Edu running out of time as Aulas appears to slam door shut

by .

Well, we are sailing down choppy waters on the Straits of Panic.

Aulas has told RMC that Lyon have cancelled all negotiations for their players. PSG pulled out of the Aouar deal. It doesn’t look particularly handsome on the face of it.

Thomas Partey has been playing for Atleti dropping promising performances. That seems very dead.

Outside that, there aren’t really many hot rumours. We’re all out here warming up for Jorginho, which would clearly be an improvement on our current midfield, but it’d certainly be a bit of a flaccid way to end the summer. It’d be like one of those sexy videos your builder mates send you that starts on a beach with all the babes but then cuts sharply to a dog taking a poo.

I don’t need that dog in my life right now. I need beach boys that look like athletes that can role as a #8 role or a #6.

There’s no point in spewing your guts about anything just yet and there are some things to remember.

  1. The problem we have is a lack of money. We’ve spent badly over the years. Last summer, we not only spent badly, we also borrowed from this summer in a gamble for Champions League that failed. We are skint.
  2. It is hard to operate at the level we need to operate at when you don’t have a lot of money. It seems like Arsenal just want game-changers. Aouar and Partey are those two players. We seem to be running it up to the line in the hope that we have a selling spree.
  3. We haven’t sold the players we thought would fetch money. No one wanted to buy Torreira. Sokratis, Mustafi, Cal Chambers, Reiss Nelson, Guendouzi and Lacazette have all failed to attract suitable bids. I don’t think the club thought that was going to be as much of an issue as it was.
  4. The COVID nightmare got worse, not better. We’re now in a situation where the world is spiking in cases and most authorities are shutting down the game. That changed the numbers for lots of clubs (all) and I think some of the lighter traffic we’re seeing in the last week is the uncertainty.

You know I have deep reservations about Edu, but I don’t think we can pin too much blame on him for how this is panning out so far.

Also, it’s not over until Jim White sings.

My main criticism, if things go to shit, is that there doesn’t seem to be a back-up plan. I’m not sure I can buy into the idea that there are literally only two players that can improve our playing style. We’re not 2002 Arsenal needing a special cherry to go on the tastiest cake ever baked. We’re a team that can’t create chances from a midfield that lacks any sort of power.

Clubs all around Europe have been making good signings with players that have high ceilings. Sangare went to PSV for £9m, Sourmare is attracting bids from Italy as two examples of talented players in the Thomas Partey shape. I would love a Champions League creator, but if we can’t afford one, there are plenty of attractive players that could do a great job for us in the interim. Though I am a bit worried Oscar and Jorginho is as creative as we’re getting. Hopefully just agent talk.

It’s not over yet, so there’s still time to be shocked, so let’s save an explosion and look forward to a good game tomorrow against Sheffield United. An absolute MUST WIN.

See you in the comments.

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grooveydaddy

1st

Leftside

2nd

grooveydaddy

And

Leftside

3rd

grooveydaddy

Tr4phy

Leftside

Tro4hy

grooveydaddy

Doh!

Leftside

Ooh nice one Groovey, beats this tedious window thats for sure

grooveydaddy

Things looking bleak….

Dissenter

Marc
Saliba was one for the future… surely not two years into the future.
It would have been sheer malpractice for Raul to spend limited resources on players that aren’t premier league ready for TWO seasons at a time when funds were scarce.
Raul got shafted by Gazidis bu he too shafted his successor.Most of the Saliba money as due this summer by the way.:To all those moaning at a lack of spending

Leftside

Why would Chelsea bail us out and give us Jorginho when the world knows we are desperate for midfielders. Seems like such a silly rumour that refuses to die a death.

raptora

James scores again. Can’t deny it feels bad. They got him for free.

Dissenter

James Rodriguez looks like a wonderful team mate to have
He’s quick to give credit to the creator of the goals he scores.

Marc

Pedro

Good piece – fair and balanced as can be in current circumstances.

Kaz

We support a mad team.

Marc

Dissenter

I’d like to know why Arteta is pushing Saliba away? I still think he should be kept and used in the Cup competitions – if he struggles send him out on loan in Jan if he adapts great we’ve got a player.

Jamie

Everton has definitely just advanced up the elite power rankings. Easy top 4 finish for them now until their next game where everything can change, obviously.

And if Leeds beat City later, well, there will be some quick revisions there too for sure. I miss the numbers out of 100 next to each team. Hope they reappear.

Victorious

Left

You see why I say the club is nothing but a complete joke at this present time?

