So here we are people. Sambi Lokonga lands at Arsenal as our second signing of the summer. The Belgian midfielder has already joined up with training and he looks VERY happy to be here. Just look at that finger point… so assertive.
Obviously, there aren’t many of us who know what he’s all about. This player has come straight from the transfer school of Wenger when he was at his absolute peak. Sambi has the right athletic profile compared to someone like Ceballos, he’s adept at interceptions because of his sharp mind, and he looks to have the full range of passing skills Thomas Partey boasts.
This sort of signing might not bang in year one, but for me, this is exactly where a club like Arsenal should be putting their money. Clearly, he’s been picked up by the analysts for his unique talents. The club has no doubt picked up secondary information from Vincent Kompany and maybe even Thierry, which means his character has been assessed. Then we’ve moved fairly rapidly to pull the deal over the line.
Arsenal has spent the last 5 years trying to shortcut success with older players that might have one last push in them. This summer, it looks like we’re getting back to basics of sorts by signing young players, with high ceilings, that can grow with a young coach famed for his developmental skills.
The idea here, I would imagine, is if this squad of young players gets us into the Champions League at some point, they’ll be ready to compete for the trophy right away… versus the shortcut method of fumbling into the competition, then having to drop a massive reboot to sustain ourselves.
I’m thrilled at the prospect of having athletes back in midfield, I truly am. This is a great signing and it speaks to lessons learned.
That said, I still think there’s going to be a sneak attack from transfer windows of the past at some point. James Maddison might be the dream, but it’ll be very tough to find the funds needed to move on him. It’d be sheer madness… and I think there are rumblings that Coutinho might be on the radar. He’ll be available for a pittance because Barca is broke, he’d solve an experience gap with have with our creative talents, the kids would probably love him there, and he’s Premier League proven.
On the flip-side, his injury record is absolutely woeful, this also makes him a peak-Wenger signing. Remember when he got lucky with Overmars knee, then developed a broken player saviour complex? I do. Edu is probably gambling on last season being the freak and looking to his fairly robust past before then. It’s risky business, but if you can get Coutinho firing, you really do have a player that can do it all creatively. Nooooot quite sure he’s going ramp up the intensity for you though.
Arteta is also seeking out leadership.
‘We need some senior players, players with different types of leadership in the team, with different qualities, people that complement each other.’
I’m not sure if Ben White is a leader or has the level of experience we are looking for, so who knows what we’re looking for here, or in what position. One would expect that it’ll likely come from whoever replaced Granit Xhaka, but I’m not sure that’s Neves?
We’ll see, it’s all rumours at the moment, but I tell you what, we’d be rude not to knock on the door at Barca and see if they have any jewels that we could bring to the carpet. Sergiño Dest anyone? 19 years old, a right-back, played 41 times for them last season? I mean… come on, let’s ask and see what they think.
In absolutely awful news, exArsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis has been diagnosed with throat cancer. Everyone here wishes him the best and prays for a speedy recovery. Judging by his quotes, that got it early, and clearly, he’s going land elite levels of medical support. Cancer, what a fucking awful, awful thing.
Right, I’ll be on the Twitch Stream chatting all things Arsenal at 6pm GMT. Tune in or… don’t, but maybe do?
Good morning!
How is everyone?
Happy with the signing.
Tr4phy
Now to read the post.
Wish Ivan the best.
Is Xhaka truly gone?
I wish Ivan the best as well. The Xhaka transfer saga seems to be at a simmer. Maybe he lost the key, and he can’t move until he finds it! 😉
Ceballos is a strange one to me. He had talent, however he also was prone to being daft. Wonder if he’ll cut it back in Spain?
Best wishes to Ivan
Hopefully whatever business we’re trying to conduct, it is done well ahead of the opener v Brentford.
All the best to Gazidis. Football bs aside, I hope he recovers ASAP. Cancer is a nasty bastard
Wish —-I.Gazidas well and thoughts to his immediate
family I can fully understand all their upcoming battles..
God speed.
Welcome, Sambi and Ivan, get well soon
Quick off the mark today you lot.
They need to sort out that midfield & RB pronto.Then get rid of the deadwood.Hopefully it’s one of Maddisson/ Aouar AND Bissouma.As for RB “Destry rides again” look a a good shout.Would be good to screw the Barca b@ndits over.
