It is WILD that the season starts this Saturday. Fulham (A), West Ham (H), followed up by Liverpool (A) in the league, with a delightful EFL game against Leicester wedged in between. 4 games in 16 days, you can’t beat it.
One thing seems certain, we’ll not have our transfer business complete by the time the season kicks off. It’s a shame, but when you remember that Don Raul spent this summers money last season, you can’t really complain.
We’ve already managed to land ourselves some injury news. David Luiz is out of the Fulham game with a neck injury (wtf?). That leaves us with Rob Holding to pick up the centre of defence. The boy from Bolton is back in favour, even without the injury according to reports… which does seem to point to a bit of hoarding in central defence from Arteta and his staff. It’ll be very interesting to see how long it takes Gabriel and Saliba to edge their way into contention.
There’s been quite a bit of buzz about who is and is not at training at the moment. There were stories that Xhaka came in on his day off. We’ve seen Mesut and Matteo training with the first team. There’s a whole load of youngsters that have been given a chance to train with the first team. I don’t think any of it means much. I think the coach, particularly with the players that had been ostracised, is just hedging his bets for the coming season and trying to avoid drama.
Of particular interest is Matteo. The club were keen to move him on as a bit of a star. Well, that hasn’t amounted to much. Juninho of Lyon had this to say.
‘I get along very well with the (Arsenal) sports director. We spoke on the blower. Houssem Aouar is really appreciated by Arteta. There have been some discussions for Matteo Guendouzi who is also a good player. He was mentioned during the discussion, but this is not the profile we need, we were very clear. If it is like that, it does not interest us at all – it is, and we stopped.’
That’s quite adamant from a club that were strongly linked earlier in the window. Is this because they don’t like what he offers as a midfielder or more linked to his ways that are now widely known? If the problem shifting Matteo is that everyone knows he’s a bit of a whopper, then the player has two choices, he either knuckles down, or he’ll be earning less money than Neil Maupay by the time he ends his contract with Arsenal.
Hector Bellerin, our vegan club owning fashion-forward man-beast on the right… is attracting interest from Barcelona. They’re pulling 2011 transfer tactics.
‘Hey Edu, we like that socially conscious right back of yours’
‘We have no money though, is this still a possibility?’
Hopefully, we tell them no. The same goes for PSG who think that £25m is ok for a top player in his prime. If Brentford can land £28m for a striker from Villa, we can go a little harder at these fees. The price we’re rumoured to be looking for is £35m, which would be a lot better, and hopefully give us the funds to bring Hossem Aouar to the club.
There’s been very little noise around Alex Lacazette, which is surprising, but the hint may have been from the Juninho interview.
‘That is not our level in terms of contract. For the majority of these players… In January I called Alexandre Lacazette to chat a bit with him because he was having problems at Arsenal and I said to myself: “Why not do a loan for 6 months with us where you will enjoy yourself, play all the games and score the goals like you know how to? And then you go back to Arsenal or somewhere else.” But from the moment that you start looking at the level of the contract of these players, like with Juventus and Barcelona, it is not possible for us today.’
It’s reported that Mr Lacazette earns about £180k a week. There aren’t many clubs looking to shell out that sort of money combined with a big fee at the moment. So you’re in a situation where you either have to take an L on the fee, which doesn’t help our midfield dreams, or you have to hope a club like Atleti really are desperate for goals and see value.
Other players, that don’t have a profile, are literally ripping up their deals to get the Bosman. We’ve already lost Mikhi for nothing to shake off his £180k a week deal. Sokratis is playing the same game as we try and free ourselves of his £90k a week. I can’t imagine that Schalke are going to drop a massive fee for Kola who is on £120k a week. What is a club to do? We know these players are more than happy to sit on longterm deals and pick up the cheque. It’s better that you just move them on and try your hardest to sign players that can at least play to the value of their contract.
I’m half wondering if a few Arsenal players are waiting to see if they are going to be included in the squad for the opening game of the season before they decide to move. We’ll also see some panic moves when teams lose their opening two games (pray it ain’t us), when inevitable injuries mount, or clubs start to bring in fees from late spenders.