I mean how do you go from the likes of Partey and Auoar to fckin Jorghino? Hopefully its BS but if its not I hope the Chavs tell Edu and his lackeys to fck off with their offer. Embarrass them

Dissenter

Pedro
That “back up plan “ we keep taking about us why we got into this mess in the first place
If we don’t get our targets then we shouldn’t sign a midfielder
Don’t we have enough “plan B/C) players around?
That “plan B” strategy is relevant if tube goal was to get bodies in. We have enough bodies at the moment. It’s quality we are lacking. Let’s wait for another window to get that quality.

andy1886

What happened to Edu and Arteta being on an equal footing and partners in recruitment? Seems like one of them is being lined up to take a fall.

Maybe it would’ve been better to hang on to Raul and scapegoat him after the TW instead?

Still, it’s not over until the fat lady sings even if it looks like she’s already warming up nicely…

Marc

I don’t believe Jorginho is a planned back up target.

It’s either a bullshit rumour or panic by Arteta and Edu. They’re both lucky fans aren’t back in the stadiums – between the boos and empty seats the fans would be letting them have it.

Victorious

Aouar trending everywhere. People are taking the piss out of us

Dissenter

Marc
I don’t think Saliba should stay for just cup competitions. He’s too good for that.
We have too many bodies already to play that fill-in role. He needs games that come in hard and fast to get better.
At Rennes, he’ll play CL games. He will start games.

Marko

Vic I’m begging you fuck off. You cheered for Huddersfield to beat Arsenal before you are not the super fan you claim to be.

Bamford10

Jaime

No, they’re not, because they’re not better than the top five (Pool, Chelsea, City, Leicester, United, in that order). They might be better than us, though, so Arsenal might be falling.

Marc

Dissenter

So this “waste” of money last season who isn’t ready to play for us can go on loan and play in the CL – something that right now we don’t look like we have a hope in hell of doing in the foreseeable future?

That does not add up or make any sense.

Kaz

I was joking when I said imagine we panic buy Lingaard on the last day of the window

Fml.

GunnerDNA

Pedro,

“GunnerDNA, back out of your usual hibernation after we win I see.Welcome back. I look forward to hearing more of those worries you were having about Arteta 60 mins into the League Cup game.”

I’m just been honest!

Marc

Bamford

Right now I’d give Everton a decent chance of causing Chelsea, ManU and Leicester problems. The derby is too difficult to call and I have no idea where City are at for this season.

Receding Hairline

Athletico Madrid deceiving all punters with that opening game, now they can’t get a goal to save their lives two games in a row.

Champagne charlie

Interesting to note the glee being shown by a few at potentially failed transfers. Wonder if all of them have as much luck with the women of London as GunnerDNA, I’m sure that must be the link…

WengerEagle

James was free and we’re paying Ozil 350k a week to play Fortnite.

Peak Arsenal.

Marc

“I was joking when I said imagine we panic buy Lingaard on the last day of the window”

Ah the missing piece of the jigsaw – the much sort after 28th CB.

Valentin

Pedro, We can’t blame Edu for the situation we currently are in, but if Arsenal only reinforcement is Willian and Gabriel, then it would legitimate to ask what is he playing at. Like you said, Arsenal midfield is not currently operating at a level where we need £60 millions player to improve the squad. Instead of buying two game changers in this TW, build incrementally the squad. To me it looks like tunnel vision. Arteta has said that he wanted those two players and Edu is trying and failing to get those. Instead Edu should challenge Mikel and tell him… Read more »

salparadisenyc

Eagle

Your boy is making his critics squirm.

CG

No club has been as badly mismanged as Everton over the years.( although we run them close)
They are also dealing with Covid spikes.

Yet, the vastly able and experinced Carlo Ancelotti seems to be managing Everton with assured aplomb.

Goals, goals and goals at Goodison Park these days.

ps.We should nt make excuses for muppets
And Edu is a No.1 Muppet.

Bamford10

Marc

Nah. Everton are decent, but they’re not as good as that group. Everton are our competition for 6th.

WengerEagle

Sal

He’s a beautiful man.

Atletico doing Atletico things once again, RH is dead right there. El Diego gonna El Diego.

Marc

Bamford

We’ll see

Nelson

That Jorginho rumor reminds me of Luiz. Last second panic buy.

Santino

Walcott still killing attacks with shit decision making.

Marc

Nelson

The two situations are completely different.

Valentin

Marc,

“So this “waste” of money last season who isn’t ready to play for us can go on loan and play in the CL – something that right now we don’t look like we have a hope in hell of doing in the foreseeable future?”

That was my line yesterday.

As with Guendouzi, I think that is a personality clash and unless Arteta has a change of heart, Saliba career at Arsenal may be over before it has even started.

