I uhmmed and ahhed over whether to address the horrendous race riots in America. I don’t know how you say something that means anything when you write an inconsequential blog. Then I realised that my privilege allowed me to decide whether to say something. I’m living in the heart of the BK protests, I can watch safely from my window, this is not ok. Black lives matter. What is going on in America is absolutely horrendous. We should all stand united against hate, bigotry, and lies. I truly hope America votes with its conscious this November. One positive: Nothing warms my heart more than to see people of all races, gender, age, and sexual orientation peacefully protesting injustice.
Onto news of a more trivial nature.
There is a battle of PR going off in the media, BATTLE OF THE FEE, is how it shall be labelled.
You have Amy Lawrence saying £24m for Luiz, consisting of £6m in intermediary fees, £8m in transfer fee, and £10m in wages.
You have John Cross saying Arsenal didn’t give more than a £1m away in fee and we’re negotiating down from £130k a week, with Arteta hopeful of him agreeing to a new deal based on performance.
You have Kia saying on Talksport, “we have all the proof and have gone legal with them (The Athletic).”
I’d be super interested to see if Kia goes ahead with this threat. He’d have to prove that the story was untrue and in the process, he’d have to subject himself to some form of discovery which would mean allowing lawyers to explore bank accounts, contracts, interrogate clients, rifle through e-mails, put him on the stand, and it’d all be under oath. You’d have to be pretty offended by a story to go through that to make a point about something that could just be a simple correction. Also, who is he getting angry for here, because football agents are there for the fee, £6m is a lot, but in the grand scheme of BIG numbers, Raiola picked up £40 million for the Pogba deal… the number quoted in The Athletic would have him laughed out the room at the Super Agent Christmas party. Be interesting to see how that plays out.
Anyway, what to make of the noise on the wages, which weren’t disputed by Kia, but were by a few other club-friendly journos.
What do we actually know before the actual payslips and agent contracts are leaked?
- Luiz signed a 2-year deal 3 months before moving to Arsenal with Chelsea
- He moved to Arsenal on a 1-year deal, with an option to extend
- He moved to a club in a total mess, to play for a manager with a less than elite reputation
Does anyone, anywhere in the world, think that a 33-year-old footballer breaks a 2 year deal with a club in the Champions League, opts for a move to a club in disarray… for less money, and less security?
Whatever the lowered rate is, it’s too high for Benfica who said they couldn’t match it.
“He was in a car with businessman, preparing to renew his contract with Arsenal. He is someone who loves Benfica, is a great professional [but] has to earn money. What he earns [with Arsena] is unthinkable for Benfica to pay.
“If David Luiz one day decides ‘I want to leave here’, is 35 years old and in perfect condition, of course we would take him. [But] eight million [in wages] would have to be one million.
“But, as a father, I would say no. I’d say: ‘oh, David, you’re not coming, don’t be crazy.”
Is there a round two of intermediary fees associated with this renegotiation?
Also, just to clear something up.
I actually LOVE David Luiz. I do not want people thinking my critique of this deal is a slight on him. When he moved to us, the worry was age, suitability, and another ‘character’ signing from Chelsea. I wrote this at the time.
What I’m saying is this… don’t turn your nose up at someone that isn’t Mustafi. I’d hire you mum if the chance arose. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that one of these last-ditch ‘character’ signings from Chelsea (or anywhere) finally pays off at some point.
I’d be delighted if he signed back on (which Kia seems to think is on the table). He’s a strong leader, he clicks with Arteta, and we know he has star power for the kids. However, you cannot tell me the investment we made in him was worth The Athletic numbers Kia is disputing. Even if you take out the agent fees, we paid £8m for someone on a 1-year deal. At the lower end of Arsenal freindly journos estimations, all in, we’d have paid £15,760,000 (£120k p/w (6.76m) + £600k Kia fee + £399k (Arsenal said less than a million in fees) + £8m transfer fee) for someone who we are currently renegotiating with so he doesn’t leave for nothing. That is terrible business, especially after the fuss we kicked up to earn a fee from a 9 year veteran of the club.
