WELCOME to the NEW Le Grove design template. It’s quite embarrassing that I work in a creative job and I left it 8 years to address the weirdness of how it looked. So here we are. There are still some little bits being tidied up, but the overall objective was to give the site a minimalist feel whilst maintaining the character and bits that made it work.
- The site has been built with mobile in mind, a whopping 83% of you visit via mobile. I’ve made the images full bleed. The site doesn’t wobble when you scroll now. The text hugs the width of your device and I used a more legible font.
- The comments font will be made a little bigger. Again, it wasn’t broken, we’ve had 2.5m comments over 13 years, but I’ve made them hug the sides so there’s less scrolling
- I’ve updated the Rules of the blog for 2020. This is the blog of love, let’s keep it that way. I’ve also added a submission form. If you see something you dislike… ‘JOHN TERRY IS THE BEST HUMAN’… submit the link and I’ll remove it. I don’t read every comment and they nest after 150. If you let me know something bad is going down, I’ll fix it.
- I’ll have a new newsletter template read by Friday. Submit your e-mail address on the site to land a daily dose of Le Grove. Apologies for whatever is landing in your mailbox right now. That is me having a crack at coding.
That’s about it I think?
Now onto the good stuff. TRANSFERS!
Villa has offered close to £20m for Emi Martinez. A week out in the desert with no midfield food and suddenly, that fee looks like the tastiest fee we ever did see. I’m not sure the move is great for the keeper. Villa lacks the profile of Arsenal. It also shows him running away from a challenge. I still think he’s the better keeper, but if the choice is a good backup or a midfielder that can create and move, I’m going to want the midfielder.
David Ornstein did a transfer news drop and not much has moved. There’s a bit of panic in the air from fans worried that this is our lot for the summer. I honestly don’t think we should worry. The summer is slow because teams have had next to no time to prepare for the season. As the month powers on, expect more moves.
Though Matteo G has soiled his rep somewhat, I struggle to believe no one in Europe will take a chance on taming him. He’s on next to no money and his stats are appealing. Lacazette will find someone that needs his goals, I think Atleti looks good for him, but we’ll see. Kola will go, Sokratis will go, and I suspect Cal Chambers will find a new home. Someone critiqued me adding Reiss onto the list, look, I just repeat what I’ve heard. I like the player, but if there’s an £18m bid for him, don’t be shocked if we say yes.
I also think it’s interesting that we’re still linked with the same two midfielders. Aouar and Partey. Might go nowhere, but my take on us not being linked to a plan be is that we’re just trying to raise the cash for those two. We have the price, we know the players are interested, we just need to sell, sell, sell.
Villa looking to sign a Brentford strikers for £28m… think we can expect to make some money on our players.
Finally, Hector Bellerin has invested in a sustainable club. I love him. He puts his money where his mouth is and his mouth is usually on something that matters. Good on him. I hope the club is a success.
Right, short post today, I’ll see you in the NEW comments! x
Has there been anything at all concrete on Partey.
At least it looks legit that we’re sniffing around Aouar.
what will we gain out of selling Martinez for 20M and then buying an inferior back up for 10-12M odd. I don’t think an extra 5-8M or so will determine whether we sign Party/Auoar or not. So apparently we’ve bid 35 million and Guendouzi for Aouar 45 million and Guendouzi could be enough to get him. It’s honestly incredible the lengths to which people go to justify keeping certain players. We NEED to address the midfield we need to improve the squad what we don’t need is to keep 20 million pound players on the bench it doesn’t strengthen the… Read more »
So reports are suggesting that Sokratis is leaving on a free for Napoli. I think that Arsenal’s priority is to free up places in the squad and cut the wage bill. I still think that the club will buy one new player [Partey] and sell at least one player [Torreira]]. I am sure that Arsenal have the financial means to cover £25 million. Whilst there may be a lot of media /agent rumours about potential sales I don’t think that Arsenal are going to sell players like Lacazette in this window. The only way that I can see Lacazette leaving… Read more »
Cheers Pedro, just realised you answered my question in today’s blog.
Great job btw !
Martinez would’ve been sold this summer for circa 3 mil had Leno not gotten injured, this idea we’ve stumbled on a worldwide of a GK after ten years is more and more grating to listen to.
He played in a congested defence drilled ahead of him, without a fan in sight, and for 12 games.
If a bid comes in at 20 million it would be a colossal fuckup to ignore it in our current state.
Problem with Guendouzi is he’s not great talent or Arteta would overlook his many off field imperfections ietc. Imagine this were about a nasty 21 yo Patrick V…. It’d be handled very differently.
