Soooooo… #ArtetaOut?
Lololololl… it’s preseason people, take a walk outside if you are upset over a run out in the park on July 13th. This season really is going to be a painful one if we’re dropping big tears this early on.
The negatives? No one wants to see Willian and Kola in our starting 11. Kola is gone. Bin him. Give him a free. Willian? Well, we’re stuck with him, let’s be clear, Fabrizio Romano and the ITK crowd have his exit very wrong. No one will pay his monster salary and I doubt he’s taking a pay cut… I just hope Arteta doesn’t spend 4 months realizing he’s probably a dead player.
The positives? We saw a whole bunch of debuts happen and some of the kids look pretty decent. None of them will be with the first team squad come the opening day of the season, but it’s great to see them considered. I felt for Okonkwo, he hashed up a back pass that led to an early goal, but that’s being young in a vital position… mistakes happen.
ESR looked good, Arteta said he’s 100% staying. He’s not often wrong on who is staying.
Pepe missed a penalty, but he was dangerous all game despite not scoring.
PARTEY WAS CLOSE FROM LONG RANGE.
Our next game is at the weekend and we’ll have a chance to see what Stevie G is all about. More fitness in the legs, hopefully at least 11 sales, Tavares will join and we’ll get to see him for the first time. Imagine that, a good back-up left-back?!
My bigger worry is the lack of big-name signings. It feels like we might want to see Ben White as soon as possible. I think most England players will get 4 weeks off, so I’m not sure we can speed that reality up. Also, are we moving on a creative player? If it’s Maddison, make it happen. If it’s Aouar, do the damn deal. Messing around trying to save wages won’t be an excuse mid-September if we have 3 points on the board.
Glad to see that Bukayo Saka is still winning fans on the internet. I was sent this quote from Theodore Roosevelt, hated myself because I am a critic, but then thought about Bukayo.
‘It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit deserves to the man who is actually in the arena.’
Amen to that Teddy. A man of great privilege who did some pretty awesome things. When he was the NYC police commissioner, he’d go out at night undercover and bust crooked cops. The legend of this behavior helped correct the department. I love that sort of principled approach to life.
Anyway, Declan, single, working real estate in Manchester can keep his mouth shut about Bukayo. Sorry, ex-estate agent, no one cares or backs your views.
So a pretty short one today… but… Johnny and I did a podcast that ALSO comes in video format so you can see our faces. This week, we talk about Saka (and the climate of racism around our heroes), ESR, and giving chances to kids. Tune in with your eyes or ears and 5* rating as always.
See you BELOW.
Spotify | Stitcher | Google Play | Acast
VIDEO WOO! I would embed twitch, but it’s complicated (here). So watch it on Youtube instead.
“Why so protective about him.”
Simple, no need to denigrate the player because he made a few errors on his debut. As Goober said he was nervous and made a few mistakes (not the first one to do that). Why refer to him as ‘kiddie’ or ‘boy’, it’s unnecessary.
He is back, le groves finest
Yes it was Dissenter.
He is a kid in goalkeeper terms.
And even more so when we speak of experience.
So I ask again why does kid cause such great offense.
Rich
You’ve said that several times – what do you think we have to spend outside of sales eg what we can spend even if we don’t sell a single player?
Rich “I think we’ll spend £200million+ , providing we can get the players out” You operate like a crafty local politician You make an outlandish comment about spending 200 million , then careful give yourself a way out by adding the “providing we can get players out” You mentioned before that we have a weak hand in negotiations so how in the world are we going to raise enough money to spend 200 million from a weakened position? Many of the players we have to get out can only be realistically moved out with some type of pay-off- the likes… Read more »
Dissenter
I think Rich is letting his heart rule his head a little with what he thinks could be done and what would be good for Arsenal.
Making it happen of course is the difficult bit.
Terraloon
“Then you have Roma that will know their budget and yes want the player but pushed too far I wouldn’t be at all sure that they won’t walk.”
That’s concerning Terraloon.
Any thoughts of a midfield revamp dissolve in this scenario.
Is Brocco don?
Okonkwo isn’t ready for the premier league, needs desperately to be loaned out
I’m downgrading my predictions for our season to a 12-14th finish with relegation scrap if we stick with the current squad with no quality midfield upgrades
My granda made me read Roosevelts “man in the arena” and rudyard kiplings “if” many times. It was proper way to be a man, according to him.
