Ok, so this is where we are.
Willian has expressly leaked that he wants to stay in London with his family. He has the choice of Spurs or Arsenal (Not sure Miami or Barca is real). His agent, Kia, is Arsenal’s Shadow Technical Director, so it looks very likely the Chelsea man is going to join us.
As I told you before the break, he was basically a done deal. The world went to shit, finances followed, and we weren’t sure if we’d be making Europe. Now we are, the deal is back on the table.
I have gone back and forth on whether I like it because it is a very, very complicated one when you compare it to signing David Luiz last season.
Let’s start on the positives because it’s Tuesday and everyone needs some light in their lives.
Willian is a very good player, that isn’t in doubt. He’s not moving to Arsenal under a cloud. He’s coming to us as one of Chelsea’s form players this season. When you compare him to Nicolas Pepe, who is in his first season with us, the numbers look quite similar, Pepe had 18 goal contributions this season and Willian 20… lift the hood and you start to see what might be appealing to Mikel.
Willian made 75 passes that led to shots this season, compared with 38 for Pepe. Across the season in all comps, I’ve seen 145 to 66. Tough to compare because the two clubs had very different seasons with very different squads, but the numbers don’t lie.
I think some other attributes that work in our favour is the Brazilian looks in very good shape. There’s a new generation of players that are looking good well into their thirties. This is very hopeful though because Mikhi had lost all his physical capabilities by the time he arrived with us and he failed because of it. Still, Willian was explosive over short distances this season. Additionally, he can move with the ball like a demon. He has very tight control, he moves through gaps like Santi, and he’s a professionals pro for sure.
One of the criticisms I’ve had of Pepe this year is that he gives the ball away cheaply. It doesn’t stick to him when we’re moving forward. I think Willian is very reliable on the ball in comparison. We also have a lot of young wide players at the club, so much in the same way Luiz has been a good influence on the kids, maybe Willian can bring that our way as well.
On the experience thing… we’ve been here before.
Yes we have lots of young players, but we also have a lot of older players. So, do we need a different profile of attacker? Yes. But I’m not sure they need to be 32 years old.
Here’s the main crux of the issue for me: We keep making the same mistakes over and over.
We have tried to sign experienced players with ‘winning’ mentality, where did it get us? We finished 8th last season and had to back door the Europa League. Most fans seem to be overjoyed we’re signing in Willian because it feels big and exciting to land a ‘name’ like that on a free transfer. I get that, these sorts of harmless deals always look good on paper, my worry is that we’re not building the club out properly and every time we move on an expensive older name, we bring a new one right in behind them that fails. Gallas, Cech, Lichtsteiner, Mikhi, Sokratis, Silvestre…
Do we really think Willian, a player reliant on pace and power, is going to be tearing up the Premier League in year 3 of that deal? I’m not so sure. There is no long-term value in signing older players that have a max shelf life of 2 years if you are incredibly lucky to have someone with genes like Jamie Vardy or Cristiano. Getting to the Champions League is no good if you don’t have squad ready to compete for it. If we’re giving players 3 year deals, I kind of expect they’ll be at the top of their game in year three.
It’s also disgraceful that the most creative option Edu has managed to find in a year is someone that is on Kia’s books again. Amazing how lucky it is that every time we have a need, one of the 3 or 4 contacts Raul and Edu have are ready with a very good solution. The conflict of interest is so clear and it’s a shame because it sullies the deal from the off.
However, what would make this all a little more palatable is if the deal was one that was right for the club. I said that I’d heard the deal was being held up because the numbers changed from where they were pre-covid. My hunch is that Tim Lewis is now scrutinizing where the Kroenke’s money is going, in fact, that’s not a hunch, he said as much on the .com. That story was still semi in play today when David Ornstein said the deal is not that lucrative. Remember, Willian is staying in London for family reasons, that gives Arsenal leverage. If we landed a lower number at the cost of an extra year (like we did with Mikel when he was a player), it makes it feel a little more normal… versus what happened last year with David Luiz where we were completely shafted.
