It didn’t take long for the Arsenal media to fire up into power mode with regards to transfer movement this summer.
Mikel Arteta finally came out and said what I told you months ago.
“William Saliba has to come back. He has the experience to be competitive with us. We sent him to Marseille for his growth”.
“William wanted to be regular starter as you know but now we want him back at Arsenal”
Oh my, so many spleens vented, so much projected angst, so many tears on the internet… and in the end, the loan move was about development, now he’s developed. Bill Saliba is coming back to Arsenal to compete as a centre back.
What a madness. I truly cannot believe how mental people went over him this season, hopefully now we can stop talking about the most boring story of 2022.
Next up, The Athletic are talking about the club tracking a left-sided centre back to give cover to Gabriel next season. We really do need to make sure that all the centre backs we have can do the same job. I love Rob Holding, but he limits and changes the way we play. Ben White and Gabriel also need some competition. This job could go to an up and coming centre back from around Europe, or it could go to a gamble, like Umtiti on loan. Bob Holding didn’t break 1000 minutes last season, the reality of a back-up signing is a club like Arsenal has to gamble. Do you find a cheap European option like Tomiyasu (Or Schlotterbeck), but run the risk of them turning out like Tavares… or do you take a gamble on someone with the right experience, but they have fitness challenges.
I don’t have the answer, but I suspect those discussions are going to be on the table this summer. We’re going to lose the experience of Lacazette at the minimum this summer, that will leave Cedric as the only 30+ year old in the side, I think we need to think about that. If you could get Umtiti on a loan for a year, it might not be the worst idea. He’s a World Cup winner and a triple La Liga Champion. David Luiz was many things to Arsenal fans, not always pleasant, but he was a hero to the younger players. Worth noting.
Kieran Tierney is also being linked away from the club, this time, it’s Newcastle weighing a £50m offer. Now, KT is talented player, one of the most powerful at the club, but it’s clear he has struggled with robustness having only played 60% of PL games he’s been available for. If there were an offer on the table, I think Arsenal would entertain it because we could certainly use that money very well based on what we did last summer. I’m just not sure the player seems like the sort to leave? But who knows…
The question then becomes what type of left-back do we want to replace him? KT is a power and pace beast, but he is a little one dimensional at times. Do we want someone that is a little more creative like a Cancelo? What have we learned from this season that we lack?
There was a story doing the rounds that Eddie had been given the #14. I’ve heard that isn’t confirmed, but we have to be real here… a new number is going to be part of the negotiation. I expect Saliba to be given a proper number and if Eddie stays, he’ll wants something symbolic that says he’s important. Also, he should defintely sign a new deal. We’re being linked to some 19 year old Czech player called Hlozek, could be the next Haaland, but we have no idea what he could do in the league. Eddie is a guarantee of goals and we know he fits into the squad and playing style we’re looking at.
The Brazilian media is double keen to insist that Gabriel Jesus is the main striker this season on the striker front. That might be true, but remember, the media gets played by clubs. It works for Arsenal to have lots of noise in the papers because it can distract and also shake out clubs looking to shift their wares. Charles Watts is saying Victor Oshimen’s agent was in London last week. For me, this is the sort of profile of player we’ll be looking at ahead of Gabriel Jesus. If you have the choice of a player that has it all, why would you opt for one that doesn’t have it all? We need a tall striker that can dominate the box, run the lines, and occupy defenders all game long. Jesus is a luxury option for me. A top player, no doubt, but a luxury option without a history of top finishing.
Ok, we’re going to do a podcast tomorrow, so stay tuned for that, Johnny might have a little cry about how happy he is about Bill Saliba. In the meantime, check out the latest NON-written content.
I have heard about a young and up and coming young CB in Europe that could suit us. Plays for a German club just relegated so should be available at a good price.
Seriously though Arsenal sold Keown to Everton then bought him back, the rest is history
50m for Tierney, sell. Much overrated player we just fell for his 100% physical commitment just like we initially did with Kola. Does not have the football education of our Hale enders and kids from other top club academies. There must be good reason why the Prem now longer has lots of high level players from the Scottish leagues
Graham62 ESR could be the first to go I fear. Klop would love him I am sure.
