MONEY WILL BE THERE

by .

I’m really struggling to keep my emotions in check with regards to this summer because all the noises are positive. In fact, even the noises that aren’t positive are positive.

There’s a story doing the rounds that Ryan Bertrand is going to take the Leicester offer over Arsenal. I find it odd that a guy who grew up in Gillingham would head to Leicester (I’ve lived there, it’s nice, but it’s no London), but hey, who knows if our offer was real in the first place. He’d have been a very solid back-up left-back, but I don’t think there will be many tears shed on that one.

Granit Xhaka is top of the list for Jose Mourinho’s rebuild. Shows how rated he is. A managers player, one that baffles the fans, but over and over he gets the nod. I’m a bit surprised about this move, I’m not sure he’d have been an expected exit this summer, but fuck it… good for him. He’s 28 years old,  the Italian league will suit him down to the ground, and we have to be honest… Arsenal has to be doing better if we want to go back to the top.

There’s a bit if fear about how we replace him. A lot of detractors don’t understand that Granit Xhaka does a hard job very well. He’s a server, he moves the ball between the lines better than anyone in our side at the moment. Sure, he’s one-paced and slow, but he’s very effective and our midfield without him not as good.

The rumblings that I’ve heard is that this summer will see a focus on Premier League players, so clubs like Wolves and Brighton will be attracting interest. I hope our Premier League hunger is not at the expense of the deals that’ll be available in more financially fucked leagues, but I suspect the logic is pretty simple here: We need a good start next season. If we’re shipping major names in our team, our fans will not tolerate a rough opening.

There’s a bit of fear in the system we’ll be going after Reuben Neves. A player that isn’t exactly a mobile monster in the midfield. I have absolutely no idea who we will go for. I think we’re more likely to move on someone like Bissouma, knowing that Brighton are going to be in the hunt for Eddie Nkeitiah. Remember, we have replace more than one central midfielder. Bissouma is an excellent party crasher that has done really well in Brighton’s midfield, he could do the dirty work next to Partey and give us that athletic bite next season. You still need a midfielder that can be an outlet though, fastballs through the lines with absolute efficiency. We’re looking for a rare breed, but hey, that’s what scouts and analysts are paid to be good at.

Sorry, we have to interrupt this blog to see a SAUCY SHIRT.

Damn. That’s my Klaxons reunion gig outfit set. Neon face paint. Dusted down bright blue skinny jeans. New rave is back baby. Gonna be magic. WHAT A SHIRT THAT IS. Love it. Adidas brings me so much damn joy.

The word on the street is that KSE is absolutely going to try and buy our love this summer. We’re not in a sell before you buy mindset, we’ll be making moves, there is cash to spend and we will spend it. Arsenal lost 22% value according to Deloitte. Honestly, it means fuck all, because no one is bidding for Arsenal based on a pricing, but it’s important because it does show that if KSE don’t get a grip on their prized asset, it’s going to get more and more expensive to fix it longterm. The money injection isn’t just to appease fans, it’s to reduce noise in their lives, and it’s to make sure their star asset is healthy.

That’s not to say we won’t be selling players, we absolutely will. We have plenty of opportunities to make the summer even bigger. Willock, Reiss, Hector, Guendouzi, Cedric, Kola, Torreira, and maybe one of our centre backs will bring in at least £80m. But we’re not in the mess we were last year where we had to run the clock down because everyone was low-balling us.

The market is deflated though. Roma offering £10m for Xhaka is going to be par the course this summer. It’s so amusing to watch fans turn their nose up at getting any fee for an expensive player that will be 29 in September. Move on players that aren’t good enough, find younger models that don’t need galaxy brain systems to protect their weaknesses, do all of the business as fast as you can so we don’t get off to a clunky start next season.

Also, I swear down, if Edu fucks up moving on Willian because he sought out a big fee, I will go to London myself to hand-deliver a stern letter of disapproval. Let him go on a free, don’t top up his salary, move on from this absolute debacle.

There’s a real opportunity to move to the next level this summer, every signing has to be perfect, but if we can manage that, next season could be a major surprise to the league.

I’m excited.

See you in the comments.