It still doesn’t change the fact that he has no long-term value, but it makes it an easier pill to swallow.
Other things that could make the deal more palatable is if the rest of our summer business counters the factors going against him. Younger players, higher ceilings, better profiles that feel coherent.
When the summer ends, it’ll be interesting to see where we land. Did we go back into Lille with mega money? Did we sign more Kia players like Coutinho and Joelson? Did we inject agents into deals? Or did we start to behave a bit more like a club that has ideas outside the WhatsApp group? Did the scouts and analysts have a say? Did we learn any lessons from the last 3 years? Did we progress?
We’ll see… but whatever happens this summer, there has to be a squad that makes sense by the end of it. My main hope is that Arteta has a bit of cash in the bank and proper voice at the table. He seems very passionate about bringing Arsenal back to the top. Fingers crossed he can get that done with Raul and Edu.
Right, that’s me done, what do YOU think?
1st
Gabriel is in
Joint 1st
Tro4phy?
Because Klopp preferred Brandt and ended up with Salah isn’t an example against veto power.
It is literally a great example of veto power considering how well Salah has done. It is amazing to suggest otherwise. Consider the amount of goals he’s scored for them compared to the fact that as great as Brandt is he is very different to Salah and not as much as a goal threat.
“Are we not? I mean it appears that he’s the driving force behind Willian.“
So you’ve been into the future and already seen the fruits of Willian as a bosman signing? Can you tell us all how it goes?
You obviously don’t understand, or haven’t bothered listening, to my POV. The fact you keep fiercely arguing against managers having total control over transfers pretty much says as much. Haven’t said anything close to that.
We need to stoo signing baby boomers from our historical rivals though we are currently a midtable club
*stop
Not one mention that Arteta is reportedly the one pushing for the Willian deal. Just more of the same. Also what’s wrong with doing Lille deals? Very odd considering they have some excellent players over there. Any chance of nabbing Soumare and Ikone from them?
Brandt would have done better at liverpool than Salah,
Its mane and Firminho that make him better, he isnt all that playing for Egypt
Interesting that all of the players in the “peak age” band (I’m not including Leno as GK’s have a different age ceiling) are either going to be sold or need to be sold.
From the last post. No one vetos Klopp. Edwards had to help Klopp build virtually an entirely new XI but, first of all, he had to get the confidence of the manager and create a relationship where they fully understood one another. “It is a very good relationship,” Klopp says. “He is a very thoughtful person. We don’t always have to have the same opinion from the first second of a conversation, but we finish pretty much all our talks with the same opinion. Or similar opinions.” It was Edwards, for example, who pressed Liverpool to sign Salah and convinced… Read more »
The fact you keep fiercely arguing against managers having total control over transfers pretty much says as much. Haven’t said anything close to that. You said veto and final say. What is having the final say on a transfer if not total control? I mean I feel like I’m having to walk a child through something. If you have the final say on something you control the outcome it’s that simple. Zidane doesn’t have that at Madrid Klopp doesn’t have it at Liverpool and Guardiola doesn’t have it at City. They have a say yes they have input absolutely but… Read more »
Marc, I think keepers peak younger these days.
Oblak 27
Sllisson 27
Stegen 28
Ederson 26
Martinez 27
Zaha going for 30m this summer.
Oof.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8590701/Crystal-Palace-ready-sell-Wilfried-Zaha-just-30m-summer.html
No one vetos Klopp.
No said anything of the sort.
“It’s also disgraceful that the most creative option Edu has managed to find in a year is someone that is on Kia’s books again.”
Ridiculous comment because A) until we’ve seen what other business we do and how much we have to spend and B) all the rumours are that Arteta’s pushing this one.
Pedro it just seems you’re looking for fault that isn’t there.
Pedro
Think that’s bs tbh, Man U is getting 25% of his fee, doubt Palace is satisfied with 22m for him
Would serve them right though after the unrealistic price tag they put on him last summer. I’m happy they did since it got us Pepe instead but it was pure hubris.