I know you can be coached to run better (breathing, posture, even speed as in track b field) but can footballers get trained to up the pace appreciably?
M’Bappe positive as well. Will miss France v Croatia tonight.
Useroz
How can anyone criticise Guendozi for a lack of pace when Mr Snail is a fixture of CM?
Griezmann, Ben Yedder and Martial will lead the line.
“ Has there been anything at all concrete on Partey.
At least it looks legit that we’re sniffing around Aouar.”
Very much so. The asking fees are concrete in both cases. Rick solid and no flex.
Sadly.
Except a month ago, the media doesn’t even bother making up interested parties for these two lately.
Does anyone know the position of the PL when it comes to clubs having a number of players missing because they need to quarantine?
Are matches postponed?
I watched Aouar in the Emirates cup he ruined our midfield that day
‘Martinez would’ve been sold this summer for circa 3 mil had Leno not gotten injured, this idea we’ve stumbled on a worldwide of a GK after ten years is more and more grating to listen to.’
Is it relevant what we would have done with Martinez had Leno not got injured ? We can only judge and make decisions on the Martinez we fortuitously stumbled upon.
Use
Leno struggles playing out it’s a no
TR 7
Understand but harsh.
Southgate starts Dier, Rice and Kalvin Phillips as his midfield trio.
Wow. Couldn’t get more bland than that
Marc
Read somewhere, as long as the club has 14 players available (including U21 players), The show must go on.
“Sorry which player are we talking about again?”
Both Guendouzi and Xhaka are peas in a pod. But I was pointing out the limitations of Guendouzi and why if a decent offer comes for him, we should cash in.
Shad
Estonian national keeper.
Mackey toast
From what juniniho said, looks like guens value has tanked in the market.
I do wish the altercation/discipline incident was kept indoors, it would have made moving him much easier.
So if we can only bring in 1 more CM, that’s – xhaka, cabellos, new CM with Guen, Ozil, Willock as backup (LT will be sold). Looks terribly light doesn’t it? And if there is long term injury, we are proper fucked.
ES. Media suggesting Arsenal could use other funding means other than player sales. Lacks details Guendouzi obviously quiver than the snail, even Ceballos but could still be more agile. If we want the cash right now, take a punt and sell Leno. Would he fetch £40m in this market? Must deal with Laca in this TW. one way or other. He has 2 years left of contract and we cannot afford another £28- 30m walking out the door. That’s one and a half Martinez!! Like the steel Partey could offer and creativity from Auoar. Hard to choose really but the… Read more »
Mr SergeSeptember 8, 2020 19:06:37
I watched Aouar in the Emirates cup he ruined our midfield that day
Many players can ruin our mid field, sadly
So if we can only bring in 1 more CM, that’s – xhaka, cabellos, new CM with Guen, Ozil, Willock as backup (LT will be sold). Looks terribly light doesn’t it? And if there is long term injury, we are proper fucked.
You’ve forgotten Willian who can play centrally (#8) and Luiz can drop in at CDM (lol)
What most folks advocating for keeping certain players they perceive as being better than others is the fact that these are the only ones we seek to be getting actual money bids for and not loan offers. Of course we’d all rather see Kolasinac and Torreira and Sokratis and co leave before the likes of Martinez and AMN but the latter players are the ones we seem to be getting bids for so what do we do really? Keep the fan favourites and go again with Mo Elneny and Guendozi as our other options to Ceballos and Xhaka or sell… Read more »
Estonian national keeper.
Mackey toast
Aah, yes. Haven’t seen enough of him to draw a conclusion but could be worth a punt..
Mental how Grealish and Mount can’t break into that starting eleven even without Foden.
Rice-Dier-Phillips is such a pedestrian CM.
Wasi
Thanks mate – you do realise that if it were to happen to Arsenal (obviously hopefully it won’t) guess who the one player would be who’d be fine?
“How can anyone criticise Guendozi for a lack of pace when Mr Snail is a fixture of CM?”
So, Mr. Snail is now responsible for Guendouzi’s headless chicken football and pace?
Was thinking clubs would be headbutting each other to sign Guen if you consider his so called world-class potential that isn’t actually there.
shad
Chambers is versatile can cover CB, RB and DM. If he’s not sold he can do a job if we’re up against it.
Just checking how easy it is to comment now always struggled before, been reading for a few years often regurgitate your content as my own thoughts down the pub.
My gut is we will go for Partey over Aouar, since the creative void can be filled by Özil and/or Pepe. I’m quietly optimistic about Pepe by the way..think he will have a monster of a season.
We do need to move on quite a bit of these players. Arteta can’t keep everyone in line with his hair.