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Samesong

Ivan Tony can we buy him woow

Dissenter

I’ve never seen a more one-sided play off final
They are usually nervy affairs that are decided by the odd goal, not this one.

Samesong

Samesong
Pretty much game over all ready unless Swansea can doing something pretty special.

Hoping Brentford win they got a good manager. And a few of my friends used to play for them.

Samesong

Dissenter game is not over 1 goal from Swansea and its game on.

Marko

Delighted for Brentford they’ve had enough play off heartbreak

Goldinho

Like to see swansea get a goal,make a game of it
It’s only 25 mins in

Dissenter

Or maybe I have an outlander type time machine.
Either way I’m it going to dignify the poster that can’t stick to one moniker

Samesong

Kyle Naughton seems likes he’s been playing football for ages must be about 50 now

Pierre

Marko
“Martin Odegaard takes a massive shit over Joe Willock. Not even close ”

Yeah , he shits all over him in checking back onto his left foot.

Not a lot else though.

Dissenter

Swansea better do something…and fast because all the chances at goal have been Brentford’s.

Guns of SF

Morning all from the SF bay area..
All this talk of Guen and Ode… no thank you to both of them. They have debuted for us and no thanks..

Dissenter

If we are going to sell Willock to fund the transfer of another player, then it had better be an established player not another prospect from Madrid being signed on ‘potential’.

CG

“””Kyle Naughton seems likes he’s been playing football for ages must be about 50 now”””

Keep schtum, you ‘ll give Edu ideas.

Brentford on the cusp.

Pierre

Have to say I’m surprised at Marko’s love for Odegaard who is just a poor man’s Ozil,

Champagne Charlie

Joe Willock better than Odegaard…

Got to love this part of the season.

Marc

Pierre

Thought you’d be out on the golf course – it’s about the first sunshine we’ve seen over here in months!

Dissenter

Has anyone said Willock is better than Ode?

The point made is that Ode isn’t good enough to justify signing, talkless of selling off an academy player who’s proven himself.to fund that purchase.

Ode’s reputation exceeds his actual technique and output.

Pierre

Marc
Day off …played all week ,

Marko

Have to say I’m surprised at Marko’s love for Odegaard who is just a poor man’s Ozil,

I see similarities between the two but at 22 Odegaard at least has some hunger and desire to actually be a footballer thankfully. Lad needs a bit of stability to flourish which we saw at Sociedad. If we can just get in a better manager I’d expect him to be a great player

Marko

Joe Willock has proven himself all of a sudden

Northbanker

Dissenter would need to be in his 70s at least to app exists the before and after scenarios

I saw the 66 WC final but didn’t mean that much to me then. I got excited mainly cos my Mum and Dad were

I started following Arsenal with the 68 League Cup Final (age 7) but again had little appreciation of the barren years before then

Dissenter

‘Joe Willock has proven himself all of a sudden’

How do you rate his loan at Newcastle
He’s used it to change many a mind and make his doubters pause

You’re happy to lap up Ode who’s had a middling loan whilst trying to shit all over Willock’s.

Northbanker

*appreciate

Pierre

Nothing wrong in saying that willock will prove to be a better player than Odegaard. Can Odegaard improve , I’m not so sure , he is what he is…a neat and tidy footballer with little pace , no dribbling ability, little power and strength on the ball but can pick a pass occasionally. Can Willock improve, of course ….he is the opposite to Odegaard. Explosive pace ,power and strength on the ball , powerful shot, attacks the ball in the air …willocks’s ceingnis much higher as he has an all round better game. Ive said all along , it’s about… Read more »

Pierre

Ceiling

Marko

How do you rate his loan at Newcastle

Purple patch. Look it up. Guy scored 7 or 8 in a row and all of a sudden he’s the finished product. All other aspects Odegaard is better and that’s what makes him better because when the goals dry up for Joe Willock and they will dry up what else does he got?

Karsa

There’s room for Odergaard and Willock.

Two totally different players with totally different skill sets.

Raulishuss

Willock has yaya toure like potential. He’s going to be some player if he improves his passing

Marko

Can Odegaard improve , I’m not so sure

Can Willock improve, of course ….he is the opposite to Odegaard.

