Nothing, and I mean nothing… enrages me more than a drip from a badly sealed coffee cup. I would go take a country to war over such a sleight.
I have no segue, I just wanted to share that.
So what do we have today?
ARSENAL SIGNED A PLAYER.
Unreal stuff. The pull of Edu and Mikel is real, we’ve landed the best back-up left-back that money can buy. Nuno Tavares comes into the club for under £10m. He’s a Portuguese U21, he’s a bang-bang kind of player, and his profile closely maps to Kieran Tierney, which means continuity when there’s a need for a rest.
It’s a tough position to fill. Do you go for an experienced head that has no resale value, like Leicester has, or do you sign someone young that might not hit the mark right away? I think this option is best for our business model. It’s also nice for the overall vibe of the squad. Tavares won’t be satisfied with the bench, he’s grown up with Felix, that’ll keep hunger levels in the squad at optimum levels.
Next up would seem most likely to be Sambi Lokonga. Again, the right age profile, a very high ceiling, with a skill set that very closely aligns with Thomas Partey. I think Clive from Arsenal Vision has it right when he says we need to raise the ceiling and the floor. Our floor with midfielders was a basement that had flooded last season. Sambi Lokonga has better potential than anyone we’ve shipped out. We’re moving in the right direction here. I’m still interested to see who we sign to replace Xhaka… hoping it’s Locatelli or someone with his power. But we’ll see.
The pattern: Arsenal building back with young kids with high ceilings.
You love to see it. Also interesting to note that Tavares said his favourite player was ”The Smith’ because he is my generation’… blooding kids shows other young talents that Arsenal is the place to be. I do not think it is a coincidence that the emergence of Saka has coincided with Martinelli, Balogun, Kido Hart, and Okonkwo signing new deals. We’re starting to become the place to be if you are a young player. Bright young coach, massive stadium, London social life, elite training facilities, and the chance to make a name at a club hopefully on the rise.
There’s still a load of work to do moving players on, but this time around, I think we actually have people that other clubs want. Patrick Vieira, fresh off the back of signing the excellent Michael Olise, is apparently interested in adding Eddie Nkeitiah to his squad next season. I think it’s a smart move, he has it in him to be a very good striker, but he needs minutes. You know one thing for certain, he’ll get you goals, hopefully we get more than £12m for him. Wouldn’t it be something in Patrick turned Palace into an exciting team to watch?
Xhaka, Hector, and Kola will be the next names to drop. I suspect we’ll see movement out the club for Ainsley, which is a shame, but he wants a position we can’t give him. There are also positive rumours out of France that suggest Arsenal are not looking to move on Saliba (shocker), they see him as a key part of the future, but the recco is a loan… TAKE THE NEWCASTLE GIG WILLIAM.
Arsenal launched HUGE news yesterday that they are going to do an All or Nothing documentary. It’s a bit annoying because I spent a large part of last summer ripping into Spurs fans about it… but here’s the thing, it makes a lot of sense on so many levels IF you look at football through the prism of ‘it is content’ and ‘it is business.’
Now, I have some expertise here. I’ve spent the last 5 years working closely with an unscripted reality TV network (one of my fave clients ever), which isn’t far off what these shows are. If you can make it work, the positives can be huge. The fandom around these things is SPECTACULAR. You have women leaving them and making $100m. I worked at a convention they held, it was $400 a ticket, it sold out in about 10mins, and it was WILD. Louder than a cup final. These shows connect people to the talent in ways you can’t imagine. I’m not sure if Arsenal has the acumen to make it work for them in that way, but if you do it right and connect all the pieces together, it can have lucrative bottom-line implications.
Some ways it could be good:
After a year of being out the ground, it’s a great way to bring the club closer to the fans. We’re going through a rebuilding process at Arsenal, we’re doing it with young players and a young coach, and it’s exciting. But there’s a huge swath of fans that don’t like it and I suspect some of the logic is that this will humanise the process. It’s hard to hate people when you can see they are trying to do something positive. It’s hard to say ‘it’s all shit’ when you can see it on the TV. This will soften how people see the club.
