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?
“RH, he came as a favour to a super agent Raul likes to work with. His reward was Emery joined him after” His reward for what?? You are making very little sense here sorry. Raul is rewarding the agent for what exactly? “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.” For an unqualified man he did pretty well, its coaching and most of our players speak other languages besides English. He didn’t speak up because we did not have money. He was ok… Read more »
Marko
You really should avoid the “shows how little you know” type comments you litter arguments with, you’ve had your pants pulled down more than anyone on here for gaps of knowledge across numerous subjects.
Nothing to do with opinions either, you’re the guy that bizarrely argues against facts and thinks that’s a valid position from which to debate from.
Don’t go down that rabbit hole receding honestly it’s not worth it.
CG
You’re funny 😊
Un
I think sets out the profile of the type of player he wants. Edu whips out his Kia panini cards faced down with potential players matching that profile, cards are shuffled and Arteta picks one. So, technically he picked Willian.
Barca making Nelson Semedo available. That’s an interesting player we should be interested in. Happily swap him for Bellerin.
CG- You got to get your rants more focused and have some facts based or just end up sounding crazy.. Just sayin. Nepotism sure, I guess.. But as I said Brazil is pretty good at football. And Edu is going to naturally want to reach out to what he knows. It could end up wrong but he was hired because of his background and knowledge of South American football so I don’t know why you would be surprised at what he would favor. If your expecting him to go deep into the second and 3rd divisions of England your gonna… Read more »
You really should avoid the “shows how little you know” type comments you litter arguments with Well you implied that Barcelona aside throughout European football the manager is the one making transfer decisions and I said it shows how little you know because it shows how little you know. The Barcelona model is the same model that every major club in Europe uses to varying degrees of success. Some eureka moment by the way given how successful Barcelona generally are. But anyway yeah let’s move on from it. you’re the guy that bizarrely argues against facts Facts? Big huh from… Read more »
“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 “ Absolutely. What manager is doing part-time scouting in his free time? Arteta will have preferences, but they’ll largely be within the confines of the collated names presented to him – exceptions perhaps with the likes of Coutinho who need no scouting report on a basic level. Not like Arteta is sat at home with his YouTube premium subscription watching… Read more »
I wish The UK Home Passport Office would come knocking on his door again to save us from his rampant cronyism and sheer ineptitude.
And your Wenger didn’t exploit his knowledge of the French market?
Marko
You’re an hour later in still stuck on the difference between FINAL SAY and ONLY SAY.
I’m backing out of this tail chasing exercise, Arteta has veto power and I’m glad that’s the case. Onus is on him to take steps towards building a squad in his image.
A) the club is not skint. I don’t cRe what AST has to say. They’ve done great work and as my family had 4 shares which we obv were forced to sell i can vouch for that. But they’ve always been toothless and have never had the full picture in front of them. The reality is that the kroenke/walton family are one of the richest in the usa, AFC was leveraged against the huge LA construction which, if ya think about it probably isnt going to be profitable for them any time soon. But AFC has not done well over… Read more »
Un
It’s crazy. It goes against the whole idea of a head coach, technical or sporting or whatever title Raul/Edu hold model we’ve been implementing since Wenger’s departure.
That said he’s intrinsically part of the whole process and can’t be extricated should it all crumbling down just like Emery wasn’t. They signed up to it with their eyes and bank balances open.
MG
“”””But as I said Brazil is pretty good at football”””
(Once upon a time they were)
Anyway and so were The bloody Hungarians.
Do we start signing ageing Hungarians then?
William joins the 1000 day club
Cedric
Mary
Other members…
The Arsenal Gravy train continues apace.
Zach, it’s certainly harder to critique Willian. He’s a good player, he’s healthy and he has something we need.
It’s just long-term, I struggle to see the value.
… but, if the rest of our business is smart, then it’ll be another ‘well, rough with the smooth’ moment.
Pedro
Agreed. And i think im finally converted, mostly by the rumor that arteta is oushing for it
Pushing*
Hahaha CG… I must have missed the times when Hungary dominated world football and produced players like Brazil has..
Look, I don’t like long term contracts to aging players either.. If that’s your rant then I get it.. But I can see how maybe the only way we were going to land Willian was with an extra year and as I said initially 2 days ago I was a no to Willian and a yes to Coutinho.. but I do see the value in him as well.. He isn’t a Cedric or Mari talent.. much much higher level.
If Brentford win tonight
Arsenal will be my 2nd team.
