We’re really in the thick of things right now, there’s cash in the water and MEGA agents, clubs, and players can taste it.
The latest move that seems to have caught fire with the big rumour monsters is Raphinha to Arsenal. The story follows a familiar one with Barcelona, they tap a player for months, then when it comes to payment, they plead poverty and hope no one else goes in for the name… no one goes in for player because they are fixated on moving to one place, Barca get a fat discount, the end.
Well, Leeds aren’t about that dynamic, Barcelona aren’t what they once were, and now Arsenal are at the trough with a very serious cheque and look on their face.
It all feels like stepping up to the table for Dusan Vlahovic. Commendable, but unrealistic.
I have absolutely no idea though, my gut says that it seems like quite a mad thing to do considering where we are as a club. This is the sort of move City or Chelsea make. Unless there’s a really big plan, I’m not sure that putting £60m on a right-winger is exactly what we need. We’ve just signed Vieira, Bukayo Saka is the Starboy, and Odegaard can also do bits out there.
If you are spending that much as a Europa League side, you are going to play that person every week. Do we see a world where that happens with Raphinha?
I have no idea. This has the hallmarks of Wenger needing to address a really important defensive issue, then dropping £25m on his 9th #10. Standards merchants will say you need two top-quality players in every position, and sure, I can vibe with that, but you need to address the things that broke you the season prior first. Chance creation from the right doesn’t need £60m right now.
I’ve lived in the transfer desert for 10 years before, so I’ll never look away from a top-quality 25-year-old Brazilian… but it would be a little bit at odds with the mission this summer. It would also make us a Champions League squad a year early, no doubt about that, because he really is top, top talent.
This rumour works for Leeds, it works for the player, and it might work for Arsenal who will no doubt be desperate to make sure we have as many of our targets in the building by June 28th when preseason starts. Leicester is dragging their feet, City seems to be doing the same on Jesus… the fear of seeing our cash go somewhere else might see more people pick up the phone, because there’s not a huge amount of cash going around this summer.
The Lisandro Martinez story is trying to find the next level now and United has entered the picture. Again, in moments like these, you have to ask where the story is coming from. It reads like it’s mostly a Dutch rumour right now and that could mean Ajax is a little pissed at the low fee and now they want to invite bigger clubs into the mixer. It could also be that United have a terrible mix of players in their squad and Ten Haag is a big fan of a very good player.
This is why Arsenal need to move in the shadows when they can, we’re not the biggest pig at the feeding trough, so we have to wait our turn for players.
The one thing you can be confident of is that Mikel Arteta is a very good salesman. He’ll have an extremely structured plan of how he wants the player to operate, he’ll probably have some sort of presentation ready for the agent, and he is selling a vision of competing for the league next season. United has the finances to deliver something big far quicker, they have more money than us, but really… would you trust that club with your career? It’s ruined so many names.
For me, the Arsenal brief is still very clear:
- Left-back
- Centre midfielder
- Striker
- Wide player
If we land those four players, plus the already done upgrades to our back-up keeper, and centre back… we’re cooking next season.
People keep pointing to midfield being an issue, but as it stands, I think Sambi, Xhaka, Partey, Elneny, and Tielemans gives us more than enough depth. It’s clear that there’s a new role for Odegaard coming at some point as well. I am actually very excited about Lokonga, fans wrote him off so quickly, but that kid has Vincent Kompany rummaging around in his phone book trying to contact Pep and Arteta because he loves the player so much. He has pedigree, he’s barely 22 years old, and I think he will step up when he’s given more minutes in the same way Eddie did.
There’s a video doing the rounds of Brazil expert Tim Vickery saying that Gabriel Jesus has been in an identity crisis for four years, basically, since he went to a World Cup as a striker and didn’t score any goals. I’m not too worried about this, the angle of the content was basically, ‘Arsenal should check they know what they are buying’, and I think it’s pretty clear that no club in the world is better positioned to know about Jesus than Arsenal.
This stats card kind of Men In Black’d my memory of slagging off small strikers.
When starting, he has 76 goal contributions in 99 games.
That is top tier.
We’re not trying to win the league next season, we’re trying to make top 4, those sort of numbers in our forward line are literally going to be the 10 points we need on their own.
Do I still believe in tall boys? I do. Arsenal might need to adjust that when we move to the next level, but right now, we just need more goals from the person paid to score them. I think Eddie and Jesus give far more end product than the old boys Lacazette and Auba.
