I heard a great bit of advice once.
‘Treat each transfer window like it was your last’
Ok, I never heard that, but it feels that’s the mindset Mikel and Edu are taking to this window.
Arsenal coaching staff LOVED David Luiz, so to see him go was shocking to me.
Today, we’re hearing rumours on three players.
Fabrizio Romano, transfer god to millions, was absolutely emphatic that Willian is going to exit the club this summer. I do NOT know how this is going to happen. He’s on a mega-deal, his powers have declined, and he has 2 years left on his deal. But maybe we’re just so used to players like Ozil not giving a shit about being disliked? Willian might want to put use to his final years. He might want to actually play. This might also be some dark arts from Edu and Kia. Edu knows he’s under massive pressure, the Brazilian posse gotta look out for their own, Willian taking a free transfer elsewhere protects the system.
Whatever it is, it has a big fat approval from Le Grove.
There are also stories linking Xhaka with a move out of Arsenal. Roma, under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, are apparently looking at him. The player has been excellent this season, he’s limited, no doubt, but behind the scenes he’s been a leader, and on the pitch his output has been to the level where you could honestly say you were regretful if he wasn’t in the lineup. A move away from Arsenal at 28 is smart. He’ll go to a league where he’ll thrive and he’ll live in a City that is simply one of the best. £30m for him would be excellent business and his exit would give us a chance to move on a player with a better athletic profile.
The last exit is Hector Bellerin. He’s apparently attracting interest from Real Betis. The right-back fell massively out of favour this season. He lost his pace post-injury, he’s not moved his delivery forward, and he’s just fallen right into the middle of the road. I still love him though, what a guy, what an example, what a fashion inspiration.
These are the moves that shift a club forward. We’ve been nibbling around the edges shifting on periphery players, when the hard facts dictate you have to address the fatal flaws in some of the first-teamers. Xhaka, Willian, Luiz, and Hector are all starting 11 players… but their ceiling is low and stinks of average.
Changing culture properly often needs big shocks. When you start in a new business, there’s often a section of people that are incapable of changing because they’re so wounded by the ways of the past. To truly move on, you need to scrub the decks. When the biggest leaders behind the scenes are average performers, you can’t claim to have a high-performance culture. That’s where we are. The leaders aren’t good enough on the pitch, so though the professionalism might be to a level behind the scenes, you’re never going to hit the elite letting average performers carry the message.
You thought I was going to ignore it, didn’t you?
UNAI EMERY WHAT A GUY.
Honestly, has there been a better final this year?
Don Unai put on a defensive masterclass. He leant into the complacency of United. He took the pace out of the game, he riled his players up to believe they were underdog heroes, he took the game to penalties and made those Villareal superstars feel the winds of winnertivity were with them.
Spectacular. The penalties were so unbelievable. United, a side that wins more penalties than anyone in the Premier League, lost when David De Gea fucked his kick. Stunning.
That’s Unai Emery in his element. Playing with an underdog side, instructing in his native tongue, terrorising the visuals with brutal spoiling tactics.
It’s amusing to see his fan club back in business. Someone said ‘he’d never play a midfielder as a false #9’ negating the Torreira as #10 experiment. People were celebrating his cup final win as a black mark on Arteta, forgetting we won the FA Cup beating better teams. People were celebrating the humiliation of Arteta, missing that Emery took down OGS in his third season at United after spending £290m on players. Losing to the winner has a lesser sting.
The gutting thing is that we’d have beaten United in the final as well. The most sackable offence of the season was the galaxy braining of the semi-final. We should have gone with Saka at leftback, we should have played a balanced midfield. We should have taken a simpler approach. We didn’t, Arteta will learn, we move on with life and hope next season is sharper.
Talking of managers. Galtier, Zizou and Conte all exited their jobs. Spurs are trying to bring Poch back. Allegri is rejoining Juve. We’re about to see quite the shake-up in management. Very interesting.
Ok, shorter one today. See you in the comments.
I doubt if Roma would be paying Mourinho anywhere near what Spurs were.
