Where we fucked up with the wage bill was paying average players “top” money when no one else ever wanted them anyway.”
Which is what I said with the “millstone around the neck comment ” .
But actually , where we originally messed up was not paying Cole, cesc, rvp , nasri and Ade the money they deserved.
Personally I’m not expecting much occurring on the last day of the window.
Don’t think we will sell any.
Unless Auba goes for 65m
Who’s the Pierre holberg saint player we are linked with ?
Fact or fiction ?
“We wrongly gave average players like Bendtner, Debuchy, Jenkinson, Mhikytarian and Elneny good contracts and have struggled to move them on. Now finally we look to be back in control again.”
Raul was one of those who gave an undeserved and unnecessary pay rise to Xhaka and Elneny.
The saving grace is that the contracts of Mhkitaryan, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Sokratis, Mustafi are in the final years. The issue with Lacazette, Aubameyang is that they know that they hold the best cards: they are in demand and their contract is expiring.
RvP doubled his wages and gave them one good year on a 4 yr deal. Tho i loved seeing that absolute genius play for us, he’s a cunt and i don’t mind seeing the back of players like that when its time
To cash in. Only problem w that deal is that we played softball and didnt shop him around, allowing him to go straight to the station and of course untied were not going to flatter us w transfer fees. Classic wenger
The deal for mari i’m more impressed w the more i think about it. We basically pay a 5m deposit on the guy and hype the ‘signing’ of CB w big potential while reinforcing the ranksat the very least. If he turns out to be adaptable to the prem/uk, which he does at first impression seem to be, we’ve done well. If he doesnt, we’ve saved ourselves 5m. The only other cb we were looking at was 30m, well out of our range atm. We prob would’ve spent that on a loan for boateng
Valentine
“Raul was one of those who gave an undeserved and unnecessary pay rise to Xhaka and Elneny.”
I reckon Besiktas are paying Elneny’s wages so no problem with that. I do think new contracts for Elneny and Xhaka were definitely necessary, when you consider the money Arsenal have lost on players running down their contracts. At least we would receive minimum 25m for Xhaka and 10-15m for Elneny I would say, based on their contract lengths.
‘Why dont we pay crap players top wages if they qualify us for the CL every year………….. we are buying crap players on crap wages and we will end up being a crap club…If we are not that already.’
What you are saying is if we must buy crap players we should give them top moolah because that way we remain a top club playing regular CL football?
You should be president.
‘The defensive depth would surely come in handy. I really don’t get the outrage.’
You don’t get why there is an outrage on le grove?
Oh dear!
I have a friend here who would burn things down in cold blood if the club fails him in calf measurements.
Then our host hates super agents because they are super agents.
Outrage is the normal here, my friend.
‘I believe The club is looking to weaken our rivals with the Soares signing. He’s been decent for them this year from what I’ve heard. If only we poach from Wolves and Sheffield Utd, we could be home free…’
And if that doesn’t work we should poach the head boys off clubs like Derby and Swansea? In case Arsenal need to fight back for qualification after going down?
Wish these defenders perform
Another deadly Virus originates in China.
What do those assholes do in there?
Mari has a long neck – surely a good sign for a CB? Not sure about his calfs though!
Folarin Balogun is ready to step up to the first team. Although he is only 18 he plays with a maturity beyond his years. He is a local lad with all the skills and finishing qualities. He is a bit short and his heading is not his strong point. Up front with Martinelli and Saka – it will give defenders nightmares! So if Abu and Laca want out – let them go and invest the money in defence and midfield. We can not afford to lose players on a free transfer and must not let it happen at any cost.… Read more »
Another deadly Virus originates in China.
What do those assholes do in there?
————-
Wet markets is the short answer.
Domestic and wild animals sold and butchered on site with little regard for any sanitary standards.
”He is a bit short and his heading is not his strong point. ”
Sounds like another Nketiah? From clips Balogum seems to play better football cf Nketiah but we do need some physique upfront.
Rambo
This:
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/disgusting-moment-chinese-man-dips-still-wriggling-baby-mice-in-sauce-before-eating-them-alive/news-story/d272592f184bcc9c867e74105b0b5259
Useroz
The scouting report also included this about Balogun: “He received some tough challenges but he was not fazed, proving he can stand up to more physical opponents.”
So he might not be quite such a pushover. Mind you that was in the U23’s so the EPL will be a different chalenge altogether.