Composure level: 💯
Another #YoungLions goal for @EddieNketiah9! pic.twitter.com/j6ZfjjwFw9
— England (@England) September 8, 2020
Eddie, cold as ice, 4 goals in 2 games, he now sits one goal from Franny Jeffers and Alan Shearers record. Hopefully, this is his breakout season. He needs to carry some of that swagger into the Arsenal games. It’s clear he has all the raw ingredients. He’s the fox in the box that Wenger spoke about all those years ago and he has a Bielsa workrate. I think he just needs a bit of luck to fall his way for things to click this season. Fingers crossed.
On that high note, let’s call it a day, and pray for some deals to drop. See you in the comments. x
P.S. WELL PLAYED AMN. England debutant. Hopefully the first of many.
“It’s a buyers market”
If this is the case, then why are Arsenal having such a hard time securing Partey and Arour?
Ernest
“If this is the case, then why are Arsenal having such a hard time securing Partey and Arour?”
Traditionally if you want to buy something you need some form of currency to do it.
Quite simply we’re broke.
Marko
We’re not signing Aouar and Coutinho, what are you smoking?
But ask me if I’d rather have Guendouzi in the squad or Draxler and the answer is clear as day. I’d sooner Draxler as a false 9 than Lacazette with where we’re headed too, he’s physically a mile ahead in terms of dynamism and technique.
He’s younger than Oxlade Chamberlain and being called washed because he couldn’t crack an elite of the elite front line 🥴
“Willian = 337 games, 58 goals, 55 assists
Draxler = 308 games, 43 goals, 44 assists”
One of the two has played regular football in the EPL, guess which one I’m interested in?
Draxler has not made his way to the EPL for a reason.
I fail to understand why some on here seem to be of the belief that Guendouzi is somehow worth more than what is being offered?
I dunno, What’s the going rate on headless chickens with a bad attitude these days?
“Quite simply we’re broke.”
Hard to believe Marc, but they truly are the architects of their own demise with years of socialist wage structures and overpaying for questionable talent.
“Assuming I even rate Willian. Whatever. Better pull the hair of another poster. Childish Charlie.“
There’s nothing childish about poking a hole in your argument, grow the fuck up.
Draxler isn’t in the EPL because he’s on PSG money.
Would still prefer cash for Matteo. 35m would be lovely. Bring on Aouar then win the league.
Might take that RB Dagba as part of a deal for Guendouzi
Ernest
Guendozi looked like he might have something in his first season. He was very raw but it looked like there could be a player in there. His 2nd season really didn’t push on and he’s showing real signs of immaturity. He’s got 2 years on his contract so I can’t see his value being higher next summer.
Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay.
“Would still prefer cash for Matteo. 35m would be lovely.”
I cant see any team shelling out that kind of money Pedro, its just not realistic given his current status (problem child) and accomplishments to date. PSG may have deep pockets but they also are well aware that Arsenal are not in a position of advantage.
Pedro
Think you need to take a lie down in a dark room mate.
Interesting thread on Matteo… and Emery being a fucking bore.
https://twitter.com/GiantGooner/status/1182657795046432771?s=20
We’re not signing Aouar and Coutinho, what are you smoking?But ask me if I’d rather have Guendouzi in the squad or Draxler and the answer is clear as day
Right but if we’re getting rid of Guendouzi to fund a move for Aouar then Draxler becomes unnecessary. I also never totally discount Coutinho leaving Barcelona for the premier league. Either way we need as much money as we can get for moves for Aouar and Partey and we don’t really need Draxler
Marc
I like the journey arts taking us on.
I’m just questioning whether he is experienced enough in playing the transfer window.
Other teams know who we are after so We would be shit at poker.
It will be whatnot will be
“Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay.”
I think of this every time with Pepe and how Lyon must be salivating at the thought of how do we goad Arsenal on for more. Raul is gone, thank goodness, but his blatant incompetence reverberates forward.
“Other teams know who we are after so We would be shit at poker.”
We are Arsenal and that changes expectations immediately as teams believe Arsenal have deep pockets.