Additionally, there will be some reputation pumping going on here. The club must think what they are doing is impressive. They must believe that the coaching staff and technical team will come across well. They must have seen that Jose Mourinho came out looking pretty human from the Spurs doco and want a bit of that. There’s an element of ego associated with this, but also the realization that they have come across very badly over the past 5 years.
The worry? When you work in reality TV, you’ll hear it all the time, ‘they didn’t treat me fairly, the full context wasn’t there.’ This is the risk. Amazon is unlikely going to pay £10m to give Arsenal creative control and a veto on the work. I could be totally wrong, but they are a megalith and the job of this doco is have people watch it. They need the drama, they need the bad eggs, they need the heroes, and they need a narrative. Someone will pay the price, because that is how you sell content and get more people buying toilet rolls via Amazon Prime. You have no idea who the editor is, what mood they’re in, or who they support. Being made to look a total whopper on a global scale is not going to be fun, but someone will get that treatment.
I think there’s also a bit of surprise that the Bank Of England club would go down this path. We’re letting people in behind the curtain and it doesn’t feel very Arsenal or aligned to the brand.
Still, get it right and we bring in a whole set of new fans. It’ll shift a whole bunch of merch. It will create a deeper bond between the hardcore that think no one cares. It’ll give a little bit of insight into how our actions online impact the young minds that are trying to do their best. It could be great.
Football is now a content game. Amazon has one of the biggest platforms. Arsenal has a generation of young players that will connect with a new generation of kids looking for somewhere to spend their money. Imagine the wildness of a Bukayo Saka Twitch watch party? Honestly, this is too much for my advertising brain to handle… I know most people hate it, but I think it’s sharp.
If you get time, you should watch the Chivas documentary they have on there now.
Threads that might feel familiar:
- A might club that has fallen
- Owner passes the club to his son
- The club goes on a big spending splurge to get back to the top
- They have a famous technical director that used to be a player
- They are trying to bring back a winning mentality
The storytelling is a little frenzied, but you empathise with everyone at the club. Worth a watch.
Right, I’ll see you in the comments my darlings. Remember to listen to the podcast this week. We’ll be doing one again on Tuesday!
Spotify | Stitcher | Google Play | ACAST
That ref is such a shit show, typical comebol ref
Argentina players played with a lot of heart and desire in the tournament, very well deserved. 48 years since any team beat Brazil in their den.
My boy De Paul balled out today.
WengerEagleJuly 11, 2021 02:51:56
Messi gets his international trophy!Beautiful.
—
So,what happens with Barca?
Winning it in the Maracana in Brazil makes it ten times as sweet for Messi I am sure after the WC heartbreak.
Neymar crying his eyes out, that definitely humanizes him.
The ref warned of time wasting still blowed 10 secs before the end of the match.
Never liked the argues cheating scum
Argentina just fought harder in the end.
Martinez made it possible with his penalty dhoot out Dave’s in semis .
Guns de Paul has signed for athletico
Player of the tournament and 7th Ballon D’or in the bag. For me Messi was anyway the GOAT irrespective of an international trophy but still the great man deserved to win something with Argentina.
Fu+-k you auto correct. At least get this right
That was some entertainment, Neymar got kicked off the pitch the whole tournament and did himself proud.
Middy
They are a much more cohesive unit now rather than when they were way too top heavy in the past with Messi, Aguero, Higuain, Tevez, Di Maria all shoehorned in.
I expect them to do well at the World Cup next year, winning it likely beyond them but a deep run for Messi’s last hurrah would be sweet.
Well now it’s time for England to break their duck tomorrow.
Sad that Maradona didn’t get to witness this in the flesh pitch-side.
DissenterJuly 11, 2021 02:54:12
Neymar crying his eyes out, that definitely humanizes him.
—–
Arteta would love that.
Would certainly fit in with his non-negotiables..No arrogance.
Must humble yourself before the Lord Arteta.
This team played for Messi
They wanted to win so bad for him
Rodrigo De Paul, what a player.
“Guns de Paul has signed for athletico“
Serge, didn’t know that but if you asked me who would move mountains to sign him there could’ve been only one answer: El Cholo.
Celso, Guido and De Paul is a solid midfield. Messi and Di Maria upfront and Emi in goal. Christian Romero is a very good CB. A solid team overall but still need some more quality to deal with other European giants in WC.