Brocco I knew you were dim, but I didn’t realise it took you a whole rugby match to type a post
With the nature of this market I suspect lots of teams will conclude their business after the start of the season.
Not ideal, but probably the reality of the situation.
Brocco
I’ll say see ya now as Pedro will be about soon and you’ll once again be in the bin.
One day you might even be man enough to post under a single name.
Harry clarke promotion to first team begs the saliba question all over again
Karsa
Absolutely the reality of the situation but it shouldn’t be a surprise. With the Euro’s on top of COVID things were always going to take a while to get going.
It does beg the question why Pedro kept pushing the “Arsenal to buy a fast start” line, especially with the fixtures we have in August.
Shaun. 10.44
Hi mate. Yeah, you’re right, that defeat triggered me a little excessively. I think I was shocked just by how crap and supine the team was and the realisation that nothing has or will change under the present regime. I was also reminded of how irksome Arteta can be. However, I enjoyed reading your stinging critique of the game even though you thought mine was a little strong. 😉 It’s difficult to see an upward trajectory emerging from the club unless 3 or 4 senior people and players are removed.
I guess the dickless wonder is back. Let’s see how long the latest iteration lasts.
Ishola70 “No I don’t blame him. He obviously wasn’t ready for that match. Not only did he make a huge error for the goal he also made a massive gaffe with an attempted take of the ball prior to that as well. Boy not ready” Yes, I felt really sorry for the lad. He wouldn’t be where he is today if he wasn’t a good goalkeeper. Nerves. Comes back to the entire point about young players. You can have all the talent in the world but it comes down to character and confidence. He needs to put it behind him,… Read more »
Dissenter There’s no way KSE are turning down a £800 million profit, to watch us cement ourselves in mid table mediocrity, our sponsors are up in 3 years, we’ll need to be in a strong position to renegotiate in 2 years The club is haemorrhaging money, and KSE have an out, but they appear to be going nowhere It’s not me being a politician It’s just a simple fact, that numerically we can’t bring in players, until we let some leave, because once we have a surplus of players, or even a surplus of players in certain positions Gaining fees… Read more »
Marc
Yeah, we’d all like a settled team going through pre-season together, but when was the last time we had that?
Probably the year Wenger only bought Cech was the only one ever.
Crowds ain’t coming back due to deltA.
ksE going to lose a lot of $ to the city of St. Louis, judge just ruled in their favor for the suit to go through.
No money for transfers…….
Aaron
Won’t stop Tets signing 3 more CBs that!
Haha forgive me for finding a resounding no boos towards an opposition team relevant to this chat we had the other day. Even funnier a bunch of convicts could manage some respect.
Trust you to have no idea though.
How hard do you have to try in person to hide your incredibly shit personality? I’m assuming it’s tough and why you come here to act like a twat.
Aaron, (quality name by the way)
That could be good for Daniel Ek and co you think??
Marc “Absolutely the reality of the situation but it shouldn’t be a surprise. With the Euro’s on top of COVID things were always going to take a while to get going” Yes. There was an interview with an agent who said it was a nightmare getting deals done. He said lot’s of deals had been agreed on principle but were subject to the finer details, including medicals. The Covid isolation issue was delaying things, for example, they couldn’t get such easy access to their clients, legal representatives or medicals due to isolation issues. He added that there was a huge… Read more »
“Crowds ain’t coming back due to deltA.”
Two thirds of adults have had both jabs and by the 22nd August that’ll be even higher. Crowds will be back because if they’re not not only Arsenal but most clubs are going to face a devastating blow.
AFC
Mate – it’s not even close to a surprise to me.
My frustration is that we didn’t have deals lined up for even one or two of AMN, Bellerin, Nelson, Nketiah etc all players who weren’t at the Euro’s and are surplus to requirements.
Instead Edu was on holiday.
Kroenke has little to fear from the St Louis law suit
The supreme court and the appellate courts are jam packed with pro-business right wing judges.
