A little less football news to chew through today, but look, I’ll put in a shift regardless because that’s the type of player I am.
Bukayo Saka scored an absolute screamer against Austria to take the game for the mighty England. The 90 was quite uninspired if I’m honest. Gareth Southgate giving minutes to everyone felt a bit weird, no one needed to see Pickford between the sticks. It was fun watching Grealish draw fouls, people just love to kick him, a bit reminiscent of our very own Jack back in the day. He’s an awesome player, it’ll be very sad when he moves to Manchester City this summer… and Arsenal fans, please stop pushing him as an option on the internet, it’s depressing. Not as depressing as reading fans thinking they are too good for Raheem Sterling. What the fuck is wrong with people?
There’s big talk that Spurs are trying to lure Mr Conte out of self-enforced retirement to have a crack at Daniel Levey’s ‘CAN YOU HELP ME WITH A TROPHY’ problem. This move isn’t as banterous as Roberto Martinez. Conte worked wonders at Chelsea in season one, before things went south. He turned Inter Milan around. His pattern tends to be, step into a mess, win something, complain about lack of signings, get fired or retire as a result of petulance.
I honestly don’t know why he’d go to Spurs. Levy isn’t exactly free with the cash and the Spurs rebuild job is a big one. We’ll see though, who thought he’d replace Poch with Mourinho? Maybe Levey will give him control over transfers? Always remember he oversaw Morata, Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Drinkwater, and Ross Barkley.
There is a tantalizing rumour in the French press via Loïc Tanzi that we’ve been talking to Luis Campos about moving to Arsenal. I think we could all agree that a move like that would be immense for the football leadership at Arsenal. No one moves a club quite like him. A hire like that seems almost a little too smart for Arsenal, so I’ll hold judgement on that. He fits the bill though. He knows how to identify value, he’s good at picking coaches, and he’s built transfer eco-systems on small budgets… and won titles.
Arsenal will head to Florida this preseason for a Florida Cup with Inter, Everton, and Millonarios. UK Arsenal fans complaining they can’t go. Can you believe that? THIS IS NOT FOR YOU, NOT EVERYTHING REVOLVES AROUND YOUR NEEDS. I’ll be jumping in a camper van and heading down. I might even do some LGTV interviews. Should be fun.
Martin Ødegaard does not know what to make of Carlo heading back to Madrid.
‘He is a coach I know and with whom I had a good relationship when he was last there.’
‘In that sense, it is positive. But beyond that, one day has passed, so I do not know too much about what he thinks about things.’
The hiring of Carlo is a control move by Perez, so you’d imagine if the President likes Martin, Martin is what he’ll see in the side next season. There is also talk that he’ll be sent back out on loan again, so we’ll see.
Kola is coming back. Schalke can’t afford. Hopefully we can bin him off like we did Mesut Ozil.
The club announced the players released.
Men’s and women’s first-team squads:
Dani Ceballos
David Luiz
Leonie Maier
Martin Odegaard
Mat Ryan
No shocks there.
Let’s finish out on a FRESH podcast. Get your ears on it. I talk with Johnny about transfers out of the club, Willy Saliba, and the moves we should be making this summer. It’s a good one. No Arteta talk.
Souper..
Terraloon.( Huge fan)
“”””Any others ?”””
This Newcastle United Ashley mob are they being bought out by the Saudi’s or not? (I keep reading in the UK telegraph conflicting reports.)
There the ones to watch out for in the seasons ahead if they want to outshine PSG/Qatar or Man City/UAE
Our resident crusty owner Stan better get his finger out.
The debts will continue to stockplie if he keeps buying average at extortionate prices.
