‘I want to $tay and fight for my place’

by .

A slow news day yesterday, so we’ll get through the blog nice and quick so you can go for that morning jog.

Chelsea looked fairly pony against a well-coached Brighton side. They came out 3-1 victors, but I don’t think they were worthy of the win. Frank’s side looked fairly lethargic, the football was slow, and his mega signing Kai Havertz looked, well, not £80m worth of talent. They’ll get better… but I’m happy to be a knee-jerk reactor right now. RUBBISH. Liverpool will make mincemeat of them if they play like that on Sunday.

Wolves dealt with Sheffield United inside two minutes. They’ve spent some money this window, so expect them to be a menace this season. It’ll be interesting to see if Chris Wilder can keep the magic going in season two. It’ll be even more interesting to see if Nuno can move Wolves closer to the top 4 he’s striving for.

On the transfer front, things seemed to nudge along a smidge.

The hottest rumour is that we’ll be signing the Icelandic keeper who played for Dijon last season and dropped the second-worst save record in the league. Inaki likes him and apparently coached him back in the day. Hopefully, there’s some data that backs the decision to go here, but look, I’ll take it over spending half the Martinez fee on Brentford’s keeper.

There’s been a lot of Torreira smoke. The fee ranges from about £21m to £24m. Some are calling it a 2 season loan. Others are saying cash upfront. Hopefully, if the deal is sealed, it’s enough for the financial powers that be to release the funds for Houssem Aouar. The Morrocan magician is in the squad for Lyon’s game against Montpellier, so at least he’s getting fit.

Matteo G has rejected a move to Villareal. I cannot understand why?

According to Nick Ames, Kolasinac has decided to stay and fight for his place. We’ve been here before. That means no one has been able to match his massive salary demands, so he’s going to see out the final year of his deal. A bit of a blow. He’s not up to it at Arsenal and it would have been nice to send him packing to Germany, but here we are. Don’t give average players massive deals is the learning.

West Ham, in a total mess, is offering Arsenal £5m for a year of Rob Holding. That does not seem like it’s about the happen if Arteta’s noises about the centre back are to be believed… but, we do have about 10 centre backs we could offer instead? Karen, let’s talk!

There really isn’t much else to talk about, so I’ll leave it there. See you tomorrow.

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Sid

“Maybe you and CG should get a room and blow each other seeing as this sort of constant frustration is usually a result of sex deprivation.
I’ll even pay for the ”

You should join in the fun bring your polish league mascot outfit with you.

DivineSherlock

Arteta is steadily delivering on what he says . Everything he has said is being followed to the T . Imagine saying what you mean , I really dont want to bring it up but that Cesc and Nasri scenario still got me trust issues . Now it looks like its finally put to bed

HighburyLegend

Yeah, too bad he doesn’t have the next lottery winning numbers.

Leedsgunner

Auba signed ta ting.

Excellent.

I wonder how close he’ll get to Henry’s Arsenal goal scoring record…

Anyone think he’ll break it?!?

Marc

Highbury

He gave them to Xhaka but he took so long getting to the shop the draw had already been made.

Dissenter

Marc
I heard that Auba signed that deal two months ago but the club held the news back just to traumatize you a little bit.

DigitalBob

Leeds – I think he’ll get close, he probably needs to have a career best goalscoring season in at least one of those 3 additional years he’s signed on for, but lewandowski just did it so its very possible.

So what is the consensus of Le Grove viewers ? Partey or Aouar ?

CG

HR “””:I’m waiting for the tide of posters objecting to the Auba deal””:: I am. Totally ill thought out and utterly needless. PEA was staying for this season regardless- of this ludicrous contract he has signed. Lumbering ourselves with PEA on this salary -reduces any chance of Arsenal signing Mpbaabe next season-if he favors London and the prem. I personally would have eased PEA out the door next season and attempted to sign best player on the planet instead. But then again, I know the game, and can see the bigger picture and the Arsenal executives clearly do not and… Read more »

Marc

Dissenter

The clubs been pulling that kind of thing on me for years.