I think Kane is stuck at the Spuds for the foreseeable, really did sign away his freedom with that 6 year contract with such a petty megalomaniac in Levy calling the shots. In the past 24 hours I have been reading that they have been rejected by Kounde (after Sevilla were apparently open to make a 30m cash+ Davinson Sanchez deal) and that their big star marquee summer target is now none other than Danny Ings. Lol, Bale gone. Kane an unhappy prisoner. Every manager worth their salt rejecting them to end up with Fatty at the dance Nuno. And… Read more »
I think the suit was always going through barring a settlement, which is probably even more likely now considering the judge’s decision to allow examination of Kroenke’s finances as well as the few other involved, including the NFL.
The only question now is how much and will St Louis take it.
Ishola70
Not sure what your problem is, 2 days ago, you were defending racism here , today you are bad mouthing a rookie who behaved like a rookie i.e. made a mistake. You really need to get a life
I think Kane will go to City
Spurs trying to sign Danny Ings, they’ve just been turned down by Jules Kounde
Looks like they’re trying to spend the Kane money first, before making the sale public
Hopefully they squander it in a similar fashion to the Bale windfall
Anyone spot Joel Campbell still banging them in for Costa Rica in the Gold Cup yesterday?
“today you are bad mouthing a rookie who behaved like a rookie i.e. made a mistake. ”
Can we just clarify what rookie we’re talking about?
Marc,
Indeed.
Yes, Kane to City will drag on but will eventually happen.
I have this feeling that Ferran Torres can excel at City if played on a regular basis. He moves well, is tactically smart.and quick. I would have him at Arsenal.ahead of both Laca and Auba.
Tom, I saw the bill for Kroenke could be somewhere $100m and $1Bn. Bottom line is NFL owners don’t want anyone to see their accounts and would rather pay up (or force Kroenke to pay up) rather than have that happen. Funny how billionaires are so secretive about their finances isn’t it?
TR7, I think that Pep is more likely to buy Grealish than Kane. No way they buy both of them.
andy1886/Tom
That litigation is still at it’s infancy stages.
You don’t think the Kroenkes will appeal it? You think this SCOTUS will pass up the chance to be pro-Business?
Chelsea would do well to go big for Haaland this summer too before that €68m release clause comes into effect next year. At that lower price they’ll have more competition from the likes of the big Spanish clubs, or even Bayern with Lewandowski getting older.
Not sure about that Diss. From what I read the more rulings go against them the higher the damages they are likely to have to pay. Depends if they want to risk it. Also don’t forget the bill ends up at Kroenke’s feet. The rest of the owners would rather him settle, it wouldn’t cost them a penny.
Andy, I wonder whether City even need Grealish ? They will be better off KDB dictating their game. Grealish is a ball hogger, KDB will see less of the ball if Grealish plays with him. Not sure whether that works to City advantage. Also with Sterling regaining his form signing Grealish makes even less sense.
Hi Pedro, just wanna say I’ve been a regular on this block since I was about 16 (that’s nearly half my life if we wanna do the maths) and this is the first time I’ve seen what you look like (I watched some of the podcast for the first time). Just wanna say even tho I argue with you basically daily about Arteta, it was strangely heartwarming to see the bastard who runs the blog. Much love boyo. Also liked what I’ve watched of the podcast so far (I’m not a podcast person). That room is way too blue man.… Read more »
Andy
Sky (I Know!!!!) were saying this morning that Haaland is staying at Dortmund. As for City, I can’t see they can buying Kane and Grealish without there being a bit of an outcry. Especially considering the La Liga president slamming Man Abu Dhabi City and PSG Qatar.
TR7, you may well be right but I suspect that Pep just can’t help himself.
*I can’t see how they can buy Kane and Grealish
bronco you are a very cheery fellow aren’t you? Your mrs must adore your cheery persona in these dark pandemic times
Evening, I’ve been saying it for weeks now, there’s no 200 million pot of gold. Even selling all the deadwood wouldn’t raise that. Our deadwood isn’t another teams savior. We don’t have a mad rush of teams breaking down the door trying to buy them. Two reasons for that. 1. There crap 2. Barring the oil clubs no-one has money. Crowds will be back in England but across europe its still a mess. Some leagues may not have full staduims and revenue coming in until next year. Apart from a few clubs selling players, and getting big fees most clubs… Read more »
AFCF, yeah they all say that but every player has his price. Dortmund could get twice the fee this summer that they’ll get in 12 month’s time. The solution would be he signs a new improved contract with that clause removed but why would the player or his agent want to do that?
