Writing about Arsenal post-season is really tough for the first few weeks. It’s like finishing a boxing match (I’ve never fought a boxing match). You’ve prepped, fought all the rounds, now it’s over (I probably got knocked out) and you have to work out what’s next.
Thankfully, this writer numbness is being perked up by some good news coming out the club.
Before we get to that, let’s talk about some weird news, Wolves are apparently planning legal action against Sau Paulo over the transfer of Marquinhos to Arsenal. Brazilian contracts and legal sounds like a minefield, I have no idea about the veracity of the rumour, but I do feel good that Wolves were looking at the player because that means there’s a good chance the player is talented.
The BIG news is that Eddie has signed a deal. Am I taking this news as a BIG W for the Le Grove platform? You’re damn right I am. This is a great bit of progress for many reasons. There are always a bunch of whingers that complain about strategic moves like this, but you have to be pragmatic about these things, and, as always, have a bit of vision.
Eddie is 22 years old, there are almost no strikers of that age in the Premier League. The one that was hot on the lips of everyone in January was Armando Broja of Chelsea. His record? 2300 minutes, 11 goals. Eddie played half the minutes and delivered 10 goals for the season. If his name was Ediano Nkeitiovic and he was playing in the Bosnian First Division and we’d just pinched him from Salzburg, fans would be running around losing their minds with excitement. Everyone is a Football Manager merchant these days, they prefer the unknown, and they miss absolute obvious talents that we have at the club.
Look at those percentiles. They are outrageous. These numbers were racked up after he’d been cast aside by Arteta all season. He could have dropped his level, he could have sulked like Nico, he could have taken a move to Germany or another Premier League club. But he didn’t, he took his chance, played really well, and proved the doubters wrong.
There’s some angst over the money, but that’s the cost of botching contracts. Here’s the thing, Eddie just wants to play, if he doesn’t get minutes, he’ll go somewhere else. £100k a week isn’t going to frighten anyone off. What I am interested to know is what the penny pinchers think is a fairer deal? £85k? £75k? Where are we going with a satisfactory number here?
The bigger picture for me is: where are else are we getting a striker of his caliber? At what expense?
Tammy Abraham, a striker we all mostly love, played 400 more minutes for Chelsea last season and managed 1 more Premier League goal than him and 1 more total over the season. He moved to Roma for £40m. There are two lessons here, firstly, get some perspective on what young strikers are capable of, secondly, the cost of finding a suitable replacement would be expensive, likely foreign, and likely come with a lot of risk. Remember, the mighty Patson Daka cost £23m and he delivered a massive 11 goals this season off double the minutes of Eddie. How many were begging to sign him last summer?
Finally, my last point, Gabriel Jesus is being heavily linked to us, he has scored 8 Premier League goals this season in 28 appearances, 4 of which came in one game… and the fans criticising the Eddie signing are cool with us dropping £55m on him? A striker that couldn’t break 10 Premier League goals in the most prolific chance creation machine in history seems like a red flag to me, but we’ll see. Eddie scored his Premier League goals off less xG, a much better goal per minutes ratio, in a depleted team, with an overall chance conversion rate 5% better. Our newly signed striker has also scored his 11 goals in second-string teams or first teams that have been heavily depleted. Jesus has 13 goals off more than double the minutes.
The message I’ve heard since last year about Eddie is he’s a top talent and if he were to leave us, we would regret it, because he will be 20 goal a season striker somewhere in the Premier League. Part of his draw in training is that he nearly always hits the target, a gift in a side that doesn’t do that enough in the league. Let’s see how that info pans out, regardless, I am very happy that we have secured his future, the kid deserves his deal.
OK, before we go, The Arsenal Opinion Podcast is going full-on business mode.
We’re going to be doing special content pieces throughout the summer, then next season, Patreon Members will get midweek previews.
There will also be special editorials from Johnny and Man Like Matt Kandela.
The reasons for going this direction is a fewfold. It’s expensive to run a podcast and it also takes a lot of time to make the work happen. I can’t keep asking people to do this Pro Bono, so any contribution you can make would be a contribution to the creator community. A lot of you asked me to do it, which is very kind of you.
If you can’t, do NOT worry, On The Whistle will be free all next season.
If you can, thank you kindly, it means a lot.
Below is the link to sign up to the Patreon. Then below that is our first summer podcast. We’ll get more refined with the summer work, it’s a bit weird podcasting without the adrenaline of a just-watched game. Enjoy!
We can only choose one of Nketiah and Jesus. We need a striker with a bigger physical presence. Though I m not sure who this giant is gonna be.