Tee
I’ve never said Guendozi is world class – I just find it stupid to criticise him for lack of pace when other CM’s are fixtures in the team and just as guilty if not worse.
Guendouzi is a 7/10 talent any day, sometimes people forget he’s only 21 years old. We bought him from ligue 2, threw him unto the mix way too soon and definitely OVER-PLAYED him. At some point he became burnt toast. A proper scenario would have been to ease him into English football in a structured manner. Instead we effed him up. More mature players like Fred and Fabhino were eased in very slowly. Keita is still settling in after two full seasons. If w don’t sell him and he becomes an Arteta boy, he will thrive and blossom into the… Read more »
Areola offered to Arsenal by PSG on loan
if Martinez or Leno goes.
you’re in Willian! Good name btw
“Chambers is versatile can cover CB, RB and DM. If he’s not sold he can do a job if we’re up against it.”
He is, though he does blow hot and cold too often. Maybe Arteta can manage to instil something in him.. but if we get an offer circa £20m, we should move him, just for the British premium alone.
shad
I wonder if that’s the reason we’ve stalled on letting Holding go on loan. We do need some back up even if we have more CB’s than most leagues.
Good thing we didn’t sell AMN for 15-20 million to Wolves
.If Oliie Watkins can fetch 33 million with zero premier league goals, then AMN shouldn’t go for 15 million.
AMN has acquired a lot of experience at the high level; EL finals, FA cup finals etc. 15 million would have been a steal for Wolves…it’snot like we are facing liquidation.
Those quotes sound like we may not go back in for Auoar. We might have one of the worst midfields in the top 10.
Thanks Pedro,
@Shad do you not think a year up north would of done him good though?
I feel we have plenty of options at cb lb rb?
Sorry ignore me I was talking about holding Chambers can go…
I always feel like we struggle to get value for our players…
Iwobi excluded. but other teams seem to ship absolute dross off for top dollar and we’re there asking should we take 15m for Maitland-Niles?
@Marc,
Seems so. Though it’d be great to feel the direction of Arteta’s squad. It feels like the management have figured Arteta is good value for money coaching-wise and are waiting for him to polish turds in the hopes we can get more bank for them. A good number of players have reached their ceilings value-wise, unless they pull worldies this season.
“I always feel like we struggle to get value for our players…”
We were built on an atrocious negotiating team and Wenger also had his favourites. This is a pain area for me.. I need to log off now..
Agree with the value statement willian, we sell fairly decent players for low and later see some unknown player being bought for double.
“We might have one of the worst midfields in the top 10.”
If we don’t add any more signings can you name a team in the top 10 who has a worst CM?
Marc
Thankfully at least we have 1 of those who is always available.
Reportedly, the player you speak of was allowed an extra day off after he returned from international duty. You know what he did?
Came to training to watch his colleagues. He might not be that bad after all.
“Those quotes sound like we may not go back in for Auoar. We might have one of the worst midfields in the top 10.”
IF we get Partey, we may not be as bad as it seems. Arteta has proven that he can instil a structure/pattern of play and players have bought into his philosophy. My worry is over the long haul, with the league starting this late and no winter break coupled with Europa fixtures…let us see where we will be come January..table and injury wise.
Did you hire designers on Fiverr?
Croatia was battered by the Portuguese on Saturday but they’re giving France a lesson so far.
Lovren 1 / 0
Just read the interview with Lyon president. Not interested in Guen. Which team actually is? That is who we should be negotiating with since Guen is a make weight in any deals it seems. Ive seen Guen have like one or two games where he actually did great. The rest is shit. He runs around not knowing what to do with the ball. His technical ability is questionable and he falls over so many times, kills the flow of games etc. He would not be a player that fits into the arteta mold in my opinion… but then again… We… Read more »
Ref the bad midfield
Do you have any cheaper options that you’d like to see us go for eg would you be happy if we brought in courtinho do think Rodriguez would of been worth a punt for 20 mil?
If Willian is going to be like a 10, or creator in the center, then does that mean Eddie N is still center forward with Auba on the left? Ugh if so.
Would rather coutinho or someone as good or better, as the 10, Auba up front and center and Willian on the left.
Don’t know what’s the bid deal about guen, I honestly don’t know. At that age, fabrepass wasn’t also pacy but we already knew that he’s a world class player, same with other players as well but Guen’s hair is the only thing that differentiate him from the other pedestrian midfielders we have and people are talking about him like he’s some player who’s shown consistently that he has it in him to be a world class.
If we don’t add any more signings can you name a team in the top 10 who has a worst CM?
Marc,
No I can’t. I’m of the view we need both signings.
