TRANSFER ROUND-UP

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So it seems that as well as Arteta being on holiday, so is Edu, hanging out in Portugal. I like it, working up that bronze tan so there’s a distinct contrast between his skin and that crisp white shirt. Nothing says Technical Director like a dreamy summer bronze on white combo.

The transfer window is now a day in and we have signed NO ONE.

That doesn’t mean things aren’t happening.

I love the Buendia story and its evolution. Arsenal were beaten by Aston Villa for speed, until they submitted their own bid, then didn’t go back with a second bid. So it would appear there was a price point we didn’t fancy dancing past. Makes total sense for a club with limited funds this summer. I totally forgot that Villa also put the feelers out for Smith Rowe. I suspect they’d not have moved for Emi if they’d landed our guy.

There are fresh links today to Neves, Lokonga, and Onana.

Granit Xhaka is close to making his move to AS Roma according to Chris W over at Football.London, making him one of the first signings for Jose Mourinho. This is fantastic news. He’s a good player, but don’t ever forget that his presence in our side correlated perfectly with the decline of the club. Too many errors in his game and a ceiling that hasn’t moved us up a level. It’s a good thing that he’s out the door. If one of the best leaders at your club tells the fans to fuck off, you have a leadership problem. I wish him all the best.

Reuben Neves is a similar profile player with Premier League experience. If there’s a busy summer of ins and outs, it’s important at least a few of the players know the league so there’s not a painful bedding in period. I’m not excited by Mr Neves, but how many of those sorts of players thrill? Not many. He’s a good player, he’s a better defender than Xhaka, and I think we’re all underestimating him because he’s not the P&P midfielder we were hopeful on / Wolves were shite last season.

Lokonga looks much more like ‘thriller’ talent. He has a similar profile to Thomas Partey, but if we’re building out midfield, we need young players like that. We can’t be losing Partey and hoping Elneny finds a level he doesn’t have.

Onana had his sentence for doping reduced to 9 months, so he can play as of November. He can play football the way Arsenal need a keeper to play. Fast off his line, good with the ball at his feet, very decent shot-stopper, and very young for someone who is capped with 50 games in the Champions League. Would he represent our first black first-team keeper? I can’t think of anyone else?

James M over at The Athletic has Arsenal linked with American right back, Tyler Adams. The Leipzig player can operate both as a right-back and a midfielder. He has a Tierney like athletic profile, and his versatility marks him out as talent because he can play that inverted role. Honestly, how excited would you be if you had a right-back that could offer us effective play like Tierney? It’d give us so much more balance and hopefully open up that right side so we don’t look so lopsided next season.

Sky Sports are saying that Arsenal are interested in Brighton defender Ben White. Again, it’s clear why, Brighton’s style is what Arteta wants. They are excellent in possession and Ben White has the experience we’re looking for in the Premier League, he’s with England, and he’s very young at 23. I honestly think we might see a shock exit this summer from our centre back collection. It’s also notable that Sami Mokbel has us linked to Tosin Adarabioyo, another 23-year-old English centre back of a right-sided nature. Someone has to leave and it’s obvious that there are those in the group that can’t do what Arteta needs. I also think any links to Brighton players should be taken seriously because I think Eddie would be a steal for a team that creates high-quality chances in the box but WILL NOT FINISH.

Finally, great that Daniel Ballard will take a loan in the Championship next season, promoted Blackpool will be interested, but apparently there are other suitors. I wish Saliba had moved to the Championship at the start of last season, he’d have done well and picked up the language in a more complete way. Arsenal are also bringing Patino into the first team, high hopes for him, which is great news for creating the image that Arsenal is a great place to develop.

Right, that’s all I have for you today. See you in the comments.

 

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DM

Yo

DM

2

grooveydaddy

Tr4phy?

DM

Tr4phy

grooveydaddy

Noooo

Bankz

Bankz is here again for the tr4phy

DM

BANKZ wow, long time no speak brother. Hope all good with you

MLC

Hi there

grooveydaddy

Give that Adams kid the #6 shirt!