JayJay

I think you talk a lot of bullshit pedro. Leno a hero? His shot stopping was great, but his feet distribution at conference level, levels below Martinez, you change your mind so easily that it is hard to follow you. Also in my opinion pepe was our best outfield player, working his socks off, never seen him doing that before, ok things didn’t work for him as he/we wanted, but still I think it was very good performance from him, so much better than Willian in his last to games, so please let’s stop being happy retirement home for some… Read more »

Kaz

@Marc

😂😂😂

With us, anything is possible

Victorious

Marko

Pipe down moron, don’t come here and tell folk theyre not supporters of the club, note thats your only response to Banford these days as well

You outrightly disrespected Wenger and the players even when he was winning trophies and now you want to take the moral high horse coz he’s gone right? You massive hypocrite, Go take a sit you wanker.

Marc

Valentin

I don’t know but if that is true Arteta needs to grow up and improve his man management skills.

GunnerDNA

CC,

“Wonder if all of them have as much luck with the women of London as GunnerDNA, I’m sure that must be the link…”

That’s funny 😂😂
You’re a troll 😂😂

Ishola70

Everton get a fourth

The James man again.

Chelsea are going to score lots.

Leicester if Vardy keeps fit backed up by Maddison and Barnes will get a healthy amount of goals.

Can’t rely on just Auba.

Arteta has got to think about this one.

Marc

“I think you talk a lot of bullshit pedro.2

Harsh but true!!!

Peckobill

Pedro You forgot to add :- 5) Making the insane decision to turn down a 15 – 20 million bid for AMN . Added to what we have already reportedly bid to Lyon would’ve got us one of our targets . Now I get he’s improved and carries out Arteta’s instructions and all is well and good keeping him if we still got our targets by other means but just ask yourself these two things . 1) Will failure to rectify our midfield cost us top 4 ? ( without a fucking doubt it does) 2) Fixing our midfield with… Read more »

Samir

If we don’t get Auoar & Partey we won’t finish top 6.

James was FREE. How did we miss out?

Graham62

CG

Hate to admit it but he was my choice ahead of Arteta.

Calmness personified and still relatively young(61)

Also, would not have taken any shite from those around and above him.

4-2 to Everton.

Harsh on Brighton.

Story of their season to date.

Marc

bill

Agree – turning down the AMN bid was one thing if we then got more money but is he the player to get us CL football – no fucking chance.

Kris

Just watched Simeone unable to beat Emery’s Villareal despite a much better squad.

Partey had a shocking game, misplacing all but the most rudimentary passes. Also, ponderous on the ball and just all-round seemingly not too bothered about the game. Perhaps his mind was already on the upcoming partnership with our Swiss maestro LOL

TR7

Knee jerk reactions galore. Let us judge Everton and Carlo at the end of the season. Not the first time they have had a superb start to the season.

Ishola70

Everton are now very dangerous offensively because they have the pieces in place for the attack.

They got the big lump Calvin as the focal point, they got Richarlson floating around him and they got the provider in James R.

Of course still very dubious at the back but they will think they can outscore opponents just like Chelsea.

Victorious

Ishola

I imagine you must be thrilled watching your buddy Xhaka this season zipping passes from midfield like Pirlo

Kaz

DCL took a few seasons to hit his stride.

He was slated quite a lot prior to then.

We have quite a few youngsters who need time. I think us going ‘Invincible’ has really affected perception within the fan base.

Xhaka still needs to be sold before we can build our midfield.

Mics_

Quite disappointing summer if things stay like this. I appreciate that we’re skint, but surely we could have come up with an extra ten million for Aouar—a year from now he might cost twice as much. Everton have had a great window without spending huge amounts on any one player. Doucoure, for instance we certainly could have afforded, and he’d have improved us. Basing our window around the “hope Lyon will accept less money than they want if we keep offering” transfer strategy seems pretty foolish.

Captain Tierney

I still am very positive we’ll get Aoaur. Lyon finished 7th and they don’t have European football. Not even Europa I think. French Ligue earns very less revenue through broadcasts and sponsors when compared to England or Germany. Covid has hit clubs very hard. Lyon have gone and signed up Paqueta. A player French media ( usually very reliable) dubbed as Aoaur’s replacement. Which means right now Lyon have Aoauar, Caqueret, Guimares, Paqueta, Jeff, Cherki to play in the midfield and attacking Midfield positions. Thats 6 players and only the Ligue and French cup to play. Lyon arent Madrid. It… Read more »

Dissenter

Marc The fact is that Arteta doesn’t fancy the two players that Raul spent £100 million on last summer as starters. You think a £30 million player should just stay around to play cup competitions. I say NO to that. He should be sent away on loan so that he can actually improve by playing more games including HIGHER level games than just cup competitions. We have too many central defenders on our books. For example, PapSok isn’t leaving for Nap;oil because Koulibaly wasn’t. Saliba is a 30 million asset that we have to manager properly, just playing a few… Read more »

Ishola70

Vic
“I imagine you must be thrilled watching your buddy Xhaka this season zipping passes from midfield like Pirlo”

Yes the connect is quite something to behold.

