Feels like we’re a little bit in stasis on the Gabriel signing, but some of the big transfer hitters have come out and stated that yes, he is our man, and he’ll be joining the Edu and Arteta project for FIVE years. Love it.
This really is a statement signing. The player has all the attributes we’re looking for in a defender. According to FreshArsenal, Gabriel isn’t really a ball-playing defender like you’d expect from a Brazilian, but he is an absolute machine when it comes to aerial duels. In France this season, he’s averaged a whopping 5.1 a game, which compares nicely to VVD on 4.9. I also didn’t realise he’s 6ft3. Next to Saliba at 6ft4, that’s quite an intimidating pairing.
What I love about this player is he speaks to a problem. I think 46% of our goals were conceded from setpieces, freekicks or penalties last season. We conceded 15 goals from setpieces alone. We’re trying to plug that with someone that has made his name dominating the box. That’s a smart move.
It’s also smart that we’re looking to hire Andreas Georgeson as a setpiece coach from Brentford. I’ve pondered the theory that the Premier League is becoming more like American sport. We’ve seen the rapid shift from KING managers who dominate every department and decision (Wenger)… to a more corporatised structure where you have specialist departments that are built out by Technical Directors. The thinking is that you put more specialism and accountability into these departments, and you don’t have situations where top managers leave and take 50 people out the door with them. Shad Forsythe doesn’t leave with Wenger. Gary O’D doesn’t leave with Emery. They report in to the Technical Director, or Head of Football, which gives them freedom to do what’s best for the club.
We’re now moving even harder into specialisms. Liverpool has a throw-in specialist. I’m pretty sure Jose Mourinho has a Head of Shithousery. That’s very much how American sport works. Defensive and offensive coaching has been a thing in NFL for a long time, but it goes deeper, you have kicking specialists, long snapper specialists. Anything that can give you an edge where others aren’t looking is worth finding a specialist.
It’s quite incredible because unrefined football fans like you and I have been saying for YEARS that ‘Arsenal should get Keown back in the mixer teaching the kids George Graham defending’, and now, Brentford are doing exactly that with a fancy exMalmo coach and it’s hip and acceptable. I am overjoyed that we’re tackling the big issues head-on with actual action.
Additionally, what I love about having a coach like Arteta is he doesn’t know everything. His greenness to the game is to the benefit of the club. He doesn’t have set ways of doing things. I think that makes you far more open to new ideas and experimentation, which is exactly what we need at Arsenal. Bring elite thinkers through the ranks and into the club, empower them to innovate and push boundaries, hopefully, reap the rewards on the pitch. A winning culture isn’t just about the players, it’s about every single person at the club having the same desire to win at whatever their job is. Hopefully, that’s the sort of energy that’s building out at Colney.
It’s also worth mentioning that Arsenal just signed Salah… not that one you fool, the Dutch kid who just left Feyenoord. It looks like Per Mertesacker has been working closely with people behind the scenes to set an agenda for how he wants to operate. These free transfers could be sniffed at as rejects, or we could be more positive and ponder whether there’s a… data story brewing that attracted Arsenal?
The Champions League tonight tells you how silly it is to write off any kid these days. I watched Serge G come on against Schalke and lose the ball, costing us a goal nearly immediately in the Champions League. I thought he looked more interesting than Theo did at the same age, but he went on to flunk at WBA and Wenger didn’t fancy him (which is telling, because Wenger loved to blood a kid). The story I was told by someone that knows him was Arsenal didn’t offer him a deal until AFTER he smashed it at the Olympics. Also, the player was horrified at how flummoxed the coaches were when a small French team shifted tactics and we had no answer (preseason). He moved, now he’s a star, lesson learned. Talent sometimes needs a different coach or a more compelling environment to be unleashed. Fingers crossed Arsenal can be that environment moving forward.
Before we go, I just want to say that all that shit I’ve been saying about 29-year-olds doesn’t count if we sign Thiago from Bayern. That’d be some statement. He’s a sublime midfielder. What an elevation that would be.
The Champions League will be fun this evening. I have to support Bayern here, I love the German side and what their game stands for. However, I spent a lot of time arguing with people on this blog about the sauce of Thomas Tuchel, particularly those who thought Emery was a better coach. Here we are chaps, sauce wins out again, the Emeryista on the worst losing streak of the year. Hopefully, it’s a fun game regardless, Hansi Flick is coach of the people, I’d love to see him lift the trophy. Let’s hope all the big players show up and it’s a final for the ages!
Right, see you in the comments. x
Yes can’t wait until the facts come out that Maguire in fact thwarted ISIS mid-bender.
Anything is possible with the United PR team in full panic mode. But the creative potential for the English United captain is unrivalled, exciting times.
