Right? Can you honestly believe for one minute that Arsenal are about the answer their creativity problem, under financial stress, with a loan move for a precocious 22 years old creative talent from Real Madrid?
Gtfo…
Edu has probably asked Kia if Neto can play as a dynamic #10.
Kike Marin, who I have a lot of respect for, reckons the player is less inclined to leave Spain, preferring a trip back to Real Sociedad.
David Ornstein, who is back on top in the world of ITK, reckons we are very much interested in the Norwegian.
Personally, I’d be happy to see another blonde creative force at Arsenal.
I was WRONG to be tempted by Isco. Martin would make more sense. He’s an elite young talent that needs to prove Zidane wrong (lol Dani boy). Staying in Spain ain’t cutting it for me. His manager doesn’t fancy him, his loan move should be about shop-windowing himself for the summer. Joining Arsenal will give him the games he needs. Doing well with us shows he has it at the highest level.
It seems unlikely, but if this is the sort of player we’re going to start going after, then I am very excited about the future.
Papa Sokratis exited the building yesterday. He left after Arsenal terminated his deal early. Good for him. He always seemed like a true professional. There was no bitchy tweet on the way out. He just packed his bags and took a deal that was good for him.
There was a German-speaking clique at Arsenal that has been problematic for the new project. That’s not simply down to being awful humans, I think it’s partly down to pandemic-style-shit-decision-making, and the realities of humiliating senior players in public.
It’s time to move on now… but here are the lessons.
- If you are going to de-list players from the squad, tell them early in the summer. There were rumblings that Mesut did not know he was going to be binned from the squad. If that’s true, it really isn’t cool. Blindsiding someone into a corner isn’t fair.
- Stop signing short-cut players over the age of 27 years old. Unless they are truly elite, it is simply not sharp from a strategic perspective. We need to be in the selling game if we’re going to get back to the top.
- Sokratis was given £90k a week. No one in Europe would have given a limited player like that a deal that big. It was stupid and it had no upside… and because he failed on that deal, he was never going to leave. Arsenal really, really, really need to get a grip on wages. Double your money offers are stupid and seem to be our special move. It needs to end.
- Age down. We are not challenging for the title on this current strategy. The best and only way forward is to identify the best young players in world football, give them a platform, give them elite coaching, and grow them into a team that could challenge in 4 years time. I want William Saliba. I want Azeez, Balogun, Saka, Martinelli, ESR, and AMN-like players as the future of our DNA. We have our senior spine. Partey, Auba, Holding, Gabriel, and Tierney. Let’s build young muscle around them.
I will budge on the above on one signing: back-up keeper. If we sign a 33-year-old, that is fine. We just need someone decent between the sticks if something bad happens to Bernd.
Ground Zero for Mikel Arteta was Willian. Arsenal can never, ever, make a mistake that fucking embarrassing again.
Vinai needs to get real. Put in the work. Make the hard decisions. Take the long route to glory because here’s the thing… even if you miss your mark by a year or two, you’ll have a crop of young players you can cycle out the club, and you’ll always have money to pivot and tweak your plan. The sooner Arsenal accepts the truth, the faster they can get back on track. Ødegaard would be a good indicator we’ve learned a lesson and we’re moving our thinking forward. Let’s see if we do it.
Right, short post. I’m dying. See you in the comments.
Yes I have also received from Arsenal notification that Matt Ryan has been signed on loan for remainder of season. That is a significant upgrade on Runarsson!! The only question is whether Runarsson will be offloaded or become our third string. Frankly do we need to keep him on our payroll when I am sure that Hein a 19year old full international is costing us a fraction of his wages and is perfectly adequate as a third string GK. It seems to me that Arsenal’s sole expenditure in this transfer window may be a replacement of Kolasinac at Left Back… Read more »
The Bard
Didn’t watch him much last season for Sociedad I take it? Was one of the best midfielders in La Liga.
May not turn out great but he has far more potential than the shite that we usually loan.
And that’s the beauty of it, it is a loan. Worst case he doesn’t pan out to be anything special and he’ll be gone in 6 months anyway.
What worries me about the RM loan of Odegaard is his injury.
From the Real Sociedad, his type of chronic pain in the knee can only be treated by an operation or an extended period of rest. Both would render the loan useless.
Andy
Was just before my time haha. Redtruth’s favourite player as it happens.
I caught Stepanovs and boy was he bad. Squillaci is the worst modern CB I have seen but he does have some impressive competition in Silvestre, Senderos, Mustafi, Sokratis.
correction From the Real Sociedad’s doctor statement, it looks like his type of
No Gus Ceaser , Jeff Blockley, Inamoto, Ray Hankin or John Hawley in your worst ever Arsenal XI, WE?
