Well, here he is. Willian. The man, the myth, the explosive ball carrying winger from Brazil.
I think I can safely say that 99% of Arsenal fans are very excited about him. He’s not leaving Chelsea on a downward curve and he has arrived at Arsenal a wanted man. I think most of us are excited because you can clearly see what Mikel is going to do with him. He’ll be our creative outlet, one that we’ve lacked, and he’ll play centrally. It makes so much sense. The age thing is a bother, but really, as a #10, he could easily play there for 2-3 good years.
The murkier part of this deal is there appears to be some smoke and mirrors with regards to what we’re paying him. The actual cost of his weekly wages went from £150k a week and was slowly leaked down to £100k, which sounded great. Sami Mokbel gave us a fuller picture, suggesting that after loyalty bonuses, signing on fees, and whatever other sweeties they put in the deal… it looks more like £220k a week. Then there’s Kia. He’ll be getting his own chunk of the deal, no doubt.
This signing though, feels like one that we really did need. Yes, I’d have preferred Arsenal go out and find the next Julian Brandt, but it is what it is, and Willian has the exact sort of experience that could be very beneficial next season. We’re hoping mainly on the curve of age doesn’t apply to him, but for next season, he’ll be great.
This story dropped nicely over the other bombshell news. Arsenal (I hear Tim Lewis), are investigating the Nicolas Pepe deal from last summer. If you’ve been following Le Grove for any length of time, you’ll know that I’ve been talking about how we do business as a concern. I wrote this piece on Lille back in January. I think we can all agree that Pepe is an exciting prospect, but it was absolutely clear at the time we’d overpaid by quite a lot of money. He’s 24 years old and not the finished article, he might still come good in a big way, but I’m not sure many were out here saying we landed value for money.
From what I understand, Arsenal is investigating all costs at the club at the moment. Tim Lewis is here to ensure that the club is operating efficiently for the new now and he’s actively auditing everything from marketing budgets, sponsorships, to… player deals (worth remembering, Arsenal were auditing electricity costs last year before the pandemic). I have no doubt most clubs are doing the same. It’s just good stewardship from Stan and Josh.
ESPN is reporting that the club is going deep on the Nicolas Pepe fee 1) how we landed on the scouting decision 2) How we negotiated the deal.
As a reminder, the guy that runs Lille originally wanted to set up a super-agent agency to rival Mendes because he saw the most profitable part of football being in how the deals were cut (fees). FIFA killed that idea when they banned 3rd Party Ownership. He took over a club instead, opting for a French club because it was cheap, and the talent in the league is very good. From what I can gather, he’s using the club to harvest players to make profit. He has Luis Campos running his scouting, and let’s be frank, the guy is a god.
The interesting thing about Lille is they’ve borrowed a lot of money. They had owed Elliot Management a chunk of money (still do I think), the clear worry that if they don’t pay it back, Lopez would see a similar fate to that of Milan’s ex-ownership. The FT gives a brilliant overview of how they operate. It is also interesting that an ex-colleague of Raul’s happens to work at Lille. Marc Ingla. He was suspended from football for some mishaps that caught the eye in France.
So in short, you probably don’t need to have attended NYU Stern to piece together why the Pepe transfer fee is of interest to KSE.
It’s also ominous that the story has been leaked to the press. Those things don’t happen by accident. I suspect there are people at the club that hate how we’re run at the moment, this is just another crank up of pressure on the new approach to business. I’ve been told Arsenal initially refused to comment on the story, ESPN getting their sources from multiple places. Again, not a good look.
I don’t imagine that’s where the club will stop probing.
What did the scouting data say about Unai Emery who told media he landed the job after Caneles recommended him? Could he build defences? No. Could he speak English? No. Did he have a reputation in Europe for commanding respect of dressing rooms? No. Why did it take so long to fire him? How was he paid out? How did we land on Denis Suarez? What was the true cost of David Luiz and why was he the solution despite having 3 months head start on Koscielny leaving? How did we arrive at the conclusion of Cedric Soares in January?
Whatever way you look at those deals, you have to admit, they lack coherence. When you are running one of the biggest clubs in the world, deals should make sense, and the reasoning should be very clear. It doesn’t look like data-centric methodology was at the heart of the thinking. If the rationale behind these deals really is heavily weighted towards super-agent opinions… is that the way to a brighter Arsenal future? Who knows, but it’s clear we finished 8th for a reason that wasn’t Arsene Wenger.
KSE should be looking at RB Leipzig in the Champions League semi-final after selling their best striker to Chelsea. They’ve been in existence for 11 years. They consistently sell top, top players, and consistently replace them at the same level. They are data-centric, they know what sort of players they should buy, and they never move from their philosophy. I’d imagine Stan might think that a more sustainable way to run a football club in a pandemic.
Then you have Arsenal… shelling out £220k a week on a 32-year-old, again. Maybe this one will work out, and I truly hope it does, but the optics are not good, regardless of how much you like the player. The same ingredients over and over again. Let’s hope Arteta has more of hand over how to make this one work for the squad. Let’s also hope this investigation leads to a more effective Arsenal.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments. x
Would be a massive shame not to see the likes of Davies and Pulisic at a World Cup.
