How Arsenal’s summer is likely to play out

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I love the calming feeling of knowing that Arsenal fans are united for at least one summer. We all agree the Premier League was horrible, but every single one of us can see that we’re on the cusp of progress… provided the club backs the manager this summer.

There aren’t too many players I’m overly attached to, but I do think it is essential to keep Auba at Arsenal. He’s close to the peak of his goal-scoring powers, but as a footballer, he’s still pushing himself forward trying to find that next level. With him in the side, you always have a chance. I think he’s the sort of unique goalscoring talent we’d not be able to replace. His deal would set the club back £39m over 3 years. I suspect you’d get at least 100 goals. I’m not sure how you replace that and it’s actually quite frightening to think what we’d do if he did decide to leave. With Real Madrid apparently interested in Lewandowski or him, we might soon find out how keen he is to bed in for the Arsenal project.

The best bet right now is to give him what he wants, which is money, and ambition in the transfer market. Some reporting he wants to be reunited with an injury-prone, but technically dreamy Dembele who is struggling at Barca.

If he does sign on, then Arsenal has to begin the process of replacing the goals. Odsonne Edouard looks a serious talent for the future scoring a hat trick yesterday, we should be looking to find a striker like that to bring in as a deputy. We also need to find players that can share the burden of the goalscoring. It’s a little like the situation we had before Henry left, except I’m not sure we currently have many players that can step in.

Part of the creativity equation this summer has to be to find midfielders that can also score goals. We need to find players with Andrey, Santi, Pires, and Rosicky like vibes. It does seem increasingly likely that despite my anti-Kia agenda, we’ll be going there this summer, and if that brings in Willian and Coutinho, you’re hiring in talent that offers both creativity and goals. So that’s a good solve, but we still need to bring in young players behind them that can grow.

We’ll also need to look seriously at our centre back situation. I love Rob Holding, but I don’t think he’s comfortable enough on the ball to make it in the Arteta system. Sokratis seems like a nice guy, but he’s not the level needed. We have to find a ball playing centre back that is the right size, has the right amount of pace, and can grow with the team. David Luiz had a great game yesterday, but Arteta is absolutely kidding himself if he thinks that he’s taking us to top 4 next season as our regular starter.

There are a lot of rumours linking us to Sevilla’s Diego Carlos, he’s 6ft, right-footed, 27, and Brazilian. I’ve watched him for all of 6 minutes and he seems built for Arteta football. His comps position him as an all-action defender, he loves a Kolo-esque slide tackle, he pressures attackers with his aggression, and he has good strength and balance.

The great news is that we’re set on the keeper front. Emi Martinez has made an outrageously strong claim that he is number one. He’s barely put a foot wrong and if anything, he’s offered up a massive headache for Arteta because he’s a very different keeper to Bernd Leno. The two notable difference for me are his outrageous frame, which makes him hard to beat, and his command of the box. He catches, which is advantageous because in a fast system, controlling the ball is paramount. Leno likes to punch, which can cause problems with possession turnovers, and his lesser frame can see him pushed about a touch in the box. What Leno has is superior shot-stopping and I think he is better in one-on-one situations. Still, two great keepers, what a time to be alive.

Where I am interested to see what we do is in the fullback positions. Hector Bellerin was out of favour, then he came roaring back in. AMN was complaining that he wanted out, now he’s looking more and more like an extremely reliable executor of plans. He was brilliant in the semi and the final. His concentration is improving, he seems more bought into the project, and he has athletic gifts you dream of.

I’m still baffled that we opted for Soares in January, it’s early doors obviously, but I just don’t see it. Did we buy him to flip him? Or did we purchase him so we could sell one of AMN or Bellerin to bring in some much-needed cash this summer?

The midfield is going to be interesting from a selling perspective because that’s where I think we make our money. Lucas Torreira simply hasn’t worked out in the Premier League, he’s too small and he’s doesn’t make up for it with power or pace. He could be used as a decent make-weight with an Italian club. Matteo G dropped an Instagram post after the cup final celebrating the fact he was on holiday, you can’t knock him, he really is a bit of a whopper. Still, the reason I think the club hasn’t leaked much about him is that he’s revered as a super talent in Europe. I suspect he’ll get offers from Spain and Italy, and we really have to make them count. Getting Coutinho for £9m because we swapped Guendouzi would be a superb deal. Bringing a powerful player from Inter or Juve would also work for me. Whatever we do, we have to make it work. I’d ideally prefer a younger profile of player, but I do see the logic in the view that we already have a lot of young players, what we don’t have is reliable seniors that match the system we want to play.

