WELCOME, GABRIEL!
Arsenal finally announced the Brazilian defender. They kept it fresh and teased the announcement with a group chat call between Luiz and Willian.
‘Who was Guest number 3 going to be on the call?’
I thought it was going to be Kia, but that was a June gag, I should have been wiser. It was Gabriel!
The player comes with a fine reputation as a clean-tackling, ball-winning, aggressive, tall, technically gifted, POWERHOUSE defender for the ages. Yes, I said clean-tackling.
In Gabriel and William Saliba, Arsenal have signed two of the ‘cleanest’ tacklers in Europe from last season. 🧼 pic.twitter.com/GD9oXeoz33
— Jake Entwistle (@JakeEntwistle) September 1, 2020
Gabriel is 6ft3, Saliba is 6ft4, and they are very unlikely to be racking up red cards like we’ve seen this season. These two signings will take a while to settle, but my word, could they be something special if they reach their full potential.
Things started to get even more exciting in the afternoon when David Ornstein let loose the rumour that PSG are chasing down Hector Bellerin for about £30m. The number seems low for a really decent right back. PSG of all clubs can’t claim poverty. I expect the full deal to be closer to £40m, not because I know anything, but because that’s the number that would allow me to emotionally accept losing a player I really, really like.
I understand that he’s not been at the races of late, but he still megged Mané at the weekend and we’ve just been through too much to let him go without a mini fight. That’d put a lot of weight on the shoulders of AMN, but hey, that’s top-flight football.
The additional story is that we’re also in talks for Aouar and Partey. That’s damp patch inducing amounts of talent right there. If we pull that off, it’s the best summer in 20 years. We’d be contending for the title 2021-22. It would be INCREDIBLE.
Anyway, there’s a small matter of being skint to deal with.
The way I’d imagine Arsenal see that panning out is hoping for the big swap deal gambit. Atleti are leaking to the press that they want the goals of Lacazette next season. We have heard plenty of rumblings that Lyon would love Matteo (remember, despite the CL heroics, they flatlined to 7th in Ligue 1). That would be a near cost-neutral wage swap-out.
IT WOULD ALSO BE AMAZING I THINK I’D DO A LITTLE DANCE IF IT HAPPENED.
I know we’re really losing our minds with speculation, but it’s clear we’d need a plan to replace the Lacazette goals if we lose the Frenchman.
Well, The Daily Record, a paper from Scotland, reckon we’re very interested in Odsonne Édouard. The 22-year-old goal machine is 6ft 2 and tantalizingly, he has a mere 2 years left on his deal. The rumour is we’re looking to ship £25m for him. I think he has huge potential and who better to learn your Premier League trade from than Auba?
I know a lot has to happen to make these moves real, but honestly, we haven’t had a summer of ‘links’ this good since that Twitter goat said we were in for Wayne Rooney.
Every link makes sense. There are no super-agents hanging around. There’s a lot of future in the deals.
I love it.
Wake me up when all the players are on the .com. Until then, I’ll see your wonderful faces in the comments section.
P.S. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
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Is Bellerin still in the building?
Habesha
You’re forgetting that we signed a Portuguese international to a 4 year deal. Arteta will have options in the RB position.
I’m no fan of Soares but lets give him a chance to sink or swim before we cancel him out.
Dissenter
I was okay was signing soares but not as a starter. he would be a downgrade as a starter from bellerin. Ornstein is also saying we are planning to use AMN as the main RB once bellerin leaves. So he will be the starter. That’s why I am concerned.
with*
£30m plus £5m for winning Ligue Un and perhaps a further £5m for reaching CL knockout stages seems fair.
AMN, in Bellerin’s absence has been the best RB/RWB at the club for about a season anyways.
£30m plus £5m for winning Ligue Un and perhaps a further £5m for reaching CL knockout stages seems fair.
add in 500k for every successful photo shoot
add in 500k for every successful catwalk.
Really all the best to Bellerin if he does leave. He’s been a faithful servant of the club.