Northbanker

Independent linking us with Sangare although the valuation of €10m makes it highly suspect. You just know that the one remaining deal, whoever it is, will be the last 10 minutes of the TW.

azed

“Lumbering ourselves with PEA on this salary -reduces any chance of Arsenal signing Mpbaabe next season-if he favors London and the prem.”

🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

Northbanker

CG – you’re losing the plot big-time

azed

PedRo

Can you send CG some oat milk? He really needs it.

Marc

Northbank

Losing?

CG

NB

“”””CG – you’re losing the plot big-time””””

Mr. Mpbbabpe will be leaving PSG within the next 12 months

One would hope The Dopes have had a conversation about the possibllity of trying to sign him.
He wants the prem after all.

Does this PEA 3 yearer help or actually hinder in this tantalising prospect?

Then we call all “””Be Excited!””””

Karsa

I usually find the trolling entertaining, but it reeks of desperation lately.

Luteo Guenreira

My question is, how do you imagine two blokes blowing each other if you don’t know what they look like? Faceless mannequins? Kinky.

MidwestGun

Really excited to here Auba is on board with project Sauce…. Could be a very good season if we land all our transfer targets,

Great News. Auba is on his way to statue status at this rate. Think he will love playing with Willian.

MidwestGun

Lumbering ourselves with PEA on this salary -reduces any chance of Arsenal signing Mpbaabe next season-if he favors London and the prem.
____________________
Hahahahaha Now that was funny..

But then again, I know the game, and can see the bigger picture
___________

Then that… Top Troll marks.. 10 out of 10;.. You will surpass Redtruth soon.. if you keep this up.

TR7

North

Toulouse might be forced to sell Sangare on cheap as they are relegated from Ligue 1 and need funds.

Luteo Guenreira

Mid

Completely agree. I think the most important players for this season are already in the squad. Regardless of whether Aouar or Partey come in, the ones who will have the most impact on a top 4 challenge will be Aubameyang and Willian.

Freddie Ljungberg

Yeah, the only thing stopping us from signing Mbappe is this new contract for PEA, dammit.

Northbanker

Wouldn’t mind Sangare, still and upgrade on what we have in DM and at a bargain price, his contract expires next year so sometimes you have to take a chance.

Him + Soumare would probably still cost less than Partey and would sort our CM for years. Wouldn’t have to think about replacing Ceballos next summer either.

Carts

Auba signing is massive. For a time I was quite pessimistic, but it seems like things are looking up – or at least thats the vibe I’m getting.

MidwestGun

Luteo-
Yep.. it could be a deadly combo.. I do think we need that one or 2 midfielders to get me really excited. But I’m also pretty stoked about the possibility of a Gabriel/ Saliba Cb pairing.. We could really have something there as well. Our fanbase doesn’t have very much patience though. So we will see how it all plays out this season.

Graham62

CG

Sorry my friend but your endless negativity and anti-Arsenal rhetoric is becoming rather tedious.

Mbappe?!! What fudging planet are you from.

So someone who clearly loves the club(Auba) and is our main man is seen as a negative investment and yet someone(Ozil) who only thinks of himself and drags the club down, is given the thumbs up.

No doubt you’ll soon be jumping on the ‘Kroenke hasn’t invested in Arsenal for five years bandwagon’, in defence of your beloved Arsene.

Can’t wait.

Graham62

Auba is the face of AFC.

His salary is irrelevant based on what he brings to the club.

TR7

Sangare is poor with his passing. He needs to.up his game to be able to do well in EPL. Soumare, albeit not yet the finished article, has the potential to be a very good player.

London gunner

I think auba just cemented his place as a club legend.

Even of he doesn’t win a major trophy with us his reputation should be up there with the greats. He is a force of good in such an unstable turbulent period.

