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.
Ramos now available on a free.
Who wants a spoiler alert?
Marc
Take fans out of the ground and it’s dead mate. We’ve seen what the game is like without fans in stadia due to the pandemic.
Marc
you will have the fan noise just like the stadium. The fat guy next to you cursing non stop, spilling food and beer. burping etc.
its like you are in a seat…. with others as well.
AFC
its the new generation and more money.
Its the future – the game is so big that VR is a way to capture a new experience for the fans… of course you all in London, Europe get the advantage of the fat guy next to you, the smells and sounds etc.
Us over here get the VR, which is closer to what we have now
Jamie
Arteta’s currently at home wanking himself furiously over the gorgeous blonde playing No 10 for Switzerland thinking I must have him.
And we wonder what is wrong with our team. Just watch Xhaka. Moving around the midfield like a turtle. There are only two gears with him – slow and stopped
I find Leonardo Spinazzola a pretty good LB. How about we swap Xhaka with him?
Told that Arsenal have made offers for four players in the past week. They’re confident of wrapping up two of those deals soon – believed to be Ben White and Albert Sambi Lokonga. Xhaka, Mavropanos & Guendouzi leaving, with Eddie Nketiah also for sale. By Chris Wheatley Well I don’t mind if we get all our other transfers in order along signing Ben white. But if it is at a cost of a top class midfielder I will be fuming. “Exclusive: Arsenal opened contract talks with Mohamed Elneny in April. The Egyptian midfielder is now waiting for talks on an… Read more »
Locatelli’s goal reminds me of Willock.
Guns Hopefully they’re smart It’s better to have more people engaged with your product, than pricing people out It’s better to sell one package to 2 people at £30 Than it is to sell to 2 packages at £60, to 1 person Consumer interaction is vital, the potential market audience is apparently over 4.5 billion people, which seems bonkers, because that’s over half the globe Football is by far the most watched sport, and the PL by far the most watched league We need to lead the way on this, before others league’s get in first We also need to… Read more »
Arsnil
There are 10 Swiss players who are drenched in sweat through hard work including the keeper.
The eleventh man Xhaka looks like a tourist having a stroll eating a Cornetto.
Arsenal had better conclude this Xhaka deal ASAP, before someone in Rome starts to ask the question “What the actual fk are we buying this slug for”?
Right that’s it, ‘I am shoving £500 on Italy to win the Euro’s.”
Haha that makes the two of us!
Maybe Italy did well but how shit the Swiss were in this 1st half is beyond any question. Haven’t seen them play so bad in years.
DissenterJune 16, 2021 20:33:02 .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 ——— This is true,cannot deny this fact. No scandal this year, but they are looking functional, organised and well disciplined. I don’t know,Italy seem the safe be-seems more of a team unit,with each one as a group knowing how to defend as a unit and move forward as a unit.More cohesion,rather than individual flair. But France can knock anyone out of the park.France’s undoing will be their arrogance and… Read more »
Has Edu returned from his vacation
Or is he able to work from his rented yacht?
It would be great to see the Dutch win a major tournament they’ve had so many great teams down the years,
Dissenter
Coming back from Portugal and he’ll have to isolate for a minimum of 5 days.
*I don’t know,Italy seem the safe bet
Marc
I would love art to bring back the sweeper system
Maybe use saliba as the new Franz b for us…
Locatelli is nothing like Xhaka.
There you go. That is why Locatelli is out of our radar. He is going to a club that is in a better position than us with European football.
Fabulous goal!
Where was Xhaka btw?
Damn. We better sign Locatelli fast!
Locatelli just put 10 m on his price tag
Italy,are just professional.Getting the job done.
Patient and direct.
Woohoo…
A howitzer of a match,if France meets Italy.
Marc
Xhara ensuring he don’t get injured b4 big move
Habesha depends on who has the 50mil to pay for him
RSPC
I’d love to see Arteta put in charge of sweeping up – preferably at my local McDonalds.
PhD Germany’s problems are up top, not sure they have enough to hurt teams. France could smash 5 past anyone but they have the possibility of imploding, they have attitude problems. Italy are probably more of a team than anyone else, their midfield is as fluid as anything I have seen. Spain are a hard watch, yet again not the best finishers. The Dutch need to address those defensive issues because thats their main priblem and England are just, well England. As goals win games France have a big advantage but I wouldn’t write off the Italians as a surprise,… Read more »
Lee Dixon just wiped £10 million off Xhaka’s value with “the Italians bypass a pressing Swiss midfield”
Now where have we seen a midfield completely by passed before?