And he now has this reputation of souring clubs.
He may well have taken a hefty pay cut to manage Roma in comparison to Spurs just so that he could get back into management very quickly which he professes to love.
“As I’ve said IF Granit leaves i’d be confident that Neves could cover his attributes while adding mobility and a higher set piece threat”
I don’t think Neves is that mobile, the only good thing is No more Xhaka.
In defence of OGS. Clearly a limited manager. And clearly not in the top bracket. He would admit that himself. And I know he was schooled by Emery last night ,and they spend more than most but he has still put Manchester United 2nd in the league and only Manchester City ahead of them. Meanwhile Arsenal under the appalling but much more ‘ highly thought of’ Arteta , have Leicester and West Ham in front of them and plus 5 others. How Mikel would love to get a team 2nd in the league one day and oversee his side go… Read more »
Well what a great day for positive rumors for Arsenal. Xhaka, Willian and Bellerin all leaving is great news. I think we should meet in the middle and sell Xhaka for 15 mil. Then I would go for a quality CM. Bring back Torreira (if a loan is anyone is offering) to cover for Partey because I don’t believe we are signing two CMs and a CAM in the same summer. and sell Elneny. Willock/New CM/ Azeez and Partey Torreira would be really good for me. I don’t know if I would go for Aouar. He hasn’t pulled up any… Read more »
Supporting Ingerland in 96? You sound like a geezer happy to stick his head in a lion’s mouth. I remember the game vs Spain. I watched it with a load of manure supporters and told them Seaman would do the business in the penalty shootout. That team was far too spursy which was probably el Tel’s intention of course. That semi against the Germans – the pens they too that night against England were phenomenal weren’t they? Seemed like every one hit the side netting before the back. And good old Arsenal? Written by Jimmy ‘the chin’ Hill who was… Read more »
Rich
You misunderstood my point – we’re in a tough situation that doesn’t really have a win win scenario it’s more like less loss less loss.
Kronke
Nice one get the fans on it.
“Partey/Torreira
Neves/Willock/Azeez
ESR/ Buendia
That would be some midfield.“
Fucking Torreira, Willock, and Azeez
Joke Friday CC. He’s just getting the jokes in early.
Other teams sniffing around wanting Bissouma. I do hope we have a plan b and c and D. Edu is a dipshit, had no back up plan for Aouar, other than Partey who we paid full price for. We waited all summer for that on the last day. Stuff that should get you fired but we were happy we got someone good, so Edu got a pass on his laziness and dithering. THIS cannot happen again. I hope to see Buendia and Anguissa brought in… or Bissouma. Just get it done soon. No point in waiting… waiting for what? 25%… Read more »
Guns
Arteta was untouchable last summer after the FA cup victory
Edu won’t kowtow to him so much now.
Yep Charlie. I understand this is not football manager. We aren’t getting Two CMs this summer. May be one CM and One CAM. Willock, Torreira and Azeez will be good squad players for a team out of Europe. Willock just became the youngest player to score in 7 consecutive games. Unless we are being offered 25 mil+ I wouldn’t sell. He needs to be given a proper chance before we discard him. Although Torreira wasn’t the starter I hoped he would be for us, he has certainly done better than Elneny and Ceballos during his time here. And he just… Read more »
Pleased for Emery, decent man and coach, we were just the wrong club, wrong time, wrong bosses, wrong players and initially at least, wrong language. Just wasn’t meant to be
But what a sad waste we made of a golden opportunity in the semi, Arteta has had some mitigating circumstances , but really has to learn from these things, and quickly once next season starts
Habesha Torreira, Willock, and Azeez won’t offer us shit in CM. This team struggles to technically dominate matches and the best of that trio in that respect is a guy with no minutes near the top level. Same rubbish with people putting Balogun down as a player for next year. If him or Azeez do ANYTHING then it’s a pure bonus. If Arsenal are relying on players from the academy who haven’t sniffed top level football then we’ll be going on a hot streak of no European football, I promise you that. We’re already horribly too expectant of ESR, Saka,… Read more »