Freddie, who’d pay more in this climate?
Pedro, I hope you– and everyone else – keeps safe as the tropical storm passes through the NYC area. Went to the loo and missed number 8, the new trophy. I spoke with a well placed friend of mine with the AST yesterday. They estimate that Arsenal will be broke by the end of next year. There is also an estimate floating around that Stan’s lost £1 billion in Arsenal’s value. Lots of assumptions there, about (lack) revenues from no attendance, no interested buyer, etc. But if correct, then that suggests that it’s certainly only free agents and swaps unless… Read more »
Pedro
No argument we’re seeing keepers hit top levels younger but does that mean they drop off sooner? Don’t know. For every De Gea they’ll be one who maintains a good level or doesn’t peak till older.
“You said veto and final say. What is having the final say on a transfer if not total control? I mean I feel like I’m having to walk a child through something.“
Read Pedro’s bit above, and don’t talk about yourself in the third person.
We will all help walk you through it, just ask.
Pedro
Don’t know, I think he was worth maybe half of what he was touted for last summer so to me it makes sense, not sure Palace sees it the same way. Especially when they lose a quarter of the fee. We’ll see. Incredibly stupid decision to price him out of a move either way.
Happy enough with the Gabriel potential signing. Saw him a few times in the champions league this past season and he always had something about him. Will he be the only CB coming in though? I’m not so sure
NJ, did your read the Bloomberg article about the Walton family adding 25b to their wealth during the pandemic?
He’s gonna have to tap the missus!
Pedro
Willian or Zaha for you?
Palace have to give coin to United on any transfer, surely they’d fancy swapsies to negate that? Think Everton/Leicester will be his destination ultimately, he shits on Iwobinho.
PedRo
“”””It’s also disgraceful that the most creative option Edu has managed to find in a year is someone that is on Kia’s books again.””””
Why are people surprised?
this non-entity could not even arrange his own passport affairs when he was a player at the club.
Raul and Kia have got this chump right where they want him.
A pitiful character.
Read Pedro’s bit above, and don’t talk about yourself in the third person.
Yep I read it sounds like the approach we should be taking with the football director having inputs and discussions with the manager but the manager not having the final say. Revolutionary really
I have to say, I dont hate the Willian deal. Yes, I agree in general we should be signing players in the 22-25 bracket, with the odd 18-19 year old talent. However Willian adds immediate results on the wings. He created more chances than any wide player apart from Grealish last season. Its a risky signing for years 2 and 3, but probably very low risk for next season. We have so many issues, that Im not sure we could have dealt with them all this summer – We have a terrible group of CBs – We have no defensive… Read more »
Brandt would have done better at liverpool than Salah,
Its mane and Firminho that make him better, he isnt all that playing for Egypt
You read some amazing stuff on here. Salah not all that . Salah is a brilliant player certainly in a completely different class to Firmino .
Arteta has earned the right to demand his own players and he wants Willian. That’s enough for me
NJ, did your read the Bloomberg article about the Walton family adding 25b to their wealth during the pandemic?
Stan’s personal wealth went up something like 3/400 million during it. No excuses for the tight git
Marko
You obviously never read it if you came to a conclusion that Klopp doesn’t have final say.
Article literally states Klopp was convinced, why the fuck would he need convincing if he never had the final say you melon?
Personally I’d be very cautious of signing Zaha if I were Everton.
Guy’s got “the grass is always greener” complex written all over him.
“NJ, did your read the Bloomberg article about the Walton family adding 25b to their wealth during the pandemic?He’s gonna have to tap the missus!”
Surely Josh is heir to part of that?
Marko
‘ Happy enough with the Gabriel potential signing. Saw him a few times in the champions league this past season and he always had something about him. Will he be the only CB coming in though? I’m not so sure’
You want another central defender after Gabriel?
What about the other pressing needs of the squad?