TR7
“No to Jesus and Eddie as I and many others have said before.”
I’m far from convinced about Eddie N still but as said there is so much talk now of Arsenal being the youngest team in the EPL so having such a player as Eddie N as first choice striker fits the blueprint pefectly.
I don’t think Bissouma is a good enough passer, TR7.
Tielemans would give us something we haven’t had in a long time.. I think would add a new dimension to our game… a big upgrade on Xhaka. I think we had him easy if we didn’t collapse on top 4. Now he’s probably looking for CL qualified alternatives..
Nigel
Most of the games we lose is not because of poor passing but because of getting physically dominated. Games against Spurs and Crystal Palace over the years are good examples to look at. I don’t think Bissouma’s poor passing is a big problem. Xhaka and Elneny getting outrun and out muscled is a major problem.
Naija+Soccer – Yes similar physical presence but the financials and desire of the player coming in should be factored in. Do we have enough for both the big target man and a new starting central midfielder, as well as the other 3/4 positions Arteta wants filled? Jesus has the technical quality, desire for the challenge and enough about himself to be a great option, unless the plan is to continually whip first time crosses into the box for the big man to get his head on.
Personally I think we need physicality in the team.
Bissouma would be a good addition and by the way his distribution is better than some think. Remember he plays for one of the better footballing teams in the PL.
I like the look of Nunez and think he could do a good job for us. But the more I’m seeing of Abraham and the way he has played at Roma, I think he would be an ideal signing. Heaven knows we need someone with pace (assuming we ever see line splitting passes from deep for him to run on to) and an ability to head the ball when getting in the box. I don’t think Jesus is right for us unless he’s happy to play wide.
No to Jesus, because with him in the squad we would have two strikers who offer the same thing: quick, shortish, predatory in the box type of strikers. Folarin Balogun can also do that, so let him be the understudy to Nkethia next season. We need a striker who will offer something different. Somebody who can play when we need a more physical, direct approach. A taller, bulkier striker, good with his back toward goal and who can beast CBs on crosses. Nkethia despite his bulk is rather good in the air when the delivery is quick and flat. He… Read more »
One of Arsenal’s main failings over the past fifteen years has been the lack of a physical presence.
It started after the invincibles and we even purchased defenders who could be bullied. It used to do my head in.
I always said if we could have purchased the likes of Chris Samba and Gary Cahill in their prime, we would have won the PL a few more times
Englandsworst
coming from someone who clearly has hemiagnosia and a touch of Aphantasia, especially when it comes to all things football-related, I’ll take your comments with an enormously large grain of salt…you’re like a little boy in short pants making his usual walk of shame to the kid’s table…stay in your lane lightweight
Zinchenko is a pretty good player. But he isn’t the best defensively. Plus he is a sort of player that you can use at CM or in attacking midfield too. But I would rather have a specialist left back to be honest. And City won’t let him go for a decent fee. They are looking at Cucurella and they need 2 left backs. So I don’t see him leaving. One of Jesus/Nunez, Tielemans, One of Gnabry(dreaming)/Raphinha/Diaby/Antony/Neto, Aouar ( 15 mil is the quoted price) One of Hickey/Olivera ir any good left back Turner That will be a window I would… Read more »
Bissouma would be amazing. We wouldn’t have to worry about Partey if we sign him. But the sexual assault charges haven’t gone away and it wouldn’t be a wise investment at this time though.
What sexual assault charges ?
Mr Serge
https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/04/06/brighton-and-hove-albion-footballer-remains-under-investigation-in-sex-attack-case/
He is innocent until proven guilty. But if he signs for us and he suddenly becomes guilty, that is 30 mil we would flush down the drain.
Eddie has huge potential, may reach the level of Andy Cole, even the heights of Ian Wright, but not right now. Which means that a high scoring front man is still on Edu/Arteta agenda. He may not be the fearsome big feller we expect. But I believe he will be topnotch and experienced. With Haaland’s arrival, there’s talk about Gabriel. But Man C has other fringe players like Sterling.
As long as Bissouma isn’t accused of sexually assault his cat.
Sterling?!!!?
No! No! No!
Habesha shocking keep well away from him then
Christopher Nkunku ? Yes please. Add him to Gnabry, Gakpo those kind of players that will generate goals and assists like its their life ambition.
