So we’ve gone from being very sad at the lack of activity, to me and Johnny dropping a miserable Patreon about how anxious we were, TO ACTION!
Fabio Vieira is in for a medical today, the story around the silence of the deal is that he only wanted to play for Arsenal, despite interest from a host of other clubs. Kind of knocks the idea Europa League being an impediment on the head, right?
It’s also expected that Eddie Nkeitiah is going to sign a new deal, Fabrizio Romano saying it’s a 5 year offer, there was interest from Germany and England, and there are also strong rumours he’ll be our new #14. I like that because why the fuck not? He was treated poorly by Arteta last season and when he was asked to play because Lacazette picked up covid, he absolutely smashed his chance with goals and gut busting contributions. He has earned that new deal and if you don’t like it, keep quiet, because he will deliver next season. Most of the slander around him is because Premier League fans still can’t accept that it is really hard to make it as a young player in the hardest league in the world, especially as a striker. BIG season from him incoming.
A lot of the big papers are leading with the Gabriel Jesus deal. I doubted the move, I inadvertently slandered the good name of David Ornstein, and it appears the tallboy summer I had hoped for was NOT on the cards. So you know what I’m gonna do? Delete all the evidence that I ever suggested this rumour wasn’t right. The story is £50m, but I think that’s a hopeful fee from City. I reckon it’ll be lower, but who knows, hardly the best negotiators of fee, are we?
The Youri Tielemans deal is also looking like a goer. This one has been all over the training ground for a while, which means the players have been gassing like old ladies at a greasy spoon, and that means agents have probably been swapping rumours. You are going to look VERY foolish if you doubt his ability, just look at some of the bits he’s been doing for Belgium the past couple of weeks. He’s top talent, our Thiago, he will make us MUCH better.
I was asking a Technical Director about the Tielemanns move and what he thinks. He basically said he’s an exceptional passer, he’s great in tight spaces, and he reads the game well. I asked about the pace worry and he was adamant that you don’t need to speed to excel as a deep-lying midfielder or a box-to-box because you are rarely running at someone one v one. Teams pack out the midfield, you almost never get to stretch your legs and run, so the main attribute you need is the ability to operate in tight spaces and find passes for… the fast players out wide and up front. Add to that the dead ball abilities of the Belgian, it really is hard to understand why anyone would be criticizing the signing. Experience, pedigree, specialist skills, elite character… perfect.
If you assume we have about the same money as we did last season, net £130m, we can start to see how the summer is shaping up.
£130m
-£30m Vieira
-£40m Gabriel
-£25m Tielemans
-£35m full-back coverage
That’s a pretty decent summer that covers off goals, end product in the final 3rd with coverage of Saka and Odegaard, competition for Thomas Partey, and cover for Kieran Tierney.
Then factor in we have the best keeper in MLS giving competition for Aaron Ramsdale and we have Europe’s best young centre-back dropping into the squad… well, it’s hard to argue our summer hasn’t been needle-moving.
All of the players we’ve added give us high levels of technical ability throughout the squad. We’ve added depth, we’ve added new options we didn’t have before, and all the players come with character.
The Fabio Vieira signing just gets better by the minute. I wondered what his character was like, then heard he’d been made Portugal U21 captain, which is all I need to know. He was being kept out of the Porto side earlier in the season by Luis Dias, he was told he needed to add more aggression to his game, and now he’s a much more complete player.
Did I ask someone if this skinny lad could handle the Premier League bullies? Yes I did. Then someone showed me this video.
Fabio Vieira vs Liverpool. Liverpool dominated the match but the *new* Arsenal man still managed to impress.pic.twitter.com/cRwUN91mEI
— Hesh (@HeshComps) June 16, 2022
Reading the tea leaves, I wonder if Mikel Arteta has looked at his striking options, seen that they are not the biggest of players, and decided he needs a City-like player to unlock his forward line. Fabio Vieira looks VERY much like the sort of player Pep has been pulling out of Portugal for years.
I do love that so many people have been whining to me that they don’t see the Arsenal strategy, now we’re seeing the dust settle on what this window is trying to bring, how much clearer could it be?
We’re signing hungry young players, with extreme levels of technical prowess, and this window has added goals and final product.
Is it time to stop doubting the vision of Arteta and Edu? I think so. We seem to be moving out of the banter era at great speed now, so we should all be happy.