I’m glad to see we have a reliable PL experienced back-up ‘keeper, suddenly the Europa League looks winnable again.
Has Odegaard got over his patellar tendinosis or something diagnosed mid last yeat??
We don’t want agIn a ‘sick note’ and practically helping RM rehab the player who will also take time to adap to the EPL
Haven’t read loan fee, wages, terms, options, etc reported either.
What we dont need is this. By the time Odegaard (hopefully) starts contributing, the season would come to an end and he returns to RM. And oops, we then notice he started 3 times and came on as a sub 7 times etc.
“Eagle, you’re obviously too young to remember Gus Caesar who made Squillaci look like prime Beckenbauer“
Or Ian Selley making Xhaka looking Zadan
Lee Chapman ?
John jenson ?
“Signing Odegaard on loan seems a non event to me. He is already 22 and hasn’t made the breakthrough.” Hasn’t made a breakthrough?? Do you even watch football? He was one of the players of the season in La Liga last year. At 21!! 🤦♀️ In La Liga, not Austria league or some bullshit like that. 74th best player in the world. Do you know which of our players were in the top 100 in recent years? Auba, Partey, Sanchez, and I think that’s more or less it. So you want a top 10 player to come to Arsenal on… Read more »
Media reports on Odegaard loan are conflicting. Earlier they say he doesn’t want Arsenal, today they say he chooses Arsenal. … what rhe heck?
I think that Odegaard and ESR could play together, he played in a deeper role for Sociedad last season and wasn’t an outright CAM.
Have ESR play on the left, Saka on the right with Auba and Laca competing for the ST spot. Midfield trio of Odegaard, Partey and one of Xhaka/Elneny.
Get In ! Arsenal making moves that actually is making sense in the short term . Atleast now we dont have to worry about Leno getting hurt. Cant help bit feel this Odegaard loan to be a bit like Jose Reyes one .
“Matt Ryan joins Arsenal”
Arsenal 1 – 0 Twitter ITK.
Useroz
Arteta called him personally . Also London is a big pull.
Oh my god, the 74th best player in the world is coming to grace Arsenal for 5 months.
We should rejoice< now we’ll finish 8th instead of 9th.
Expecting a 22 year old to break into a team of Modric , Kroos , Casemiro , Valverde and Asensio , bit much I would say . He has shown his potential at Sociedad. The lad is a baller . Certified.
Kris. Agree Odegaard is at least a level above ESR and should start ahead of ESR if he adapts well and his knee has not notable problems.
I don’t think Odegaard would block ESRs development at all. He can’t play all games and there’s still some learning curve to the EPL.
ESR, Aeez, Saka etc kids could all learn something and push each others.
Dissenter. Thats funny.
Genuine concerns though. As long as we don’t pay silly money for 5 months and get some options say to extend loan, Odegaard may work out. Better than ESR fighting alone. Can’t last half a season playing all games ….
Those names are all before my time I’m afraid! I’m such a casual that I have only supported the club for 21 years, I know. 5 year old student of the game that I was.
Dissenter
If Jose had’ve signed him you would be moist.
Wenger eagle- some line up that.But you left out Jim “ fingers” Furnell & Geoff “ blockhead” Blockley,Ian “ manure” Ure & Tommy “ concussed” Caton.These would be squad fillers.But surely “ coco the clown” Almunia would be in goal? 😂😂😂😂
Ryan seems like a plaster to cover a severed artery
His track record at conceding goals doesn’t look that great
Im all seriousness though we know that he doesn’t make us much better but he’ll at least improve the quality of our football like ESR has.
There will be exponentially less bricks through Arsenal supporters’ Telly sets if he showcases his Sociedad form.
Watched Odegaard YT clips. I’d think some of his tricks won’t fly in the EPL , not for long anyway. But if he’s genuinely talented he’d figure out and develop even within the 5 months.
The interesting thing is, Odegaard is quite left footed like Pepe. And I am thinking why can’t Pepe does some of the things Odegaard regularly shows?
Unless he already given up, Pepe ought to figure out what and how he’d evolve here. His play has been monotonous and not going anywhere…
I can’t believe with useless midfield, some here trying to pretend Odegaard is not a good signing lol. We’re here talking El, Willock, Xhaka, Willian and Ceba. Hell, some of us calling for Azeez to be promoted lol.
Uwot
Do you know what, you’re right. Almunia slots in goal.
Mainly because I am still very salty about Barcelona 2006 and the Mancs laughing at us in the SF in 2009.
Ronaldo beat him near post with a FK from closer to the halfway line. Such a clown.
