There’s some odd news doing the rounds that suggests Barcelona are interested in taking Arteta to the Camp Nou as part of Joan Laporta’s promise to ‘bring joy’ back the fans of the Catalan giant. Henk Ten Cate said the interest is real.
Barcelona is without doubt one of the worst run clubs in the world. They are the archetypal rich kid in the playground. Arteta is certainly the best coach on their list. Other names being pushed around include Xavi and Jordi Cruyff who is managing in China.
Arteta is a La Masia kid, I’ve no doubt that the option would be deeply appealing, but my word would it be a gamble for anyone to take that role. Coaches like Pep, Enrique and Valverde always had a peak Messi to cover up any lapses they had in their game. The next coach in there is going to have to bring through whatever the next generation is… and so far, it doesn’t look like they’re bubbling on that front.
I’m also not sure you want to leave your first job because you’re mates with Laporta and Pep G. Not that many Arsenal fans would shed a tear at the minute. The current Barcelona job has a 95% chance of eating most managers alive, the best move would be to give yourself record of achievement before you take a crazy leap like that.
There were a few rumblings Edu and Arteta might be under threat this summer. This one is certainly way off the mark when it comes to Arteta, and unless the ESPN Brazil story moved KSE, I highly doubt they are willing wreck the summer plans he’s co-sponsored. If you’re going to move on either of them, you do it with enough time to bring in someone new so they can assess the squad and the market. The only way we’re firing anyone is if something Don Raul-ish popped up over the weekend.
Dani Ceballos bid fair well to Arsenal. Not sure where he’s off to next, rumours are that it might be Sevilla for a season. Always looked like he could be a good player, but far too one-paced, and extremely inconsistent. We certainly have to improve on him next season. We aren’t one new midfielder away from being comfortable next season, we’re a few.
Martin Odegaard is going to be the priority for Arsenal this summer from an Arsenal perspective. He’s well-liked at the club, he’s bought into the Arteta vision, and I think the ‘he’s the future’ is just bluster from a Madrid that want us to pay a lot for him. Hopefully, we can make a deal with them, preferably permanent. He’s a star in the making, I really rate him.
Mat Ryan also said goodbye. I don’t know if we’ll make a deal for him. He certainly didn’t do himself any hard when he joined the club. As free transfers go, he’d be a sound deal in my opinion. I’m also quite interested to see how Arthur Okonkwo develops, he’s been training with the first team. He certainly has the height, boasting an Emi Martinez frame.
Short one today, check out the latest podcast I did with Johnny. We talk about my propaganda, the Hale-Enders, and hopes for next season. A good one to jump on. Enjoy, rate it 5*, and tell me you like the colour of my eyes even though you can’t see them.
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Play | ACAST
If Arteta goes to Barcelona…..🙏🏽 make it happen
4-5 fans would shed tears. One would be inconsolable
Danny S
Have you ever played? At full-back the whole game is laid out before you.
As for clues, take account of the number who stood in at full-back this season. All did an adequate job. And then ask yourself this: how many fullbacks would have been adequate in midfield or up front?
Valentin
You know Arteta’s a clown, I know Arteta’s a clown, deep down Pedro knows Arteta’s a clown and even Arteta know’s it at heart.
Him going to Barca and taking Xhaka with him would be one of the best things to happen to the club in the last couple of years.
Bard
No worries mis read what you meant.
Eden Hazard is available from RM at £43 millions. I bet they wish that PSG had overbid them.
Bar CR7, none of the big purchases from premier League clubs have worked out.
After the Bale and the Hazard financial fiasco, I wonder if the Spanish clubs will ever learned that this is stupid to try to outbid clubs that have unlimited resources.
Only 1 English player picked from arsenal saka , the rest are championship level at best, arsenal need to clear up the home grown trash 🗑 first.
Bar a few posters on here I don’t know any gooners who wants to stick with arteta ( I know plenty of rival fans who do ) .
Arteta on the sidelines at Barca shouting “ LIONEL. LIONEL get back , cover “ while messi completely ignores him
Marc,
Surely nobody at Barcelona would fall for that one.
Mind you they did fell for Petit, Vermaelen, Song.