So right Graham, I don’t see a lot of joy from the players, Arteta over manages the team and stifles their natural talents.
Eddy for main striker says it all.
Those of you high on caffeine and a few other substances have to realise that Arsenal Football Club is far far bigger than one man, especially one man who hasn’t done enough to prove himself yet. When I see people gloating about our “5 peachy goals” against Everton, it makes me realise just how far behind we have fallen in the pecking order. It reminds me of the Wenger mark 2 era, when we’d thump Burnley at home 5-0 in a meaningless game at the end of the season, after we’d gone out of everything and yet some on here… Read more »
Whenever I should see Saliba playing for us next year that’s when I’ll believe it. Otherwise Pedro you’re talking out of your Arsenal blog. The odds that he will aren’t great. Imagine if our generational manager hadn’t decimated the squad in January and alienated the player.
I have an interesting dilemma in my family. My 23 year old daughters boyfriend is also a Gooner. Trouble is, he trusts in Arteta. I’m not holding that against him though, because he’s genuinely a smashing young man.
Graham
Nothing wrong with having different opinions the problem is when it gets personal
Are you listening Nigel!
With the possibility of the world cup coming up, Saliba is unlikely to trust Arteta that it will be a fair competition between him and Ben White (both right footed CB). Nobody (and surely not Saliba nor his agent) can genuinely think that Arteta will willingly acknowledge that he made a mistake in forcing Ben White purchase at such inflated price. If Saliba stays at Arsenal, Arteta will start Ben White and will bench Saliba destroying his chance to be selected for a WORLD cup. The relation between coach and player from non existent will then become antagonistic. Within a… Read more »
Graham I have mates that are happy too I am not particularly disturbed by him but do not like his personality traits,
I also have mates that dislike him immensely
Valentin that’s pure speculation on your part it’s completely unfounded
Graham. Some mistaking think that a strong in terms of discipline manager is the way forward. It may well work for some players and it certainly did in the past . The trouble was in the past there weren’t agents , there wasn’t the Bosman or Webster rulings nor do players have the wealth that many now possess. In the modern era you just don’t witness so many experienced players wanting out the door but the problem for me as of now is football is a small community and if Arsenal isn’t considered a place where top players feel comfortable… Read more »
I’m not sure why we can’t plat 2 right footed centre backs alongside eachother.. Adams, /Bould/ keown….. Campbell, /Tours , kosielny/mertasaker never experienced any problems playing alongside eachother , neither did John Terry/carvallo…Ferdinand/ vidic… By Arteta appearing to be determined to play with a left footed centre back, it may be making a problem that isn’t there. .. Peter Simpsom was the last left footed centre back with any real quality that i can remember who played regularly for Arsenal.. My advice to Arteta would be to play your best 2 centre backs who have the best on field relationships… Read more »
Pierre
I’m not sure why we can’t plat 2 right footed centre backs alongside eachother..
Adams, /Bould/ keown….. Campbell, /Tours , kosielny/mertasaker never experienced any problems playing alongside eachother , neither did John Terry/carvallo…Ferdinand/ vidic…
It’s a fair point but if we are honest most if not all the players you mention were to a level far above Holding, White and Gabriel.
Is it possible that Areteta give to a 3 CD set up as a matter of course?
Elneny signed a new deal confirmed.
Oh dear
If we are targeting any CB this summer, we are idiots. Holding isn’t the greatest player but he is very okay for a 4th choice CB. We aren’t City that spend 40 mil on their 4th choice. We need to play Gabriel, White and Saliba regularly. That is enough depth and quality. And being a right footer dosen’t matter. Even Guardiola was playing Diaz and Stones together for much of the season. Form should dictate who plays. Not your strong foot. I understand that having a left footer spreads the play but, having a right footer also has its advantages.… Read more »
Saliba won’t be going back to Marseille. If sold, he’d go for a hefty fee that they can’t afford.