GunnerDNA

CG,

“if the club had any sense someone like Ancelotti should have replaced AW from the beginning and someone like Arteta should be his no. 2 learning the ropes”

You’re a brave man!

Champagne charlie

Gunnerdna

I’m no troll, but I’m hoping for your sake that your previous post was. Didn’t deserve a new post from Pedro moments after to spare you lol

Peckobill

Marc
Don’t get me wrong AMN has done some good things so I’m not a bashing him and he’s useful for nullifying top sides attacking wide threats ( though he was gash on Monday) but we finish no higher or lower by keeping /selling him in the bigger picture . Selling him to get partey makes a huge difference

Marc

Dissenter

Saliba is not a £30 million player – we bought potential not the finished article. If Arteta is half the coach he’s supposed to be then Saliba should stay and be used where suitable.

You forget that we weren’t the only club after him.

Victorious

Marc Roca would of been a great option, but our club are stupid. If you’re not going to get your number one target, plan in advance for ****sake. He’d be quality, but nah he’s off bayern.

Not good enough for a midtable EPL club but certainly good enough for the champions league winners right

Edu/Arteta bow your heads in shame.

Moe

But for Brighton pondering on the ball, this game had a draw written all over it. Everton are good going forward, but if we get Partey we match them for quality. Arteta just has to be brave to yank anyone not performing and not leave it too late in games. Without reinforcements this team ain’t making top 4, absolutely no way. Vastly improved teams all around this season.

GunnerDNA

CC,

“I’m no troll, but I’m hoping for your sake that your previous post was. Didn’t deserve a new post from Pedro moments after to spare you lol”

Spare me from what? My life is an open book, there’s no shame in my game. I told you before I’m not always right but I’m real as fcuk. Be good. Back to football!

Dissenter

TR7
You thing it’s knee jerk to respect Carlo Anchelotto and rate Everton to disrupt the top-6?
The manager who’s won more domestic titles in the major European leagues and the CL than anyone else.
Everton have a good goal scorer, a world class creator and a world class manager so anything is possible.

By the way, Knee-jerkism is you naming Poch as one of the top-3 managers in the world.

Dissenter

*You think

IQ

Everton are playing to Rodriguez’s strengths by playing two out and out ball winning midfielders alongside/behind him and Andre Gomes who himself is very mobile and good on the ball. He’s allowed to play the ball forward to two forward players with good movement trying to find space.

I think our midfielders are only allowed to play the ball back to the defense so that Luiz or Tierney can try to hit Aubameyang with a long ball.

G8

Good piece Pedro, just it’s not only Edu should take the blame, the saucy one has to share half of it.

Though it appears Edu can only pull Brazilians/portouguse speaking players at the moment, luiz, Martinelle, Mari, Soars, Gabriel, and lately the link to Jorginho (I know he has italian citizenship)

WengerEagle

TR7 Relax mate, we all know that Everton aren’t competing for top 4 with that defence and GK. You have to admit though that they’re a joy to watch at the moment and going forward, are as dangerous as anyone in the league right now. As Ishola says, they have the perfect synergy in that front 3 with James the lock-picker that also contributes with goals, Richarlison drifting around in the free role behind Lewin giving you a one vs one threat as well as a player with end product and then in Calvert-Lewin you have your target man that… Read more »

Dissenter

Marc
I believe Spurs were the only other team after him.

Hindsight is 20/20, as the saying goes so I’m not maliciously attacking Raul; I’m just staying the obvious. I was amongst those praising Raul last summer but in restrospect we didn’t have a good window because we made bets that didn’t [or haven’t yet ] paid off.

In the 2019 summer, it seemed we had stop-gap measures to handle the midfield and take us into future windows but we were mistaken.

Mr Serge

Raporta and sp James was not free he was £25m stop saying he was free

Luteo Guenreira

You just know DNA has a been keeping a burner IG account full of fake selfies in front of various London landmarks, just waiting for this day. Finally time to flex those lit internet skillz 🔥💯

Victorious

Aouar is probably confident bigger clubs will be in for him next season so happy to wait a year..