The fixtures rolled pretty well for Arsenal as well. Is that down to me? I asked my guy with a PHD in statistics and he said 100% yes.
There is no such thing as an easy run in the Premier League, but opening against Palace, in the summer, on a fresh pitch, with all our first team players ain’t the worst. We don’t play a top 4 challenger until we meet United away in early September. The best bit of news for our horror show of an October is that Manchester City play Liverpool 3 days before we meet them at home. You won’t get a better advantage than that.
Did I like that Arsenal.com printed who we were playing after our European games to make it easy for me? Yes I damn well did.
The Premier League matches we play immediately after the UEL group games are at home to Everton, Brentford away, Liverpool at home, Leeds United away, Nottingham Forest at home and away to Chelsea. These are all due to be moved back to the Sunday (or Monday if selected for live TV coverage).
Yes. We have two big teams after they’ve played BIG games in Europe with their first teams. Let’s hope Arteta leans into the squad so we have fresher players for those games. Can’t be having any of that Arsene Wenger mindset where he’d play Santi against Ludogorets in a game we’d win with a reserve team.
Not that I want to pump KSE too much. But they have got to the playoffs in basketball, they have won a Super Bowl, and now their hockey team is in the Stanley Cup Final. I think we need to give them some credit, they’ve gone from not giving a shit about winning, to being VERY successful. I like what they are doing at Arsenal. It takes a bit of time for truth to catch up with reality… but what is going on at Arsenal is very smart, more people are going to tune into that reality next season.
Finally, before I go, I tapped @ZachLowy, an expert on all things Portugal, for a quick download on our new signing. Check it out, subscribe to the channel, and join our Patreon if you’d like to. (Check out his excellent write-up on Fabio here).
Ishola Regarding Eddie, it’s down to Arteta to trust him. A large percentage of le groaners didn’t rate Eddie at all , now it’s about 70/30 in favour after his very good performances last season. They said he couldn’t do it in the premier league , they were wrong. They said he is only a tap in merchant…they were wrong They said he couldn’t link the play…they were wrong They said he wasn’t strong enough physically for the prem …they were wrong. They said he was lazy …they were wrong . They said he wasn’t mentally strong enough …they were… Read more »
Freddie L “Saw some stats yesterday and Tielemans was top 10 for tackles made in the prem last season.” It’s the old debate again though isn’t it stats vs the eye. Plenty have commented that they have seen Tielemans get bypassed and look a little lost when the opposition have the ball including myself. Were all these tackles clean, hard and excellently excuted on these stats or were some of them a bit airy fairy? Remember all tackles are included in the stats including ropey ones. For example I’ve seen Xhaka make tackles and quite a lot of them have… Read more »
Pierre
“If Eddie doesn’t score at least 20 goals next season I’ll be surprised, give him the service and he will do the business.”
Good to see you not sitting on the fence Pierre regarding Eddie N.
xhaka will new like a new signing when he gets out of prison for spot fixing.
Ish
I haven’t watched Leicester enough to be sure how good he is defensively. Won’t take much to improve on Xhaka though and he’s obviuoulsy much better in attack.
I’d prefer someone like Sangare in that position but whatever we do we need someone in there that is going to oust Xhaka so whoever that is I’m behind 100%.
I’ll have to admit I’m not that up on statistical analysis. What I can see is the lack of fluidity and ability to drive forward in our midfield last season.
Do what the opposition don’t want you to do – quick one/two touch passing, players who can receive the ball under pressure and drive forward with the ball, players who can see and make the progressive pass.
What the opposition is happy to face is slow build ups and predictability.
Without Partey in our CM, we are too predictable and unable to overcome tight marking easily.
Xhaka should be replaced!
Bob
“Do what the opposition don’t want you to do – quick one/two touch passing, players who can receive the ball under pressure and drive forward with the ball”
That’s always been the main criticism of Xhaka along with his suspect defending.
His incapability to play fluid pass and move football between his team mates.