Finally, before I go, I just want to leave the below graphic in place. I had some friends that said hiring a PHD level statistics person to go through Arsenal’s fixtures was a mad move. They said you can’t influence fixtures. They told me to get back in my box. One even said you can’t call out a 3% chance roll of the dice.
Well, I present the below with no comment other than: ‘I am 100% responsible for the good fixture list we have’ and you know what, you’re all going to have to eat the W with me.
Tastes good right?
But remember who put that tasty W on the table.
I did it for the community and the most beautiful thing about that tweet thread I posted had over 180,000 engagements and it was mostly carried around the world by… Spurs fans.
What is that?
You want to contribute to our Patreon because of the good work I did with the stats PHD person?
Why thank you. Below is the link to our exclusive work AND we’ve put out a transfer window special podcast. It was the most-watched show we’ve had live, which was pretty cool.
Just be warned, I’m calling in Ws on that show, so brace for impact.
Absolutely nothing wrong with having quality players. Webber had cazorla but still bought ozil. It was the same with Pires, hleb, rosicky fab nasri arshavin etc. We also need game chargers from the bench especially attacking ones. Not getting a midfielder is going to be foolish but we need quality attacking options too. Jota outscored marti and esr and he was heavily rotated too. Even with esr at 10 we weren’t scoring that much goals. We went from having ozil sanchez giroud wally pdolski caz etc who were highly productive to having saka with 12 goals as our highest scorer
Wenger not webber
A lot of folks are talking about the need for a CM. In my view we need to be getting another DM because it’s clear Partey is prone to injury and needs proper cover. Plus having a DM enables us to flex the line up to give a better screen for the defence.
Without that additional cover in the deep lying position, it feels like the team could be a bit top heavy with lots of attacking options and possible variations, but a significant weakness behind them. Even a CM with a strong DM bias would be a help.
*for world class fee…
Siq
We lost games because the ball wasn’t be progressed to our attackers. Partey is one of the best at finding angles,dribbling and progressing the ball at speed. In form nobody is as good as him in the epl imo so yes we missed him.
“A lot of folks are talking about the need for a CM. In my view we need to be getting another DM because it’s clear Partey is prone to injury and needs proper cover. Plus having a DM enables us to flex the line up to give a better screen for the defence.”
Inside Paulinha Sporting was the man but I think Wolves or Fulham are going for him now. Proper DM
Un
But it isn’t just Arteta that benched him. Emery also thought the same. Even Ljungberg benched him with his short stint. He is made for a counter attacking team geared towards him. He struggles in a low block. Wenger could have gotten more out of him sure but not everyone is Wenger.
Raphinha can play on any team though. And Leeds aren’t geared towards him. Bamford was available for a long time. Harrison was playing on the left too. Bielsa played a high press with everyone.
Will Thanks for the response, will just say that i have been crusified on le grove for defending Arsenal, namely Wenger, Ozil , Eddie but have stuck to the courage of my convictions despite the abuse i received…water off a ducks back for me. Sometimes , these days i encourage a reaction by slipping in wenger, Ozil, Odegaard or Ramsdale into the conversation as it livens things up a little.. Will also point out that pedro was anything but positive towards Wenger and that’s what brought me to this blog as i was Sometimes a lone voice in defending wenger,… Read more »
Nice one Pierre! Love the term Le Groaners 🙂 I’ve only been on this board for a season or so, so don’t have those things colouring my view. And fair play for sticking to your guns on certain things, and I agree we should call Pedro out when something feels really way out, as he benefits as a communicator when done right. And fair play on Eddie, I thought he had a rocking pre-seaoson, but then looked out of his depth and disinterested until his April turnaround. It is a great lesson in giving young players time, and of course,… Read more »
Arteta needs to have the team ready for the new season, even without covid our preparation last season was shambolic .
We have the perfect opportunity with a favourable fixture list to hit the ground running which will take the pressure off the players and manager..
Agreed. I do want a RW who can give saka the rest he needs to be able parachute in for the 3rd/4th game of the season.
Otherwise, really want Jesus and Tielemans in the starting XI and as fully integrated as can be.
The rest I think we can be more patient with.
WW, really enjoyed reading your post. It’s always great to read something that reflects one’s own views but is written in such an erudite way that feels beyond my own capabilities. In other words you’ve written about how I feel in a way that makes it even clearer to me! Just been listening to James McNicholas on an Arsecast who thinks Tielemans is still a possibility but if we sign Martinez, having already signed Viera, it’s possible that by having a TT type player at RB it would give us more freedom to play a number 8 like Viera alongside… Read more »
Pierre
I recall when you and me were lone voices on here begging Arteta to play Eddie. Well, eventually he did – though not because of our pleas. We can only guess at why he didn’t play him sooner and oftener – there may be underlying reasons of which we are unaware. Therefore no triumphalism.