See Petits overnight comments( Totally agree with them)
Kronkephobe yes I am in London it’s very sunny but only about 20 degrees
I see merit in recruiting Onana, Bessemina and Buendia. These three players would cost us around £90 million. Those acquisitions should be easily covered by sales even if we are selling at very low prices. Leno £18-20 million Maitland-Niles £10-12 million Guendouzi £10 million Torreira £10 million Xhaka £15-20 million Nketiah £15 million Nelson £5 million The only other recruits needed are a decent right full back and second string left back. Again the bulk of money should be generated by sale of Bellerin and Kolasinac. It should not be beyond the realms of Arsenal’s ambition and capability to deliver… Read more »
Stroller I got some magic beans to sell you…I swear they’re magic
Bessemina does look a proper prospect all right.
Bessemina?
Marko
What do you make of Bissouma ?
Only prospective signings that I can remember getting more love on here were Yann M’Vila and Schneiderlin, some shoes to fill.
Can’t help but feel that Anguissa would be the smarter deal to make given he wants out of Fulham and they’ll need the money unlike Brighton.
‘Bessemina?’
You didn’t proof-read Stroller’s post I’m taking it.
Think nelson needs a run of games to prove himself….
There is a good footballer in there
Who was the Chelsea player that we were constantly linked with…. Forward
For the price apparently being touted (upwards of 30 million or more) I would much prefer Soumare or someone like Ryan Gravenberch of Ajax both would likely be cheaper. I just think the kinda prices being touted for him and Buendia in the current climate could get you better
Emirates.Spot on & well Analysed.A very positive piece if I may say so.Makes such a change.some positivity that is.
Gravenberch looks brilliant, was only just talking about him to Thorough and Captain Tierney yesterday.
Much higher ceiling than either Soumare or Camavinga for me.
Could probably get locatelli for the price of bissouma for example. I mean 30-40 million in covid times is a lot of money. Like take Buendia for example being touted for 35-40 million when you could probably get the likes of Brandt or Carlos Soler for 20-25 million. I’d rather we kept that Buendia money and chanced our arm for a Wirtz or a Gio Reyna or Olmo with that kind of money.
Look Buendia and Bissouma have that English premium attached to their valuation now and I don’t like that cause you could find better value for money elsewhere imo. Like it annoys me that a good player in a struggling Brighton side or a championship side can just tak on an extra 10 million to the price over that usual perceived nonsense about being premier league ready. I don’t like it
I must say even though I’m not getting too excited about signings under Arteta because you know he’s dogshit and will likely make them look like shit but Onana would be a great pick up imo
Big fan of Locatelli too as well as Pellegrini.
Not as sold on Soler, penalties have really inflated his numbers [said the same thing about Nico Pepe at Lille on here but fell on deaf ears], 7 of his 11 league goals from the spot. Isn’t a dribbler or a particularly great passer.
And Brandt, not for me. Used to be a massive fan of his but he’s too mentally flaky and inconsistent. He has been horrific this season for Dortmund, as has Marco Reus.
I’d happily raid Ajax for Onana, Gravenberch, Antony and Mazraoui.
Some serious talent to be had, up there for the very best finders of talent in Europe.
[said the same thing about Nico Pepe at Lille on here but fell on deaf ears] As I said recently despite all the shit talk he gets he’s still contributed to 39 goals in 89 appearances since joining and that’s under one season with multiple mangerial changes and another under a terrible manager who never shown any trust in him. I’m saying he scored fuck all pens at Arsenal. My point on Soler and Brandt is I’d consider them cheaper and better than Buendia. You might not necessarily like them but that’s not what’s being discussed. What do you think… Read more »
Remember talent in the dutch league isn’t to be trusted…nah but seriously there’s a few knocking around the dutch league I would consider for Arsenal. Boadu, Stengs, Malen there’s a couple good LB’s too in Malacia and Wijndal over there.
Marko
You’re padding his stats with his Europe League goal contributions against pub teams.
In the Premier League over two seasons he has scored a combined 15 goals [2 Pens] with 7 assists. So averages out to 7.5 goals and 3.5 assists in a PL season, for a 72m signing.