No civilized person assaults a police officer. Maguire is a reprobate. Reimagining the scenes where he and his gang of degenerates are sitting quietly sipping ouzo talking about funding children’s hospitals when out of nowhere they’re set upon by a pack of rabid [allegedly] Albanians. At best, Maguire and/or his sister were goaded into a fight. At worst, they were willing participants. At his age, it’s beyond embarrassing. Mental midget. Could’ve just as easily spoken to the bar manager, asked to have his party taken into the back while the police are called to ‘remove the aggressors’ from the scene.… Read more »
‘Ronaldo isn’t even the most talented footballer named Ronaldo.’
Not the most talented. But only really Messi can claim to be the better footballer than Ronaldo.
He is the 2nd Goat after Messi imo.
Talent is not everything and I firmly believe that there are probably very very very few (maybe none) personalities in the world who work hard than this guy.
68 goals in 62 appearances with his national team, 365 goals in 427 games for his club, and 66 goals in 74 European club games. Amongst top scorers this player has the third highest goal to game ratio and no one ever even mentions his name when talking about best players ever.
He is Gerd Muller and there’s more to being the best ever than just being a great goal scorer.
Jamie
I’m with you on this.
Brits + Alcohol + Being abroad = total embarrassment.
Respect where you are and the environment you are in.
Never been to a ‘British holiday resort‘.
Never intend to go to one either.
I would rather the Albanians than legroves resident low budget Don ald Trump
Finally good to see that our unwanted players are getting linked with moves away.
Sokratis – three Italian clubs
Guendouzi – PSG
Holding – Leeds
Elneny – Turkish clubs
Miki – Roma
Hopefully not just Clickbait. As Tierney will vouch for ‘every little helps’ to bump up our meagre transfer budget.
Bergkamp back as a coach. Yes
@Captain Tierney –
“Not the most talented. But only really Messi can claim to be the better footballer than Ronaldo.”
Can’t agree with this. Ronaldo is an athletic phenom. No one comes close to him.
But there are a lot of other players I would consider better “footballers” than him.
“Talent is not everything and I firmly believe that there are probably very very very few (maybe none) personalities in the world who work hard than this guy.“
Yes , Ronaldo is a hard worker no doubt.
But as wealthy as he is, he’s not a yet billionaire , and as we all know billionaires are the hardest working people ever.
Btw, where’s is Marc these days?
Did the “metal straw” drip with greasy juice after the “stabbing” our precious…
Captain T
“”””If its true Maguire’s sister was attacked and he stood up against those goons then Maguire should be honored not insulted.”””””
Well said Captain.
there is hope for you yet.
Story breaking (Sun) that Leeds are going to sign Sam Greenwood for a ‘six figure sum’
I really hope that is not true unless its a loan- Greenwood is one of our brightest prospects
If CR7 and Messi has both been 3 foot 8 they’d have still been the defining players of their generation CR7 was blessed generically but that’s not why he’s where he is. There are a tonne of physically perfect footballers and absolutely none of them do what Ronaldo has done consistently since forever. Ronaldo is only 6’1. He’s a tiny bit shorter than me and in 2020 that’s in no way shape or form stand out tall. He scores those headers because his jumping technique and heading technique are out of this world good. Being 6’1 doesn’t mean much when… Read more »
“”””If its true Maguire’s sister was attacked and he stood up against those goons then Maguire should be honored not insulted.”””””
Yes, B( British)LM too?!?!
‘Can’t agree with this. Ronaldo is an athletic phenom. No one comes close to him. But there are a lot of other players I would consider better “footballers” than him.’ Unless they are scouting a player for a transfer , I dont think anyone compares a players physcial , technical and mental attributes separately. If that was the case then Messi wouldn’t be considered as the GOAT as there are countless players who are better physically and mentally than him. Its a total package. Tom Fyi , Ronaldo is the first footballer to surpass 1 billion net worth during his… Read more »
Sid
“ Did the “metal straw” drip with greasy juice after the “stabbing” our precious…”
This is such a bizarre comment and I’ve no idea what it is trying to imply but I like the fact that this is probably the first time ever this combination of words has been put together even in the same sentence, let alone in this order.
Crimson “””””Looks like Sam Greenwood is off to Leeds for around a million.”””””” Horrific short termism. ( AGAIN) So we are selling one of our best youngsters exactly at the same time we are recruiting Huddersfield Town and Spurs rejects. As I have said from day 1- this mob ain’t got a clue, they simply don’t know their arses from their elbows. Why are we selling our Greenwood to Leeds United? He could our Manchester United’s Greenwoods in a few seasons time. If he was called Gabriel and came from Sao Paulo he would not be going to Elland Road,… Read more »
Is Marc still banned? What did he actually do?
RIP
Joke Monday = Sid
AMN advanced talks with Wolves, seemed a banker the second they entered the picture.
