Welcome to Monday. I’m back at work. So are you. Life is shit and miserable.
Still, at least we can bask in the mini-glow of a decent run of three wins.
Chelsea fans? They are probably not feeling so good right now. Frank Lampard started the season badly and was called a fraud, then he had his team firing and he was lauded as the real deal, now he’s back on fraud watch because Chelsea lost again.
The hammer normally drops at Chelsea. Their owner has no time for sympathy or feelings of nostalgia. Though I will say, nearly every manager has had fans calling for their head this season. Ole G had United sniffing around Poch, now they’re apparently going to win the league. Jose was the king for a bit, then he dipped and Spurs fans were crying about their savagely bad football, now he’s somewhere in the middle. Carlo has had it. Nuno is getting it. It’s hard to make rash decisions when there are 10 points between 1st and 12th.
Arsenal has a very important three games coming up. We play Newcastle in the FA Cup, which is a back door to Europe, so we need to take it seriously again. Then we have two 6 pointers against Newcastle and Crystal Palace in the league. All three games are at home. Really, it’s essential we win all three.
In the league, Wolves and Everton are playing + Spurs and Villa. Adding three points moves us closer or further past a rival in the first weekend.
The weekend after Villa and Everton play. United and Everton. Leicester and Southampton.
Our Premier League games are on the easier side. We simply have to make them count. Palace have been all over the place this season, we know they can damage us, but if we’re on form, we should have enough. Newcastle are a really bland team, but they are capable of parking the bus and nicking draws. The shit teams are more often than not the problem. We need to find a way.
The two key games that’ll shape our season big-time are at the end of the month. If we can head into the Southampton and United games on wave of confidence, and deliver, then we’ll be in the running for top 4 this season. If we sputter into those games, and our top 4 hopes rest on them, I’m not sure we’ll have enough.
Southampton has a ghastly run of fixtures heading into our game facing Liverpool, Leicester, and Leeds. United has an extra game squeezed in and one less day of rest before we play.
People have been comparing Arteta’s December escape from hell to the sort of thing Wenger used to do. Say what you will, but Emery didn’t stop the rot from Jan 2019 until he was sacked.
The true Wenger signature move wasn’t escaping bad runs, it was looking well and truly out of the #Top4Trophy race, then delivering it against the odds.
I don’t want to start hyping people about the idea, because it feels a bit lost in this terrible season, but we do have some things Wenger had going for him.
LIKE A NEW SIGNING
An absolute Wenger classic. After he’d crushed his players before December by overplaying his faves, our best players would come back to fitness around the end of January. Those players had a forced break, they were fresh, and they could drive us when others in the race were leggy.
Arteta has his marquee signing from the summer coming back into the side. We’ve had him for 2.5 games. If he comes back ready, he’ll be immense for a side that needs his qualities. Gabriel Martinelli might not be scoring goals yet, but his impact on the backend of this season could be very much like the one Anelka had but on a less grandiose level. We’ve also discovered a young talent in Smith Rowe. He’s fit, he’s hungry and he doesn’t have the weight of half a season in his legs.
AN ACTUAL SIGNING
Can we really look past Andrey Arshavin as the ultimate #Top4Saviour? The little Russian landed in the Premier League and set it alight until he discovered North London takeaways. He arrived saying ‘I AM GOONER’, we all fell in love with him, and he helped us smash top 4 with 9 assists and 6 goals in 15 or so games.
Arsenal needs to make a smart January signing. We are desperate for a creative solution that fits the profile of what Arteta needs. The signing cannot be a glamour name for the sake of it. It needs to be someone that knows the league, can run, that is looking to shop window themselves. KSE shouldn’t be wasting the little money we have on perm signings that’ll come at a premium and stink of panic.
FALLING UP THE STAIRS
Wenger always found a way in the end. It might not have been pretty, but he always found a formula that let him scrape by. Whether it was that legendary back 5 that took us to the Champions League final, the discovery that Coquelin and Santi were quite good, or Mikel and Aaron… there was always a way.