Have to agree with dissenter, biafrans are quite anal
“He was a priority in the Arsenal transfer window, but Thomas Partey’s transfer to Arsenal is about to go down the drain. Negotiations with Atléticio are reportedly floundering, and a deal looks complicated, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Gunners have failed to strike a deal with Atletico Madrid. The Spanish club are steadfast in their positions and demand nearly 50 million euros for their midfielder.”
Wipe your tears.
Pedro
Madrid-based papers doing the usual mate, Partey is on no doubt.
Marko
Whoever it applies to, sure you can work out who spends their time sucking the joy out the comments
Unless Norwich comes straight back up they’ll be eager to offload Aarons soon enough… and he’ll be desperate to leave after spending some time in the Championship. That’s unless Borussia Dortmund nabs first…
AMN and Soares seem like a good solution for a few weeks until we can bid for him perhaps in January… it’s imperative that we sort out our midfield for the beginning of the season.
CC you don’t have the next winning numbers of the lottery ?
Just in case…
If the price is right, please offload Bellerin. Net positive for the club if his transfer fee is used to upgrade the midfield. There won’t be much drop off at RB, if any.
Norwich don’t need the money. They barely touched their PL money from last season and will have the comfort of a parachute payment for this coming season.
Still think Aarrons is a goner though. As he clearly has a good PL level skill set.
“I must admit I am excited about the campionship striker joining us
I reckon he will score two goals if in the team against Fulham ..”
Who?
Van de Beek joins United. Next season should be fun with so many quality midfielders on show with Van De Beek and Havertz joining the premier league. Hopefully we can add Aouar to the list. Christ the race for most assists will be as exciting as the golden boot
Sjaak Swart (agent of Donny van de Beek): “They [Arsenal] really wanted him — they just couldn’t get the money for a transfer. Even the biggest clubs struggle. Arsenal is a great club, but #mufc will certainly be an interesting adventure.”
Couldn’t get the money… yeah sounds about right
Marko – Imagine if City actually sign Messi, I’d have the current assist champ De Bruyne favourite for breaking/smashing Henry’s record for assists if he stays fit all year.
Welcome Gabi Mags..!. exciting signing. Addressing the defense for the future seems so odd for Arsenal.. but the times they are a changing. Really like the way this window is shaping up. Clearly we are looking to address the midfield as well. Not much to be angry about if you ask me.. Wenger gone, Gazidas gone, Raul gone, Just won the FA cup… trying to move on players who aren’t part of the future. I’m pretty optimistic considering Covid and all that went on last year. Not sure why so many feel the need to temper expectations on every single… Read more »
After completing deals for James Rodriguez and Allan, Everton are now one step away from signing also Abdoulaye Doucouré. €25m to Watford possible final fee but some detail still to be resolved. Personal terms ok. Ancelotti is making business… 🔵 #EFC #Everton
In regards to Bellerin, the writing was on the wall the moment the Soares deal was made permanent. We’ve also heard talk of him wanting to move every summer for the last couple of years so if he goes I will wish him well.
I for one don’t think he’s washed up and has shown signs of improvement as well as regaining some of his early career confidence.
If the opening bid is £30 million we shouldn’t settle for less than £40 -£45 million considering the other top teams interested and the need PSG have for a new starting RB.
“Does Gabriel have any obvious weaknesses? How would you describe those weaknesses? As I described above, his positional game is quite poor and it’s likely that to get the best out of him, Arsenal will need to pair him with a reliable, older centre-back. I’m not sure they’ve got that in their ranks. One of the reasons he looks so good with his slide tackles is because he gets into positions where he to desperately make them. For me, the best centre-backs don’t need to go to ground so regularly because they can read the game so well. That’s definitely… Read more »
Ah yes the whole worry about Gabriel going to ground stuff again. It would be a worry if it wasn’t for the fact that he ranks highly for successful tackles and duels.
Not sure why VDB’s agent needs to make that comment about Arsenal.
and are those Partey reports breaking down reliable? The guy who posted them doesn’t have many followers. I know Ornstein mentioned he was our No.1 target yesterday as well.