WE
Can’t remember – would that have been over 2 legs?
Would be a massive shame not to see the likes of Davies and Pulisic at a World Cup.
____
Ha… Eagle.. please tell that to Mexico. Bastards just won’t give up
Seeing how ineffective Griezmann is, I suddenly find the cost for Pepe is not expensive.
This Bayern team feels like a Juup Heynckes team. And they still have Sane to come. It will be a team to fear the next couple of years.
Marc
Na was an OT massacre from what I can remember. The biggest drubbing until ours a few years later, lol.
Our player on playing against his club interesting
Haha Coutinho used as Gnabry’s sub when it looks like it’s all over….
Fuck sake actually forgot about Sane.
Question mark over whether he comes back from injury the same player, if he does it’s bad news for everybody else.
Habesha
You nailed it there though, they were bent over a barrel two-fold with losing Neymar and targeting THE respective gems of 3 quality clubs.
Embarrassing strategy, they went for names to appease fans and completely ignored meshing talent with suitability.
Those players are superb and would be stand outs at every side bar 5. Amazes me that with the financial clout and the pull they hold that you can recruit so badly. It’s a shambles.
The way Bayern suffocate barca attacks is amazing.
Charlie
The Barca hierarchy are literally reminiscent of a twelve year old building a squad in FIFA career mode.
You look in stark contrast at sides like City, Liverpool, Bayern that have assembled elite squads for far less money.
Haha a Coutinho goal would be a jar of barbed wire drenched in salt to the Barca wound now, you;d love to see it.
Oh never mind, an assist will do LOL.
Barca won’t want him now
This Barca’s RB will have nightmare tonight.
Jury is still out on them but Barcelona have Trincao and Arjauo plus Todibo if they build on it. But They will still go the expensive stupid way I feel.
6-2 Messi surely has to think about leaving now.
Yep … Coutinho is still very very good. Incredible that Bayern can bring him off the bench.
And theres
Lewandowski
Is there still a lockdown on in Barcelona?
Could be riots on the streets tonight.
Humiliating.
Coutinho goal and assist now LOL.
Messi gone.
there you go hahah
Coutinho!!!!!!
So who does not want coutinho ?
Germany vs Brazil on show. And It’s Coutinho that twists the knife.
Embarassing for Barcelona.
Seven!!!!!!!
Barca phone call to Auba?
Coutinho price going up.
Anyone still think Coutinho couldn’t help us? seriously..
Thought he’d overrun that and fucked it up!
Weagle
It’s jaw to the floor stuff mate. You think of the ingenuity teams like Dortmund and Liverpool have had to use in order to get a leg up and develop.
Barcelona are kids in a candy shop, pick whoever the fuck you want in world football because they will all come running. Still managed to put the worst XI together going at the elite table. Horrible balance and chemistry.
What a ridiculous scoreline. Is this the worst loss of Messi’s career?
Wow, disgraceful performance from the Barca players.
Im so happy Barfa is getting hammered. I hate those fuckers.
getting a taste of their own meds….
Cause a meltdown in barca, cause the owners to panic spend again, I love it
Midwest
It’s all about the signing on fee, VAT and drycleaning bill.
Wenger had a better score against Bayern (5 – 1)
I hope Bayern run up the score some more
This is is worse than our batterings. We want 8
we want 9
Coutinho staying at Bayern now
Marc-
Hahaha well that and he is not a day under 45 years old. Barely able to move.
This is Insane. Riots in Barcelona. Bring in coutinho hahahaha 8-2.
Coutinho again
I really 8 2 see this
LOL another one!
Bayern show no ducking mercy. This was unnecessary. Sell coutinho to arsenal now.
Pochetino to sign right after this
Hahaha fuck Barca, absolutely toxic club.
Messi deserves so much better.
What’s happening here……………..if this was boxing the towel woulda been thrown in 3 goals ago. This is shameful stuff.
What the fuck is going on?
Wow, disgraceful performance from the Barca players.
Bayern have just been too good for them. From the 1st minute Bayern were on it.
Spanish Dave he won’t stay they have 4 top wingers Davies Conan Gnabry and now Sane
Pedro,
There are also rumours that the French police is investigated Lille for financial irregularities. After the way they dealt with Osimhen agent and how they allegedly pressure players to switch to preferred agents, suddenly Lille is under the spot light of the French Police financial division.
I can see one person being out pressure and suddenly the entire business could collapse.
I knew Barca would get destroyed
Make it 10 please
Coutinho doesn’t like Barca.
8-2 is a familiar scoreline. Oof.
Can I just point out that this never happened to Barca when Sanllehi was there!!!!
Well at least now we have an ally that can share the brunt of all of the 8-2 jokes now eh.
Every cloud.
Neymar is staying put in PSG for the foreseeable future.
Lets get in Coutinho… good player … will def help us
Messi will be home before 9 lol
I think that unfortunately some here have drink the koolaid. Refuse to acknowledge the difference between the official salary and the overall package cost of which the salary is only one part of. The overall cost includes the signing in fee, the salary, the agent commission even if it is not paid as a commission but as a benefit in kind paid over the duration of the deal. So a player may be viewed as cheap because he to be paid ONLY £120kpw, but has a signing-on fee of £10million, an agent commission fee paid, a deal negotiation fee paid… Read more »
Marc you naughty boy!