20+ million for him will help us nicely
China
What sort of jumping technique can one use to get a 40inch plus vertical? Asking for a friend.
Timing and heading ability can be much improved, your vertical climb barely though no matter how hard you go at it in training.
You either have it or don’t.
North banker
“”””I really hope that is not true unless its a loan- Greenwood is one of our brightest prospects”””””
Absolute bonkers decision.
Loose Loose on this one.
An another shocking short term decision.
@Captain Tierney –
So just to clarify, I personally consider a “player” to be the full package, everything combined. So for me Ronaldo is the second greatest player of all time. What I consider a “footballer” is based on technical ability alone.
So (for me) at Arsenal Henry is the greatest player but Bergkamp is the greatest footballer.
I believe that Bergkamp was a better footballer than Ronaldo but nowhere near as good a player as him.
Tom
Fyi , Ronaldo is the first footballer to surpass 1 billion net worth during his career.
Has he?
Damn, so it’s true then. Billionaires are the hardest working people.
And to end it here.
There is no definite “greatest of all time”. As it is not quantifiable, there are too many variables.
There were just two stand out players that we will probably never see the likes of again.
The “metal straw” broke Maguires back,
Cha Cha
“””””AMN advanced talks with Wolves, seemed a banker the second they entered the picture.20+ million for him will help us nicely””””””
Traore probably told them to sign him.
Another bonkers decision if it transpires.
Edu!
CC
You don’t have any reservations about AMN going to Wolves?
We need the money, just that we are giving them a decent player who’s played at a high level like EL finals/FA cup finals.
CG
I’m not against signing ‘rejects’ as you said like the kids from Huddersfield or spuds as Nketiah was rejected by Chelsea and is diamond. But selling Greenwood is a bit weird. There is a awful lot of things going on behind the scenes. BFG is heading the youth side set up and a clever guy, so it’s strange.
I might be the only one but I like the new marble kit.
Getting the guy from Brentford as a specialist set piece is a good move. As as we all know we are utter shite at defending them.
China1
‘Is Marc still banned? What did he actually do?RIP”
He wanted Pedro to bin him so that he could go spend his summer in Paradise with 72 virgins.
AMN will stop Arsenal attacks soon
CG
Moaning about Greenwood ? Have you ever even watched him ?
The only reason we are going to sell is because he must be refusing to sign a contract because we nabbed him from Sunderland as he has high potential.
Amn if he gets us above 25 mil then that will mean 25 mil closer to Partey and we’ll all be the better for it.
Captain
“”””””Moaning about Greenwood ? Have you ever even watched him ?”””””
No
But Leeds United clearly have- so that’s all I need to know.
As for Partey/AMN exchange.
Worst decision Arsenal could possibly ever make.
So its very probable.
As Tony Adams recently alluded to.
Edu is out of his depth with regards to squad building and has no experience of it.
And it showing.
The sooner he goes the same way his pal Don Raul the better it will be for the club. Stockpiling Brazilians at Arsenal is not , what I personally want to see.
Regarding players, don’t listen to what Arteta said, but look at what he does. Luiz is interested in moving to Rennes, because he knows that despite Arteta liking him as a person and as a good voice in the changing room, Arteta does not fancy him as a defender, especially not in a back 4. As soon as Gabriel has adapted to the EPL and Mari has recovered, his game time will consist only of cup competitions. He is at a stage where he wants to play and he wants to prepare his post playing career. So any deal that… Read more »
New Post
Dissenter No, I don’t. The reason I don’t is because I’m honest about where we are right now as a football club and appreciate we need to make decisions that have now in mind, and later in mind too. We’re an organic club and unfortunately or otherwise we need to make money and back ourselves to evolve through succinct leadership and strategy. The latter part was heavily absent in recent years but I’m confident it’s here now. No player is off limits, we need to lessen the emotional attachment and think more critically and logically about next season and beyond.… Read more »
“”””This is why Cedric was smart business””””
No one should ever get banned.
But you should be banned for a whole hour for this nonsense.
Un –
My sisters don’t go to the types of places rife with anti-social behaviour.
One of them lives in Dubai, where perpetrators of physical assault disappear into dungeons. Everyone drinks but no one fights because there are consequences. Pretty simple.
Fist fighting is for simple folk. No chance Maguire’s sister was the victim of a random or unprovoked attack. No doubt everyone acted like cunts, and she might have gotten the worst of it.
SpanishDave, I don’t like shit banter, gaslighting, or general dimness.
I don’t care who doesn’t like it.
Rude Boy, I’ve been here loads this year!
Sid,
Immediate post war years were hard in the UK. Covid is the worst tragedy I’ve experienced. Its bad here in the US where I live now. Seems to be going on and on………