I’m personally fed up of reading about him. Fans bigging him up like he’s some perfect centre back. Most probably haven’t watched him play. He’s had an excellent loan but he’s also made plenty of mistakes.
Really starting to disengage with the comments now. It’s just so repetitive and boring. I get it, you don’t rate Arteta and think we’re going to fail. But do I have to keep reading about it endlessly in the comments. Its like a negative echo chamber at the moment. Isn’t there something positive you’d like to comment on? a possible signing or change in Arteta? maybe just take a deep breath?
I haven’t seen any reports of us targeting any left sided Centre backs for the summer. I saw the Athletic report that we were looking for cover at LCB in JAN (there was no ambiguity with that either) but why let the truth get in the way of a good grumble Valentin.
I would assume that cover is no longer necessary as Saliba is returning from loan and comfortable on the left side of defence. We have more pressing needs.
I’m the same Steg, and I’m not even a fan of Arteta – in fact I don’t make much of him at all but he has signed a new deal, the club obviously have faith in him so it is time to change the script.
Arsenal will be playing 50-60 matches next season and the new formula in EPL will mean also that we can use 5 substitutes. So my guess is that there will be plenty of opportunities to rotate players in our squad so long as they are of requisite quality. Our transfer budget this summer will almost certainly match that last year and will I suspect focus on strikers/goalscoring forwards where we will be forced to pay inflated prices. It is true that there are very few exceptional forwards available in the market place. However some of the players who have been… Read more »
Hey pedro. If you don’t mind. Can you explain to us bedwetters why a 5th place finish 1 point off 4th 2 points off 3rd Is not good enough for Arsenal.
Leftside
I’d personally like another CB to replace Holding who I hope is sold. Gabriel has been linked with a move away and I wouldn’t be against selling for the right price. Good player but I just think he’s too clumsy and poor on the ball. Tierney’s another I’d sell for the right price.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61577184?fbclid=IwAR3xE3zR6Du-aFO-Rpqo9jrPKrkz6MbELIErPcmRwbev0UadFd7udN27HLo
Elneny signs new contract.
I thought it was only days ago when our manger said he wanted two top players in every position?
So, either Elneny is a top player, or our manager’s judgement on what consists a top player is somewhat lacking.
Reality Check, actually we finished 2 points off 4th and 5 points off 3rd, but it hardly matters as the final outcome still came after being points clear and having games in hand.
Leftside, at the bottom of the Athletic article they state that Arsenal is looking for a left-sided central defender. https://theathletic.com/3328926/2022/05/24/arsenal-transfers-jesus-abraham?source=user-shared-article IMHO, Holding best position is left CB, but because he is not left footed, Arteta does not want to play him there. I find his obsession with left footed CB on the left strange because there has been so many great right footed CB who preferred to play on the left. John Terry, Sol Campbell, Koscielny to name a few recent. I understand that it is because it is easier for a left footed player to play a ball to… Read more »
Reality Check, apologies, I see you meant 2019. Even in finishing 5th Emery still delivered a better outcome than we got this year.
Ed The Red
Elneny may be a great bloke but let’s be honest, is he the way forward?
These are the small things that have a massive impact on the squad.
Judgement skills are not and never have been Arteta’s fortes.
To be honest it is embarrassing.
I just heard on TalkSport that Elneny’s contract signing has been confirmed, but that the length of the contract has not been disclosed. What does the club think it is achieving by not sharing that detail?
Graham62: Actually mate, you’re embarrassing — for some reason, you and some of the other keyboard whingers on here think you’re better qualified to make judgements about professional athletes than people who make those judgements for a living.
Embarrassing and supremely arrogant…
And don’t make out its just an opinion. It’s an obsession and its very, very odd…
Elneny is worth keeping as a back-up midfielder. The squad needs numbers. It won’t impinge on bringing in two more midfielders.