Di Maria definitely played harder then normal.. hadn’t even been starting and rarely lasts 90 mins.
Shame he scuffed that late chance, outright top goalscorer and a Final goal would have been very sweet icing on the cake.
Meymar showing what a good character he is, he’ll bounce back and win with Brazil in time.
Real togetherness about this Argie group, they all genuinely look delighted for Messi.
Ok then… off until tomorrow. Have fun watching the fights y’all.
MidwestGunJuly 11, 2021 02:57:49
Well now it’s time for England to break their duck tomorrow.
—-
Tomorrow will be mayhem if they do..
But let’s not get it twisted,winning the Euros does not imply -you are the best in the world.
Winning the World Cup-gives you the bragging rights to have that accolade.
Let’s not forget-Greece won the Euro’s in 2004..And we haven’t heard a peep from them since then.
So,let’s put this in context.
PS
But the English media will not put it into context,if England win..
Cue mayhem….
WengerEagleJuly 11, 2021 03:04:53
If England win,you’re fornicated..
Just wana apologise for bringing up the booing. I was just laughing at England getting 3 fines haha.
Rich, where in the northern beaches did you live. Most of my family live there, around manly/Dee why.
Sounds like a great time exploring you had over here though.
Let me know when you’re back here.
Marc,
I’ve always wanted to live in England! I’d push through the cold for a little while haha. I’d have to get amongst a cold winter’s night in Stoke as an away day for sure! Alcohol blanket will do a trick
PHD
Haha, ah to be honest I wouldn’t begrudge this England side ending the drought.
Likable bunch of players including our Saka and Southgate is a gentleman who has worked miracles in keeping the camp a scandal-free zone.
Not going to lie though, I will be up for the Italians. I give England the slight edge with home advantage.
Rodrigo De Paul’s Copa América final by numbers:
100% shot accuracy
58 touches
11 duels won
6 fouls won
4 tackles made
1 interception
1 Big Chance created
1 assist
GoobergoonerJuly 11, 2021 03:15:27
Just wana apologise for bringing up the booing. I was just laughing at England getting 3 fines haha.Rich, where in the northern beaches did you live. Most of my family live there, around manly/Dee why.
Sounds like a great time exploring you had over here though.
Let me know when you’re back here.
—–
No way,Manly Beach?Sydney-Australia?
Strewth??
🙂
Di Maria goal won Argentina the Olympics and Copa. Shame he was out injured in 2014 WC final.
WengerEagleJuly 11, 2021 03:16:14
Haha, ah to be honest I wouldn’t begrudge this England side ending the drought.
Likable bunch of players including our Saka and Southgate is a gentleman who has worked miracles in keeping the camp a scandal-free zone.
Not going to lie though, I will be up for the Italians. I give England the slight edge with home advantage.
——
It’s all cool WE..
Either way,I’ve got your back…
🙂
He should have had 2 assists TR7 if Messi had taken that chance at the end.
TR7July 11, 2021 03:26:45
Di Maria goal won Argentina the Olympics and Copa. Shame he was out injured in 2014 WC final.
—-
You seem a lot more emotional about Argentina winning the Copa America,than you ever were about Arsenal winning the FAC under Arteta….
🙂
PhD
No, loved our FA Cup win under Arteta. Had high hopes from the Spaniard and still think he is a good student of the game. Doesn’t know how to manage different personalities in the dressing room and is very biased in his team selection.
As for Argentina win, chuffed and emotional due to Messi. I am his fanboy. Never had so much fun watching any other sportsperson. He is a treasure.
TR7July 11, 2021 03:40:29
As for Argentina win, chuffed and emotional due to Messi. I am his fanboy. Never had so much fun watching any other sportsperson. He is a treasure.
—-
So Messi trumps Arteta then?
🙂
Johny gunner
Wow that was a really bizarre post to me.
I said fuck England as in the soccer team winning the comp.
And no my ancestors aren’t convicts. So eat a dick.
😂😂😂😂
RichJuly 10, 2021 23:24:00
My joke which seemed to go straight over your head, was that pretty much all citizens from every country could play the reparations game
———
No,I totally disagree with that statement.
But feel free to state your arguments.