It’s just that simple really

Northbanker

Odegaard of course would improve if playing in EPL and is still acclimatising to our game

Everyone seems to forget he had very little game time for nearly a year prior to joining us and then was hampered by various injuries

Jamie

Guendouzi worth £50m and Willock has Yaya Toure-like potential.. what in the fuck

Dissenter

It’s a purple patch with an asterisk Willock has always had the unteachable ability to find himself in goal scoring positions, his finishing wasn’t always good. I remember he came in in Baku and almost scored two goals. Willock wasn’t just scoring tap-ins against poor teams he was scoring all types of goals against very good opposition. Marko, you didn’t understand the sheer pressure he faced when that goal scoring stint started and the spotlight settled on him. It takes more than just luck to keep delivering at the highest level. I think the player took the opportunities that were… Read more »

Pierre

Marko ” If we can just get in a better manager I’d expect him to be a great player” He is a good player but I can’t see him being a player who will become anything different to what we see now.. I think his game is limited. He won’t suddenly discover pace in his game , he won’t be explosive on the ball , he hasn’t got quick feet to beat a player and I can’t see him scoring more than a handful of goals in a season and I’m not sure if I have seen him head a… Read more »

Dissenter

Anyways, Zidane has left Madrid so surely whatever new manger will be eager to bring in the golden boy , more so when Modric is on the way to retirement.

Champagne Charlie

Dissenter

Your whole argument is as basic as ‘Willock scored a hatful so he’s mustard’.

He’s playing in acres of space for Newcastle, how’s he getting on against the compact defences he’d face at Arsenal? How’s his ability to link? Oh, shite? Well sign me up.

Guns of SF

And Ode is almost 99% dependent on his left peg. Pepe about 85%
Some dont think that is a big deal but if you watch him closely, you will see that he cannot make natural movements in attack, and has to shift his body to continue to use that left leg. Its a bit of a hinderance. I expect any attacker to be 2 footed to some degree. He is slow, not what we need and physically a lightweight.

Pinging long passes only does so much. For a 10, or attacking 8, we need more than that

Batistuta

Really happy for Brentford

Batistuta

Modric just signed a one year extension dissenter

Have to say though, if we can do another one year loan deal for Odeegard that’ll be lovely, have to get in at least 2 CMs especially if Xhaka is on his way so money best used there

Guns of SF

We do not need any more loans from RM. Those players have not cut it for us. its poor execution by Edu, is all what it is.
Never take a RM reject. Ever.
We have been burned 3x by that. Haven’t we learned by now????

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Also

SF

If a man’s for sale not loan fucker out… No try before you buy shit.

Dissenter

Batistuta
Regarding Modric, I meant that he’s on his last legs, surely Odegaard has to be given a chance now.
Odegaard on another loan? Why don’t we just buy an established AM like Buendia?

Charlie
I wrote that Willock still has to develop many aspects of his game. He’s not there yet but he has attributes that are unique to him as well.

Champagne Charlie

Dissenter But Odegaard seemingly has a distinct absence of such qualities for you to constantly harp at him for being a flop. They’re 21 and 22 years old, Odegaard was recruited by Real Madrid and half of Europe as a teenager, he’s had great seasons in the Eredivisie and La Liga, he captains the Norway national side – but Willock scored 7 in 7 for Newcastle so he’s made it apparently. Really weird analysis, even more so when you factor in the numerous remarks about how Arteta apparently culls attacking talent. That thought not applicable to Odegaard either, just Willock… Read more »

Marko

Willock has always had the unteachable ability to find himself in goal scoring positions,

Unteachable he says. Christ you talk some nonsense

Marko

Also why is Odegaard’s apparent one footedness a problem but you know Joe Willock’s isn’t. Very odd

Dissenter

CC You mean like your phantom argument that Willock is better than Ode, even though that wasn’t asserted? His good loans at Vittese and Sociedad didn’t translate into a good time at Arsenal, and don’t use the shortened loan because Willock also had less than 6 months at Newcastle too. I acknowledged that he came to us with a big reputation but that hasn’t been matched by what I’ve seen on display at Arsenal. I wouldn’t say he’s flopped ….he hasn’t done enough. Glad to see you’re using the ‘Arteta culling attacking talent’ excuse to defend Ode’s average ness, seems… Read more »

Kroenkephobe

That Swansea manager eh? Only his mother could love him – great face for radio!