London gunner

Maybe I am niave and I know we offered crazy money to auba to stay but I think he loves the club and the vibes

. He is big fan of the manager as well seeing them guys hugging up after the fa Cup win.

Jamie

“I think auba just cemented his place as a club legend.

Even of he doesn’t win a major trophy with us his reputation should be up there with the greats. He is a force of good in such an unstable turbulent period.”

Completely agree. He’ll be treated like royalty at the Emirates for the rest of his life. RVP not so much.

Dissenter

I was not a big fan of us keeping Auba or any other older player at great cost.
Even I aknowledge the vast energy he brings to the club and the sheer effort he puts into every game. He’s been exemplary on the field, leading by example with his work rate since Arteta came on board. He deserves every bit of his massive contract.

Freddie Ljungberg

TR7 https://totalfootballanalysis.com/competitions/ligue-1/ibrahim-sangare-at-toulouse-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics “Sangaré makes 8.93 progressive passes per 90 minutes, which is the second-best figure amongst all the midfielders under the age of 23 in Ligue 1 last season. If we cap that off with the accuracy of 81.74%, these are very impressive figures for a number six player which only indicates his attacking mentality” Yes, he can improve his passing, but the lower pass completion number is partly because he doesn’t play it safe all the time and attempts a lot of long balls. He also played in the worst team in ligue 1 last season, I’m sure that… Read more »

Marc

Auba signing on also signals an ambition level to future signings and seems to have all (well almost all!) of the fans on board.

Good to have some news to unite the fans.

Radio Raheem

Good to see Auba has put pen to paper. But it was the only logical outcome though 🤔

Sid

Sangare would be great

CG

Graham “””””Mbappe?!! What fudging planet are you from””””” Why cant Arsenal not sign him? He might want to play for us. And play under Arteta. He also might want to emulate T.Henry. This was the whole purpose of moving stadium Thats also why we have some of the most expensive season tickets around Arsenal 100% will be in the CL next season. So they will have the loot. We should do all we can to sign him, and if that means jettisoning PEA , thats what we be should do. ps. I have already predicted Arsenal will win the title,… Read more »

Marc

“This was the whole purpose of moving stadium
Thats also why we have some of the most expensive season tickets around”

Well if that’s the logic and London’s an attraction it means he should want to move to the Spud’s as well.

Hang on… one minute … yeah I have some breaking news Mbappe does not want to move to the Spud’s.

TR7

Looks like Spuds will get Reguilon and Bale on loan -smart moves.

Tom

CG,
I guess now than Auba has signed the new contract Arsenal won’t be getting Danny Ings.
Sure his puny 36 league goal totals over last five years pale in comparison with Auba’s 126 over the same period, but Im sure those Danny Ings algorithms were awesome.

Marc

TR7

Where have you heard that? Can’t see the Spud’s paying any serious % of Bales wages and the rumours are ManU are looking at him for a season.

Calisteve

Really interesting video – Auba x Laca x Wrighty – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x93MUE0QKoM. Just feel the love. Also the answer at the end to the question ‘who’s the most skilful player you’ve played with?’ – not so much the answer, bur the ‘intensity’ of the response from Laca and Auba and them laughing at the player he left on the floor..

TR7

Marc

Ornstein – Tottenham also working on deal to re-sign Gareth Bale from Real Madrid. No agreements but 31yo keen – #THFC have special place in heart. With Sancho at impasse, Man Utd considered Bale among loan options including Costa & Perisic @TheAthleticUK #MUFC #RMFC

CG

Tom

“””CG,
I guess now than Auba has signed the new contract Arsenal won’t be getting Danny Ings.””””

Danny Ings or not.

I dont think its a good long term strategic move to give very generous 3 year contracts to players aged 31 .

I think its will cause repercussions further down the line.

What is disappointing but hardly suprising.
The likes of PedRo are so in favor of it.

If AW were dishing out these contracts out to the likes of William and PEA – he would be choking on his oatmilk

Whatever that is.

