Well Happy July 4th to all my wonderful American readers and the Brits who like the day because it was actually the original Brexit. But, we got Brexited, so not really a choice. I gotta work on the delivery of that joke.
RIGHT.
Into the mixer.
It would seem the big wait for Gabriel Jesus was because the social admin wanted to do a social post with the 3 Gabi’s in it. I’m down for that sort of craft.
Now we’re here, who really cares about the wait?
Edu is obviously thrilled, no one has enjoyed the window more than the Brazilian Invincible.
“Gabriel is a player who we have admired for a long time now. He is 25 years old and an established Brazil international who has consistently demonstrated that he is a player at a very high level. We look forward to seeing him join up with his new teammates ahead of the new season. We all welcome Gabriel to Arsenal.”
Mikel is also excited because we all know that this deal doesn’t happen without him, this is a move built on relationships, and Jesus needed to know he’d be looked after at his new club, and he has found that with Arsenal.
“I’m very excited. The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature. I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here.”
It’s also worth paying attention to Fabrizio Romano who said at least 3 clubs were still trying to hijack the move as of last Sunday. That tells you a couple of things, firstly, Arteta has a good project going on at Arsenal and knows how to sell it. The second, this market is crazy, it seems everyone is running the same software tool, looking at the same players.
Arteta didn’t get a lot of space to talk about the player, but what he did say followed the pattern of the last 10 signings… character, desire, quality.
“I think it’s a package. Start with his character, the person, the smile and what he represents as a human being. Then he’s an incredible professional, with his work ethic and enthusiasm. You will see it the first day he puts on his boots and enters the training pitch; he has the enthusiasm that he is going to create on his own on that pitch.
“And then obviously there are his qualities, his anger to score, his willingness to be coached, to improve. He is used to winning and he knows that winning is the only way to do it. I think he will set different standards at the club.”
I like the bit at the bottom with regards to standards. Jesus is 25 and he’s won 4 Premier League titles already. That sort of human in and around the training ground is going to be huge. Arsenal’s squad, so far this summer, has aged down. We don’t have players for the kids to learn from. This is a player that is going to teach players on the rise how to handle the frying pan when the going gets tough. Newcastle was our ground zero last season, it wasn’t about quality, it was about strength in the vital moment of the season. Putting winners into the team is going to make those moments less daunting next season.
In his wider-ranging interview, Arteta doubled down on what we all expecting him to highlight… the forward line we’re building is going to be very dynamic and flexible. I think he’s adding explosive power and high-level technicians to our forward line so we can be unpredictable and deliver far more output next season.
So look, here are the additions to the squad.
- Gabriel Jesus
- Matt Turner
- Fabio Vieira
- William Saliba
- Marquinhos
There’s still plenty more to go and you only have to look at Arteta’s body language to know that we’re going hard at the summer. He’s calm, he’s smiling, he’s looking like he’s just seen god. A bit like how he was after that magical international break. Any manager that talks about a players smile first when asked a question is in good shape.
There are three positions still to fill if we’re to go into next season.
- Winger
- Central midfielder
- Left-back
Who knows where we’ll land on those deals, but we’re still in the mixer for Lisandro Martinez at left-back. Central midfield hasn’t moved, there are strong rumours that we’ve agreed terms with Tielemans, and there are new stories coming from Italy that we’re after Savic. Wide forward, who knows? I don’t believe that we’re in for Serge G though. He’s a superstar, but he’d break our wage structure, and I’m not sure we’re at the stage of our journey where we’d be a prime destination for him.
This summer is going pretty well right now, there’s a lot more to go, and there will be ups and downs, but the most important thing is we end the window with what we need. We have a squad more than capable of managing August. There are no injuries, we have two strikers tied down to long-term deals, and the squad will be buzzing with all the movement.
It’s a good time to be an Arsenal fan.
Right, I think you should be jumping into our latest podcast. We had Sophie from Highbury Squad join the show for the first time. It was an excellent show, we talked a lot about the dynamics impacting how we feel about the window, and discussed whether our lack of CL is impacting the speed of the moves. It’s a crack, subscribe, sign up to our Patreon, and let’s get AMPED for the new season.
