WELL GOOD MORNING TO YOU!
It’s FriYAY and we’re having a pretty decent week as far as Arsenal goes.
We signed Fabio Vieira. We’ve tied down Eddie. Matt Turner left New England Revs. But there are still things to do but I think it’s becoming a lot clearer where this window is trying to land.
Raphinha now reads like a priority, it doesn’t seem like Barca are coming with the cash, and it seems likely it’ll be a straight shootout between Arsenal and Spurs.
Gabriel Jesus wants Arsenal, Arsenal want Jesus, a deal is going to be struck there. He’ll be our striker. We’re gonna make him top boy and in return, he’s going to score at least 35 goals next season.
Youri Tielemans talk is dying down a little bit, but don’t fear, I really don’t think we’ll be letting the window pass without going hard for the player. He’s been on the agenda for a while, I suspect there’s been some backchannelling, and I do wonder if the player has stated he just wants Arsenal and that COULD be a hard pill for the Leicester board to swallow.
There are likely going to be a few exits but it’s still not very clear where they are coming from. Leno, Torreira, Bellerin, maybe Holding, maybe Xhaka, certainly Pablo Mari, and hopefully Nico Pepe for an actual fee.
Then the big one, that no one is talking about… Bukayo Saka needs to sign a big fat new deal with Arsenal. His deal is up in 2 years. The beastly vultures of Europe will be circling. He needs to be earning the fat dollars because he is 100% our main man.
Was I a little worried about our obsession with Raphinha because he plays in the same space as Bukayo? Maybe.
My hope here is that Saka is young, he’s grounded, he’s the king at Arsenal, and he might peak at what is going on at City with 27-year-old Jack Grealish and not fancy that level of competition this early in his rocket ship career.
Needless to say, it doesn’t matter how much good work you do transfer-wise, it could all taste a little salty if the chips aren’t sauced with a Bukayo 17 year deal.
There’s also a very, very big backroom signing we need to take care of… we need a new head of performance to replace Shad Forsythe.
For the OG Le Grovers, one of my first iconic campaigns against Wenger’s regressive behaviors was tackling his complete blindness to how injuries in sports worked.
Here’s the topline gist: Every November and February, Arsenal would have a massive pile-up of injuries.
Wenger would blame the weather, he’d blame luck, he’d blame hair pills, he even had some weird chiropractor witch doctor like guy head down to the training ground to help with the problems.
What was really going on was this: Wenger had a PE teacher looking after the fitness of the players, totally unqualified to look after the strength and conditioning needs of the team, but he was also working off a busted theory. Wenger would train players to match level during the week so they’d be extra fit in games, ready to kill off teams in the last 10 minutes. That worked in 1998 when half the league were pub teams. When everyone developed the same fitness standards, the benefits of overtraining started to collapse in on themselves because players would fatigue and pick up soft tissue injuries.
Once Wenger understood he was causing injuries because of the lack of technical nous at the club, they hired Shad Forsythe. His job, in a nutshell, is to keep players on the pitch, and make sure when they get to game day, they’re not under cooked, or overcooked. At a club like Arsenal, where fitness is so key at every level, the position is arguably one of the most important. No one notices when everyone is fit, but when things go off the rails, like they did at Leeds under Bielsa, everyone pays attention.
Who will Arsenal hire?
Will Arteta hire more 14 year olds to cover off the vast experience of Shad? Or will they go out and find the best possible man/woman for the job and ensure his good work is continued?
I do not know. But we will find out soon enough. That position needs to be filled by June 28th.
Ok, short post today. I’m off to come to terms with the reality that I live in a place that loosens gun laws after kids get massacred in schools, and my baby is coming into a world where she’ll have less rights than her mum. Sad times.
Tr4phy
You’re having a baby, Pedro?
Congrats to the impending baby Pete
Pedro that last paragraph is very very sad
Spot on re we need to find a good fitness guy or miracle worker in some of our players cases
Move back the to the UK Pete USA is a nutters paradise
Top ten?
congrats on the last bit pete
Did you hear Kalvin Phillips is heading to Man city for £42 million plus £3 million add ons. Now everyone and their dog knows Phillips and Raphinha are Leeds best players. So I don’t blame our lot backing away from the Raphinha deal if it’s not in the similar region that Phillips has just gone for.