So for all the ‘THAT WASN’T THE FEE’ noise from Arsenal and Kia, the reality is, even without it, the deal was still an abomination.
Anyway, to refresh my point if it was lost yesterday.
Super agents should not lead or interfere in the process of player/manager identification. They are an unfortunate byproduct of elite scouting. They live for one thing only, the fee. Doesn’t matter who they support, it’s all about the fee.
The patterns are clear with Arsenal. We have too many favourable agents that sit front and centre at the table of our worst decisions. That has to stop if we’re going to be more efficient with our limited funds moving forward.
Caggigao should be bringing the names to the table. More Martinelli like talents. More Cesc’s. More players that have a long future at Arsenal.
Talking of our limited funds, according to Julien Laurens, we have not offered a new deal to Auba. For a Football CEO who said we’d never let a player run their deal down again, we’re in a moment where Auba, Saka, Mustafi, Sokratis and Ozil all have 1 year left. Our 2022 holdouts are Matteo, Lacazette, Eddie, Kola, Cal and Martinez. That’s 11 players with two years or less on their deals.
I think we should sell Auba. I love him, but I’m not sure I see the value in offering him a £300k a week deal heading into his 31st birthday. If our ability to manoeuvre this summer is going to be drastically limited, every penny counts, and there are positions we absolutely have to address. We need a powerhouse central midfielder, we need a centre back, we need a decent right back, and possibly a modern number 8 like player.
There is a lot to do. We have very few assets that are going to fetch mega-money, so we need to raise cash and make tough decisions. The club need to give our young players the best chance to thrive. We don’t need hacks, we don’t need whispers in the ear, we need players like Martinelli. That’s where the magic is at. You only get there by listening to the recommendations of the smartest scouts and analysts… not the slick-haired, pin-striped suited fee merchants in the executive box pretending they love The Arsenal.
Anyway, tomorrow, we talk about something else because we need to start getting excited about ACTUAL football coming in 3 weeks time.
Big love, stay safe, be kind x
7 clean sheets in 15 games sounds like emerys 22 game unbeaten,
goals conceded per xGA shows arsenal has benefited from poor finishing by opponents.
thats clear if you consider the strikers the have faced.
Im telling you for free!
“”””How would that work at Arsenal?”””
Dyche has shown loyalty, consistency and real leadership in 10 years of management at Burnley. He is PROVEN to out perform every season with the resources he is given.
He knows how to organise and galvanise a group of promiscous young men on a weekly basis.
What more do you actually want from an AFC manager with KSE as owners?
(We are only bigger version of Burnley these days, I am afraid to say.)
KSE ruined our Wenger.
They will ruin our Mikel too.
Pedro
What you mean like Emery ?
Anyway, we tried this No.2 experiment in the 80’s with Don Howe.
Magnificent coach , and ex- player but not quite cut out for the management malarkey.
Club eventually turned to George Graham who we would agree has similar attributes to Sean Dyche!?
Sid, the example you give about how Arteta has copied Guardiola’s use of full backs is a strange area to focus on. For most of the games he’s managed, Arteta has had to make do with second and third choices for those two positions. When using Saka, he sensibly in my opinion gave Xhaka the responsibility to cover him when he was going forward. I would wait and see Arteta’s tactics when he has say Tiernay and Bellerin both fit and at least one, if not two new starting CMs. He’s being pragmatic this season, next season is the time… Read more »
CG
Damn, I think you’re tying to bet binned by popular mob action with the Sean Dyche nonsense.
That’s why I struggle with all these tactics and stuff, I thought Arteta was telling Xhaka “stand over there and for fuck sake stay out of the way”
14 days!
Good coaches are students of the game.
They always copy successful tactics from other managers.
It’s no different from other walks of life.
“He knows how to organise and galvanise a group of promiscous young men on a weekly basis.”
Aside the fact that CG is a total lunatic and absolutely clueless on every aspect of “soccer ball” as he calls it, this still has to be one of the weirdest sentences written on le grove in a while. Not buying that it’s a typo either. Not when it’s him, he’s that strange.