Is partey the only 29 year old footballer that lives in barnet?
Rich
I’m with you oon Sambi
No, Son does too apparently with his parents.
The article states that it was a player who had begun preseason training and was due to travel with the club on an overseas tour. So we will find out imminently as our first game is on Friday.
International renowned premier league footballer in his late 20 living in Barnet really limit the size of the pool of players who fits those criteria. Especially when it is reported that the accused is going to the world cup in Qatar and was on his way to a pre season tour.
“Bissouma players successfully during his ordeal”
He did indeed but in Bissouma’s case he wasn’t accused of rape.
Apparently his uncle touched a woman inside a Brighton nightclub. Hence why Bissouma had unconditional bail as part of the investigation and was allowed to play on. Whereas his uncle was on conditional bail.
Where if a players WIFE accused him of bape, whether true or not will have some impact o a players mind state and most likely form as a result.
All a bit messy at the moment
Sambi is nowhere near as raw as Tavares.
Going into the season with Tavares as backup to Tierney, with Tierney’s injury history, and his inability to play 3 games a week, would petrify me.
Going into the season with Sambi as 4th choice, and Patino as 5th choice in central midfield, wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.
Tavares + Sambi were always both likely to be medium term punts who we’d either need to develop ourselves, or through the loan market
The idea they were both going to produce top class consistent performances straight off the bat, not impossible, but unlikely at best,
Both coming on reported much lower wages than previous squad players, both these investments can pay down the track in different ways.
If Tavares goes and plays 40 games somewhere next season, there’s a good chance we could either see a decent return on the £7 million we paid, or the less likely scenario he comes back into the squad.
Our issue isn’t a 22yr old midfielder taking up a squad place, and gaining experience in the cups, our issue is that our €50 million, £200k p/w, 29yr old midfielder, hasn’t demonstrated he can stay fit in his 2 seasons here.
How many times have people rightly called for Arsenal to find superstars and £50 million players, before they became superstars + £50 million + players?
If we want to beat the market this way, then the reality is we have to expect some level of teething problems as young players develop and adapt.
Raptora
The incident took place on June 3/4th didnt it?
Rich
All I’ve seen of Lakonga is a strong and mobile lad who can trap and pass
Looks better defensively than offensively
Even his highlight reels show a guy who shuts down attacks rather than anything else
Not that he needs to be much more than that to play anchor
from reading the comments here you can see the size of the problem that women have to deal with. if you can’t tell whether she’s into it, or is actually consenting, then maybe the problem lies with you knuckle-dragging c*nuts and not the ‘slags’. you seem so fond of You don’t need to sign a bit of paper to signal consent, it should be f*cking obvious, but then you’d know that if any right minded woman wanted to go near your ugly reactionary arses.
If you can (rightly) get barred from this forum for trolling, then Pedro I think it might be worth taking a look at people who call rape victims slags, and who think that rape within a marriage doesn’t exist, particularly considering how the abortion shit show in the states affected you and the future prospects for your daughter.
Honestly, what is this 1952? absolute f*cking c*nts mate
Partey travelled with the Squad
Chris Wheatley
@ChrisWheatley_
Thomas Partey travelled to Germany for Arsenal’s pre-season tour. He’s currently with the squad. 🇬🇭 #AFC
Chris Wheatley: Thomas Partey travelled to Germany for Arsenal’s pre-season tour. He’s currently with the squad. 🇬🇭 #AFC
Wow !!! I am relieved now, let’s get back to talking football transfer and tennis 🙂
Sigh of relief!!!
Arsenal apparently preparing a second bid of €65M for Savic which could be accepted by Lazio.
Thomas Partey travelled to Germany for Arsenal’s pre-season tour. He’s currently with the squad. 🇬🇭 #AFC..from Chris Wheatley
Rape in the Muslim world is very difficult to prove as there should be four witnesses so is very difficult.
He cannot play as it’s a big story and it will affect the teams preparations . We have to get two midfielders now
Rich,
There might be a player in Lokonga but what would give us better gains should also be talked about.
Bissouma, 25 yo, with 4 full seasons in the EPL, 2 full Ligue 1 seasons, and being one of the best players for an EPL club for £25m.