Martinez I think is the better EPL suited keeper for high crosses, physical abuse etc but I really rate Leno too. Maybe Leno to Leverkusen will link in next week or two and make us think harder. Could u run a pole on it Pedro. EMI vs Leno who you pick? 20 million for EMI be hard turn down all same and PSG keeps on loan be great signing. Sok on way out kola too frees up a lot of wages 20 million + for Torreira should allow us to take a punt on one or two of the midfield… Read more »
Honestly, aside from strength, what does Partey bring that Dani doesn’t or even Xhaka? Both those guys have some Partey in them and compliment each other thus far.
My worry is his age and adaptability. Seems like we put all our eggs into this one basket and are just watching the clock for AM to jump.
Id rather go younger ….
Also, is there a plan for CAM if Aouar falls through?
I do hope there is, and we get pleasantly surprised by all the hard work going on quietly behind the scenes!
Marc ““We might have one of the worst midfields in the top 10.” If we don’t add any more signings can you name a team in the top 10 who has a worst CM?” If you actually think about it , it makes no difference as to the quality of our midfield , our play rarely(if ever) goes through the central midfield area. A couple of solid midfielders suits our style of play atm, our only midfielder with any subtlety in his play doesn’t get a look in, so there is no point in fans whining about the lack of… Read more »
Weird one selling martinez from what we have seen with him he suits areta play better. Better with ball at the feet and playing out that’s got to be one of leno biggest weaknesses.
Emi exudes confidence in the back. A no nonsense keeper. Yelling at his defenders… “where you going?”
That in itself is priceless Leno is a mute
Not to mention Emi is like a small giant out there between the sticks. Nimble for a big man too…
I would be bummed to see him leave
Pierre
Well let’s face if England is the team we’re looking to emulate for entertainment season ticket sales will be in 4 digits in a couple of years.
Ozil is finished get over it – he’s already gone it just hasn’t happened yet. We need to start moving forward and that means having a midfield that can control and influence games.
The entire attack we have is predictable, especially if nothing changes in the middle.
Teams will be able to set up against our wing play….
We need a CAM – we need to have a lock picker and low block killer.
Someone who can score too.
Right now we have none of the above
Aubameyang scores 25+ goals from the wing and many want him moved up top to battle it out against 2 centre backs …dumb move…
Playing put wide , he can utilise the space that the opposition full back vacates when pushing forward, plus he can come in on the blind side of defenders. to score , as he has done regularly..
But no, dumb Arsenal supporters want to see him battle it out against 2 6ft plus defenders for 90 .minutes..
Pierre
No one who’s talking about him playing through the middle is expecting him to become a battering ram.
I thought you of all people would appreciate that different styles of play can be achieved from the same position.
https://mobile.twitter.com/arsenalreferee/status/1302568876014735363
I really hope arteta can forgive Guendouzi. And for Guendouzi to admit he was wrong and he isn’t the finished article yet. If he keeps his head down, he is genuinely talented enough to go far.
Guns of SF “The entire attack we have is predictable, especially if nothing changes in the middle. Teams will be able to set up against our wing play….We need a CAM” No we don’t need a CAM unless we change our style of play. Nothing goes through the central areas at this present time. Our attack is anything but predictable, what is predictable is our creativity and our movement from the back into midfield. I will be very interested to see if Arteta allows the players to take a few more risks with their passing through midfield… It’s all about… Read more »
England look stale
Honestly think Euro 2020 should of been Southgates last tournament.
Guys been bought an extra year by fate, and he isn’t really paying it back
And belief.
I’d like to hear who these plan B and C players we should be targeting instead are. Who are these young affordable players that will improve our squad, maintain value, and can easily be wrangled away from their current teams within a day or two of a chat with their agents?
Would get some getting used to Pedro but this new layout looks nice
Kudos
Brixton
Hopefully he’ll be taking over from Mourinho after next summer. The Spud’s will be giving it the large about “”we’ve got the England manager” and will as always be useless.
Luteo
How dare you – we don’t deal with agents anymore.
“Is it relevant what we would have done with Martinez had Leno not got injured ? We can only judge and make decisions on the Martinez we fortuitously stumbled upon.“
It is when considering perspective. Hard not to scoff at the sudden vehement belief in his future at the club.
He’s not played in front of fans, he’s not played in an expansive side, and he’s not had more than 3 continuous months football at this level. The disregard for these facts is pretty staggering imo.