Freddie
Strange – creepy – disturbed
take your pick
“At this stage, there’s no doubt about it, Aubameyang is too good for Arsenal,”
-Jamie on Sky.
Exactly the way they ruined Alexis.
I’m telling you now, Auba moves and he’s done.
Arsenal have a way of bringing the best out of dudes…Henri, Cesc, Song, Alexis, Hleb.
RVP played one good season after.
Marc
I mean what kind of sick operation does he think Dyche is running? Smh
CG, Unai Emery outperformed budget for years at Sevilla. Small time manager that couldn’t cut it with big players. The same will be true of Dyche.
Arteta is exactly right for Arsenal. An elite coach, Arsenal DNA, and experience at the very peak of the game, taking players to world-class levels.
To hear someone that beats on Raul so often suggest we take a downgrade on ambition is weak sauce.
Pedro’s getting trolled by Tony Attwood!
Freddie
“I mean what kind of sick operation does he think Dyche is running?”
I have no idea but apparently CG’s trying to book an all inclusive 2 weeks there!
Without getting into politics of etc why has a guy who’s at the London “Black lives Matter” demonstration just been shown on the news wearing a balaclava in June?
Isn’t is supposed to be a peaceful demonstration?
Not that I think our next level should be a Burnley coach but I kind of see the argument against Mikel. There are two sides to football management. One is when the tide is calm and you only need to be innovative to get your pass mark. Arteta should do fine there. Sean would be lost. The other is when the vampires come for your throat in the dressing room. Arteta wouldn’t last three months. Sean looks like a vampire himself. Should do fine. Arteta is a rock star of a coach and that’s why Pedro sees him every night… Read more »
Marc, balaclava – mask?
Bob
Could be but it seems a bloody warm way to cover your mouth / nose in June!
Glad your not in the new head coach selection panel, Gentlebris,
-Must have ability to deal with vampire attacks
– Being slightly insane would be a benefit
So Mikel, it’s a no from Gentlebris!
“”””Arteta is exactly right for Arsenal. An elite coach, Arsenal DNA, and experience at the very peak of the game, taking players to world-class levels.””””” So you would be in total agreement with me that he would be the perfect Teck Deck for Arsenal? (Isn’t that the Teck Decks job?) Getting all that young talent moulded to world class status for a experienced and proven manager to select. (Because that’s what happens these days at every successful club in the world.) By my reckoning. We dont have a proper owner, manager, captain or a Teck deck. No wonder ,why nothing… Read more »
Are you making a point here that’s going over my head Marc?
Is there something sinister in the wearing of a balaclava?
Bob
Only that is covers your face when there’s loads of CCTV. If it was the height of winter he’d been wearing for warmth but would you want to be out in June wearing a Balaclava – it’s a bit warm for that.
Am I wrong in thinking that Arteta is the Head coach and that we no longer have a position of manager? This may be splitting hairs but I would have thought that his experience allows him to take on the role of novice head coach more confidentially than if he was a novice manager in old money. It’s still a step up but surely one that an individual that shows such promise would be capable of making.
Surely post -Wenger there was a reorganisation so that we have a Head coach now.
Good coaches copy tactics of the game
Exceptional coaches innovate tactics.
Very suspicious nature you have Marc. Some people might say you’re racially stereotyping!
Bob
The guy wearing the Balaclava was white!
I never commented in the ethnicity of the guy wearing it.
Must write that down Sid, you’re so generous with your free insight.
The guy wearing the Balaclava was white!I never commented in the ethnicity of the guy wearing it.
Pulled an uno reverse card there marc
There’s me jumping to a dubious conclusion, apologies Marc!
Balaclava stereotyping though Marc!
Bob
One could say your stereotyping my lack of stereotyping!
Santan
It didn’t cross my mind to mention the colour of the guy – my comment was more aligned with you will always get some people who just look for any excuse for violence and or destruction.
Just the same that there’s always (a very tiny minority in modern times thankfully) who will look for trouble at a football match.
Nothing to do with race or colour – a fucking arsehole is a fucking arsehole whatever the colour of their skin.