The really big questions is this: What do you do about players that love their contracts?

The world is uncertain at the moment. Everyone knows shit is going to be bad for football clubs, so do players stick with big deals they love or do they move now and get some long-term security?

Sokratis earns about £90k week, he’s not getting that anywhere else. Mustafi earns the same, I think he’s been pretty good, but who will take him with an injury? Kola earns £120k a week because we picked him up on a free. We’re having to give Mikhi a free so Roma can afford him. Will anyone pay Lacazette £180k a week? Will Mesut Ozil see out the rest of his deal if he’s not even training? Will he really go full-on Winston Bogarde here? He absolutely has to go, we cannot continue to allow the grey cloud of the World Cup winner hang over us into another season.

Arsenal should reduce the wage bill this summer, hack out the expensive flops, and bring some normality and honesty to where we are as a club. I also think performance-based contracts should be given another spin.

Additionally, Arsenal needs to have those names pinned to a board with the headline PAY PLAYERS MARKET RATE. We cannot continue to lock ourselves into crazy deals for average talent. No more David Luiz deals for £200k a week. It’s only second-hand rumor, but it’s from a good place, that Willian has seen his deal half. From where, I don’t know, but I’d imagine if David Luiz was on £120k a week at Chelsea, and Willian is on the same, with the same agent, it’s probably from the same place. We cannot allow ourselves to be suckered into wasting money on old players that won’t be good in their third year. We need to do what we did for Mikel when he joined us, give him a longer deal on less money. More to the point, I really think we need to move away from signing players in their thirties.

So there are my hot thoughts on the summer and what we need to do. Arsenal will aim to move fast, Frank Lampard said Willian will reveal where he’s going over the next few days, and I’d imagine we’ll move into a speculation vortex over the coming 10 days.

Things to watch out for:

  • Clubs still in the Champions League will likely not deal until after the tournament. News on Partey might be hard to come by.
  • Anyone on Canales or Kia’s roster is viable because we are addicted to the contacts-teet
  • I would give credibility to rumours around Lille, Barca, Sevilla, and even Wolves players because of the connections

Raul has to get this summer right. There is a huge focus on his actions from the bloggers, the media, and people within the club. Edu also has to show his value, being a handsome man alone cannot disguise a lack of creativity or vision. This summer absolutely must count. Clarity of vision and coherence in the execution is something we’ve lacked for a very long time, now is the time to make good on it and push us back into the top 4 next season.

Let’s see what they do, I’m excited either way, so let me know what YOU’D do in the comments below. xx

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Trofee

Rich

There’s never been a better time to invest. KSE should invest £200-£300 mill, even if it means paying out contracts of players we don’t want, and aggressively picking off players we can build around for the medium-longer term. Willian on a 3 year deal seems mental, and as exciting a Coutinho is, there’s a concern he may have lost the fire in his belly. Coutinho seems like such a high risk gamble, if he’s hungry, buys into the project, and Arteta gets him enjoying his football? It’ll be a master stroke, if he’s just looking for somewhere decent to live,… Read more »

Sid

Europa

Danny

Monday morning, been at work 20 minutes, and already somebody has really pissed me off and I mean really got my goat, I was about to let him have it big time when I suddenly thought “WE WON THE CUP! WE WON THE FUCKIN’ CUP! and there’s nothing you can do to me that’s gonna bother me in anyway!!!

Sid

Its more important that by the end of next week we have a few of the squad sold.

Silentstan

“How Arsenal’s summer is likely to play out”
Such foresight and humility, and in only 6 minutes of watching you can completely sum up a players strengths. The knowledge, just wow.