Mark ceballos will end up at a middling team like Villareal or sociedad and look pretty good when surrounded by average or inferior players and playing in a slower league. It his lack of a winning mentality will mean he’ll never kick on and get another shot at a major club
I don’t think many teams will complete their transfer dealings before the season starts.
Best wishes to IvanG, fingers crossed that he can beat it.
Completely agree for once with Pedro, Sambi is exactly the sort of signing we should have been making for the past five years, unfortunately Coutinho is exactly the sort we should be avoiding like the plague.
Made the pre-season squad, albeit in the relegation zone
Seems now we buy only Kia Joorabchan players
Cedric
Luiz
Willian
Coutinho
Neves
Hmmmm
Corruption galore
Get well Ivan
China1, I don’t think that Cebellos lacks ambition, I think it is a lack of self analysis that will be his downfall. He has talent but his deficiencies drag him down. For example he can be lackadaisical and at his age he should eliminate that from his game. Also he knows that he is not very good at shooting and releasing the ball early. But I have not seen him trying to improve those two aspects of his game. Nkethia always been a skinny guy. He must have realised that he need to have stronger upper body strength. This summer… Read more »
I’m thrilled too. The future lies with the young and vigorous.
I’m looking at the ‘old heads’ still left in the squad, and I’m thinking, ‘There’s only one I’d really like to keep’. That’s right, Lacazette, a fit one. You can judge his worth by the way the youngsters crowd round him, go to him for advice, from his innate compulsion to guide them. He’s a kind of father-figure.
Wishing Ivan the best. I know that early detection is everything, based on family experience. I have seen both sides of that coin.
I am thrilled with Sambi and was so impressed when I watched his Arsenal.com interview. He was more articulate in English than the guy interviewing him. It speaks well of his preparedness and maturity. It is probably unfair, but I am still reeling from Willian when it comes to signings like. Coutinho
Repeat from last post.
This kid might turn out to be a good signing, Albert Sambi Lokonga, but what is with AFC, are we the ACL reconstruction club??Maybe these surgeries heal better than in the past because of better surgical techniques and rehabilitation, but Hold and Bel took 18 months to get back to playing time, and Bel is not the player he once was speed wise.
With Tierney being injured frequently, Mari never injured, then injury bug got him, concerned about AFC’s recruitment, as always.
Can’t we just sign people that are robust? I mean how hard is it?
Coutinho – No NO. NO. ALL DAY NO. His best days have long gone. Locatelli looks unlikely, but happily, we are tenaciously trying to snap him up. Maddison – he’s a pipe dream, Pedro. Best let it lie. Now, Aouar is an interesting punt. We were going to pick him up last year but didn’t have the funds. Presumably he was scouted and his data poured over by Dr Numbers. So, why are we waiting? He’s a quality player – suspect defensively, but an carry the ball with speed and dribble out of trouble. .That will be novel in this… Read more »
“signing young players, with high ceilings, that can grow with a young coach famed for his developmental skills.”
Just don’t mention Saliba.
Good post though peds
Since Mertesacker took over the Arsenal academy, we are now seeing good Hale end prospects.
Theres a case to be made for not getting the biz down too early…
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/20/barcelona-in-desperate-push-to-offload-players-to-keep-lionel-messi
Super agent 11 you reckon Havyn??
And I agree it’s about time we get a proper player from Barca. And if it’s a low ball bid at their most vulnerable, even better
Sid, what is it you rate so highly of Per?
Genuine question haha
I presume that Lakonga has been brought in as squad back-up rather than as a “starter”at this stage.This being the case we still require someone to play in the “double pivot” alongside Partey.If this is Neto…all well and good although I would prefer either Bisouma or Sanches (who looked impressive at the Euros.Locatelli looks unlikely and its pointless waiting around for someone who would prefer to be elsewhere. Otherwise a new right back is an absolute necessity.I would think that Aarons would best suit as he brings down the number of non home grown players and has PL experience.Admittedly he’s… Read more »
Anyone familiar with ticket booking system?
I was a red member last year, they are open to past history booking..