“Right but if we’re getting rid of Guendouzi to fund a move for Aouar then Draxler becomes unnecessary. I also never totally discount Coutinho leaving Barcelona for the premier league.“ I’m not saying Coutinho is staying, I’m saying we’ve not the money for both him and Aouar. Totally disagree on Draxler being surplus to a side as creatively numb as we were last season. You saying Willian and Aouar transform us? That’s a stretch for me. Personally I’d bin Guendouzi for Draxler, use the money towards Aouar and bin Laca for slightly less than the 40 mil so we get… Read more »
It wouldn’t surprise me if while we’re scratching around trying to gather funds, Citeh swoop in for Aouar. Pep’s a big fan.
“The only reason Pierre rates Eddie over Martinelli is because Wenger signed Eddie and Emery signed Martinelli. It’s that basic.”
Wenger didn’t sign Eddie. You could have said he was signed during the era of Wenger.
Bojanges
Don’t tell me we’re going to have Arteta telling us about players he almost signed!
How much do you see us getting for Guendouzi and Laca, Charlie?
Equally, how much do you think it will cost to acquire the players you speak of? A trade for Draxler with Guen means taking on high wages, so i cant see that as realistic to be honest.
Your thoughts?
Or the “like a new signing”
Leftside
Arteta uses those words about Ozil and it might just push me over the edge.
I’d keep Guen if it would mean a swap with Draxler. At least Guen would be a body in a midfield area where we are weak. Draxler is inferior to Auba, Pepe, Saka. Why would we commit a mountain of money for him??
“Or the “like a new signing””
Pure Qual-A-Dee on those ones, Left!
Marc,
I’m already close.
On Saturday after the game you’ll get the standard line of focusing on what we have and trying to improve those players. There’s only so much your gonna get from some of this lot.
Champagne
“Waiting until the end of the window is fair; any tentative views you can revisit at the end of window?”
Sure. Unless we sign additional first-XI players, I don’t see this Arsenal team finishing any better than 7th. And — with that same pre-condition — I don’t see us finishing closer than 8 points from 4th. Adding Gabriel and Willian to the XI will help, but we need to do a lot more than that if we want to finish better than 7th. IMO.
There goes the F’n neighbourhood!
Ernest, I hope not lol
You saying Willian and Aouar transform us? Better than Draxler would yes. I don’t see us needing him if Aouar and Partey is signed. Besides charles you like myself have been making arguments the past few days about how stupid it would be not to cash in on certain players in the squad to help fund our priority targets. I would also argue that accepting a lower fee for certain players is also stupid especially given our circumstances and need for funds. 25-30 million for Guendouzi is needed far more than Draxler and god knows what maybe even a straight… Read more »
Leftside
I can’t remember ever being a few days from the start of the season and not being excited.
It’s all very meh at the moment.
How are you doing these days, Marc? Been awhile.
The Lacazette hate is stupid.
He was our player of the season very recently. He is one of our hardest workers who put’s an extra shift in doing the job of the midfielders in defending the centre of the park because they’ve been so ineffective at it.
He is using his energy in this. We get a good CDM destroyer or train AMN here, Laca can concentrate on forward runs instead of rescuing the midfield.
When I saw the Draxler link, I immediately knew Champagne Charlie must have treated Le Grove to a certain PowerPoint presentation. 😂
We should not accept any swap deals that do not include our targets if, as seems obvious, we need to sell to buy. We’ll just be losing assets for others cast offs.
No to Draxler please, take the cash and strengthen the midfield so we are not overly reliant on Xhaka.
Laca was distracted last season, Kaz. By his own admission he was poor in his performance. Saying that, I do expect a turnaround for him this season.
Ernest I think Arsenal could get circa 25 mil for Guen and circa 35 for Laca. Laca to Atletico seems most likely to me. Say we get 10 mil and Draxler for Guendouzi, I think Laca plus 10 mil is parity for Partey – Draxler is on 120k, so depends on what is negotiated for Partey as to whether we take a hit of any kind in wages. Laca is on 180k though so he’s a fair chunk. Aouar is a 55 mil player, think we fund that with the sales of Torreira, Sokratis, Kolasinac….maybe Martinez at a push. Lyon… Read more »
Chika
Just need Thiago to drop and I’ve got a banger 😂
It’s pretty simple what do Arsenal need more 25-30 million for Guendouzi or Draxler and what 10 million max something like that if we’re lucky. Just take the money
“I think it’s tricky because of so many moving parts, but the scope for which is very realistic even with that.”