Naija
Nkunku, now that would show intent….meanwhile back at the lowered expectation’s ranch we have our resident yokels already projecting that Eddie is well on his way to becoming the next Cole and/or Wright…I still find it difficult to believe that a “top-notch” Striker will be brought into the fold after we overpaid Eddie, as he simply must have been given playing time assurances, considering that was supposedly the main reason why he didn’t sign earlier
We are never getting nkunku or gnabry or gakpo just pipe dreams gone are the days we go out there and buy top young talent sadly
Ok Bobby lol
If we are offered Gundogan we should say yes. At 31 years, he still has around 2 years left in top form and is entering the last year of his contract with City. A player that can do everything, comes with elite class, mentality, workrate and standards. A central midfield of Partey and Gundogan sounds complete. Gundogan is what Ramsey would have been if he was properly coached. He’ll have to be treated carefully though. We’ll need to not overplay him so good old Xhaka will have his moments to shine. But Gundogan will give us the extra class we… Read more »
Raps not worried about his age ?
Pleased Eddie has signed but I would get used to underwhelming signings. We’re shopping in the second tier after missing CL. Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle, Liverpool and Man U all in the market for top players.
The Bard
There’s nothing wrong with shopping in the second tier, as long as you get the right sort of player.
Serge,
Looking around Europe watching the likes of Modric, Benzema, Ronaldo, Giroud, Zlatan, Thiago Silva and co, I’m probably missing a fair few who are still very useful to their teams, most of them are still winning big titles.
We’ll need some experience in this team and Gundogan would fit the bill wonderfully if City can do us a favor and give him for peanuts, it’s his last year there.
Eddie needs a physical presence to play off.
No to Jesus!
No to Sterling!
Yes to Vin Diesel!!
Gundogan is 5 years younger than Modric, and almost a year younger than Kroos. Title-winning midfielders. Same as Gundogan who won the title for City btw. If it wasn’t for him Pool would be on course for a quadruple.
Gundogan comes in only if Xhaka is sold which is very unlikely.
Anyone watch a lot of the French league and have the inside scoop on Cheick Doucoure? Looks like the profile we should be going after to partner and rotate with Partey.
Am I missing something here? Why would City get rid of Gundogan when he just won them the title and is still an excellent player?
Gundogan is pure class but at 31 he would jeopardize the repeat of us winning the league’s youngest squad trophy.
Lol Tom, that was immediately my first concern on hearing the rumour too.
Xhaka has like 2 years on him, those x2 years are invaluable to our ultimate mission.
”Jesus, Abraham, or Darwin Nunez. And if all of these fail I think we will go for Johnathan David.”
David would be so underwhelming, ugh. Has barely scored since Christmas in a poor French League and he is a poacher type.
I like Gundogan. Hes got the kind of fire and mentality that this team can borrow from. Ever stay for a very good Dortmund side and he’s only impressed me since he came into the EPL, playing for City.
Gundogan and Partey looks very good indeed. Also thats experience in midfield covered.
The Jonathan David boat has sailed in my opinion, since we sign/extended Eddie.
Gundogan rumor is hilarious tbh, why not sign Foden too while we are at it?
WengerEagle,
“Am I missing something here? Why would City get rid of Gundogan when he just won them the title and is still an excellent player ?”
Haha I thought so too when I saw his name brought up. I thought “Is Man City drunk or something ?”. He’s only 31. I see them extending him till 34/35 like Fernandinho.
But if they weren’t extending for whatever reason I’d be all over that Gun.
Gun would be excellent but again no chance
What’s with the gnabry rumours ??
A lot of noise that there was a good chance he’ll leave before his Aguero moment happened. Situation might have changed a bit afterwards, but with 1 year left on his contract everything is possible. Extension, Real Madrid, Bayern, Juve or why not us.
Wengerbeagle
“Am I missing something here? Why would City get rid of Gundogan when he just won them the title and is still an excellent player ”
They hired Rich as their external advisor for transfer strategy
Gundogan is >30 years
City are going to try for the youngest team in the league trophy next season
True story – Harry Kane played Jimmy Fallon in foosball on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last night. Harry won 2-0. One was an own goal by Jimmy. Tottenham’s 3rd highest scorer strikes again. You can’t make this up. 😂
Dissenter , ha ha
JJ, always knew Jimmy Fallon was shit at defending but don’t go believing the Legrove Tottenham were the luckiest team agenda too much now. They created third highest big chances in the league and when you do that , sometimes the defenders help you out when panicked. We, on the other hand , were way toward the bottom of the league in big chance created, and what’s even worse, we also allowed a shit ton of big chances ourselves having spent a fortune “improving “ the defense. As a matter of fact , Brighton’s defense after selling us their RR… Read more »
Big Chance Data for 21/22 PL season https://www.datawrapper.de/_/ezzeI/
Cheery comments from Tom, who would have thought?