Arteta has been mainlining Old Players, the street equivalent of cooking up dishwasher cubes. He’s been slipped something new though, that’s HUNGRY TALENT, the high is hopefully addicting, and maybe he’ll keep doing it now he understands the error of his ways.
The system he has now works. Hunger, energy, with technicians built for the vision. We need to remember how we fell up the stairs and stick with it, even if there are inevitable bumps in the road.
EXITING HELL
Final one, generally, Wenger would have his nightmare in November, or February. That’d be it then for the season. We had ours through October, November, and December. There’s a chance we might have knocked it out of the system. Sure, we’ll lose games, but the hope is the worst of our bad runs might be over.
All of the above is a big fantasy. We could get done by an Andy Carroll 93rd minute header, followed by Zaha reminding us why he’s the boss in the Ivorian national team. Us Arsenal fans NEVER learn not to touch the extremely painful HOPE button, but fuck it… it’s the first Monday of the year, no one wants to be reading warnings, so have a great day, listen to my podcast RIGHT NOW, then I’ll see you in the comments.
Yeah guns right now a bit of Barca dumbassery would be very much appreciated. We should send them a compilation video of all Bellerins 5 quality performances from the last 3 years and overlay the basque separatist National anthem (do they have one????). Then tease them about how his Barca DNA has been instrumental in making him such a quality arsenal player
Their empty heads would explode and a 50m offer would be incoming within the hour
Sid
No idea why you’d mention me, but good to hear you have multiple residencies as part of your property portfolio.
Do all your imaginary homes/huts have the same design or are some more palatial than others?
Hahahaha Tony that’s actually funny as!! You pretty much nailed me to a t (no real reference to religion there either 😂) I was actually playing at a good youth level for northern NSW as well as a more local rep side and when I could the first grade team in my home town. Had a lot of travel, NSW is massive playing games all over the state. But it all went down hill the couple of years after my step bro bought me a case of jim beam and colas for my 14th birthday and it just got worse… Read more »
Guns the funny thing is because I have the xhaka oil tanker mobility, on the rare occasion I turn and go on a run it always catches people off guard Opposition defenders and midfielders falling over themselves as I go for hugely sign posted feints and turns as I drive forwards. You can tell they’re thinking ‘surely it can’t be that sign posted – surely he’s faking this to sell me the wrong way’ by the time the realize I’m just that basic I’ve already steamed past them at all of 3mph Brutal stuff Then comes the killer through ball… Read more »
China I was always so annoyed by Barca flexing for Cesc back.
They didn’t need him, and the way he ended up sort of on the fringes and sold to Chelsea was horrendous. We should have bought him back instead of Ozil.
I guess it was Wenger’s pride. But we could have looked soooo different these days if that decision was made
Tony fucking LOL
Wouldn’t have thought my cost guesstimate of meals for kids and Ozil’s donations has led to such level of discussions and some rather interesting views. Sorry the cost parameters may not make sense to some. It’s not from local research and was based only on cost of living observatories over my 15+ trips to the UK, mainly London, in the last 20 years. I am mindful business travels and personal trips are very different from local social issues, and with vast cost variances. Anyway, thanks for pitting forward many good, valid points and relevant factors on the issues. Oizil would… Read more »
My mobility and stamina are so poor I often just play as a ball playing CB so I get all the time in the world to ping those through balls
But under pressure I’ll do a mustafi/Luiz brain fart and score an own goal any day of the week.
I’m a proper one trick pony depending on those through balls
Last game a couple of weeks I ago I got 3 assists, scored an own goal and was directly to blame for another. I seriously would fit right in at arsenal
*observations*
autocorrect again…
Haha uzeros 😂😂
@Tony, im yet to be in the rotary club but my 1st is in private school too, to learn the ways of stiff upper lipers. We have alot in common.