That lot know what they are doing.
Zach, yeah, sadly that has swayed me.
He wants to get to the top the fastest route possible. He has a clear vision of how to do that. He’s shown us what he can do with someone else’s players, let’s see how good his own personal taste in talent is.
Midwest — Sorry I fell behind the conversation a bit. I was also excited by Edu’s Brazilian experience and connections but have to note it’s reported Martinelli is a Cagigao discovery. Right now I’m worried that Edu is not providing much outside of agent networking quite frankly. He’s got the tools to push us on but when will he use them?
If Brentford win tonight
Arsenal will be my 2nd team.
Great fan. I think you meant 3rd don’t forget your undying love for Wenger’s taint
Pedro Then why don’t you mention one player of Willian’s quality and experience we can get for free. The catch is , will he still be a good player in his 3rd year. But if you want to sign a player over teams offering CL football and more money you have to offer something the other teams aren’t (Thats an extra year here) And I’m not worried about the long term prospects. Hopefully Saka/Gabi will be Prem starting quality players in 2,3 years and take over when Willian starts fading. The goal with Willian is to add experience and quality… Read more »
“If Brentford win tonight
Arsenal will be my 2nd team.”
Can anyone recommend a Brentford blog?
CT, I laid out how the deal could be ok for us, but I also laid out that we have a lot of experienced players in our squad already.
Luiz > Winner
Sokratis > Champions League experience
Lichtsteiner > Winner
Cech > Winner
Gallas > Winner
Silvesrtre > Winner
That’s a lot of winners in their thirties that have failed for you to still believe that this is a good transfer approach.
As much as most seem to love artetas 2.0 AFC i do think theres gonna be some rough moments next season and i think we all on principle can see the diff in xhaka Freaking out at angry fans v. Getting the war kriminal kovacic sent off. Thats testament to the MA mentality if youre asking me. But the honeymoon only lasts six months as those of you on here who have left their basements sometime in the last 10 yrs and engaged w the female sex can testify to. Theres gonna be moments when the more retarded and small… Read more »
Un, I think Arteta is fully onboard with the players.
Arsenal want to go quick, he’ll have been given the options for the money, and he’ll be in agreement.
Not sure they are his ideal, but he knows that it’s a mess and he’ll take what he’s given.
Ahern-
I think Edu has only been in his job for a year right? so fairly new.. still. He has a new manager and a new power structure to deal with as well as a limited budget. I don’t know.. I get that we want to look at all the possibilities. and not just his speed dial list. But I can also see that there might be a plan in regards to building through his knowledge of Brazilian players. Unfortunately Kia represents them all and Edu.. too. Chelski did pretty good with some Kia players though Oscar, Ramires, Luiz, Piazon.
“It’s just long-term, I struggle to see the value.” We really are in danger of turning into a fanbase of accountants. I have said before I’m not sure why we need Willian but if Arteta wants him then I’m happy to see what he can do with him. Getting an experienced winner into the team on a free is a positive and providing the wages are not excessive what’s the issue? He won’t have a sell on value> Well neither did Bergkamp or Lee Dixon and I don’t see anyone claiming they were bad signings. I’m all for buying young… Read more »
Zach
“Theres gonna be moments when the more retarded and small dicked fanbase elements will make it tough for everyone at the emirates. ”
If that comment is directed at the fans in the ground you need to learn a hell of a lot more about Arsenal because you don’t know what you’re talking about.
🤣
“He’s just getting on board the kia train. That’s what I thought too.”
He’s just won the FA Cup and got us into Europe – I think his standing at the club right now is pretty good, towing the line to keep his job – highly unlikely.
“So we aren’t seeing his own personal tastes in talent. He’s just getting on board the kia train. That’s what I thought too.“
Total cop out. Emery was a pussy but Arteta is hamstrung by Kia? Give over.
Arteta lives or dies by the transfers the same as Emery.
Marc
Forest for the trees my friend. 99/100 agree the emirates has been a cesspool for years now. Excepting the odd game here and there. Maybe its the architecture
Zach
Tell me those 99 you spoke to have any of them actually ever even been to a match?
Since Arteta wants Willian, I think he still wants to fight for a top4 spot next year. If he succeeds to get back into CL by adding Willian and Coutinho, then the club would have a lot more to spent. He can then sign some young players for long term planning.
We tried that before. Wenger signed Laca and Auba. Raul signed Pepe. But we didn’t get back in top4. Arteta may have more sauces though.