Let’s not pretend like his all-round play outside of the final third hasn’t been wank for the most part as well.
Marko
Recruiting players who have first hand experience of playing in EPL is a major plus.
It takes time for many foreign players to adjust to playing in the English Game.
Arsenal’s priority this summer should be to build a balanced team and squad. This has been
a problem over several years with piecemeal recruitment.
I like Wirtz a lot too, think that he has more potential to his game than Havertz.
We just don’t do smart pick-ups like that though, expect to see him in a Bayern shirt in two years.
Koopmeiners looks a real player as well.
Holland are rolling over into a new generation of talent, was a rough few years for them post Robben and RVP but they’re brimming with gems now. Still think that this tournament is too soon for them to really challenge, maybe by the World Cup or next Euros.
Same with Italy, are nearly over their really rough few year stretch of lacking talent.
France vs Italy final for me.
You’re padding his stats with his Europe League goal contributions against pub teams. People are padding Buendia’s stats against the likes of Coventry and Luton. Look you can make that stat padding accusation of anyone if you tried hard enough but again awful two seasons we’ve been through awful managerial appointments awful football and results by and large and he’s been inconsistent and in and out of the team and has still contributed to 39 goals during that time. My point being he’s not as bad as people say and would probably be one of the most beneficial from us… Read more »
Leedsgunner used to be his biggest fan on here but I really do wish that we went for Berardi over Pepe a couple of years ago.
Far too good for Sassuolo.
Emeratesstroller
Having sold Xhaka and four midfielders currently out on loan and only signing Bissouma, what’s your starting midfield during AFCON, Azeez and Elneny? Or do you play Willock as a defensive midfielder?
Joey Veerman looks decent as well
If the club have money to splash, it would be better if we bought 3 Established PL stars for upwards of 50 million each. In the recent past, players who were supposed to find a next level at Arsenal ended up retrogressing and being sold at a loss. We are not a few signings away from top four if we’re bringing in the likes of Onana and Buendia.
Marko Mate who honestly cares about his contribution in the Europa League? Giroud was like prime Ronaldo in that competition a couple of years ago, it’s a terrible competition for quality until the very latter stages of which Pepe did fuck all both seasons in the ties we were knocked out in. ESR is a 20 year old kid from the academy and Pepe was a 24/25 year old signing for a club record 72m fee. Not in any way a fair comparison. And with ESR it was more to do with his impact on the side beyond just goal/assist… Read more »
Berardi’s been linked for years and keeps staying put. Also speaking of stat padding he has 7 pens on the season
NWM
Elneny with Egypt 🙂 try again….
ESR is a 20 year old kid from the academy and Pepe was a 24/25 year old signing for a club record 72m fee. Not in any way a fair comparison. I’m not making a comparison outside of pointing out the hypocrisy in downplaying one players contribution cause of the level of competition but then completely disregarding it discussing another. You did it there again what was it Carlos Soler isn’t for me he pads his stats by scoring a lot of penalties meanwhile Berardi…oh does he take Sassuolo’s penalties? I didn’t know that. Look again my initial point was… Read more »
Wengereagle Locatelli is good. But I don’t think we have a chance. City Juventus and PSG all have been credited with an interest. Agree on soler too. Hasn’t particularly stood out for me. Bissouma would actually give us a very solid base. Our fullbacks can attack as much as they want with Partey and Bissouma side by side. But like you I would want anguissa much more. His stats don’t show a lot of assists but he has had a hand in a lot of goals for Fulham. He progresses the ball much more incisively and faster. He would be… Read more »
PL signings are not guaranteed to work out either even if they are lower risk. -Maguire has been bang average for United at best and he cost them 80m. -Lukaku and Benteke both couldn’t deliver when making the step up from Everton/Villa to United and Liverpool for big money. -Sigurdsson balled out for Swansea and after breaking Everton’s transfer record has been shite for the most part barring one season. – Mata and Fellaini for United. – Schneiderlin was shite for United and Everton after big money moves. – Moussa Sissoko, Danny Drinkwater. – Best for last, Andy Carroll. Just… Read more »
‘Also speaking of stat padding he has 7 pens on the season’
Berardi has scored 22 League goals excluding pens and put up 17 assists in the same two seasons that Pepe has scored 13 league goals without pens and 7 assists.