Article literally states Klopp was convinced, why the fuck would he need convincing if he never had the final say you melon? Because he had a say a say not the final say. Again if it was the final say he would have gotten the player he wanted. Hey I’m sure he got some players that he wanted like Karius but it’s quite clear who conducts the transfer dealings at Liverpool. That Klopp should have input like Mikel is undeniable that they should be saddled with a player they vehemently oppose no I wouldn’t agree with that but have sole… Read more »
Gabriel looks like a good signing in a vacuum, but will we actually have any decent CB partnership?
– Gabriel & Saliba are 22 and 19 with zero PL experience. Thats just a no go.
– Luiz struggles in a back 4
– Mari is of questionable quality with no PL experience
– Suddenly youre left wondering if Gabriel & Mustafi would be our best bet, then t makes me feel sick to think of Mustafi hanging around.
There is the possibility that Edu was brought in to bring some of that Samba flair to The Grove no? If that’s the rational then I’m down with that.. this wont be a surprise to anyone other then CG but Brazil is good at football.
Martinelli, Willian, Luiz, Gabriel, Coutinho.. sounds more like a Brazilian thing then an agent thing to me.
We’ve gone from Klopp being vetoed to not really having a say because he was persuaded.
Pedro
Arsenal do not have a lot of ‘old’ players on their books. There are technically only 5 aged 30+ and this includes Mkhitaryan who is believed to be staying
with Roma.
Sokratis and one suspects Ozil will also be gone by the start of next season so
we are talking only about Luiz and Aubameyang being in that category.
That is considerably less than many other teams in Premier League, Series A
and La Liga. Indeed Arsenal had this season the second youngest squad in
the EPL. Only Wolves were younger.
Gambon, what do you think of Diego?
Marko
Put the shovel down for fucks sake. Klopp has final say, the exact thing I said all managers should have aka veto power.
Final say isn’t ONLY say, everyone knows modern clubs operate with a collective on transfers. But inevitably the manager has to be the one that signs off on the deals given his role.
Exit the roundabout you’re on, Klopp signed off on Salah, Emery signed off on Pepe, Arteta will sign off on whoever arrives.
What about the other pressing needs of the squad? You mean like the defence. Or it’s not pressing enough for you. I think alot will depend on the formation Mikel wants but as of right now we have injuries to 3 defenders and are looking at apparently selling Sokratis, Mustafi and Holding. That leaves Mari (injured), Luiz (erratic), Chambers (long term injury) and Saliba (who knows how quickly he adapts). Even with Gabriel it’s 4 fit(?) CB’s going into the season with Chambers back at the end of the year. If Mikel wants a back 3 going forward he’ll definitely… Read more »
One important fact that some of you are missing in the discussion about veto is that it exists in both direction. A manager may express his veto against a player, so that no unwanted player can be foisted upon him. On the other side, the head of recruitment may use his veto against the preferred manager player if he is deemed unsuitable or outside the club policy recruitment criteria (too old, too expensive, not a good fit psychologically, …) In successful club, this is exactly how things works. The recruitment cell then find a consensus. BTW, a veto exists only… Read more »
Midwest
Umm funny that we hire the guy who was former Technical Director for the Brazilian FA and now we’re looking talent from Brazil!
We’ve gone from Klopp being vetoed to not really having a say because he was persuaded.
Not one person mentioned Klopp being vetoed except you. Being vetoed would suggest that he had final say on the matter
Who was our last Brazilian midfielder? Was it Edu?
Incredibly weak, but good, omen. Give me Willian and Coutinho, Invincibles II incoming haha
Pedro
Where do you think coutinho will end up he is an explosive counter attacking player
I think if we do get rid of Ozil those wages will go to coutinho on loan to buy
But an attack wise Auba Pepe laca coutinho willian Saka nelson nketiah is quite strong
Oh no……Denilson 😐
Champagne
Wasn’t it that guy Brazilian winger named wellington
But Willian is a good player Chelsea do rate him highly still
Pedro
The CB?
Dont know much about him, but im not too keen on players that have come good out of nowhere. They can so easily sink back to a lower level again.
That said, I dont think its easy to find any perfect aged CBs with great pedigree right now a la VVD and Laporte.