RichJuly 10, 2021 23:24:00 Seems like double standards to me —– I’ll tell you what’s double standards… The Euro’s- a solid case in point… During the EPL games,bloggers on here were berating players for taking the knee.. Players who in essence are using their profile to highlight the injustices being carried out against ethnic minorities/communities-(note ethnic minorities and communities)-who have been under-represented over time-period. Implying, we are all human,regardless of race,creed,religion. Bloggers bemoaned the fact of why should politics be intertwined with sport.Fornicate that,they said. We enter the Euro’s,the England players continued their stance through the group stages,what was the… Read more »
Well done to Messi and Argentina though
Italy to score 1st!
England to come from behind……. only if its the reverse cowgirl
Im telling you for free!
GoobergoonerJuly 11, 2021 04:19:21
Johny gunner
Wow that was a really bizarre post to me.I said fuck England as in the soccer team winning the comp.And no my ancestors aren’t convicts. So eat a dick.
——
Such an Aussie charmer…
You must be a hit with the women down under-non?
I guess they flock to you like bees to honey?
Or is it flies to turd?
🙂
Just kidding.
Hahaha PhD,
I have nothing against England. I just have something against douchebags.
I love the rivalry in most sports we have with England as well as the comradery in all the rest of the aspects.
Just Johnny’s post didn’t invite my best response that is for sure
Football the Aussies suck but we have played alright against you lot on occassion.
Cricket is obviously massive. I love the ashes. Well I used to until my fav player old Steve Smith led the Aussies to cheating.
I love the rugby, it’s always such a special match up when it’s Aus vs England.
I was being facetious when I said fuck England. It was just to get under the pommy skin 😂 who knew there was right wing snowflakes though???
I like England enough that I’d want to push through the shit weather to give living there a shot.
Im all for equality, i will stop using white tissue paper, a neutral colour is inclusive
@Rich has to stop using brown paper…… it blocks the toilet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3t52DAmnvs
Some amusing sporting moments for Sunday morning
But if I’ve learned one thing today, it’s don’t joke about England to the English
Thanks Tony
GoobergoonerJuly 11, 2021 05:11:39
Hahaha PhD,
I have nothing against England. I just have something against douchebags.I love the rivalry in most sports we have with England as well as the comradery in all the rest of the aspects.Just Johnny’s post didn’t invite my best response that is for sure
——
It’s all good dude.
I understand the Aussie banter..
Was out there for a period of time..
So,totally get it…
Which part are you from-Sydney?
I was born in Sydney, but have lived in Melbourne, country NSW, good coast and airlie beach. About to move back to the airlie
GoobergoonerJuly 11, 2021 05:16:52
Football the Aussies suck but we have played alright against you lot on occassion.
—-
Fair dinkum…
You’ve had some great exports..
-Mark Viduka,
-Harry Kewelll(pre-injury),
-Gary Cahill..I know you had a bridge named after him in Sydney-right?
-Brett Emerson?
-Mark Bosnich?-The long march to Columbia… 🙂
-Schwarzer?
-Craig Johnston(Liverpool)
Those are the ones off the top of my head…
I’m sure they are plenty more..
I was born in Sydney, but have lived in Melbourne, country NSW, good coast and airlie beach. About to move back to the airlie.
Where did your travels take you while you were here?
Neymar cries after every game win or lose
I think he suffers from anxiety
GoobergoonerJuly 11, 2021 05:55:49
I was born in Sydney, but have lived in Melbourne, country NSW, good coast and airlie beach. About to move back to the airlie
—-
What’s airlie?
WE
did you see the fight?
Haha that’s quite a list. And Timmy Cahill, evertonian legend!
I was so stoked Maty Ryan played for Arsenal, albeit only a couple of games. And there’s a few Aussie women and the coach who are at arsenal which makes me proud also.
PhD, didn’t mean ‘the’ before airlie. But that’s the mainland part of the Whitsundays. Beautiful part of the world
Guns of SFJuly 11, 2021 05:56:31
Neymar cries after every game win or lose
I think he suffers from anxiety
—–
Hopefully,we will see Arteta suffer the same fate…
The longer he stays,the more destruction,he’ll heap on Arsenal-destroying those poor kids,that Pedro claims-he’s given the most minutes to in the Premier League.
It’s the kids I feel for,if Arteta survives half a season,let alone a whole season..