On a completely different topic has anyone seen the footage of the explosion in Beirut that’s on the news?
Fuck me!
I think in any business and especially pro sports that have agents you have to dance with the devil.. you just don’t want to make the devil your best friend. Next thing you know he has all your money and is moving on to his next new best friend. It’s a fine line to walk. Don’t think the Wenger .. don’t come in my house approach was good though either. As I said I’m waiting to see what happens in next 4 weeks to see what the final product is for this season before I decide if I completely hate… Read more »
Marc
Actually it was all 100 and youre the one dissenter
Pedro
All of the players mentioned above had declined physical abilities when they joined us. That is a clear no-go in the Prem. Maybe not Sokratis but he is not suited to the way Arsenal play.
Willian is still at the peak of his physical abilities and has probably had his best season for Chelsea this year. His form along with Pulisic was vital for Chelsea getting CL.
Midwest
Go and check the agents of the players we signed last summer – it’s a lot more mixed than what you’d think reading on here.
Offcourse Salah is brilliant, Messi is also brilliant but without Iniesta he has 0 trophies.
So does Salah without Mane and/or Firminho
Un I agree Arteta isn’t all powerful at the club but Arsenal went cap in hand to him. In that scenario I’d say he’d have some influence beyond just accepting whatever is given him. Whatever player we sign, if it is a Kia player, I doubt he wouldn’t have been told about such player(s) months ago. We’re not being linked to strikers or goalkeepers we’re being linked with players that suit the ‘specificity’ he keeps talking about. In this case creative players in terms of position but also good pros in terms of disposition. I think he has profiles of… Read more »
Zach
Well as someone who goes to matches I can tell you the fans in the ground are a lot more patient and balanced than what you get on here.
Well ofc the posters here know better than Ornstein what Arteta wants.
Midwest, just read this article and save yourself the bother of Marc’s ‘this is all normal’ guff.
https://theathletic.com/1934607/2020/07/18/raul-sanllehi-arsenal/
Un
There’s a massive difference between accepting who’s achievable or available and taking any player that’s thrown at you.
All of the noise around Willian is that Arteta is the driving force on this one. The only reason Pedro isn’t pushing this line is because it massively goes against two parts of his fanatical agenda.
Ornstein is the club’s mouthpiece he says what the club wants him to say.
At the time of getting Salah, Klopp didnt have much influence in liverpool, he was on shaky ground actually
Pedro
I didn’t say that I said the signings last summer were represented by a wide pool of agents.
Is that incorrect?
The club dont need to lie about Arteta wanting to work with Willian.
The brainwash therapy some have gone through here 🤦
Joelson definitely seems like someone scouted by the scouting team and headed by Edu and Kia buy Willian and Coutinho definitely seem like players Arteta would like to work with.
Definitely 😂
Un
Wild how Arteta is “towing the line” with names you don’t fancy. Pure coincidence that.
If you think Arteta is smiling through his teeth and not compliant with singing whoever follows this window then good for you. But I suggest you remember that when you’re roasting Emery for his deconstruction of midfield and shite signings.
Can’t have it both ways.
Pedro- Yep I read that earlier. Priorities change when you let agents in your friendship circle for sure. It’s not a good thing if you start showing favoritism either as the good of the team sinks down the list. I’m not convinced though what we are seeing now is an agent thing or a Brazilian thing.. because Kia is basically the Brazilian rep for just about everyone it’s hard to tell. If it’s a Brazilian thing then I’m all for some Samba time at The Grove. As long as is it isn’t Samba time at the retirement home and it’s… Read more »
Maybe William will join us because:
Kia influence
Arteta wants a creative winger
Auba wants to play central
Laca will be sold
I know the cons behind william (Kia, wages, age, contract lenght), but if arteta plays a front 3 of william, auba e pepe, arsenal may gain creativity and even boost auba’s score rate.
LW: William, Saka
ST: Auba, martinelli, Nketiah
RW: Pepe, nelsom
Thats a good atack force in my opinion, bring a creative midfielder, a DM and a CB, and maybe we can fight for top 4 next season.
If it’s in the public domain that a former manager who was sacked cites preference for a player that was available but not signed as a reason for his failure, do you think it’ll be in the club’s interest to push that the new manager favours a potential new signing?
Haha that’s a long sentence.
Anyway I’m not even bothered about who is pushing the signing of this or that player. As far as I’m concerned they’re all in it together – succeed or fail.