VDB’s a cunt.
So I guess he choose the right club.
Not sure I really care much for the opinion of Barnier. Arsenal analysts know what’s going on. 22 year olds can learn positional sense. Learning perfectly timed tackles is something a lot harder to teach.
Gabriel is a great signing.
Apparently VDB agent talk was referring to potential deal last summer, naturally pulled out of context to tease the weakest knee fan base in existence.
Yes the same ones that were shitting over Gabriel not being announced.
Pedro
Any noise on the attacking front?
Guess the wait is to see if there is a market for Lacazette
Digital Bob “– Imagine if City actually sign Messi, I’d have the current assist champ De Bruyne favourite for breaking/smashing Henry’s record for assists if he stays fit all year.” I wouldnt be so sure about that. Messi likes to pick the ball up in similar area to Debruyne, plus many of Debruyne’s assists are the slide rule ball across the 6 yard box….I’m not sure we will see Messi bursting a gut to get in the 6 yard box . There is a possibility that Debruyne’s nose may be put out , as at the moment he is the… Read more »
Sal, I think Utd and Arsenal fans on twitter are as bad as each other. Chelseas’ not too far behind. Its like reading the convos that my 13 year would have with his friends.
Leftside
Its mental but thats half the fun I guess, its all a game to generate clicks.
Naturally Spurs supporters are the bottom of the interweb as well.
Arteta has his list, i’d imagine its not a very long one.
Well if positioning is truly Gabriel’s big issue. We have the BFG… in the coaching ranks. One of the slowest, gangly, mofo’s on the planet to ever play CB.. But he was always in the right position it seems like. He could probably teach Gabi a trick or two in that regard. Positioning and spatial awareness are teachable things… but you can’t teach physical attributes or natural talent and it seems like Gabriel has that in abundance along with youth and a very good stats track record. I’m excited about it. That Barnier guy can suck it as far as… Read more »
Yes Messi will struggle on those cold rainy days away at Stoke or whichever.
Lol
Never change, little Englanders
Agree, looks like Kola, Torreira and Bellerin may be sold so one of our targets may be attainable and we’ll have to see of the other.
I echo the thoughts of others who would be sad to see Bellerin go, I have heaps of respect for him and I still think he is a very good player.
However I accept that if the money is good from a buying club, everybody has their price and he money could be out to great use for a midfield signing.
A couple of months ago I would have been very wary of handing AMN the right back slot but now I would be far more comfortable with that happening. His progress has been very impressive.
That was for Sal
Let’s try something new on ale Gets be. Let’s perhaps allow our new signings to play through a few games before we discount them as duds.
Saliba and Gabriel are two young CBs that our rivals would love.
Well done Edu Arteta and Arsenal FC for getting the job done.
Now shift the deadwood like Elneny please…
*on Le Grove
@azed,
I normally am on the same page with ya Bruv but on the Bellerin front we won’t agree. Most teams attack from the flanks. That’s why competent fullbacks for for a premium. If an average player like Chilwell can go for 50 mill and an offensive train wreck like Wan Bissaka even more, why would you accept what’s being proffered for Bellerin as being acceptable.
£55 million and then it’s worth considering
Pierre
‘I look at Pepe last season , he has the dribbling skills of Messi ‘
Talk about hyperbole
“After completing deals for James Rodriguez and Allan, Everton are now one step away from signing also Abdoulaye Doucouré. €25m to Watford possible final fee but some detail still to be resolved. Personal terms ok. Ancelotti is making business… 🔵 #EFC #Everton”
i would be disappointed if Arsenal were to sign those three players.
“Let’s try something new on ale Gets be. Let’s perhaps allow our new signings to play through a few games before we discount them as duds.2
Most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard next you’ll be suggesting we should want Arsenal to like win matches and stuff.
All this fuss about Bellerin? Full back is the easiest position to play on the pitch. Okay, every now and again you get a whizz like Ashley or a killer like Roberto, but for the most part any player in the squad can do a decent job filling in there.
