I have a BUSY day today so I’m going to keep this sweet and short. Did the order of that phrase jar you? Good. I’m messing with your damn mind because it makes me feel powerful.
First up, good news, Mikhi has left Arsenal. A mutual agreement for each party to go their separate ways ends a pretty bland tenure and probably one of the least satisfying transfers of the last 10 years.
Arsenal lose £180k a week off the wage bill. The player gets to sign a long-term deal with Roma he’d not have picked up had we slapped a transfer fee on him. There’s sometimes an early cancellation fee, in this case, I very much doubt it. This works for all parties. No one is out of pocket.
The GREAT news that dropped out of the blue is that Arsenal will be welcoming back Dani Ceballos for a year. The fan favourite had 3 loan offers on the table and he turned them all down because he LOVES The Arsenal. What a guy.
I was genuinely worried he was a wet lettuce when I heard he wanted to play for Betis. This is the best move for him. He’ll grow under Arteta and he’ll gain a bigger profile. There’s no option to buy, but let’s be real, who’d be foolish enough to tie themselves to a purchase a year out. Only worry is if he keeps up his great form, he’ll cost us more money, or potentially earn a move to a different club.
David Ornstein, a god among gods, reckons the Gabriel deal is done and dusted. He’ll be announced shortly. That’s bloody great news. I love how covid-agitated fans are raging at the PR department like this is some sort of football chinese-water-torture.
‘WHY WOULD THEY HOLD BACK THE NEWS THEY ARE SO CREUL!’
What does that mean for the midfield? Will we sign Auoar and Thomas Partey? I hope so. We need all the help we can get next season. Make those two signings and we’ll be a very exciting force next season. It’s a pipedream at the moment, but give it a week and see who we sell and for how much.
AMN is staying. I told you that yesterday. I just wanted a way in on this video.
Look at this guy 😭 pic.twitter.com/OhLkNYAc6v
— mikelaafc (@mikelaafc) August 31, 2020
That my friends is what we term: Sauce.
Mesut Ozil. The man, the myth, the Fortnite legend… has been offered a mega-money deal to play in Saudi Arabia for a season. Why not? My mate Tomasz went out there to sell generators, he’s caked in dough. He absolutely loves it. I just don’t understand why Mesut would waste a year feeling shit about football? You work in football a short term. Your legs, muscles, and ligaments don’t hold out forever. Why would you waste game time to make a point no one cares about?
Training with green energy entrepreneur Matty F is no match for proper football. I am at a loss as to why he doesn’t just move on, for the good of his mental health, and his brand.
Finally, there are BEASTLY rumours that Hector Bellerin is attracting the interest of Mr Pirlo at Juve. The suave Italian wants ‘chameleonic’ players. That is the most elite word ever to cross my laptop, coming to a creative review soon. I love Hector, I’m not sure how I feel about this, but if the price is right, why not?
Ok, that is all I have time for. I’ve had a sneak peak at the new lick of paint we’re putting on Le Grove and I am VERY happy that you are going to get a decent mobile experience moving forward. The comments are unlikely to change too much, as someone put it, the functionality of the site if like peak-AOL homepage, but does it need to be any slicker? I don’t think so. Any suggestions, drop them below.
Oh, and by the way, why haven’t you listened to our podcast? So rude. I’ll forgive you if you download and share with FIVE friends.
Thanks x
Find it on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Play
Coutinho might want to join the Brazil train at Arsenal….
Xhaka ain’t good enough, Torreira is even worse and hell no this season wasn’t a success by any measure.
Very hopeful for upcoming season, Arteta appears to be top notch and some pretty good signings so far.
Pedro
If Ceballos is done and we get Partey (Edouard) most of the uncoachables will be moved on and none of them will be in the starting XI once the new signings settle in.
Luckily Arteta doesn’t drink his own kool aid.
Partey/Coutinho/Ceballos in a 3 man midfield
Willian Auba Pepe up top
Not bad
Pedro if anyone needs to piece things together its you
The players I listed have never been called uncoachable. The guilty ones led by Xhaka have spear headed our success in your own words. That success should extend to top four next season no?
My standards have remained the same, a return to the champions league. No higher than it was a year or two years ago.
SF
We’d have Saka and Martinelli as back up as well. A back four set for decades with only a question over RB and the great problem of 2 good keepers.