Aussie,
That’s just disgusting. I bet some of those backward assholes eat human parts as well.
Ade didn’t deserve a better contract
He had one good season at arsenal and even then he should’ve had 5x as many goals but he didn’t learn the offside rule. Most frequently caught offside player in all Europe’s top leagues that season iirc.
After that one good season he never matched it again
The Chinese have a problem with
1) wanting to eat absolutely everything
2) not being cautious about sanitary conditions
The combination of those two is a big issue. Iirc SARS virus was caused by eating bats.
I’ve been here 6 years and don’t see the attraction with trying to eat anything that lives. Sea cucumber is the worst. And bird spit
How do you even find out that can be eaten?????
Chinese food culture is honestly the most overrated in the world
There’s some good food out here but there’s a metric tonne of meh and worse dishes
Another issue is there’s no relationship between dishes people eat and in what order. Eat some cold mashed potato with jam and sprinkles on (yes, really), then a bit of spicy tofu fried in soy sauce, then a couple of bites of birthday cake, then back to the pigs trotters
It’s really low tier food culture lol
“I’ve been here 6 years”
Stay safe, bruh
Lot of countries bringing back their citizens from Wuhan. Stupid move that may turn this into a global pandemic.
The Chinese authorities had done a great ( strict and inhumane maybe but necessary ) job of locking down those areas.
Also never order pizza in China from a restaurant that isn’t explicitly foreign
I wouldn’t even feed a chinese pizza to a hostage LOL
China
When I was in China about 30 years ago I remember ordering ‘fresh fish’ at the hotel in Beijing I was staying at. I did not know it would end up being alive on my plate! I just couldn’t eat it as it wriggled around. Every time I ordered anything vegetarian they thought it would be OK to slip some chicken or pork in with it!
Going back to wages, it was always the case that we gave bang average/poor players too much and the better players not enough.
I agree with Pierre.
Thanks guys.
Never been to China.
Know now I never will never go there.
30 years ago when working in Hong-Kong, a resident Star Trek fan friend told me half jokingly that the Klingon dish of Gagh must have been invented after some poor scriptwriter went to a wet market in mainland China.
What most people call Chinese food is the most palatable Han dish. Like China1 said a lot of Chinese food is just uneditable for most Western palates.
Xi jingping looking for ya China1
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/31/asia/wuhan-coronavirus-racism-fear-intl-hnk/index.html
Wondered when the shitcvnt lefties would start with their usual dumbfvckery.
Didn’ t take long. I have always and will always maintain these people are anti-human in general.
I suppose this puts to an end the Chinese football league attracting “past their sell by date” players.
Actually, it puts to an end lots of things related to China.
One person will be happy.
Trump.
Business at our local Chinese restaurant is down.
Tbf you need to recognize that a quarter of the people on the planet are chinese and you can find the bad and the good.
The major east coast cities these days are pretty incredible, it’s the central and western parts that are still developing.
China is best enjoyed with someone who knows and understands the place, because there’s a ridiculous amount of awesome stuff to do see try etc. but if you don’t know anything about China then you may end up making some regrettable decisions instead haha
China1
I know what you mean.
The coastal cities are great, love em! But once you head inland, lol.
They just love to spam their vids without headphones; on seats next to you.
Came back from Beijing in October so even though i logically tell myself that was too long ago and geographically not likely at all, there is a question mark in my mind every time i sneeze!
Got a trip soon to Shanghai in 3 months so hoping this will all have expired by then
Some interesting matches this weekend.
Southampton visit Anfield. Spuds play MC. Chelski v Leicester. MU v Wolves and a few interesting fixtures for those fighting relegation.
We all know it’s going to be tough at Burnley. Cold, damp and attritional.
Need a win.
Graham – I am optimistic we will get one. Won’t be easy and playing Burnley is never a pleasant experience. But this team is starting to show enough grit and we won’t have Mustafi to deliver a howler of a back pass. Mari to play with Sokratis or will be pull back Xhaka? Can’t see Holding starting.
Northbanker
Luiz is available to play again, so is Auba so really no excuses, we need the 3 points.
Hoping Ceballos can start to step up and provide some of that creativity we desperately lack.
We need something else than a draw ?? Joke friday ??
Soares official
Freddie – surely Luiz has an automatic 3 match ban?