In regard to Torreira, I really like the kid. His value might have gone up slightly being La Liga winner but not much. The issue is that Mike got rid of him. I dont see that changing. Torr mom passed from COVID and he wants to go home. I cannot blame him. Why would be want to bring a player who does not want to be here? Sell him to Boca- 15M or something close. Or better yet, who dont we poach some of their talent in a part deal? Stuff like this, Edu should be working on…. getting some… Read more »
Priorities to be exact in order of Importance One CM (ideally progressive of the ball, can play high up the pitch, defensively can hold his own) One CAM ( highly creative, can chip in with goals and can put his foot in) One RB ( attacking fullback, decent at crossing, sound positioning) Backup LB ( cheap youngster from the championship or anywhere) GK ( Cheap, reliable and can put a bit of pressure on Leno) These players, especially the first three are costly. CMs we have been linked to cost between The 20 mil to 40 mil., CAMs have been… Read more »
Charlie You don’t always need a technical midfield. These players are squad players. You just need them to be competent Ceballos has more technique and should dominate matches more but we often struggle because there is no cutting edge. Willock is the better option because he actually makes things happen and teams would be scared in behind. Torreira is very good at one thing. He wins duels in tight spaces. If we played to their advantage instead of trying Elneny and Ceballos because we think they keep the ball better with out doing anything with it then we would move… Read more »
Fulham got the drop, Edu really should ask about Anguissa… would be criminal to not inquire. A big strong CM, likes to dribble… mobile.
( what we thought Xhaka would be)
Lot of heart tho…. a fighter
Can you say the same about Elneny and Ceballos?
I am not even advocating to keep him. If loan is the only option than selling then I see more value in keeping him. If he is sold and we can get two CMs + a CAM, I am all for it.
Anguissa is 6’4 so no need for a Sander Berge….
I know Dani didnt really cut it, but that dude was a fighter… sometimes literally. A nasty MF at times…
Not what we needed skill wise all the time but the fella did play some great games here and there.
El Neny must go. Why on earth would we keep him aside from being cheap and compliant? Seems so Arsenal tho
There were 3 gooners in the starting 11 seaman,Adams and platt,2 spurs anderton and sheringham (at least I think! Were sol and barmby subs?) Though I know that’s not what you mean by spurs. Had a bit of character about them though. The Germans were blessed in the semi, remember v little about the final other than the goalden goal. Jimmy hill eh, would never have worked that one out! He was responsible for ending the pay cap for professional players. Bet he could never have envisaged where that would lead to. When you read about the bitter old pro’s… Read more »
Torreira is burnt toast at Arsenal. He’s all heart but simply failed to settle in England.
He also ain’t going to Boca unless it’s a free transfer as their record signing was Riquelme for £10m about 14 years ago.
Torreira also said the other day that he’s open to Spain or Italy so i’m guessing it’s one of those leagues or ‘Houston we have a problem’
Habesha Cant begin to agree with that, this summer will be all about technical ability – I’ve no idea how you think the likes of Torreira have any role to play here outside of us being unable to flog them. He’s just sat and watched Atletico win the title, he started the same number of games for them as Thomas Partey this season. That’s the guy you want doing bits for us with an injury to a stating CM? I fail to see how he’s better than Ceballos for depth, just a different profile of limited. I’d sooner bin him… Read more »
We really must get Buendia. Watch his goals and assists from this season if any doubt
I know its Championship but he is a cut above Ode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKerbHX1sj4
All this talk of technique as if it’s a special star dust.
Many players are technically proficient to some degree or else they wouldn’t be at the higher level of pro footballer anyway.
What we need to start doing in midfield is actually competing in that area and winning out in that area rather than fixating on technique.
London gunner
” I’d prefer a 7.5 out of 10 in most areas than a xhakA a 9/10 at passing but pretty shit all else”
Yep sums it up.
Guns jiminez is 30 now way we are buying him . Neto is the man but that takes martinelli place we don’t need a lw we need 2 cm maybe even 3
Ishola
The best teams in world football have technically superb midfielders. It’s a prerequisite for dominating possession and territory.
