ZINCHENKO DEAL MOVES TO FINAL STAGE

by .

Good people of Le Grove, it is a Saturday, I am at the hospital, it’s hour 12, and I’m writing a blog.

Am I sure of the rules around this sort of thing? No.

I will pay a price for this with divorce papers at some point, but listen, your insatiable appetite for transfer stories, or my need for attention, greatly weighs on me right now.

So what do we have to talk about?


Arsenal is closing in on Zinchenko and I am absolutely OVER the damn moon about it.

He’s a bit of a ‘woah’ signing for me, mainly because we stopped making moves like this a while ago. Experienced, a winner, in the prime of their career… it’s quite sad I think like that, but that’s how low the standards have sunk over the last 8 years.

I loved the strategy of last summer, I knew we’d go for more complete players this window, but I didn’t think they’d come with Premier League pedigree. I was expecting us to live in the world of Paqueta types. Top talent owning their league. This move on players that are already doing it in the league, but looking to break out, feels very Liverpool when they signed VVD, Mane, and Wijnaldum (stole that from @DanielZeqiri).

These two charts really paint a picture of what we have with Zinchenko.

Firstly, this is how he compares at left back to Tierney and Tavares.

Now, context-wise, accept he plays at a higher level with better players. But what I love about his data is this is a player who had an extremely choppy season with next to no minutes until December when he landed 5 Premier League starts in a row (5 wins and a draw). Then he found the bench and didn’t get a good run until the end of the season when he picked up 7 starts, landing 6 wins. That is extreme mental strength.

Remember, Tavares played great at the start of the season, got benched when Tierney returned, came back a mess against Nottingham Forest. Never recovered.

Regardless, Zinchenko’s left-back numbers are OUTRAGEOUS.

… but there is more.

These are his midfield numbers. When stacked against Granit Xhaka. More passes, more accuracy, better defending.

Then look at the fee. United is paying £50m for a 5ft9 centre-back we wanted to play at left-back. We’re getting a 4 times Premier League winner for £30m.

That is outrageous.

Again, I’m gonna go at the folk that called Arteta the cone boy. Do those people want to sit here and tell me that Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus are coming to Arsenal under any other circumstance other than Arteta at the controls? Do you think they’re coming to Arsenal in their prime to play for a coach that doesn’t know his onions? These are the benefits of having a coach that is a top-tier thinker. It also shows you that despite some of the noise, top players can see this project is about to bang.

There are only two more jobs to be done if we get this deal over the line.

We need to sign Tielemans in central midfield, another top Premier League talent that will find new heights in our system.

We need to sign a winger with outrageous production. There are quite a lot of strong rumours linking us to Leroy Sane. He’s world-class for me, he’d represent a real hero signing, and I’d prefer him over Raphinha any day of the week. Seems like an insane move because of where he is in his career, his price tag of £60m, and his salary of £300k a week, but damn, that would be a statement piece. He’s only 26.

I’m not quite sure we’re going there, but again, if you can, and the player is willing, do it.

I want to keep our best young players at the club. Bukayo Saka needs to see where this project is heading. I’m pretty sure he’d be thrilled to see someone at Sane’s level joining the party.

There’s a rumor about Edmond Tapsoba doing the rounds again. The 50m euro centre back is 22, he’s being linked by a new site that is dedicated to transfer rumours, which is a bad business model unless you peddle 80% guff. Regardless, it’s important to remember that ground zero for Arteta last season was Newcastle. We lacked bravery to break the press and didn’t deliver on the plan. Old Arsenal might have let that slide, new Arsenal will chop out players if there’s an opportunity. Whilst I have my doubts we’ll do anything mental, don’t be shocked if a Gabriel-like name is moved if we can ship in someone else. Big clubs make hard decisions. Ben White and Gabriel dipped hard in H2 last season. I’m not giving credence to the rumour, but look, those Juve rumours won’t die. If he leaves, we are purchasing.

Strong rumours William Saliba is making his rebirth debut against Everton tomorrow. It’ll be interesting to see whether we begin to jettison some of the expendable players now the tour has taken on more seriousness.