Managers like Wenger and Ferguson made a habit of doing it, converting players to full-back.
Man Utd sign Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek to a 5 year contract for £35m plus 5 million add-ons.
It just goes to show why the reported Partey fee is a a bit too steep for these COVID-19 times.
Marko
So we can’t scratch money for Van De Beek but we’re working to sign Partey and Aouar? Seems legit. Definitely not name dropping a rival for a quick PR kick and more favourable landing for his client.
Well if positioning is truly Gabriel’s big issue. We have the BFG… in the coaching ranks. One of the slowest, gangly, mofo’s on the planet to ever play CB.. But he was always in the right position it seems like.
—–——————–
If you stand still long enough everything comes round to you.
Top quality right backs go for 50 M pounds and above goes to show where both Bellerin and AMN lie. They are simply not of the required quality to take the club forward.
Shite, who wouldn’t struggle on a cold rainy day in Stoke. I had an uncle who lived there once and it was even a struggle getting up in the morning just to walk to the bathroom. Remember going a couple of times to the Victoria Ground in the seventies. It was frigging hell. Definitely the worst use of the English language I’ve ever heard. By the way, if you haven’t forgotten, Messi was raised in Argentina and believe me, they also get some really shitty weather over there. He’d be fine in places like Burnley on a wet and windy… Read more »
Sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate and it so frustrating that we have a billionaire owner who even at a time like this won’t even dip into his pocket to acquire a Partey or Aouar.
With the market being an absolute mess we literally have a perfect opportunity to maximise on the window with players becoming £10-30m cheaper due to clubs being desperate for £.
If you get a Partey/Aouar with an edouard for £70-80m on top of what you have already, you enter the season pretty confident of getting a top 4 champions league spot.
Messi doesn’t dribble.
The ball is just stuck to his feet and you can’t stop him, even now.
What Messi can do with the ball at his feet, at speed, is incomparable to anyone else in the game.
That’s what makes him unique and so wonderful to watch.
La Liga will go into meltdown if he leaves Barcelona.
I’d personally love him to come to MC.
So we can’t scratch money for Van De Beek but we’re working to sign Partey and Aouar? Seems legit.
I was only bringing it up to show that we are in fact trying and targeting high end players. It made sense to me honestly we’re being linked with Aouar for 43 million pound here’s Van De Beek available for more or less the same why not make a tentative offer.
TR7 I don’t rate Doucure as highly as some but he does know the league. Everton had a useless midfield last season and adding those three improves them.
Honestly Im getting a little tired of this Partey talk.
Clearly its going to be a last minute struggle if we even get to that point.
His age and price is not worth this prolonged effort.
Soumare and some others are cheaper… Diawara?
Would give us more $ to get after Aouar or Coutinho or others…
Just tired of hearing Partey coming in like PV4 or some saviour shit
Receding
James Rodriquez is Ozil v2.
I’m telling you this for free.
Doucure has terrible positional awareness, poor 1st touch and decision making he will be in equal company at Everton.
Gotta say, couldn’t be happier about Carlo at Everton. We’d be signing those players if he were with us.
Azed has hit the nail on head there.. Jaaaaammes is semi retired.
Don’t tell that fanboy Wenger Eagle.
Azed
“James Rodriquez is Ozil v2.”
In that case , the Everton fans are in for a treat.
I’m sure they will appreciate the artistry, the composure on the ball, the skill and the technique , to go along with the superb vision.
The Evertin fans deserve to watch quality and according to Azed, that is what they will be getting.
Isn’t James Rodriguez an amazing talent?
Remember him from the world Cup scored that maga goal.
Pierre
You should read Sal’s comment.
Ozil, James and Bale are semi retired footballers…
I’m not sure the Everton fans would appreciate 1 assist in a season irrespective of the artistry, composure, skill and technique.
If providing 1 assist in a season is what is termed vision despite playing with Aubameyang and Lacazette, then we might as well have kept Iwobi because he’ll do more than that.