That’s just the easiest to measure metrics as well, when it come to the eye test it’s night and day.
‘You did it there again what was it Carlos Soler isn’t for me he pads his stats by scoring a lot of penalties meanwhile Berardi…oh does he take Sassuolo’s penalties? I didn’t know that.’
7 of 17 is a little different to 7 of 11.
More goals from open play this season than Pepe and 7 times the assists.
Buendia had 7 assists for the worst team in the PL season before last, no Arsenal player has had that many assists in the past two seasons in the PL. He was also top 3 for chances created alongside KDB and Grealish. The underlying metrics for his all-round game are very good, it’s an insult to offer up some kind of equivalence to Pepe who has been rubbish in both seasons with us, cost 70 mil, and was a sexy foreign import continually lapped up on here. But 35-40 mil is too premium a price for a guy that has… Read more »
Just to be clear here you’re arguing about 39 goals contributed over two seasons from a wideman? Okay
NWM
I have expressed concern about the possibility of losing two/three players in midfield to Africa Cup.
It would not surprise me that Saka might be used more centrally during that period with
Willock playing a box to box role.
I think that Azeez will also be offered some first team experience this season.
Lol just can’t let go of that Europa League stat padding can you, very hypocritical too considering you want both Willock and Eddie sold and they have quite nice Europe League stats in fact.
I don’t expect you to admit you got it wrong on Pepe, or Martinez.
“Look again my initial point was for all the shit talk he gets Pepe is still fairly productive and impactful I’m surprised that it’s being debated honestly“ Because he cost 72 mil and is supposed to be a star in our attack. Contexts matters even though it’s continually ignored when suited. If his name was Xhaka then you’d be telling us how we haven’t played CL football since he arrived, how we’ve fallen out of Europe since he arrived, and how we’d returned 56 and 55 goal PL campaigns since he arrived. But because he was wank-worthy when he arrived… Read more »
Pepe won’t be elite because of his reluctance to take decisions on his stride. But he still can be a very good player. 72 mil was too much for him. But he hasn’t flopped if you are just looking at the player and not the price tag. And his goal contributions have been good too. There is still room for progress for him and under the right management he can contribute what a 50 mil player would. But arguing against Buendia is annoying for me. The only weakness as a player is his hot head. He gets yellows and reds… Read more »
He was also top 3 for chances created alongside KDB and Grealish
Ah yes the chances created stat is back again. It didn’t save Ozil but let’s see it save Buendia in a debate. Look Pascal Gross was high on the chances created there for a couple seasons not too long ago and surprisingly he never got linked to us…
Habesha
Agreed.
RB becomes a much more important piece if we do opt to sign Bissouma or Anguissa as we will need overlapping full-backs to be creative outlets out wide. Tierney is the man for LB but none of Chambers, Cedric or Bellerin are what we would need at RB.
CAM as well. Smith-Rowe has been a great boost to the side but I wouldn’t want us banking our season’s hopes and the heavy burden of creativity on such a young and inexperienced player’s shoulders, wouldn’t be fair to him or the team.
Wenger eagle
The Italian league is not the best to judge whether one can be a good premier league player or not. When is the last time an Italian Import did well in the premier league. But you see the likes of Miki and Smalling look world class there. It is just different. And I am sure pepe would have world class stats if he went there. As would Xhaka.
Wenger Eagle
They don’t call Giroud the Thursday Night Van Basten for nothing
This Ryan Gravenbach might be worth a punt? Valuation? But only in addition to “ oven ready” prem players.His agent is Mino Raiola,sounds familiar.Any connections with us.