PS
I’m hiding behind the couch this season under Arteta.Watching the slow motion train crash…
GoobergoonerJuly 11, 2021 06:01:44
PhD, didn’t mean ‘the’ before airlie. But that’s the mainland part of the Whitsundays. Beautiful part of the world
—-
To be honest Goobergooner,you’ve lost me on the’airlie’…I don’t understand that part..
All I know is -Sydney beaches are awesome..
You mentioned Manly early on right?Or was that someone else?
Did Del Piero play for a Sydney team in Australia?
And Heskey for a team in Queensland?Somewhere in Brisbane?
Yeah mate, my family all lives in/around manly.
I agree the beaches there are incredible.
But look up the Whitsundays. You’ll instantly want to go haha.
Sydney FC is my local team, was so great watching del Piero grace the a league. Heskey played for a few teams over here if I remember correctly.
I’m so happy for Messi. He deserves it after 4 failed attempts.
Stat – 4 goals/5 assists/ 4 MOM say it all
GoobergoonerJuly 11, 2021 06:13:06
Yeah mate, my family all lives in/around manly.
I agree the beaches there are incredible.But look up the Whitsundays. You’ll instantly want to go haha.Sydney FC is my local team, was so great watching del Piero grace the a league. Heskey played for a few teams over here if I remember correctly
——-
Oh cool..
What about Coogee beach?
And I understand you guys are in lockdown-right?For almost 2-4 weeks in Sydney-anyway?
GoobergoonerJuly 11, 2021 06:13:06
Yeah mate, my family all lives in/around manly.
I agree the beaches there are incredible.But look up the Whitsundays. You’ll instantly want to go haha.
——
Ok-will look up-‘Whitsundays’
Never heard of it mind you..
Byron Bay seems to be the go to place-non?
And Katoomba along with the Blue Mountains-non?
Ugh, the idea of football becoming “content” where it’s more about the individual players, their personal brands and who gets on with whom. Like a Love Island with 90 minutes of kicking a ball every week. Leaves me completely cold, but then I suppose it’s all about catching the cash of the younger generations and this seems to be what those useless cunts like. What I took from the Spuds docu (or at least the couple I could bear to sit through) is how spoilt and whingeing the players are these days. I would have been much more interested to… Read more »
Coogee is a brilliant beach. Just along from Bondi and Bronte, that whole coast line is amazing.
Blue mountains is mint. Jenolan caves and the 3 sisters are definitely worth a visit.
Byron bay is slowly becoming a rich and famous area. Lost all its old backpacking and chill vibes and now the locals are being kicked out for Hollywood actors. Still a beautiful place. But not the old Byron bay that’s for sure.
And being in Melbourne I haven’t actually taken too much notice of Sydney lately but I think they are in another lockdown.
GoobergoonerJuly 11, 2021 06:50:36 Coogee is a brilliant beach. Just along from Bondi and Bronte, that whole coast line is amazing. And being in Melbourne I haven’t actually taken too much notice of Sydney lately but I think they are in another lockdown. —– Is Coogee beach,the one where you need to take a ferry or a boat across the waters,to a remote kind of an island,where you can see the Opera House from afar? They say-the Sydney-siders are a bit more rough-edged than the Melbournites? Heard Melbourne was the culture capital..? They reckon Melbourne over the years has changed,regarding… Read more »
MorayJuly 11, 2021 06:50:32
The narrative would be something like “up and coming left back Ashley Cole has just been cock slapped in the shower by midfield enforcer Patrick Vieira. He is waiting outside the manager’s office to complain. Meanwhile, talismanic manager Arsene Wenger has been spotted leaving via his office window.”
—–
Your post made me chuckle…
I’ve been doing a lot of chuckling lately..
@PhD, it’s all we have until the skies clear.
