Well, Arsenal transfer rumours took a rocket ship to the moon with stories emerging about a potential summer blockbuster of JAMES MADDISON TO THE GOONERS.
It’s a weird one, right?
It tells you a few things.
Firstly, there’s clearly a big pot of money on offer if we’re considering an English creator as part of the business this summer.
Secondly, if there’s a pattern emerging, it appears to be that we’re fixing the spine of the squad with Premier League ready players.
I’m at the point with Arsenal that I wonder about the viability of some of this ambition, even if we do have the money on offer. Arsenal is clearly massive, but Maddison just feels a little bit beyond where we are as a club right now?
Would it be a good signing? Clearly. The player scores, creates, and his injuries cost Leicester big time last season (we love signing players with injury records).
It just seems expensive. Like, all the bankruptcy in Europe and the extent of our scouting curiosity is James Maddison and Ben White? I don’t think you can argue the quality, you might argue if you could do more with that money. It feels like Arsenal are attempting the Liverpool Allisson/VVD before we’re in good enough shape to move there.
Again, I sound like a brat. OF COURSE I would take those two players. They instantly move Arsenal up a level. It just feels odd that 18 months ago Arsenal leadership was sending emails to turn off the computers at the mains, now we’re about to spend £100m on two players?
Some apology tour from Josh K.
Whatever we do will be a hybrid model. We’ve bid £15m for Sambi Lokonga. Ornstein confirming it. This is an Arsenal of old move. A transfer that would reflect the moment. A player that Arsene would have signed. He’ll be for the squad-depth like Saliba, but the exact sort of player you want to be able to call on when the inevitable injuries come. A season or twos worth of experience, correct technical and athletic profile, and a look-a-like for a more senior player. He would represent the sort of value we need to be sourcing.
The Arsenal fixture list dropped.
- Brentford (a)
- Chelsea (h)
- Man City (a)
- Norwich (h)
- Burnley (a)
- Spurs (h)
3 tough games and 3 games we should be taking maximum points from. City is the one I worry about most if I’m honest. We caved to them last season and showed too much respect. The others are all winnable.
The bigger point of interest is that most of our big games in the first half of the season are away games. Only Chelsea and Spurs are going to be home games. That works for the pattern our season will likely take > Lots of change = choppy start.
The key to the first three months is to not shit the bed like we did last season. If we can get off to a confident start and stay firmly in the pack, we’ll be better from January onwards, without doubt. If we soil ourselves like last year, it’s Nuno time in January.
The other big watch-out for Edu is those first 10 games need to be good. He can’t be pissing around with deadline day specials like he did last season. We need to have settled squad as close to the start of preseason as possible. We’re at June 16th and there’s next to nothing rock solid brewing in the market that we know of… chop, chop Edu.
Aston Villa, according to The Athletic, have been hounding Arsenal for Emile Smith Rowe. They dropped £25m in the old fax machine and we said no. Great that other clubs covet our young players, a bit of a worry that Villa is bullying us. This is a balls-out move from them, they are trying to tell the world they are on the up and want to be recognized as a top club, they are showing Grealish they want to compete, and they are giving their fans (and some of my pals) banter ammo. Breathtaking cheek, but the audacity has to be saluted.
Right, that’s me done. I recorded a second podcast yesterday with Johnny, we talked about Neves, Saliba, and Lokonga. It was a good listen. If you want a cracking read, check out Adam’s debut piece where he deep dives into some data to uncover some very interesting insights.
Rich
Also remember how aggressive Sky was towards the 6 clubs who were looking at the ESL.
The same 6 clubs who basically sell 80% of Sky matches.
Wales should have won by 5 – 1.
PHD
“-Did you see the spirit of Ozil in Gareth Bale for the assist that conjured up Ramsey’s goal?Memories or flashbacks of Ozil came flooding back-non?Bale(Is Ozil) as we speak”
Do you mean something like this (3rd goal)
https://youtu.be/q-NYwUvw-bA
I’d pay money to watch Robbie Savage kicked in the testicles until blood spurted out of his ears.
Finally!
Great game by Bale and Ramsey. That’s how you carry a team when you are a star.
The Turks deserve all this, been atrocious.
Yes…
Bale the man fashioning the assist for the goal.
He atoned for the missed penalty.
Well done…
Up the boyo’s..
Rich, yes pretty much how I see it. The subject about broadcast rights is interesting because that will change.