I would say its an ambitious plan, Charlie. Not sure they can pull it off, but i see where you are going with your thoughts. Thanks.
Ernest
Bit pissed off with things at the moment – think I’m just getting claustrophobic and being self indulgent to be honest.
How are you getting on?
Doing well enough Marc, getting on with my life and yes, i am looking forward to football starting up again – its a good distraction that focuses me.
Take care Marc, you are a good man.
“Laca to Atletico seems most likely to me.”
That seems to make so much sense, works for us works for them. Why it’s taking so long I have no idea.
Ernest
That’s much appreciated.
I’m doing the thing that I hate in other people – feeling sorry for myself when really it’s not that bad.
I think I need to shout some abuse at Mike Dean – vent a little!
And just so no one misrepresents my views at some later date, note that I believe adding a Partey would improve us *significantly* and adding a Partey and an Aouar would improve us even more. If we added two such caliber players / midfielders to the XI, I could see us finishing as high as 5th and within 4-5 points of 4th.
To be revisited on October 5th.
Welcome back Bamford “Sure. Unless we sign additional first-XI players, I don’t see this Arsenal team finishing any better than 7th. And — with that same pre-condition — I don’t see us finishing closer than 8 points from 4th. Adding Gabriel and Willian to the XI will help, but we need to do a lot more than that if we want to finish better than 7th. IMO.” I agree we are miles Away from the teams above us who have massively improved squads man united/Chelsea or already not within touching distance liverpool/City. I think we have more chance of CL… Read more »
CC
75 points in his first season and fourth would be a massive achievement but I don’t think it’s gonna happen.
I think 75 points will be good enough for third and only City and Liverpool will exceed that total.but let’s revisit after the window shuts.
Without completely opening a can of worms – outside of Ramsey leaving who if anyone’s completely honest spent a third of every season injured and then another third getting up to speed.
Precisely why is this squad weaker than what Emery had where the expectation was 4th or you’re out?
CC
If we didn’t sign Willian, then perhaps I’d be more interested in Draxler. Fine player do doubt, one Arteta would fancy for many tweaks given his versatility. Right now though, we need all the cash for Aouar and Partey.
However, if we don’t replace Lacazette and Nelson is loaned out, then a player like Draxler suddenly appears useful. Ultimately, fans would be more receptive if we’ve managed to drag Partey and Aouar over the line first.
IMO (see bamford isn’t the only one)
Saliba-Luiz-Gabriel
RWB-Partey-Ceballos-Tierney
Pepe/Willian-Auba-Aouar/Willian
Is very much capable of getting top 4 it’ll be tough but that is a starting 11 capable of getting consistent performances against most teams in the league and capable of competing against better teams as well
Tom
Sorry, meant I feel this season 75 points will make 4th and that we’re more likely to return 70. Still, another 3 weeks or so could alter that further as you say so we’ll revisit then with more info on hand.
Confident of us doing more business?
Chika
Agree with much of that, imagine we swapped Laca for Partey, then raised money for Aouar selling Torreira and co. it would be a wholly different convo to talk about getting Draxler in as part of selling Guen.
The focus has to no doubt be on Partey and Aouar, I just personally feel Draxler has a ton to offer a side if he makes the right career move.
we finished 8th in a crazy season that saw us go through three managers while we kicked the fly to the curb. Not to mention all the nonsense that was going on in defence and that’s for starters.
Ain’t even kicked a ball yet (slight lie, we kicked a few and won a trophy, yay!) and the best we can hope for is seventh!!! wow.
Having Pep lite (nice one, sneak dissing man already lol) a bigger, healthier, smarter more talented squad must count for nothing then.
Wow Bamford – you’re really on the edge with that opinion. 5th? There’s almost no point to a prediction like that and once again the view of a last game or season merchant. You view the metaphorical house for sale and can only see what’s already there
Marc
That’s whats am are angling for …plus cash.
Italian clubs are the shots of Europe corrupt fuckers pleading poverty.
Arteta is drowning in the transfer window water…
Edu on the life boat without a rubber ring.
This should all have been sorted before we go on in to Saturday.
Happens every season so who is to fucking blame
..