Fuck it if Arteta doesn’t win the PL this season with that embarrassment of riches he should be fired!
Wow, This is why we never move forward. Xhaka has been a problem for the last 4 years!!!
Yes he has played a lot better under arteta but we can’t be championing him when our rivals have Kovacic, Debruyne/Gundogan, Pogba, Wijnaldum as their CMs. If ceballos and Aouar come he must be benched. We can still use him but not in games where we need to attack a lot. He is available all the time so that will help but we need to phase him out eventually to be considered title contenders.
Partey comes too*
RH, you couldn’t name a problem with Emery, yet couldn’t see improvement under Arteta.
You standards are very different now.
I can keep up with the narrative, I’ve been telling you what it is for the last 2 years.
Evening, Top four is the minimum for arteta. But it’s not going to be easy. The bindippers and city are streets ahead of everyone else and city will strengthen again. Even the bindippers won’t be allowed to sit back and take their foot of the gas, klopp won’t allow it. As much as utd have made a few dodgy signings, and ole isn’t the greatest, you could see them having a good season if they get a decent centre half alongside slaphead. That leaves us fighting for the last champions league spot with Chelsea who have money to burn and… Read more »
Don’t really understand how anyone can’t be excited about upcoming season if i’m honest after living thru that past decade plus lets alone last year and a half. We’re clearly being outspent, yet if Arteta and co are strategic getting whats required with a clear plan we really have the vibe of competing on any given day home or away and from all signals thats being done. I’m under no illusion we’ll have the consistency to compete overall but in a nice change nobody is going to be relishing a tie with Arteta’s Arsenal. If you’re not excited about how… Read more »
Freddie, I’m not wedded to many players in the squad. If we can upgrade and go into the season fully equipped, power to the club… can’t wait. It’ll be a fun season. Lots of ups and downs, but we’ll progress for sure.
U4GN
I actually think we could see Liverpool drop off a touch – I’m not suggesting they’re going to be mid table but the tempo they play at and they’ve done it for 2 years now could catch up with them. I can’t think of any major injuries they’ve had to deal with and they don’t seem to be looking at making any major additions.
Right now my prediction for the title is City but we’ll have to see just who signs who.
Off topic but Rashford seems a class act. Helping young poor lads and lasses get free lunch.
Marc,
I’m with you on a drop off and think city will be the team to beat, but bearing in mind how far ahead they are of everyone else I couldn’t see them dropping lower than second.
Depends if they keep sane as well.
Could see the spuds dropping off especially with no money to spend. They punched above there weight the last few years especially as the big clubs have all dropped off and made them look better than they are.
Don’t think Leicester or wolves will quite have the edge they did last season either.
That’s why I think we are nailed on for fifth as a minimum.
Chat emerging that we’ve made a breakthrough in Aouar discussions….
With Messi going to City possibly, it will really be a battle for third and 4th place.
The financial outlay with Messi is disgusting.
His salary, transfer fee, players going back and forth.
City might benefit in the short term but I do think he will cause them to implode long term… and he is 33. so good luck
Chat emerging that we’ve made a breakthrough in Aouar discussions….
Don’t just don’t
“PedroSeptember 1, 2020 17:32:48
Sal, amen.The defence of OGS is Bamford-esque. Truly embarrassing.“
Pedro, maybe time to tweak that soy diet of yours …..why keep bringing up Bamford and torment the poor guy when you know he’s been reading but can’t respond.
Not very woke lol
CC
Pulled that with Thiago a week ago. just filthy.
Guns
Would be epic to have Messi in the Prem, if its not Arsenal then City as last 2years of the 5 year deal are w/ NYFC.
It’s most peculiar there are some really positive rumours about signings but I was convinced we were flat broke, even with sales we seem (pray’s to the Football God’s) to be making some really positive moves.
NYFC?
u being serious?
I think that we have a better shot at Coutinho on loan than buying Aouar.
I would be fine with that … short term.
Lyon not in Europe, a selling club and Aouar wants out.
He’s moving this window.
SF
Well if the loan is back up in case we can’t make a deal happen it shows some good thinking. The only question about a loan for Coutinho is will Barca demand a purchase clause at the end of it.