GBAT, It’s quite difficult because you’d need a player with better ability than Holding that will be happy to play second fiddle to the trio of Saliba, Gabriel and White. Holding has his uses so I wouldn’t mind keeping him around for cover. I’m a fan of Tierney but I would also sell him for the right price. He misses way too many games and that isn’t ideal for any of our key players. I’d also look to get in a RB of sufficient quality to cover for Tomi, two midfielders and a striker. Anything else would be a bonus… Read more »
Valentin, That would be a cutting off nose to spite face exercise if indeed true as we have an internal solution to that. Saliba’s strongest foot is his right foot but he is comfortable playing on the left side of the defence so there is nothing to suggest that he can’t slot in there. I think much has been made about the Saliba situation but he is our player and I think will return. I hope the club realise that rather than going back in the market for another CB. Holding for me, should also stay as we need a… Read more »
ES
Our transfer budget this summer will almost certainly match that last year and will I suspect focus on strikers/goalscoring forwards where we will be forced to pay inflated prices.
Time of course will tell but I just can’t see the spend being close to the same. That is unless significant and I mean significant sums are bought in and that will entail not just selling the “ deadwood” but also one or maybe even two of what deem to be the best eleven
Leftside
I think now is the right time to sell Holding. He’d fetch a good fee. He struggles defending space. He’s poor on the ball and not even great in the air. I’d rather bring in a RB and use Tomiyasu in the CB rotation. The guy can play anywhere in the back 4. I also have a feeling that Norton-Cuffey will be in and around the squad.
As for the rest of the transfers, I want 2 CMS, a striker and a LW
Matt B Graham62: Actually mate, you’re embarrassing — for some reason, you and some of the other keyboard whingers on here think you’re better qualified to make judgements about professional athletes than people who make those judgements for a living. Do you not realise how strange a comment? Football is all about opinions . To just have to subscribe to those that are “ better qualified or paid “ ( whatever that actually means ) really doesn’t guarantee they are right they have to make judgment calls that are implemented yep that’s a fact but Are you suggesting that as… Read more »
Terraloon
I don’t think that we will spend less than last year on 2 counts.
1. There will be players sold in this summer’s transfer window albeit probably for less than
some on here would expect. Players to be sold are Leno, Bellerin, Mavropanos, Guendouzi,
Torreira, Maitland-Niles,Pepe, Nelson. That should fetch around £50-60 million.
2. Arsenal will spend usually a portion of their sponsorship budget on players.
3. If there is a shortfall I am sure that Kroenke will make up the difference.
Torreira linked to Juve after his Fiorentina move is stalling, good news if so.
Elnenys extension surely means we’re finally getting rid of Xhaka right? Surely they can’t think that 1 CM is going to be enough to sign?
We need 2, and Elneny and Lokonga can fight for 4/5th choice.
Memphis Depay linked for 17-25m, still only 28. I know he had some attitude problems before but if he has sorted that he’d be a good choice for 1 of our 2 forwards.
Leftside, Actually Saliba worst performance have been when asked to play on the left side of the defense of a back 3. I champion the guy, but I would not recommend him to play left CB. My view is that as we have a limited budget, I would allocate more money to solve our midfield and attack rather than purchase another CB. IMHO, with the extra work load, We need 2 strikers, 2 CM, 1 RM, 1 RFB to deputise, 1 LFB to deputise and depending whether Saliba stays 1 or 2 CBs. Tierney is not physically reliable, so we… Read more »
Terraloon
I would also point out that Arsenal’s revenues should be back to normal. Next season season
ticket holders will be paying full amount [+4% increase]. Television and European Football will also increase revenues albeit not at same level as if we qualified for Champions League.
The wage bill will be substantially reduced at end of season even if we need to spend big on
new centre forward and a new contract for Saka.Aubameyang, Lacazette, Kolasinac,Pepe and Bellerin will all come off payroll.
Let’s examine where we stand. With the undeniable excellence of Klopp’s Liverpool, the arrival of Haaland at City, the resettlement at Chelsea, Conte with a £150 million to spend at Spurs, etc, etc, the quality level of PL will be at its highest ever level. Throw in the crazy Qatar WC in mid-season, and this will be the toughest ever. So where does Arsenal stand in all this? Right now in 5th place. But if, as expected, there is a major influx of quality players this summer, and bearing in mind an organic improvement of a young squad with an… Read more »
For anyone (but in particular MattB) who thinks that the ‘experts’ always know better I give you one Arsene Wenger who claimed that Almunia was a world class ‘keeper when just about everyone here that had sight knew that was utter nonsense.