Time Up
Agreed, hilarious to read really.
The past few games has proven that some have very short memories.
Eagle Just caught up and going back to 1968 as a fan (although admittedly without going to games regularly it was hard to see much football then) I can say there have been far worse midfielders than Xhaka. In fact on some levels Xhaka can actually be quite good John Jensen stands out in my mind – we signed him because he scored a great goal in the Euros final and then never scored again It also represented a change in out football to bypassing the midfield The old joke at the time was Adams lumping a ball up field… Read more »
Some still leaving in Arsene’s fantasy world, Alonso would kill Denilson lol. Odegaard would kill AMN or Willock lol.
Am I the only one who thinks Mat Ryan on loan is a coup of sorts? He’s Australia’s no.1 and has plenty of EPL experience behind especially as Brighton’s no.1… and a good age too.
Is there an obligation to buy and make permanent?
Surely that’s curtains for this Icelandic boy, thank goodness we didn’t spend buckets on him…
Perhaps a French and German club will do us a favour and buy him for a couple of million… make a small profit and get out.
living*
Has Odegaard been made official then?
Wenger Eagle
You know the lad is crocked, right?
By the time he is ready to play and adapt to the league, it will all be over.
It’s funny how we’ve become a club that gets excited because the 74th best player is visiting us an a day trip.
Am I the only one who thinks Mat Ryan on loan is a coup of sorts?
No. Me too. Can’t believe some are critical.
He is an excellent back up.
How was Bale’s fitness when he signed for Spurs? A game-changer though, yeah?
So much negativity around a potential loan signing. I’m surprised there’s any resistance whatsoever to someone coming in for 5 months and taking Willian’s minutes.
The Ryan signing appears to be a sound move. He was favourably regarded at Brighton til he lost his place, and despite the manager being youngish and looking the part, I’m not sure Potter’s selections and player management skills are that good. For example, many BHA fans were staggered by the team he put out against us a few weeks ago. So I don’t think he’s the best judge. Reserve goalkeepers tend to be judged too quickly and too harshly. Runar fucked up badly against City and us paying a heavy price. Let’s give Ryan a healthy amount of slack,… Read more »
Leeds
It’s unclear as to whether Matt Ryan will be happy to be a long term number two.
He’s starting goalie for Australia, he may want to be playing more regularly after the 6 month loan is over.
He’s a good goal keeper though.
Odegaard is a good back up for ESR, nothing more. Calm down everyone!
Fabregas with a small frame broke into a team with Viera, Edu, silva
Leedsgunner
Matt Ryan is a good signing as a backup keeper. Difficult to attract a first choice ‘keeper when the reality is they will be sitting on the bench & only coming in for cup games. He’s a Gooner too, that’s an added bonus because he will care and want to do well.
He said:-
“Signing for the club you grew up supporting as a kid @Arsenal. Buzzing to be beginning this new chapter and will give everything I’ve got to contribute to the first club I ever loved”
Another good acquisition, well done to the club.
Liverpool lost, so we are just 7 points shy of Top4. #COYG
Ryan is a great acquisition.
One thing that John Hawley and John Jensen taught me was never ever sign a player sporting that dodgy 80’s Mangnum style moustache.
*Magnum
Matt Ryan’s stats weren’t great the last part of his stint as Brighton’s #1 but to be fair I always thought that he looked decent. Sometimes stats can be misleading.
Arteta needs to manage any ESR/Odengaard selections very carefully. Don’t underestimate how demotivating it can be to finally get your big break, play very well, and then get dropped for a loanee however talented. We don’t want a short term boost at the expense of a longer term impact on a player that could be a mainstay of the team for a decade or more.
Some posters would always strive to find negativity, there’s always something to moan about.
Poor Ceballos ‘
Football is a funny business after all.
SidJanuary 22, 2021 12:28:46
Odegaard is a good back up for ESR, nothing more. Calm down everyone!
Fabregas with a small frame broke into a team with Viera, Edu, silva
Rubbish
Odengaard is top drawer. Zidane is awful at a managing youngsters. One of his many flaws.
Chika
“Some posters would always strive to find negativity, there’s always something to moan about.”
A lot of trolls on here mate. The other day someone tried to claim Mourinho turned us down because we were essentially a shit club with a shit management structure. The fact nobody sees through this transparent trolling sums the place up. It’s the age of social media and trolling is a hobby for some that provides these pretty sad individuals with a sense of achievement. It is why there is almost ZERO positivity.
“Odengaard is top drawer. Zidane is awful at a managing youngsters. One of his many flaws.”