Cesc return was hailed as a great coup. That turn out not so great, so that should scare them of getting from Arsenal another Spanish player with Barcelona DNA.
Valentin
Belief can make it happen.
Do you think that Partey will get the Willian or the Aubameyang treatment after he broke COVID rule?
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/15059212/arsenal-thomas-partey-nightclub-covid/
Non-negotiables are going to get Arteta.
Arteta to Barca. Pedro, Just stop!. If Barca want Arteta i will take out a 2nd mortgage just to fund moving him and his baggage to the Nou Camp. Teasing Tuesday, this must be
Global
Are you suggesting we’re looking a new name for the blog – Le Cock Tease?
Please please please please let that be true. You’re welcome to him Barca 😃
Sky sports linking Willian with a return to Chelsea
If this happens, we have to consider the very real possibility, that Willian was planted as a double agent
So if Arteta goes to Barca, will the mood hoovers on here beg we fight it out with the Spuds for Martinez?
As we know, the longer he’s here, the harder it will be to get rid. If he does well and let’s face it, he has nowhere to hide this season, then we will roll out a new deal in true fashion. He’s not going anywhere. No more free season passes. Once the fans are back he will know about pressure as he has not built up enough ‘get out of jail’ excuses with our season long performances.
TLTIDB
That’s why he’ll take the job if it’s offered – the offer will never come around again and after another half season at Arsenal he’ll be putting cones out on the M6.
I’ll buy myself a Barcelona shirt if they take Saucy from us. Fuck it, I’ll buy two.
Please, please, please be true.
Arteta at Barcelona… brilliant news fingers crossed
Can’t make up my mind whether Pedro’s going to strain something banning everyone cheering the idea of Arteta going to Barca or just never post again?
For the life of me.who on earth actually for a split second believes Arteta to Barca.I mean come on.It’s GUARDIOLA .Even the dogs 🐶 on the street know it.I know we’ve got a lot of wishful thinkers on here.But seriously?
From what I am reading Bellerin to PSG is a total non starter the only club that is showing any interest is Barca but they are strapped as we all know for funds but even then there is the internal debate at Barca re Emerson Royal who they have part ownership of and an option to bring full time to Barca at a fraction of the fee Arsenal will want. What is going to be a constant theme this summer is that clubs are skint and very very few will want to commit to transfer but when they do it… Read more »
I have a feeling that it’s bullshit though rumors popping up that Barcelona want him while he’s possibly losing his at Arsenal? Sounds like a calculated attempt by some shady forces to keep the bum in the job he’s got now
A relatively objective assessment and viewpoints , driven and supported by metrics :
https://7amkickoff.com/index.php/2021/05/24/was-it-really-that-good/
Terraloon
The clubs that will have money to spend – outside of the obvious City, PSG and ManU – will be the promoted teams and smaller PL clubs.
There match day income is tiny compared to the riches PL TV gives them.
Why do I get the feeling Positive pete is actually Pedro wishing and hoping?
Useroz good article decent counterpoint to the notion that all is well and we’re going good but I personally just trust my eyes and for me this season has been a disaster and no one can convince me otherwise
What about the concept of both Pep and Diet Pep both going to Barca ? Diet Pep still on low wages and might of had enough of ze pressure so joins his mate back on another journey…
The closest to a credible arguments is , had Arteta been sacked last Christmas and a new coach/manager appointed immediately, would we not be satisfied of the performance of the 24 game Great Run and custom PL table ?
In short , yes… for the performance meaning points, goals for and against. However , definitely not the aesthetic of our games meaning style, tactics, consistency, in game management, player management etc.
The latter could be very difficult to turnaround with the same coaching team, manager, and TD , no matter who we may buy…
Please Barca, take him!
Horrendous club can do with being taken down a few notches.
Why do people think Pep is going back to Barcelona this summer? He just signed up in November he usually runs down his contracts
Marko
He also always has a major if not the biggest cheque book in the league he’s managing. Barca are in turmoil and don’t have a pot to piss in. He’s a legend at Barca – it goes wrong and he’ll always be remembered for the second skint not the first.