Wales have been wasteful here really
Turkey have lost their minds collectively.
Bale brilliant all game, absolute class
MOTM combo for me Rambale.
PhD
Euro 2004, Hakan Sukur and Emre
Wales win 2-0. Hope the Stuivenberg hot takers apologise.
At least someone from the current Arsenal football club has won a game today.
What are they smoking over at the Bernabeu?
Diet Pep would likely loan Ramsey to Newcastle, oh wait…, never mind
sal
Don’t say that Arteta and Edu will spend the next three months looking for a player called Rambale.
Marc
“I’d pay money to watch Robbie Savage kicked in the testicles until blood spurted out of his ears.”
Always knew you were a bollocks addict
That should be enough to get them into the next round. They’ve been very impressive and have Ramsey and Bale purring.
Joe Allen turns into peak Scholes for Wales lol
Robbie Savage was a horrible footballer. The way he dresses now sums him up a complete tosser.
Credit to Gareth Bale, he didn’t sulk after the pen miss and helped his team of over the line. Unlike Giggs, always makes himself available
Marc Sky wasn’t outraged, they were panicking because their golden goose was threatening to bolt I’m not sure how football will be broadcasted domestically, because of the threat to gate receipts But I’m positive they’ll find a way to bypass the middle man, and distribute their own content to the rest of the world, it’s just a matter of time And one of the reasons I think KSE have to invest, they have to put us in a position to vacuum up our share of the global market Right now no kids are growing up supporting Arsenal across the globe,… Read more »
Wales have been wasteful here really
——–
Yes,they have been wasteful..
To be fair,they’d be lucky to get through the 1st round knockout.
They are naive,lack that finesse,tactical nous and clinical finishing..
But happy for them nonetheless.
Disappointed with Turkey though, such absolute shambles really. Soyuncu looks a shadow of himself really
Have to say have really enjoyed the Euros, much more open than the atrocity that was the group stages of Euro 2016.
Rich
Yeah domestically it’s a difficult call – the whole of the football hierarchy would be against 3pm Saturday matches being shown on mass. Overseas broadcasts are another matter and you could see all sorts of link ups being created.
Soyuncu can’t do much if his whole team is underperforming.
Can’t believe how shit Calhanoglu was. I’ve never rated him. But he’s supposed to be much better than this. I hope he doesn’t become an option for us. Gonna be a free agent in 14 days.
Who in here mentioned Turkey as dark horse?
Pretty much eliminated after 2 games.
Dissenter
If that were the case I wouldn’t be suggesting death by a rather nasty form of castration would I.
Someone needs to tell Savage that was a group game against Turkey, not the final.
AFC
That’s pretty much the reason I wanted Turkey to score.
Pedro
If we can offset the majority of the fee for Ben White, by selling Bellerin, Niles + Soares
Then I think it makes sense, even if it is a lot of money
It helps us move to a 2-3-4-1
With the one central midfielder moving across to the left in possession, Partey central, and White or Chambers taking the right side
Raptora
“Who in here mentioned Turkey as dark horse?”
Seriously? They should be put down that is a terrible team.
Rich Why use a middleman, when you can bypass the middleman, and distribute your content directly to the consumer You are fundamentally right about this. But there seem to be clauses in their EPL contract that seem to prevent that. Hence the reason no one does it. I’ll use as an example this: as part of The Arsenal Red membership scheme (well all schemes really whether it’s Silver, Gold or Platinum) you can access real live commentary of the game. But no live images. Arsenal cannot upload a replay of their games until after 48 hours after the game has… Read more »
Didn’t Dissenter have Turkey as a dark horse?
The hot takes are so commonplace with Diss at this point, needs Hojbjerg to win player of the tournament to redeem himself. Looks long odds
Dissenter is really setting down a marker of consistency here.
DB10
It was closed because the clubs choose to close it. If you look at how different the world is since the PL and Sky hook up took place it’s crazy. The next round of TV deals have already been rolled over because the PL is scared about the value falling and we have a generation coming through who don’t want to watch 2 or 3 90 minute matches on a Sunday they want goal up dates from 20 matches on their mobiles.
I don’t know how things will pan out but Rich has a point.
I seem to give the kiss of death here when I make predictions
Now I’m predicting that England will win the Euros 😁😁😁😁
If any part of the links we are linked with is true … It shows to me that arteta does not have a plan he is managing like paper caught in wind blowing one way then the next
Have you noticed that when Wales or Scotland play the entire punditry is either Welsh or Scottish?