Pete
“…and my baby is coming into a world where she’ll have less rights than her mum. Sad times.”
Congratulations on bringing a little person into the world
Yep I have to agree. I’m glad all my kids are grown up now, especially my daughter with the way all this weird bollocks is going.
Sideeq
Kalvin Philips played 20 games for Leeds last season. 29 the season before. Thats the same in 2 seasons as Partey.
As was discussed the other day, you have to consider how many games you’re going to get out of the players you sign, when you negotiate. It won’t be such a problem at Abu Dhabi Oil State but for other clubs it will be a consideration.
Man City have just agreed to sign Phillips so it’ll be interesting to see where that leaves us with Raphinha
Saka won’t be signing his contract until all our transfer business is done. His agent will want to see what we’re paying others before he agrees a deal.
AFC
I think with Fernandinho getting on Philips will get some game time at City, even more so with 5 subs rule.
Seems like the conservatives are really going for it over there. Know he is outnumbered on these matters but a shame they don’t have a stronger President
But, congratulations on the baby , never know, things might change in her time
Congratulations Pete. I’m sure the world would be better for your kid and family.
Good choice for Philips
Sid don’t pretend you like Philips because If you do you are not a good judge of player he is decent at best, it’s just you bashing Ben white yet again bore off
I don’t rate Phillips at all.
Tr7 Fernandinho has left city to go back to Brazil
Samesong nor do I rice is twice the player don’t see what’s all the fuss about with Philips
A sad world indeed. And all the more reason to feel glad about Arsenal.
Congratulations on your soon to be wee bairn, Pedro, that is terrific news.
“A well regulated Militia” – it’s funny how the gun nuts completely ignore the words “Militia” and, in particular, “well regulated” every time innocents are gunned down and try to deflect. Read only the bits that back up your arguments and pretend the rest aren’t there… It’s a shame about Phillips but that’s the game today. Player power is stronger than ever – which is fair enough – although I’m sure Leeds could have gotten much more with a bidding war, and FFP is, sadly, only window dressing. That said, in this case, at least City are making as much… Read more »
When we kick off this new season, we could well have a team, with a couple of obvious exceptions, that is completely brand new from season 20-21. Ramsdale Tomoyasu Lisandro White Gabriel * Partey* Odegaard Tielemans Saka* Jesus Vieira All lots to be done still of course in terms of getting in some of those players, but that is one hell of a change around from the team we were mostly moaning about in 20/21. One thing you can say is that the club is really attempting to revamp the squad for the better with a clear vision. And you… Read more »
Congrats General on the baby coming. I m in New York too so if you ever need any good baby sitter information I m your guy.
And huge congrats Pedro about your baby, it’s the best thing in the world being a parent.
I don’t like to comment about anything other than footy on here, but it really is shocking how in 2022, such a monumentally backwards step has been taken in the US regarding abortions. It beggars belief it really does.
AFC forever … Great comment on the last post.. My favorite phrase… “Reworking their grudge” I wish I had thought of that… at every angle it’s some criticism that points back at Arteta or his players… always being overly harsh on our guys. I criticize Arteta, but I always remember…. If Arteta is succeeding from week to week, then Arsenal is succeeding. I also don’t forget or try to romanticize a squad that clearly was going nowhere, and was not on a good path in general. The large majority of the fanbase will be enjoying the wins and excitement, while… Read more »
Chris
You are absolute right. Pretty much what I was talking about in the previous thread. Arsenal was a mess and needed a complete rebuild. That takes time and sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward. I was fully behind the rebuild from the start and I’m even more onboard now. Obviously the deals have be done first but I’m really excited about the direction of travel & what we are Buildng for the long term.
I ll take Bissouma over Kalvin Phillips every day of the week.
🚨 Arsenal are set to pay the final £45m for Gabriel Jesus and will pursuit the deals of Raphinha and Lisandro Martinez after.