It’s allowing me to select more than a ticket, can I bring a friend along with me if I buy 2-3 of them?
Here’s a little fact for you
If Arsenal Sidon Ben White for £50 million that sum is more that they have received in respect of all fees received since they were formed in 1901
I don’t want Coutinho. And I certainly don’t want him on loan. This summer we need to fix our issues with out right transfers. I would rather have someone like fekir who has still a point to prove at top level than Coutinho if we are signing older players. Rodrigo DePaul also was one of those kind of players. Coutinho has played for Inter Milan, Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern. He will not be motivated to get back to where he was. Lokonga is a good signing. Kid looks to have a certain humility about him. And he is an athletic… Read more »
Get well soon Ivan. Cancer and heart related diseases have become so prevalent and common and seem to hit people even in their 30’s and 40’s now. Time to embrace mother nature else we are doomed.
China1July 20, 2021 16:01:16 Mark ceballos will end up at a middling team like Villareal or sociedad and look pretty good when surrounded by average or inferior players and playing in a slower league. It his lack of a winning mentality will mean he’ll never kick on and get another shot at a major club ——- ValentinJuly 20, 2021 16:16:46 China1, I don’t think that Cebellos lacks ambition, I think it is a lack of self analysis that will be his downfall. He has talent but his deficiencies drag him down. For example he can be lackadaisical and at his… Read more »
All the best to Ivan, I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery! I’m happy with the transfer business so far, but the caveat is that my happiness is contingent on a couple more “big” moves being made. Lokonga and Tavares really fit the old Arsene profile, minimal expenditure for potential great rewards. Ben White doesn’t at £50 million but he is a good player with the potential to be very elite and most importantly he’s an improvement on the position from last season. Ideally we need to see a CAM and a CM coming in now to truly… Read more »
I wish Ivan the best of luck and a full recovery
Terraloon, all fees since 1901 – was that a joke? Iwobi + Anelka adds up to roughly £50m.
Good ebening, Good luck Ivan in your battle, catching it early is a big plus. Let’s hope loko can hit the ground running, he doesn’t have to be the new Vieira, just Good enough to keep xhaka and elneney out of the team. If xhaka is playing against Brentford I give up. Coutinho is an interesting one, 28/29 if the wages were reasonable might be worth a punt. We ain’t get grealish and Maddison is your 60 million plus bracket. Barcelona are so screwed, and have to cull wages. Transfer mark value continho at 30 million. And Barcelona still owe… Read more »
‘that can grow with a young coach famed for his developmental skills.
The idea here, I would imagine, is if this squad of young players gets us into the Champions League at some point, they’ll be ready to compete for the trophy right away’
…deluded
Pedro
“One would expect that it’ll likely come from whoever replaced Granit Xhaka, but I’m not sure that’s Neves?”
I don’t think Neves would really improve us, but you don’t get to be a captain at age 18 without having leadership skills.
Mb If you’re talking about the Emirates Cup (Mind Series) game against Chelsea, then yeah, you can buy up to 10 tickets using your expired membership and print off the tickets for entry. “Tickets are now available to all fully renewed members of The Arsenal Membership for the 2021/22, renewed Arsenal Women members from the 2020/21 season and all previous bookers. Subject to availability. (10 tickets per transaction). There will be no general sale for this fixture.” “Access to the stadium will be via a Ticketfast or digital ticket. You will be sent an email containing your Ticketfast ticket(s) in… Read more »
Good luck to Ivan. Hopefully he will pull through it all quickly.
We’ve been really slow this summer in moving players on. I suppose that’s largely because a) our players are shit and b) they are appealing to continental sides who haven’t a pot to piss in.
I wonder if Sterling is still in the sights? It seems City also are looking to offload some players before signing Grealish.
Bob
Didn’t make it crystal clear but if Arsenal spend £50 million on White Brighton will receive the fee and that sum is more than they have received in total for all players they , Brighton ,have sold
Wow Terraloon, I think that was me being thick – what a great stat!
Update on xhaka
Granit Xhaka will join Mourinho next week in the AsRoma training camp in Portugal, Algarve. Mourinho is pushing and waiting for him. Personal terms are already agreed. The deal between AsRoma and Arsenal is almost done. @SkySport#Transfers #AFC pic.twitter.com/pCgTBp8n57
— Angelo Mangiante (@angelomangiante) July 20,
Neves was the Championship player they were all raving about in 2017 when he helped Wolves win promotion back to the EPL. He was that year’s equivalent of Buendia.
