You know what I needed today? Liverpool to just deal with Villareal so we could chalk that out-of-control-Unai-narrative off the whiteboard of ‘things Arsenal fans moan about, despite the fact we’re doing well.’

I don’t miss that Emery football, I really don’t, but at least I don’t have to deal with him lifting the Champions League this season.

You know what else is going to grate me? Karim Benzema winning the Balon d’Or this season. Sure, he’s been incredible, but why do we insist on putting that award to players in a much easier league? It should be Mo Salah this season, no question about it, he is the benchmark for all footballers globally. It would be really cruel for a player of his consistency to never win the award because we’ve all got nostalgia for Madrid.

There is still no update on Bukayo Saka and his injury. Mikel Arteta keeps his injured player cards close to his chest for tactical reasons, so we probably won’t know until later in the week, but it really would be ideal to have him for a West Ham that are going to deepblock like it was 2009 and Tony Pulis was in the dugout.

Let’s be real though… Arteta will be thinking about the Spurs game. We absolutely need Saka for that, so let’s not take any silly risks against a B team West Ham or Leeds at home.

Bill Saliba stories revved up after I told you 10 days ago it was Arsenal’s intent to have him at the club next season. His agent says he doesn’t know what is going on, I wouldn’t worry too much about that, his main job is to get the best deal for his player. He knows every time he puts something ambiguous into the ether, 4 million teenagers flood Edu’s BBQ-themed DMs with ‘PLEZ DNT LET HIM GO BRO.’

Things to note:

Saliba is an Arsenal fan

He chose Arsenal over France at 18, he’s not going to want to be in Marseille for another season, despite the delights of south France.

Arsenal is the hottest project in world football for young players right now

He has the perfect profile for Artetaball and if he’s a real competitor, he’ll fancy his chances after the last 3 months

We might have Champions League football, which means loads of game time, and too much for Bob Holding, Gabriel, and Benny Blanco

Arsenal do not have much money to replace him should we decide to sell

The club knows full well how poorly an exit would reflect on them. Arteta needs to make things easy for himself, it’s clear Saliba is good enough, so get over yourself, and bring him in

The biggest black mark Arteta could put on his name would be to let him go to Dortmund, only to see him bounce back to the Premier League for £80m in a few years time. The Arsenal hierarchy have to protect him from himself if that’s his plan.

The Josk K strategy is young players, this kid is a star, Edu cannot be seen to let another kid go for a pittance

Now, there’s always a chance that a Technical Director that likes ballplaying centre backs, like Dan Ashworth, at Newcastle, might chisel out a fat bid… so who knows. But as it stands, Arsenal want to keep him, because that is the least dumb thing to do.

On the striker front, as promised a couple of days ago, the transfersphere is being flooded with names linked to Arsenal. Why? Because we have big money and a chance creation machine ready for anyone that wants to blow-up in the league. This works for Arsenal better than it being clear there’s only one name we’re after.

Broke clubs in Europe want our money + there are not many rich clubs splashing cash this summer.

Names linked in the past 5 days:

DCL: 2 goals in 10, Gooner, has leaked he wants Arsenal. Why might that be interesting? Everton might get relegated.

Richarlison: A bit of a fallen star, but a Brazil international with high potential. Doesn’t score a lot tho.

Oshimen: 16 goals in 28 games, BIG BOY, fast, shades of Drogba, still only 23 yrs old. Big worry here is he’s exLille and we had bad agent experiences there. He probably has a big group of reps, so that might be deal killer.

Gabi Jesus: One year left on his deal, playing like it right now, top talent, lacking goals, but always in great positions. I think his preference is a City deal, but if that fails, and he doesn’t get assurances, getting together with Arteta could be a shrewd move. He’s a top quality fixer-upper… a bit like Odegaard in that sense.

Darwin Nunez: City loves Benfica, so therefore, Arteta must. This striker is 22, he has it all, even if a little raw (all 22 yr olds are raw). I think he has 23 goals to his name this season, he has Uruguayan blood (aggressive, hardworking, fierce), and he is TALL. He might be on the list above where we will shop, but nice to be in the mixer.

Tammy: Roma wants £67m for the English striker. Arteta wanted him last summer, but we couldn’t shift anyone. He’s done well in Roma, breaking the record for most goals in a debut season in a TOUGH league. He’s talent, he’s still raw (24), but he is what we are looking for. I do think the price is a bit… pricey.

I told you not to fall in love with any rumour this month, Arsenal know what they are looking for, there will be plan a, plan b, and plan c options. But one thing you can be sure of, we won’t spend for the sake of it, the talent will be top, top class.

Continuing my own propaganda, I was brutally savaged for supporting Ivan G back in the day, I thought he’d blossom when Wenger left. What did he do? He just left when Wenger left and he let a fox into the chicken coup. What I can pretty much guarantee… we’d be in better shape now if he’d stayed. What I can now say for sure is I was right to think he could take us to the next level, why? Because he has Milan top of Serie A with 4 games to go.

Back in your hole internet trolls.

Right, short one today, if you want some EXTRA content, check me out on Touchy Gooners LIVE podcast below. I talk with Dan and Shabs, two elite Arsenal analysts. Give their Youtube a SUBSCRIBE.

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xxx