(@ChrisWheatley_)
Your daughter will have choices…just make sure you teach her not to hang out with other kids who like to shoot their gun off….if you know what I mean
Talking of women’s rights, how about the right of millions of women not to be killed by their own mother??
Interesting to see the conservatives talking about the preciousness of life, and the liberals mouthing off obscenities. Those US liberals can be quite a crass bunch.
AFC Its been obvious for the last 2 years that Arteta and Arsenal were rebuilding and it was a step by step things. Thats why they kept insisting that we trust the process. Thomas Partey purchase was the first step of that process Willian, Ozil, Auba and Laca were supposed to form a formidable front four but that never worked out so that plan was scrapped in 2020 going into 21. Then they switched their focus to our defense buying Ramsdale, Ben White, Tomiyasu. This summer is supposed to be the third step of that process with focus on fortifying… Read more »
*Step by step thing.
Congratulations Pedro…so very happy for you, enjoy every second mate
Nigel. “ “The owners are investing because they see progress, like Pedro and most of us.” That’s definitely the case. I’m not sure when it dawned on the owners that we needed to do something but after Freddie’s concerns and seeing what happened with Emery, the penny finally dropped. We had to be brutal. That took guts, a coward would just keep hiring & firing so they could blame someone else. They didn’t do that. They’ve been brave, even taking a financial hit on trouble players. The owners have backed the club financially too. They know you invest to grow… Read more »
Big if true! Congrats Pedro! Welcome little Pedrette 👶
Couldn’t be more accurate about the rights of our children as they get older with the country moving backwards. Supreme Court is on fire today.
Lisandro has to be a priority especially if Zinchenko is off the board. A dm/fb combo would really fit in nicely with this squad, bolster our most crock-y positions. Still need an additional CM for the first 11 though.
Enjoying the discourse so much more this evening!
Naija, thanks for your comments. I totally understand what you’re saying, he did make mistakes, but I don’t think they were unforgivable. I think we’d all like to see him kick on and refine certain aspects of his management, but overall he’s getting the big stuff right, and that’s what’s going to make the biggest difference. And maybe when he’s not having think about a million distracting things, he’ll have greater clarity on such things.
Feeling enthusiastic
Naija+soccer I take your point. Of course he made mistakes he probably beats himself up about them too. Every manager makes mistakes, they can’t manage using hindsight and assumption as we do. It’s worth remembering Arteta also managed the games we won and was leading & coaching a new team that had never played together. That’s never easy, especially with young players but he gets zero credit for that on here. He is only responsible for dropped points. As for Pepe. How does anyone know ‘if’ giving Pepe more minutes would mean more points & not fewer ones? It’s complete… Read more »
Congrats Pedro. Shit is crazy but I hope things change in the future. Back to Arsenal though. I think we are getting Jesus. And Raphinha will be an Arsenal player too the way we are going. We paid 50 mil for White last summer because Arteta was sure he was the right guy. I think he will get Raphinha too. By my guess it will be £60 mil. Overpriced but that’s what Arteta wants. Martinez I am not so sure. It depends on Ajax and them willing to let go of him for a decent price. Half their starters just… Read more »
Habesha
You just make me even more excited!!! I’ll take all that mate, what a team that would be if they all came in! I can’t wait for the season to start, shame that silly World Cup will disrupt the season.
Wonderfully creative RP7!
I have one for you, from the same band.
RP, please don’t let him be misunderstood….
Naija
Buffouna is a dirty spur now. Move on with your life. To compare him to any other player, available or moving this summer, or even to one of of our own players, is a waste of time.
Man U, ManC, Chelsea supporters don’t care how much their Club pays for a player. £100 mill for Haaland? So what. And they probably don’t mind how much they pay him. £17 mill pa? Who cares? With Arsenal fans, how much the Club spend is an obsession. Scan the posts on here if you don’t believe me. It didn’t use to be that way. In the old days we bid with the best. And the prime reason given for building a 60,000 seater stadium was to be able to carry on that way. A benevolent owner was never on the… Read more »
Well said Rp7
Englandsbest
Much of that is true. However, I don’t mind us overpaying for a player. It’s no different from a collector, if you need something to complete your set you go big. That shows ambition. I couldn’t give a toss what some amateur expert on a blog decides is good value, they haven’t got a clue anyway, they drive a van for a living. As you say, there is a weird obsession on player wages and transfer fees on here, but that’s only because they have a desperate need to be unhappy about something.