If you count Wtf-ord as being in London, that’s 2 more derbies of sorts for us next year (with Fulham having dropped). Suits us to play flair teams like the Canaries and the Bees I reckon. Not Watford though…

I think in the 88/89 season, there were 9 London teams in the top flight. Didn’t do us any harm did it?

Champagne Charlie

Dissenter Phantom argument? You’re talking up Willock and talking down Odegaard. “His good loans at Vittese and Sociedad didn’t translate into a good time at Arsenal“ But Willocks goals for Newcastle mean something more it would seem, how’s that work? “Glad to see you’re using the ‘Arteta culling attacking talent’ excuse to defend Ode’s average ness, seems you agree he hasn’t been what was expected too.“ Maybe read it again. I said it’s funny that you’ve spent hours claiming the above, and then seemingly forget to apply it in the case of Odegaard who should’ve moved mountains since arriving in… Read more »

TR7

Neither Willock nor Odegaard good enough for Arsenal and for different reasons. Odegard is slow and predictable and pretty much a grafter with little flair whereas Willock is good only off the ball, his technique too limited to dictate play or set the tempo.

Davi

TR7 – Odegaard is a really good passer and can deliver well into the box, I think he’s looked like he’s just a grafter at times because we’ve not had control of the game. Not sure if that’s down to him not being good/consistent enough or just because the team wasn’t playing well as a whole. The willingness to work hard when things aren’t going well is a positive though. Main reason I don’t want him is the cost and because I would expect someone like buendia to have a bigger impact, at least in the short term Willock is… Read more »

Northbanker

I would have Willock back in preference to Elneny as a squad filler but he isn’t first choice material

Could be useful where we’re struggling to bring on a sub to up the vibe

Tom

I’m dying to see the minutes Willock gets from Arteta in the PL next season.
They’ll probably rival those of AMN’s before his loan spell.

TR7

Davi Yes, I think you have explained the attributes of Willock and Odegaard well. Odegaard is a decent player and yes his passing is good but as you say I would rather have Buendia for 40M than Odegaard. Buendia is two footed, plays pretty much in and around 18 yard box and knows the league. Willock has earned to be a squad player but if we get 15-20M, I think we will sell him and it probably will be a wise decision. We have been out of CL for too long. We need to be a bit ruthless to get… Read more »

China1

Willock scored a lot of goals well before he joined Newcastle

His goal threat he’s shown there is not a purple patch of form, he’s demonstrated quite clearly already at arsenal that he’s a big goal threat

Tom

“If you watched and can remember the games and the intricacies of away goals in them, from over 70 years ago, you’ll know the above isn’t even remotely true.“

Cazorla , if your previous statement about the away goal rule being introduced in 1965 is correct, then the above sentence isn’t remotely true either.

Unless this is 2035 and Arteta is still the manager while we are still stuck in eighth in the league.

Curious though, would Pedro and the rest of the gang still support Arteta in 2035 based solely on the Christmas tree table?

Northbanker

TR7 – agree with all of that

Buendia definitely preferable over Ode and the food news is that we’re more likely to get him if Garlick does his job

I’d keep Willock as a squad player but not if 20m on the table. If offer is lower then keep him

Nelson

“nor Odegaard good enough for Arsenal”

I would rather say the current Arsenal defense and midfield are not good enough for Odegaard.

Northbanker

Am concerned that all of the media think we’re going for Sterling and Mahrez

Wrong age profiles, positions and money

I hope someone at the club stands up to prevent this madness. This is looks Willian all over again – because they’re available Arteta thinks he has to have them

Someone needs to curb his say in transfers

Tom

Arteta says the right thing that Willock is in his plans for the future though.
Why would he say he was for sale and by doing so already lower his transfer fee?

Karsa

The media say anything.

Marc

“Someone needs to curb his say in transfers”

Someone needs to curb his influence at Arsenal full stop.