Sal I totally agree,thisTW feels totally different. It’s what I imagined fans of other big clubs felt like in the TW. Under Big Weng, the transfers became ever-more dispiriting and screamed straw-clutching. We didn’t discover rough gems, instead we bought expensive duds. The good players we did buy didn’t fit any coherent plan. To make matters worse we sat on a mountain of money and played a deeply flawed economic gamble – FFP and the assumption that football economics would crash. Instead we missed the investment in players with exponential growth. Now we have hopefully emerged ftom ground zero with… Read more »
Bill
After all the years of dicking around I think we deserve some fun.
Marc
Agreed, seems like Aouar might be plan a/ coutinho plan b
Koeman may want him back tho…. who knows.
I think we DO need to have a back up plan for Partey….
SF
I did see something – no idea if or how true – that Barca still owe a big chunk of the fee based on making more appearances. Barca might not have the money to keep him.
“Luiz and Willian are just two long term friends enjoying working together.”
That’s fine, they’ll be working together at Arsenal winning trophies.
PSG offer 25 million for Bellerin.
Tom, he’s not banned. Why? Because, oatmilk.
Though for the record, he’s spent the best part of a year slandering me online, so spare the sob story.
I’d this is true then we’d better bitten their hands off.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/01/paris-saint-germain-make-25m-offer-for-arsenals-hector-bellerin
Bellerin definitely looks in play with PSG and Juve battling.
I’ll be gutted if we sell, I may be in the minority though.
Pedro
Bamford not banned really? Can’t believe he wouldn’t be on here otherwise.
As for the slander thing – it’s only slander if its not true!
“West Ham’s Women’s Super League derby clash with Arsenal will be the first competitive football match to be staged in front of fans since the coronavirus lockdown.
A maximum of 1,000 supporters will be allowed into Dagenham and Redbridge’s Victoria Road on Saturday, September 12.”
£25 million for Bellerin – if it helps fix CM then it’s got to be done.
There’s still a question mark on how the ACL injury has affected him but if he goes I’d wish him all the best.
If we get Aour and Partey this will be a top window just need Auba to sign da ting as the kids say
I wish they would speak English properly though lol
https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/01/paris-saint-germain-make-25m-offer-for-arsenals-hector-bellerin?__twitter_impression=true
Marc do you want one of my breaking news jokes again ?
Serge
Only of you can make it funny.
“Arsenal have been linked with a move for RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka during the summer transfer window.”
If half the players we are being linked to come to fruition, we’ll end up spending more than Chelsea.
Edu seems to be an action guy. The club structure is now straightforward with a CEO and sporting director; no more Raul middle man vagueness .
One can actually see the logic behind the moving pieces in this transfer window.
That rumor of some Saudi club wanting Ozil didn’t just happen by chance, it has to be the club throwing out feelers.
Now PSG really want Bellerin and are making an offer; tell them to go up 40 million and he’s all theirs
Tom, he’s not banned. Why? Because, oatmilk.Though for the record, he’s spent the best part of a year slandering me online, so spare the sob story.
———
Pedro, I didn’t realize it was personal and not just him annoying the shit out of you and others ha ha.
For anyone interested, Arsenal defeated QPR 4-3. No team sheets or goalscorers available.
Marc no I can’t lol
If LT goes to Fiorentina
Bellerin
Sok
Mustafi too
We could have the Partey and half the Aour money
Bojangles
I think I’ve read Auba, Laca and ESR were on the score sheet, don’t know about the last one.
Serge
I reckon Laca will fund Partey so the other guys will fund Aouar and another striker if the links are to be believed.
The only thing I’m struggling with is if they all happen how the fuck are we going to accommodate all of them.
25 mil for Bellerin isn’t a good fee, that’s comfortably 10 mil short for a player of his experience and age still.
That said I’ve no issue with a sale because talent at RB instead of CM is a daft predicament.
–
Sal
Shut your filthy hole, don’t even mention his name anymore. I’ve had my heart broke more than once lol.
With Bellerin looking off for around £35-40m, impending sells of Sok, Kolasinac and Torreria thats Aouar.
Have to assume Lacazette is the tool to get Partey with Atletico interest and Costa done.
Anything left goes for Edourd.