Sotongunner – the way I’m reading it , could be the ref is in trouble . It takes two to book a player , the players failure to adhere to a rule and the refs decision. If the ref is intent to book a player he’s in a very strong position to help a betting ring. Of course no suggestion of guilt or otherwise until process is completed
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10926423/amp/Raiola-told-Fergie-chihuahua-not-walk-grass-training-centre-2012-meeting.html?ico=amp_articleRelated_with_images
Had sir Alex mentored Pogba for his first few years as a senior pro around the likes of scholes Giggs Rio evra and the rest, Pogba would now be the greatest midfielder in the world
Roila ruined his career and turned it into money and publicity over focus and dedication. All the talent but sadly he became a massive prick which was encouraged by his entourage. People like this are killing the game and prioritising it as a multi million dollar business over being a sport.
Raiola*
Ishola70
I wouldn’t say Gabriel is particularly aggressive. White, Martinez make a lot more interceptions. Gabriel is more clumsy than anything. And he’s not as dominant in the air as people think. And on the ball I find him shaky. I wouldn’t have a problem if those Juventus rumours were true.
I keep seeing this talk of replacements Vieira is replacing xakha or he’s replacing Pepe I think we need to see this as much more fluid than round pegs in round holes Look at city. Their players have a starting position and a defensive zone. But they are interchangeable. Same with Liverpool. First they learn their own job/task comprehensively, then they begin to Lear their team mate’s roles and instructions comprehensively. It then becomes muscle memory. And then it becomes fluid and interchangeable Kdb foden and B silva all drop and move and change along with Jesus and Sterling and… Read more »
GbatJune 18, 2022 09:46:30 Ishola70I wouldn’t say Gabriel is particularly aggressive. White, Martinez make a lot more interceptions. Gabriel is more clumsy than anything. And he’s not as dominant in the air as people think. And on the ball I find him shaky. I wouldn’t have a problem if those Juventus rumours were true. Gbat Finally!! Someone who sees and admits the realty of Gabriel I’d be fairly happy with him going to juve and Martinez coming in as primary left centre half Everyone saying this spells the end of Holding. Arteta clearly trusts holding. He’s got rid of 5-6… Read more »
Gbat
“I wouldn’t say Gabriel is particularly aggressive.”
For me he commits himself too early a few too many times in challenges.
This can look clumsy but would also fall into the over aggressive category for me.
It’s also about him being able to read the game better. Know when to come in on opponents and knowing when to hold or back off slightly.
Sokratis
Mustafi
Mari
Chambers
Mavropanos
Saliba
Holding still there and still playing well (spurs game aside)
Ishola
You too? Good man. I don’t understand why so many le groaners fail to admit this man’s faults. He does dive in but for me that’s not the biggest issue, it’s concentration. He ball watches in the box and let’s players run off him, just enough to get a yard and a vital touch. Usually with crosses, low and high. He just watches the ball and forgets his marker. By the time he’s checked his man, he’s gone and got across him
Ishola, It’s called pragmatism. For where we’re at, Eddie makes a fine backup striker. However, I like Arteta, have aspirations to challenge for the PL and the CL. That’s going to require two absolutely banging strikers. However, we don’t currently have the status or the budget to make that happen whilst filling all the other gaps in our squad. If we have a cracking summer, then we can compete for 3rd next season and will have a good shot at Europa and the two domestic cups. However, to get to truly elite levels, we will then need to assess next… Read more »
John Terry said whe he was a trainee Zola used to take him out and practice the art of staying on your feet. That’s how they teach young defenders in Italy. Never dive in. Terry still to this day believes it is the most important bit of key advice he’s ever had or could give a young defender
Zola would run at him and run at him over and over until it was habit. We are talking about a legend and a teenager here too. Good man Zola. This club could do with a bit of that.
Un
“That’s how they teach young defenders in Italy. Never dive in”
Yup. And I’ve seen Gabriel dive in too many times but of course some like that aspect in a defender but in the long run it spells trouble.
We had the same situation with Vermaelen. Fans loved him. Action man. Diving in. When it came off it looked marvellous but he was causing as much chaos in the overall defence with his diving in then looking great when it came off for him.
Ish
The art of defending is severely underrated in this country at the minute, actually the world. Italy continues its conveyor belt of top drawer centre backs though.
If Rob Holding had a bit more pace he’d be absolutely brilliant. He’d be perfect for Italian football.
On Gabriel though, yes I agree, I’ve seen 2 seasons now and I’m thinking he’s not the right ma for the job as left centre back. Far too many faults in his game.
Ishola70
I’m not a big fan of Gabriel. He just doesn’t fill me with confidence. And with the direction we look to be moving in, I think his technical deficiencies will see him replaced as first choice.