Anguissa, 26 yo, 2 full EPL seasons, 2 full Ligue 1 seasons, 1 full La Liga season, standout player for Fulham when they got relegated for £14m safe bet of loan + option to buy.
Lokonga, 22 yo, with 2 full seasons in the Belgian league that Kompany told us he’s good for £18m?
Why would we get an almost 22 yo (bday oct 1999) last summer when the market was pretty low for better players than him.
Obviously he might turn it around. But reality is that so many expected Sambi to take over Xhaka’s position in the team. It wasn’t even close. He even fell behind Elneny. At that point “the big talent” tag should be put into question.
poly6875
“Dat is d end of ur career next minute u will b accused of rape mate I’m in d UK d know wat am talking aba it’s not real love she is after ur fuckn money”
Comment left on instagram under a video of “Yakubu” and his new wife.(then fiancé). It was sent in MAY!!!
If the rumours are true then poly6875 is either a prophet or knew the woman’s intentions.
Either way i hope all gets resolved fairly. We’ll see
Chris Wheatley is as good as he gets. Partey is not the guy. He was certainly one of the last names I’d think about. Happy it’s over. Wonder who could it be then…
Chris Wheatley just posted partey is currently with the team in Germany
Does nobody read?
Partey is not in police custody
“Chris Wheatley is as good as he gets. Partey is not the guy. He was certainly one of the last names I’d think about. Happy it’s over. Wonder who could it be then…”
THANK FUCK FOR THAT!!! GET IN
Un
Have to disagree, I see a player who tactically + positionally needs work.
But is brave, wants to get on the ball, has a good vertical passing range, and a nice change of pace to beat the press.
He’s nowhere near the finished article, but at this stage of his career, he’s not supposed to be, he was signed for £14-£17 million, earning a reported £20k p/w, he was always likely to be a medium term punt, than a player expected to make an instant impact at the highest level.
He comes across really well in interviews and media work, I get that these players are prepped very well, and as a result are generally quite media savvy
But he comes across as a really intelligent and articulate young man, he was captain at Anderlecht at just 21, he’s got something about him, even when he’s made mistakes, he hasn’t dropped his head, and let it effect him, he’s kept demanding the ball and trying to dictate play.
Looks a big personality with a lot of talent, I don’t think it’ll happen overnight, but if by the start of 2023/24 he was knocking on the door for a regular first team place, I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised
Could be why we’re looking at both Tielemans AND onana for CM.The fear is Melo might raise its ugly head again.
UN- obviously not reading the right articles.Which one says NOT in custody.Thanks.
Rich
Yeah I’d agree that he’s got personality being captain of his club side at 21 and the u21 Belgium side too. He looks like a lad who takes responsibility on the pitch and is great at closing down spaces, nicking the ball and quickly moving it on. But I don’t see this vertical passing personally. Yeah he can quickly drive past someone and move the ball on but I really don’t see great quality in the hall outside of tidy and strong. Looks like he doesn’t give it away much but as far as breaking the press or launching counters with a pinged one from our own half, I don’t see it yet
But Alex song added that to his game quite successfully after a run in midfield. That ball over the top to RvP was quite successful. He was another I didn’t see stepping up until he actually did. But ego got the better of him. That bloody bleached hair 🤦🏻♂️
One would take a guess that If he’s currently in Germany then he wasn’t arrested yesterday in the UK lol
Pete
Not an article
https://mobile.twitter.com/ChrisWheatley_/status/1544277363848093696
Lol painful how stupid some people are
How about our own ITK Pedro then?
“Prepare for the worst?”
What’s all that about then.
Ishola- we sign Melo?Hacker gets 5yr deal?
Rap
I don’t think Sambi was brought in to make an instant impact, Arteta has said he played more than expected last season.
He was brought into to deputy for Partey, to learn from him, and eventually take over from his as some type of succession planning.
He’ll be better this season, he’ll benefit from being in the Europa, where he should get consistent minutes.