The best team in Europe (Man City) has oodles in forward areas too. The best team arguably ever (Barca) were disgustingly good technicians.
Any CM we get should be adaptable and can feel comfortable in the middle of the park as well as deeper if need be when defending.
As we all know that has not been the case with the Arsenal midfield for many years now.
Too rigid and too area focused.
Xhaka would be a great player in many senses but he has the turning circle and speed of an oil tanker and that doesn’t work for CM in the Premier league
Oh stop it Charlie with the Barca nod.
We ain’t playing peak Barca or anywhere near Barca style any time soon and if ever.
Give us a midfielder that is comfortable playing in numerous areas in midfield as well as having the prequisite technique.
Leeds have played some good football in midfield this season and it entails good incisive passing between them but we don’t hear Leeds fans going on and on about how technically great their players are.
If coached in the right way and as a team more than enough players to contribute to an overall good technical side.
When PV4, Petit, and Parlour were kicking United backside to win titles it wasn’t technical skill that overcame Scholes, Beckham, Butt and Giggs & Keane, we overpowered them. Keane admitted it. Wenger went all out on techically proficient midfielders in his second decade and never came near the title again.
Ishola Don’t dismiss something because you don’t understand it. Arsenal and Arteta aspire to play possession football, it’s not a secret to literally anyone. To do that you need technicians, and we sorely lack them both in number and quality. There’s absolutely no commentary on how near or far we are to sides like City, purely the acknowledgment that a certain profile of player is needed to tread that path. You want to replicate Leeds football? Then sign loads of runners, they make more sprints and cover more ground than any other side in the league by a country mile.… Read more »
Leeds outpassed us to death at Elland Road.
Ish, so your push for the midfield is comfort? Sell Xhaka, find a comfort midfielder.
Ish, we went down to 10 men as we were coming back into the game, then we spanked them at The Emirates.
What is a comfort midfielder?
We should be looking at a central midfielder that can play in the middle and deeper.
Basically more versatile than what we see from this Arsenal midfield.
This fixation on purely possession is bullshit.
You want progressive expansive football with the midfield being capable to interplay and combine and we hardly see that in this Arsenal midfield.
Number of passes isn’t possession in the final third, territorial control etc.
Pepe also head butted Alioski on the 50 minute mark and their harassing style is pure kryptonite to this Arsenal side in its current form. Poor technicians with little recovery speed? Yea, that’ll match up well to the hardest runners in the league.
They thrive off chances created via pressing, a common tactic against them this season was to let them have the ball and break on them instead. As usual you’re doing your level best to wildly miss the point.
Pedro
“we went down to 10 men as we were coming back into the game, then we spanked them at The Emirates.”
We were comfortably outpassed by Leeds in the first half as well at Elland Road.
Besides if you are a great technical possession side losing one man shouldn’t see you get pulverised on the passing front but of course we know Arteta’s Arsenal are not this model anyway.
If the Roma interest in Xhaka is for real , then this is probably the only example of an Arsenal player being wanted by another decent level club in years, yet some posters just want to give him away on the cheap?
But then they want to pay 50m for Buendia and think that’s a steal?
Soft touch all around this club, brass and fans too.
“Besides if you are a great technical possession side losing one man shouldn’t see you get pulverised on the passing front but of course we know Arteta’s Arsenal are not this model anyway.“
We aren’t you dense cunt, that’s the point. It’s what we aspire to be, and in order to do that we need technicians centrally, and in forward areas to control the match and be decisive in the same manner City have en route to 3/4 league titles.
I swear you don’t bother reading what’s typed.
Territorial control?
Tell us what good this so-called “control” we have from deep does for the side as a whole and particularly the midfield.
There is no overall cohesion in the midfield.
Absolute madness over here
Allegri back to Juve
Inzaghi leaving Lazio for Inter
Spaletti heading to Napoli
Lol so much is going on
A cheeky bid for Hakimi would please me, Inter have to sell
Ishola
Play the ignorant card all you like, asking what control does when Man City have won 3 of the last 4 league titles and broken records along the way by dominating football matches.
