I mean, every single time I complain about slow biz, Arsenal deal that day. No sooner had I let rip that our summer was going down the pan because Captain Edu was busy sailing on the Don Shouldwebedoingthis… we signed a player. Well, kind of.
David Ornstein revealed that the Ben White deal has clocked in at £50m, making the right-sided centre back our 3rd most expensive signing in history. For a club that took made players bring packed lunches last season to save money, this is quite the statement.
As fans, we’re in ‘if Edu is involved, there’s no doubt it’s bad’ mode at the moment… but no doubt if Liverpool or Chelsea did this we’d be praising their shrewd scouting. A bit like Ryan Bertrand causing an #ArtetaOut trending topic, until Leicester went there, and it was fine.
Whatever you think about the deal, this much is true.
He’s a truly unique talent in the way that he plays. He’s been coached by Bielsa, who plays murderball at training, he’s been developed further by the excellent Graham Potter at Brighton. He carries the ball like a midfielder, he can confidently move passes between the lines like David Luiz, and he’s now capped.
Then factor in the next most important thing: he’s robust. He dropped 46 appearances at Leeds during his single season there. He played 36 of Brighton’s 38 games last season. The guy has a body that is ready for the challenge. So, so important for Arsenal this season after watching what Thomas Partey’s unusual run last season did to our campaign. Derisk is my fave new term… and this signing has it all in my opinion.
The big question marks are the same for any young centre back with a newly minted profile: Can they do it at a big club?
Harry McG was mercilessly mocked when he went to United, he’s just made the finals of the Euros conceding two goals. Same for John Stones over at Manchester City. Whenever there is a young British centre back that lands a big move, everyone doubts them, it is absolutely standard. I can even remember West Ham fans telling me Rio was great but would struggle at a big club. I think most of that comes down to branding… when you have a boring name and you look like an 18-30s Ibiza club rep, people doubt your talent.
Changing that view is down to the player. Most Arsenal fans don’t know what to make of it, so let’s hope the plan in place is one that is sharp, because boy do we need him to level us up next season. Still, at 23, if he can do it, it’ll look a bargain in a few years time.
For me, this is a massive piece of the Arteta jigsaw. There can’t be reasons this season as to why the system didn’t work. There can’t be rogue ‘but that player wasn’t quite right’ this season. We need to see the finished product. That finished product needs ball playing centrebacks. Fullbacks that can move and deliver final balls. Creative players that can move the ball at speed and be decisive. Strikers that are finishing their chances.
Even if you don’t understand Ben White, know that he’s important, otherwise they’d have put that money elsewhere. Also, Sky reporting that medical is set for when he’s back from holiday is like, exactly what Le-Grove told you.
Apparently, the club wants to reveal the Kido Hart deal as well as the Sambi Lokonga signing. Honestly, I am really quite thrilled about Lokonga. Even if it doesn’t quite work out, the idea is right. It shows that we’re leaning into the analysts behind the scenes, it shows that we have the smarts at Arsenal to fish out value, and it once again reinforces that the powers that be took note of what old players bring to the dressing room.
The Kido Hart deal is also a superb piece of news. You can keep reading all these weirdos saying the club is crashing and Emery was a better idea than Arteta… but the kids who used to leave under Wenger are now signing deals. You do not entrust your future to a coach you don’t believe in. Kido Hart could have his pick of clubs on the continent, he chose to stay at Arsenal because he sees a future here. I think that’s fucking great news.
I still think the biggest worry for Arsenal fans is where we’re putting the money for the Xhaka replacement and who we’re going to bring in to cover for the loss of Martin Odegaard. We’re not moving things forward without those two positions being filled. Our midfield is not going to be a 21 year old in his first Premier League year.
The big rumblings are that Locatelli is the player they want. Again, he’s a bit slow, but he has so much power and craft to his game. The goss from Italy appears to be that Juventus tapping Sassuolo for a 2-year loan deal with an obligation to buy. Arsenal are sitting outside the office with two suitcases full of cash worth £40m. If you run Sassuolo, who are probably bleeding hard at the moment, are you really going to let Juve pull your pants down like that? Cash is king, particularly this season. You cannot be doing mega clubs favours like that. The club might not survive. It always feels like a longshot move… but if Juve don’t have money, that is a very difficult obstacle to manoeuvre. Can you imagine the fireworks if we managed to pull that deal off?
This is another red flag issue… if you wait 4 weeks and Juve miraculously find the cash, you are fucked, because no one else will deal.
How long do you wait for your primary targets?
What does it cost you?
Can you afford to go into a season with either of those two positions vacant?