Still wouldn’t want to fuck with Vidal..You know he doesn’t give to Fucks about hammering somebody with a headbutt or fists.
Haha I still can’t believe that Coutinho came on for a cameo to score 2 and grab an assist.
Doesn’t get darker than that for a Barca fan.
2 minutes added on was incredibly kind to Barca as well.
Messi has been utter gash.
He is a phenomenonal player but he can’t win a game by himself like some of the previous greats fat ronaldo, Ronaldinho ect.
Worse than our 8-2 thrashing, I mean look at our 11 on that horrible day vs this Barca team, no contest.
Well that was a straight up mauling.
Holy crap. Messi has got to think about leaving. These players never had pride in the shirt. Sentien and all Barca president and management will be sacked tomorrow. They will probably hire Xavi and give him keys to the kingdom.
Barca will let go Coutinho free after this beating he did to them!!!!
Raul better be on the horn right now……
Bayern players scored 9 out of the 10 goals.
Dave
I’ve been bad and I’m going to be worse!
Valentin
You won’t get away with that.
Messi has been shite as well I kove the guy but let’s be honest.
LG
Mate give it a rest haha, virtually every time the ball went past him Bayern went on to score. Ronaldo never has had such an inept midfield/defence behind him.
He played well for the first half hour when it was a game up until Gnabry scored the third.
So Coutinho wouldn’t do bits in this Arsenal team still?
Do me a favour lol
Habesha – Xavi’s already turned it down once, does he say yes now, when they have no money and even less hope of a turnaround?
Can a player have a minus match rating?
Geez Semedo!
Wow what a team Bayern they already said they are not keeping Coutinho
This is bringing back 7 – 0 to bayern against barca back in 2013
Wow 8 – 2, Barca really do need Wenger, he has the experience – to organise a transfer window trolley dash!
Terraloon
Just proves a point – Valentin telling the truth is like Mourinho not pissing off everyone around him.
Just doesn’t happen.
CC coutinho would be amazing for us get him in he has agreed his wages with us I reckon he will sign once Bayern are out of win it
Habesha GoonerAugust 14, 2020 20:50:53
Holy crap. Messi has got to think about leaving. These players never had pride in the shirt. Sentien and all Barca president and management will be sacked tomorrow. They will probably hire Xavi and give him keys to the kingdom
***
Colossal mistake. Xavi has demonstrated nothing while coaching out in the middle East. Surely they have pochetino on the phone already.
Barca may as well concede the second leg
I love how these so called wonder teams do when facing adversity..
NO balls…. nothing
So used to pummeling teams, but when they are up against it, they cower like little pussies.
WG
Pal I think you forget the messi of old dribbling past four players to score a key goal. He aint got that in his locker anymore. He is a wc player still but he doesn’t have it in him to single handedly win games. He only performs well if the team turns up as well
Bayern have scored EIGHTEEN goals in 5 knockout matches against Barcelona this past 7 years, FIFTEEN of those coming in 3 games.
Only one leg,
Digital
I know but he has emotional connections. He may be hurting as a Barca legend and fan. He will demand complete control and they might give it to him. It’s either him or Guardiola after this hammering.
Could be ManCity v Bayern.
LG
I don’t disagree tbh but you can’t put the blame even remotely on him tonight.
They could have had a front 3 of Messi, Neymar and M’Bappe tonight and Bayern likely still would have won.
why has coutinho flopped at barcelona they could really do with his quality they have such an average team as it stands.
Not saying he is perfect but he is a lot better than barcas current clop.
Does anyone know why he flopped at barca?
Bayern will play their second team in Munich… these guys are favorites to win it all
‘Does anyone know why he flopped at barca?’
He didn’t flop, more that he fell out of favour.
He was actually brilliant for the first year or so he was there, struggled for form later on in his second season and they kind of just gave up on him and shipped him out to Bayern.
zeus
” Surely they have pochetino on the phone already.”
So you don’t watch football then?
The Poooooooooooooooooch has said he’ll never manage Barca because of this history with Espanyol.
LG
Due to Obscene tactics employed by their previous manager .
+ Messi and Coutinho dont really fit in the same team.
Guys it’s only one match no home and away Barca are out
WE
Bro he must have flopped hard why would they give up on a 105 mill player so quickly?
Especially as the current barca squad is so gash.
Willian will be happy he chose the better team.
Habesha – I hope he doesn’t do it, the Barca seat is always gonna be there for him so he can have it a few years from now, when they have sorted out the diabolical management at boardroom level.
Coutinho fell out of favour as they have to pay Liverpool 70m of he plays another 10 games for them hence why they loaned him out
They can’t afford to pay it
They offered him to us for 9m because of the same issue
Captain
Make sense sounds like a political situation why he failed there rather than talent or lack of application.
Kind of dumb because messi really shouldn’t be dropping deep and playing as a cam even a midfielder at times. They need him around the box more and coutinho should have been a playmaker.