Random fact,
Fidel Castro was born on his father Ángel Castro’s prosperous 25,000-acre, 400-employee plantation
China is now known as özhak
Guns lol My left knee is beginning to be arthritic to the point of not really being able to run at any speed, but I’m ok with jumping, so I’ll plot up around their 6-yard box and then its ‘on mi head son’. Actually, I began playing center half and then right CB, but also had the pace and was two footed enough to play either full back. Rugby was more my natural game @ 15, 10 & 12 positions to county+ level. Had to stop both sports at mid 30s when I had a quintuple heart bypass, so when… Read more »
GoobergoonerJanuary 5, 2021 05:28:35
Fucking RVP indeed China!
It’s funny though, his message upon leaving should have been the catalyst for a managerial change. But alas Wenger was running the shop and didn’t give 2 shits.
___________
It’s also facing saving by those old guards squatting over the Board at the time. They would have been at fault if something were done then. Wenger was their baby so to speak…
Useroz
You should have just asked an ex gf or a mates wife for the info on school meals, those are all the sources you’ll ever need.
Just a pro tip for next time
*face*
Yeah man English school meals ain’t no fine dining! Jamie Oliver took the gov to task over this for a reason!
Anyone else see the irony that for 13 years under wenger we had an awesome midfield but usually no DM which cost us dearly. Then wenger left if we gutted the midfield and bought an awesome DM
Sure thing, Freddie.
Humm…. a little awkward if an ex gf became mates wife hahaha
“@Tony, im yet to be in the rotary club but my 1st is in private school too, to learn the ways of stiff upper lipers. We have alot in common.” All those properties and you don’t have a local Rotary Club to be part of, Sid? You don’t have to be super rich to be a Rotarian; a simple local business/shop and just a good heart and the desire to help those less fortunate than your self, especially helping kids get a decent education or help with facilities at schools that are out of town or in villages. Sid you’ve… Read more »
Tony
Getting in on investing too. Love those penny stocks!
I started as a forward in my middle and high school days. Over time in my 30;s ended up winger in my 40’s im nothing but a defender hanging on for dear life now… 48 years young. Mostly its a lot of hard fouls I do… these youngsters cant imagine the pain they feel when they get within a few feet of me. Im a red card in the making… just that the refs give oldies a lot of respect to keep the violence going… Im as old as their dads mostly, so they figure just let the old man… Read more »
Lol guns
Violent til the end!
they think I cant help myself, but they are wrong, so wrong…
Nothing like a stomp on the foot, elbow to the face, an intentonal missed kick, hitting them in the legs or whereever,,,,, you know… go for the man, not the ball type of stuff. its fun
I prefer to teach a man how to fish than giving him fish(pompous and pretentious)
Some advice, the doggy style is bad for the knees try wheelbarrow if staring them in the face is not your thing
take a break from the porno Sid! LOL
OK let’s end the Ozil fandom now – he is seeing out his contract, picking up his money at the end of it and moving to the even slower lane.
Ozil took to social media to write: “Nice game my boys! Great spirit – three wins in a row. Team looks good with a No 10 like Emile Smith Rowe – the difference maker.”
Nice article on Brentford and how a club on a limited budget should be run. I just hope that they can embarrass the spuds! Thoms Frank seems to be a manager heading in the right direction.
https://www.football.london/brentford-fc/brentfords-58m-tearful-goodbye-offers-19562047
Sid
If they are that bad remember the old adage “you don’t look at the mantle piece when you are stoking the fire”!
Too many old timers on here by the looks of it . China , Tony , Guns , Goober . xD . We need some fresh blood .
Guns the original San Fran Bruiser
Good for you Guns sure you give as good as you get.
Sounds like you’re channeling your Omer Vinny Jones on the pitch
Well I can’t wait to see the incomming Brandt holding up the number 10 shirt at his press call!