The club are trying to operate in a smarter way, having squad players earning far less money, makes it easier to churn our squad
When we’ve got squad players earning more than £20-£30k p/w, it becomes very difficult to sell them outside of the PL, because very few clubs outside 10+15 on the continent can afford to match higher wages, let alone pay a fee on top
This is why we’ve become such bad sellers, and have struggled to sell squad players., it’s the wages.
We had to change the way that we operate, Edu said in an interview at the start of last season that we were aiming for a squad of senior players, backed up by talented young players
If a young player earning £15-£20k doesn’t work out, then it’s much easier to dump our stock
If we get our talent ID right? Then we can beat the market and turn £15-£30 million players into £50million + players
That leaves us in a strong negotiating position to renew, because we have the clout to more than triple wages if young players blow up.
This is the way we’ll operate now, young players as squad players earning less money, which will make us better sellers
We’re reportedly only paying Vieira £38k p/w, Tavares £15k, Sambi £20k
Which when you consider Kolasinac £120k, Mustafi £90k, Sokratis £90k, Bellerin £110k, Luiz £120k, Willian £200k, Aubameyang £250k at 31
Where investing in players who are likely to be appreciating assets, not depreciating ones, players who if they don’t work out, will be easier to move on.
It’s a much smarter + sustainable model, we’ve just got to find the right balance in terms of youth + experience
With this model we can’t afford to carry injury prone senior players
Positive pete
“we sign Melo?Hacker gets 5yr deal?”
What a combo.
Mouthwatering.
You know the kind of mouthwatering prior to throwing up.
SpanishDave, that’s not correct. Four eye witnesses are required for imposing certain punishments such as beheading and amputation of limbs. A judge can find someone guilty without eye witness accounts similar to UK courts but is barred from imposing the severest punishments.
Incidentally in Islam it is not possible for a husband to be found guilty of raping his wife (or vice versa) as it is incumbent on each spouse to provide intimacy as part of the marriage contract. The only time this it is not is if the wife is on her menses. If the wife or husband don’t wish to continue intimate relations they should separate (sleeping together) and/or ultimately divorce.
To be clear, that does not mean that a spouse can force themselves on the other party, it just means Islam views withholding of sex a s a grounds for divorce.
IQ: But does UK law not take precedence over religious doctrine/beliefs, i.e. sharia law?
In the UK of course UK law will take precedent. I am just taking issue with SpanishDave’s post that rape is difficult to prove in a Muslim court. It’s pretty much the same burden of proof as in the UK except for the punishments being handed out.
Adding to a roller coaster transfer window is a case of who did it. High octane action plus a mystery. Are you not entertained.
IQ: Yes — hopefully it doesn’t matter now anyway, as Partey is in Germany!
Ishola.lol.Got a better idea.How about Savic ( New increased bid just gone it & prob be accepted!)🤞AND Tielemans.Now that would be spectacular.Stranger things…….
I have to correct what is being posted.
First of all it is the Star Newspaper who issued the statement about Partey being on the plane to Germany. Chris Wheatley has responded to this article.
Second there has been no announcement form the police sofar.
We don’t know the outcome of their investigation. For all we know the footballer in question
has been released without charge.
Partey is in germany thankGod.
The “fact” that Partey is in Germany is still based on only one journalist’s tweet. There are no pictures of him training there as far as i can see so right now sighs of relief are probably premature. The Sun reports the player is “one of the best at his Premier league side” and is due to play for his country in Qatar.
ES
“First of all it is the Star Newspaper who issued the statement about Partey being on the plane to Germany. Chris Wheatley has responded to this article.”
lol Wheatley ITK getting his source from the Star newspaper.
I heard Wheatley was golden earlier in this thread.
Anyway as has been said right from the start best to wait and see the outcome before naming names guilty or otherwise.
lol Wheatley.
Partey in Germany and Xhaka is holidaying with his wife.
Elneny? I very much doubt
Spuds probably continuing to be spursy
We are buying into our Project Youth but would you sell one of our gems when the time comes (big fat check (Coutinho?), player unhappy (Sterling?), wages conflict (Mane?) or a player just decides he is done (Koscielny?)?
I have a piece at LiR which might interests you – https://londonisred.com/is-selling-an-important-aspect-of-project-youth/
We need to increase our bids for the CMF targets then with clubs knowing they can charge the rape tax knowing we are desperate for able replacement.