And looking at the rumours today (Grealish to City; Man U in for Varane and Kane) that’s a while off yet. Amazon is facing a huge job building suspense through a season where we are looking to break into top 6 🙁
To my understanding CRT comes from critical theory, which is about criticising aspects of life/society through a particular “lens”. It’s become popular in academia to apply the racial lens in this way, thus CRT. I know there’s more to it, but this is the gist as I understand it currently. It doesn’t take much consideration to realise that this is intentionally biasing ones thinking in a certain direction. My way of thinking has always been that racism would end (to the extent that it’s feasible to end) with it becoming a non-issue; we don’t use race as a significant distinguishing… Read more »
Goober – as former resident of Perth WA and frequent flyer (pre Covid) to Sydney and Melbourne (where my sister lives) and lover of both UK and Oz, I’d have to say that English can laugh at themselves much better than Aussies can in my experience. However it is just possible that Euros may be slightly different now it is us against the entire world it seems
PhD – drove from Adelaide to Melbourne once which after 100s of miles of swamp land then finally hits the Great Ocean Road. That part really memorable although I gather Apostles are being lost to the sea so I’d get there as soon as you can
Looks like Lokonga is done per Fabrizio but won’t be public until he has quarantined.
I know it is click bait and highly unlikely but I would love the Maddison rumours to be true! I think he is exactly what we need in that 10 position and would be a good player to interchange with ESR. Also, Locatelli would be my preference over Neves, although either would be an improvement on Xhaka… We have one and a half in that add depth but we need to add first team ready players now.
The GOAT messi finally won with Argentina. Honestly, it would have been a massive let down for him if he had retired without one Argentina title. After so many failures, he deserves it. The irony though is the rest of the Argentina team is starting to look decent when he is declining now. DePaul, Martinez, Paredes and Locelso all making a difference. They have a decent midfield now where as before they were top heavy and were extremely reliant on messi. Now everyone is contributing. EMI Martinez though. After all this time and being a fan of Leno, I finally… Read more »
Oh I forgot Christian Romero. Very good defender too.
Emi would still be at Arsenal if he hadn’t asked to leave.
Forget the other docus, this one will be about Arsenal, far and away the most fascinating Football Club on the planet. It;s a story the most inventive Hollywood screenplay writer could not dream up. Like Rocky, the punched-out hero is about to become champion again. Like On the waterfront, good triumphs over evil. Like Indiana Jones, at the forefront of exploration,. A story brimming with youthful vigour. A cast of bright new stars. A protagonist who proves that honesty pays off.
Bring it on, can’t wait to watch.
What is done is done with Emi Martinez though. I hope we get Onana. I wouldn’t mind if we got Onana, kept Leno and made a decision about Leno next summer. Arthur Okonkwo can be the 2nd string for three months. That wouldn’t be more of a risk than making Runarsson a 2nd string for a half season. Missing out on Onana because he won’t play for three months is not great. He would come back in February and compete with Leno. A top class keeper for 7 mil is not a deal we shouldn’t miss out on.
It is not a coincidence that Argentina finally won the Copa when most of old guard has been put to new pastures.
With all the infighting and deference given to those the coach and the Argentinian team was always suffering. This time a proper squad was selected by a coach who knew how to build a team. It was not just Messi’s mates and a guy with no authority at the helm.
Emi only asked to leave because MA wouldn’t confirm he would be the no 1 keeper. For most of us, it was completely obvious he was our best keeper. His command of the box and distribution meant we had an absolute gem on our hands. i could see that immediately he played and after 3 games there was n doubt. Now I just hope we can find another like that as it makes such a difference to our play – confident defending and rapid transition. I have high hopes that Okonkwo can be that keeper and its great news he… Read more »
He wasn’t being valued by Tets and rewarded for his end of season and FA Cup performances by being made the number one GK choice when he deserved it. He knew that he was likely to at best have to share duties with Leno and with a Copa America on the horizon, he was desperate to play for his country as well as being sick of being back up for us. 8 years is a bloody long time to wait for a proper crack of the whip and it was only afforded to him by Leno getting crocked. He absolutely… Read more »
Looks like Onana is on his way to Lyon with the promise of European football.
As Runarsson’s loan cancelled? Runarsson was supposed to go on loan at Turkish 2nd Division team. That’s his level, yet somebody in the coaching staff who by the way has been promoted thought that he was Arsenal material.
Funny how people who kept arguing that the sample for judging Martinez was too small and that Leno was the better keeper anyway have been very silent on the subject lately…
Jaimie
Yeah, But we should have insisted. We could have gotten Partey from Selling AMN. Although I understood why we had to sell Emi I would have preferred it was AMN.