“I’m not in Barcelona because of Yusuf Demir, but because of Shkodran Mustafi from Arsenal, whom we also represent,” Ozturk told SPOX, as per Sport Witness, when questioned about a recent post on Instagram showing him at the Camp Nou.
Ozturk was there showing them Mustafi’s highlight reels. Most of it in black and white on 16mm film!
“Many a fine tune has been played on an old fiddle”
@Aussie
Tony
“My left knee is beginning to be arthritic to the point of not really being able to run at any speed, but I’m ok with jumping, so I’ll plot up around their 6-yard box and then its ‘on mi head ”
What you do in the bedroom should remain private Tony.
I’m only 31! Don’t confuse my 30m wide turning circle with me being old 😂
Mustafi to Barca pleeeeeease
This would be amazing on so many levels
Barcelona have Umtiti, Lenglet, Ajrauo and Pique. They are also signing Eric Garcia from Mancity either in january or the summer. An average player like mustafi is going to a mid table club. In other news, 40 mil is demanded by norwich for Buendia. If that is the case we should wait till the summer. He was a bargain at 25 mil but at 40 it will be a bit steep. The player is worth it. I bet in the summer he would go for 30 maximum. I don’t think we have money to fund a 40 mil purchase now.… Read more »
Mustafi + Bellerin to Barca for 30m would be absolutely golden business right now
Then 25m + willock for Buendia
5m income, probably 100k+ a week saved on wages net, a pointless CB and an unneeded RB out, as well as a youth player who is promising but hasn’t kicked on yet – in exchange for a first team ready player.
If that was realistically doable I’d be very comfortable with that.
What made you think of a bedroom Pierre?
The word ‘sock’ wasn’t mentioned anywhere.
Hahaha divine, I’m 28 😂😂😂 though just before Christmas was installing a Tesla battery and my boss fucking dropped it and it didn’t do my back any favours that is for sure.
Sid
I am 60 and all my fiddles are of Stradivarius vintage! Although my current ‘squeeze’ is 58 but looks 30 and very pretty – even my 19 year old son wanted her ‘phone number!!!!!
Tony,
Thanks for making me laugh on a grey, miserable day in London! Oh and I don’t need you to mention the weather where you are. Off to get my one hour of exercise in, walking our dog in the local park with umpteen layers on, hat, scarf and gloves.
Pedro
Agreed on the managerial merry go round. The fickleness of fans knows no bounds.
Also a wengeresque late run of form does suddenly look like a possibility. 4th place here we come.
Fofana message of support to Saliba (“he is finally free”) just highlight the loss of credit that Arsenal is suffering in France because of Arteta intransigence.
Good luck trying to recruit U21 France internationals anytime soon!
Aouar is clearly not going to happen.
Add the new post Brexit recruitment rules and we are unlikely to see any upcoming foreign talent joining us.
@ Habesha- Chris Sutton the muppet has been sticking his oar in on BBC saying we’ve offered £15 plus players.An insult.This is designed by him ( ex Norwich/ chav) to wind up Norwich so obviously won’t deal with us or Jack the price up ridiculously.Such is his hate for us.£25 plus player more than reasonable.That’s IF we’re interested.More than likely will go for cheaper option of Brandt( Dortmund) or outsider Carlos soler( Valencia) we’ll see?
Lol 😂 forgot to add the millions in those figures!
those Tony and sid fuckers are both hilarious! Good morning read over a coffee brew
China
Can I get into the le grove 11?
Played as a RB all my life, scored some beautiful own goals because I’m slow as fk. Don’t expect me to be a full back. I did switch to DM once cause my passing is crisp but I have 0 dribbling ability. Kind of like a poor man’s xhaka. Though someone did compliment me for my stamina cause I was chasing shadows like a fking ninja, come to think of it, they were probably saying that sarcastically.
So the rest of world football sees something in Saliba that Arteta doesn’t.
That’s why he’s been snapped up on loan by elite bottom half of the table club Nice.