Habesha Gooner

Arghh, I am annoyed I am late to the party again. This is great news. RVP, Sanchez, Fabregas, Henry, Cole and so many more left us because of lack of ambition. Even if we are paying him Ozil wages as reported, We are paying it to someone in his prime. And I think he is staying because he knows what’s coming from Arsenal and he wants to be a part of it, rather than just the money. I think we are a giant that’s waking up.

London gunner

Yeah auba is a weird 31 year old plays like a much younger man. Still has the pace and athelcism.

Jamie

“If AW were dishing out these contracts out to the likes of William and PEA – he would be choking on his oatmilk”

AW dished out the worst contract in our history to Ozil.

Perhaps better that he flushed hundreds of millions down the toilet on mid-20 year old duds.

Your algorithms are broken. Hardly surprising.

Marc

TR7

Can’t see how that works – if the Spud’s paid half his wages it’d mean they were paying him more than Kane.

Can’t see it doing anything other than causing more issues in the dressing room which you don’t need when Mourinho’s about.

Marko

Tottenham close to signing Reguillon (brilliant player) it must be because they agreed to a buy back clause or that apparently spurs might be negotiating a swap between Bale and Alli.

Either way the Spurs implosion is looking on for sure

Red Army

‘His salary is irrelevant based on what he brings to the club.’

Thats what the club thought when they gave Ozil his contract.

Marc

Marko

Didn’t the Spud’s sign a LB from Fulham last season for £25 million?

Jamie

Yep, Ryan Sessegnon.

Northbanker

I understand a 31 year old is a risk and there is no resale value

But the guy is still doing front flips ffs

You need incredible athleticism to do these

It says everything to me plus the fact that he plays with a smile on his face so you know he loves the club

Huge asset for us

Marc

Northbanker

I also look at Auba and see a player who’s game could evolve if (and it is an if) his pace dramatically drops off.

Marko

Marc if you asked me after that spurs game on Sunday that all that was missing was a third LB and Gareth Bale I’m just not sure I’d agree with you

Jamie

Auba is mustard, and like Northbanker says, he’s a huge asset for us.

Takes a special kind of moron to think he’s nothing more than a tap-in merchant who can’t score in big games.

Tom

“Your algorithms are broken. Hardly surprising.“

Jamie,
Hardly surprising when players calves index and his nationality are the overriding data points.

Tom

CG
You could probably make a convincing case against the Willian deal but Auba’s was a no brainer.

Northbanker

Marc

I think you’re probably right. There is much more to his game than pace.

I’m still hoping we will see him in a free flowing no 9 role. You don’t get the traditional CF but with 2 out of Willian, Pepe, Saka and Martinelli running riot alongside him it could be great to watch.

Pierre

It really makes no difference to me as an Arsenal supporter how much we are paying Aubameyang and it shouldn’t bother any other Arsenal supporter. Le Grove , as per usual , is too pre occupied with finances, a part of the game which I find particularly boring. It will be sad but predictable that when Aubameyang has a barren spell or misses a couple of easy chances or a penalty, Le grove will turn on him for not being full value for his extortionate wages. Aubameyang is going through an exceptional period of goal scoring , in that he… Read more »

Red Army

All big deals seem good at the time, it’s only in hindsight that everyone becomes contract experts.

The club needed to keep Auba sends a shit message if we let him go and shows we have the clout to keep the big names. Exactly the same as Ozil.

Auba will be good for at least 25+ a season for the next 2 seasons.

Red Army

‘ Takes a special kind of moron to think he’s nothing more than a tap-in merchant who can’t score in big games.’

Was this you making things up PJ?

Red Army

‘ It will be sad but predictable that when Aubameyang has a barren spell or misses a couple of easy chances or a penalty, Le grove will turn on him for not being full value for his extortionate wages.’

Pierre you can see the girls sharpening the knives already. The little bitches know who they are.

Jamie

“Hardly surprising when players calves index and his nationality are the overriding data points.”