Marc

test

MLC

im fucked up by my last night shift, xakha leaving the club enlights my day

Marc

Precisely when did Arsenal start wanting to emulate the style of a club that finished 16th in the PL?

ronny

David James is black still right?

Pedro

Ronny, he didn’t play for Arsenal

Marc

If Edu is in Portugal doesn’t that mean he’ll have to self isolate on return for 5 days? – I’m assuming he’d pay for the extra test reducing the 10 day requirement.

We’ve got the manager on holiday and the DOF (whatever title Edu has) dicking about in Portugal – only at Arsenal.

ronny

I didn’t read ‘Our’ my bad.

CG

PedRo

“”””So it seems that as well as Arteta being on holiday, so is Edu, hanging out in Portugal””””

Does that mean he has to quarantine for 10 days when he returns?

I keep seeing pictures of irate Brits at busy Lisbon and Faro airports rushing to beat the deadlines!

How is that man still at the club?

Taking a holiday whilst the window opens.

“”””Ruthless !””” while he is sunning it on the Algarve !

CG

Walt

Good Question!

ronny

The whole Portugal thing is a little silly- business can be conducted from anywhere now.
He will buy high and sell low from any location on earth.

Bankz

I am okay DM.
Just been staying off Arsenal related matters since 2019

T

I have been a bit of a fan of neves and moutinho the past two years. Always thought that moutinho compliments his skills pretty well. It would be interesting to see a pre season game with 4-3-3 with neves, partey and willock/amn in the middle.

Ernest Reed

“Makes total sense for a club with limited funds this summer.”

I was under the impression that ownership would be investing big time this window as a form of amends for the Super League debacle? Perhaps I misunderstood this?

Regarding Xhaka and Neves, only Arsenal could sell for less and spend more for essentially a like-for-like player.

No wonder Edu and Arteta are on vacation, its takes zero effort to clown yourselves into transfer business like this one.

I can only hope that the numbers being bandied about are false…otherwise

TR7

Xhaka is gone 🤓

raptora

Tomori on his way to Milan for £24.5m. European clubs are broke only when dealing with us.

Marko

Xhaka? Good riddance thank fuck it’s finally over. Ozil and now Xhaka gone…gone I say

Sid

So dog-gone willin’, so kiss him
(I wanna see you kiss him, wanna see you kiss him)
Go on and kiss him goodbye, now
Na na na na, hey hey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye

raptora

Why do Pedro keep spelling Ruben Nevers, Reuben? Am I missing something?

Kay

Last axis of evil left the premises eh ,,,😊

raptora

Neves*

Dissenter

I have to just write that all the best to Xhaka
May he have the post-Arsenal career that Giroud has had.

I remember being cussed out when I wished Giroud well on the way out, see how that’s gone for the dude.

Ishola70

Jose Noguera Xhaka’s agent has been instrumental it has been reported in the clubs reaching a deal by persuading Arsenal to lower their demands for Xhaka.

Xhaka’s instruction to his agent = get me fucking out of here by all means necessary.

We bow to Mr Noguera on this occasion.

raptora

Same Noguera who said: “”We’ve reached an agreement with Hertha BSC and would like to go to Berlin.” Hertha Berlin have submitted a €25m for the Arsenal midfielder, who would like to return to Germany.”

The nightmare could have been over a year and a half ago.

TR7

No, Kola still one left from the so called axis of evil. Hopefully he will leave too this summer.

Dissenter

Xhaka showed some integrity compared with players like Ozil and Mustafi.

One of the by products of the low fee Arsenal accepted is that Xhaka left money on the table.

Ishola,
You mean Xhaka agreed to leave money on t eh table and walk away
That a classy move, don’t you think
Instead if thanking the agent, Thank the player that issued those instructions.