Or maybe that’s his level right now and we massively overpaid for him. It’s good for everyone involved that Saliba gets some minutes, and hopefully he’ll be ready for cup games next season when he’ll be just a 20 year old centre back.
Absolute hysterics about a teenager being loaned out and ruining future chances of Arsenal signing any young players from France.
Jamie, Edu has made it clear that any loan for Saliva was for six months with no option to buy, but near guarantee of playing time. The only clubs willing to accept those conditions are clubs desperate for a CB. Any clubs with a decent defense does not need a reinforcement. So the only club that will be interested are not going to be dominating their league. Nice are in the bottom half of Ligue 1, because they have lost their lynchpin CB Dante to a serious injury. Since his injury they have mostly lost their games, so they have… Read more »
Jamie
The brouhaha over Saliba is absolutely hysterical and nauseating given he hasn’t played even one game for us.
Jamie the mouth piece of the club why not join untold with the other sycophants.
Val –
Sounds to me like all parties benefit then.
Nice need him, he needs minutes, he’ll get minutes there that he won’t get here, and no obligation to buy (which means he could well have a future with us).
Can’t see a problem, apart from the obvious that we massively overpaid for him.
I still find it hard to believe that Saliba could not have at least played in the Europa League matches and/or league cup.
At least now he will be playing but it has still been handled very poorly, clearly the player is discontent judging by his social media.
Finally an Arsenal Julian Draxler rumour for this window.
I’m all for it, he’s still only 27
Thought he’d be at least 40 by now.
Jamie,
We overpaid for him, but when Raul was in charge we overpaid for nearly every players we purchased. So nothing new there.
But more importantly, we misused him. He came back early from France to be ready for the beginning of the season. He trained on his own and we did not even make use of him for six months. If he immediately slot into Nice team, that make his omission from European competition even worse.
For sure the situation was handled in an amateurish fashion.
He should’ve probably remained at St Etienne for another season, and we should’ve clawed back some of this fee as a loan payment.
Still, it’s been addressed now – better late than never. If Saliba is in the right headspace to perform in Nice, it can only be a good thing. He’ll still have 3 years left to his deal at the start of next season. No need to panic.
Just hoping all this doesnt leave a bad taste for Saliba and he ends up not playing for us at all . Man played against Neymar and Mbappe, and to go not playing for 6 months must feel like shit .
I mean its all good saying Saliba isnt good enough, but what are you guys basing your opinions on? So far only arteta deemed him not ready. Claude Puel was praising him like he was the saviour to their defense. So has mourinho. We had to beat the competition for him from spurs and other clubs to land him. What goes against Arteta is he didn’t even give him a single minute before deciding a 30 mil signing wasn’t ready. His partner fofana is playing for Leicester since the start of the season. I dont believe he isnt ready for… Read more »
What does it take to be become a scout and how much do these guys get?
Just curious, as I was thinking of a career change.
One of the many things I don’t get about us is that (with the exception of Podolski) we always buy late in transfer windows, generally so bloody late e.g, Arshavin that we nearly miss out. It’s the 5th day of the window and we’ve signed no one and I just don’t get it. Surely after the worst start in nearly 50 years you’d think we’d have players lined up already but no, fuck all so far.
China
I am in. I played GK before. I won’t be worse than Rúnarsson.
Always thought if I could have convinced Wenger to purchase prime Chris Samba and Gary Cahill we would have achieved far more.
Impossible task though as Wenger Mark 2 didn’t like natural born leaders/ winners.
Graham
Get a YouTube channel, put together some clips, add the techno music and watch the hits roll in! All from the comfort of your armchair!
Graham,
I used to hang around local parks watching young boys play football.
I’m now on the sex offenders register!
Played midfield. Combative/two footed and used to be quick until my hip started to wear away
Represented my then home county Gloucestershire at U-16 and U-18 level and played for Expat Invitational XI v Bahrain XI in 1986. Also represented Dilmun Club in Bahrain between 1985 -1988 in expat football league.