I really like the type of player we’ve been linked with. We’ve been really lacking in technical players who will help us dominate the ball.
“Italy continues its conveyor belt of top drawer centre backs though.”
Yes and it used to be also Argentine and Uruguayan defenders in the past that also had the pedigree for good defending.
Colombian defenders for example are over-rated. They rely too much on the physical. Brawn without the brain a lot of the time. That Colombian defender Spurs signed Sanchez set them back all said and done. Physical and not a lot more about him. They dropped him and it saw the team improve coincidentally.
Gabriel is one of our better players and I’d take him ahead of the Rolls Royce defender. Saliba is kinda passive still, similar to White really, and in a way Gabriel might perfectly balance it out with his more physical approach as neither White or Saliba is as physical as Gabriel. Gabriel finished the season with 5 goals, 5th place in the team, wanna know how many goals the RR defender scored? Yeah, you got that right – zilch. I do believe that we can do better than Gabriel but before we touch him, the overall quality of the team… Read more »
You talk too much rap. Get a life
As much as I rate the defensive work in a CB ahead of their goal scoring skills, Gabriel scored the winning goals vs Wolves, West Ham and Leicester. 9 pts right there. We can’t act like it didn’t happen. It’s quite massive and should be taken into consideration when rating players. Like we can’t say how unhappy we are with him and we should sell him then not say a word about the RR defender who has provided neither the passes of David Luiz we were promised, or the dribbles to open up the opponent’s midfield, or the goals that… Read more »
Un, I understand your criticism of Gabriel when you worry about his over commitment on occasions.In his defence, I would say that he did look a good CB for a lot of the season and I don’t think it was a coincidence that his effectiveness appeared to suffer when Tierney was injured. He couldn’t trust Nuno T. He’s still relatively young, his best years are surely ahead of him and Brazil seem to think he’s half decent too. Would I be wrong in thinking you’d prefer to see Holding ahead of him in the line up? If so, do you… Read more »
With Arsenal you don’t need vision ,you need a coach who has the ability to
form a team that plays simple football (Brighton ) and scores goals .
I’m afraid the problem is Arteta and you are going to have the same
inconsistencies next year !!
DivineSherlock, Again you’re making little sense except adopting a sheepish mentality. “Oh I trust the club and the propaganda, so they must know what they’re doing.” Smh. This is almost as bad “Arsene Knows” or “If Comrade Napoleon says so then it must be right.” At the conclusion of last season no one in their right mind would’ve said investing 30 mill in an unproven fledgling show pony would’ve been wiser than signing a proven midfield enforcer like Bissouma for less than that amount. To think we paid double for Ben White than Bissouma who was key to Brighton’s success… Read more »
GD4 ‘This kid is nothing more than a Portuguese Lokonga’ – a young player with loads of upside? Are you writing Lokonga off are you willing to give a young player from the Belgian league a little more time to adjust and prove himself in the PL? We can’t afford to buy too many players of the quality that we’re after, who are ready to take a first team place immediately. Viera looks like he’s got quick feet, can turn on sixpence and has a great eye for a pass. Of the clips I’ve seen, his sub appearance and effectiveness… Read more »
I’m so glad GD4 isn’t our manager!
Bob I rate holding as a much better out and out defender but he’s not suited to a high line ;as the spurs game demonstrated) unless he’s in a back 3 or has a capable right back (so he’s protected) If we are going to be playing most of our football in the opposing half then holding is not the man who should start. However Arteta’s arsenal us usually retreats into our box immediately after going ahead so as things stand, yeah I’d play holding Saliba nd white over Gabriel if this trend is to continue. Let’s see how Gabriel… Read more »
Tielemans will not be signing a new 1 year contract with Leicester makes no sense for him he either moves somewhere during the window or he goes for a small fee in Jan or a Bosman. Last few days shows again some transfers are agent/player leaked to media but some like the Vierira and Bissouma deals they are done quickly with no links. Any top 6 club in England and now Newcastle as well will be linked with hundreds of players it’s mostly clickbait and the added caveat of a ‘battle’ between clubs for a player normally rival clubs as… Read more »
I would think Tielemans looks more and more interesting if Xhaka is involved in some naughtiness.