After seeing le groves supreme leader for the first time its heart warming,
Which organ will warm up if you get to see Great Sid
If Chelsea sign Haaland, they go from being a very good young team who are on the way up, who should be finishing 3rd or 4th To becoming title contenders, not just this season, but for the foreseeable future With Barca, Real, Juve, all struggling financially, Abramovich is lining Chelsea up to replace them at the pinnacle of European football Chelsea are a world class striker away from becoming a dominant force, they scored 58 league goals last season, Haaland got 57 goal contributions in total, he’d be an absolute game changer for them When you look at the young… Read more »
UP4
I agree…take the hit this summer and unload the players we know we won’t be using — for whatever we can get — and move forward
The Bad Attitude of players that won’t/can’t contribute will continue to contaminate the rest of the squad
Instead of 50 M on White there must be some mutually beneficial exchange-loans that we can do
That 50 M would cover a lot of squad-cleansing
Andy , too funny, right? You’d think all them billionaires would welcome any scrutiny just to show how brilliant the are at making money.
Dissenter, the appeal process would drag out the proceedings no doubt, but there are downfalls for Kroenke there too.
He would have to put up a bond and there’s interest on the money awarded if the ruling is upheld. Higher courts don’t necessarily like overturning the lower courts ruling unless theirs been procedural errors.
No to mention the fact all them fat cats definitely want to keep their financials private.
Ishola Most if not all the big clubs showed a loss in their last published accounts and those accounts don’t record any of the events of the 20/21 season. Roma have huge debts and whilst Mourino will have a shopping list he won’t be under any illusions that there will be a very tight budget and it would seem that they need to move on 8 players which when you consider some of the names in the frame it’s going to be some challenge. Roma are in the UEFA conference league so no big UEFA payday nor are they likely… Read more »
Andy
Yes, I am not saying Haaland wouldn’t be a good signing because he is what they need. Seems daft if Dortmund doesn’t push the transfer through but it is what it is.
However, they still need to get one of those chips fitted to Werner; every time he strays offside he gets an electric shot. I can’t ever remember seeing a PL striker run offside as often as he does. No excuse with that pace of his not to hold his runs.
Talking openly and truthfully about racism is supposedly endorsing and defending it.
I have had enough of this site as I have with the constant barrage from the media on this issue.
Thank you to all the posters who provided the good quality content.
Terraloon Yes. It’s not that easy to just offload all your players for decent fees, especially now football debt is at the level it is. People forget the climate we are in. Rich also made the point earlier about clubs having to consider what they need to do to free up places, say non-Home Grown, so we can bring players in. There is a very good reason homegrown players carry a premium. We had to jettison players last season due to the over-bloated squad we had and reduce the wage bill and without European football it makes sense to reduce… Read more »
This Euro cup has taught us if you want a striker, make sure he is a regular in his national team. NOT like Laca, Eddie and the ilk.
But ARTETA and the bloggers who claim to know a lot about football in spite of not being from the profession at all, will never tell you this. They will keep writing that process is superior than performances, that stars are made not bought and all that bullshit.
Ishola
Hope you’re not actually jumping ship, valued contributor round these parts.
Currently Arsenal’s standard is so low, so very mediocre that tremendous amounts of funds for getting cutting-edge talent is not the need of the hour.
Arsenal needs enough money to get a manager like Bielsa and Simeone who can get a bunch of not-such-stars to perform like would-be heroes. Like RB Liepzig, like Stuttgart, like Wolfsburg, like Southampton of 2012, like Foxes of 2015.
We need a brilliant coach and manager who could be paid more than wages of half the team.
I get the impression that willock will be one of our, like a new signings for midfield.
If we can’t move elneney or torriera on what’s the chances that they will be retained as well.
I love Pedro’s optimism, I wouldn’t mind knowing whose telling him theirs big money to spend though.
I’m still waiting to hear what his expectations are for arteta this season, if it’s top four? And if it is, and he doesn’t achieve it does he get the sack?