At 24 he’s still young and he still has room to develop. As long as we don’t go silly with his wages there’s still some resale value there if we pick him up for a reasonable price. He’s would be an excellent player to have if we wanted experienced players to complement our youngsters.
6pm ET? CT? UCT?
Yes with Sambi, Xhaka deal was going to happen
Im for Coutinho,…. I dont think he will pull a Willian on us. When fit, he was great…
I would prefer a buy for Maddison. I dont care the price. If KSE have the cash to spend, spend it dammit.
Drop the 60M.
It aint my money, so get Maddison- quality or Aouar, or whomever
the Key is do it fast. We need said players in for pre season
Bentley and Jermaine Pennant are two guys that I think of that never quite filled their potential. You would see glimpses, however it always seemed that they felt that they had “arrived” when they still had a ways to go. I remember Pennant’s hattrick against Southampton for example, as a “woah” moment…however he never did fulfill that potential. A couple of years back I read an article saying that he was drunk from the night before when he scored it. He ended up being his own worst enemy! I don’t think Dani is at that level of incompetence, however he… Read more »
I would not be that thrilled if we only got Coutinho as our CAM
We need him plus someone else… Madd or Aouar – or ?
IF the market is so slow, we should be pouncing on all sorts of prospects. Dest, yes! Ibrax- yes- lets tempt Barca and make offers.
Camavinga- no news yet— make an offer!
Now is the time to test the waters, and move forward or onto other targets. Edu needs to put the Mojito down and get on this shit
Bentley was a rat faced chav that never really had it in him; the worse youth miss of the last decade or so IMO was super Jacky Wilshere. I thought the guy had it all (including PASSHUN!), but so injury prone; I think in the mechanics of his run, in the way he played attracted constant knocks / fouls around the ankles and feet / metatarsals but also in the way Wenger beasted the fuck out of him until he was trodden into the ground. Shame. Wasted talent in my mind. I’m not even sure he has a club this… Read more »
“If KSE have the cash to spend, spend it dammit.”
They have the cash, but I’d be fairly positive if we drop a huge sum this summer then it is intended the club pay KSE back, undoubtedly with some interest on top …
Further to my post about Lyon, if they are vulnerable another youngster I would think about bringing in is Rayan Cherki, a clever playmaker who has already scored at the top level and played in the Champions League.
Any Lyon watchers here who care to shed any insight? All reports I’ve heard of him have been very very good.
“Now is the time to test the waters, and move forward or onto other targets. Edu needs to put the Mojito down and get on this shit”
But Mojito’s are SO good, how can you put one down when the sun is out? You can’t, best just to have another one then get that shit done on a half cut facetime call …
Jermaine Pennant’s life is sad, because you could see that his failure are the result of his upbringing and addiction. Bentley’s arrogant and cocky attitude was his downfall. I still think that English clubs should put in place a program against addiction. Bentley’s addiction was gambling. A lot of players come a background where too much money, free time lead to boredom and addiction. Lots of Italian clubs have a system where players spend 6~8 hours per day at the club, so it is viewed as a proper job and no boredom. It also instill a greater sense of professionalism… Read more »
Valetin, I think that’s an excellent idea … this is something I would expect a Sports Minister to compel the clubs to do.
Wouldn’t wish cancer on anyone. Dad in remission from thoat cancer and wife in remission for lymphoma, so postive outcomes are possible these days. Wish IG all the best.
I’m liking what we’ve done so far in the TW but starting to get jitters with 1st team starting CAM, CDM not coming through the door yet.
Pedro
Blog was going well until this
“a young coach famed for his developmental skills”
Why so provocative bruh
I totally get why some would want Coutinho but he will still cost the earth in wages and it sidetracks us from getting the right younger player deal
I’m sure Overmars was younger than Coutinho is now but I’d have to check that. These deals never fare well
So its a no from me – we need to stick to a strategy and not bend with the wind
come say hi https://www.twitch.tv/le_grove
Get well soon Ivan
Lokonga looks like Tavares,wish both the best in Arsenal colours
Pedro
Is Arteta a developmental coach or is just you usual way of hyping him?