Would be an incredible window, big Miks new 433:
_________________PEA________________
Willian________________________Pepe
________________Aouar_____________
_______Ceballos______Partey________
Tierney________________________AMN
_________Gabriel____Saliba_________
______________Martinez____________
Again Pedro my standards remain the same
You keep bringing up Emery but right to the very last game of our season we had a chance at Champions league football, We failed.
He then failed to push through on the outgoings he wanted nor did he even get the incomings he desired and paid for that folly with the sack.
My Standards for Arteta with this squad as it is remains a return to the champions league. No goal posts moved here.
Note I didn’t even ask for good football or philosophy like you and some we know.
“Tom, he’s not banned. Why? Because, oatmilk.“
Countdown begins until he’s here telling Weagle and TR7 to leave the site for a year.
_________________PEA________________
Willian________________________Pepe
________________Aouar_____________
_______Ceballos______Partey________
Tierney________________________AMN
_________Gabriel____Saliba_________
______________Martinez____________
This would be fucking glorious. My knees got weak for a second.
Bellerin snapped on holiday smoking, now in talks to move to Paris.
All makes sense finally, catwalk awaits.
Luteo
I’m actually struggling to think about that team – would be too good to be true.
That front line would cause so much movement the opposition wouldn’t know if their on their heads or their arses. A midfield that can create, defend and dominate teams?
Would be happy days.
30 million opening bid for Bellerin makes me believe that they can stump up some more for him. Wish him all the best but an upgrade is needed
Oh that lineup Luteo, I won’t do it to myself! Its the hope that kills.
Good this signing finally means we will be playing with the sweeper system.
Been calling that for years
Now we can explode
Hope we are not moving on Bellerin to play Niles in a back four. He has never shown he is good in a back four.
Said my piece on Soares.
Receding
You’ve also said Aouar is to lightweight for the Premier league, forgive me if i’m not listening.
I don’t think we will be playing a back 4 till November/December when Saliba and Gabriel will have settled.
I believe Arteta would play those two either side of Luiz for now.
Art looks to have the full backing of players , owners. And the board.
Really good to see.
He knows what he wants and he’s going for it.
Lovely
I think I’m right in saying that there is not a single player in the Arsenal team that a consensus can be reached here. Even Auba has one or two detractors.
Sal I must have been asleep when Aouar played a full season in the premier league.
Learn to accept different views without having a seizure.
If he moves here he is going to need adjusting like some foreign imports. Tidy player,I still consider him light weight and have reservations on his temperament.
Doesn’t make me anti supporter. Maybe wait till he is in the red and white before fighting every Criticism and observation.
AMN has never looked good in a back four… Simple fact.
Maybe the new website could include some chatbots to liven things up
Bell for 30m to psg im not complaining. Time for a midfield addition
Aouar and Partey… that would be a fucking statement summer and a half
If we are moving on Bellerin which I think is sensible as his value will just keep decreasing the more he looses his pace we should be targeting a right back to replace him. Niles isn’t right back. Soares is average.
Yeah hopefully those links a while back to Max Aarons means we’re looking at a RB cause otherwise Axel Foley ain’t going to cut it
Gabriel is a risky signing, the player doesn’t score goals and can he defend.
Receding Pretty rich of you to post up telling me not to have a seizure. Arteta could storm Europe and i’m sure you’d say he didn’t do with enough je ne sais quoi followed by how harshly treated Unai Emery was on the verge of convulsion. I’m sure the formation will stick with whats currently working at moment but when everyone is settled if we land those two MF’s Arteta will be aiming for a 433. No idea if Soares or AMN gets the call, ideally Bellerin for me but he looks off. That will be our most questionable area.… Read more »
If Arteta thinks it wise to sell Bellerin and keep AMN I’m inclined to agree with him. Two trophies in half a season suggests he might know what he is doing.
Frankly, I’m not a fan of Bellerin’s he hasn’t hit the heights in years. The problem was signing Soares to such a long term deal. Or perhaps I’ll extend that faith I have in Arteta to Soares…
Anyway, we clearly need to raise funds, however that is done is acceptable, there aren’t any sacred cows just assets.
Didn’t know one game vs City represented a players performance in a 38 game premier league season. That’s me told then Sal.
Funny you accept moving Bellerin on presents a problem if we are aiming for a back four but yet u needed a medic when I said the same thing few minutes ago.