James Rodriguez is 29 years old and very gifted, they might get a tune out if him or not. Zidane didn’t fancy him, he doesn’t fancy Ceballos either yet we are giddy with happiness he is here.
Few months ago many here name dropped Doucoure as an ideal signing, Allan is quality.
Jealousy isn’t a good look boys, they are doing good business, let it be.
“Isn’t James Rodriguez an amazing talent?”
The dude is 29 and hasn’t played serious football in 2 years.
TR7
“Talk about hyperbole”
I know it goes against the grain on Le grove, but it’s always good to be positive about our own players. …pepe has fantastic dribbling skills, let’s see how Messi gets on when he is elbowed , kicked , blocked and given nothing by the ref.
Some of you should try it sometime ( being positive) instead of getting over excited about new players coming in and then 12 months down the line regarding those same players as dross.
I agree with Receding there
Sour grapes on the reaction to Everton signing James Rodriguez and Doucoure. We still haven’t upgraded out midfield yet so lets be mindful of our glas house.
Remember when Oziltologist like Pierre used to claim Giroud was the reason why Ozil didn’t break the assist record?
Ozil has played with Lacazette and Aubameyang for how many seasons now but he hasn’t even come close to double digits in assists…. What a player with vision.
“Sour grapes on the reaction to Everton signing James Rodriguez and Doucoure.”
Dissenter
Has it occurred to you that some people don’t rate those players? I personally don’t think James is a great player and I would not want him at Arsenal.
**We still haven’t upgraded out midfield yet so lets be mindful of our glass house.
I mean it’s incredibly insulting to call James Rodriguez Ozil mark 2 considering that at least James is out there wanting to play football there’s some desire there at least
azed
I get that but those players make Everton a lot better that they were last season, don’t you think.
My only problem with James is I think he’s not quite the same player he was in 2014. Like you said, he’s Ozil incarnate.
Azed
“You should read Sal’s comment.Ozil, James and Bale are semi retired footballers”
Personally I think it’s pretty sad that such quality is being wasted.
There should always be room on the game for players of that quality .
Marko
James has a reputation for being a bit of a party boy.
He’ll probably spend all his off-time in the London night scene
Agree that Everton are finally making some decent signings in a much needed positions.
It’snot that any of those players are particularly great but they all serve a different purpose and compliment each other. I can see Doucoure running off James, and the Columbian looking to pick out his runs. Allan patrolling in a deeper role. Finally some semblence of coherance in their transfer strategy.
Not sure many Arsenal fans would be purring over revamping our midfield with Doucoure and James.
Short term signings, certainly not envy-inducing.
Let’s see how jealous we are in Jan!
Azed no one is asking anyone to sign James for Arsenal so that’s really not the point.
He is quality. They have added three players to their midfield better than what they had last season, simple. Isn’t that the whole point when you improve your squad?
Well Pedro we purred over Willian so not really really sure we are in a position to sneer at a player who has played at Real Madrid and Bayern and is still only 29.
Is that what being a true positive fan is about? Shitting on everyone and bigging up yours?
Doucure was pretty hot on this pages not long ago.
Just trolling Eagle, who runs the James fan club south of Dublin.
Coup for Everton but looks like his best day are behind him if were honest, played in 8 la liga matches last year. Sadly has settled and found his place during peak years, maybe Everton is it.
Receding now if Everton sign Barca wantaway Suarez, i’ll then be jealous.
-hasn’t
RH, purring over average players other clubs are signing because you’re salty about Arsenal’s progress is your brand, so you do you.
… but for the record, Willian was at least integral at Chelsea. Not sure we could say the same for James at Madrid or Bayern.
“Isn’t James Rodriguez an amazing talent?
Remember him from the world Cup scored that mega goal.”
Yep and that mega goal was scored in the World Cup before the last one,and we’re half way to the next one.
show pony
Pedro
James is quality, Doucoure decent, Allan a bit questionable if he’ll translate at 29. All a level above their current options which is one thing, but a bit puzzling what the end game is in terms of strategy there. Everton have wasted some hard cash the last 5 years.