Ok ok we’ve had the comedy hour with Arteta & Barcelona.Still say it’s Guardiola.Makes perfect sense……
Anyway moving on to the more serious business of transfers.Terraloon makes some valid points re the market.Fear the worst if that’s the case.Will be stuck with the deadwood forever.
Anyway I got my fingers crossed that somewhere someone at Arsenal is convincing Josh that there’s still options and paths for Arsenal to take available out there. Luis Campos and Galtier or Rangnick and Kovac.
I imagine Pep seeing out that last City contract and either taking on a job in Italy or calling it a day.
Pep will be in the USA when his new City term is complete. He will take the NY team to new heights.
Marko
I don’t think he’ll call it a day but he’ll take a sabbatical. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him roll up at Juve to add an Italian title to his collection at some point.
Trying not to get too into talking about transfers while we haven’t addressed that bum of a manager cause let’s be honest he’ll fuck up a new signing but links to Edmond Tapsoba are pretty exciting. Very much in the line with the likes of Upamecano and Konate
Marc he’d probably prefer to do something with Napoli but yeah I’m thinking Juve cause he goes where his best chance for success is
Marc In normal times I would agree but both Watford and Norwich were in receipt of the full parachute payments so in cash terms for them not much has changed . Norwich have never paid over £10 million for a player and I suspect that the bulk of their 21/2 PL squad won’t be a lot different from this seasons. Watford have paid more but again their 20/21 squad will form the bulk of their 21/2 squad the rumour with them is that Delefou and Dawson two of their better players from their relegation season who have been out on… Read more »
Terraloon
In normal times must or all clubs are spending but after COVID clubs like Arsenal and the Spud’s have both lost massive revenue from gate receipts. What are the value of the gate receipts of Burnley, Norwich, Watford etc in comparison to the £100 million in PL money. Those types of clubs have been far better insulated than bigger clubs.
Arteta to Barca rumors picking up steam………did he buy someone a watch again?
MarkoMay 25, 2021 14:24:37
“Marc he’d probably prefer to do something with Napoli but yeah I’m thinking Juve cause he goes where his best chance for success is”
While I generally agree to this, do you not think that Pep makes champions both Manure and Chelsea if he had picked them instead of Man City? I believe he does. He wouldn’t have spent his money on Harry Maguire and Kepa that’s for sure LOL
Thought we’d laughed off the Arteta to Barcelona joke.With regards to pep rocking up there.A number of viable reasons.Knows the club inside out.Hometown boy.A hero in their eyes( the fans)regardless of their financial woes.Money won’t be an issue.Never was. Never will be.Always manage to find some dosh behind the sofa(sponsors will always fall over each other to back the one of the top two clubs in the world)Can’t see him going to USA already spent a year or two in big 🍏 They will understand he has a rebuild project & a fitting way to end his career.So there you… Read more »
Smith-rowe
willock
Nelson
Eddie Nketiah
chambers
mitland niles
holding
Non of them would even be good enough to make the bench for a top6 side.
pete sorry Pedro I mean pete
No mate we’re all having a great chuckle at the thought of it – I’m also arranging a mass online prayer meeting so we can all pray to the Football Gods.
Pete,
One day maybe. But Pep’s at City. I don’t see him moving. He sounded genuinely honest when he was saying how much he wanted to stay at the club for longer unless they decided to sack him. I believe that he’ll honor his contract until 2023.
Well Marc I wish you all the best with your hopes.I really do.I guess stranger,wackier things have happened.So who knows?
Raptora.I take your point.He Prob at this juncture would do the honourable thing & honour his contract.However,you know & I know they’d be dealing with the dirtiest pack of hyenas in the footballing world who would use every trick in the book & then some to nab him.DNA & all that bollocks.Sounds familiar?
Positive trying to divert the conversation away from Arteta possibly leaving…love to see it
Marc In terms of monies received many of the mid placed teams haven’t been as badly impacted by losing match day receipts yes you are right but it’s player trading that’s their bigger problem. For instance let’s look at Southampton. In 2019/20 they made circa £14 million from player trading which was down from £21 million in 2018/19 We don’t know yet what there 20/21 figures are but looking at the players they sold even if you look at their amortised value it won’t match the 19/20 figure and when you see that they spend in excess of £10 million… Read more »
I have a better one than Since Christmas Table.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Let me present the May table.