You for real?
Charlie you poodle.
It’s what you aspire to and what Arteta is nowhere near to..
Arteta is nowhere near to what you want.
Others may not be so hot on your aspirations for the side.
Charlie is so fucking basic isn’t he.
Because we have Arteta who is linked to Man City and Barca all Charlie does is quote us guess what……….yes Man City and Barca.
Arteta can try and fail at your aspirations for the side Charlie.
Cazorla, I certainly was watching but do you honestly think that they were more technically adept than Scholes, Beckham et al? No they weren’t. What gave them the edge was physicality, something we’ve missed for a long, long time. As I said, Keane admitted that we dominated them physically. For all the love the likes of Nasri, Hleb, Rosicky and Santi get they never really came close to a genuine title challenge. We were bullied by the likes of Bolton and Stoke. You need a blend of physical and technical attributes in a midfield, focusing purely on technical skills isn’t… Read more »
‘ For all the love the likes of Nasri, Hleb, Rosicky and Santi get they never really came close to a genuine title challenge. We were bullied by the likes of Bolton and Stoke.’ This is simply not true. We were very close in 2007-08, what cost us the title was being edged in the two massive games at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford down the stretch. We were winning both games 1-0 at HT too. I don’t disagree that we too rapidly got rid of our Invincibles characters but we very nearly won the league that season and really… Read more »
Is this one of the selling points of Arteta?
That he is going to get us to play like Barca and Man City and all in the space of a few seasons which will culminate in top four and getting deep in the CL.
Dreaming. Dreaming’s for free.
Ishola
You don’t get it, and you can’t read. Some double act
Charlie
You spout absolute shite about Arteta.
We were easily outpassed by Leeds at Elland Road both in the first half and second half.
Arteta is still putting ten players behind the ball in the big matches against the better sides.
But here you are taliking all superior and quoting Barca and Man City at us.
You mental.
From ten men behind the ball to playing similar to Man City and Barca.
All in the space of a couple of seasons.
Dreaming. Dreaming’s for free.
Ishola
You don’t even understand what’s being said and you’re telling me I’m talking shit 😂😂 you’re genuinely clueless.
Vieira was very sound technically, he was just such a monster physically that it was often overlooked.
Some of his combination play and finishes like the dink in the 7-0 vs Everton or the goal at Anfield where I think that tubby Scouse young fella Neil Mellor scored the winner with a worldie were underrated.
He always linked up superbly well with Bobby and Henry.
It doesn’t matter if we’ve got the best technicians, or a team full of supreme athletes
It’s characters and competitors that win titles
Where are our Adams, Campbell, Vieira, Keown, Parlour, Seaman, Bergkamp, Henry, type characters?
Some of these guys could seriously play, but it was their sheer force of will that had us playing towards the top of the game, and made us a competitive outfit
Not sure if you get these types of characters now, our dressing room has appeared flaky for a long time
WE
Let’s give Petit a shout also he was brilliant for us.
Weagle
You achieve nothing at the top of the game without it. Even sides like Liverpool who are ‘less technical’ than your Man City’s are still technically capable in central areas, and downright flooded with technical brilliance in the front three.
Charlie
How long can we fuck about with your dream of Arteta ball that in reality doesn’t really exist at present or should we say Man City/Barca ball secondary football?
How many seasons?
I think you have read Arteta wrong.
We would be seeing much more evidence of your Arteta dream by now.
You have basically just lumped Barca and Man City together and keep quoting them because Arteta is linked to those two clubs. What a great link.
Very few of the current Euro elites have what I would consider to be strictly ‘technicians’ in the middle of the park. Only really Rodri-Gundogan for City, Kovacic/Jorginho for Chelsea, Kroos-Modric for Real [and they were completely overrun by Chelsea over 2 legs, age gets to them all], Kimmich for Bayern and Verratti for PSG. Thiago is also an elite baller but he hasn’t really suited Klopp or Liverpool’s style of play. Much more of the industrious and all-rounder types now that cover a lot of ground and move vertically through the middle rather than probing and trying to open… Read more »
Guys
Evidence of Arteta ball is that we “control” matches.