Un Well firstly “linked” doesn’t mean shit – signed does. We’re also in a position where we need to overhaul parts of the squad with a very limited budget so that might mean having to work in ways that aren’t our first choice ie loans, free transfers and swaps. My argument in all of this is look at the facts – not some bullshit by some cunt of a journalist who I wouldn’t trust as far as I could throw them. Look at last summers signings and tell me who the agents were? It’s funny that Pedro’s line about the… Read more »
Marc, look at the things you want to see… not two of the most reliable AFC journos in the game.
Righto. You love the grift, it’d be much easier for everyone if you just told people that instead of playing this weird game where you think everything we do is perfectly normal.
Always strange that Pedro chucks out a comment dismissing the view of someone that doesn’t tow his agenda but when challenged with a simple question that shows it to be wrong he disappears.
Marc you’re going to get a ban mate tow the line
Marc, you pretend you’re the sane one. You played the same game with CA when you were snobbishly pretending you guys were the enlightened ones because Emery was the man.
Now you’re telling people there is nothing to see with AFC and super agents.
Pedro If what you say is true the fees to agent numbers would confirm it – they don’t, in fact many clubs including Liverpool who you often cite as the “right way to do it” pay a huge amount more. You say the Kroenke’s have put someone in to watch over Sanllehi to stop him doing dodgy deals – if they thought Sanllehi wasn’t trust worthy they’d fire him and get someone else in to do the job. Are agents trustworthy – course fucking not they are there to get the best deal for their client but your constant line… Read more »
Marc, read The Athletic article. You are uninformed.
What’s the plan with Willian anyway? Have him on the left of Auba (CF)? I don’t see why you wouldn’t plan for Saka playing there and focus your recruitment on CB and CM. To reiterate, I’ve always rated Willian and he’s a great creator, but he’s got a year left and who’s to say Saka can’t continue his rise? Willian 19/20 – 0.38 xG+A (not including penalties) Saka 19/20 – 0.25 xG+A I don’t have breakdowns but Saka was playing LB and LM part the time, no doubt with more time between Auba and Tierney he’d keep making a big… Read more »
Pedro
I never said Emery was the one – I said I’d give him a chance. My argument with you was that you wanted him to fail.
That is not acceptable to me – no Arsenal fan should ever want our manager to fail no matter who he is.
Pedro
It’s behind a paywall and I’m not paying for bullshit by a journalist.
Ahern-
Yep I think that is the plan.. But Also, Willian could play on the right as well. Or also he could sit behind in a false 9 role.. behind 2 forwards. Basically I think Arteta wants more versatility and backup and ball control. I do think Un has a point though I doubt it was his first choice but most likely a case of opportunity and what Edu is familiar with.
For this model we’re trying to implement to work it’s important that the people in Raul/Edu’s positions are highly competent.
Rangnick has quit Leipzig it might be worth interviewing him to see what he can offer.
Un
No Arteta knows how little money we have – if he’s playing ball it’s because this about making the best of a shit situation. It’s not about who we want it’s about who we can get who will improve the team and hopefully get us into the CL which will then help us to strengthen further.
We don’t have £200 million to chuck at 3 players.
Coming for a second day running:
Marc in ‘Don Quixote’ defending windmill agents from being exposed by agenda Pedro and his merryband of nasty journalists.
Saka is still very young he won’t play every match. Should add and we added Europa League matches now too
Valentin
I’m not defending agents – I’ve said I’d be 110% behind football changing the way they are paid.
I’m arguing that this “we’re giving agents brown paper envelopes stuffed with cash” view is bullshit.
Marc
You get 3 free reads per month on the Athletic. 😜
Am I right in thinking that teams in Europe won’t play in the League Cup next season?
Un — He’s definitely creative, you just seem to have a narrow definition.
But yes he’s not the CM we really need, or the CB we really really really need.
Wasi
Didn’t know that – cheers.
Hello lads!
I think the fact that Willian is versatile has also appealed to Arteta & Co.
Dan
The rumours are that we’re chasing Gabriel, have Saliba for next season and signed Mari in Jan.
Not sure how many more CB’s you think we should sign. CM’s on the other hand we are desperate for, need a minimum of one assuming we get Ceballos back other wise 2.
Marc in ‘Don Quixote’ defending windmill agents from being exposed by agenda Pedro and his merryband of nasty journalists.