Agree Valentin, and pretty fitting that the only two of the older guard to have performed more often than not for the NT in tournaments in Messi and Di Maria played a crucial role in the success.
Higuain, Aguero, Tevez, Banega and Biglia constantly let them down in major tournaments over the years.
Jamie
He was back up here for 8 years mate, can you blame him for wanting out when it was made clear to him that Leno was still top dog?
Bit bizarre that you still back that decision when it was a clear mistake.
WE, Angel diMaria has a bad reputation in England because of his bad stint at ManUtd, but I think that it is undeserved. At club level Real Madrid and PSG and international level he has been the consumate professional and a great team player. He gives his best for the team. he attacks well, is not selfish or greedy in front of goal, he track backs. At ManUtd, he had problem with the coach (but who does not with VanGaal), but more importantly his family hated the place. If your family is burgled at gun/knife point and you have no… Read more »
From what I hear, he had a stunning loan season at Reading the year before. So we had enough data on Martinez – maybe the earlier years he was still learning his trade- with keepers that happens. But by the time f his recall there should have been no doubt and that run to the FA Cup was a lot about him. We should have given him a golden contract at that point but no we had to raise a measly few quid from the corporate piggy banks to buy Partey. We could have sold AMN instead – sigh –… Read more »
“Bit bizarre that you still back that decision when it was a clear mistake.”
I’m not backing any decision. Emi forced his way out of the club. Bit bizarre you still have the hots for a guy who dumped us.
Valentin He has been brilliant everywhere that he has gone, he was even great in Manchester in the first half of the season. People forget that he had 3 goals and 10 PL assists in just 20 starts. His house was burgled in Jan/Feb of that season with his family being held up I believe which would traumatize any man and he has spoken since about how he made up his mind then and there to leave the City and the club. He actually had a good season up until that point. I love him as a player. He has… Read more »
Weagle
How was it made clear to him that Leno was top dog? Emi was told he was ‘95% certain to start in goal opening day of the PL campaign’. HE wanted guarantees no other player in the team gets, he chucked it at the scent of a contract at Villa, and agitated for a move which we begrudgingly gave him after his long tenure with us.
Really odd that the narrative continually omits that fact as if anyone was eager for him to leave.
‘I’m not backing any decision. Emi forced his way out of the club. Bit bizarre you still have the hots for a guy who dumped us.’
You spent the whole season shitting on Martinez and going on about how we made the right decision to keep Leno over him. You have brought up Martinez/Leno on here over the course of the last year a whole lot more than I have.
If he was told he would be the number 1 GK he wouldn’t have left so he didn’t quite ‘abandon’ us without good reason.
Weagle
You didn’t read the room, Jamie was taking the piss and pushing back against the embarrassing Emi love-in that ensued……..to this day weirdly.
“how we made the right decision to keep Leno over him. ”
A single citation of this outrageous claim is required please.
I have never once said it was the right decision to keep Leno over him. I have pushed back on the claims he’s one of the best keepers in the world, which has no basis in fact.
No one can explain how his elite presence leaked in more goals than Leno during our biggest banter season in a quarter century. Perhaps you can have a crack.
Charlie It’s about context and there’s a massive difference between being a back up GK and a back up outfielder. Back up GK gets to play in the shitty Cup games with the kids/deadwood and sits during the crunch fixtures. He was turning 28 and had been at the club since he was a teenager. He finally gets his opportunity not because of a chance given by the manager but because Leno gets crocked at Brighton. He goes on to play out of his skin during the run-in and plays a massive part in helping Arteta secure the Cup that… Read more »
Valentin I thought Emi was better in that small sample size. But I understood why we had to sell him. If it was up to me I would have sold AMN before Emi. But It didn’t bother me that much because we have kept players that showed patches of form in the past and have them let us down when we could have gotten good money. And Leno is a good keeper eventhough you are on a mission to convince everyone otherwise. The reason why the Emi decision looks bad is because he has been world class this past season.… Read more »
Charlie
It’s only one year on and Martinez is starring for Argentina and getting voted into PL teams of seasons while Leno has had a poor season and now is making noises that he wants to leave.
Is it really a shock to you that some people are still frustrated that we sold him so cheap while retaining dross like AMN for the same amount of money.