CG

Rich “””””Willian on a 3 year deal seems mental, and as exciting a Coutinho is, there’s a concern he may have lost the fire in his belly.””””” 100% Correct. (Good players on paper.) In reality, total financial idiocy to sign them and will actually make the team even less dynamic. With more games being played than ever and with even shorter turnaround times and some games lasting over 100 minutes….. You need young, hungry and very fit players not these millionaire Brazilian playboy chums of the inept Edu. We all know by now – Kia does Edu’s bidding but here… Read more »

RockyRoe

The extent of our activity will depend solely on who we can move out, and for how much. It’s easy to say we have sokratis, kola and elneny who don’t play for us and could fetch 20-25 million on the market enabling us to get a CM but its all just blog-talk. Moving these players would be very difficult and might not even happen this summer. We are still trying to get rid of ozil and it’s been 2 years. A point of view i would like to throw in the mix is this, for players who are older Sok,… Read more »

Leftside

‘Still, two great keepers, what a time to be alive.’

Agreed Pedro.

Mind boggles seeing fans type about selling Leno when he outside of Auba has probably been our best player this season. The same fans will then bleat about not having sufficient keeper cover also.

Pierre

I don’t think anyone has mentioned how our academy players should be just as proud for us winning the cup. It was the kids who for us through the earlier rounds Leeds ( tough game) Nelson scoring the winner . Bournemouth away ( another tough game) Saka an Eddie. Portsmouth away( difficult game ) Eddie again, And then the more experienced players took over, with away win at Sheffield utd, City and then Chelsea. Next season, put a bet on Arsenal for a Europa, League cup double as our academy players will storm both of those competitions early in the… Read more »

DC

Felipe Anderson can’t get a game for the Hammers and you think he would be a good signing?? No way, so inconsistent.

Willian has been Chelsea’s best player post lockdown and for a free transfer has lots of teams interested in him.

I think he will be a good signing for next two seasons while younger players like Nelson have a loan spell..

Ustyno

Pedro,this post is my very best lately,well detailed and unbiased analysis of the situation we are facing

Thank you

CG

Leftside “””Mind boggles seeing fans type about selling Leno when he outside of Auba has probably been our best player this season.””””” You cant have 2 keepers as good this and 1 of them is sitting on the bench every week. It never works. As soon as the manager rotates either of them- both of their form suffers. Goalkeepers like their hierarchies and need to know they are the no.1 or no.2 etc. Leno will be the one that will have to go. He will have admirers. ( chelsea/everton etc) Lets hope Edu doesn’t buy a Brazilian no.2 keeper to… Read more »

Habesha Gooner

A better post pedro. I don’t mind coutinho. Even if he has lost a bit of fire he won’t be ozil. Willian I am not sure about. His quality is undebatable. No winger has been as consistent in the last 5 years. He has always performed at the same level. The question is, Can we gamble that he can do it over the next three years. Any player that we sign from here isn’t going to be because of one person. Arteta, Edu, Caggio and Raul all will be responsible in some way. If Arteta doesn’t want the player, he… Read more »

Hoksilato

Habasha

Suspect you are right re. Cedric. We may have learned from the past that it was better to give him another year but on lower wages to ensure he is not unsellable if we decide to get rid along the way….

The Legend That Is Dennis Bergkamp

Martinelli can be Auba’s deputy/protégé

Buzzy

Emi is as good a shot stopper as Leno. He’s literally made so many finger tip saves. The one against Liverpool for Arnolds deflected shot was probably the save of the season. All round better keeper than Leno. I said that in the very game he came on in which Leno got injured.

Gbat

Arteta: “They know everything, I present everything to them: my vision, what my plans are, why I want to do it. Then all together we will try our best to be in the best possible position when we start the new season.”

This reads to me that Arteta knows who he wants in and out. And if we sign Willian, Coutinho etc then it’s because he wants them. None of this only signing players from certain agents bollocks.

englandsbest

Let’s not forget that Mikel has NO transfer pot, he has to sell to buy. For that reason alone, his first issue is to sell players. Add in that this will be a summer of bargains, and it’s reasonable to assume that most of the buying will be last-minute. If the price is right, my view is that it’s better to sell Auba, than overpay him. It’s bad for team morale to overpay one player. Mikel will not permit ‘wenger-style’ dithering. Therefore, on balance, Auba seems likely to go. I think Mikel’s extensions for Luiz, etc, was to consolidate team… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

Val

Would much rather Depay than Dembele, don’t care how talented you are because if you rarely play it’s a complete irrelevance.