K.Philips is very very average, I’m surprised about City going for him, it may just be to ensure their ‘homegrown’ numbers are right, I can’t see him getting much game time.
England’sbest. It’s all just opinion, but I think Jesus is well worth the fee and wages. Raphina fee seems quite a bit overboard to me. He’s not that unique, second choice winger is not the greatest need, and there’s usually options that can be bought. Maybe getting something out of Reiss Nelson or Hutchinson could be worked on, because Jesus can play wide also. At the end of the season, if you told me Raphina was moving to another English club, I would’ve guessed 35-50 mil tops from a Man City type budget. I wouldn’t have wanted Arsenal to spend… Read more »
TeeCee
I mentioned Drinkwater before, he’s on loan at Reading now, Chelsea completely ruined him. Philips won’t oust Rodri but he will get game time now Fernandinho is off. These doors clubs buy this players because they can and it also means they can’t strengthen other teams.
Nigel
“It’s all just opinion, but I think Jesus is well worth the fee and wages.”
Worth every penny. Top player who dramatically improves us. The great thing is his energy, positional flexibility. & superb technique. The added value with these players is they’ve proved they can do it in the PL. I would pay a premium for that and most clubs would. Last thing we need is to save ourselves £15m and buy a player who does a Partey and can only manage 24 PL games instead of 34.
I
Congrats Pedro. Don’t let this shit get you down, you have choices, we all have choices. It’s a crazy world but we roll with the punches.
Pedro
Congrats, daddy Pete.
Leave the politics to dunces. You still get to decide what state you live in so all is well,
AFC
Chelsea didn’t ruin Drinkwater, it’s booze that ruined him.
Man was apologizing to their fans on the way out.
AFC Arsenal fans care about fees and wages because we always have a strict budget. And sometimes we overpay for one player and leave ourselves short in another position. For example if we get Raphinha, Jesus and Martinez, it will be a big summer. But we would still have Xhaka as a starter. That’s why paying 65 mil for Raphinha would bother me and other Arsenal fans. Even if we get Tielemans on top of that, we still would have a couple of weaknesses IMO. Backup DM and Backup RB will still be a problem. But it will be better… Read more »
I don’t think Raphina and Jesus merit the fees that we are going to shell out, same as Ben White for last season.
So long as we sign a senior central midfielder, It’s good.
It is what it is. There’s nothing anyone here can do to change whatever choices the club is making.
Player wages a]would be an issue if we were still operating a “self sustaining model”
Clearly that has been quietly ditched, we’ aren’t restricted as much by generated revenue. The Kroenke’s are spending a lot of money.
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano · 27m Arsenal and Manchester City have reached full verbal agreement today for Gabriel Jesus. Deal in place after new meeting – been told guaranteed fee is £45m. #AFC Arsenal are now working on personal terms with Gabriel’s camp – final step to get the deal completed very soon. Well it has been coming. Quite obvious he was going to sign for Arsenal. The wages are being negotiated it seems. Can’t blame Jesus for wanting high wages. He will be 30 by the time his deal is over. So this is the biggest contract of his football… Read more »
White was a great buy. You guys have to stop taking being wrong personally and stop talking endlessly about White. He allowed us to play quicker through transition, the season before we was too slow, played sideways and kept giving the ball away. He and Ramsdake changed that. Go watch season 2o/21 games. . When White was injured, our impressive run of not conceding from a corner ended. Considering it was the first season he had partnered Gabriel, very impressive. We missed him against Spurs as we saw with Holding. That was the start. Now we need to add to… Read more »
Habesha
If that’s true… BOOM!!
AFC
He is sold on Arteta. And he wants to be top dog especially in a world cup year. It is definitely true. The only thing that can fuck this up is the wages and I am sure Arsenal will handle it.