P5 W5 Point – 15
Lets tie Arteta for 16years, he is phenomenal.
That’s brilliant. So Barcelona want Arteta because of his all action, end to end football, his game day decision making and obvious managerial flair and elan?
If they’re really chasing him then they might as well wrap up now.
As it is, they’re going to be on a few years of transition. COViD has financially weakened all but the oil-based clubs, it would seem.
Marko
I’m positive it’s Pedro posting under another name – he’s done it before. It’s so funny that he feels the need to “prop” up the pro Arteta argument.
Probably thought he’d put the story up and all but a couple would be raging about it instead everyone’s thrilled at the idea.
The two biggest question marks for Arsenal next season:
1. How stable is Arteta? The team needs to stay with one main system. No more crazy ideas.
2. Does Auba still have the will and energy to perform? It is normal that once an attacker is over 30 years old, he’ll lose some speed and power. On top of that, Auba is fully established in wealth and fame. Whether he still wants to fight it out on the pitch or just goes through the motion?.
Sky reporting Willian wants to return back to Chelsea. Ceballos all set to go back to Spain. Both of them had a very poor season at Arsenal, time to leave.
Ceballos is very lightweight not fit for PL , Adios. Willian going anywhere just makes me feel delighted ! Whats important is that we make decisions quickly , Euros and Copa will begin during that we cant do shit . When it ends I hope we would not be in a last ditch attempt to sign someone. What will be the point of pre season then ?
It would be brilliant if we got rid of Luis, Willian and Auba (1 of 3 so far ) all in one summer. Combined age of 500 odd, 600k in wages freed up. I honestly think we have pretty much played without a striker having Auba in the 11 so at this point, any striker with a bit of presence up front would be an immediate upgrade on this season.
Take cebs 120k and kolasinacs 120k of the wages too and we are looking a lot leaner going into the next season.
TR7
So the stories about Willian going to the US look like bullshit and I can’t see Chelsea being interested even on half his current wages.
I am not too bothered by the Barca news,however unlikely. I did manage to see some signs of progression in the last 5 games,underlining the weak mentality that is endemic of Arsenal these last years,we can get results when there is no pressure on. Overjoyed that Willian is looking to move on,a dreadful waste of time and talent,the same for the slow one paced Ceballos. I thought Ryan was decent,when used. I am hoping we get our transfer business done early,and get rid of a lot of the dross. Next season will be lively with the fans back,and rightly so.… Read more »
Marc
Some sources reporting ‘interest around Europe’.
Willian would have to take a pay cut to leave. Chelsea are not going to offer him better or similar terms and the MLS does not pay that much even their star playzrs.
Willian deciding that he made a huge mistake in joining the Arteta revolution and be willing to take a huge pay cut would be a huge kick in the teeth to Arteta. From arch believer to non-believer in less than 1 year!
Danny
We can only hope.
If Barca are considered a disaster then what does that make Arsenal? Not sure where this rumour emanates from, but if Arteta wants to go, then go. Its not as though he’s a super sought out commodity in the managerial world, given his relative inexperience and subjective success at this point. Going to be a very interesting and important summer at AFC. Get it right and the team progresses in short order. Get it wrong and you destine the club to abject mediocrity for the foreseeable. For me personally, i wish i felt good about prospects given Arteta’s propensity for… Read more »
Colney GoonerMay 25, 2021 11:18:50
‘Best coach on the list?
Is it a one person list then?
I Can’t stop laughing!
You see Willian and you realize how much of a mess Arteta has created in his 128 months of being at Arsenal.
Can you imagine us offsetting Willian’s wages so that he can return to his former team that’s playing in the CL next season?
I guess Willian has seen through that BS of playing in the CL in two years time.
Remember when Pedro was moaning about Emery signing Suares, even though the player left early to save Arsenal money on a 6 month loan?
Wow that’s a bit of inventive thinking( paranoia) I’m trying to divert attention away from Arteta leaving?§Why? He’s not going anywhere.Yet.I’m pointing out the ludicrousness of some pointing out that Barcelona would be remotely interested in Arteta.lol.when their prodigal son is less than a phone call away.If others want to believe in the likes of the Metro or whatever rag dreams this up I can’t help them.