Diaby 2.0

Victorious

Absolutely love the way Arteta seem to be coaching the boys on the dark arts of the game,way to go lads, the cup final was a prime example of games we could have lost over the years due to us being the choir boys of the league,very nice and all softy but not this time,Ceballos and Xhaka absolutely made the ref their bitch all game and it was loving to see,hahaha absolutely fooled him to ditch that red,even though Azp should have being given an early shower in the first half Watch the amount of Pk UTD got this season… Read more »

Leedsgunner

Can I just say thanks to Mkhitaryan and Sokratis for one thing.

Footballing wide you didn’t do very much… but I have no doubt that you both coming to the Arsenal played a key role in convincing Auba to become a Gunner.

For that, thanks!

Nelson

That Ozil is in Turkey during this critical time tells me one thing: Ozil may be seriously evaluating life in Turkey. Hope the move is this Summer and not next year.

DivineSherlock

If its between Zaha and Willian who are you choosing ?

Freddie Ljungberg

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-transfer-earnings-europa-league-22460678 “That means Arsenal have a potential of £41m of Europa League earnings. The Gunners would be realistically expected to net at least £30million plus from prize money and match day revenue at a bare minimum in addition to the £3.6m prize money for winning the FA Cup final. Some of that money will be redirected to players in the form of bonuses and a reduction in the 12.5% pay cut they previously agreed.” Should allow us to make some moves this summer along with the reported pre-fa cup win 30m budget. It’s not as bleak as some of you… Read more »

Marc

Sherlock

Shouldn’t that be if it’s between a £70 million fee and high wages and a free transfer and much lower wages who would you choose?

Zimmie2652

Balogun is going to be gone this window. Not going to be seeing him in an Arsenal side, Pierre.

mb

I have this nasty feeling that Auba is going :(( It can make thing worse if we don’t get goalscoring mids, or replace him with someone who can score even 50% of him.

But, we are a team who can seriously compete in next 2-3 years. We can get a 25-ish striker, give him time to settle, so when we need it most – he can deliver.

It’s a tough call for Arsenal. Much tougher than Leno/Emi where they can easily afford to keep both.

Ray in LA

I loved Bellerin’s [Grealish-like] rampage…it was such a contrast to the usual cheap loss of possession that puts our defence immediately back under pressure.

And I am not so sure that this squad is so short of top-4 contention…when they turn up. It’s the performances between the Semifinal and Final that cry out for massive recruitment.

Valentin

Nelson,

I would not read too much of where Özil will end up with the location of his latest holidays.

Put yourself in his shoes.
Your parent are from Turkey, your wife is from Turkey, half the world is under lockdown, your employer has told you to do to avoid press scrutiny prior to a FA Cup final, where would you go?
The USA where the virus is rampant?
China where your tweets about the Muslim minority makes you a pariah?

Leedsgunner

If we need a winger on the cheap… no to Willian… he might be skilled but let’s face it he’s too old. Although personally I don’t know why we’re looking at wingers… we have lots of youngsters coming through who can play there. What about Ryan Fraser? Also a free agent but 5 years younger. Coming from Bournemouth his wage demands won’t be outrageous… and whilst we’re looking at Bournemouth why not look at Billings, Lerma and Lewis Cook as alternatives to Partey? All experienced in the EPL but young and much cheaper options to Partey… and the lack of… Read more »

Leedsgunner

Any Turkish super agents we can deal with to convince the Turkish government to take Özil off our hands?

Nelson

Valentin

Any normal footballer would want to celebrate with your “teammates” together. I am sure that he could have stay in London if he wants.

Valentin

Nelson,

Most British holidayers wants to go to Spain, Greece and Turkey to enjoy a sunny relaxing break and he should stay in London!
Most players and staff not involved in the final were told to go on holiday. The new season starts in 4 weeks.

Are you married?
Happy wife => happy life.
Why would he stay in London, locked up when he could go to a villa with private swimming pool in Turkey close to her parents?

Even Guendouzi went to a sunny place away from London.

Valentin

A pass to Ryan Frazer.
He would not fit into our style of play.
Most of his assists comes from flat crosses to the strikers to head in and from corners.
Apart from Nkethia, none of our strikers are good headers of the ball, so he would just crosses to the opposition.