😂 CG loves a manly set of calves for sure.

Northbanker

Tom

I’m pretty stoked about the Willian deal too tbh.

Neither is perhaps a long term strategy but you can’t just aim for 21 year olds. Managers have a precarious existence so it’s understandable that they will go for established players. Same reason why MA wants Partey and not Sangare or Soumare.

Danny+S

Pierre

Your post there stinks of underlying agenda……

Marc

Pierre

“Of course they will…”

No we won’t – we reserve all of the abuse and spite we can muster for Ozil. Partly because we don’t like him and partly to upset you.

Jamie

“Aubameyang is going through an exceptional period of goal scoring”

Auba has been a 25 goal a season (or more) striker since he started at Dortmund. Scores or assists in almost every 90 mins he plays and has done for over 5 years. One of the most consistent strikers in Europe.

Northbanker

Pierre

You started off with a good point and then ruined it by raining on the parade. Big difference with Auba is that he’s already done more for Arsenal than Ozil has, if that was your not so subtle point

Marc

Can someone explain to me why VAT is suddenly no longer relevant in football finances? It seems as if only a few weeks ago it was a critical factor.

Sid

Bale will play the Auba role for spuds, while the rest of the spuds stay behind the ball

Pierre

Marc
“No we won’t – we reserve all of the abuse and spite we can muster for Ozil.”

And Xhaka
And Mustafi
And AMN
And Nketiah
And Willock
And kolasinac
And Bellerin
And Guendouzi
And Torreira

Soon to be
Cedric
Mari
Elneny

Marko

Can someone explain to me why VAT is suddenly no longer relevant in football finances? It seems as if only a few weeks ago it was a critical factor.

What i want to know is why isn’t anyone freaking out about how we just paid Aubameyang’s new contract up front in full. I mean what is it 60/70 gone just like that

Terrible times ahead

Valentin

Houssem Aouar just sent off in maybe his last game for Lyon before his potential move to Juventus or Arsenal.

Pierre

Jamie
“Auba has been a 25 goal a season (or more) striker since he started at Dortmund. Scores or assists in almost every 90 mins he plays and has done for over 5 years. One of the most consistent strikers in Europe.”

How enlightening, of course you are being deliberately thick as my point was the quality of the goals recently , not the quantity.

Luteo Guenreira

Pierre definitely threw a few pity shags to the huskier, homely girls when he was a young man. Okay sir we get it, you think even the less desirables deserve the full D. Good man.

Marc

Pierre

There you go you can be a proper fan when you just make the effort.

Marc

” you are being deliberately thick as my point was the quality of the goals recently , not the quantity.”

Clearly we’re all thick because I’m pretty sure that everyone on here thinks a goal counts as one whether it’s a tap in or a 30 yard screamer.

Ernest Reed

“How enlightening, of course you are being deliberately thick as my point was the quality of the goals recently , not the quantity.”

You mean QUAULADEE,, not QUANADEE, correct?

Receding Hairline

Pierre’s point is actually pretty clear if you drop the urge to bring up his stance on Ozil. Over the past few weeks Auba has scored goals of quality regularly, the type he doesn’t normally scores and his all round game has improved too. He is simply suggesting that fans don’t get on his back when he reverts back to tap ins and making wrong passing decisions on counter attacks.

Pierre

Luteo G
“Pierre definitely threw a few pity shags to the huskier, homely girls when he was a young man. Okay sir we get it, you think even the less desirables deserve the full D. Good man.”

Sorry you lost me there .

Pierre

Ern
“You mean QUAULADEE,, not QUANADEE, correct?”

Of course.

Luteo Guenreira

Sorry you lost me there .

I just meant you’re full of love.

Pierre

Receding
That was my point , although ideally it would be perfect if he continued to try and emulate Henry’s quality goals.