Put the shovel down for fucks sake. Klopp has final say, the exact thing I said all managers should have aka veto power.
He doesn’t no. You can interpret what Pedro posted that way if you like I don’t no. It’s kinda spin the wording honestly but it looks like it was the DOF who got the player he wanted and not Klopp which makes sense he didn’t have the power at Dortmund (that was Zorc) why would he have it at Liverpool. It’s not the way things work anymore.
Pedro, I am guessing that you aren’t married. Have you ever gone cap in hand to the in-laws for some cash? 🙁 But of course you are right: Stan has the money. But if you are a savvy investor without an emotional investment (Stan to a tee), and the market value of AFC has in fact steeply declined (to below your purchase price), and you don’t know where the business model is going, why would you pour money in? He doesn’t know where the market is going for his NFL team either. Yes, buy cheap if you think you know… Read more »
Lol do you lot think the spuds going to buy anyone they don’t seem to be linked with anyone
What do I think? I think we’re getting scammed. I always rated Willian but there’s no sense signing a player with one good year left in him. Where’s the planning? Where’s the scouting? We’re pawns literally doing Kia’s bidding. He’s set off a little contract war for his client and we’re dumb enough to actually win it.
I think Pedro and CG missed the part where Ornstein says Willian is a player Arteta requested. The world knows Arsenal is skint rn , where are you going to find a winger on par with Willian’s quality and PL experience on a free. ‘We have tried to sign experienced players with ‘winning’ mentality, where did it get us?’ In the past 3 years the only players who fit this category are Auba , Lich , Sok , Mkhi , Luiz and Pepe. There are 4 duds in that list. 3 signed by the supposed Data-Guru. Its imperative we add… Read more »
I got a feeling the willian deal is lower wages but more years and then usually these Brazilians will go back home when they 33/34
shabz
Well they were linked with Troy Deeney the other day.
I think I’d enjoy that signing almost as much as ours.
Ahern-
Maybe.. except what if your wrong. and Willian has 2 or 3 years left in him?
Captain Tierney, gotta tell you mate, no one in world football feeds inside information to Twitter accounts called transfer checker.
Klopp was pursuaded to go with the choice of someone else (Salah vs Brandt). A top manager like him can never be forced to accept a signing he doesn’t like and rightly so. In fact no manager should ever be vetoed in any transfer matter.
I actually think the spuds more skint then us and let them have Troy deeney I am sure I read they got no strikers besides Kane
Honestly this veto argument is academic The degree of veto power a manager is always relative depending on club’s style and how much esteem the club has for the manger. Guardiola was pursued by city for a long time and he damn well had more veto power than Pelegrini who was his predecessor. Emery didn’t have that much veto power or maybe he just didn’t know how to use it. Arteta had Arsenal’s balls in a vice in last autumn so he damn well got his veto powers spelled out clearly. His veto power also just increased after winning a… Read more »
Klopp is probably the most powerful manager in world football, and I agree with TR7, he’s not having any player forced on him.
Midwest – Umm funny that we hire the guy who was former Technical Director for the Brazilian FA and now we’re looking talent from Brazil!
_____
That’s what I’m saying, basically and it’s not like the players on that list are trash.. except for maybe Luiz. And let’s face it.. he can be world class on his day even though I hate him on those other days.
The plan could be bring in Brazilians. Seems kind of obvious.
I don’t know if it’s been mentioned here over the last few days but it’s enjoyable watching us playing out from the back for the first time ever. One can see the amount of work Arteta has put into this, with Martinez much more capable of it than Leno. Whereas with Emery I wanted to scream every time we played out from the back, now it’s cool!
Pochettino said no to Tielemans and Perreira.
TR7
‘ Klopp was pursuaded to go with the choice of someone else (Salah vs Brandt). A top manager like him can never be forced to accept a signing he doesn’t like and rightly so. In fact no manager should ever be vetoed in any transfer matter.’