Lol just can’t let go of that Europa League stat padding can you
I’ve actually never mentioned it you did I’m merely bringing up his stats overall to convey that he’s not that bad and you’re the one going through it with a fine comb to pick apart said contributions which again I’ve said could be done with any player but sometimes isn’t. Case in point nothing about Berardi’s pens until I mentioned it. Anyway it’s not really that important you don’t think that 39 goals over two seasons is a contribution worth noting and that’s okay I guess
Habesha
Italian league imports or Italian players? Because if it’s the former off the top of my head you have Mo Salah, Pogba, Cancelo, Alisson Becker, Jorginho and Rudiger [not their biggest fans but they were starters for a CL winning team], Bruno Fernandes cut his teeth and learned his trade in Serie A.
Italian players are a funny bunch in that they don’t tend to travel abroad much and even less so to England over Spain.
I’m sure that Atletico Madrid fans had similar concerns over the Trippier signing too.
Of course chances created would be dismissed by Marko, as he’s busy dismissing English-based signings for his fave foreign imports.
Chances created was the only attempted redemption for Ozil in an otherwise insipid game that involved little else in general play. But it couldn’t be argued he excelled in that department, but much like Pepe, if you offer fuck all except one thing you’re maligned.
Or defended in Pepe’s case because you rode him into Colney
Raiola presides over nearly half of the talent in Europe, Jorge Mendes most of the rest.
As much as they are wankers/scum, if you refuse to do business with their clients you’re essentially ruling out signing a majority of the best batch of upcoming talent on the market.
Marko It’s not fine combing, his PL contributions are what really matter in the grand scheme of things and they have been extremely average. I’ve never heard you speak positively about the Europa League so it’s just funny that you’re using it in propping up his numbers now. His Whoscored rating this season in the Prem was 6.76 which is atrocious. His dribbles/key passes actually fell off a cliff from even last season. And re Berardi what’s your point there? I didn’t mention the pens because his overall numbers are still very good without them, double figure goals and close… Read more »
Of course chances created would be dismissed by Marko, as he’s busy dismissing English-based signings for his fave foreign imports. Jesus you’re some thick cunt. Did I dismiss English based signings or was my point about getting better for cheaper elsewhere and not agreeing with the notion of an English premium. Also again the chances created stat is literally a pile of shite if it’s not backed up with actual assists case in point all those months arguing about Ozil (who you were happy with leaving) with Pierre. You’re just poking your head in looking for your daily back and… Read more »
I dunno why people on this blog are so threatened by super agents I really don’t. Despite what gets written they are in fact not the bogeymen
And re Berardi what’s your point there?
It’s nitpicky for one and not the other it’s no big deal. Look if you’re going to do it be consistent with it okay. Any potential signings this season I want to know how many pens what level of competition they performed well in whether you like the player or not. FYI I actually like Berardi was screaming for Wenger to sign him way back when
Marko
You say it like it’s a joke but it really is worth knowing.
To the untrained stat eye Bruno Fernandes is a goalscoring phenom of a CAM. On closer inspection, 21 of his 40 goals for United have come from penalties.
19 goals in 80 from open play is still very good for a CAM but it’s not exactly 40 in 80 now is it?
Wenger eagle
Out of all those imports Only alisson and Salah have been true successes. The rest are big money signings that have had as much impact as pepe. I am just saying berardi’s contributions aren’t much better than pepe if you are looking at it objectively due to league quality.
Weagle
“I’ve never heard you speak positively about the Europa League so it’s just funny that you’re using it in propping up his numbers ”
Similar to yourself when you constantly use Europa and league cup for padding up Martinelli’s stats.
reeks of double standards
An Arteta team is capable of playing pleasing on the eye intricate football …have a look
https://youtu.be/Q-Ni8y7ih-k
https://www.teamtalk.com/news/chelsea-consider-pierre-emerick-aubameyang-transfer-arsenal
Aubameyang being linked to Chelsea again. If he makes a the across London, think he will do well and score regularly. Also, it’s unlikely he will be spend time as an auxiliary fullback as he has under Arteta. Interesting to see how Arsenal fans will react, especially if he is effective.