Marko

He is simply suggesting that fans don’t get on his back when he reverts back to tap ins and making wrong passing decisions on counter attacks. Look receding I know you love going against the grain all the time but you don’t need to piggy back something stupid Pierre says it’s really unnecessary. This notion that he’s going to revert back to tap ins (is that a joke?) and misplaced passes (again laughable) after getting his new contract is just fucking dumb. He’s been exemplary since joining and Pierre is oddly upset that his favorite insect is no longer the… Read more »

Receding Hairline

Pierre yea ideally. He has shown a lot more to his game since the return from lockdown. Long may it continue.

Luteo Guenreira

I highly doubt any fan with any reasonable amount of awareness is upset at Auba’s production in an Arsenal shirt. It’s like the opposite of Ozil in that manner. But if you’re talking about things like taking criticism for missing a penalty against Tottenham that would have give us a CL place, I think any professional athlete can expect at least a little vitriol from those kinds of circumstances.

Receding Hairline

Marko I really don’t have the time to hold your hands and walk you through a simple but obvious point Pierre was making so let’s just leave it there. Nor do I love going against any grain, I happen to have my own thoughts on different subjects regardless of where most of you are heading with yours.

MidwestGun

When Ozil signed his ridiculous contract he was already on the downward slide .. as well as his preferred position the #10 becoming more and more irrelevant to modern football.. Almost everyone could see that at the time except for AW and company. Signing a consistent goal scorer at the peak of his career is good business. As scoring goals will never go out of style. No comparison between the two contracts .. because Auba is a top 10 player at his position in the world… Ozil was not when we signed him to his extension. Not to mention Auba… Read more »

CG

Tom “”””CG You could probably make a convincing case against the Willian deal but Auba’s was a no brainer.””””” he had 12 months of his current contract to run. So why not give him a great contract after he has either helped us win the league or helped achieve top 4 status? One bad injury to PEA and its very likely if he attempts the same type tackle he made on the Fulham winger on the touchline last weekend and that contract just inked might not be looking the wisest move. Clearly the club has not learned anything from the… Read more »

Habesha Gooner

Sangare linked today. Very raw but has potential. And in my view much better than Ndidi who some here love. But I think we need Partey if we are signing a DM. He is the finished Article. I think we need to prioritize an Attacking midfielder though. Aouar should come first.

But I wouldn’t be pissed if we got Aouar and Sangare. At 10 mil euros Sangare might be a good enough gamble. That’s if we don’t have money for both Partey and Aouar.

Habesha Gooner

Much better value for money*

Luteo Guenreira

RH

Since you love missing the point so much, you should realize that, Pierre is just making an analogy to Ozil for being highly paid and hated by the fans. This has very little to do with Aubameyang finishing with curlers vs tap ins.

Auba is our most important player, I think most people are aware of this by now.

Danny+S

RH

You totally missed Pierres REAL point. He hid it in the praise of Auba, but anyone with an ounce of brains could see what he was really getting at. As has been shown by several people jumping on it.

MidwestGun

If your worried about signing players because of the fabled “one bad injury” then you will never sign anyone. Could happen to anyone. What you can do is look at a history of injuries and Auba’s is very good. He has missed a total of about 15 games in 8 years due to injury.

Luteo Guenreira

RH was so busy trying to go against the grain that he didn’t bother to try to understand what was actually being said. It’s a familiar theme with that guy.

Admit it though, don’t you at least go against the grain when you take a razor to that runaway hairline of yours?

Marc

Receding

Luteo is right Pierre’s always looking for a route back to Ozil or Wenger.

The simple fact is Ozil is gone next June and Wenger is finished as a manager. Why either of them is relevant in talking about Arsenal’s future is beyond me – unless you want to go into depth about the damage they’ve done to the club in recent years.

Jamie

“he had 12 months of his current contract to run.
So why not give him a great contract after he has either helped us win the league or helped achieve top 4 status?”

Because he would’ve been free to sign a pre-contract with clubs in January. Unless you think we’ would’ve had the league sewn up by then.

Keep up.