Answers
Leno
Bellerin luiz Gabriel Tierney
partey Ceballos
pepe Draxler Willian
Aubameyang
sub, Lacazette,ozil,Martinelli,Saliba,Mustafi,Elneny,xhaka,Martínez
on a postcard?
Bar napkin preferable.
Naming line ups right now is crazy. Firstly we’ll be picking who’s fit available etc in the early matches with Gabriel and Saliba possibly given time to adapt. After that it’s all about who we manage to bring in by the end of the window.
It could make an absolutely crazy difference to our first choice line up.
if we add aouar and partey and don’t get third, arteta might be a fraud…
sal
Yeah don’t tell me soaked in some rather excellent whisky.
This season is going to be interesting. Will Leicester continue to crash like we did after Emery had a poor back half of a season. Will Spurs pick up now all their players know they’ve been ‘soft cunts’? How much difference will 250m of players make to Chelsea? Will Wolves move forward? Can Carlo jump start Everton? I think at the very least, we’ll land Auoar… that’ll put the summers dealings in a very good light. Total dreams if we land Partey, but not sure we’ll do both. Going to be very exciting. Can’t believe how competitive the league is… Read more »
Pedro
Roger’s is a twat and will always come up short (in a real division)
The Spud’s will always bottle it and Mourinho will always have a meltdown and piss everyone off.
As for Frank he’ll just keep going Mama Cass.
Marc, good for us if that’s the case this season.
Pedro
I’m not exactly picking out the Euromillions results with those predictions!
As a guy I used to work with used to say Leopards and Spots.
Would love to see Spurs really crash this season
Northbanker I think you need to read a little more carefully. I am saying that unless we sign additional first-XI players, I see us finishing 7th or worse and 8 or more points off of 4th. I see us finishing 5th and 4-5 points off of 4th only if we sign two new first-XI players / midfielders between now and October 5th. While I don’t see the above as an especially bold projection, let’s note that it does depart fairly significantly from what some others here are saying. Marko sees us contending for 4th if we add a Partey, and… Read more »
‘Confident of us doing more business?“
CC
I haven’t got a clue.
Judging by the improvements and trophies I think the club should back Arteta to the hilt, but how much wheeling and dealing can be done in this sort of abnormal moment in time is anyone’s guess.
Pedro
I think the Poooooooooch had them performing several levels above the quality of their squad. They do have some good players but not the level they almost pushed to.
With Mourinho in charge and a billion quid stadium debt they won’t just crash they’ll burn with it. Might happen over a couple of seasons but that’s just even more entertainment for the decent enlightened Gooner’s of the world.
If we don’t get Partey or a similar type player to help in the deeper end of the midfield, that is putting a lot on Dani’s shoulders for this season. Asking him to show the levels he showed during the restart over the course of an entire EPL campaign plus the cup tourneys is a big, big ask. I don’t know if he’ll have the endurance or physicality to maintain that level of effort for a whole season.
Marko sees us contending for 4th if we add a Partey
And Aouar and a RB
Julian Draxler 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Draxler should’ve angled for a move away from PSG sooner. Him staying has stifled him a bit to the point where his style looks very lackadaisical.
Lo Celso @ PSG v Lo Celso @ Spurs look like two different players to me. Lo Celso looks far more dynamic and fluid.
Where as at PSG he’d spend his time just bopping it left to right waiting for Cavani or whoever to put the burners on.
Auoar rumours won’t go away so it seems like raising the necessary capital for him will come by way of Guen, Martinez and/or Laca
Marko
Ahh, I didn’t see your inclusion of Aouar. So if we sign three additional first-XI players b/t now and October 5th, you see us contending for 4th. What do you see us doing if we sign no additional first-XI players b/t now and then?
@Ernest Reed
I know Laca has had a poorer season, but I think binning him off is a big mistake. He hasn’t been as clinical but he’s still doing massive work for the team.
I firmly believe he’ll be better next season, but we gotta play him. Torreira and Guendozi will be enough to get Partey, it’s a long window so we should be patient.
Kaz,
“I know Laca has had a poorer season, but I think binning him off is a big mistake. He hasn’t been as clinical but he’s still doing massive work for the team.”