Samir

No to Willian, Fraser, Billings, Lerma or Lewis Cook.

Chika

Yes Pierre, our youngsters gave a good account of themselves during the early stages of the FA cup. Next season, I’ll be keen to see how much ESR has developed. Azeez is another young player who looks prime to step up.

In the “absence” of Ozil, a senior creative player like Coutinho would be beneficial for them.

Champagne Charlie

“Most players and staff not involved in the final were told to go on holiday. The new season starts in 4 weeks.“

Says a great deal about you as a player when you pick sun searching over a cup final at Wembley.

Saliba was thereand he’s never kicked a ball for us, Mustafi and Martinelli were there on crutches.

Ozil and Guen were out the country, who else missed the day?

Marko

Charlie here’s the thing with Ousmane Dembele he’s clearly an obvious talent there’s absolutely no doubt about that but he’s had a lot of injuries recently. And because of that he could more or less because available for loan or for much cheaper ala Coutinho. Now is it a risk obviously is it a risk worth taking? Imo yes because unlike Diaby he’s much younger and it’s also worth pointing out that while at Rennes and Dortmund he never got injured. It could just be a Barcelona thing I’m not sure. But he turned 23 in may there’s a lot… Read more »

Chika

You can’t say no to Willian then turn around to welcome Fraser with open arms.
I say no to them both.

Marko

Most players and staff not involved in the final were told to go on holiday. The new season starts in 4 weeks.

Not true at all Martinelli on crutches, Chambers with a knee brace on and Mustafi just after hamstring surgery were all there.

Valentin

Marko,

MOST players and staff not involved in the final were told to go on holiday. Not all players.

Players on rehabilitation were obviously not sent on holiday.
Staff working on the beginning of the season have also been kept.
Recruitment staff have also not sent on holiday during the TW.

Nelson

Val

Who said he is taking a vacation???? The team still had an important game to play. If he still cares about the team, not like Guen, who wanted to quit, he should stay and encourages his teammates, even when he is not playing.

Chika

“Arsenal and Liverpool are reluctant to risk first-team stars for Community shield on August 29. It could see the 2 clubs field kids and fringe players in the traditional Wembley curtain raiser.”

Wish we could conclude with our transfer ASAP. You blink your eye, next thing the new season is in full swing.

Marko

That’s it Val dig deeper.

Champagne Charlie

Marko Arsenal are having to get on the phone to Del Boy this summer to make funds available in order to shape us into something more equipped for Arteta-ball. Dembele is a waste of money (sizeable enough money) with the risk associated imo: 371 days injured since January 20th 2019 52 games missed His talent isn’t in question, his dependability is and i’d personally prefer Willian on 150k a week who has played 50 games a season for 6 years than him. I don’t think we’re at the stage where we should be taking expensive punts on crocks that could… Read more »

Valentin

CC,

Each clubs only had a limited number of places available for the FA Cup final. Players who were not invited were told beforehand by management to go on holiday. That was said during the FA Cup final. The BBC explicitly mentioned that Özil was sent away to avoid questions by the press.

If Arsenal had lost, most reporters will have jumped on the opportunity to stick the knife in Arteta with an interview with Özil/Guendouzi. At least somebody in the club was smart enough to predict that situation and avoid any potential embarrassment/awkward moment.

Steveyg87

Good afternoon champions all the way from a sunny South Africa today

Countryboy

https://theathletic.com/1968627/2020/08/03/mikel-arteta-lampard-chelsea-arsenal-maitland-niles-azpilicueta-james-reece-aubameyang/

Check this out. Lampard being dragged in the comments.

Arteta clearly out thought Lampard. Lampard is more of a Wenger go-out-and-express-yourself type.

It was so obvious what Arsenal was going to do and we did it all day. Yet he had no response.