Great post today except that line
Tavares comes in and immediately gets a game for Arsenal. Lokonga will too.
Saliba plays for three seasons in the French version of the premier league.
Aquits himself well. Highly regarded and has, the, talents and skills but given no chance by Arteta. Sent out on another punitive loan.
Edu and the Kroenkes stand on the byline watching helplessly at Arteta’s madness.
This is one of the many reasons why I wish Arteta gone and the sooner the better, though it’s not in my hands.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=KyoTLvevy-8&feature=share
Developmental sauce
Bentley just wasn’t too bothered about the game itself and hated everything professional/the politics that went along with it. He was just a Jack the lad that loved the money, fame, part scene and dressing room banter that went along with his footballing talent, didn’t seem to at all care for football itself past a casual interest. He’s given a few illuminating interviews post-retirement shedding light on his decision to retire at 28. I mean he was practically semi-retired by 25. Shame really but at least the guy seems happy. He was actually very good at Blackburn, remember him sticking… Read more »
David Bentley retired from the impact of repeated injuries, not because he loved partying.
Wishing all the best and every success for Ivan G in his battle with cancer. From bitter personal experience losing a family member to this awful disease never gets easier. Thoughts are with him and his family.
Get well Ivan
There sure are some miserable posters on here. Everyone is shite. We never buying anyone decent.
Given we are a midtable side the club have done well to persuade 2 players to join.. Lets reserve judgment for 10 games in and see where we are. If he messes up the cupboard is pretty bare in the managerial stakes.
Best wishes to Ivan
Peanuts piss off you spud
Wenger Eagle
I read one of Bentley’s interviews also a while back. Like you say he just lost his appetite for the game after his move to Spurs ultimately failed.
Still remember his goal against Boro at Highbury. An absolute peach of a chip.
There sure are some miserable posters on here. We never buying anyone decent.
Given we are a midtable side the club have done well to persuade 2 players to join.. Lets reserve judgment for 10 games in and see where we are. If he messes up the cupboard is pretty bare in the managerial stakes.
Best wishes to Ivan
The bard I am delighted with our signings so far
I hear it was 32C degrees in the UK and you lot were whining about it been “balmy”
“I thought the guy had it all (including PASSHUN!), but so injury prone; I think in the mechanics of his run, in the way he played attracted constant knocks / fouls around the ankles and feet” TBM, Wilshere’s problem was in the way he dribbled with the ball , a long-ish stride pushing the ball a yard or two in front which always attracted challenges he himself never pulled out of. The McNair tackle at Old Trafford case in point. This and a complete lack of protection from refs was what destroyed his ankles rather than the minutes played. Diaby… Read more »
Tom Wiltshire’s problem was we over played him and he got badly injured while he was in the red zone, his ankle was never the same
Injury curtailed his career
Valentin I’d say that Pennant and Bentley are far from being thee worst in regards to pissing their talent down the drain. At least they were respectable PL footballers for a time, especially Bentley. Look at someone like Ravel Morrison for a much more severe case of wasted talent. Kid by literally all accounts at United as per Alex Ferguson, Ferdinand, Rooney, Neville and Giggs was by FAR the most gifted young player on a youth team that included Paul Pogba. He’s 28 years old and he has made a grand total of 22 apps in a top 5 European… Read more »
Why doesn’t Elneny get mentioned on the list of players that need to leave?
If you’re doing a rebuild then he should be ahead of Xhaka on the exit queue.
Dissenter
You sure about that? In all of his post-retirement interviews he says outright that he just lost his hunger for the game and hated everything outside of kicking a ball itself on the professional front.
Chris
Yeah the lad has incredible ability on the ball, was a classic winger too which I used to admire a lot as a kid. Guys like Beckham, Bentley, Jerome Rothen, Giggs that loved to hug the touchline, take on defenders in one vs ones and whip crosses into the box.
Those type of players are practically extinct in the modern game with the inside forwards/inverted playmakers now the default.