What we should look for now is that Eddie is the ace goalscorer we believe him to be.
.
Maybe Arteta should analyse which players make good substitutes and which players are poor and utilise them accordingly.
Offensively , Eddie showed very little as a substitute, smith rowe came on and made an impact..
Martinelli had some good moments as substitute , whereas pepe struggled a lot of the time..
Put the players on who will make a difference instead of continually putting a player like Eddie on who made no impact.
Englandbest
Eddie is ready to lead the line and I’m convinced he will flourish
Great piece Willy .Sums up the thoughts on this blog by many of us.You may not have been aware of this group of individuals with their obsessive hatred of Arteta & endless negativity but they are known as the infamous “ Bedwetters” .whereas those of a more positive persuasion are labelled as “ fanboys” lol!This has been going on since Artetas appointment & truth be told won’t be resolved until he’s either won the EPL/ Champions league or sacked.
Inside right
I enjoy opposing views but what I’m seeing is people deliberately choosing a negative slant despite any positive outcome or performance and even gloating and cheering if we lose
I’m sorry but that’s not airing your view, that’s being deliberately being an antagonistic wanker and trying t upset arsenal fans on an arsenal blog after a disappointing loss
Pierre
Yes I prefer ESR over Odegaard, no question but with Ramsdale/Martinez I’m less sure. Ramsdale is still only 23 but that Martinez of his final season was the best keeper we’ve had since prime David Seaman in my opinion. His command of his area was Seaman-esque
Habesha Go back to the Xmas/jan period of 2020/21 Pepe got a run of 3-4 games and was brilliant in a run of high scoring wins culminating in a loss/draw at wolves when he scored and was hooked off as we had a man sent off (unfairly, think it was xakha) and he was not seen again for months He was our best player in Arteta’s first win against untied and our cup final win vs chelsea He can play in this system but he needed confidence and a little help on that side of the pitch With no over… Read more »
Ww
Great post and totally spot on
Un
But it isn’t just Arteta that benched him. Emery also thought the same. Even Ljungberg benched him with his short stint. He is made for a counter attacking team geared towards him. He struggles in a low block.
Pepe had an empty net, a backtracking defender to beat and the whole half of the field v Leeds. He got dispossessed.
Just seen that Broja is going for 30M… 20 years old, 9 goals in 38 appearances… For all those online, who decry Eddie’s new contract, this is evidence that we have just signed a 30+M asset that could be sold for a major profit… Good business short and long-term (if he doesn’t hit the heights), not something we have been able to say about Arsenal in the past (Ramsey, Van Persie, Sanchez, Gnabry etc)
The point that he’s made for a counter attacking doesn’t always agree with his style of play.
WW: Comment of the year!
Un People are entitled to be negative and it is only exacerbated by the over-the-top hysteria of people demanding everyone should be positive and that if they are not then they’re Spuds fans. Gloating and cheering if we lose isn’t something I like to see and I would never do it. But when I’ve seen it, it’s happened because – rightly or wrongly – those people see it as vindication of their concerns. I don’t defend it, but there it is. It’s no different from the hardcore suck ups with their exaggerated commentary, name calling and abuse targeted at individuals… Read more »
Great post Will. Thanks for that
Chelsea are going to observe the unusually high fees that strikers are being quoted in the market and hold out for 40-45 million, at the very least.
No way Broja is being sold for £30 mil.
Inside right
There is no justification for cheering against your own club and yes, they are entitled to do so but I’m perfectly entitled to criticise it as I see fit.
Pierre
The question is: does Arteta agree with us?
If the rumoured pursuit of Gabriel J and Raphina is true, it seems he DOES see Eddie as our ace goal scorer.
Un
Fair enough. Enjoy your echo chamber.
Un
Un naa nai
Don
Calling out people. That has to be the funniest take on le grove
You have changed your moniker more than my bedsheets.
Unfortunately I can’t take your views serious about other posters.
It’s just a matter of time before you slip up again.
Will – Totally agree with your Victory through harmony analysis. We all need to believe in the project and also must remember that Arteta (and Edu) is still learning the trade. He’ll learn from his mistakes and hopefully make up for it with some big wins, major successes
Statistically Samesong is 100% correct.