Marko

Each clubs only had a limited number of places available for the FA Cup final

Limited number of places that’s right. Arsenal asked for two more places in the empty stadium and were told nope.

db10

We must must must build around the home grown kids and younger players. If the owner isnt going to give Arteta a shed load of cash, you build from within. Out go Luiz Ozil, Guendouzi, Mustafi, Sokratis Mhkitaryan, Torreira, Xhaka . I would love Willian to come in and work with Martinelli and Reiss Nelson. If Coutinho is still the Coutinho he was at Anfield, brilliant, swap him for Guendouzi and we’d be getting the better of the deal i think. Most of all id like a complete b*****d of an Italian centre half who lives to block, tackle and… Read more »

Marko

Charles his injury record that is the risk. I’m not sure on the cost part considering that it’s likely to be a similar situation to that of Coutinho’s. But someone will take that risk on Dembele and if it ends up being worth we’ll have seriously missed out.

Champagne Charlie

Val

Who outside of those two missed the game? I’m talking of note, not Gunnersaurus.

Ozil and Guen weren’t there because neither has a firm grasp of professionalism to the point the club felt they needed to be given dispensation to not attend. Says it all if you ask me, sooner they’re dispatched the better for all.

Champagne Charlie

Marko Yes I get that a team will take the risk on Dembele and it might come good, but similarly it might very well not – and that’s more likely based on recent history. So then how do we console ourselves when we throw funds at a player that comes here to watch games and take the place of someone who could’ve helped? This summer is about getting players in that can do what Arteta wants, and that already is asking a lot given the numerous mismatches throughout the squad. Once we’ve established a new base I’d indulge the likes… Read more »

Marko

Mad how you 180 on fitness when it’s a player that gets you hard isn’t it? Clearly you’re an idiot if you can’t grasp the difference between a just turned 23 year old picking up injuries and a 26/27 year old picking up injuries. Also worth pointing out that Pulisic was another young talented player who prior to signing for Chelsea was quite known for picking up a lot of muscular injuries but that didn’t stop them from evaluating the risk and going for it. It’s a loan we’re talking about here and not 56 million. If the club were… Read more »

Dissenter

Valentin
You got that wrong, just let it go.
There was no limit to the number of players allowed. The cavernous bowels if an empty 90,000 capacity stadium is enough to socially distance everyone safely.

Ozil was told not to show his face because the club has had enough if his nonsense. He was absent the same reason Guendouzi was absent.

Valentin

Marko,

I am assuming that you know more about the FA Cup arrangement that the BBC.

Marko

So then how do we console ourselves when we throw funds at a player that comes here to watch games and take the place of someone who could’ve helped? I mean I imagine it’s a loan but even then you know we could sign Coutinho and he gets an injury and we could equally waste funds that way too. There’s risk in everything. Again it’s about evaluating whether he’s worth the risk (let’s be honest here a loan and a short term deal isn’t that risky) compared to the talent his age and potential still. But anyway it doesn’t matter… Read more »

Leedsgunner

I would love Zaha but he’s too expensive… plus any transfer fee we would pay would get forwarded on, in part, down to Man United as a sell on amount.

Would they consider a straight swap — Zaha for Lacazette swap I wonder? A fair exchange I would say.

They are desperate for a striker and if Lacazette goes that would mean Auba could play down the middle his preferred position anyway.

Valentin

Dissenter,

I did not get that one wrong.
See my link above.
For safety reason, the FA/Wembley had imposed a limit on the number of people who could attend the final.

Make sense to avoid embarrassment by excluding Özil and Guendouzi.

Marko

That proves everything Val doesn’t it. 10 more was it? Shame it wasn’t 12 cause then Ozil and Matteo would have been there for sure.

Wasi

From what I understood , if Willian signs it will be because Arteta wants him. We already have enough wingers in our squad. Maybe Arteta wants a specific type (touchline winger) to play on the right in his system.
Personally I dont think we need Willian really unless we sell Auba.

Emmanuel Chidozie Nwaneri

I’m not super_excited about the Willians or the Coutinhos of this world. If u ask me, they are spent forces looking for a final pay cheque. We shldnt be looking @ anyone above 27 years old. Rather, look in the lower leagues, orveven among relegated Norwich, Watford, Bournemouth. Someone like Kabasele is a no_nonsense stopper who gets the job done. Firstly, lots of deadwood need to go first. Kola, Ozil, Sokratis, Guendonzi, Lacazette shld/must be moved on. Arteta must know that he has very good, younger players who are ready. Nketiah,Martinelli,Willock & Reiss Nelson are all bursting at the seams.… Read more »

Marko

Besides all of that Val the muted response to the FA Cup win from those two were obvious. Some poor attempt at congratulations from Mesut and apparently Guendouzi was posting up holiday pics while former players were congratulating us on social media. Says a lot. But honestly I was delighted that Ozil was in Turkey while we were preparing and winning a trophy. It showed his true colors and there’s the possibility of him fucking off finally

Valentin

Marko,

It proves that there was a limit on the number of places. But again you knew better than anybody else. 🙄🥱

So when the BBC states that Özil was explicitly told to go away to avoid embarrassment, I trust them a lot more than your opinion.