NB
Not according to the .com
https://www.arsenal.com/news/team-news-auba-kolasinac-david-luiz-mustafi
I thought that the 3 games ban was only automatic for violent conduct, otherwise it is 1 game ban.
2 yellow cards => 1 game ban
1 straight red card no violence => 1 game ban ?
1 straight red card violent/reckless => 3 games ban
Am I wrong?
Rambo, sure, deadly viruses are bad and all, but do you know what’s even worse?
Racism!
Lol…
Soares + Luiz + Mari ??
Ok I change my mind, a MUST WIN for Saucy Handsome Mikel.
Ok so how are you deemed to get a straight red card where no violence. I am not challenging this btw but curious
I thought the show point of the Luiz challenge was that it was considered
Violent {hit post too soon!!)
My point being would have thought if no violence then it would be a yellow
Cedric on the .com. Very smart from arteta. Any one that has doubts will come to like this signing during his stay. It will also help us in our hunt for the Europa league.
Marc
January 30, 2020 21:08:01
“PierreI think you need to re look at your assessment. Have a look at the players who stayed and the ones who left – then apply a quality gradient”
This made me laugh so hard for some reason. Funny and true
Northbanker, red card as goal scoring opportunity. One game ban as not a dismissal involving violence.
Don’t worry if you were back from October you’re definitely fine. 2 week incubation period and the symptoms aren’t mainly sneezing so you’re good
Northbanker you been to Shanghai before? Fucking awesome city. You need to hit up a roof top bar on the bund. There’s a hotel I forget which, but there’s an awesome bar on like the 20th floor which has an outdoor area with a jacuzzi (I don’t think you can actually use it mind). It faces towards the river with a fabulous view of the skyline. At night time it’s different class
Jenkinson is a prime example of wage vs quality not working in our favour. There are many others, Ozil in current form, Mustafi.
Quality work from Ivan and Wenger.
“Quality work from Ivan and Wenger.”
Some on here would add a third person…. (lol)
Money the club spent in the last decade that didn’t end up in our favour is staggering. Sinful really how much negligence there was and still is…
Mari, Soares in now! Hope they leave up to expectations especially Mari.
Burnley tomorrow is gonna be tough. Looking forward to a win. Yeah a win. Astonishing that we’ve won just 6 games all season and how many draws?
Can Southampton stop Liverpool from going unbeaten? I hope so. Maybe tomorrow will be the day.
“and how many draws?”
I’ve stop counting.
“Can Southampton stop Liverpool from going unbeaten?”
Nope.
https://youtu.be/YH2DKwS3tFA
Some good stuff here
Here is a comment from a Saints fan on Cedric Soares ” On his day he can be really special but he is generally pretty mediocre and will leave your right flank exposed. He’s been the cause of quite a few goals against us. He was one of the main stays in our worst defense ever only recently really improved under Ralph. That being said he’s been loyal to us and ALWAYS puts in his 100% effort. Sad to see him go but hoping the deal can be made. Hope he does well with you guys if he goes, he… Read more »
Bob
Ok but I recall reading that in fifa rules now this was now a yellow card unless a cynical foul
Very disappointing link Pedro, I was expecting Mikel’s nude pictures.
Northbank, According to FIFA Clumsy fouls stopping a goal scoring opportunity are punished by a penalty and a yellow card. Deliberate fouls stopping a goal scoring opportunity should be punished by a penalty and a red card. The big debate is about the interpretation of Luiz foul. Was it deliberate or clumsy? There was some discussion in the referees community via newspaper column. Some viewed Luiz foul as clumsy, in which case it only deserved a yellow card. However others considered as a cynical and deserved a red card. As an Arsenal fan I thought it was clumsy rather than… Read more »
Valentin
I really think Luiz was clumsily trying to reach the ball. The RC was too harsh. I see fouls worse than that given the YC all the time.
What it means is that it wasn’t actually a red card offence , it was neither cynical not violent/ dangerous. He was trying to win the ball plus Mustafi was on the line when the foul occurred meaning Luiz wasn’t the last man. Chelsea’s 2nd goal should have been disallowed for offside due to the fact that Abrahams came back from an offside position and although he never touched the ball , he had to take evasive action as the ball passed within an inch of his body. Definitely interfering with play …100%. These decisions cost us points plus the… Read more »
So another club(Oldham Athletic) in trouble for poor management/business operations.