I’ve just looked that Vitinha up on youtube (never heard of him before), holy shit, he is very Santi. I think I wanna have his babies…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCOTuF8DRHs
Didn’t we already sign marguenhos? Isn’t he a forward?
So we have nketiah and him along with another FW for the ST role.
Should we maybe go for a player who is good in the air with decent footwork? Someone in the mold of DCL (not exactly him).
Un, fair take on CBs. Holding is your man if the opposition are desperately lobbing balls into our own penalty box in the last 10 mins or so. I question whether it is worthwhile for Holding or for Arsenal to keep him simply for that role? I accept he comes across as a decent pro and is in the leadership group in the squad.
Gonsterous, Marquinhos is not a CF. As a 19 year old fresh to PL, it’s unlikely that he’ll get too many minutes in the PL, maybe a sub in EL as a RW. Dare I say it a succession option if/when Saka gets bought for loads!
Vitinha could become a superstar. Has all the ingredients. We’ll see how he does at PSG cause that deal is happening very soon.
Just saw that Rabiot wants to leave Juve and has 1 year left on his contract. I’m down!
Bob
He’s meant to be a great personality around he club
Everyone loves him and he keeps spirits high
Never complains and does his thing
Pretty underrated qualities in the modern game
If I were him I’d be thinking of Italy
I bet he’d do well there
Have you seen his Mrs too? Oh my god….. lovely
Even if this new Vieira turns out to be rubbish, it will be almost worth the 30mill for the song for the fans.
Un, in Italy do they lob the ball into the box much, don’t watch much Italian football?
Arsenal would get a much better fee for Holding if we sold him to another PL club. An Italian team would want him on loan!
Fuck Rabiot
We need to be doing better than that
WW that guy looks unbelievable, why have haven’t we signed, we always seem to sign the poor relation
Bob
They defend deeper in Italy and play on the counter
Holding is like a fish in water In and around the penalty area. Fish up a tree when you get him in a high line
Gets a nose bleed at the half way line
Bob
Yeah I’m saying if I were him that’s where I’d go. His style would suit their game and he gets to live in Italy, eating that food, drinking that wine, living that culture and enjoying the sunshine
There was an interesting line in the The Athletic’s latest Arsenal transfer round-up (£), in which we’re linked with Ajax’s Argentinian defender Lisandro Martinez:
Signing him [Vieira] does not necessarily mean Arsenal will stop chasing other targets, or that Vieira’s arrival replaces others in their sights, such as Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus or Lisandro Martinez. Rather, they are keen to press on. The plan, ideally, is to recruit them all.
🤔
No mention of Tielemans.
Un, you’re definitely projecting, Holding’s from up North!
Eddie signing is official on Arsenal.com, wears the #14 shirt.
Why oh why would Vitinha go to PSG? 🤦🏻♂️
Scum club. Why not go somewhere he will showcase his talent? Somewhere with prestige. Barca, the Milan clubs, arsenal, Liverpool, United. Dortmund or Bayern.
Psg disgusts me.
Bob
Hahah yeah I make no secret that it’s what I would do in his shoes but hey, I’m sure they do chips with gravy somewhere in Italy
That’s good news with Eddie, but does nobody else think we need a bit of height in there, reminds me a bit of a Wenger team that always got bullied
I do like Italy
Never understood why French food is considered superior. Always found French food hugely disappointing but Italy? Never. Except their steaks are a bit raw for my taste. Not that I’m Gordon Ramsey or anything
Double
The wenger teams with Adebayor, Giroud, Rvp,, Kanu, Bergkamp and Henry? Midgets they were
Cesc ready to start coaching
Get him in. Give him a start. What h could teach Odegaard and ESR and vieira
Next level
Double double
There’s no doubt that vitinha is the sexier player, but I’m not sure calling someone with a goal contribution every 66 minutes a ‘poor relation’ is particularly fair! Our boy also got player of the tournament at euros ahead of Vitinha. Maybe its like Xavi and Iniesta. Xavi was far more eye-catching, but was he really better than Iniesta, or was it that they were just different, and both were equally of value?
WW
In Pedro podcast the guy said Vitinha is considered the Xavi to vieira’s iniesta in playing style.
Portugal have some fucking serious players coming through for this generation
Siddeeq
What like fly burgers or sheeps eyes or rotting fish?