Well we certainly don’t control matches from central midfield because as we all know we are a bit weak in that area.
So where do we see this absolutely essential “control” from in Arteta’s Arsenal? Ah yes from deep areas. Xhaka sprays a few passes around in deep areas and this means “control”
Most EPL teams now play the ball around from the back or at least from the poorer sides attempt to.
Pathetic.
Dreaming. Dreaming’s for free.
Samesong
Absolutely, him and Vieira were easily our best CM partnership.
Used to intimidate Fergie’s United in the tunnel just by looking at them as per Keane and Neville.
Ishola
You’re so ignorant it’s pathetic, “my dream” he says for commenting on what is the philosophy of Arteta. A philosophy HE has stated on more than one occasion, and one he’s implemented at the club since he’s arrived.
My apparent dream though.
Ishola Charlie’s point is that we as of now haven’t got the CM’s to be capable of playing through the middle though which is why we need a technically gifted player in the middle of the park, I don’t disagree. It’s not a prerequisite that said player has to be a physical weakling or treacle threader at the same time. Partey is very good at what he does but he’s not a ball-playing CM, he’s the guy you need to do his best work off of the ball and to use his pace and power to drive forward on the… Read more »
Charlie
Tell us what we have seen from Arteta’s philosophy in actual football matches.
I’m not talking about articles you have read about Arteta from soppy journos.
Tell us what we have seen on the pitch regarding his philosophy thus far with Arsenal.
Weagle
There is no argument to be had with you.
This is about Charlie’s absolute fixation with technique.
We have all basically agreed that it is better to have overall ingredients as well as technique.
I’m waiting for Charlie to tell us about Arteta’s philosophy and how it has transpired so far on the pitch and why we should be excited about it.
Only Arteta knows the definition of Arteta ball….
he actually might not know either….
“This is about Charlie’s absolute fixation with technique.“ Arteta wants to emulate the style City play, his version of technical football. That’s not a difficult one to grasp, but here you are struggling with the idea. To play that game, or anything resembling that game, you need proper ballers who excel technically. Not tackle merchants, not runners, players with control, vision, touch, press resistance, and passing ability. I’ve covered it already and you’ve failed to grasp what’s been said, why the fuck should I bang my head against the wall for your sake? A grown man literally obsessed with a… Read more »
Torriera problem is he is a midget and physically weak for this league
Elneny bang average at everything
Xhaka great passer under no pressure to slow
Partey never got fit enough for this league
It’s a piece of piss being dominant in the Spanish league.
I remember cesc saying once it’s easy to be good when you have time to look up and decide what you are going to do. It’s another thing to decide what you have to do while the ball is coming to you that’s the premier League
And we have virtually not seen anything like Man City style of football at Arsenal since Arteta took over other than Xhaka playing some passes in deep areas and the CBs playing it around with the keeper which you see at most clubs now anyway. Hardly anything. What we have actually seen more from Arteta is counter attack and not dominating the ball. The opposite to Man City. This road to Man City heaven football is a long one. Too fucking long. Arteta hasn’t even packed his fucking sandwiches yet for the journey on this road let alone fucking embarked… Read more »
No chance we would have beat United in the final if we could only muster a handful of shots on target over 2 legs against Villareal.
Well done Unai. Poor job Tets.
Ishola
We scored 1 league goal from a counter attack, 14th in the league for that. Safe to say you haven’t a clue.
Oh
So Arteta fails on many of his attempts at counter attack then.
Yet another reason to ditch him.
Don’t you bare face lie Charlie and try to tell us all here that we dominate the ball in matches.
That would be silly of you.
Arteta has shown no control in matches enough in the areas that truly matter.
Keeping the ball deep means fuck all.