Vintage Gun

I don’t get the negativity around Willock. He’s a young Hale-Ender who has done well for us in the cup comps. He has gone out on loan to gain regular PL action and by all accounts has done very well breaking into the starting lineup of a team that finished about 4 places below us. The goals are a nice bonus and continues his reputation s a goal scoring midfielder . Do i expect him to score every game next season? No Is he on a purple patch? Yes and well done for it. Does that mean he’s complete? No.… Read more »

Marko

Willock scored a lot of goals well before he joined Newcastle His goal threat he’s shown there is not a purple patch of form, he’s demonstrated quite clearly already at arsenal that he’s a big goal threat Eh? 0 in the first 6 months with us he scored 1 league goal in 29 league games last season for us. Unless you count a couple goals in the Europa against piss shit opposition as demonstrated. No I think one premier league goal in his entire Arsenal career compared to the 8 in 14 for Newcastle is the literal definition of a… Read more »

Vintage Gun

As for Keeping or selling him it depends on Arteta’s plan when loaning him out.

If it was to give him some PL experience and view him in the PL arena then Willock has done enough to be part of the squad next season.

If it was to fat up the lamb before the slaughter then Willock has done enough to add at least another £10m to his price tag.

Either way well done Joe

Foxy

The last thing Wullick needs is to be a squad player with no Europe. Like most young players he needs to keep playing every week to achieve his potential even if it is Newcastle again. Could even become a Geordie cult hero. If he keeps up the physical play and goal scoring.

Foxy

Meant Willock of course🙄

Positive pete

The meejah linking us with Sterling is just lazy & complete bollocks obviously 🙄.We the most likely outcome I see is a swap & money, Kane to citeh & sterling to the spuds.Maybe Mahrez to replace monkey boy.we haven’t got a pot to piss in so any links are taking the piss.
In other news EL CASHICO winners hopefully citeh.Couldn’t stand those chavvy B’ starts picking up a 2nd big 👂

Northbanker

Marc – agreed but as that isn’t going to happen I’m concerned that the club starts actually thinking as a corporate organisation and uses its funds wisely and strategically

Arteta is like a kid in a sweet shop with money and clearly can’t be trusted with the purse strings

Northbanker

“ Maybe Mahrez to replace monkey boy.”

All the stuff going on this year to highlight the racism issue and you come out with that

Disgraceful

Rich

Monkey boy = Gareth Bale I’m assuming

No need for a meltdown

Tom

Cazorla
Real fans start watching football in their mother’s womb, surprising you don’t know that.

Rambo

Marko

Everybody’s got to start at zero and climb up the growth ladder.

Continually talking about ‘purple patches’ for a 20-21 year? How fvcking dense can you be? Get your fat ass off the mother’s basement and start working , then you’d get it.

Tom

“Monkey boy = Gareth Bale I’m assuming No need for a meltdown“

Too funny because that was my immediate reaction too.

Sid

A monkey is a beautiful animal

Rambo

Its not even a coincidence that its the same bunch of people sneering at Willock now were laughing off Martinez’s form last season.

Left Testicle

Money will be there headline.

Unfortunately Arteta and Edu will be spending it.

Rambo

“A monkey is a beautiful animal”

Probably smarter too, than some folks posting here- I’d say

Tom

Although I could see how comparing Bale to a monkey might be derogatory to a monkey.

Mr Serge

Lol many monkeys will be offended by that term

Sid

The Welsh are beautiful people, Bale, Swansea manager, kroenkephobe
The list is endless

Northbanker

LT if they stick to the deficiencies and don’t get old bench warmers then I’m ok with that

I do feel though that there needs to be more checks and balances on how it is spent

Positive pete

Indeed Rambo,indeed😜

CG

I note with interest little Brentford are in the prem after years of trying.

(Congratulations)

Villarreal, Leicester City and Brentford showing what can be accomplished when owners take interest of their clubs.

Lets hope they want their useless coaches that they sent us back, especially the one thats destabilsed Leno and given us Runarsson for 5 years.

How is it everyone improves AFTER we recruit their players and coaches?

Eg. At Madrid, Lille, Chelsea, Man City and now Brentford.