England play and we get Roy Keane ‘he needs to do better there” trying to send us all to drink. Imagine a night out with Keane & Savage. If Eniola Aluko turns up in that pink kitchen foil dress she was wearing the other day, I think I would rip it off her and baste & roast those two clowns.at 200 degrees.
Left
He also still believes in Santa and the Tooth Fairy which is more likely than the Kroenke’s chucking a huge amount of money at the club.
At the risk of stirring Kim Dumb Pedro from his secret lair I reckon he’s laying the ground work for “why Arteta failed” – generational and sauce are nothing without £200 million to spend it would seem!
If any part of the links we are linked with is true … It shows to me that arteta does not have a plan he is managing like paper caught in wind blowing one way then the next …
He is winging it
BatistutaJune 16, 2021 18:55:24
Euro 2004, Hakan Sukur and Emre
——–
Where Turkey failed to qualify..
But yes, the team of Alpay,Emre,Sukur,Rustu,Tugay &Hasan Sas.
Just never understood why they failed to qualify for the Euro 2004,given the team was stacked with talent.Can’t even understand going forward,how poorly they compete in major tournaments,given their technical ability.
Just weird for me.
AFC
A night out with Keane and Savage would be hysterical. The big question would be just how long before Keane beats Savage to death for being a cunt.
I reckon 3 or 4 minutes.
Diss
“I seem to give the kiss of death here when I make predictions”
No, you just say some very strange things. It’s up there with Bamfords predictions. Have you come considered a another sport?
RSPC
It does worry you when you have fans buying into the idea we can play a 2-3-4-1.
I think someone overheard a mike being tested.
DissenterJune 16, 2021 19:12:13
I seem to give the kiss of death here when I make predictionsNow I’m predicting that England will win the Euros 😁😁😁😁
——
England are mental midgets.Yes,stacked with talent.
But lack that extra -X-Factor and street smarts.
They will wilt,when faced with a much more technical team married with a tactically astute manager.It will be game over,within a blink of an eye.
Dismiss the hype from the media and the press.
Marc I hope that you and Rich are right. The strangle hold that TV media have on football is mental. They get to decide when a game is played and can move it/ change its KO time if it doesn’t suit them. There definitively is s market for online streaming and I wouldn’t be surprised if more and more viewers move to that medium (if they are not already). So the move is inevitable. Where the problem lies is on clubs reclaiming their TV rights to their own live games. The ESL had that in their package. Controlling your own… Read more »
Marc
“The big question would be just how long before Keane beats Savage to death for being a cunt.”
……..now that was very funny!!!
….obviously ” have you come” was a typo Diss.
DB10
“So why has it still not been reopened if everyone knows how lucrative it will be?”
Because you need 14 of the PL clubs to agree to it and it would basically be Turkey’s voting for Christmas.
I mean how many matches even if it was limited to only outside the UK would Burnley, Brighton, Brentford, Palace, Southampton even Leeds or Everton sell?
Their overseas TB revenue would drop from the tens of millions to small change.
AFC
Nah the funny bit would be how many people would give him an alibi so he didn’t go down for it.
“””””Left TesticleJune 16, 2021 19:06:12
Pedro believes the Kroenkes will spend big.””””
GeNeRaTiOnAl!
Left TesticleJune 16, 2021 19:17:30
Italy v SwitzerlandLet’s hope Xhaka doesn’t stink the place out or picks up an injury. Roma fans will be watching.
——
Who cares..
Xhaka is one of those players,where you ask yourself-‘Is the f**ker still here?”.
No offence to the guy,a professional and all,just not what we need or want.
I’m sure he’s a manager’s dream-Turns up to training on time,is a hard worker,listens to the manager’s instructions and carries it out to a tee.A teacher’s pet,a low maintenance type of player to manage.
For the average fan-An absolute five year nightmare!!!
Marc has a point
Robbie Savage, “Before the game I looked sensational but after that my fake tan has run, I need dry shampoo and my white trousers are stained”
Jesus. What a vain twat.
Maryland anaesthiologist jinxed Turkey, Issa Diop, Hojberg
Chineke ooo!
AFC
It wouldn’t be quite so bad if he was capable of making any interesting or insightful comments on a football match.