Ishola. Lots of people have mentioned it, including yourself I think; why do we have our CBs as our risk takers in passing out from the back, but avoid the middle of the park with ‘risky’ play where there is less of threat if the ball is lost in midfield rather than with noone behind the ball. If we had players capable of linking up properly, able to play quick one twos, capable of covering ground and backing up their midfield partner, capable of driving forward from the dm/cm positions, and actually utilised the middle of the pitch, we may… Read more »
Arsenal are 7th in the EPL possession stats league table, with 53.3% possession.
City: 63.8%.
Having said that, I’m sure that we shot up the “since Christmas possession league table”, which is of course more relevant.
Arteta’s greatest moments so far with Arsenal had to do with counter attacking football. His FA Cup triumph.
I’m sure he has a fondness for it.
Also it’s worth noting that, by some distance, Arsenal lead the way in retaining possession in in the eighteen yard box.
Unfortunately it’s in our 18 yard box
Goober
Yes the midfield as we know is seriously lacking to be anything like Man City style football.
As for CBs playing risky passes more teams do this now than ever before.
Playing your football right from the back keeper and CBs included is virtually across the board now.
It’s meant to do with comitting the opposition.
Words on a blog
“Arsenal are 7th in the EPL possession stats league table, with 53.3% possession.City: 63.8%.”
The areas of the pitch would be more interesting rather than as a whole where this possession takes place.
Ishola,
I’m pretty sure we lead the way (before and after Christmas) in any league table ranking possession in our own half….
I think the Arteta strategy is to lull our opponents into sleep / bore them to tears, hoping they lose interest or sink into despair as we inch our way methodically up the pitch toward their goal….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYTcf55B-oY
“I think the Arteta strategy is to lull our opponents into sleep / bore them to tears, hoping they lose interest or sink into despair“
WoB
It has certainly had that exact effect on me.
The midfielder I want from Wolverhampton is Dendoncker. He is better than Neves
Poor Koeman. He is in hospital due to high levels of anxiety (Fox Sports). He must be so worry about losing his job to Arteta.
Unai Emery says his time at Arsenal helped him win the Europa League with Villarreal. With the same logic, Arteta will win the EL after he has graduated from Arsenal.
Ishola,
Haha totally understand the concept of playing from the back. And it works quite well with ball playing centre halves.
It’s purely just the fact we play risky in the defence but absolute risk averse in the cmf area. It’s just crabby play around the halfway line from our FBS and CBs.
Why not a bit of both to change it up a bit? We both know why, it’s because we are so poor in the centre.
Before we get excited about xhaka to Roma, Pedro you mention 30m would be nice but supposedly Roma only think he’s worth 10m + bonuses lol…
The guy is going nowhere
If they do actually offer only 10m it means they’d think he’s worth less than even the market rate for Eddie. You’d probably get as much or more than that for fringe kid squaddies like Nelson.
But let’s hope the numbers are higher in reality
Roma you cheeky doogs. I’ll take seeing xhaka out of our squad as a massive win 😂
China
Italian clubs are notoriously cheap and miserly, no chance at all that Roma pay us more than 15-20m for Xhaka.
I’d be surprised even with 20m, would do the deal for 15m.
Yeah 15 would be plenty thanks
Mourinho is finished as an elite gaffer though, the Roma job will be like the Spud one with top 4 the objective rather than any sort of title push.
This Poch to spurs runout is hilarious on many levels if he actually does go 1) he’ll have lasted only 6 months at a club with actual expectations of winning things, failed to win either of the two most important ones then left. It’s not a good look at all 2) he would be coming back to a spurs team half of which needs rebuilding. I actually think that’s part of the appeal if he does come back since he’s not good at actually winning things so this will be an excuse to buy him a couple of years in… Read more »
he would be idiot to go back
Surely everyone knows you go to Barca, Real, PSG, Juve or Bayern to pad out your trophy cabinet for a couple of years then at least when you inevitably get sacked you can always brag that in your career you won multiple leagues and the competed in the CL. Poch spent 10 odd years in the PL and won nothing. He’s finally at a place where he can pad his numbers for a few years . If he rushes back to Spurs after only 6 months to go back to winning nothing it would be quite a remarkable surprise. I… Read more »