Ben Davies in the frame now…
I read the player is supposed to play at the World Cup 2022. Egypt didn’t qualify so chances are it’s not Elneny according to the information.
Elneny also in the background of the Jesus training picture presumably shot today.
Worth mentioning that it appears the initial tweet by Chris Wheatley has since been deleted.
Whoever it is, with todays women I’m backing the player and saying he’s innocent.
Leftside,
oshit…
The description given out by The Telegraph of the player in question i.e, age, going to World Cup could of course be completely false to ally confidentiality.
Sinner takes the opening set against Djokovic.
If any news on Partey would have been confirmed, it would have been done by now.
Yep Rap, that looks ominous!
I understand the club cant come out with a statement to say it wasn’t any of our players, but if indeed none of our players were involved, you would think that the club would be going out of their way to post pictures of training to prove any Arsenal players that could be considered as suspects were in training, essentially ruling them out as suspects…
Wheatley’s tweet has been deleted and the article amended… hmm
There is a tweet that said that at least one player agency have told their premier league clients to post a picture of themselves on instagram either on holiday or at training with the metadata intact to quash any doubt without mentioning the rape allegation.
Man, this club has been cursed ever since Bertie Mee ran over that gypsy lady with his car in 76.
Innocent until proven guilty. I’m not judging anyone yet
Meanwhile arsenal put a concrete 47m bid for melinkovic savic. Not likely enough to get him signed but it’s reassuring if we’re making solid bids for good CMs which is the one thing I’m really asking for right now above all else
Wheatley just deleted his Partey in Germany tweet. If anything, be very worried lads
China1
“Meanwhile arsenal put a concrete 47m bid for melinkovic savic. Not likely enough to get him signed but it’s reassuring if we’re making solid bids for good CMs which is the one thing I’m really asking for right now above all else”
Until we actually sign an elite midfielder, it’s tire kicking
Doesn’t anyone want Asensio for the wing position since we can’t get Raphinha. Fantasic player. Awesome technique. Weird he isn’t among the first names on the team sheet at Real. Understandable seeing as Rodrygo and Vinicius are preferred.
Oh shit.
Tom Morgan of The Telegraph has just tweeted same footballer arrested is facing two more allegations of rape by a different woman.
Think some of you forgot that Chris said Arsenal would have to buy to sell last year before I corrected him.
“Ben Davies in the frame now…“
Definitely not Kane though……………any rape accusations would be easily dismissed by him saying he was only play acting
Whetley is not the first one to delete his tweet regarding Partey being part of Arsenal pre-tour squad in Germany. Another ITK deleted a similar tweet a few hours ago.
Pedro, are you saying that Partey is not in Germany then? That’s not great news….
It’s on The Telegraph main sports pages now online.
Two more rape charges from a different woman.
quick look on twits and it appears Partey has travelled to Germany, not sure how credible the pic is but its there.
Izzo, we’ve been linked to him a few times, I’d rather Zaha.
If we get Savic it’ll more than make up for not getting locotelli. Italian rumours tho so…
RP7, I don’t think we’re looking for a backup for Saka, we need someone on the opposite flank that can get numbers and play on the right if needs be
Chris Wheatley
Thomas Partey is currently in London and did not travel with the Arsenal team to Germany. Apologies for any confusion caused with earlier tweet. #AFC
Oh my lord….
https://twitter.com/ChrisWheatley_/status/1544335682117722113
This is basically a confirmation isn’t it… Fuckin hell.
New post
Oh Dear.Not looking good.Not looking good at all.Got a suspicion we’re after TWO cms & a DM.will have extra money due to Raphina ditching us & if it is Partey,his wages.
Wheatley is a clown, so unprofessional … With his tweet, delete & retweet
Arsenal are a club that leaks stories about bad boys like Auba in the past. Either this is way more serious or it is not to do with the club.
Kegunner
“Arsenal are a club that leaks stories about bad boys like Auba in the past. Either this is way more serious or it is not to do with the club.”
Well it’s obviously more serious than what Auba was or wasn’t getting up to while at the club.