Quick question. How the fudge can a club in the fourth tier of English Football, have an annual wage bill of £3.5m, with one player reportedly on £11k a week?
Just beggars belief.
Pierre
I think the marginal refereeing decisions s have repeatedly gone against use his season. The phantom foul that disallowed Sokratis goal at home to Palace was one of such. Funny enough, Atkinson [you dislike him] allowed the goal and it was an Australian non-premier league referee manning the VAR position that shit his pants.
We have been lucky in the past away at Turfmoor; weak penalty for Ramsey, Koschielny’s last minute handball goal recently.
*against us
On his day he can be really special but he is generally pretty mediocre and will leave your right flank exposed.”
Just what we need, another mediocre player.
He’ll be a great culture fit at least 😉
How people can spin these two signings as anything other than ‘garbage’ is beyond me.
Cedric signing. Hope he does well.
Look at the top left. Kia Joorabchian has done it again.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPnElCfW4AAOaOm?format=jpg&name=large
Both Cedric and Pablo Mari players geared towards doing their bit for the benefit of the team and the collective if their interviews are anything to go by. Both emphasise hard work, diligence, the collective, professionalism, which although a basic requirement to some, is a signifier of the type of character we’re looking to bring into the club more and more. Hopefully their abilities translate well and they prove themselves a good fit for the needs of the side. They do that and I fail to see how anyone can consider them ‘garbage’ as is the war cry of the… Read more »
@Rambo : have a little more bit of faith, please.
Rambo “””How people can spin these two signings as anything other than ‘garbage’ is beyond me.”””” Well said Rambo, I concur. Great Clubs ( and we most certainly are not anymore- or even aspire to be one)- Do NOT sign players of this calibre. End off. They are signings West Bromwich Albion or Newcastle United would make. Off course – the cheerleaders and the delinquents will naturally acclaim they are savvy recruits. They are the same folk – who also think a Mcdonalds meal is great value. they as usual will be wrong. (and they are normally fat and stupid… Read more »
“(and they are normally fat)”
The sauce effect.
Not exactly inspired signings but I can’t fault the logic behind them. Low risk as in low financial outlay and high reward as in they could both be steals.
Soares is playing for his next contract and I’m sure Mari will see this as a challenge to establish himself in the Prem. I doubt either is a long term starter for us in any case but can’t be worse than what we’ve got.
I’m still hoping for Lemar to join or Emre Can but seems unlikely at this stage.
‘There were several problems: four captains; the Ozil-Kolasinac case; Pepe’s signing, who needs time since he came from France. We didn’t play well, that’s for sure.’
That’s your man Emery wailing about 4 captains………as if C.G forced the idea of four/five captains on him.
Ok so now that Soares is on board at right back, let’s see if AMN moves to centre-mid or right mid and gets a decent number of games in those positions for the rest of the season.
If he doesn’t, and we don’t sell him in the summer, then the Soares transfer is agent-driven and not just contacts-driven, and certainly not data-driven.
(unless of course we decide to sell Bellerin in the summer for mega-bucks)
There you go , as of jan 10 we are 9 points worse off due to wrong decisions.
You can add another 3 or 4 points since then.
It’s a disgrace.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.givemesport.com/1536769-how-the-201920-premier-league-table-would-look-if-every-refereeing-decision-was-correct%3Famp&ved=2ahUKEwj8lfaog67nAhVSTsAKHahuA9AQFjAJegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3TTyI3e3Qy0cFZHzsexLC9&cf=1
“It’s a disgrace. ”
Didier Drogba likes this quote.
There’s a surprise .
Arsenal receive the most yellows per fewest fouls.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://dailycannon.com/2019/10/arsenal-get-fewest-fouls-per-yellow-liverpool-and-leicester-the-most/&ved=2ahUKEwj1ztrGhK7nAhUJCsAKHU8ICLgQFjAQegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw1RVGZqYZCB5eYlF5q6Ymec&cshid=1580480562397
CG
You open the door up for so many easy least easy peasy responses.
“We gave up being a serious club”……..many moons ago.
Ain’t that the truth.
“Winning a league title” is not an objective at this moment in time.
Ain’t that the truth.
Ever heard of the phrase brick by brick?
Repairing systematic destruction requires patience and planning.
Most penalties conceded the last 4 years
2019/20….arsenal 2nd
2018/19…4th
2017/18…3rd
2016/17…2nd.
Doesn’t appear to even itself out does it.