Ok, before I go. I have TWO pieces of information.

We signed a podcast deal with BlueWire. So if there’s disruption to your podcast things, let us know, but it should be fairly straightforward. Does this deal make us professional podcasters?

If I speak…

Secondly, thank you to all the generous folk that have contributed to our Patreon subscription. You are a special bunch. We’re trying to work out what the deal is in totality. Here’s where I think we’ll land for 2022 podcast-wise.

  • On The Whistle – Premier League – free to air.
  • Before the whistle + Europa League review – Patreon
  • Special Features – Patreon

We dropped a Patreon BANGER last night. I made slides. Johnny showed up and left it all on the pitch. We talked Saliba, Zinchenko, Sane, and the shape of our summer so far. All good vibes.

Join up below.

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grooveydaddy

1st

grooveydaddy

And

grooveydaddy

The

grooveydaddy

Tr4phy

Mark S

You win today groovey.

grooveydaddy

I went to go see Little Louie Vega after the missus broke water. I got got home in time to take her to the hospital.

Fair play for knocking out a post.

Congrats on the new arrival.

Hope everything goes smoothly.

Mark S

Pete-Congrats to you and your significant other when it comes to the upcoming birth of your child. I wish you guys nothing but the best. As an OBGYN’s husband, I can tell you that you putting out a post during labor isn’t even close to the craziest thing to happen while waiting during labor.

Leftside

Loving the Zinchenko deal, good price – can cover two areas of the field where we need reinforcement and has the quality to improve us. I hope we add another body in mid whether thats Youri or Paqueta. Anything past that will be a bonus – although a goal scoring winger will certainly be welcome.

N9

9th placed

TallestTiz

10

NJ Gooner

First team!

China1

Zinchenko will be a great deal. Praying it gets over the finish line quickly

China1

I’m going to very boldly assume the zinchenko deal gets done because it looks highly likely odds on now, but if arsenal really do then move on Tielemans wow that’s a brilliant transfer window. We had 3 core weaknesses last season, LB, CM and CF. To get experienced quality players from the PL at a good age for all 3 positions would be *massive* and catapult us firmly into the top 3 squad contention category. I’m not going to entertain the possibility of an elite winger on top for now but if we did add Sane you actually have a… Read more »

Bob N16

Agree about Zinchenko and possibly Tielemans. If we get those two in I think we’ll be a real force. Getting quality, PL experienced players in their mid20s feels eminently sensible. Congratulations Pedro, your journey starts now. Feels like yesterday when my youngest was born, yesterday I took him and some mates to the airport for a one month European tour having finished his Alevels. My first son was born at around 10am, by the evening my wife let me go to the Arsenal, when we beat Juventus 2-1.- just about the most perfect day. My son has that ticket stub… Read more »

David Smith

Thanks for writing a blog, and best wishes to you and your family, hopefully, not too long now!
This players should be a great signing! I am still stuck back in time, in the Wenger mindset of the dithering and ultimate loss of such players, but hopefully, no longer.
Some great numbers, but just to defend Xhaka on the tacking numbers, GX and the club will be well aware of the Xhaka tax with these things that are the EPL refs, if he makes tackles, he gets cards that others do not , so may be skewing his numbers,

NJ Gooner

Copied from prior post:

Pedro,

My wife was in labour for 27 hours with our first……. and three hours with our third.

The lesson? Be prepared, young man. be prepared. 🙂

Best of…… that’s heartfelt. And remember that fatherhood is a marathon, not a print. My youngest approached 30 yesterday. And I am still the bank of dad!

raptora

Sound like an incredible memory Bob.

China1

That’s amazing Bob

Funny coincidence on my side is my son was born on my birthday. He is and will forever be my birthday present. I challenge any of you fookers to have a better birthday present than that 😎

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Peter … Been here from early days.
Still the best read along with the online gooner..
If it’s on here it’s kosher … So many fraud accts reckoning we are signing tom dick n Harry

Thierry Martinelli

All the best to your family Pedro. Blessings upon blessings

Bob N16

It was Rap, China. Greatest present for you China although I wonder whether you get marginalised on your joint birthday!