Marc

“The Welsh are beautiful people, Bale, Swansea manager, kroenkephobe
The list is endless”

Not what the sheep say though!

Positive pete

Word on the street is once Pepsi delivers old big ears he’s on his bike 🚴.zThe Barca bandits have reminded him about his DNA.

Dissenter

Anyways, hope we get our transfers in very quick so the generational manager can load the players with lots of sauce in the preseason.
I won’t want anyone using that lack of preseason excuse again.

Kroenkephobe

Ms Kroenkephobe’s family are very distantly related to the Bales (as they never tire of reminding me) and attend family reunions with them. I can’t vouch for their simian features cos I haven’t met them but the one that plays for Spurs definitely has some traits if you ask me. The deep set eyes and the lantern jaw. I heard it on the grapevine that his flag was originally going to say ‘wales, golf, peanuts in that order’ but he had second thoughts and decided to substitute his favourite snack for the people who were paying him 500k a week… Read more »

Positive pete

Diss👍

WengerEagle

Can’t see Pep wanting to go back to Barca, massive rebuild needed and they don’t have the money to do it.

Still way too over reliant on Messi who will be 34 and there’s no outstanding youngsters coming through.

Barca in 2008 were the perfect side to take over, massively underperforming with a 21 year old Messi along with Xavi, Iniesta, Eto’o, Puyol, Henry.

Positive pete

Thing is wengereagle.Pepsi might fancy a rebuild.In some ways less pressure.A shiny new project.At his old boyhood club.What’s not to like!

WengerEagle

Of course Sterling starts tonight.

Pep didn’t get the memo that he’s Arsenal bound it seems.

Kroenkephobe

Marc
🐑🐏🐑
Here’s some Welsh threesome porno if you fancy banging one out later into a paper cup.

WengerEagle

Pete

Not really Pep’s style though is it? Generally takes over the best team or the richest.

Barca the 3rd best team in Spain and broke.

Habesha Gooner

Wenger Eagle No outstanding player coming through at Barca? People haven’t been watching it seems. Pedri is really going to be world class. Fati has also shown superb ability before. Riqui Puig will also be class for them. Those three are outstanding from what I have seen. Arujao and Mingueza have been good for them. Add that to the likes of Dejong, Trincao and those players, Barcelona will still be dangerous the next few seasons. They just don’t have any money right now though. They are going for free players like Aguero, Wjinaldum and Depay. Donarumma might go there too.… Read more »

Marc

Going back to Barca would be a major mistake for Pep, if it goes badly which with their financial issues is a possibility it damages what he did there first time around even if it goes well could he achieve the same level of success? If he doesn’t once again he’s deemed a failure.

Going back is never a good idea.

Rich

My Mam went to the same high school as Gareth Bale, it’s her claim to fame….

Pierre

Here’s a thought. I just watched the Alex Ferguson documentary “never give in”…a good watch . It had me thinking about how different the perception is of these 2 great managers. Imagine if Wenger’s and Ferguson’s careers at Arsenal and United were in reverse and ferguson started with a league title and finished with just one FA cup in 4 years., and Wenger started with 3 FA cups in 5 years but finished with a double winning team.. United fans wanted ferguson gone as the team were lying 5 places from the bottom of the league and he saved his… Read more »

WengerEagle

Habesha I have watched them, I meant more a massive prospect in the mould of a generational talent like Messi to take over. Pedri looks brilliant as does Araujo. De Jong is very good but I am still not convinced that he will go on to be elite. Gets a bit lost in the middle at times. Fati’s knees are sadly fucked, he will go the way of Umtiti. Identical injury to the meniscus. Riqui Puig is bang average and barely got a look in all season, he’ll go the way of the famous Sergi Samper who was popular on… Read more »

Pierre

Rambo
“Its not even a coincidence that its the same bunch of people sneering at Willock now were laughing off Martinez’s form last season.”

Yeah, Charlie, Marko and Pedro do tend to make a lot of wrong calls.

Marc

Pierre

People don’t dismiss Wenger winning the FA Cup 3 times in his last few years they criticise him because he was so close to being able to do more and refused. Even when he did spend money he did it badly in the majority of cases.

The only person who tarnished Wenger’s legacy is Wenger.

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