This idea of “doing massive work” doesn;t cut it. I want Eddie to do massive work because he’s an upcoming academy player who may not be good enough. I expect a striker earing 180k weekly to do more than just grunt work. Laca needs to start scoring goals consistently , that is why we pay him that much money.
Doesn’t look like we’ll get Ooh Argh or that we’ll be having a Partey.No one is budging on 💴,,& citeh are now sniffing around ooh argh .Not looking good guys.Not loooking good at all………….😔
See city are in for Aouar now if that’s the case I can’t see him coming unless Mikel can talk us up and tell him we are building around him
Leno
Bellerin luiz Gabriel Tierney
partey Ceballos
pepe Draxler Willian
Aubameyang
Decent line up
Banford
Where do you see Chelsea or United next season in terms of points might I ask?
But he has instead had to adopt a more dogged and tenacious mentality doing defensive work as our porous midfield have let teams go straight through them. Honestly it seems you haven’t been seeing all the good he’s been doing. Auba is our goal machine, Laca is picking up other roles of the team that are slacking. Once we get Partey in midfield he can happily go back to attacking. Having William will be great for us in the team, this is a great signing, he also puts the shift in, but he can shoot, pass and dribble. Eddie should… Read more »
Question: has “third best manager in the world” and human embodiment of Tabasco sauce been called up to become manager of FC Fucking Brilliant?
Pedro
Chelsea have signed some of the hottest talents from Germany, Havertz and Werner are HUGE. I expect them to push on very hard. They could nick 2nd.
I think our squad is currently good enough to get 4th but we have a huge amount of ground to cover after that.
Top 6 as is Top 4 with said signings
Chelsea right now I expect them to do well initially look like they might challenge but then fall away around January but get top 4. Their attack looks like it’s going to be something special.
Kaz
‘Eddie should never be starting over Laca.”
Yes, so long as Laca scores consistently, if all he’s going to bring to the party is hustle then anyone can do that hustle, including Nkettiah.
We aren’t paying 180k weekly for a player doing the hustle. We paid a big transfer fee and quality finishing. I’m wating for Laca to deliver.
And if he isn’t getting service because the midfield kept being overrun you would rather he stayed up top doing nothing?
Chelsea attack: Werner, Abraham, Michy, Giroud, Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic, Hudson-Odoi
Arsenal attack: Auba, Laca, Eddie, Martinelli, Pepe, Saka, Willian, Nelson
I’m supposed to believe another attacker, be it Draxler or anyone else in addition to Aouar, is not needed or surplus? Can’t see that myself.
Kaz, super bold prediction… I like the players they’ve signed, just not sure how convinced I am of Frank yet. Also think Chelsea massively overpaid.
We’ll see though, they’ll be very exciting regardless.
@Dissenter
Salah is the goalscorer with Mane, Firmino links them.
Auba is the goalscorer with hopefully Pepe. Laca will link them.
Does that make sense?
Pedro massively overpaid ? They got their pants pulled down and got a right spanking I also do not see fat Frank in the job this time next year it’s too big for him.
Same will OGS at UTD.
Spurs will crash and burn I say we are top four
Roll on the season it’s going to be great
Charles we don’t need Draxler in lue of having more money towards Partey and Aouar. I don’t think that we really need him if we get in Aouar on top of Willian with ESR and Saka in year two. I know you have this thing about him but he’s not all that
Serge, 80m for Kai is fucking mental in this market.
Marko
Do spare me those kind of remarks, it’s pathetic at very best and I don’t hold your view of players in high regard so your appraisal is rather hollow.
I think we’re an attacker short with Aouar added because I’m of the view Lacazette will move.
I’m not convinced Saka, Eddie, Nelson, Martinelli is the right profile (or quality in Eddies case) to compare favourably with the attacking options of our rivals. I think we’d miss a senior attacker alongside Auba, Pepe, and Willian in Laca’s absence.
Chelsea going to fight for top four imo, lots of settling needed in that squad. Goal Keeper diabolical and Frank’s over rated if were honest, I’m sorry they were on 66 points.
Churlish
“Where do you see Chelsea or United next season in terms of points might I ask?”
10+ points ahead of us by season end, unless we sign two additional first XI players / midfielders between now and October 5th.
Banford
How many points relative to their 66 points of this past season?