Transfer windows for clubs like Arsenal are a moving target. There are so many variables. The job of Edu is to manage them to perfection. So far, he hasn’t always delivered, so this summer is huge.
… one thing we can say about Edu though, he doesn’t sit on money, and he will find players. Not always the players you want, but he finds them.
Arsenal play Rangers today. I’m expecting a sexier performance than the one we saw in the week, but again, calm down, it’s just a friendly.
Before I go… no one told me the new home kit had hooped socks. I am absolutely going full kit on this. Imagine me rolling to a meeting near you soon, wearing these like Payne-Stewart-plus-fours.
OI OI, listen to the podcast.
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You forgot ‘stabilize moobs’!
“”What are those weird sports bras players insists on wearing these days??? Why would you need that”‘
To provide support and comfort for Willian’s breasts.
Auba may have treatment resistant malaria or something.
Or may be he’s spent too much time with Willian.
“Auba’s doing his best welbeck impression today Jesus “
Today? We’re on about day 400 of his decline.
You said that about Champagne Charlie too Dissenter.
Ishola’s Xhaka hatred was next level.
Tavares looks comfortable with both feet
Auba looking like a past it footballer
Wengereagle,
I’m the founder member of the we hate xhaka club don’t take that away from me!!!
why is Partey now taking the free kicks? practice?
The only person in the world who thought partey was going to score that free kick was partey 😅
Weagle
Dissenter has dedicated himself to protecting Pepe online. He’ll have a hard task ahead of himself if he’s dim enough to believe it’s a one or two person agenda.
“why is Partey now taking the free kicks?”
If he can hit seat 37 in row Z Arteta said he’d give him till Christmas off.
We need a dead ball specialist in this club
Let us all be clear that hate for xhaka only stops the day he’s photographed holding up the shirt of any other club team
Shoooot!
And one day we will have a specialist free kick taker again.
Cough cough Maddison!
Partey is the worst shooter have seen. Why is he tasked to take free kicks ?
I know. It is because Arteta’s brains are in his arse
Auba needs a new hair do, that one is throwing him off. no confidence
Grabs
I resepect the hustle but Ishola turned it into an art form.
He really was the Picasso of Xhaka hatred.
“WengerEagleJuly 17, 2021 11:58:12
A partner for Partey in the middle is a bigger priority than a CAM and should be the very next player that we are pursuing.”
This 100x.
Right.I’m calling it now.What’s left of the window will involve after whitey.It will be a panic to get in some midfielders.Expect to see “ Ruby” Neves & Odegaard on loanThats yer lot.Pathetic.Forget Maddison.No way are we going to cough up £60 million.Forget Bissouma ( not so much as a whisper on the street.Dead in the water. Forget Aouar at a reasonable knockdown price £25 million.Dithering has let in Manure/ Liverpool & the spuddies.which means an auction,which means by definition we won’t be involved.Forget Locattelli.No way is HE turning Juve down for us. Plus Italians rarely travel from seria .aAlso forget… Read more »
Charlie
Dissenter likes to bat for African players, I’ve noticed that.
Made excuses for Auba during the season too and was incredulous I found the African Cup of Nations mid-season problematic re signings.
CC
No one is suggesting Pepe is the second coming or Arjen Robben but it comes across as irrational when you repeatedly placed Pepe in the same bracket as the Arsenal era Willian.
Weagle unless we wanna rock into next season with pyramid pirlo in the starting 11 it’s time to buy a real CM
“he’d give him till Christmas off.”
thought he’d be appreciating the weather right now tbf.
Have to commend S. Gerrards management
Under the radar. Clearly a natural.
Did a ‘Wenger’ and went the whole season un beaten last year.
And if he achieved that with Defoe,( 40 ) he must be exceptionally good.
Aubameyang needs to follow in the path of Holding, accept his days of having a full head of hair is gone, buy some clippers, and be done with it
China
Elneny is fine for cover against teams we should have enough to beat but he’s a knackered horse against any serious side with a proper CM.
12 shots, 5 on target, 3/4 big chances missed.
Looking bright going forward with more mobility, Tavares particularly. Poor inside the box from Auba, Pepe, and Balogun.
ESR disrupting things nicely, much prefer him on the left coming inside though. Think he’s tailor made for that Nasri-like influence because he’s not a top class passer, he’s better at quick interplay, few touches, bursting past defenders etc.
Our CB pair are horribly slow, Mari has been poor.
Wenger eagle
The only time I ever felt sorry for Auba was when he scored that own goal in the midst of a terrible drought
I didn’t want us there sign him in 2017 and was against his extension last summer.
I’ve been on his sorry ass like forever
The AFCON, I believe was overhyped by you and so many others but it is what it is
Onana went keen on Arsenal too and the club may never have had any intention of signing Bissouma.