Na
All of us are concerned about the lack of height issue upfront – all those high balls in, and nobody tall enough to reach them. But maybe the days of the Andy Carrolls and Grays of this world are over, the offside rules have changed. And let’s not forget that with corners and free kicks tall defenders can be moved up front.
But I guess I’m old-fashioned. My preference is still two fast wing men crossing to a big CF who rarely misses.
Good quality fish and chips is a delight!
WW I always thought Iniesta was more spectacular than Xavi.
Bob
So did I. More eye catching
Xavi was the conductor. He would just pop pop pop pop pop pop balls around, knit it together then iniesta and Messi would spring the trap
Ideally there would be a Plan A CF and also a Plan B. Trouble was when Giroud was with us he was always Plan A!
Jesús does score with his head although we are slightly dependent on Gabriel and TT to provide height at set pieces- where we incidentally had a good season.
More goals from crosses are scored with the feet than the head anyway( I’m guessing!) so mobility and anticipation as well as clinical finishing are more important than height.
but does nobody else think we need a bit of height in there
–
Hence why I’m not feeling the Jesus thang…
Un, I remember watching Barcelona at their peak at the Emirates, it was wonderful to watch. I seem to remember a first half where my mates and I were shaking our heads in awe of their football- Almunia had a half which made him look like a world beater.
Bob
They were legitimately the best footballing team of all time.
Wenger’s arsenal no2
TLTIDB, I understand your feelings about height in a CF but height doesn’t trump, technique, speed, work rate, finishing. If there was a CF who has all the attributes we need and is tall and is willing to come to us then sign him up by all means.
Jesus, PL experience, technique, work rate, finishing at a price that appears value £40-45m and who has worked with Arteta happily already ticks a load of boxes! I’d be delighted if we sign him.
…. and it is official #14 Nketia, stand up for recognition Lad….. wishing you success in red and white
Un, not surehow old you are but I also have a soft spot for the AC Milan 88-94 teams – Van Basten, Rijkaard, Gullit, Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, Rossi etc were wonderful to watch as well.
Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!
Bobn16 I with you on that Milan side. Get Baresi on the coaching team !!! What a defender and player.
TheBard, Baresi – what a footballer. Not sure how many Italians want to move to England, or Arsenal!
Rabiot you say Rap……has he finally grown up? not tied to Momma’s apron again? Tets spent a lot of his braincells in getting short of shady characters, he is not going to buy one for company now, not likely……I like this team..nah I love this team… don’t want any primadonna to disturb the silent chemistry brewing…. let get in Martinez, Viera , Gabriel J( though I prefer that Salamanca guy)and possibly Tielemans….then we gonna explode this season
Wicked willy
Or even Cazorla and Cesc. Xavi and Iniesta were preferred over them but you wouldn’t call them ‘poor relations’.
It’s whether a player got it or not and Fabio looks like he got it. Only 22 years old too I love it.
That Milan side was the one that really turned me onto the Beautiful Game. I was a committed Arsenal fan, but that team totally took my breath away, and Van Basten was next level. I can’t even begin to imagine how good he would have been if his ankles had held up. When Martinelli made his debut in the League Cup I thought I was seeing the Second Coming of Marco, but alas, I’ve had to revise my hopes somewhat! Baresi remains to this day my favourite ever Centre Back. He was so head and shoulders above everyone else it… Read more »
Raptora
Rabiot just never really arrived thats the bottom line so far. It almost feel as though he’s been replaced by Guendozi hahaha
Wicked Willy surely one would be on a pin to choose between Xavi and Iniesta….. what I know is,am already in love with this young Viera….16assists while playing 27 games is surely top drawer. Vintinho is good so is our boy…..if we’d gotten in vintinho,I betcha someone would be brandishing Viera’s video, saying he is a better buy.
I won’t celebrate the transfers yet….let Edu earn his stripes and I will surely pay for all the barbecues he can hold…..I sure like the coincise planning behind our transfers
AFC Members can leave a voice message for Eddie following his new contract. Let’s hope that Pierre doesn’t leave anything too X-rated and embarrass the lad!
Midfield not quite conplete without some height that could win us some air duels.
Similarly, no much height in the striker department so who would meet Fabio’s crosses that look pretty good in YT clips?
Talking of height, Franco Baresi 5ft 9…..just saying!
Un, I agree those teams weren’t vertically challenged, but the later ones would need a ladder for the higher apples so to speak.