Great goal by Locatelli!
If ever we want to buy him. Buy him now before his stock soares comes the end of the tournament
There is definitively something about him.
MArc he can work from home I have for 17 months so it does not matter if he has to isolate
Locatelli plays for Sassuolo, he’s the profile of player that Arsenal need to identify and purchase before he blows up on an international stage. No way we can afford him now. Not that I thought it was likely to begin with.
And a clean sheet so far…
2 games-6 points-4 GF-0 GA, GD 0-so far.
Mr Serge
I reckon 35 to 40 mil will be enough to get him. Bit he has ambitions and we aren’t in a position to answer those questions. PSG, City and Juventus are rumored to be interested in him. So we haven’t got a chance. It’s not just about money.
Serge
Maybe he should have been working rather than swanning about during out most important transfer window in a quarter of a century.
*5-GF
Yeah you guys are right he is probably out of reach juve would be crazy not to buy him
Jesus Xhaka is having a mare. Just strolling around the pitch too. I can’t wait till he is gone.
LG
We had to ditch our scouts who, who knows, could have unearthed him (speculating big time, I admit)
But nope. Let’s save 3 bob and ditch a key area of the club.
Great job from the Arsenal as usual….
Xhaka chasing a player who is running with the ball and can’t catch him is something that always makes me laugh, how many times I have seen that at the emirates I have lost count lol
He is sooooo shit
The Swiss players are getting outran as well – 68km to 73km. Smaller football countries cannot afford to be lazy.
A lot of credits have to go to Roberto Mancini. Not many national teams can play as fluid like a club team
AFC ForeverJune 16, 2021 21:12:44 PhD Germany’s problems are up top, not sure they have enough to hurt teams. France could smash 5 past anyone but they have the possibility of imploding, they have attitude problems. Italy are probably more of a team than anyone else, their midfield is as fluid as anything I have seen. Spain are a hard watch, yet again not the best finishers. The Dutch need to address those defensive issues because thats their main priblem and England are just, well England. As goals win games France have a big advantage but I wouldn’t write off… Read more »
Roma have just replied to Arsenal’s rejection of the £13 million Xhaka bid.
“You guy’s that was £1.3 million not £13”
Ramsey scored earlier and it seems his Juve replacement has gone one better
Dorarouma has got good feet
Ramsey scored earlier and it seems his Juve replacement has gone one better with two
I really like Italy’s midfield.
And calves.
And Xhaka, what is with that peroxide hair????
Does anyone know the likely matches in the next phase?
Db10 it’s usually to do with the player wanting to standout from his team mates remember when Ramsey did it, unfortunately where Xhaka is concerned it’s making him stand out in the wrong way
Legendary
Locatelli has said he wants no distractions during the Euro’s and will make a decision when the tournament ends.
Calling Xhaka any kind of a progressive passer is a really sad joke. Anyone that can see him play knows even if he is passing it forward, the pass is so mundane that it always comes back to him. I can’t wait to see the back of him. And our instant improvements will be noticeable once he is gone and if we sign some decent midfielders.
“And Xhaka, what is with that peroxide hair????”
——————————————————————
It is supposed to have less friction so that he can run faster.
PhD
“Who’s your player of the tournament so far-even though it’s early days?.”
Tough only been one game really but probably Wijnaldum, Jorginho & Locatelli. I thought Wijnaldum had a great game for the Dutch.
Out of all the teams in this tournament so far,I’m pretty comfortable and impressed with Italy’s defense.A pretty tight unit.Too be expected,if we are honest.
And their keep possession,along with how they transition from defence to attack,at times by-passing the midfield.
But France are electric going forward.
Marc
It’s hard to say right now but England will be better off placing 2nd in their group, the winner of their group will have to play the runner up of the Group of Death, looking likely it will either be Portugal or Germany. If 2nd they will likely play Slovakia or Sweden.
Now they are giving offsides 5 minutes later!!!
I wouldn’t want Immobile. He misses a lot.
Nelson plus he is 31
“But France are electric going forward.”
————————————————–
Pogba can be unplayable with his long legs.
Luteo GuenreiraJune 16, 2021 21:23:58
I really like Italy’s midfield.
—-
Seems non-existent to me.
The transitioning from defence to attack,by-passing the midfield is interesting to watch.Unless,I’m watching a different game.
Luteo
Cheers mate – can’t see it being Germany and Portugal will run rings round Southgate.
No width with the Italians mbape would enjoy running at them
Italy is giving a good lesson how to fast counter. If only Immobile can find the net.