Ishaola70 “Talking openly and truthfully about racism is supposedly endorsing and defending it.I have had enough of this site as I have with the constant barrage from the media on this issue.” Mate, don’t walk away because you have as much right to your opinion as anyone else. Pissed me off a bit the other day when someone was preaching about the rules of who is allowed to have an opinion and who isn’t. I’ve never fallen off a roof, doesn’t mean I can’t have a valid opinion on ladder safety. Debate is at the cornerstone of democracy, it is… Read more »
Imagine buying White does not preclude other purchases . There will be a charm offensive from KSE
Ishola
Ignore whatever his name is he’ll be binned in no time – can’t have enough soldiers in the fight against the twin axis of evil – Xhaka and Arteta.
Hence, Kroenkes are yet to be the reason for this deterioration. Kroenkes could be a reason for stagnation. The time for that would come only when a brilliant manager gets us top-4 for two years consecutively.
Hope the Arteta Knows Best (new AKBs) get this easy logic.
AFC Forever Not sure it’s that cut and dry with Haaland. Yes Dortmund would stand to lose a massive amount of money by holding onto him another year and allowing his release clause to kick in. But how much is Haaland worth to them by holding onto him for next season? He literally is the difference between them being a CL side and a top 6 at best side now with the Sancho sale. They opted against selling Lewandowski for a healthy fee in the summer of 2013 only to see him go to Bayern for nothing the next year.… Read more »
I can’t quite figure out what tripped off Ishola
Imagine if Xhaka was as thin-skinned as you Ish?
“I get the impression that willock will be one of our, like a new signings for midfield.”
You mean the one where Arteta turns down a £20 million bid (maybe more) plays him for a couple of matches then drops him before sending him on loan in Jan?
Can’t wait.
Up 4 “If inter want our players they just sold someone for 70 plus million they can afford bellerin at a decent fee though.” Yes they have sold a player for good money but it’s highly debatable as to what sort of money they actually cleared after paying of RM add to that the6 have to reduce the level of their borrowings “Let willian go on a free, he cost us no transfer fee, just get rid and we save 800,000 a month in salary. Yes I’m sure he had a signing on fee but we need rid of these… Read more »
peanuts&monkeys
Some while back you admitted you was a Chelsea fan. So why are you back on here trolling us? You support a nasty little former yo-yo club and you’re on here trying to take the piss. You haven’t even got a stadium, Bates sold you down the road there didn’t he.
Typical arsenal,
Need a keeper, buy a right back.
Need a centre half, buy an attacking midfielder.
Striker required, we have a lovely range of goal keepers.
It’s like Wenger being back and constantly buying attacking midfielders who all play in the hole.
But let’s play them all out of position just to get them on the field.
Arsenal ballsing up transfers since the day David Dein was booted out.
Weagle
Sometimes money isn’t the most important factor and that’s a good thing. Be interesting how it pans out because there is no doubt Haaland will score goals wherever he goes. He won’t be going to Man Utd though, which is quite funny to me, his Dad wasn’t very complimentary!!! Fingers crossed he stays away from the Premier League.
Wenger eagle
BVB’s business model relies on transfers to sustain the club which is why they have been covid-proof so far.
They used to source about 30 million euros from game day tickers before the pandemic.
They are not going to pass up an easy 100 million of easy money by keeping Haaland before the clause sets it. The Haaland transfer speculation alone is enough to sink any club’s season.