Guns of SF

To his credit, Xhaka buckled down after flipping the fans off. He could have done off the deep end but continued to play to his best abilities which we all know are not enough for us.
Good luck in Roma with Jose.

If Edueteta is on holidays, then fuck them. Clearly not what we need.
Targets are being snapped up, and we need someone getting on this every day. Is it Garlick who is making contacts?

Eduardo

More to the point, will Onana be the first Arsenal GK to have been banned for using performance enhancing drugs?

Of course, it seems laughably old fashioned to care about such things. But it may raise questions about mentality or character.

Sid

The rats are fleeing Captain Diet peps ship

Ishola70

Raptora

The difference this time is that Mr Noguera persuaded Arsenal to budge.

As said on this occasion kudos to Mr Noguera.

Goonertone

Not sure why them being on holiday is a problem and everyone is so annoyed by it. Firstly in today’s world being on holiday doesn’t mean you can’t take calls or do deals, Zoom is easy to use for face to face calls. Secondly does anyone think there will be too many deals happening before the Euro’s with the best players away on international duty? Finally would you all rather they took holidays after the euro’s? I for one expect Arteta to be fully switched onto pre-season straight after the euro’s and probably watching potential talent during the tournament so… Read more »

TR7

I don’t know why is Dissenter on a mission to glorify Xhaka ever since he’s been linked to a move away. Xhaka absolutely needed to go, should have gone probably 3 years ago.

Ishola70

Dissenter

Enough with your sympahy votes for Xhaka.

As Raptora has already pointed out Xhaka wanted to piss off from Arsenal when Hertha Berlin went in for him.

The only thing stopping that move was Arteta.

Sid

On to the next one!

CG

Ed

“””More to the point, will Onana be the first Arsenal GK to have been banned for using performance enhancing drugs?

Of course, it seems laughably old fashioned to care about such things. But it may raise questions about mentality or character””””

Well said. Don’ t need drug cheats.
We maybe desperate, but not that desperate.
(Hopefully just nonsense talk.)

Only Arsenal could go in the space of 12 months to:

Martinez, to Leno to Runarsson to a banned keeper and the current Goalkeeping Coach still KEEPS HIS JOB!

Marko

Yeah Kola Bellerin still have to get out probably a couple English deadwood knocking around too but nearly all of bad bunch from the last few years gone now

Duzie

Xhaka is a mid table, ever—fit player. That’s about it!

TheBayingMob

“How is that man still at the club? Taking a holiday whilst the window opens .“”””Ruthless !””” while he is sunning it on the Algarve !’ I must agree, I don’t get this fucking holiday talk. Surely he does next to fuck all most of the season bar some phone calls? Then when we need to get business done early he is ‘on holiday’. Fuck off cunt. He hasn’t been working an 8-6 factory job for a pittance and his 10 days in Shaggaloof is all he gets as R&R to forget his life; pitiful, I am coming to deeply… Read more »

Guns of SF

If we need to watch the Euros to spot talent, that is part of the problem. We should have plan abcd already in place… Euros usually get players valuations higher if they play well. Doubt we go for a player who was shit at Euros.

Ex. Bissouma, and others spouted here and in the media… do deals now, or we actually risk losing our targets if they have a GOOD Euro campaign. ( of course if we are targeting national players)

Duzie

Get in dribblers who can control the tempo. That’s what we need to be less dominated in games.

I don’t know much about Anguissa.

Dissenter

Xkake needed to go, and that’s what happened,…Xhaka left
He left because he instructed his agent to do everything to facilitate his exit, including leaving money on the table, that’s why Arsenal accepted a lower bid.

He could have stayed around, milking everyday of his contract like Ozil and Mustafi.

I just wonder why the main Xhaka detractors are all lining up behind us signing another immobile midfielder who’s passing s worse than Xhaka’s.

Duzie

We must sign a Xhaka upgrade. I’m afraid we may get a parallel replacement.