Pedro is no longer hidiing his Arteta bias
He said as much in the podcast. He’s doing a pro bono frontal marketing job for Arteta .
Dissenter
Yes but for Pedro that means having “support” on his side. Other than Pp and eb how many have made a comment today even saying they’s prefer Arteta not to leave? The vast majority are good riddance.
Arsenal linked to centreback Edmund Tapsoba of Leverkusen today. Price German club are quoting is 44m euros. If the club continue to pursue CBs over the 30m price range like Tapsoba and Koundé, it basically means Saliba won’t be an Arsenal player in August
Dissenter
Arteta never told Willian he’d be playing in the CL in 3 years he said he was going to win it in 3 years. As Valentin said earlier that now means Arteta would have to win the competition in his first season in it.
Dissenter: “You see Willian and you realize how much of a mess Arteta has created in his 128 months of being at Arsenal.”
I know you typoed but don’t scare the living shit out of me. I barely survived a year and a half of this, I’ll surely end myself if Sauce is still here in 9 years time.
Going by Pedro’s logic that no young CB has made it in the top leagues, Saliba has maybe 3-4 years before he’s of the required age. lol
I find the conversation around Willock to fill a midfield spot quite strange. Imagine if someone said to you that Arsenal were chasing after a player who had just gone on loan and scored seven on the trot in the PL. He was English, had a high potential ceiling, and cost nothing to sign. Most people would be keen to sign him. There is an old biblical saying: a (wo)man is never a prophet in their own town. Seems like that is pretty true in Willock’s case. My lasting memory of Ceballos is the semi-final against Villarreal – when Foyth… Read more »
“Arteta would have to win the competition in his first season in it.”
You presuppose that Arsenal even get to CL football anytime soon, Marc? Unless something really dramatic happens within the club, I don’t see Arsenal competing for CL in the near or distant future.
Nothing about Arteta this past season should give anyone such thoughts. Still cant lock in on a consistent lineup and, unless forced, wont give the youth any real chance. On those two points alone, i cant possibly fathom how Arteta goes from zero to 100 in 10 seconds flat!
What do you reckon Pete tested positive for?
Ernest
How you doing mate?
Ernest – we haven’t been in the CL since signing Xhaka and as far as I’m concerned Arteta is to management what Xhaka is to CM. The fact that the first full season of them combined has seen us miss out Europe altogether says it all.
My point was more on the sheer arrogance of a mickey mouse manager who’d got 20 odd PL matches under his belt telling a new potential signings he was going to win the CL in 3 years. Del Boy didn’t even sound that delusional.
*18 months, not 128 months
Sorry for the mass trauma that I unleashed.
Marc
Arteta would have to win the competition in his first season in it.
Which is virtually impossible. I mean, he can’t even beat Villareal over 2 legs. So winning at the first time of calling would have to be without PSG, RM, Barca, Man City, Chelsea, Bayern finishing in last 16, which is totally impossible.
Marc, count me in as another Gooner who would not shed a tear if Barca ask him to join them and he leaves.
Doing well Marc, great to see you back again.
I think as a manager you have to hype things up to prospective players, otherwise you are hard pressed to sign anyone of note. Saying that, Arteta’s job just got all the more difficult by not being able to dangle the Euro carrot as incentive. Going to be a long road for Arteta, one littered with broken and unfulfilled hopes and perhaps promises.
I understood that Willian’s signing bonus is being paid at the same time with his salary. If Willian wants to leave, he should give up his remaining signing bonus.
Has he gone yet?
Marc, You’re surprised more people aren’t’ sticking up for Arteta – I’m not. Reading the stream it is dominated by several posters who seemingly have nothing better to do than continually slag of Arteta. I think quite a few people who dip in to Legrove and who might post are put off by this fact- not because they’re particularly pro Arteta just that they don’t get their rocks off by being in the Arteta hate club. It’s so unlikely to happen but if Arteta did get the Barca gig then I’m sure the vast majority of supporters wouldn’t shed a… Read more »
””’My point was more on the sheer arrogance of a mickey mouse manager who’d got 20 odd PL matches under his belt telling a new potential signings he was going to win the CL in 3 years. ”””
Modus operandi of a charlatan
I don’t understand why we get linked to new center backs all the time. We have plenty of them and improving central defense should not be a priority for this summer.