59 now and although the brain says “ No problem, you can do this” my body says “ No you frigging can’t, you tosser”
Graham62, Old school Real scouts don’t make a lot of money anymore. A lot of games are analysed via computer. So the good players are already known. Clubs have access to system where you can filter per nationality, position, dominant foot, age, height, weight, speed, shooting ability, scoring record, blocking record, tackle per games, successful tackles per games, interceptions per game, … Even for kids as young as 17 years old. It is now very rare to discover an unknown gem. You would be better off becoming an agent for 14~16 years kids. Tie them up to a devilishly complicated… Read more »
Use to be a better version of ngolo Kante. That’s all I can remember
I came back at the wrong time it seems 😂😂
I appreciate the data aspect of modern scouting, but I also think there is still a lot to be valued in having an old boy go and watch a player for a few games, once identified via a database of whatever. Clearly Arsenal don’t feel the same as they sacked all their scouts!
Looking at their current position in the table, you have to hand it to Manure. They continue to get dodgy penalties even though there’s no longer a purple-nosed pillock shouting abuse from the touchline.
“Sounds to me like all parties benefit then.Nice need him, he needs minutes, he’ll get minutes there that he won’t get here, and no obligation to buy (which means he could well have a future with us).Can’t see a problem, apart from the obvious that we massively overpaid for him.” ———— Jamie Leicester, who aren’t exactly known for making transfer mistakes, paid for Saliba’s ex partner in crime, Fofana ,$38m. Saliba at the moment of the Arsenal transfer was considered the better of the two, yet we paid for him $33m, so $5m less. Unless you come to a conclusion… Read more »
William Saliba made both the NXGN (12th) & Football scout talent’s (10th) top 50 youngsters in world football in May and June 2020. No defender ranked better in each list.
And Arteta thinks that he needs to spend six months with the U23 for his formation…
Fofana was the stand out performer in his Leicester debut with a rating.of 9, and his transfer was called a bargain.
He hasn’t looked back since.
We didn’t overpay for Saliba
We weren’t the only ones gunning for him at the time. I believe Spurs were willing to pay the same fee that st Etienne requested for.
The lad chose us ahead of Spurs.
Nice weren’t the only club that were interested in loaning him. There were several championship clubs and ligue Un clubs but the lad chose Nice, We had to concede to his request – there is no loan fee involved.
I really hope he performs like a Beast and makes Arteta eat his words. We are going to watch how he progresses. He might perform to a high level and Arteta m8ght not accept him back too. Then we woll definitely know if Arteta is vindictive or not.
“ Too fat to track back”- CM only.£ 350,000 grand a week & im yours.Exceptional vision but can’t be arsed to put in a shift.Need breaks & a good supply of Doner kebabs for the benchwarming I’ll be doing.Any offers?
I see there are still some Saliba deniers around. He was sought after by many clubs including the spuds and for once we got in first before every man and his dog. Then what did we do? Yes Arteta ground him into dust and made him a shadow of his former self. Maybe he will never come back from it – who knows. But Arteta must take responsibility for this debacle – no one else. Probably just wiped off 15m from his price tag! This case alone shows that Arteta does not have the mettle to manage players that do… Read more »
Chris,
I agree because I think that very few system collect information at low level enough to spot the entire characteristics.
Also all statistical modelling system rely on a large enough sample, when a good scout should be able to spot the quality and value before there is enough data to be quantitatively enough.
For a lot of people those system are a crutch to dispense from looking at a player.
Moreover you also need to investigate the player character. He may be very good, but is he lazy, disruptive, does he have an addiction disorder (gambling, drug, …)?
There is more going on with the Saliba situation behind the scenes. Its speculation I know but I doubt it is an ability thing more an attitude/personality thing. Some of the kids go a bit crazy for a while. He is what 20 earning roughly £100000 a week. Its enough to turn your head. AMN had a an issue a while back where he kept turning up to training late. Arteta maybe inexperienced but he isnt stupid.