Ishola70

So Dissenter turns a pathetic transfer fee for Xhaka into leaving money on the table.

If this guy was worth any real salt he would be leaving a lot more money on the table for Arsenal including transfer fee.

Valentin

It is becoming embarrassing for Barcelona.

Wijnaldum was supposed to sign for Barcelona, but PSG offered a few millions more and he decided to join them instead.

Now Depay. Depay was announced to sign this Thursday for Barcelona, but Juventus has offered 3 millions more per year, and suddenly the Juventus project interests him more than Barcelona.

How the mighty have called, Barcelona cannot even compete for Bosman players who were ready to join them.

raptora

Xhaka is of the same quality as Lovren and Smalling both of whom were transferred in 2020/21 for similar to Xhaka fees – Lovren moved to Zenit for 10.8m and Smalling to Roma for £13.6m up to £18.1 + bonuses. Both of them 3 years older than him.

Both Manure and Liverpool couldn’t wait to see the back of them. Not good enough. Just like Granit.

Ishola70

Roma are also closing in on 33yo Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

They are still squabbling with Wolves though over the 12m valuation Wolves have for Patricio and are looking for a deal for a few million less.

This is Roma’s transfer dealings this summer including the Xhaka one.

Top quality.

Dissenter

Ishola You just wrote ‘Jose Noguera Xhaka’s agent has been instrumental it has been reported in the clubs reaching a deal by persuading Arsenal to lower their demands for Xhaka.Xhaka’s instruction to his agent = get me fucking out of here by all means necessary.” All means necessary means, even if the terms don’t favor him What do you think Arsenal will ask for when Xhaka comes pushing for an expeditious agreement? Arsenal will ask him to waive lots of money due to him on the way out to =mitigate Arsenal’s losses on him. Surely, you understand the meaning of… Read more »

Radio Raheem

Sal,

Very apt that bumper sticker hahaha.

For me Xhaka was the least of our problems but understand many feel different. There isn’t an in-between for Xhaka it’s either love or loathe.

I agree with the others on the malign impact Arteta is having on Arsenal on and off the pitch. Hopefully, he’s gone by Christmas.

Eduardo

The idea of scouting Euros for players reminds me of Liam Brady before he left the club.

First time he saw Rakitic play was in the Euros, looked him up and saw he’d just signed for Barcelona. Top scouting!

Eduardo

All this talk about Neves, everyone knew who Neves was years ago before he signed for Wolves. Could have had him for a few million then, now he’ll cost ten times what he would have then. Pathetic

Marko

I just wonder why the main Xhaka detractors are all lining up behind us signing another immobile midfielder who’s passing s worse than Xhaka’s.

You wanna know why? Errors leading to goals for Xhaka 9…for Neves a big fat zero. That’s a direct stat for the premier league it doesn’t factor in cup games or indirect errors like him being braindead and vacated areas and what not. Basically say what you like about Ruben Neves but he’s not a braindead fuck like Xhaka

Gentlebris

I’m reading on Sky that Xhaka is going for around €25m. Not bad one inch if true.

Then if Ajax is giving out Onana for £5m, we should run as fast away from the deal as possible. It would mean there’s something they are not telling us…something sinister.

Onana, if straight, should easily be £20m.

Ishola70

Dissenter you are showing yet again schizo signs regarding Xhaka. On the one hand still wanting to praise him for supposedly doing Arsenal a great favour in leaving money on the table despite his pittance trasfer fee but at the same time saying he shouldn’t even have been an Arsenal player and basically we have been wasting our time with him for the last five years. I am not interested in your sympathy votes for Granit Xhaka and your perceived notion of him being persecuted while at the club. My only concern is that Arsenal do the right thing by… Read more »

Ishola70

Marko

Dissenter is yet again out with his sympahy votes for Xhaka in implying that Neves is actually worse than Xhaka.

Hardly anyone is buying it on here.