Inside right
Le grove is certainly no echo chamber 😂
The very idea is laughable
You’re comparing apples and oranges here
I’ve been critical of Arteta many times but I still support him and the team, I never cheer or show joy in arsenal losing and I don’t slate every positive action the manager and the club makes to justify my bias
Samsong
Do you behave like such a bitch in real life or only on the web? Shall we stick to football?
“Do you behave like such a bitch in real life or only on the web? Shall we stick to football?”
Touched a nerve did I? Happy to stick to football as long as the you keep your racial undertones to yourself.
“There is also this curious phenomena whereby different standards are applied depending on which team it is. For example, 33 year old Perisic has a good season in Italy and it is hailed as a master move. 32 year old Willian has a good season for Chelsea (player of the year), and Arteta is a fool and if he repeated it, there would be pitchforks” WW, first off no one said Perisic to Tottenham was a ”master move ”lol, so unless you’re taking a piss, which obviously you are not, then why the exaggeration? And if Pedro hadn’t made it… Read more »
Tom
Just getting minutes isn’t enough
Spurs have CL and league games next season
If Perisic fails to adapt, which he’s likely to, then it’s good for us
For the record, I consider the Willian move to be the single worst in my time watching arsenal, even ozil and auba worked out better and they were both highly detrimental.
Posters winging about other posters is the weirdest fucking thing I’ve ever seen on internet.
There is a handful of posters I skip on the regular on both sides of the Arteta divide because obviously I’m not twelve years old
Pedro bitching about certain posters is his god given right because it is his blog.
Posters bitching about other posters………now, that’s another story entirely.
This is from BBC journo regarding the new Vieira
He has featured across all positions in midfield, but mainly operated from the right flank, cutting infield. He is incisive in the attacking third and will provide fierce competition for Martin Odegaard
Just what we need 34m on competition for Odegaard, we will be stacked with lovely footballers with no physicality should be fun!
Posters bitching about posters bitching about other posters being miserable is a new low though, so congrats tottenham Tom. You’re todays barrel scrapings
Un, why would Perisic fail to adapt to the CL pace?
That’s all he needs to give them to be a reasonably successful signing on a free.
Anything else is a bonus.
Un , confusing bitching with making fun out of much?
Our scouting is tosh. If we spend circa 60 mil on Raphinha and Man UNITED gets Antony for 40 mil I’ll be gutted.
My absolute dream signings for the summer were Gravenberg and Antony. Sadly both of them are about to be sold for a combined fee of 60 to 65million.We need to do better pound or pound in the transfer market.
Tom
Nope. Nothing about supporting spurs is fun.
“For the record, I consider the Willian move to be the single worst in my time watching arsenal, even ozil and auba worked out better and they were both highly detrimental.”
Un, if you run the numbers then you might find Pepe will be the worst Arsenal transfer of all time.
Tom
He would fail because he is too old and slow, coming from a sow league and is essentially useless, just as William (and Lichtensteiner) was for us and becomes unplayable.
Un, if you run the numbers then you might find Pepe will be the worst Arsenal transfer of all time.
What about Sanogo?
Tom
Pepe provides 28 goals and 20 assists in 58 starts with a MOTM display in an FA cup win over London rivals Chelsea.
Nah I’ll go with Willian thanks (who cost us £15m in wages for 1 season of shite btw. Plus whatever sign on fee they gave him)
Lichsteiner was a one trick pony galloping down the touch line lumping in crosses.
Perisic is a highly technical, versatile player who doesn’t have to rely on speed alone.
Un, over 100m in fees and wages says Pepe without a doubt the worst Arsenal transfer to date.
Recouping 25m of it will be a miracle.
No the worst was surely Kallstrom. Who buys a player with a broken back ?
Samesong, Sanogo was Wenger’s – look, I’m a fucking genius – move, especially vs Bayern , but in terms of money it was nothing.
There’s a possibility that MA sees Vieira as the #10/second striker and Odegaard playing deeper in which case he may feel that we don’t need a new CM. That’s Ode and Partey against lesser opposition and Xhaka and Partey where we’ll have less of the ball. Or Xhaka and Ode when TP breaks down.
Can’t say that I agree with that but just thinking about what the plan might be.
Andy, please don’t say that. Habesha ain’t going to sleep tonight…
Un 11.41
this could go on ad infinitum, posters complaining about moaners, who complain about moaners who complain about moaners……
Tom, the wage bill at Spuds is on the rise from a comparatively low level but the cost of their debt is happily enormous as I’m sure you know. I think both them and us are desperate to get and stay at the top table and that doesn’t come cheap. I suspect ENIC will look to sell before long as their debt is enormous.