Maybe Klopp just knows how to work in a team and knows that he’s as fallible as everyone else on their transfer committee. Klopp would know he’s made mistakes before and will know how to pick his battles. Because he has veto power doesn’t translate to getting his way all the time.
Again nobody’s really arguing that he’s having players forced upon him.
I think many thought the advantage of Edu was that we will start seeking players from other continents.
I just wish we get them before they cost an arm and a leg.
Dissenter
Martinelli?
Marko
I’m moving on from the subject because it looks like another one of “those” ones with you.
When Liverpool sign a player Klopp doesn’t want, let me know. That’s veto power, it’s not an interpretation.
It’s how it should be imo, it’s playing with fire to have players bought when the manager isn’t on board. Recipe for poor performance and excuse making.
I can’t think of a top club where the manager isn’t the deciding factor in the process – in fact I can, Barcelona. Probably the best example of why a manager should have veto tbh.
If Klopp gets given Troy Deeney instead of Salah.
Liverpool still win the league,
The Klopp Effect.
A managerial colossus ( even greater than our Wenger)
Martinelli— Auba ——- Willian
Partay—–Coutinho—- ?
Tierney—-Gabriel—–Saliba—–Bellerin
Marti/ Leno
That could be a Plan with Brazilian Flair Ahern. So I don’t think you can rant that there is no planning. I mean you can if you want.
Think we need to wait and see what we end up with in 4 weeks. If we end up with only Willian.. then ya we are screwed.
MidWest — That’d be nice but the chances are objectively low. And you’re still paying a high wage all three years. I feel like we just went through this exact scenario with Cech. ‘Sure he’s old but he’s great and GKs don’t age.’ 100 near-post goals later and we’re out dropping £20m for a middle-of-the-pack German.
Yeah.. I get it.. our history is not great in signing old dudes from Chelski. But I do think there is a reason we are looking at all these Brazilians and I think that’s because of Edu. We had none before he got here we could end up with 5 after a year.
Like I wrote earlier, having veto, or having final say is not the same than having your way all the time. Also a veto is useful if it is rarely used. Otherwise it is a symptom that the team does not work harmoniously. If Klopp had not accepted Salah Salah would not have come. But the opposite is also true, if the head of recruitment had not wanted Brandt, then he would not have come either. They respected each other enough to listen to the other opinion. It is about dynamic within the recruitment cell. Manager momentum plays a big… Read more »
Nobody will care if we’re paying Willian for sitting at home come year 3 of his deal if we make Champions League in year 1 or 2.
Auba won’t sign a new deal if we sign promising youngsters with resale value in 5 years time. He needs success in next 2 years.
I’m moving on from the subject because it looks like another one of “those” ones with you.
Ditto. Always a pleasure 😉
Pedro No thats why I mentioned , its not a twitter ITK. In a QnA uf I remember correctly he said he is a journalist. And I’ve been following him for some time now and he has been spot on with most of his news. Recently , he called Arsenal are forefront for Gabriel. And today French news confirmed it. He reported our interest in Partey very very early. He called Werner to Chelsea fairly early too. He’s recently stated that Auba will sign , Willian’s a done deal and Sancho is near completion. Lets see how that pans out.… Read more »
I can’t think of a top club where the manager isn’t the deciding factor in the process – in fact I can, Barcelona. Probably the best example of why a manager should have veto tbh
Just goes to show how little you know honestly.
Mid west Gun
“”””””I think that’s because of Edu. We had none before he got here we could end up with 5 after a year.”””””
Tony Adams on the money last week.
What experience has Edu got in squad building?
Answer: absolutely zero
And its showing.
“Manager momentum plays a big part in it. If Emery had won in Baku, he would have been a lot more forceful in expressing his preference for Zaha. Raul would have been told to find a way to make it happen. Because of Emery own character, the Baku loss, and Arteta own success in the FA Cup suddenly this year the manager influence is felt more than last year.”
Simply put
Not that veto power helps Arteta here as we are skint, I don’t think Willian will be his first choice if he had a blank cheque
CT, it’ll be a teenager in a bedroom, like it always is.