Bob
So who is responsible for Laca smoking balloons and filming it and embarrassing the club?
Who reminds Hector of his tweets about politics if it ain’t the manager?
Are we expecting Raul to step in and remind the player of their responsibilities.
( the same man who is giving our money to his cronies ?)
The whole structure is a complete farce, will fail and absolves responsibility and accountability.
Which is exactly why it was set up.
CG, who let Chezzer smoke in the changing rooms? Who allowed Gallas to sit on the half way line? Who let Nik B pick a shirt number that reflected his weekly wages?
Also have no idea what a teck deck is.
Pedro
Who let a certain player throw Pizza (should’ve been something heavier!) at Fergie in the tunnel after a match?
Marc
So now you’re giving out dressing etiquette advice on le-grove?
The very act of wearing a balaclava isn’t violent. Why don’t don’t you wait for him to throw a rock at a shop window before slighting him.
Maybe he likes his hair balaclava – baked, who knows. His head…his problem.
Dissenter
Do you know what I mean by a balaclava?
I have no idea if it’d be called the same in the US?
Am I the only one that reads CG’s post with Trump’s voice?
balaclava = ski mask.
azed
I think you’re being a little harsh on Trump there!
Marc
I know exactly what you mean by “balaclava”
Wearing it in the late spring or summer will get scrutiny on anyone like leeches but it’s not violent in itself. You implied that wearing it was against the goals of a peaceful protest.
If not for anything, he’s making it easier for him to be identified and arrested should he do some thing wrong.
PedRo “”””CG, who let Chezzer smoke in the changing rooms? Who allowed Gallas to sit on the half way line? Who let Nik B pick a shirt number that reflected his weekly wages?Also have no idea what a teck deck is.”””” Arsene Wenger. Who released all three soon after without fuss or fanfare. And I am glad you illustrate some instances how stupid players can be and why it helps to have an experienced manager to resolve or diffuse these situations. And would it not be wonderful and extremely beneficial for Arteta to lean on a man like our Wenger… Read more »
Jamie
It just struck me as something strange to wear on a warm June afternoon.
azed
That’s not fair to CG.
Not far. He’s annoying but every once in a blue moon he sees something more clearly than most people here.
Dissenter
We’ve had problems in the past with the May Day rallies where a small minority of arseholes highjack a peaceful protest purely for an excuse to destroy property and commit violent acts.
I think this subject is too important for a bunch of fucking idiots to detract from.
CG
Except Gallas didn’t leave us for 2 years after the Birmingham meltdown. He was stripped of the captaincy 10 months later, not immediately after the cry baby antics.
Bendtner changed his shirt number on the even of the 09-10 season. He left Arsenal in 2014.
That is very swift action indeed.
CG, I suspect Arteta has a pretty good mix of people to call on.
His close friends: Pep G, one of the greatest managers of all time. Poch, one of the top 5 managers in the world. David Moyes, I wouldn’t call him, but he’s been around the block.
Odd that you keep bagging on Steve Round, a coach that is highly respected in the game, but not fancy and hip… then say we should hire Sean Dyche, who is equally unfashionable but never tasted a big club?
Marc
I bet you that your police know his name, they know where he lives, know who his dependents are. All the balaclavas in the world won’t protect his identity should he do something daft
My point is simple; don’t stereotype him based on his choice of head wear, Wait for him to actually do something daft or violent before you jump all over him.
Dissenter, a broken clock shows the right time twice a day!
Azed
You might be the only one who reads them at all
CG You keep on making assumptions that Arteta because of his age and so-called lack of experience is not capable of imposing discipline on or gaining the respect of players in the squad. What is your evidence that he is not capable of handling himself in such a situation? Frankly there is more evidence that he has adapted very well to the set up at Arsenal and that even the most experienced players such as Ozil, Luiz and Aubameyang have huge respect and rapport with him. He has had an issue with Guendouzi over the young player’s behaviour and he… Read more »
Habesha
I try to skip most of his post but sometimes I just amuse myself.
I used to read them but Now I think he is a really good troll or Insane.