Habesha
Couldn’t disagree more, Cancelo and Bruno have been overwhelming success stories and Pogba has done far more than Pepe and isn’t even meriting a comparison there.
Pepe’s contributions in the league have been average and that’s just the goal/assist side which is actually by far the most generous numbers to his simplistic game. Delve a bit deeper into the stats and he doesn’t compare favourably with many top widemen.
“Jesus you’re some thick cunt. Did I dismiss English based signings or was my point about getting better for cheaper elsewhere and not agreeing with the notion of an English premium.“ He says whilst desperately rationalising the 72 mil club record signing from France he said was a ‘no brainer’. You’re constantly talking down the benefits of being PL-proven, in fact I’d go so far as to say that you’ve flat earthed them entirely in previous conversations. You were the same guy totally against Grealish from the championship and Evans from West Brom, adamant we’d get “better” for the money… Read more »
19 goals in 80 from open play is still very good for a CAM Yeah I think that’s really the point though isn’t it like you make it sound like these stats from none strikers isn’t good enough but it really fucking is. I mean if you can get a non striker scoring 20 ish overall in a season you’re going to want to hold onto that player. Plus I hate it when people downplay a player cause he happens to take the clubs pens it’s lazy and a pen being scored can get you the same potential points from… Read more »
Imagine having 40 goals and over half of them penalties. In an 18 month period no less, crazy.
Charlie “Chances created was the only attempted redemption for Ozil in an otherwise insipid game that involved little else in general play” You’re not dumb so I don’t understand why you make dumb comments. Have a quick look at the link I just posted and then come back and tell me that Ozil’s game under Arteta was insipid and involved little else in general play… I find it is always better to use evidence when making a point and the evidence is definitely as clear as day in the link, Ozil was the major influence in 90% of our attacking… Read more »
Diet Pep and Spurs would be a good fit, then Conte comes to Arsenal
‘reeks of double standards’ I’ve seen Martinelli play well in the PL is the difference to Eddie. And you’re one to talk about double standards calling everyone on here morons that can’t spot talent while fluffing the corpse of Ozil that can’t even hack it over in Turkey. Done replying to you now cause you literally haven’t a good word to say about anything I write on here which also often reeks of double standards as I have seen you agree with others posting things that I have said verbatim. Said it before but find it hilarious and odd that… Read more »
You were the same guy totally against Grealish from the championship and Evans from West Brom, adamant we’d get “better” for the money spent on Grealish, and convinced 3 mil for Evans was Arsenal’s ambitions in a nutshell. And you were the same guy who argued Litchstenier made sense and suggested Antonio Valencia. See I can do that too not to mention you back the current bum of a manager to the hilt. Anyway look I know that you have a receding hairline sized hole in your life these days and I’m flattered that you would think of me but… Read more »
Told constantly that stats can be deceiving, and not everything is about goals and assists.
But haven’t seen any argument in Pepe’s favour that doesn’t use them. He’s not leading any in-game metrics across the league. There’s very little to him in open play, he does his best work when given space near the penalty area.
Brilliant, so did Theo who at least had one ridiculous trait that made him devastating.
Dream 10
I said over a month ago that Aubamayang is on his way to chelsea…would fit like a glove and I would expect him to score in the region of 30 goals in his first season as the chelsea team will be set up for Aubamayang, unlike at Arsenal under Arteta.
Can guarantee you one thing, you won’t see Aubamayang on the edge of his own area during general play, he will be there solely for the one touch finish.