Raptora,
I’m also mentally preparing for the Swiss pointy one being in an Arsenal shirt next season. Just hoping he becomes a Holding-type player, being brought on for the last 10 mins for pragmatic reasons(answers on a postcard)!
Bob,
I think he might be the perfect candidate for Gunnersaurus. Would be our transfer of the season no doubt.
Aftertaste will not buy a player that threatens Xhakas position in the team.
He’s first on the team sheet even when he comes back from injury.
Party is a crock he cannot hack it in the Premiership. We will not move forward until we have a better dynamic in midfield.
Arteta has a blind spot so I cannot see us seriously getting into the top four
Aftertaste? maybe a new name for Arteta! Lol
Nice one Raptora, but would you want to see Gunnersaurus punching out some kid he took a dislike to?
I’m going to say that it’s 70:30 that Xhaka stays in the hope that he’ll prove me wrong and join Newcastle for £50m.
Manchester City – £355m Chelsea – £343m Manchester United – £323m Liverpool – £314m Arsenal – £244m Tottenham Hotspur – £205m Arsenal are a Europa league club on CL wages. Tottenham are in the CL with a considerably lower wage bill. Three posters in total that I’m aware of have said Perisic was decent /good signing on a free and not a master stroke. The fact this has even become a sticking point on Arsenal blog is kinda bemusing. Also, not for nothing but the other two Italian Conte imports , Kulusevski and Betancourt have done very well, so in… Read more »
Would not make sense to go through this whole redeeming Xhaka arc, with the goal vs Manure being the climax point, just to move on in the very next season. It’d be like Wenger stepping down after we had finally ended our trophy drought back in 2014 and in 2015. It don’t work like that.
Tom RP7
Can’t wait to bring this back up when 34 year old Perisic struggles to come with the pace and power of the league
The likes of aquilani, veron, crespo, shevchenko, kezman and many others couldn’t cope with the power of the league in their prime.
Even Lukaku is struggling to adapt
What makes you think, at 34, Perisic will come in and prove better than these guys? It’s not super human
specimen style CR7 or Ibra here. It’s a little guy who’s played in Italy throughout his career.
unless we intend to sell Saka to finance this transfer window, Martinez is much more important than Raphinha — LM providing left back and midfield coverage — and a player to cover and/or team with Partey
lack of coverage for Tierney has cost us a lot of points at the end of each of the last two seasons — sackable offence to make it three seasons in a row
ditto lack of coverage for Partey
Don’t see much discussion about a tall striker — has this possibility been shelved ?
Rp7
I know Pepe is a goner. My point is that he’s been treated unfairly and stupidly had his value tanks when he offers end product as much as anyone in our squad
Raptora, as Gunnersaurus he’d never let the kids score pens at HT!
“Pepe provides 28 goals and 20 assists in 58 starts with a MOTM display in an FA cup win over London rivals Chelsea.”
Un, never underestimate the value of bias eh?
Pepe had a good game and his disallowed upper ninety would’ve been a thing of beauty had it stood, but Auba was clearly MOTM performer vs Chelsea, with Martinez and Antony Taylor our second and third best on the day.
Tom
Pepe was the best player on the day
He ran chelsea torrid
Auba won the game but Pepe was the best player on the pitch for that final
.”Can’t wait to bring this back up when 34 year old Perisic struggles to come with the pace and power of the league”
Allright, I’ll play along.
What’s your Perisic success threshold for the season in G\A totals ?
Signing Raphinha will see the end Martinelli’s career at Arsenal. It’s concerning we didn’t get Bissouma and now seem to have given up on Tillemans. Xhakha is the big weakness in our team and kills our creativity. He is the oppositions 12th man. I will have no confidence in us making any progress if Xhakha is still a first choice player next season. The “project” is flawed. We lost out on CL football because we had a weak inexperienced side that collapsed when they had to perform. The whatabouters will say we have the youngest squad in the Prem in… Read more »
Un
Not a single media outlet from the pinko scum Guardian to right wing Telegraph had Pepe as the top rated player that day,
Auba, and Ceballos were the highest rated across the board , Sky included.
Happy Birthday, Pedro. Many happy returns.
Funny coming back here and reading Un’s shit commentary. Now playing the superfan card ad nauseum when he was repeatedly calling for Arteta’s head 1.5 years ago. Good stuff.
nauseam*
The ‘Tottenham Tom’ thing has run its course. Never fails to make me cringe reading it.