I remember the guy to one side of me in the North Bank was an Italian who was really kind when I explained my first born had arrived that day. He laughed as his wife had stopped him from going to a Juventus match on the day his first born had arrived. Memories never to be forgotten!

Rich

Bob Agree, Jesus, Zinchenko, Tielemans, would be the most ruthlessly pragmatic business. The exact 3 names I wanted at the end of the season. thought they were realistic targets, that wouldn’t be too expensive. I was hoping we’d get all 3 for around £75-£80 million, looks like we might have to add 25% to that, but it’s still sensible. Leicester now linked with Pepe, I don’t mind Pepe, but his race at Arsenal is clearly run Maybe we can do a deal to send Pepe in the opposite direction. If we can sell Pepe + Nelson, there’ll be room to… Read more »

China1

He’s not yet 6 so it’s all good now but when he’s a teenager/adult and he wants to spend his birthday with just his friends that will be a real shame!!

China1

If Leicester really want Pepe can we just do a swap for Tielemans? That would be even better

raptora

As I said in the previous post, I don’t believe we could have done better than Jesus and Zinchenko for £75m. Top business and my #1 picks in the CF and LB position.

Vintage Gun

Pedro. You’ve banged out a blog post whilst in the labour waiting room?

You actually love us.

Rich

You know we’re doing something right when the majority of fans seem behind our transfer business so far.

The 3 priority positions were left back, striker, left sided No8, most fans seemed to agree on that.

If we can get Zinchenko over the line, to add to Jesus + Vieira, we’d have completed what most would have seen as the minimum requirement.

From here I’d imagine incomings will be dependant on outgoings, but who knows? We were prepared to go in hard for Raphinha without any exits.

Bob N16

China, lovely for your boy to have his Dad sharing his birthday. Will always be a special day for you both.

Lovely business if Pepe is part exchange for Tielemans. Never seems to happen, ‘swaps’, but fingers crossed.

If we do get both Zinchenko and Tielemans, there are a lot of players who will be redundant in our squad. The players’ agents have lots of work to do. Do we think Xhaka might feel he should find a new club?

Vintage Gun

I’m very happy with who we’ve signed so far and also happy with the players we have tried to sign.
The fact that the likes of Jesus and Zinchenko have came without CL football is a big W for Edu and Arteta.

Add Tielemans/ Paqueta and we’re good to go. A winger would be nice but that would be a welcome bonus at this stage. Maybe if we have enough juice left after we’ve squeezed a few players out the door.

Jonathan

Great piece, Zinchenko is a known prem player that will hit the the ground running Martinez maybe a worldy in the end but he could just as easily not settle open the prem.

Congratulations on the new addition when it arrives. Blogs now will be at 2am for a while I guess.

Gerald Mahoney

I think Zinchenko is such an exciting signing for us. He is a real class act whether at full back or in midfield.. He not just gives us cover but he also gives us quality. A top player.

Thierry Martinelli

Good to see we’re not just adding bodies to the squad like yesteryears. Zinchenko (if he comes through) along with other signing will offer competition in their respective positions.

Andy

best of luck to you and your missus pedro. congrats!

Jonnygunner

Pedro,you will never be worry free from this moment onward. Or have any money.
My best.

Rich

We need to tie down Saka, Martinelli, Saliba, Patino, Norton Cuffy If we can add Zinchenko to Jesus, Vieira + Saliba That strengthens the squad significantly, and we’re still 20 days out from the season opener, and 45 days away from the window shutting. Depended on exits + fees, maybe we’ll get another wide forward, another No8, and maybe a left sided centre back as well. Hopefully we can start clearing the deck soon, in order to make way for new arrivals. I like Gabriel, he’s a good centre back, coming into a good age + level of experience, there’s… Read more »

Un

Freddie bati raptora What the fuck are you dopey arse holes talking about? Arteta has played 3 youth team products consistently throughout this season plus Willock AMN and neslon in previous seasons. ESR and Nketiah got their first runs as arsenal first teamers under Arteta. Didn’t matter why or how. The fact remains he did and now both a scoring regularly in the league When Arteta got Saka he was bing talked about as one of the best young wing backs around Now he’s the best wide forward in the england squad and scoring regularly from the right Would you… Read more »