After Spurs sign Diet pep, Villareal should be knocked off CL, into Europa, then another Diet pep vs Emery,
This is the kind of stuff that brings boxer stains
”Plus I hate it when people downplay a player cause he happens to take the clubs pens it’s lazy and a pen being scored can get you the same potential points from a game as a 30 yard screamer.” Only one player can take penalties and we already have Aubameyang and Lacazette on them. So it’s really NOT the same thing as having a player that can score from open play. ‘I mean if you can get a non striker scoring 20 ish overall in a season you’re going to want to hold onto that player.’ Lol ’20ish’, he’s scored… Read more »
Pierre
Agreed remember you saying that
Tuchel was catching up with him after the Chelsea on the sideline 15 minutes post final whistle.
It’s a good fit for them until Haaland or another 100m player becomes available in a year or two.
Werner, Giroud and Aubameyang is a decent rotation of forwards with different qualities
“And you were the same guy who argued Litchstenier made sense and suggested Antonio Valencia“ He did make sense, we only had Bellerin and it made little sense to put money into a backup RB when we were in need of midfielders and a new GK. Still laughable you bring up Valencia, he left United after starting 20 league games for them. He’d have been everything Licht was supposed to be as a bosman. But it’s a concept you’ve never understood. You think the only way Arsenal improve is to sign the best in every position paying jo mind to… Read more »
We have only 4 players going to the Euros.
Of those only 2 are starters.
Of those 1 is Xhaka who is supposedly close to leaving.
Just goes to show the lack of European quality in a side claiming to want to challenge for the biggest European trophies
Auba joining Chelsea, if true, is something I would welcome, for a number of reason. First there’d be a transfer fee, circa £30 million. Second, it would take his massive salary off the wage-bill, third he is a rapidly declining asset, fourth, it would leave space for youngsters with a future like Martinelli, Nketiah, Balogue, fifth, Laca suits the Arteta style far better, and sixth, we could throw in Willian as well.
Buendia says Arsenal is his priority and would turn down villa in an interview yesterday we have also raised the bid to £35m
Englandsbest
One out of 5 is about right.
Selling Aubamayang will open up a pathway for the younger players…
Sadly, we don’t play to Aubamayang’s strengths , and Lacazette isn’t fit to tie Aubamayang’s boots when it comes to a strikers instinct.
Wengereagle
Bruno Fernandez isn’t an Italian import for this discussion. Sure he played un the Serie A but that is not what made United sign him. Pogba has definitely not done more than pepe. I don’t know on which metrics that he has had a massive impact. Cancelo is a good player but for a 60 mil RB, you would think he would bench Walker. He has been good but not great. Not like Salah and Alisson. You are just putting pepe down because you don’t rate him.
When Pepe is good he’s very explosive and a match winner. Two things we’ve had very little of from arsenal in recent years Pepe is however inconsistent and when he’s bad he’s crap He’s also been managed like shit by both emery and arteta so there is that too He’s an enigma that might end up as one of our costliest mistakes, but if the manager can learn to trust him and if he can take more responsibility on the pitch he could turn out a very good player It’s not entirely clear one way or the other which way… Read more »
Nothing wrong with the signing of Lichsteiner.
Where it went wrong was having an incompetent manager who asked Lichsteiner to play as a marauding full/wing back up and down the line…doomed to fail using him in that manner.
WE.
You must really watch Ajax as often as I do which is almost weekly.
Antonio is another brilliant player. Effortlessly efficient. Though looks a troublemaker with the fit he throws when he gets substituted.
Full backs are meant to stay in their own half are they then.
The writing was on the wall about Lichsteiner before he signed.
All you had to do was look at his last season prior to joining Arsenal and seeing that he hardly completed 90 minutes of football in matches.
Pierre
Licht wasn’t physically capable of playing in the Prem, it was clear as day. That said, signing a bosman to play backup to Bellerin in a summer we were buying multiple midfielders, a GK, a CB… was definitely not a poor decision. Landing on Licht was.