Dissenter

“Dissenter is yet again out with his sympahy votes for Xhaka in implying that Neves is actually worse than Xhaka.”

At best, If if extended generosity towards Neves, I would say he’s only MARGINALLY better than Xhaka

Why endure trauma for 5 years only to, rewind and start again with another lead-footed unathletic plodder
Neves started 31 games for this poor Wolves team this season
Where was the quality? Maybe it’s the free-kicks that’s enticed Ishola.

Marko

Gentle are you okay? He’s on a 9 month ban in the final year of his contract and refusing to sign a new one this has been publicized that’s why he’s going for peanuts

Ishola70

Dissenter That is not what you have been saying. You have stated numerous times now that Neves is just as immobile as Xhaka and is a worse passer of the ball. You are wrong on both accounts and I can only assume that you do this out of your sympathy for Xhaka due to how horribly he was treated by the Arsenal fanbase. The only aspects where Xhaka beats out Neves is more style when on the ball which is an irrelevance and heading off the ball which again is not that important playing midfield. I hardly saw Xhaka winning… Read more »

Marc

Can anyone remember what happened with the Chelsea player who got a drugs ban and then after he signed for another club Chelsea sued the player for loss of revenue?

Spanishdave

Get rid of Willian and Auba and we will have cash to hopefully get two mids.
Hi Marc

Marc

Dave

How you doing mate?

Marc

Did someone say Xhaka’s gone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SopbWXQ_Fl8

Marko

Marc Adrien Mutu? He played a bit on afterwards but barely played any decent level his career was ruined

Spanishdave

Good thanks the consultant doesn’t want to see me until late October.
Your not in Pedros good books! Well done.
As usual we will flap around with transfers and somehow get more dross.

Marc

Marko

That’s the guy – couldn’t remember his name but I thought he went somewhere like Fiorentina?

Did the court case restrict his availability for them at all?

Marc

Dave

The latest ban was only for a week or so! I’m getting the feeling that Pedro actually enjoys the abuse – makes me feel a little sordid truth be told.

Dissenter

Ishola
I want a better mobile midfielder who can progress the ball and dribble past players

Marcel Sabitzer from Leipzig is available for about 15 million

There are better and more affordable options than Neves.

salparadisenyc

Radio

Agree Xhaka did the job, my biggest problem with him was more base level. Wrong profile for what want or expect from that area of the mid for us.

With all the links to Neves looks like that will not be remedied.

Spanishdave

Leipzig have some solid players but they will hang onto them with their new manager

Marc

“Agree Xhaka did the job”

If that’s the answer I’d love to know what the question was?

Ishola70

Oh

Dissenter wants a midfielder that can dribble past players.

All you are doing is focusing exclusively about on the ball in midfield and not giving a shit about off the ball.

Arsenal have suffered badly in central midfield for being poor off the ball with Xhaka being a massive culprit to the extent that he was played away from central midfield areas.

If you want this dribbling performing seal midfielder let’s hope he is also good off the ball.

Spanishdave

Xhaka apparently was good with cones

Terraloon

I certainly don’t rate Xhaka that highly but Neves really doesn’t excite me at all and if the price of £35 million is correct well Arsenal should steer well clear of shelling out more than they would get for what seems to me to be players of similar ability simply folly

salparadisenyc

Marc,

Take the win and move on, inserting the dagger 5x umpteenth time is dull as fuck.

Ishola70

Sal
“Agree Xhaka did the job”

He didn’t do the job that should be required of a midfielder in 2021 or any other years prior to that at Arsenal.

He did the job Arsenal asked of him after realising his limitations after signing him.

Sid

The player analysis of a man that rates Issa Diop Cannot be taken seriously

Marko

Are people actually dense around here? He did the job? What fucking job he was an error prone DM who literally cost us more goals than any other midfielder in the premier league during his time here. And the whole Neves is barely better he doesn’t remedy that well he literally does cause he has zero errors leading to goals in 3 seasons in the premier league. Look I’d prefer others but don’t get it twisted he’s easily better than Xhaka

Marc

sal

It’s not a win, we’re getting less than we were offered 18 months ago during which time he’s cost us £7.8 million in salary as well, lowered the ability of the team so we missed out on CL football for 5 years and eventually saw us drop out of Europe altogether.