“Jesus is a luxury option for me. A top player, no doubt, but a luxury option without a history of top finishing.”
Pedro you are getting very contradictory. if you are a luxury with no finishing history how you can you be a top player? We do not want him top 4 cast offs do not work.
If we sell Pepe for £25M most will go to Lille as we have yet to complete payment.
Robert Pires, I don’t see Elneny extension as a good news, because Xhaka is not going to be sold. So if we upgrade our midfield that points to Lokonga being sold. I would be disappointed if we give up on him after one season. I think that there is a player there. We just need to nurture him into becoming a great one. I would extatic if we were to sell Partey and buy two cheaper, fitter replacement but that is not going to happen. His ridiculous salary meant that we are stick with him for a Hile longer and… Read more »
Pierre
Arteta is obsessed with specifics. Specific sides, specific roles etc. so he cannot tolerate a right footed LCB.
I imagine if he had Adams Campbel and Cygan at his disposal you would see Cygan playing 38 games a season and Xhaka slotted in at CB before he went with Cambel and Adams.
His rigidity will be his downfall.
I saw the reports that we are trying to sign Victor Osimhen
He’s not that good to begin with and far too expensive for what Napoli will ask for.
Hope the stories are false
englandsbest – “[…] But if, as expected, there is a major influx of quality players this summer, and bearing in mind an organic improvement of a young squad with an extra year’s experience, I expect a PL finish anywhere between 1st and 4th.” Not only are you wearing red-tinted glasses, but you’re standing in a windowless room painted red on all sides and lit by a red light bulb. Using the Matt B approved method of only listening to people paid to talk about football, The Sun has today published its Supercomputer prediction for next season’s standings. Of course, this… Read more »
Dissenter,
I hope as well from both a financial stand and from a football point of view.
He is a decent striker with good physical ability, but I am not sure that he would fit our slow ponderous style of play.
I’m looking forward to watching the Europa Conference League Final tonight. Roma v Feyenoord is an interesting match up. Mourinho has a perfect record in European finals. Roma has never won a European trophy ( Fairs cup now not recognised) and Feyenoord not won one for 20 years. This is why I like the creation of this competition, it is sort of a Cup Winners Cup replacement in a way, but it should offer good competition for Smaller European teams and the chance of a trophy in some cases. Not everyone can win the CL and even the EL. I… Read more »
With us renewing Elneny’s contract, given the position of Xhaka in Arteta’s heart and that we still have Partey and Lokonga, it’s more than obvious that we are not bringing two additional CMs. For all the potential of Lokonga, he’s had a pretty dire end of the season and I believe that a proper CM like Anguissa for dirt cheap, or someone similar, would have made the difference in our top 4 crusade. Central midfield is an area that we are really weak especially when Partey is missing. Lokonga’s season starting from December till May, was like we effectively loaned… Read more »
“ I imagine if he had Adams Campbel and Cygan at his disposal you would see Cygan playing 38 games a season and Xhaka slotted in at CB before he went with Cambel and Adams.”
Good comment. Though more likely, if Arteta had Adams, Campbell and Keown at his disposal, he’d be dropping 50m on Ramon Vega.
Terraloon: Fair comment. Just that some of the opinions we’ve heard recently and at the beginning of the season are so driven by an Arteta-out agenda, that they hardly amount to an opinion worthy of debate. And also, it just gets a little tiring when 80+% of posters are tearing into the club. I understood that this time last year but this season? Have we been that terrible? Where do we have to finish for the tide to turn — just a few more points and all would have been good this season? I doubt it, some people just want… Read more »
Chris, rather than adding more competitions I think it would be better to democractise the ones we have. No way should the Champhons League ever have become a league format. Run it like the FA Cup and have it knockout through with early rounds. It means more clubs get a go. And more excitement. And less advantage to the rich clubs with larger squads.