There’s a level of discontent toward older players at Arsenal, and free transfers, because we inevitably find ourselves on the wrong side of them (Licht, Kolasinac, Willian). But as with any transfer, you get good and bad versions. Cavani has been excellent value as a bosman pensioner. Suarez the same.
Play Pepe in a salah like role in a 4-3-3 and his numbers will go through the roof.
You rarely see Salah in his own half for a reason…he does his best work in the final 3rd and that is where Pepe should be
Where’s these Auba stories coming from? Don’t see it from anyone credible.
Would swap him for Abraham tomorrow though and offer Laca a two-year extension.
Ishola
“Full backs are meant to stay in their own half are they then.”
It’s all about understanding the player and knowing their limits.
A full back can easily support the attack from a deeper position ( not in their own half.. doh) without continually over lapping.
A 35 year old full back needs to pace his game and conserve energy for defending and also to restrict muscle injuries through over work.
”””””” said over a month ago that Aubamayang is on his way to Chelsea”””””””””’
think you are getting confused Pierre,
Its Arsenal that buy ageing Chelsea rejects not the other way round, remember.
The European Champions can sign Haaland, Lukaka, Mpbbabe etc why do they need our declining captain on £350 000 k a week and upsetting their wage structure?
No we are stuck with him methinks due to that insane contract.
And all quiet on the other merc William( thought he was sulking and wanting to leave last week?)
Pierre
Lichsteiner’s limits were that he was physically gone.
That is not suitable for the EPL and he was even struggling in his last season in a slower league before joining Arsenal.
You kept denying before that you were rating Lichsteiner in his first few games for Arsenal but here you are again at a later date blaming a coach for his failings.
CG
Money is the last thing on Chelsea’s mind if they need a particular player.
Didn’t Giroud play for the Arsenal?
Ishola
Lichsteiner would have been fine ( and fit ) as a back up if used in the right way .
Obviously you feel that asking a 35 year old to continually run the full length of the pitch was the right way to use him….I don’t.
Habesha Fair enough on Bruno, Coutinho is another one that I forgot to mention. On this metric, how many CM’s would you honestly take over Pogba if you were given free rein? Not many in that list, whereas there are literally over a dozen wide forwards in the league that I would take over Pepe. It’s more of a pushback on avoiding Serie A because there is supposedly a hex on imports failing here. Is there any great history of PL clubs signing players from Ukraine? Nope, didn’t stop City picking up Fernandinho or Chelsea Willian [back when he was… Read more »
Thorough
Not really mate, catch their European games and the one Eredivisie one if they’re playing PSV/Feyenoord/AZ.
Still, decent sample size of probably 15 odd games in there. Onana and Mazraoui have been on the radar a while now since their CL SF season but the other two are very promising looking youngsters.
Just hope with Antony that he has a better head on his shoulders than Neres.
and the odd* Eredivisie one.
Pierre
””””””Didn’t Giroud play for the Arsenal?
( fair point)
New contract for OG as well. He is Chelsea’s lucky omen.
He leaves Arsenal and wins World Cups, European Cups, Europa Leagues, FA Cups.
Just can’t see PEA at Chelsea
32 multi millionaire, going bald, malaria., 350 k a week. He is shot.
I thought maybe we could have send him to Everton with Ancelotti in charge – hopefully with Calvert Lewis coming to Arsenal in exchange etc.
He can play.
Send this to Carrow Road, guaranteed to seal the deal. ‘Make Me Smile’ Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel You’ve got it all Your talent you have showed And pulled Norwich from the floor You’ve got the game No matter what they say A midfielder who can fucking score Blue eyes, blue eyes How come you score so many times? Come on Buendia,make me smile You can do what you want running wild Saka on the left ESR has got to play Maybe you’ll carry us for a while Just do your best Next season with us you’ll play Win or… Read more »
Alumnia
Perhaps that could catch on at the Emirates next season if we sign him! Certainly the chorus, I’ll give it a go!