Marc
You agree to distribute the money in the same way
So the biggest clubs bring in a much bigger share, but stick it into the pot, and then redistribute it
Everybody wins, except the currently broadcasting companies, who get wiped out over night
Huge increase in revenues, huge Increases in tax receipts
We keep the domestic game together, don’t ruin the meritocratic nature of football
And every club gets a whole lot richer
They should also wipe out the useless bureaucrats at the FA, UEFA + FIFA while their at it
Marc
I see. Didn’t think of that. Makes sense now.
This makes the conundrum even bigger. How do you renegociate a contract when the majority will vote it down?
I am genuinely curious as to how this can be got around. Do something similar to the ESL deal and offer a bigger pot to the smaller clubs in exchange for allowing everyone to handle their own TV rights? It seems to be the only way.
“Chineke ooo!”
That is “OMG” btw for all you English folks.
You’re welcome. Lol.
DB10
You have Luca Brasi put a gun to their heads and assure them that either their brains or their signatures will be on the contract.
SidJune 16, 2021 19:36:06
Maryland anaesthiologist jinxed Turkey, Issa Diop, Hojberg
Chineke ooo!
——–
You forgot the Henry managerial appointment-that he championed as a great move.That he would do exceptionally well at Monaco..
Only, to do a complete 180 degree turn within a few months,when Henry was sacked and state-to paraphrase him:-“He should never have taken that job,he was not cut out for the gig.”
That had me in stitches for quite a while.
I won’t mention the Federer Wimbledon Classic.
Le-Grove is a nice platform to share and share alike.. 🙂
So the more astute teams,will just block Ramsey & Bale.
Then,what is Wales response to that tactic, especially under a manager in the form of Rob Page?
I wonder what is Ryan Giggs thinking now,in terms of tactics and strategy?
Letting an oil state-owned club like City negotiate their own broadcasting rights, jesus christ.
Marc
Ha ha.
I have to admit that this is probably the only way to get this done.
Let me call Tom Hagen to arrange a meeting with Don Corleone. I’ll ask for a favor. If I can push it, I’ll see if I can get him to do something about Kroenke and Arteta as well.
Guilty as charged
AFC
“No, you just say some very strange things.”
Like you calling people “perverts” for wanting Saliba to be incorporated into the team?
If I need another sport, then you certainly need residential therapy
DB10
Our true enemies have revealed themselves.
This Italy team could do something in the tournament. Not sure they’re good enough to beat the likes of France but on the night who knows.
DissenterJune 16, 2021 20:06:33
Guilty as charged
——
Nice to see you are humble enough to own your horse manure. :)-
Amazing progress.. :)-
PS
Are you watching the Italy vs Switzerland game?
PPS
Italy seem to be in control of this game,so far.Somewhat disciplined, functional and tight.To be expected from an Italian team,along with a clean sheet.
The Swiss were lucky there.
Diss, the fact you don’t have a sense of humour is well documented mate. You take everything so damn serious. Lighten up Just stop the predictions, they’re are terrible.
I predict that Dissenter’s predictions will be predictably bad.
“I wonder what is Ryan Giggs thinking now, in terms of tactics and strategy?”
Should i plead guilty now to domestic violence and be out in time for World cup 2022. Or take it to trial and risk missing out???
Or maybe just kill the bitch?
VAR yet again. Looked harsh to me.
*they are terrible.
Rich you bring up a good point about Ek and the innovative way to get games to the fans etc.
Streaming yes of course, as it is now, but the real big deal will be VR
Virtual reality is a new fan experience and a cash cow coming up
I usually wait for Dissenter’s prediction and then make the exact opposite to win a few bucks
Keep em coming Diss man
I really hope we give Villa a good slapping back down to Earth next season But there’s the very real possibility we could invest big into the squad, and actual decrease the quality on the pitch, rather than increase it Desperately trying to justify £45 million for Ben White But after 3 YouTube videos, and a load of statistical comparisons, the best I can come up with, is right back/ defensive midfielder hybrid Fee largely offset by the sales of Bellerin + Niles, and getting Soares off the wage-bill Or that we’ve identified a potential £80 million centre half, who’s… Read more »
Vintage
That’s funny!
Ever seen Locatelli play…seems more mobile than Xhaka already
Didn’t we want to buy Manuel Locatelli?