If Rich had even an ounce of marketing savvy as well it would have been TottenTom. Pedro this is supposed to be your field of expertise?
But in all seriousness it’s the ultimate lazy move to call a guy that has been here years and is clearly a Gooner a Spud just because you cannot refute his points with anything other than some embarrassing nickname that was dreamt up by an old Boomer geezer.
An Un classic Feb ’21:
“I’m sick of Arteta
Pedro thinks he’s cleaver. He’s not. Delusions of grandeur
Arteta is psychologically impaired. He can be the rain man of tactics til the cows come home and hell freezes over. His ego will always prevent him from reaching the top
I’m calling time on Arteta
Done with him
I’ve seen enough”
But stop moaning about Arsenal, yeah
Fuckin hell, the king of snark is back.
Welcome back Jamie.
It Pedro’s birthday?
Happy birthday to the main man. Nearing that 40 I assume? Still younger than Zlatan, that’s how you carry it.
Have a Peroni on me lad.
Man like Jamie lol Nice to you see you.
Happy Birthday Pedro
Cheers, Tom.
I came back to read Rich’s solutions on how to combat rising global inflation. Hard to believe no one in power has suggested just dumping more inflation on top. Economics 101.
Tom and Weagle the two most consistent posters on here( Weagle by a fair margin).
I rarely contribute,but read the comments avidly.
Weagle- for a chap in his 20’s you’ve got a very savvy football brain…in my humble opinion.
Pedro…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Jamie
Can’t resist a little nibble can ya?
Even Pedro gave up on Arteta after that car crash of a run. One reactive comment against the hundreds of hope filled, rose tinted, positivity laced comments ive laid down
Must have a right busy day on going off and sifting through years of Le grove comments….
We both know I’m referring to the constant shitting on the club and the gloating when we lose.
Yet again, apples and oranges
Jonnygunner , agree, Weagle is tops.
Of course he’s dead wrong on the Maradona/Messi thing, but no one’s perfect.
-Jamie’s got it for me……. Bad.
I’m taken princess. You aren’t my type. Although 10/10 for being a little sassy pants xx
Happy B-Day Pedro
Who could forget Pedro accepting that MA was entering the ‘death spiral’ not just once, or twice but if I recall correctly three times.
Where were the super-positives then? On holiday? Three times??
Oh and happy birthday Pedro, forget the ‘down with the kids’ haircuts and grow old gracefully with the rest of us (lol).
Andy
Everyone has the right to get fucked off if the coach is cutting off his own nose but to force yourself to stay stuck in that negative mindset until you feel vindicated, despite positive outcomes is just a bit sad…
Appreciate the kind words Jonny and Tom. You should comment more Jonny, always enjoy your contributions. Hah Tom, if only. I wanted us to sign Joelinton as a solution to our ST woes once upon a time, at least he turned out to be a half-decent midfielder I suppose but yeah, shocking stuff. Like gambling wins everyone likes showing off their slip when they hit a winner but take the soul-crushing losses to the grave with them. It’s all banter anyway at the end of the day isn’t it? Nobody on here is a pro scout as we are constantly… Read more »
Andy, even Jesus lost faith in God once.
Pedro losing faith in Arteta was his crucifixion moment.
Emery pounded in the nails in the Europa League
Happy birthday Pedro
If I was there I’d get ya a nice cake!
A donut shaped one 🍩😁
I don’t do that at all Un, I might slate the guy if he makes what looks like an obvious bad decision (still not addressing CM this summer would be one example) but I’ll also look at the bigger picture. I struggle to understand why some people feel the need to police a football blog. Probably the same people that like to complain about ‘cancel culture’ but think that it doesn’t apply to them.
Happy Birthday to the Blogfather.
Nice analogy Tom.
I was thinking it was more akin to Judas: ‘John 13:38 “Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
I guess Pedro’s cock has now well and truly crowed!
Happy birthday Senor Pedro.
Sid you’re incorrigible!
Yikes!
Getting worse for Mesut Ozil in Turkey:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10937697/Mesut-Ozil-unfollows-Fenerbahce-social-media-told-never-play-club-again.html
Again rank stupidity in the transfer market for Arsenal.
Our midfield has an aging Partey, a useless Xhaka, a fledgling Lokonga and a happy water carrier in El Neny.
Yet we are dead set on show ponies like Viera and Raphina .. and oh btw, as of now, Ed Nketiah is our lead striker.
Something stinks at Arsenal.
There are brains that don’t function at the club for sure