Dissenter

Wenger eagle
Carlo has always had great keepers in all the clubs he’s managed. I expect that Pickford will be dropped down the pecking order by January.
Everton aren’t shy of spending so that issue will be fixed.
Defensively, you’ll expect an Italian manager to drill that defense properly over time.

We do have to wait for Merseyside derby to see what Everton are really made of..

Luteo Guenreira

“I told you before I’m not always right but I’m real as fcuk.”

This is the actual worrisome part for humanity though innit, that your ilk are actually like this. I think I’d much prefer it if you were being a troll.

GunnerDNA

Luteo,

“You just know DNA has a been keeping a burner IG account full of fake selfies in front of various London landmarks, just waiting for this day. Finally time to flex those lit internet skillz 🔥💯”

Exactly! 😀

Hitman

You have to ask why Arsenal were shopping in Harrords this TW if they were skint. Makes no sense.
Some realistic signings should have been made. Or even another loan player in CM.

Pierre

Ah yes, intelligence, technique, vision and composure on the ball….james has it in abundance.

If only we had a player with similar attributes
..or do we .

The non negotiables certainly have a lot to answer for.

Champagne charlie

Luteo

😂😂 if you dont instagram it, it never happened I think is the takeaway.

Mr Serge

Wenger eagle and about 5 other posters James was 25 mil euros let’s not let a bullshit statement from someone on here make it a fact

He was a gamble he is injury prone he has not played 20 games for 5 seasons let’s not get carried away by Everton
They have one striker and are one injury away from being mediocre

Dissenter

Mr Serge
James transfer was effectively free.
His previous Colombian club chased down a sell-in clause and were shooed away by Madrid because there was no transfer fee involved.
It seems Everton paid off his owed wages/bonuses to Madrid in some financial abracadabra
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-rodriguez-everton-transfer-fee-18955758

andy1886

Serge, you obviously didn’t read the responses last time when you claimed he James wasn’t free. His former club have stated that they did not receive a penny of the sell on fee they were due because James was a FREE TRANSFER. Hope you’ve got it now.

Dissenter

Everton would have had to pay James a massive sign on bonus to make that deal happen. A ginormous bonus, all confidential of course.
The deal would have still cost them a tone of money even though there was no transfer fee involved.

Champagne charlie

James has been on multiple loans, and now ran at the first chance to get out of Real Madrid permanently by joining a much lesser Everton and Pierre wants to compare that person to Ozil, sat doing nothing on twice the wages.

Got to love the dedication shown to Mesut above all else. Absolutely no pride, but dedication beyond all comprehension.

Mr Serge

So why did sky and many other sources say he cost £25 m euros ?

Peckobill

Hitman
Without sounding like a broken record , if we accepted the AMN bid we could’ve made a purchase at Harrods

Emiratesstroller

Whenever I open up Le Grove all I ever read IN CG’s posts is that every manager in EPL is rated ahead of Arteta. Earlier this morning he listed former managers in different eras better than Arteta including Bertie Mee who had minimal football and coaching qualifications and whose prior career was as a Physiotherapist at Arsenal!! Now he believes that Ancelotti should be our messiah. CG is becoming an obsessive. What he is attempting to do is try to prove to every genuine supporter who posts on here that he is right in his opinions about Arteta. The reality… Read more »

Mr Serge

Dissenter the Liverpool echo are you serious sending me that link to disprove he cost 25 m

Pierre

I posted this comment nearly 12 months ago Hate to say it , but it wouldn’t look too far out of place now… . PierreNovember 22, 2019 21:42:20 The old adage of let the ball do the work needs to be brought back into Arsenal’s game. One and 2 touch football is obsolete from our play since Emery arrived. We need to play in triangles, this allows us to have players around the ball. All too often our players look isolated on the ball with no team mate to pass to , this will inevitably result in either a negative… Read more »

TR7

Luteo is extremely witty and funny, almost always makes me laugh.

Champagne charlie

Dissenter

Can I point out the change of tact in your number crunching on behalf of Everton where you arrive at ‘virtually free’ for James versus the vendetta you had for the Mari/Cedric deals which cost the club what? 57 million is the latest number? I’ve lost track.

Ishola70

Pierre

“Ah yes, intelligence, technique, vision and composure on the ball….james has it in abundance.”

And genuine hunger.

Something that Ozil hasn’t shown anything like for a good few years.

Dissenter

Carlo Anchelotti is showing us how Wenger should have managed peak Ozil. As mentioned, he’s extracting James strengths to help the team.

Ozil should have had two ball winning, athletic and highly mobile defensive minded midfielders around him.

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