Pep, one of the greatest managers when at a top two club in any league and a endless pot of money.
But could he do it at Burnley? Or even at Arsenal with modest funds? Guess we will never know….
Valentin.Diaby,Eduardo & Ramsey all victims of systematic fouling in the premiership aided & abetted by a shameful & hopelessly inadequate refereeing body overseen by the FA & media who all bought into the “ Arsenal don’t like it up em “Viewpoint perpetuated by British managers unable to deal with Arsenals possession football played by a bunch of kids.So the solution was “ kick em off the park & Bully them”They are no longer the sides of 98 & 04.so they won’t match us physically.This was adopted by Ferguson,Allardyce,Hughes Pulis chiefly.Just to name a few.
If Arteta does it at arsenal we will be sure Pep can do it 3ce better.
Uwot, agree with your point completely. ‘They don’t like it up ‘em’ team talk assisted by weak refereeing.
Only problem was Wenger persisted with this idealistic, pure vision of football which meant the we had a very skilful but lightweight midfield. He should have realised that having some physical presence, particularly in CM, would have countered the strategies of Bolton, Stoke etc
There were many games, moves of absolute footballing beauty but we didn’t have a way of always dealing with the brutes.
Sid, sharing your own unique take again…for free.
The foreign coaches have moved the EPL from agricultural, rotational fouling(pulis, alardyce) to more sophisticated tactics,
Andy, no one ever asks if Jeff Bezos could do it at JC Penny.
Uwot
And that’s precisely why England couldn’t perform at International level.
Once in an arena where English players didn’t receive protection from the ref’s and had to compete against skillful players on level terms they were useless.
Has anyone used on those plasticky head wear things to eat out at a restaurant?
Suffocation while out dining
Gentlebris
Just read your post,
Exceptional.
I am glad you get what I am trying to say.
Horses for courses and all that,
Ps. How is that little one- he must be bigger than Torreira yet!
Dissenter
No maybe you should try a balaclava!
Pedro, surely you’re not comparing our club to JC Penny?
Surely that makes him a man that’s right for elite clubs rather than a true elite manager if he can only do it in a very specific environment? And if Arteta learned from him does that learning also only apply in an elite environment?
PedRo “”””then say we should hire Sean Dyche, who is equally unfashionable but never tasted a big club?”””” I dont want big Sean to do the coaching, I want him to be recruiting the best coaches to do the coaching ( people of the calibre of MA) I want big Sean managing and motivating , cajoling and putting the fear of God into our players so they can perform like his Burnley team performed in their brilliant recent 2 zero win at Old Trafford. After all, isn’t that what in essence what the fans wanted after 20 years of Wengerism?… Read more »
“””””Moreover it is interesting that Cazorla someone with vast playing experience wants to return to Arsenal and coach alongside Arteta. That would be most
unlikely if he did not respect him or was not willing to acknowledge Arteta’s
leadership qualities.””””
or is because he will soon need a job?
never trust these soccer players motives , even the nice cuddly ones, ES!
Werner has until the 15th for any club to buy him. WTF are we waiting for?? We have players we can give Leipzig for free plus cash. Auba isn’t signing on so whats the hold up?
Apart from all the obvious hurdles that are in our sphere of control I would say the biggest reason we’re not going for Werner is that we know he has no intention of moving to a mid table PL side with very limited ambitions.
Marc
I see you’re still butt-hurt from being called out about your balaclava comment earlier.
Has the lad committed any violence yet?
Unai na
I said wait till he does something daft or violent then eat him for breakfast. I’m sure the Met police knows where he lives.
I really don’t give care but I’m sure your police won’t knee his neck for 9 minutes till he dies in a puddle of his piss.
The brilliant Sean Dyche also managed and motivated , cajoled and put the fear of God into his Burnley players so much that they lost 2 ‘zero’ at home to Utd this season as well.
Keep it up.
Andy, we use data in the US of A.
Eddie current GPM is 136 and Gabi 146. Keep that up over 38 games next season and we actually 25 (Eddie) and 23 (Gabi).
I lowballed.