True, the lad is top prospect
He is also known for his massive ego that will make Guendouzi look like boy saint.
Well I’m only going by the stats which don’t look great but if you guys have seen him play and rate him then great. I’m sure this is an upgrade on Runarrson and so another problem solved
I will keep an open mind on Odegaard – the YT vids show a decent player but let’s see how quickly he can adapt to the Prem
My main concern is whether he creates a block for ESR
Divine s
“. Cant help bit feel this Odegaard loan to be a bit like Jose Reyes one .”
Reyes was quality and not a loan..if odegaard makes the impact that Reyes made against chelsea.. that’ll do for me.
♫ Der der der der der der, Mangnum Style! ♫
Winthorpe
Spot on. Zidane didn’t select him when they were embarrassed by Alcoyano in the Copa del Ray. The fact Madrid fans have been complaining about the omission of Odegaard suggests he can’t be as bad as the ‘moaners’ want to claim.
TheAFCBell report that after Odegaard’s close circle met to discuss his options, they decided to accept Arsenal’s offer.
Man do I hope these Ødegaard rumors are true. Would be even better if we could get an option to buy but that is probably a bridge too far.
“Poor Ceballos ‘
Football is a funny business after all.”
Misconception that Dani would have to be sent back if we sign Odegaard on loan.
AFC Forever
We’ve started off a typically difficult window on a good note. When we eventually sign a decent back up LB, supposed Arsenal fans would complain we signed a left back that’s too left looted. 😂
Not seen much in recent years about Odegaard’s ego. He was playing mens football, including national team debut, at 15 and went to Madrid hoping to be in the first team squad.
Kicked up a bit of a fuss and then went on loan because he wants to play. Not seen much else bad reported about him…..seems just a kid who believes in his ability and wants to play at the highest level.
Zidane Covid positive…
Ceballos is no Odegaard
Why don’t we judge Odegaard when we see him play for Arsenal. Anything else is pointless.
Let’s face it player judgement isn’t a strong point on LeGrove. I seem to recall that for too long Giroud was called a shit donkey and two weeks ago some of you said Aubamayang should be sold. It’s actually quite funny really. It’s so transparent.
Chika
“We’ve started off a typically difficult window on a good note. When we eventually sign a decent back up LB, supposed Arsenal fans would complain we signed a left back that’s too left looted”
…..or can’t head a ball, has too big an ego or nobody else wanted him so he’s shit and Edu should be sacked.
As long as Odegaard is fit and hungry to play I’m happy to see what he can do in six months. Surely ESR must be the best attacking midfielder to come from the academy since Jack Wilshere…
Good to see that the club, for once, seems to have learnt its lesson from Wilshere’s spell and that they are putting in place a plan to ensure that ESR isn’t run into ground.
Chika, yes, recent acquisitions have been good.
Partey, Gabriel, Mari, Ryan & possibly Odegaard (loan) can’t be knocked. New contract for Holding. We have had Saka & ESR come through and hit the ground running.
Much to be positive about because good things are happening at the club. We even have an FA Cup in the trophy room under Arteta; all spuds have in their trophy room is a 30 year old, like new, blue and white carpet covered in dust.
Willian, Soares, Rúnarsson?
This is turning out to be a very good window for Arsenal. I think we will finish in the Europa league spots now. Mat Ryan is a very good keeper. He will take the pressure to play Leno all the time. I never thought I would see Odegaard in an Arsenal shirt. Out of all players he would have been my choice if I thought he was attainable permanently. He is not a snowflake like ozil. I think he will have major impact. He will push Smith rowe and will help us massively to compete in all competitions. I hope… Read more »
Recent acquisitions have been a mixed bag.
Martinez, Saliba?
Balogun?
We haven’t got Odegaard for six months, it’s just four months, and he won’t hit the ground running.
DissenterJanuary 22, 2021 12:57:56
“Odengaard is top drawer. Zidane is awful at a managing youngsters. One of his many flaws.”True, the lad is top prospect
He is also known for his massive ego that will make Guendouzi look like boy saint.
Guendouzi isn’t fit to wipe his ass. Different levels
Definitely not 6 months of Odegaard.
Look another way, max :
19 PL games
5 to 8 cup and EL games
GreenBay
You are right, not six but 4. I had the end of the loan June in my mind so that’s why I said six…
I’m looking forward to seeing what the boy can do.
I hate green bay
Why are you being a cunt?
We are signing one of the best young players in the world and you seem to think it is a bad move when we don’t have any money. No signing is guaranteed to perform but signing the best available choice in the market is a very good move. What were you expecting us to do in this market? A loan move for Grealish?