On to Raphinha it seems. I wish it was on to Tielemans first though. Leeds are now even firm in their standing because we are going to pay city the Jesus money and City will pay Leeds that money to sign Phillips. How Ironic 😂😂😂.
Every news outlet is confirming it now. Even David Ornstein.
We should be glad a striker of the caliber of Gabriel Jesus is available and willing to join us this summer. The snobbery displayed by some against him is quite shocking.
What if Jesus turns out to be Lacazette the second?
If Pep didn’t trust him, do you think Arteta would?
For the last two years, Jesus was the 2nd choice striker at City and they didn’t even have a striker.
Arteta ball is basically a clone of Pep ball with more players behind the ball, if Jesus couldn’t nail down the striker position there, we should be really cautious.
If I were a betting person, I’ll go with Pierre and say Nketiah would be our starting striker come the end of the season if it’s just him and Jesus.
“He allowed us to play quicker through transition, the season before we was too slow, played sideways and kept giving the ball away”
AFC
We already had a player that could do that and his name is Saliba.
If Arteta did not f*** up, Saliba could have played Europa for us instead of Mustafi and Chambers and we would have spent the $50M on a midfielder.
Jesus is a very good signing but Arsenal also need a physically imposing striker like Osimhen. Who’s going to win headers when the crosses come in? We can’t always be relying on speed and through balls. Nkiteah is piss poor with headers.
azed.
We can all play the assumption game.
At the end of the day there has to come a point when you all stop grinding this over worn axe and move on.
Habesha
Thanks for the update, fantastic news.
Congrats on baby Pedro. If you want better world for future generations stop shilling political correctness and propping old corporate slavery with your platform.
There is literally no one better than Gabriel Jesus that we could get. May be Osihmen and that is stretching it considering Napoli
would want the same type of money that Darwin Nunez went for which is £85 mil.
45 mil in this market gets you untested players like Johnathan David, Gouiri, Scamacca and sigmar players. Even 60 to 70 mil gets you Richarlison and Tammy Abraham. And Jesus is literally better than all these players. City fans saying they will miss him is all I need to know besides watching him play.
similar players *
Land of the free, home of the brave, Pedro? Not sure anymore, shocking news.
AFC Forever Nigel Tufnel Don’t disagree – but the cost must not be a return to a ‘pushover’ status. Early on under the current regime Man C had that status – they overpaid Arsenal for players. – and early on under Roman the same was true of Chelsea. But success on the pitch plus the increasing value of players has carried them beyond that, to where they pay their way. Now it’s Man U who qualify as a pushover. Success on the pitch will help do the same for Arsenal. But the Club also need to onward sell, a major… Read more »
David Smith
“Seems like the conservatives are really going for it over there. Know he is outnumbered on these matters but a shame they don’t have a stronger President”
Have you been unconscious for several years
and how is particular decision on Biden
Habesha
Couldn’t agree more. There is a real benefit in signing players with premier league experience over those without. Less risk & you don’t have that bedding in period. I’m over the moon we’ve got Jesus, game changing signing.
Sky: “Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Manchester City to sign Gabriel Jesus.
There is still work to do to finalise the deal, including medical and personal terms but the fee is understood to be £45m.”
BOOM……!!!!
Jesus coming to Arsenal £45 million He’s a good player, but I can see him dividing opinion, he’s more of a facilitator, who’s excellent off the ball, and a vital part of the collective, rather than a player who’ll take a game by the scuff of the neck. He’ll bring big game + trophy winning experience, he hasn’t been burned out at City, should just be entering his best years, and hopefully still has something to prove. £45 million seems steep considering his contractual situation, and City having already secured 2 players in his position. But we needed a striker,… Read more »
Rich it’s a needle moving signing. Always been one of my go to players. Can play right across the front, presses well and has a great attitude. Technically at the highest level and he’s familiar with JDP. He’s got plenty of pace to and is yet to reach his prime. £45m for proven premier league experience is a snip. I couldn’t be happier. Fantastic news.