Marc “No one who’s talking about him playing through the middle is expecting him to become a battering ram.” Have you not noticed what our strikers (eddie/lacazette) have to contend with up top. They have to chase the keeper and the 2 centre backs down. Whenever they receive the ball they have 2 defenders converging on them. They are not allowed to just stand on the half way line waiting for the ball like strikers did in the old days(henry) Arteta expects them to defend in the defensive third of the pitch and then be expected to be in the… Read more »
Charlie
It’s the equivalent of a doting parent thinking their child is ready for a solo album release after making it to the third round of X-Factor.
Pierre
Is this because it means Nketiah will get games?
You’ll do anything to get a “favourite” in the team.
Superb finish here.
https://twitter.com/England/status/1303415857125773312?s=20
This is not to say that Emi hasn’t performed well. He’s been great. But feel like common sense needs to prevail over sentiment if Arsenal are looking to make serious strides this window.
Thanks RH!
Pedro
And the mugs on here don’t rate Eddie.
Okunnu, no, I went via CODEABLE.IO. Really good people there.
Our attack is anything but predictable, what is predictable is our creativity and our movement from the back into midfield.
This kinda makes sense?
I think however, I would still say our attack needs a middle …. so to speak.
There is nothing in the middle.
Looks like Areola is off to Fulham.
I do not think Eddie is what we need. He is not at that level, and really does not do much with the cohesion we need up front. And yes, he is getting playing time so that is not an excuse.
Laca shits all over Eddie.. would rather him up top.
Eddie is a good player just needs games to improve to many knee jerk reactions to a kid that has not even played 50 prem games
Why are they mugs if they don’t rate Eddie? Your very insolent for someone who cries victim a lot Pierre
20 Mill for Martinez is pathetic so good chance Arsenal would take that..
Luteo Very apt comparison, 10 years at it, release a banger, then think you’re set to be the next Adele. Hmm you sure? I mean maybe, but really? Martinez was superb for us, and I vouched for a GK tussle during this season which would put any comparison to bed, but when forced to make a decision how on earth there can be such a wave of unerring confidence in him is beyond me. He’s a big goalie, we played a low block and he suffocated any aerial balls with aplomb, his distribution was superb too. But the situation was… Read more »
CC
The big question is is Arteta going to look to play a higher line in a lot of matches?
Or have we hired the Spanish Tony Pulis!
Have to agree w/ TR7 and WE don’t really see a point selling Emi for that fee when a replacement will be needed as Macey isn’t up to standard if you’ve watched and whose to say regarding Leno fitness post injury, although he looked quite solid for Germany. Interesting one for Arteta to deal with as i’m sure he’d like to keep them both for this season. Going to be a late window with nobody really having the cash to spend barring elite yet needing, essentially waiting for first to blink. Ze movement will happen in the last week…. feel… Read more »
Sal
How much is a backup GK fee being suggested?
Bet the majority couldn’t name the #2’s at the top 8 clubs in the league. Who are the best #2’s in the prem and how much did they cost their clubs?
It’s 4/2 France now with Camavinga, 17, making his debut and looking like a seasoned pro already. What a great little player he is.
CC
Well look on the bright side at least we can’t sign Joe. Hart
Niles is coming on! Well done lad.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/talksport.com/football/587617/premier-league-best-back-up-goalkeepers/amp/
I mean only at Arsenal do we have a desire for a champagne #2…
Fucking Adrian is #2 at the champions ffs lol
Karim
What’s the chat about Camavinga over there mate? He has Real Madrid written all over him doesn’t he?
PSG must register an interest, their CM is decidedly average for their level.
Of course our play bypasses our midfield as it is now, it’s because our midfield is hot garbage, and yes Pierre that includes when your boyfriend plays. Nice to see Gabriel in training today, can’t wait for him and Saliba to pair up, hopefully with a competent CM ahead of them. The talentless Guen just captained the french u21 who’s one of the best youth teams in the world and created a goal and a penalty for them in the last 2 games. There’s little doubt there’s a player in there if given time and patience, not looking like that… Read more »
I believe Emi Martinez has earned the right to start the season as first choice. But that doesn’t mean he is the first choice goal keeper. Remember when Cech started the season while Leno was on the bench? The only way he can be first choice is If he keeps the form he showed at the end of last season for a whole season. And If we need money and can’t raise it somewhere else we need to sell him. We can’t have a hole in midfield while having a 20 mil alternative goal keeper. His track record so far… Read more »
CC
He’s staying at Rennes who will play CL for the first time ever and should leave at the end of next season I believe.
Real already expressed their interest and it seems like the Qataris want him too.
He’s already bossing the french midfield, he’s been superb since he came on.
Auba gets named to the EPL team of the year as a striker …Mikel Arteta go get legit wingers and stop wasting this mans talent out on the wings ya numpty