WW, have to agree with Bob I always thought Iniesta was the one. Kante and Drinkwater!
Double
You’re comparing Xavi with Drinkwater?! Brilliant…
Mulerise
I’ll pay for some shrimps to go on the BBQ if it comes off 🙂
Bob
Really? That is a staggering fact. Anyone saying Lisandro is too short can put that in their pipe and smoke it then!
WW, not saying that Martinez has the ability of Baresi but I would match him up with a tall CB- Saliba and having TT at RB gives us enough height for set pieces. White and Martinez would be a ‘ no’ from me.
The way Martinez can hit long balls would compensate for one of Xhaka’s strengths if he were to leave.! Having said that if I was a betting man I’d suggest that he’d play more often at LB. Much as I like a fit KT, how likely is it that he’s fit for 3/4 of our matches?
Eddy no 14 shirt?
Disgraceful.
Eddie getting 14 is perhaps the most embarrassing event in the clubs history. And given our history, that’s saying something. Absolutely digrace. Anyone who thinks this guy is talented clearly should stop watching football. Just shows the level that the club has dropped too. Even the so the called fans are under this mediocre spell. Unfuckingbelievable.
WW haha it was tongue in cheek, but if you’re happy for Kanté as Iniesta need I say more.
I read somewhere Xhaka maybe caught up in a betting scam……., s o you never know we might be losing him
Spanish Dave and Jonko – are you seriously that bothered that Eddie has got the No14 shirt? We’re not in USA – we don’t retire shirts. I’d like to think Eddie will be inspired to follow an undoubted hero of his. On the shoulders of giants and all that. If you think it’s somehow disrespectful I think you’d be in the minority. It’ll be Nketiah on his shirt not Henry after all. Personally I think Nketiah made serious progress last year and if that trajectory continues he’ll be a top player. ‘ Most embarrassing event in the club’s history’. –… Read more »
Rob Holdings shite btw. Surely gone this summer and about time
Jonko
Well said
Bob N16 agreed re nketiah. dont know all why the bother.
its not like Henry showed deference reapect when he buggered off to Barca. As for nketiah good luck to the kid. he showed whats he made of at the end of the season doing what he was meant to eg score goals.
“Personally I think Nketiah made serious progress last year and if that trajectory continues he’ll be a top player.” That right there is the problem. Arsenals fans and club have gone soft and resigned to mediocrity. A few good games is considered “serious” progress which is enough to warrant a life changing contract. But only life changing for the player, not the club. I seriously want to ask the Eddie supporters – What is that inspires you about his game? His touches are poor His dribbling is bang mediocre He can’t score headers No agression Average at link up play… Read more »
So wot was it all about with Eddie? Arteta wanted him and he wanted to stay. For that reason alone it was odds-on that he WOULD stay. More money? More minutes? Nah, Eddie is much too laid back. His agent making a nuisance of himself. More likely. And why not? Eddie is exceptional, with a rare talent, an innate knack for scoring goals, the most valued asset in pro football.
Who needs Haaland?
Pierre rates him so that says it all
Agreed, I like Nketiah, I hope we don’t sign someone to similar that blocks his way. He reminds me of a young Wrighty, has that knack for finding a goal out of nothing. I hope he goes on to be as prolific, whether it be in the 14 shirt or 114
Who cares about the #14? Theo took it, and had all the problems that Jonko is moaning about. Henry is a club legend, but I’m not sure his career merits the club being on top toes about his numbers especially not 15 years after he left.
And if it inspired the lad to step up, in the same way the 10 seems to have inspired ESR to bang the goals in, I’m all for it!
Talk about first world grievances…
Jenko, interesting how supporters can have such a different take on a player. It’s not that Nketiah is supposed to be our first choice CB. He has made real strides. He only got a starting run at the end f the season and took his chance. He has decent pace, work rate, his touch is fine, combines well with his team mates and really has that striker’s sniff for goal. To find an equivalent replacement who would need time to assimilate into the team. If we decide to sell him in 2/3 years we will make serious money on a… Read more »
Bob doubt he will win many in the air playing CB 😉
Have to say Jonko, Ode does not inspire me, there is something about him, everyone says he’s quick, but he always strikes me as slow and never seems to win a tackle. I think if that Vieira is all that he’ll probably lose his place.
An equivalent would have cost £20 m +