AMN plays the RB position as well as most specialist RBs in the league and can also play an adapted LB role.
Soares will have to sink or swim, I don’t rate him too but the club must have seen something in him so lets hope for the best.
By the way don’t know what you mean by storm Europe, if Arteta qualifies us for champions league through any of the two avenues open to him I’m pretty sure you won’t have a single Arsenal fan complaining, that would be the first step to our redemption and return to a serious football club.
This could be a very exciting premier league season which I am looking forward to.
Beating Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea surely has us competing for the title or were they just one off games.
“AMN plays the RB position as well as most specialist RBs in the league”
He really doesn’t.
“Lionel Messi has reportedly agreed a five-year deal worth a staggering £623m with Manchester City.
The mouthwatering offer would see Messi spend three years in the Premier League with Pep Guardiola’s side and the remaining two years with New York City FC”
Takes a special fan to see us get linked with one of Europe’s hottest properties and feel compelled to point out every which way the transfer could flop.
No Charles, it takes a fan who has reservations about a certain player not minding how hot he is to state said reservations.
Funny enough it was Sal who saw the need to drag it up and I was just responding to him. You can return to your toys now
CC
Now now he didn’t say the plane could crash on his flight over.
Marc
Is that you?
You footballing Trump, once you make up your mind…you are immutable.
Bellerin has declined so much that AMN was doing a better job but of course you didn’t notice.
Gabriel Jesus on Loan is a real option if they sign Messi
Receding
“Didn’t know one game vs City represented a players performance in a 38 game premier league season. That’s me told then Sal.”
Don’t limit yourself Receding listen to some real opinions.
Zidane has labelled Aouar the future of Les Bleus MF, Pep has called him an incredible talent, Klopp wanted him last year but Allas wouldn’t budge on the fee and here you are throwing shade as he hasn’t done it in the premier league.
Well neither had David Silva, Coutinho or Firmino until they did.
we need to sell Bellerin.
No brainer.
AMN can make that his. forget his past. His last few months have shown he is better than Soares and Bellerin…
No offense to Bellerin but 30M does go a long way for us.
that covers most of Aouar and or Partey
No brainer this one if true
Big perm in the real world you could sell AMN and bring in a specialist right back. Hope you know that’s also allowed in the real world.
AMN yes but Soares is poor
Sal I said he was lightweight in my eyes, that was months ago and my opinion which I am entitled to. Now bore off
Receding
That specialist RB is already at the club – Soares. We may have signed him to a 4 year contract because Bellerin was going to be sold.
Is he good enough? …that’s another question all together
We don’t need another specialist RB. We have a versatile young player that can play that role.
Bellerin’s price could climb now Bayern are showing interest.
AMN plays the RB position as well as most specialist RBs in the league
That’s a stupid thing to say
Dissenter
Saying or agreeing AMN is better than Bellerin (which I haven’t) doesn’t mean AMN is suddenly in the top tier of best RB’s in the PL
He doesn’t even like playing there.
Receding
Why don’t you just fuck off back under your rock and save everyone the Debbie routine instead?
You’ve never a word of positivity to share or excitement, just warnings against this or that and speculative bollocks about players not coming good. Then you’re out with the elite chat about toys and man-children.
Absolute pricks prick.
For me talking up top 2/3/4/5 is depressing. If we do it, all well and good, but it’s no grand achievement. Wenger did it year after year. Did it make us happy? And please don’t talk about the money. All that proves is we’ve been brain-washed by Stan.
We have an outstanding manager and the prospect of a vastly improved squad. Let’s talk about winning something again, not coming 2nd, 3rd or 4th. That is what football is about.
Or you can ignore my posts.. Not every post I make is an appeal for engagement with you. If anything engaging with you Champagne Charlie is what puts me off this blog, you are actually on a lower level to a man child. Asking me to fuck off the blog like you own it.
I will express excitement when I am excited so piss off.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53990363
Little Mozart you are late and not fashionably so
Receding Hairline
My bad.
Englandbest yes football is about winning but it is also about revenue. We pay champions league wages hence why we should get champions league revenue. Wenger won his fair share of FA cups and shields too so if winning something is all it is about he will still be here.
We haven’t won the ones that mattered since 2004.