I’m thrilled he’s gone and my comment was banter but to think this is a win is a huge mistake.

WengerEagle

‘He played a bit on afterwards but barely played any decent level his career was ruined’

He went on to be decent for Fiorentina to be fair. Goal every other game CF.

WengerEagle

Is Sabitzer in the last year of his deal and refusing to sign on or something?

Why else would he be bandied about for so cheap.

Marc

WE

I seem to remember Chelsea suing the player – did that restrict his availability? I’m open to the keeper links (I do try and keep an open mind on new signings) but the last thing I want is issues coming up 12 months down the road.

Marko

I thought Mutu drifted away into obscurity after Chelsea but I guess I remember wrong. Shit heel striker though him and Kezman. At least Crespo had a decent impact

The Bard

So we’re selling Xhaka to Roma for 17m having bought him for 30m. Just about sums up our transfer dealings. We buy high and have to sell low. Good business model. No wonder we’re broke. It’s also clear that the Kroenkes aren’t paying attention

The Bard

So we’re selling Xhaka to Roma for 17m having bought him for 30m. Just about sums up our transfer dealings..
Good business model. No wonder we’re broke. It’s also clear that the Kroenkes aren’t paying attention

Marko

Marc I wouldn’t be worried about Onana too much while I don’t believe the whole took his wife’s whatever without knowing shit the supplement he took was probably one of many on a banned list and not a case of snorting lines of a hookers butthole. He should be grand

WengerEagle

Marc

They sued him for the full transfer fee of 17m IIRC, which he supposedly had to pay off in installments throughout his career.

Seems far-fetched to think he could actually pay that back though given he played for a middling team in Serie A in the mid 2000s, guy must have been on no more than 50k a week max.

Pedro

Marc, selling Xhaka, a player that will be 29 in September, for that fee post-pandemic is a huge win. Also gives the middle finger to all those that said he’d not get a move to a better club than Berlin. Xhaka was very good this season, a leader behind the scenes, and the absolute least of our worries. Time was right to go, his fee is a very good one, we move on. … but this does once again highlight that you can’t even stop trolling when the player you hate the most goes. Your default, on everything Arsenal, is… Read more »

Marc

Marko

Just don’t want to see a good signing turn round and bite us on the arse.

salparadisenyc

Marko calling others dense, what a gift.

Ishola70

Pedro

Why did we keep on with Xhaka for another season and are now selling him for less?

He wanted to leave when Hertha Berlin came in for him.

It was only Arteta that scuppered that.

How is that a win?

And in Xhaka’s last season as the lynchpin midfielder we failed to qualify for any european competition for eons.

What was the point of keeping him when Hertha Berlin came calling?

Marc

Pedro It’s not trolling it’s taking a realistic look at how we’ve been run for the last god know how long – getting a fee for him it better than a kick in the bollocks, selling him for more and reinvesting in a better player 18 months ago is better – scouting the player properly in the first place and never signing him is the best. I’ve said for years Italy and a slower league would suit him but we’ve got to stop making these mistakes in the transfer market – you can’t argue with me on that? You should… Read more »

Marko

If the shoe fits Sal if the shoe fits. That you said he did a job after it was mentioned how many errors to goals he had says more about you than me mate. He’s going now let’s not do that thing that arsenal fans usually do an glorify a former player especially not this former player

Ishola70

Let’s not pretend that Xhaka was not hurting this side.

His inability to step up to central midfield in traffic was a big detriment to the side.

Just because you play deeper in midfield shouldn’t mean that you don’t or can’t step up into the centre in traffic when required.

Jorginho steps up into the centre when required as does Neves.

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