Window has officially started for Arsenal. It starts after Draxler, Mvila or Benzema is linked
😂😂😂
Or Nuri sahin or Kalou
The saliba situation is poor because these things are remembered by players and their agents and it will invariably make it harder for us to sign prime talent. I mean how many agents have seen their clients get wasted at arsenal over the years? Too many by now, it’s no longer an issue of one or another manager, it is a cultural issue within the club, a complete 180 from where we were a decade ago where the talent wanted to come but we lacked funds, now we have the funds despite them being wasted in certain areas but no… Read more »
The Bard
Saliba’s wages have been reported at £40kpw
There is rumor that Wolverhampton may want to sign Eddie this month. I think it would be nice to trade Eddie and sign Balo to replace him.
If Eddie does go, it could mean Balogun and his agent see first team possibilities as more realistic and worth signing a new deal for.
Eddie’s transfer fee + Willock +/or Nelson on loan for Buendia could be a goer.
Wolves would be a good loan move for Eddie.
Silva is not doing it and Jimenez is out injured, so it could be a good opportunity to see if he can hack it.
Having the very good Netto and Traore either side should give him the ammunition he needs.
As been mentioned, it may open a gateway for Balogun to get some game time .
That people see saliba as the one with more potential than Fofana at rennes doesn’t really mean that’s how it’s going to be. Quaresma was seen as having more potential than cr7 but we know how the rest panned out.
.it’s great that saliba has been released on loan till summer and I believe it will make him a better player than just staying put to play on or two games for us. He needs the playing time and no amount of stone thrown at Arteta and edu will reverse the action. Like Fofana tweeted, saliba is free now.q
Well done to Nice for signing a top young defender in William Saliba. To suggest he ‘isn’t ready for Premier League’ is disingenuous at best – and if you look at some of the guys who have been deemed ‘ready’ by Arsenal, it’s laughable
Tweet from Matt Spiro on Saliba
“Well done to Nice for signing a top young defender in William Saliba. To suggest he ‘isn’t ready for Premier League’ is disingenuous at best – and if you look at some of the guys who have been deemed ‘ready’ by Arsenal, it’s laughable”
Eddie to Wolves would be very good for us when we already have a better player ready to replace him.
Hope Nelson & Willock can go out on loan to increase their value for the summer sales.
What concerns me about the Saliba situation is that it gives me vibes of the Zidane and Ceballos relationship, ie no place for you whilst I’m here kinda thing. It’s just been handled so badly from start to finish that, it smacks of more behind the scenes. I read today that if the initial loan goes well that it could be extended to 18 months!!! I can see it now. Arteta says the team is settled,so in order to continue his development Saliba will stay for the next season. Then he’s sold for a profit after that. To see another… Read more »
Arteta is a very poor judge of talent.
He’s the manager who offered Mustafi an extension, placed Eddie above Martinelli in January 2020 and thought Runnarsson was good enough for Arsenal.
He should never have been afforded as much power as he has on the squad, not so early in his career.
Dissenter,
Arteta has been a professional footballer nearly half his life, a football coach for the last 5 years. If he can’t determine if a player is crap after managing him for close to a year, then issue is not about experience.
Nobody needs 10 years of experience to look at Mustafi/Luiz and come to the conclusion that maybe a new well paid contract extension should not offered to the player.
Did he offer musti a new contract tho? Luiz at the time was understandable.
Raulihuss,
Yes he did and thank god, Mustafi turn it down a few months ago. Clearly he wants to leave at the end of the season. His agent may dream of him joining a desperate Barca now, but that’s not going to happen. It would be stupidity of the highest order if suddenly Arsenal were to lose Saliba, Sokratis and Mustafi in the same TW and be short of CBs toward the end of the season.
Totally agree Val . It’ll be beyond stupid