Holding’s bird is am absolute worldie so doubt he’s overly bothered by the bald.
Find his attitude towards it refreshing really, the anti-LeBron/Nadal selloptaping pubes on top.
*I didn’t want us to sign him
We might have to start playing Tav at right back if the situation doesn’t improve.
Exactly weagle el neny is the absolute definition of ‘bodies’. He’s someone who can come in when there are a few injuries or rotation is desperately needed due to fixture pile ups at Christmas etc But he should absolutely not be anywhere near the starting 11. We must have 2 top quality CMs (I’m being hopeful that partey will be one this season). Lokonga needs to be a good rotation option (better than ceballos) and el neny is there for numbers and experience, nothing more. He has a use, for sure, but it doesn’t include being one of the best… Read more »
Pepe and Willian on two wings is nightmarish proposition.
Auba is so off form.
He should’ve had an easy hat trick
Did a ‘Wenger’ and went the whole season un beaten last year.
—————–
…..in one of the shittiest leagues on the planet……
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12350025/ben-white-to-arsenal-brighton-defender-can-add-a-new-dimension-for-mikel-artetas-side
interesting breakdown on our soon to be unveiled newbie
“but it comes across as irrational when you repeatedly placed Pepe in the same bracket as the Arsenal era Willian.“
Really weird that you continue to use one reference as a benchmark. Willian had most assists in the league last season for us, Pepe notched 10 goals with 5 coming in our last 3 dead games. I called them both rubbish for the season, and stand by it.
You’re embarrassingly splitting hairs over who is the worst of the lot and missing the overall message: we had a shit attack thanks to the big names doing much less than expected.
CC
””””Our CB pair are horribly slow, Mari has been poor.””””””’
They have been slow for 18 months,
And still no Saliba, he has recovery speed.
Arteta prefers Pablo Mari. Snails turn quicker than Pablo in the heat.
ps. White aint the quickest: lets see how he get on without Dunk beside and Bissouma in front.
Unless Arteta wants Arsenal to play like BHA?
Like Dissenter, I’ve never been Aubameyang’s biggest fan, but since we’re probably stuck with him, we have to try and extract value from him
He’s made a good chance for Balogun, and could have had a hatrick, at least he’s getting into the positions
Lovely finish from Tavares with his weaker foot
Just watched the replay of the Rangers’ goal. We didn’t defend the corner man to man. Both Holding and Mari were pinned to the ground.
“Willian had most assists in the league last season for us,”
How many assists did Willian get then?
Dissenter
Were you not using the Malaria as an excuse for Auba last season? May not have been you, if not I apologise.
Cannot agree on AFCON mid-aeason being equivalent to the Euros/Copa.
Why TP aimed his shot straight at the GK?
If we want to sell bellerin why are we playing him in this match? What if he gets injured?
Genius stuff
Smith Rowe misses his goal
China
Kolas? Elneny? Soares? AMN? Willian?
The list and madness is never ending.
yup holding has had a tendency to ball watch or completely miss judge the flight of the ball.
W
””””How many assists did Willian get then?”””’
I am glad Arteta has come to his senses and not wheeled him out for the 2nd half.
Better off leaving him on the bench , munching them Glasgow Mars bars.
Wenger Eagle
I was using Malaria to mock Auba and his defenders, just as I still do till today. He was shit before he went to play for Gabon whatever Malaria he has would have been mild and uncomplicated because he was till playing with it.
I was saying there’s no way Malaria could not be used to explain his decline
Any links guys?
* I was saying there’s no way Malaria could be used to explain his decline
Why is Tierney on? Played in the Euros, an injury risk, and Rangers players would probably like nothing better than to kick him.
PhD
There a link in the first page
So long as you don’t mind getting free porno redirects as well.
Sorry Dissenter, confused you for someone else.
PhD
https://youtu.be/aGGkmXZhO1o
On Utube search Arsenal vs Rangers. Lots of links come up .
FRTV found good
TR7July 17, 2021 15:13:57
S AsoaJuly 17, 2021 15:16:01
DissenterJuly 17, 2021 15:12:58
——
Thanks guys..
Much appreciated.
Willian!! Third trimester
Glad Nelson is on.
Oh it’s the rejects as subs joy!
MarcJuly 17, 2021 11:43:35
Karsa
The way the media is going at the moment we’ll see a return to lockdown in the next few weeks and months if not another whole season without fans in the ground.It’s scaremongering of the highest order.
——
You changed your tune pretty quickly, albeit now blaming the media for scaremongering.
————-
MarcJuly 2, 2021 18:05:11
Cases of COVID might be going up in the UK but the important numbers – hospitalisations and deaths aren’t. The vaccines have been a massive success
——-
Anyway back to the match.