For example I knew Turkey won’t make it past the group stages the moment he nailed them down as dark horse😂
Arsenal’s potential new signing scores after a brilliant pass.
MarcJune 16, 2021 20:13:36 This Italy team could do something in the tournament. Not sure they’re good enough to beat the likes of France but on the night who knows. ——– If they get that far-it’d would be style versus substance. Assume a France versus Italy final(not sure if that is possible),I’d fancy Italy,simply. because they would grab a goal and know how to shut out the opposition.No thrills,no spills. Whereas France with their amazing talent, will. look too unlock Italy’s defence in a stylish, cocky kind of way.Their arrogance, will be there undoing. Portugal-is a major threat.I think France… Read more »
Why the fuck would we be looking to get Soares off the wage bill?
We only signed him permanently last summer and when he’s played he’s done a reasonable job and remember Arteta would have had input into the decision.
This just reeks of more not knowing what he wants and thinking he’s got a bottomless pit of money to spend.
“Arsenal’s potential new signing scores after a brilliant pass.”
Was it a Xhaka own goal?
This Italy team play in an un-Italian ways
I think Italy are more dangerous when they start the competition middling and get better as the game progress.
Historically, Italy also do well on the back of a major footballing scandal. Their 1982 and 2006 WC wins were on the background of football corruption fiascos
That’s why I can’t give Italy the kiss of death.
*Avi,
Are you reading, This Italian team is going down first time they face a proper team.
Avi, I knew Turkey weren’t ‘going to qualify when I saw them play. I don’t know about “dark horses’ more like a three legged one backed by a blind man.
PHD
Once we get down to the knockouts it could be a really good competition. Some good teams in the mix.
Rich
“”””and a load of statistical comparisons, the best I can come up with, is right back/ defensive midfielder hybrid””””
He simply looks a more refined version of Callum Chambers to me , but x 3.5 times more expensive.
Nothing against the player.
But never in a trillion years is he worth £40 plus million.
(Needle aint moving with White.)
Months ago , the club were axeing scouts, Gunnersauraus and asking for the players to take pay cuts and now they want White at £45mill.
Bonkers FC.
Guns That’s really interesting Bringing the match day experience to our living room, the hot dogs and burgers aren’t great, and they’re definitely overpriced, but I still think I’d miss them Hopefully they find a way to replicate the taste, without any of the calories… It’s only a matter of time before they rip up the script, the earning potential is off the scales Potential market audience of over 4.5 billion £1 a game to 1 billion people 38 games = £38 billion, and that’s a conservative estimate, doesn’t take into account for cup games, or other potential revenue streams… Read more »
Rich
Only problem with that is they’d want to move kickoff to 2am.
Dissenter
“*Avi, Are you reading, This Italian team is going down first time they face a proper team”
Right that’s it, ‘I am shoving £500 on Italy to win the Euro’s.
Xhaka being Xhaka and giving the ball away needlessly that leads to a nervy moment.
Italy are a really dangerous team. They might do something this tournament. Belgium, England, France and Portugal are the strongest teams but Italy can give any of these teams a run for their money. Far less weaknesses than expected.
Rich indeed. Watch how VR impacts all sports. Its great on my xl 4k TV, but a virtual reality experience is way better. Can you imagine, sitting on your sofa and being in row 10 watching arsenal? High quality images, 3d. its like you are there in person… You can pay for whatever seat you want… I am sure that will be part of the transaction costs. You can sit in the nose bleed section for cheaper. More audience – more money. Gone are the days of going to games- although I prefer that clearly for other reasons. Being in… Read more »
SF
You’d never get the real match day experience unless it was freezing cold and you had someone throwing water over you,
Habesha, I agree this Italian team have such a fluid midfield that moves at speed, they could cause anyone problems. Losing Chiellini isn’t good though.
SF
On a serious note – one of the things that makes the PL so popular is the fans in the ground you take that away and the viewing experience plummets.
DissenterJune 16, 2021 20:33:02
This Italy team play in an un-Italian waysI think
—–
How so?
I think,they’ve got the semi-balance between defence and attack.It seems they play the usual game of keeping possession, but can just bypass the midfield at will,and attack directly, or play little balls around the opposition area,probing for an opening.
But,maybe they seem more direct,in terms of them transitioning from defence to attack at will.
Also hitting crosses into the opposition area,which is uncharacteristic of the Italian National side.I believe they are mixing it up somewhat.