Happy we didn’t get suckered in by the Don, has to be said. He was not the one for us at all.
Salty about Arsenals progress? Now you are clutching.
Hope you realize we are top of the table based on alphabet order, a ball hasn’t been kicked yet in the new season.
If by progress you mean an 8th place finish and sneaking into the Europa league via the FA cup then your standards have dropped alarmingly.
Everton went from signing Iwobi one season to signing James Rogriguez the other season.
That’s a big sea change that only a manager like Carlo can engineer.
I wasn’t even the one that brought up Everton and their signings, it was TR7 and he must think them good signings to bring them up. Guess he is salty about our progress too.
This place dey funny at times once some of you have a hero to worship
There was a vicious twitter rumor floating around that Emery was set to bid for Emi Martinez for Villareal.
It turned Emery into public enemy number one for many gooners on twitter.
“There should always be room on the game for players of that quality .”
Pierre
There’s always room in the game for quality…
KDB is quality
Bernardo is quality
Thiago is quality.
Ozil is past it. The game has evolved and he’s refused to evolve with it.
As of today, you cannot be at a top club if you are not a ball playing defender. It the same way you need midfielders that can attack and defend.
Diss, think there’s more to Arsenal fans disliking Emery than showing interest in our keeper.
Dissenter
Yea I don’t think that was the reason….
Solid banter Dissenter.
” Sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate and it so frustrating that we have a billionaire owner who even at a time like this won’t even dip into his pocket to acquire a Partey or Aouar.”
Exactly..he could even take money back once certain players are sold but at least we wouldn’t miss out on our targets, or is that too simplistic
Pedro
Yes, but some fans [like me] till treated him with basic respect. He was a man who didn’t meet the targets set for him and got fired.
With the alleged bid for Emi, some gooners have lost their rags on social media.
Dissenter, he got into Arsenal through an undeserved super-agent recommendation. No one at Arsenal put data forward about him in a positive light. His meek behaviour led us to misery. Fuck him.
Emery again? At this point it’s not even about Emery is it, it’s become some convoluted debate about which was the more “honorable” thing to do, whether it was to give him an unfettered chance as the manager or to be critical of someone who, it turns out, rightly deserved the criticism. Either way it’s such a 2019 debate.
Some fans get so pissy when transfers take a long time. It’s not Football Manager you know.
I suppose we should have gave up on Tierney after that didn’t get completed after a week or two as well.
Don’t think Emery particularly cares about what Arsenal fans think about him. Tried to do a job, failed and was sacked.
He has an exciting new project in front of him, we have ours.
Maybe time for all to move on.
Wonder what the crime was, a Europa league final and two points off third? A holiday will be demanded here if we do that this coming season.
Yes anyone who tries to sign Emi Martinez is going to be hated by Arsenal fans… it’s just that simple
Just buy a yellow submarine kit and get it over with Receding.
James Rodriguez has had a sneakily good career won la liga champions league and bundesliga.
Hasn’t fully worked out for him at rm as Zinedine didn’t fancy him but he still got game time and had influence is assists and goals and same for bayern they played him and he was rotational first 11 player with some impact.
I think people don’t realise how successful he was because he didn’t live up to the initial hype of a world beater generational talent
The crime was pretty simple, he lost the team. If you’ve never worked with large groups of people, here’s one thing that’s essential to the success of any group endeavor: the manager/leader can’t lose the respect of his team. Once that happens, you can only do two thing, either change the team, or change leadership. Nothing will get accomplished otherwise, it will just stagnate without progress. If the people that need to listen can’t be bother to listen, it doesn’t matter how good the manager is at anything else. This is especially indicative in sports, where “effort” is the trait… Read more »
Which is it Sal, an Everton kit or a Villarreal one? Seems confusion reigns on here once another team is complimented.
Nothing exciting going on elsewhere in football except Arsenal apparently.
Which is why he was sacked luteo,so what is your point??