Its depressing but if Arteta does screw up and we sack him later , it would just mean that it will take much longer for us to get back . Scary how far we have fallen. I dont have the confidence in Arteta Edu or Vinai and Josh to pull that kind of summer that is required to get us back to competing. I really hope I am wrong.
Bob
I’m completely lost on what transfer business we’ll do this summer. It’d be great if we can spend “big” but I wouldn’t be surprised if our spending is severely limited.
Of course the Euros won’t help getting business done but that’s the same for all clubs.
Regarding CB situation, we have had a star pairing sitting there all season imo.
Gabrielle and Mari. Gabrielle has all the speed and athleticism and Mari the positioning and leadership.
However due to artetas refusal to adjust his vision of how a team should set up we will never see them play together at CB.
He’d put elneny RCB before a left footed CB.
Honestly, the amount of AFC fans saying “we dont need a CB” is ridiculous, and makes me wonder if they have ever watched a game of football.
We have just lost our best CB.
We now have 4 CBs with Saliba returning, and not a single one of them has ever played an international game. Not a single cap.
Yet people think we will be fine with Gabriel, Mari, Saliba & Holding just because we have 4 warm bodies available to play.
I’m hoping for Bissouma and Buendía in the next two weeks.
DevineSh
I would hope the absolute minimum agenda this transfer window is no more giant contracts for average or past it players.
If tets signs a few duds and gets sacked at Xmas I think the next manager will have a workable squad if we manage to trim some fat this summer and keep most of the core squad.
Azed, the big LOL is people thinking you replace our best CB with William Saliba.
Luiz needs replacing, that’s not happening with a teenager.
The fiercest critics of Arteta are advocating that he put his future on a 19-year-old playing for a mid-table Ligue 1 side.
TR7
I’m guessing that Arteta and Saliba had a falling out. Every window he’s under the contract at the club, you will hear “he’s not ready”, “attitude problems”, “problem around the dressing room” and “leaks info to the press” to tarnish his name. The usual Arsenal covering journos will do his PR work him and the gullible fan base (including myself) will take to it like a duck to water.
Pedro
Luiz has been absent our last 5 games and we’ve won 5 on the bounce.
Or is that not important now?
Quantity over quality in defence so yes we can always need an upgrade in that area
Gambon, you make very reasonable point about our CBs but given the amount of other transfer business the club needs to do, I can just about accept that our existing CBs should stay.
All have potential to improve and as a group are not terrible. I still have hopes that Gabriel and Saliba can form an impressive partnership.
Who would you keep and who would you get rid of?
I have a problem with us signing another right sided central defender when we still have Chambers on the book
Someone [ Edu] needs top tell Arteta that Chambers needs to be sold to fund the new experienced right pegged central defender.
Chambers is a good right back too but the morons in the club already committed to a 4 year deal for Soares last summer.
Luiz needs to be replaced.
I think we have a problem with Gabriel. He has some quality but is naive and raw. We are not a proactive enough club, but it would not be a bad option to sell him. I don’t think he will be the level people are expecting.
Konaté who Liverpool signed is clearly better.
If William Saliba wasnt owned by Arsenal, would anyone be getting excited by him? Come off it. 50 games in French mid-table, no international caps, one U21 cap, friends who like a cheeky wank. He wouldnt even be on our radar. Its ownership bias pure and simple. He’s an Arsenal player so he simply must be the best CB in world football. Just like Balogun simply must be the best Samuel Etoo and Azeez is clearly the next Edgar Davids. Saliba will be a squad player, and have to earn his starting place. He will be a much better player… Read more »
Odegaard hasn’t done enough to blow big money on. If we can sell the likes of amn, willock, Chambers, neketiah, bellerin etc then go for grealish or/and buendia
Mari – Good
Gabriel – Error prone but talented
Saliba – Very young but talented
Holding – Solid
Chambers – Decent back up
Absolutely no need for a new CB when we are severely lacking in midfield and attacking areas and will need to replace Leno and Bellerin too.