Marko

So when the BBC states that Özil was explicitly told to go away to avoid embarrassment, I trust them a lot more than your opinion.

Where’s that BBC link liar?

Marko

to go away to avoid embarrassment

I mean he’s been embarrassing for years now

Valentin

You criticise Özil for congratulating his teammates and Guendouzi for not doing it.
🙄🤔

How do you know that they have not called the team in the dressing room to congratulate them?
I am all for criticising them when they deserve it, but here it is just petty.

Valentin

I forgot, you don’t live in England, so you never go to stadium or listen to BBC comment.
The only embarrassment here is you.

salparadisenyc

Ozil tweeted a congratulations to the team but I really don’t think one can paint his being in Turkey any other way than a giant middle finger to club and its management. If attendance in stadium not possible then just lay low in the Hampstead compound and be available for post match celebration with your team FFS.

As for Guendouzi he’s clearly gone, completely banned from the side by Arteta, some day well get the real gos on whats transpired. Maybe he made a play for big Miks missus.

Rich

Looks like Willian is on his way.

So strange, a 3 year deal for a 32 year old outfield player is mental.

Pepe, Nelson, Willian
Saka, Martinelli, Aubameyang
Lacazette, Nketiah

I’d be really disappointed if Nelson becomes the fall guy, or if Willian is Aubameyang’s replacement.

Mari + Soares, new contract for Luiz, followed by Willian?

It’s really poor cheapskate recruitment.

United lining up Sancho

Chelsea Havertz, Ziyech, Werner and aparantly want a keeper + centre half.

City splashing the cash.

Marko

Are you that fucking stupid Val? Why are arguing for two professional footballers who were neither there for when their team won a trophy or timely or sincere in their congratulations? You’re fucking weird. But yes publicly congratulating the team is very important especially when there’s question marks on the players attitude and future. Whether or not it was done privately isn’t the point is it

TR7

Often Laca has to play a bit deeper to fetch the ball but his problem is he does not move swiftly in to forward positions from those deep positions when our play demands it and this is where Willian comes in to the picture. He can do what Laca do plus he has that swift movement in and around the box which Laca doesn’t. He can also play at right wing replacing Pepe if required.

Marko

I forgot, you don’t live in England, so you never go to stadium or listen to BBC comment.

Em sure. Any chance of that link where the BBC say Ozil was left home sorry forced to go on holiday to save us from embarrassment? Didn’t that cunt do something similar before under Wenger where he missed a game through illness all the while he was posting pics on holiday somewhere. Model professional that lad

Marc

Marko

Valentin has a really strange habit of defending / protecting the guilty party and siding against the club. He did it with the Kos issue last summer – Kos was the wronged party and we should let him leave on a free and the club
was evil for saying we want a fee.

It is most odd.

Dream10

Fabrizio Romano tweeting that Chelsea want Willian for two years.

The Arsenal will offer him three years.
Kia securing multiple yr contracts for Cedric and Willian. He’s good for his clients.

Dream10

Would take Willian over Coutinho.

salparadisenyc

Arsenal going from not giving contracts out to players over 30, with a few notable legends marginalized with that stance to now apparently (potentially) going three years for Willian at 32.

I never liked Wengers policy thought it was dated to say least but man this Willian deal seems extreme.

london gunner

Lads what do you want next season?

What are the standards/KPI’s
Mine are the following

Fifth in the league
Europa Final
Focus on youth development
Not losing from leading positions as much
Improvement in midfield control
Improvement in attacking fluency example +10 goals scored
-8 goals conceded

What I don’t expect outright

Top 4
Outright winning of Europa

london gunner

Can Willian play as a CAM?