Great news Friday jesus
45m is a bargain for what he has absolute bargain cheaper and younger than lacaa when we signed him and on about the same wages I bet
Rich
“He’ll bring big game + trophy winning experience,”
…..yep and that will be great for our youngsters. Pep also said he’s one of the best professionals he’s worked with, that’s important too.
Lacazette/Jesus 2012-2022 goal-assist stats comparison. Laca 4 goals 7 assists Jesus 8 goals 8 assists-4 of which came against Watford in a mean nothing late season game. I left out Jesus Champions League goals-assists (4/3) because we didn’t have CL. So based on like for like stats they weren’t all that much different. I just don’t see the attraction to be honest when there were other options available who perhaps had traits in a striker that we are missing like height, goal scoring, hold up play etc. We already have what we are now buying in Martinelli, ESR, Saka but… Read more »
Concerned about the lack of links to midfielders. Even the Tieleman rumours have gone quiet. Surely not another season with Xhaka in midfield?
BrOwniee
He will. Stats without weighting are just numbers.I doubt any other clubs have a group of fans trolling their club who would piss on this signing.
This signing is going to bring a lot of people out into the open it finally exposes the true motives of a lot of people.
Brownie strongly disagree with your opinion
I think some people are missing the point and WE illustrated it brilliantly yesterday where he mentioned Tim Vickery on Jesus form dipping since the world cup and the belief being the sole CF. Here is a man that is coming to us to prove to the doubters and himself that he can be the main main or someone that can contribute. Stats tell you some of the story but not everything. I see with my eyes and when I watch Jesus play he looks much more exciting a player, pacier than Laca.Much more direct. And doesn’t look bad a… Read more »
Testicle they won’t go for Tielemans until the last minute to get the best deal possible it does not make sense to do otherwise, Jesus is different more suitors
Nigel Tufnel
I made an opinion, mine, that If I had to choose between Kalvin Phillips or Bissouma, I d go with the latter. I get he’s moved to the little neighbors and I m supposed to despise him moving forward, but I’d still take him over K.P. Just saying.
I m happy with our business so far and loving this transfer window. Hopefully we get a CM too.
AFC & Wicked Willy
You are right, Arteta has mostly been good than bad and he’s continued improving our point tally season to season. I expect us to acquire even more points next season. I ve been Arteta in for a long time, just wanna continue seeing him evolve with his team and continue using his experience well. Should be a fun season.
Pedro is right. Tielemans has said he wants to come to Arsenal. It will take a while for Leicester to accept that. The deal will go through eventually.
Loved Jesus in his first season at City. Gave off a Aguero incarnate vibe with his explosiveness, ability to combine with others and also make dribbles. He looked hungry as hell
If he can bring that version of himself to Arsenal its a great deal.
Though I can’t shake this feeling that we’ll end up needing a tall striker. Hopefully it will be because we are trying to evolve the team even more and not because Eddie and Jesus are struggling .
Jesus for 45m no complaints from me, can play CF and out wide. Man City fans nearly all I have read are gutted to be losing him great workrate, team player and coming into prime years. They have signed a great striker Haaland and a real prospect in Alvarez so guess they will be ok! Phillips fair deal all around 26, homegrown for 42-45m more a Nigel De Jong type than Fernandinho who has been slightly inderatted for me. Rice would of been more like for like but WH want over 100m and no one will be paying that this… Read more »
The reason for comparing him to Laca wasn’t to make a case for him being no better than Lacazette but to show that his stats from a scoring perspective were really poor. No one seems to be asking why Man City are shipping a 25 year old supposedly in his prime. AFC Forever if those comments about trolling or motives are directed at me, please don’t let your paranoia get the best of you. I simply presented some like for like stats and that’s what you come back with? How about a well thought out rebuttal rather than a tin… Read more »
No one seems to be asking why Man City are shipping a 25 year old supposedly in his prime.
Because they’ve bought Haaland.
*striker. Damn you autofill
Great comments from Pep re attitude of Jesus. If he wasn’t picked he’d work even harder in training
Great attitude to bring to the Emirates and I believe he will be a great role model for the Hale Enders. Hopefully his signing when announced will help bring the other targets over the line
Last week we signed Vieira
This week we signed Jesus