Un

Premier league appearances

Mount 34
James 26
Loftus cheek 24
Chalobah 20
Odoi 15

119

Saka 38
Smith Rowe 33
Eddie 21
AMN 8
Neslon 1
Balogun 2

103

Chelsea nick it by 15 odd appearances
So yhis means Arteta doesn’t give youth a chance
Fucking wasters

Jonnygunner

UnJuly 16, 2022 15:43:24 Freddie bati raptoraWhat the fuck are you dopey arse holes talking about? Arteta has played 3 youth team products consistently throughout this season plus Willock AMN and neslon in previous seasons. ESR and Nketiah got their first runs as arsenal first teamers under Arteta. Didn’t matter why or how. The fact remains he did and now both a scoring regularly in the league When Arteta got Saka he was bing talked about as one of the best young wing backs around Now he’s the best wide forward in the england squad and scoring regularly from the… Read more »

Marko

Don struggling again I see

Bill

Best wishes on your prospective happiest day of your life.

Peter, your life is going to change fundamentally for the better.

Bet you’ll cut out the last minute dashes across the road or the cheeky manoeuvre of overtaking the car in front driven by Mr Magoo.

Yep, life’s gonna take a big turn.

Enjoy the ride

Left Testicle

Un, if I remember correctly you used to be anti Arteta. What’s changed?

Un

Johnny

No. I wouldn’t. Also, hypocrite much
Marko. No literally proving that Arteta plays our youth products. What dont you understand

Vintage Gun

Regarding Saliba, i think the damage was done last year when we let him go to Marseille without signing a new deal. Said as much on here at the time. As did a few others. There’s hardly any CB’s around that’s under 23 that can be rated higher. Having said that if he won’t sign a new deal i’d sell him in a flash. What’s the point in letting him leave on a free at 23? Also there’s no way I’d guarantee him a starting spot either. I’d tell him straight “your part of our core 4 alongside Gabriel, White… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Zinchenko if the deal comes off is most definitely a solution to our current weakness at left back. Tierney is a decent full back but injury prone. Having two full backs plus someone who can play competently on left side of midfield is a bonus. However, Arsenal still need a top class “specialist” CMF/DMF who can rotate with Partey and Xhaka in midfield. Lokonga and Elneny are not the solution if either of two is missing from the team. The arrival of Zinchenko will increase this summer’s spending to around £119 million so there will still be a budget to… Read more »

Un

Left

I’m not anti Arteta. I’m largely pro arteta. The guy clearly has faults but he’s our coach so why not support him? Pointing oh the fact that he’s got no issues with giving academy players a run in the team doesn’t strike me as pro anything
He clearly does

Marko

Oh Don… just at this point you’re arguing with yourself and missing the point

raptora

A leopard never changes its spots huh Don?! Haha

Un

Marko

The point is that Arteta doesn’t play youth products
Am I missing something?

Gommit

Thanks for the poscast yesterday.. I managed to take an extra long run this morning just to be able to finish it before coming back home to my girls (stopped a few times to see the slides, Johnny really sold it). Try to enjoy the first days, they are pure magic on a pink cloud! I for one can survive few weeks of sporadic posts (as long as Johnny and Matt continue with the pods😉) I would not be surprised to see both Tielemans & Paqueta join and no winger – we must be prepared to lose Partey for the… Read more »

Marko

Am I missing something?

Yes you miss basic comprehension of what people say and then make it about something else entirely

Un

Tapsoba rumours going mainstream
Maybe Gabriel really is leaving. I’ve never seen Tapsoba play but wouldn’t be sad to see Gabriel go

solo

jock ,arsenal always linked with best players that can bring change to arsenal and those players deal will fail and they end up in other club .but arsenal would always be successful in dealing for those players underperformed and not good enough and wanted to be offloaded by the other club.Expect the worst next year.

Mysticleaves

😂😂 it’s how Marko doesn’t want to engage Un for me. And you could see Un is dying for it.