Pedro is not a journalist. Don’t get fooled into thinking running a blog is the same as being an actual journalist
Un
“They may seem cheap on the surface but Willian will cost us £25m over 3 seasons.”
How break that down for me.
Am I right in thinking that teams in Europe won’t play in the League Cup next season?
_____
Not sure .. I did hear they aren’t doing replays though.
Is Willian the sweetener for Arsenal fans.
Has Auba made it clear he wants away.?
I have seen this before so many times with Arsenal.
Liverpool meeting with Ismaïla Sarr’s representatives.
I am not seeing how we are funding William without
a big name being sold.?
Marko, what is a journalist?
Un — Saliba is a teenager straight out of Ligue 1. Marí is still unproven. I don’t know anything about Gabriel but that’d be another jump straight from Ligue 1 for a young player. We can’t count on any of Luiz, Mustafi, or Socrates, and Holding still looks very average.
There are a lot of names, but not a lot you can build with.
Un Well mate firstly that’s not over 3 years is it that includes a 4th seasons salary, secondly all the talk is that it’s on a much reduced salary – let’s say it’s £100k per week (not a huge reduction) which would put him in line with Xhaka and Mustafi and that would mean his wages will cost us £15.6 million. As for signing on fees I thought they tended to be incorporated into the salary so spread over the course of the contract.. You do realise that any player is going to cost us money in salary over the… Read more »
“Marko, what is a journalist?”
I’m fucking glad Pedro didn’t ask me that!
“Just pointing out that these aren’t guys Arteta has come in and asked for. These are guys he’s told are available.“ Arteta isn’t a scout, he doesn’t have ‘his guys’ like any manager in world football doesn’t have his guys – outside of talent previously worked with. You’ve went on about Emery being a flange and not getting his way, and yet here it’s being rebranded as Arteta rowing the company line. Double standards territory. Arteta dismissed Kurzawa (Kia player) in Jan btw, he’s not being held hostage here, and I won’t be looking at his blinking patterns in the… Read more »
CC
No you just spoiled Pedro’s next line. Arteta’s blinking in morse code during press conferences “I didn’t want them”
dot dot dash dash dot!
CC, Mikel is a pretty nuts obsessive… has beautiful mind shit up in his house. I think he’s a bit like Wenger for scouting.
… but clearly not a proper scout.
Un na
To continue your point , thats what agents do though dont they ? They make your life easier where you need it . Arsenal are skint even you agree on that , to spend money on a CAM and a winger when the priority is midfield and defense would be foolish. Thats why we went for the convenient option. If Thomas Partey comes in you wont see who is his agent will you , neither Gabriel from Lille or Diego Carlos from Sevilla. Although CG will still complain about Gabriel’s nationality.
I’m a photo journalist.. I take selfies of myself on the beach and report the weather to my followers.. who consist of my family and my gf who all promptly ignore me.
But still I am reporting the weather.. mostly how high the surf is. today is not much, about 1.5 ft swells. In case you were wondering,
“Mikel is a pretty nuts obsessive”
Fine line between genius and insanity!
Pedro I have no doubts at all, but as I said earlier he won’t be rocking up to executive recruitment meetings with ScoutNation videos galore screaming the dubstep through the halls. He’ll be an avid football follower with connections and scouts he’ll know across Europe, all of whom will no doubt have his ear and give him ideas. My point is he isn’t getting sat down by Edu and Raul and told who’s coming, Willian and Coutinho aren’t getting elbowed into the club. If they come it’s because Arteta is sold on them – and if he is then he… Read more »
Willian might make football sense in the short term but let’s not pretend he makes financial sense because he doesn’t. I could understand the signing if he was the final piece in a team pushing for an experience creative winger pushing for the title… the truth is, he is being signed to keep Arsenal’s super agent Kia Joorabchan happy. It’s crazy we’re being linked with a 17 year old winger Joelson Fernandes and Willian? With Pepe and Nelson still at the club? It doesn’t make sense. Raul Sanhelli needs to remember Arsenal pays his wages and not Kia… and needs… Read more »
CC
A pretty reasonable agenda free view of where we are right now.
Are you feeling OK?
… and please no to Willian.
No more aging Chelsea rejects!
CC, absolutely. Arteta is on the hook this summer.
Leeds
How many CB’s do you want? We’ve got limited money to spend and at present:
Saliba about to join after costing £25 million
Luiz just signed an extension
Mari signed in January
We’re also being linked to a couple of other CB’s so could be interested in 1 more – to sign 2 more is bonkers.