Sergiño Dest anyone? 19 years old, a right-back, _________ YESSS!!! please… This kid can do it all… would be a major major upgrade on Bellerin and Chambers. That said he is on record saying his preference is to stay at Barca. Not a fan of the project, I guess. We need a RB upgrade.. This is how the modern game is now.. you have to have 2 fullbacks that are some of your best players on the team. And they have to be able to get up and down the wing,. Tierney and Tavares are a good start on the… Read more »
Our notorious friend Bamford was on Twitch during the pod.
j_m_bam: “Friends on LeGrove: Please DM me to pay up on our Leicester v Arsenal wager.”
Wenger eagle
Losing hunger for the game is not only limited to partying though. Repeatedly having to come back from injury only to get re-injured soon afterwards is one reason for losing motivation.
I agree that his addiction problems may have been contributory, he was plagued with many demons so it seems. It was common knowledge that he was a gambling addict.
Don’t really have a problem with Elneny Dissentet
He is bench fodder and is happy to play that supporting role
We’re not getting offers for any of our players other than ESR
“Arsenal has spent the last 5 years trying to shortcut success with older players that might have one last push in them.”
Sure Pedro
Pepe, Leno, Saliba (still not given a chance), Guendouzi (fraudteta’s favourite just because he cares), Martinelli just to mention few, they’re all older players fitting in your agenda, get back on earth mate and give us some proper posts you have used to years ago, before you became new AKB
Raptora he was indeed lol
Midwest dest would be amazing Aaron’s probably more realistic although Barca need to sell as they can’t resign messi due to having to high a wage bill lol
Dissenter The partying was only one aspect of it I suspect. It wasn’t injury-related at all as per Bentley himself. He just didn’t like the direction that the game was trending in as per the horses’ mouth. Reading between the lines a bit, I reckon he would have loved the lads/drinking culture of the 90s and he was a casualty of the modern game’s every increasing professionalism surrounding training, fitness, diet and tolerance to heavy drinking of which there is none in the modern game as opposed to the 90s where players would spend half of their week in the… Read more »
Agree on the importance of a RB Middy.
It’s weirdly been written off by some as surplus to requirements with Chambers and Soares but they are two lower to mid-table players at best.
And outlet down the right is crucial to allow Saka to cut inside/make those diagonal runs to get himself into regular goal-scoring positions.
“Given we are a midtable side the club have done well to persuade 2 players to join..”
The Bard, I like both signings but how difficult a task did you think it was to “persuade “ them two to come to Arsenal from the likes of Anderlecht and Benfica ?
Tavares will go from £5kpw to somewhere around £30-40 kpw at Arsenal. For that type of a raise he should easily be persuaded to walk from Lisbon to Calais, swim the English Channel and walk all the way to London.
Mr Serge… yep… Aaron’s probably more in … our range. A very good player as well… but I like Dest better. America is turning out a huge crop of very good fullbacks right now. All started with DeAndre Yedlin who never quite met his potential but seems to have spawned a lot of good young players at that position with his World Cup performance. in 2014.
All this whining about Arteta’s treatment of Saliba is nonsensical, a way of getting at him. Yeah, on the face of it, why isn’t the lad here here in the Arsenal squad? But it stands to reason that Arteta has a very good reason. What it is I know not, for the statement Arteta has made – the lad isn’t ready – can include a variety of reasons, some nothing to do with football.
Meanwhile I’ll take Arteta at his word: the lad isn’t ready
Northbanker
The problem with players who are too happy to warm the bench is that they are blocking the path of a young talent that needs the odd minutes to grow.
Elneny looks like one who is just happy to live in London on Arsenal wages.
Eagle-
Agreed… going through a whole season with Chamber or Soares.. potentially Bellerin again at RB would be sad and could potentially undo any gains we make at other positions. Having a weakness there is easily exploited by the many tricky wingers in the PL.
Haven’t seen much of Lokonga to be honest, so i thought i would have a little look on YouTube, and the thing that struck me is how similar his style of play is to Willock……..without the goals and attacking threat. I would say that everything i saw Lokonga do, Willock could do with ease …. Of course this is only youtube but youtube does tend to show the best of a player and Lokonga’s highlights are not over exciting. Yes I know he is a centre midfielder, but if you want to look at a centre midfielder with highlights that… Read more »