It is May after all isn’t it Bob?
That’s where you’re supposed to look around and take stock if you’re serious about improving for the next season.
Of course that’s not your style obviously so keep sticking your head in the sand.
Making moves are you Tom, affecting change?
Just about the same amount as everyone else on here.
No No No Morata
Not picking on you Tom. Lots of misery on here recently. Much prefer a more positive outlook. Some on here are almost wallowing in negativity when there are certainly reasons to be optimistic. Apologies if I’m too much, having a go. Obviously nothing personal.
Bob I am positive just not as positive as positive Pete.
No apology needed Bob, we’re good.
You want positive? Ok. Get a couple quality attacking midfielders in and a striker, easier said than done, and I think we can make top four next season.
But that’s as far as I’m willing to take this whole positivity thing.
I’ll leave the title challenge in a not so distant future talk to the uber positive folk.
You try and do as well as you can, not easy to know how well the competition is going to do. The reality is Liverpool and City are two of the best teams in Europe right now so third a possibility. Chelsea’s new owners might want to make a splash so, dare I say it, 4th maybe a reasonable target. We have such obvious weaknesses that improvements in some respect should be straightforward.
76 pts next season, let’s see where that takes us.
why does the possibility of us sending Gabs and/or Partey to Juve and us ended up with Melo and Morata keep cropping up in the rumour mill…usually I would just chalk it up to the usual off-season speculative fodder coming from agents or unsubstantiated media sources, but this seems to have some traction, for some strange reason…if this were to happen even our insanely proactive PR army couldn’t spin these turd-level deals
Spurs are a worry with money to spend and Conte staying
Fuck Spurs
I am in agreement with you, Bob.
Who gives a shit about spurs
A team that has finished above us 6 seasons in a row. Can’t believe they tapped us this year as well… As painful as it is, we have to admit that they’ve dealt with changing Poch much better than we did changing Wenger. Still a banter club with no trophies but they also built an incredible stadium and we are not hearing much complaining of them for having no money. Also, when City came calling for Kane, everyone thought they are making a huge mistake by keeping an unhappy player, but they got UCL football because of that decision and… Read more »
Raptora
“built an incredible stadium and we are not hearing much complaining of them for having no money”
this is where the slow crawl towards mediocrity first reared it’s ugly head…still today the ramifications of the stadium ruse remains an albatross around our collective necks
When did Arsenal become “the banter club”?
Dare I say it was when we moved away from Highbury?
Surely not!.
the Vlahovic to Juve deal shows exactly how important tactics are for those who play up top, which is why he scored 20 in 24 for his old club and only 9 in 21 after moving to Turin…this is why we desperately need someone who can carve out their own chances…unfortunately, in light of the rather dire tactics on offer here, it will be incredibly difficult for us to lure a top drawer option to the Emirates…as for those who seem to suggest that our tactical goals moving forward are of the 4-3-3 City-like variety, good luck with that if… Read more »
“Gundogan is what Ramsey would have been if he was properly coached.”
Interesting comment by Raptora. I get it.
I’ve been thinking about some Ramsey attributes that this team badly needs.
Also, I loved the idea of Jesus when the rumours came out. I assume Arteta would see almost any Pep players fitting in to what he wants to build.
Though I could imagine it failing somehow. Your examples of former gunners and the wildly varying success prove that we never know.
Anybody know of the links to Gianluca Scamacca?
Not seen much of him myself looks a beast at 6 ft 5 pacey and seems to have a good touch. Friend of mine says he can play as a 10 as well as his preferred position as a striker, but his football opinions tend to be wacky so I take it with a pinch of salt.
Anybody watched sassuolo regularly and have a better insight?
with Eddie re-upped we simply must put the kibosh on the whole Jesus pursuit, as we can’t double-down on diminutive options up top, especially with the overabundance of crosses coming in from wide positions
Nice one Pedro, you certainly was banging the right drum. EDDIE KRUGER!! 😂 brilliant. I wasn’t convinced but it’s nice being proven wrong, another hale end don joins the party. The deal makes sense for everyone involved, no brainer, if he can sustain this level or raise it we’re laughing. Perfect 2nd striker to Abraham, the drum I was banging at the start of this season. Still gutted we couldn’t shift Laca, 4th would have been easy if we did in hindsight. Dunno why any team would say no to the talent level of Jesus especially as a discount is… Read more »
NEW POST
Graham, we’re not a banter club.
Good move to extend his contract as long as he is not first CF next season.
Come on Pedro, 100k a week for Eddie is an absolute joke!
Not worth the money.