Ishola didn’t have you as a thin skinned guy. Stay around. Lefties are masters at gegenpressing when it comes to racism, diversity, gender fluidity etc. but you need to deal with them like a la Rosicky 🙂
AFC Forever Yeah he supports Leeds which may count for little in terms of a professional decision but you do think that it would give Liverpool or City the edge over United as the enemy of my enemy is my friend type deal. Chelsea looks the most obvious landing spot though. Agreed on keeping him away from the PL, same as Mbappe who hopefully ends up at Real Madrid. I always remember celebrating when Fergie couldn’t talk Benzema into signing for Man United and he ended up at Real Madrid. 33 years of age and he has scored 30 goals… Read more »
Teraloon, Youngsters playing in a pre-season friendly is fine put out our first eleven and none of those youngsters play 1 maybe 2 on the bench for league games. It was mostly poor finishing from the pros yesterday that cost the game. Kola has 11 months left tell him he can go on a free. whoever signs him will give him good wages and a signing on fee. Rather a 3 year deal somewhere than not playing and less options in a years time. Willian is useless brought nothing last season, cut your losses. Yes it will cost but better… Read more »
Talkshite radio phone in Host: Good evening everyone and welcome to another show where we get to hear your thoughts on our beautiful game. First on the line is an Arsenal fan, Brocco. Good to hear from you mate. Been a gooner long? Brocco: Since day one mate,no one has supported Arsenal longer than me. Was at the very first match. Host:Really?? Brocco: Yep. 1996,when Arsene Wenger founded the club. Host: Ok,well what would you like to talk to us about tonight? Brocco: Well I’m really upset with some of our so called fans who have been giving Mikel Arteta… Read more »
AFC “ We had to jettison players last season due to the over-bloated squad we had and reduce the wage bill” It’s the wage bill that I suspect is a driver but I don’t think the wage bill has really shown any true reduction The last accounts for year ending 31/5/2020 if you excluded caching staff pay off only reduced by £10 million and a minimum of £5 was saved by the taking a cut in their entitlements The deadwood that went in January will result in savings but when you then add in the monies the likes of Willian… Read more »
Up 4
In theory great but if I were their agents I would advise them to say not unless mega sums were offered
Almunia
That’s funny mate. What are the odds he runs to Pedro saying he’s being victimised?
Teraloon,
Agents will want there cut of the signing on fee at the next club, they won’t get anything while there client sits on his arse getting paid here.
Dissenter
Yeah maybe not, just saying that there is precedent for them prioritising their season success over extra money with the Lewandowski situation in the past although post-Covid is a different time.
Haaland still fetches them 70m next summer when the clause kicks in, that is still a massive fee to a Bundesliga club.
Losing both Haaland and Sancho would be disasterous for them on the pitch. They barely scraped 4th last season with them two carrying them.
WE
Yeah not sure telling fans after selling your 2 best players “but look at our bank balance” would go down to well.
Sky reporting Messi signs a 5 year deal with a 50%percent pay cut.
Listening to the podcast whilst cooking. Thai curry and having a drink good times
Wasn’t Don the one who was buggered so violently that it made his backside bleed?
Up 4
But they do
Up4, if that’s true Barca really haven’t learned a thing. That’s still something like £35m a year for a player who will be 39 by the end of his contract. Bonkers. Not sure how much commercial revenue he brings in our what the deal is there but great player that he’s been sooner rather than later fans will be buying other shirts and not Messi ones.
That said still probably not as bad a deal as the Willian one.
Andy
Messi will most probably retire well before his contract expires, so in all likelihood Barca will probably be paying only 2 years of wages to Messi.
“Sky reporting Messi signs a 5 year deal with a 50%percent pay cut.“
50% pay cut?
How’s he gonna put food on the table now?
TR7, hopefully he will retire before he loses it, always sad seeing players hang on just for the money (*cough* Willian).
Hi Don, Michael Kiwanuka might help you to relax
Tom
Only 5 million a month to get by on, the poor fella.
Andy deal is subject to barca moving on more players to shift off the wage bill.
Teraloon how does an agent get paid from a player collecting his wages, better to work on a new contract elsewhere getting a percentage of the signing on fee.
Brocco
Want a hug mate?
Andy Agree to an extent although it’s probably a deal with 3-4 years of playing to a high level with the backend 1-2 years as a thank you and a loyalty bonus type arrangement for when he is being phased out of the XI. Messi is still arguably the best player in the world and is now 34. With Ronaldo still one of the world’s best players at 36.5 and scoring 30+ goals in his sleep, it is realistic to forecast Messi being one of the world’s best players into the next 2+ years at least barring a massive drop… Read more »
“No longer is it the norm for players in their late 20s/early 30s to fall off a cliff because they are taking care of themselves so much better along with the improvements and evolution of sports science and nutrition, etc.”
Someone should have got this memo out to Ozil, Willian, Aubameyang and Lacazette
“Is Brocco don?”
Does it matter? he’s a slack jawed mealy mouth little prick who gets his jollies baiting anyone that will pay attention to his simpleton verse.
Why bother?
Up 4
Read this
https://www.danielgeey.com/post/but-who-actually-pays-football-agents/