They play the probability game, delete the tweets where they were off base, then people start believing.
If they were a journo, they’d use their real name because their elite sourcing would make them valuable.
There are very few truly connected journos. Most specialise in a single club and a league. Your man, transfer checker, is a lucky fraud.
Pedro I have a few points that I think you are missing , Firstly the difference between last year’s transfer approach and this year is big one , Manager has changed . Even you yourself said that if we had Arteta from the start the story would be different . So if Willian is signed then I know that Arteta is gonna make better use of him . The other point is that Willian is relatively a cheaper alternative than Zaha for example plus if he flops there is always Saka and Martinelli to fall back on . He adds… Read more »
Emery was never going to be a force with Raul because he came in on a favour.
The length of the deals being handed out is what worries me not who is requesting for the players, four year deals for Soares and Mari was disturbing, three years for Willian because he likes London is excessive but understandable.
Personally i won’t sign him.
What experience has Edu got in squad building?
Answer: absolutely zero
________
He was the director of football at Brazil.. and Corinthians… one won a title in Brazil the other won the Copa America while he was there and are currently ranked 3rd in the World after a down period.
So no… not zero.
“Emery was never going to be a force with Raul because he came in on a favour.”
Favour to who?
No he came in because someone believed he could manage what we had to either qualify for top four or win the Europa league, we actually did come pretty close to doing both.
He was not some bum sitting at home twiddling his thumbs after seven years out of the game with no job offers.
Midwest, Coutinho is a N10 or a let inverted winger. He can’t play as a No6 or No8 like shown in your system. He would bomb forward and leave a huge gap in the middle of the pitch. I think that we will have two teams. One for the premiership with some rotation and one for the Cups. For example Luiz will be on the bench for premiership games but will captain the Cup sides. Willian will just push Pepe to the bench and the Cups competition. That will give him extra time to further adapt to Arteta demands. Also… Read more »
Stroller, not sure where you got that we were the second youngest squad in the PL from, we’re the seventh youngest (ManU being the youngest of them all). See link to Planet Football article below from June this year:
https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/ranking-all-20-premier-league-clubs-by-the-average-age-of-their-squad/
Wolves as you can see are one of the oldest (ranked 13th).
https://www.givemesport.com/1495610-edu-gaspar-has-all-the-tools-to-succeed-as-technical-director-at-arsenal
Might want to read this CG.
“Really big coincidence that Mikel Arteta has come to arsenal with his new vision and culture change/upheaval and the guys to impliment this all belong to Kia Joorchewbacca”
😂😂
Pedro
Could be.
But I’ve followed him for some time now and he has been right about 90% of times.
Maybe he is just a journo who’s connected with other journos . Gets his info , posts it early but doesn’t take any credit so that the origin Journo who found that news can get it. IDK.
Maybe I’m wrong here , but this account seems a lot different than the fake ITKs.
RH, he came as a favour to a super agent Raul likes to work with. His reward was Emery joined him after. Emery was not qualified to join Arsenal. He couldn’t even speak English, then he failed. He didn’t speak up because he knew he was lucky.
Andy
He probably meant before start of last season, we’ve added Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares.
Well yes , Only a fool (who’s also skint) would want to have a very good Prem winger on a free and Brazil’s second best player instead of a shiny new 60 mil winger and 60 mil playmaker.
Un na
I dont think Arteta scouts the players or names his favorites , there was an interview where Edu said that he will look at what kind of player the manager needs and he will find the right profile for it . Arteta must have listed his requirements and Edu is working to make sure they are fulfilled . Point is Arteta and Edu are working together .
Captain T, signing old players at 32 on 3-year deals when you’re skint isn’t the sharpest way to operate.
MG
“”””He was the director of football at Brazil.. and Corinthians…”””
He still thinks he is at Corinthians.
I wish The UK Home Passport Office would come knocking on his door again to save us from his rampant cronyism and sheer ineptitude.
I’ll even add nepotism to his crime sheet
He even got his son the AFC payroll.