Marko

The only way I’d be okay with the Willian signing is if it’s offset by the signing of some young prospect for the future. Someone who can rotate with Willian and replace in the future. And absolutely no way should it be more than two seasons. It’s not a great deal honestly

CG

Rich

“””””””Mari + Soares, new contract for Luiz, followed by Willian?”””””

Kia runs Arsenal 2020.
Lock stock and bloody barrel.

He probably has the FA Cup trophy on his mantelpiece today.

Abhorrent.

Jamie

I was told by my sources that Ozil and Guendouzi were allowed to come to Wembley to support their club and teammates, but both decided to fuck off on holiday instead.

John Munoz

I’m just not excited about this Willian signing. Weird one considering his age. I suppose if we’re realistic and he can help us secure top 4, that’s all fine.

I still think our biggest need, assuming Ceballos stays which Betis may have some part to play, is for a Creative Attacking Mid.

Have no clue where that player is going to come from. Seems like an awful big responsibility to place on a young player like ESR if that is the intention.

Dream10

London

Yep. He’s capable of playing anywhere btwn third CM and support striker.

Right now (subject to change)
75pts
Domestic trofee
EL semifinal

TR7

You can’t say NO to a player like Willian if he is available on free. He is a class player. Too much is being made of his age. He has in him to play quality football for at least one more season. Can see him being useful even after that if not very influential.

Dream10

Marko

With Willian and possibly Coutinho joining, you expect Saka, Nelson, Martinelli to PL regulars?

Habesha Gooner

Looks like pedro was right and Willian will sign for us. I have always liked him and if he can sustain the level of performances he showed this season he will be great for us. The wages must be lower than 120k though. And three years is still a risk. I am thinking he is here to play left wing or may be as an attacking midfielder. Martinelli is out till December so may be that’s why Arteta wants him. Saka as his understudy. Auba and Lacazette as strikers. If one leaves Eddie will be the understudy. We better be… Read more »

Valentin

Marko,

Stop projecting your own feeling on players.

Having a beef with Arteta and the Arsenal management does not necessarily means that they have a problem with their teammates.

Because you don’t like them does not mean that they are insincere or hate/despise their teammates.

How do you know they were not sincere in their congratulations?
You’ve heard it in the post-office room?

Marc

Un

Kos wanted to leave – fine but he went on strike because we wouldn’t let him leave on a free. Completely unprofessional behaviour for a player who was not only our Captain but had earnt a lot of money whilst being out injured.

I don’t have an issue with a player wanting to leave that’s life but sometimes it’s not what you do it’s the way you do it.

Bojangles

“If its between Zaha and Willian who are you choosing ?”

I need a third option in there, neither.

Habesha Gooner

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/29463/Show/Willian

Willian stats. Very Capable player. If Chelsea, A champions league team now, wants him for two years then they think he can sustain performances for the next two years. I think this means Lacazette must be going or we aren’t bringing another CAM. We need A CAM regardless whether we sign him or not though.
I know pedro will go on and on about Raul and his agents but Arteta must have approved it too.

G8

It’s highly likely that Willian would sign for us , we have the Brazilian connection now replaceing Wenger’s French connection..

That I don’t mind at all..

We tried a bit of German flavour, that didn’t work out well!

Champagne Charlie

“I mean I imagine it’s a loan but even then you know we could sign Coutinho and he gets an injury and we could equally waste funds that way too. There’s risk in everything.“ Marko that obviously isn’t a valid comparison, it’s not clever to claim all transfers have risk as some qualifier for signing a player that’s missed 52 games the last 18 months with injury. You know fine well it’s a bogus argument. Any player can come and get an injury, that’s known, but not every player has the abysmal recent injury record of Dembele. We sign Coutinho… Read more »

london gunner

TR7

His game isn’t based on pace so it could work out ok.

I don’t think we need him on the wing though. Would try him as a goal-scoring CAM

Dream10

Kia is running the club lol

Kia on Arsenal’s Willian: ‘Physically he’s in great condition and he’s always kept himself at a very high level. He’s playing at the top of his game with Chelsea. He’s always going to give you a straight eight to 10 out of 10, every game he plays he’s going to give you everything

He’s never had any, touch wood and I don’t want to jinx it, injury issues so there’s no reason why he can’t play for another four or five years if he wants to.’

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