Serge
Against Mbappe the Italians would have a plan – it’s whether they can make it work on the night.
NelsonJune 16, 2021 21:37:41
“But France are electric going forward.”
————————————————–
Pogba can be unplayable with his long legs.
———
It’s interesting how he can spot a pass,like the one that ended up being an own goal for Germany,and do it consistently for France on the big stages,but at Manure,he’s intermittent..
Interesting player-Pogba is.
PhD
I was crediting their midfield for exactly that. It’s not like the CBs was bombing it to the forwards. One or two passes in between and they’re off. Goals came from midfield as well. The threat in attack has been Jorginho Locatelli and Barella getting into the final 3rd, the forwards have been meh.
PHD
Pogba doesn’t want to be at ManU – he didn’t the first time signed the second time and immediately remembered that he hated the place.
By all accounts ManU are seriously worried that he’ll leave on a free in a years time – time for that big money final deal at Madrid.
Finally, Immobile finds the net
I really like this team
Mr Serge
Xhaka is concerned it’s making him stand out in the wrong way
Indeed. Everyone knows exactly where he is on the pitch and go straight for him to bypass him.
What legendary thinking.
///
Italy with another 3-0 win by the looks of It!!!
AFC ForeverJune 16, 2021 21:30:05
PhD“Who’s your player of the tournament so far-even though it’s early days?.
”Tough only been one game really but probably Wijnaldum, Jorginho & Locatelli. I thought Wijnaldum had a great game for the Dutch.
——-
Cool picks..Mine,would be the usual humdum choices.
Impressed by Alexander Isak for Sweden,Mbappe,Wijnaldum and Benzema
Locatelli looks really good
Onana/Ramsdale
White
Lamptey
Locatelli
Lokonga
Bissouma
Maddison
Bati living the dream with this Italian side who look the deal, this Euro has some quality in it.
Van Damme Scores. Well that was coming after his previous misses. Swiss are a bland team this tournament. I don’t know if they even could get the 3rd progressing position. Turkey want to go home with their head held high. Xhaka coming back to het off to Roma gets me excited though.
Nice of Mancini to double sub our two new boys Barella and Locatelli at same time.
Habesha
What makes you think Roma are still going to want him?
The peroxide turtle
Switzerland have to be careful, they may not even beat Turkey and can easily drop out of the four third place finishers.
Sal
It’s in the pre-pre-pre contract for Arsenal. One of the clauses is that this applies to everyone else who wishes to bid.
Yea, we better push that Xhaka deal over the line very quickly
Roma can easily move unto other targets
“The peroxide turtle”
With credit to Stephen King!
See the Turtle of enormous girth
his lack of pace slows the Earth.
NelsonJune 16, 2021 21:21:44
A lot of credits have to go to Roberto Mancini. Not many national teams can play as fluid like a club team
——
I agree with this.Italy seem the more stable,solid and reliable unit.
But heck,France will offer up some fireworks,if they keep their ego’s in check.
Marc
I believe the sauce will convince them that this is his evil twin that played in this tourney. And he is also the one that has been crap for Arsenal for 5 years. And when they sign him the real xhaka will reappear to them like a ghost and will have qualities that will put prime Roy Keane to shame.
The question of the day is who is more shit, Turkey or Switzerland? Really bad day for these two.
PhD
Yep, Isak looked a handful.
Arsenal never interested in Italian players for whatever reason, or maybe vice versa. Just two Italian players ever for Arsenal, last one being Vito Mannone. Even based off history Locatelli and Barella were never likely.
Diss
Don’t tell me that Roma will call our bluff that he reaaally is a great player.
Habesha
Clearly you’ve been drinking more than I have.
“A lot of credits have to go to Roberto Mancini. Not many national teams can play as fluid like a club team”
Certainly more fluid than a certain team in red and white managed by Mr Sauce.
I suppose some may say the Italian style of football doesn’t really suit the pace and power of the Premier League though.
Switzerland have to be careful, they may not even beat Turkey and can easily drop out of the four third place finishers.
——–
Who cares for Switzerland or Turkey.They are there to make up the numbers.
They offer nothing in terms of scintillating football.Or football,that you can say,I see what you are trying to do.
Pedestrian type football,that can be banished to the recycle bin at best and dispensed with.They won’t be missed.(Turkey &Switzerland).
Damn I was really hoping Xhaka was going to have a great few games and we could sell him easily, Edu better accept that Roma offer ASAP. As this game showed exactly why he has to go.
Italy look good but maybe short of a really world class CF such as Kane or Benzema.
Locatelli passing is something else
Locatelli is a pipe dream