Moray they used to do that but did away with it in the 90s
Mr Serge, exactly. The risk of going out in an early knockout round was too much for the big clubs so the league format comes in and means you can have an off game and still qualify.
Cup competitions for me are all about the excitement of the risk and the fact any team has the potential to win on the night.
I would do away with home and away legs too. There’s too much football these days anyway.
Robert PiresMay 25, 2022 11:13:39
Which means Xhaka will be sold.
Hate to break it to you, but I have it from good sources that Xhaka will be at Arsenal for another three seasons, unless HE choses otherwise.
Moray that would mean less money the club’s would never allow this unfortunately
Matt B, it’s not just where we finish that matters, but how we do it. I defy anyone to make an evidence based argument that Arsenal’s playing style this season has been dynamic or exciting. We play in one gear, the side does not seem capable or permitted (pick as you see fit) to slide into another gear, and there is no Plan B which is why we almost always lose without scoring when we go 1-0 down in a match. It seems an increasing number of people can see the problems and deficiencies, and forums like this are the… Read more »
Mr Serge, maybe not. But there is a limit to how much of any product you can supply. While we’ve had some great matches at domestic and European levels so far this season it’s hard not to look at the same clubs playing the same other clubs every year and start to lose interest.
The need to improve our quality in midfield pales in comparison to our attacking struggles. xG is undoubtedly very important, and we did alright there – 5th in the league, behind the top 4 that finished in top 4 in the league. But in the big chance created stat we are 17th with 39 big chances created. At the top are Pool with 97, Man City – 87 and spuds – 84. That’s a gigantic difference and not really influenced by having a better striker or not. It has more to do with the general idea of our offensive game.… Read more »
*– individual class to create and score the chance on their own (Saka)*
Here’s the stat that is also on the official EPL site:
https://www.fotmob.com/leagues/47/stats/season/16390/teams/big_chance_created_team
On a sidenote, we did alright in the xG compared to the rest of the teams in the league, but nowhere near close enough to City and Pool. If the idea is to challenge them in the next couple of years, we’ll need to find 30 odd goals from somewhere, or 50% on what we managed to score this season.
The lack of meaningful games was the reason why second groupe stage was removed. The problem is that big teams want more group or league games to guarantee their revenue, but most fans want the excitement of knock-out games. Also people wants condensed competition rather a long dredged competition with few meaningful games.. Nobody can stay excited when the following game is 2~3 weeks after that. That’s why the condensed off game qualification game during COVID were so exciting. There was a sense that the underdogs had a chance to win. It was “All or Nothing”! No possibility of the… Read more »
InsideRight
Agreed, but as you say, as of now. My belief is that this summer Edu/Arteta will make the necessary additions to personnel you listed, and more.
With regard to tempo, it’s about pace. At times, at their best, Arsenal’s pace matched the best. Arteta was constantly urging the players to raise the tempo. But by the end the tank was empty. That won’t happen next season.
Moray/Mr Serge/Valentin Yeah pre 2000 the European club competitions were mainly 2 legged knock out affairs, where you could get Liverpool vs Real Madrid in round one. I would be very happy to see that return but it 99.9% never will. Now from 2024 each CL club will get 8 group stage games. It’s remains to be seen whether this will create much more excitement. I suspect not. I do recall the 2nd CL group stage and it was way too much. It only lasted 3 seasons I think. I’m in two minds about 2 legs. On one hand one… Read more »
englandsbest I don’t think Edu and Arteta will add players to the squad of the quality we are hoping for. I would be very pleasantly surprised if there are even two genuinely good signings. We are stuck with tier 2 and tier 3 players because of finances and the lack of CL football. It’s more likely we will see a fudge that will be sold as a step change in our quality, with jam to follow next year. Believers will lap it up and repeat it as a given truth and convince themselves the title will soon be ours. Realists… Read more »
Matt B
Maybe, just maybe, I have experience that you don’t know of.
Judging individual characters is an important part of life and it’s played a significant part in my own working environments for many many years.
If you think it’s arrogance on my part, so be it.
Cheers!
Matt B
Rather than point fingers at other posters for their passionate views, why not come out with your own opinions on Arsenal FC?