Willian just back from lunch lol!
Marc, Do you never get bored insulting Arteta and Pedro, it’s obsessive and time consuming?
andy
How many of the players that have been used today / in the HIbs match should be gotten rid of? They should be no where near the team friendly or competitive match.
Bellerins not been the same since he went vegan and grew the dodgy tache
MarcJuly 17, 2021 15:23:56
PhD
I haven’t changed my tune – don’t understand your comment?
—–
Fair enough..Was just probing to see-if you’re alive and kicking as per usual.
🙂
Hey,why are there no names on the back of the Arsenal player’s shirts,but the names of the Ranger’s players are on the back of their shirts?
Incredibile…
Ramshackle of a club…
🙂
What’s your take Marc?
Marc, maybe it’s banter if you’re doing it face -to-face, doesn’t come across like that on a daily basis on here. Questioning whether you’re going to banned would suggest you know it’s borderline ‘amusing’.
If people are saving old quotes from posters on here god knows what things I’ve said that are gonna be used against me
ITS TRUE I RATED TORREIRA SO SHOOT ME OK
Can’t recall Marc how many at Hibs but there are around seven or eight today that have taken part that are possible or probably departures.
Damn is that ref Mike deans younger prettier brother.
He looks like he should be in the Adam’s family.
And I don’t mean big tones!
CC must be having a massive hard on right now-given his love for Rangers and Arsenal..
Pity no Europe for Arsenal this season..
The closest CC will have to experiencing a multiple climax this season…
🙂
PS
Just bantering CC
The Rangers tv commentator just said
“There’s Willian, he used to be a player in his days”
That was so fitting.
PhD
I’m good thanks – just had a bowl of Gazpacho for lunch and thinking a cold beer would go down very well.
I’m guessing the names / shirt number thing is because of the number of players who are featuring who we’d like to move on. Don’t want to tie shirt numbers up yet.
More set piece woes..
China, you’re not alone, I thought Torreira looked more than decent until Emery decided he should be box- to-box. After that it was hard not to feel that he didn’t quite have the game(athleticism) for the PL.
Oh dear! More practice needed on set piece defending!
easy peasy: what’s new sigh
Have we signed Grimsdale yet?
You take off balding and look what happens
Great advert for Bellerin there – just knocked a couple of million off any fee.
What exactly do the set piece coaches do? We are poor executing them, and pathetic defending them…
How many conceded from set pieces in two games?
Good thing we just appointed a new set piece man.
We can’t defend corners.
Pre season but f* ck me there’s room for improvement all over the pitch!
Bellerins man
See this is why you don’t pick him ffs. Inter are interested in him because of a YouTube compilation of him tearing down the wing from 2016. Inter management are probably watching this game and wondering if it’s the same guy
I’ll hold any criticism until our Baresi resumes for duty
Deja vue. Goal from set piece again.
Defending set pieces is fully an art to be coached including positioning. This is an indictment of our rotten sauce
Game should have been won by now but instead we’re losing
Don’t worry. Pre season doesn’t matter. Neither does the actual season, until after Christmas.
in fairness I dislike many of the players featured today.
” I thought Torreira looked more than decent until Emery decided he should be box- to-box.”
100% correct – Torreira gets a rough ride on here. He started well and is certainly better than any of our current CM’s outside of Partey.
Matt
Yeah but are we currently post last Christmas or pre this coming Christmas?
Imagine playing two preseason games in Scotland and losing both games
Willian still on out books so we have to do something with the knackered old git
Obviously we are trying to lull all the other PL teams with our pre season douchebagging
This could of course be one of Mikel ‘Baldrick’ Arteta’s cunning plans to say “Look! we DO need another CB!!!”
cut wide open from wasting another corner. where have I seen that before?
Torreira is a good player but mentally way too soft to have a future with arsenal
His moaning about wanting to go home is now stuff of legend
Such a shame we haven’t been able to get rid of a few players so that promising youngsters like Azeri and Patiño couldn’t get minutes.
Realistically at least six of these players will not be playing for Arsenal next season.
Wow , how was that not 3-1 !!
MarcJuly 17, 2021 15:33:20 PhD I’m good thanks – just had a bowl of Gazpacho for lunch and thinking a cold beer would go down very well. I’m guessing the names / shirt number thing is because of the number of players who are featuring who we’d like to move on. Don’t want to tie shirt numbers up yet. —- Great to hear you are doing well.. Yep,I figured the same-who’s being sold,who’s staying,as regards to no names on the back of the Arsenal player’s shirt. Just looks unprofessional for a club of our standing.. What a miss by the… Read more »