Useroz “Kris. Agree Odegaard is at least a level above ESR ” Interesting to see how this loan pans out. He has played 5 minutes of football in 7/8 weeks so i presume his fitness may be an issue. Looking at his stats this season they dont look too impressive , but as we have seen with the likes of willock , Martinelli and Nketiah , it is difficult to make an impact starting the odd game here and there . 4 goals with 6 assists in 40 appearances last season when he was a regular starter for real sociedad… Read more »
Habesha,
Calm down. We’re not signing him, we’re borrowing him for 20 to 30 games. If he puts in some decent performances we won’t be able to afford him.
I hate Green Bay
Does the months matter…..if he joins it will be until the end of the season and how do we know he won’t be good from the start.
We have 19 Premier League games, plus potentially more FA Cup and Europa league games. Even if it takes him 4-5 games to get up to speed then he could still have a massive impact in the remaining 15+
Guendouzi isn’t better than ESR, let alone Odegaard!
The concerns remain his chronic knee pain and how quickly he adapts to the PL.
Again, if we don’t need to pay silly loan fee and wages, why the hell not?
Better Odegaard than Ceballos, Willock, Elneny, etc
“Arteta called him personally..”
Did he promise him champions league in three…….months?
LT I know that. If only we could. Still 6 months of quality is better than not enough quality. I have criticized Arteta for a lot of things but if he had a major role to bring him here for 6 months he deserves applause. What I also like about this move is it buys us time till the summer with out compromising quality. If Odegaard is available by then I am sure arteta will go a 100 percent for him. But even if he doesn’t we will still go for someone like buendia in the summer who is also… Read more »
Pierre. The need to regain match fitness aside, Odegaard has indeed played at a higher level in a top league than ESR who just broken into the first team and becoming a probable starter…
Commercially Odegaard worth quite a bit more than ESR too.
Left
Why is it so important to always find a negative? Serious question because it is what you always seem to do mate.
Per transfermarkt,
Odegaard. €40m
ESR €2.3m
State of some of you moaners on here
Useroz, the ESR valuation there is probably a good indicator that those figures are complete bollocks.
No problem getting him in on a loan for a few months but the club should really remember that their main investment should be in developing our own player who has a long term value both for the team and financially whereas any loanee does not.
Looking at Odegaard’s stats. What I like is that he has almost as much goals as assists.
Just listen to ‘The Chronicles of a Gooner’, Real Sociedad couldn’t cover all Odegaard”s wages. They are out of the running already.
Spudnik, any crap XI without ‘Bambi on Acid’ Sanogo isn’t the full ticket. Stathis Tavlaridis may even rival Igor too…
“I had low expectations this window and I am excited by what we are doing. Shoot me for celebrating.” There is a danger of allowing all the moaning and whining to bring you down to that level. Best to judge, as you have done, on your own expectation level. Not a false one a troll is trying to generate. As with every signing, there is an element of gamble. Look at De Bruyne and Saha. Didn’t work for Chelsea but Man City and Liverpool different story. So players don’t settle, don’t like certain tactics/positions etc. There is no guarantee with… Read more »
— Worst save success rate in Ligue 1 since 2018/19 (20+ apps): Runar Alex Runarsson – 57.8%
— Worst save success rate in the Premier League this season (10+ apps): Mat Ryan – 47.1%
Our boys 😜
But who’s the worst in the Bundesliga? Maybe he’s available, too??
Useroz
“Odegaard. €40m
ESR €2.3m”
That’s made me smile…
Im sure Odegaard is a decent standard, my concern would be his fitness, we have seen it too many times recently when we have brought a player in on loan aand they were not ready to play.
The quality of the player is not an issue .
I’ll leave you to your world of rainbows and unicorns.
I guess I’m more Claude than Ty.
Pierre
I am reading different Odegaard’s numbers
With Vitesse 11 goals, 12 assists
With Real Sociedad 7 goals 9 assists.
Andre Santos — he was surely the worst LB in modern times for Arsenal.
If we are looking at pure car crash of a player… in terms of CB, look no further than Squillaci. He redefined incompetence.
Dissenter finding the negatives in bringing in one of the more dynamic creative players from la liga to a mid field that had Xhaka and Mo pulling strings with club touching relegation.
Chalk it up as a win mate, he’ll likely elevate ESR and bring more joy. Just wish we had the option to buy. I follow Sociedad, he can play as advanced 10, more central or on either flank, seems like a win to me.
As for his being crocked, think he featured in 30+ games his last two seasons on loan.
I got the numbers from AFTV. I don’t know how accurate are they.
Andre Santos must be right up there with our worst ever LB, he even cost a fair amount of money (£6.2m in 2011)