It’s not a kindergarten for goodness sake!
I don’t think Arteta is good enough, it’s that simple.
G62
But look at Arteta’s hair – stunning – step aside Cheryl Cole – Mikkel is in town – you know he’s worth it – maybe? or ??
Chris, I don’t think it’s snobbish to consider The Europa Conference by certain clubs as unworthy, not if top four ( CL places) is your primary objective. Outside of extra games for fringe and youth players the value of that competition for a club like Arsenal is just not there. Obviously it’s a new format without historical precedent, but I’d wager a bet no PL side that enters and wins that competition will ever place top four in the league. Had Tottenham stayed in it till the end it would’ve been us pipping them to top four and not the… Read more »
Actually “arrogance” is when you mock or insult other posters by highlighting that they know nothing about the game or the inner workings of the club and, because they do, they are more knowledgeable and up to date on things,
It is also when you persist in using reams of analytical data to cover your own tracks.
Yes, arrogance can be seen on many different levels.
Ask a Millwal fan how good Danny Ballard was last season . Answer- very good indeed, far too good for the Championship. So what about him? He’s a full international
Graham62
Always liked and respected, even when we disagreed. I always know where you stand on issues.
Keep fighting the good fight.
The removal of the away goals rule was a breath of fresh air and totally a step in the right direction. It makes the 2nd games much more exciting and with a much higher chance in reaching extra time and penalties. Knockout games are the best part of football and any game that goes beyond 90 mins promises additional drama. Fans live for this stuff and the memory of an epic game stays with them forever. With that being said, one leg games promise the same excitement but skipping the 1st game. One leg games is a spectacle where anything… Read more »
Bored of the whole Saliba thing. It’s just another stick to hit Arteta with. Hes gonna be with us next season. MO signing a new 1 year contract is fine. Ballard looks like he’s off, probably to championship side for around 4 million. Sell on fee should be included in negotiations. Hlozek, going to Leverkusen. Shame, as the kid has a bright future. Oshimen for 70 million is way too much. Anyone thinking that selling Gabriel or Tierney is a good idea at this stage. Get a grip. Trusty could be that back-up left CB, totally unproven at high level.… Read more »
InsideRight Agree again on the type of player Edu/Arteta ought to sign. But if it’s evident to you and me and most Arsenal fans, then I’d guess it’s evident to them. Indeed, your description fits most of last summer signings (Ben, Tomi, Aaron), the others not intended as first team picks. I disagree that Arsenal does not appeal to top tier players. Even at the lowest ebb, the most sought-after players signed. And right now, the Club is on an upward trend. On pace – the key ingredient – there were periods when the team matched the best. The speed… Read more »
Crimson
“MO signing a new 1 year contract is fine.”
No it’s not “fine”
Goings out result in players coming in.
Elneny staying for yet another season more than likely means we have Xhaka again for yet another season as well.
Average midfielders that have been here for years upon years now.
Graham62: We gambled on Arteta developing into a great coach, at the moment, he’s still a rookie coach, so its hardly surprising he’s made mistakes.
Will he learn from them? Hopefully yes, but if he doesn’t or we deteriorate, then he’ll be fired and rightly so.
I think he made some mistakes this season, but overall, we’ve improved and in my opinion we’ll get better next season…
And if the belief is we are going to get central midfielders in this summer regardless of extending Elneny then that would mean even less playing time than he had before. Are we are a charity to Elneny at this stage.
We don’t want the status quo for central midfield. We still need a shake-up in there.
“When I see people gloating about our “5 peachy goals” against Everton, it makes me realise just how far behind we have fallen in the pecking order. It reminds me of the Wenger mark 2 era” Graham, I get similar vibes too. I really don’t see this culture revelation under Arteta that so many keep talking about. Virtually every issue we had under Wenger II still remains and some have even worsened. Away record – Still a problem Capitulation under pressure – Still a problem Untimely injuries – Still a problem Contracts – Still a problem Transfers – Still a… Read more »
englandsbest – “I disagree that Arsenal does not appeal to top tier players. Even at the lowest ebb, the most sought-after players signed.”
Who were these most sought-after players that signed for us instead of other teams?
“On pace – the key ingredient – there were periods when the team matched the best. The speed of thought and action was dazzling.”
When were these periods?
Raptora “In the last seasons the stat goes as: season, big chances created, total goals, position in the stat 2017/18 – 81 BCC, 74 TG, 2nd 2018/19 – 72 BCC, 73 TG, 5th 2019/20 – 47 BCC, 56 TG, 12th 2020/21 – 45 BCC, 55 TG, 12th 2021/22 – 39 BCC, 61 TG, 17th” Now let’s see Season 2017/18 ..Ozil played 2164 minutes….81 big chance created …74 goals Season 2018/19….Ozil played 1742 minutes …72 big chance created …73 goals . Season 2019/20 …Ozil played 1449 minutes ..47 big chance created….56 goals 2020/21 …Ozil played zero minutes ….44 big chance created… Read more »
Pierre – well done – you managed to slip in Ozil. MO will never be at the same level as Ozil in his prime. He is too predictable Patino looks as if he may come close but in two years time will Arteta (if he is still here) drop MO in favour of Patino – no chance. In two years time the crab is also likely to still be playing for AFC.
Norg
Thank you , but of course it doesn’t mean i want Ozil back at Arsenal , what i would like is an adequate replacement…Eriksen fits the bill for me ,bring him in and watch us go from 17th for big chances created to top 3.
Pierre
Absolutely – Ozil checked out a few years ago. Eriksen knows how to find space and how to use it. A good teacher for Patino.
I actually think Elneny staying on a further one year contract most likely means Xhaka is going… perhaps to Roma. If we can get £12m for Xhaka, I think that’s good business especially if we put that money directly into a new contract for Saka or Saliba… or that elusive striker.
Ornstein has just reported hat Nketiah is expected to sign a new deal.
This is good news.Literally saving us millions.
Surely this means we can go monster on our two or three signings…? Personally I would love us to go and get some one really really big like an De Jong or a Gravenberch.
If we do, it would be transformative for our team and convince the likes of Saka that we mean business… when we say we are ambitious.
*someone
“Ornstein has just reported hat Nketiah is expected to sign a new deal.This is good news.Literally saving us millions”
It was absolutely crucial for us to keep Eddie
He scored 5 goals in 7 starts once he got his chance after Laca caught COVID.
It frees us money for one
Secondly, it’s unthinkable to start a season with two new strikers
i read Ode is right up there with chances created but low on assists cause chances obviously werent taken.. but so much more to come from him. Anyone who thinks he just makes sideway passes need to watch him again
Bissouma 1 year left on his contract, we have to get him.
Tielemans also has 1 year left.
Could get them both for 60M. They would transform our midfield.
Great news about Eddie. That should free up some money for other positions.
If a bid comes in for Tierney and we decide to cash in, I wouldn’t mind going for Gvardiol as replacement. Young, dynamic and physically strong. Similar to Tomi in that he can play CB too.
Samir,
I had no idea that Bissouma only had one year left. I’m also reading he’s on 25k/week – absolute peanuts. Shouldn’t take to much to turn his head.
Him and Tielemans would be an amazing piece of business. We’d go from a below average midfield to one of the strongest in the league.
Samir
For me Bissouma is a no brainer , would be 2 years too late.
Here is the link i posted a couple of years ago.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dk08Y8QVo-yE&ved=2ahUKEwiZ2bWpoPv3AhWKiVwKHWzvDYAQwqsBegQIAxAF&usg=AOvVaw2yYcWE41RN3RNML6wLeHs6
Getting Bissouma is a simple solution and Artea doesn’t do simple solutions
Pierre
Nice video, I didn’t know Bissouma was that good offensively too. What a player. Will be extremely angry if he goes to Spurs, Villa or Newcastle.
I read that Conte wants Bissouma and Spurs have already gone formal
I fear the powers that ne at Arsenal don’t want competition for certain players. It’s back-up that they want.
Bissouma is a spurs level player.