Hope Zinchenko bangs. His stats are good. Everyone is (surprisingly to me) excited we are getting him. I guess I never really paid attention to him in the city games. Always felt like an afterthought player. But hopefully he does well with us.

We are getting all these players and we haven’t sold or loaned anyone. We can only register 25….

Un

uly 15, 2022 18:05:02 Bati: “Weird that in what now 2 and a half years in charge you can’t point to any academy guys getting a look in”Patino 79 mins Azeez 7 minsThink that’s it in 2 years and a half.Weird one that Arteta is here to build for the future, 5 year plan etc, while with Emery we were going for short term supposedly, yet Emery promoted Smith Rowe and Saka, and gave minutes to Willock and Nketiah when we had also Guendouzi and Iwobi playing in a vast part of the campaign. Rap Ok let’s look at this… Read more »

Dissenter

Barcelona have had the best summer transfer in a long time.
-Raphinha
-Frenk Kessie – free transfer
-Andreas Christensson -free transfer
-Bernardo Silva
-Lewandowski

That’s some rocket fuel there

Graham62

Irrespective of your love for Mikel, family always comes first.

Congratulations Pedro.

Dissenter

Un
The fact that Arteta would take 33 players to the US and have only one academy player involved [who’s not been around the first team] speaks volumes

It seems you’re just arguing for arguing sake

Arteta may have his strengths, promoting the club;s youth isn’t one of them

I wonder why Mertasacker didn’t kick up a fuss about the non-involvement of some academy players on the tour.

TR7

“Tapsoba rumours going mainstream
Maybe Gabriel really is leaving. I’ve never seen Tapsoba play but wouldn’t be sad to see Gabriel go”

Everyone is citing the same Italian source.

Mysticleaves

Diss has Bernardo Silva gone to Barca?

Mr Serge

No Silva has not gone Barca city do not want tos sell

Dissenter

Conflicting reports about Silva
He’s desperate to leave and Barca are using the money from De Jong to fund it.

City told him he was free to find another club last summer when they bought Jack Grealish. Players don’t forget easily.

Graham62

The Saliba situation was an accident waiting to happen.
If he does go, it will be a massive negative for the club because having seen him play on numerous occasions, he is a player that would move us forward.
He wants guaranteed first team football.
You just know Arteta won’t give it to him.

Terraloon

Un.

If you are counting Eddie as being an Arsenal academy product( he joined Arsenal academy aged 16) you also have to include Christensen who was the same age when he joined Chelsea academy he made 19 PL appearances last season.

Un

Diss

Okonkwo
Walters
AMN
ESR
Nelson
Saka
Eddie

That’s 7 academy players

Go the German tour he took
Patino
Salah
Eddie
Nelson
AMN
Matt smith
Walters
Sousa

8

Freddie Ljungberg

“Freddie bati raptoraWhat the fuck are you dopey arse holes talking about?”

“Would you cocks play patino when we only had vital league games? Would you fuck”

But apparently it was a “dick move” when I called Don Don the other day, eh Pedro?

Congrats on the baby btw.

Leedsgunner

Ndicka is the centre back we should go for… if Gabriel goes. But as I said in the other thread we need cold card cash £75m plus for the defender. No pointless swaps for Juventus cast offs plus cash.

Emiratesstroller

Dissenter We have one of the youngest teams/squad in the EPL and have just recruited Marquinhos [aged 19] and Vieira [aged 22]. There are youngsters coming through the system aged 17-18 who are training regularly with the first team so it is not like Arteta is ignoring them. I am sure if he believes that they are “oven ready” they will be promoted. I suggest that you read Jeorge Bird’s article on our youth Academy and his opinion about departure of Omari-Hutchinson. He has stated more or less the view I have previously expressed. There is plenty of talent around… Read more »

Adams

I hope silva goes to barcelona. Mancity will be a bit weak next season with the departure of sterling, Jesus, zinchenko and silva.

Marko

Don is having a mare in all honesty. Throwing jabs left and right while everyone is trying to ignore him. Yes bringing AMN, Nelson and ESR is a wonderful counter point to not considering Flores, Hutchinson etc etc for the tour. Just gloss over the 5 keepers as well

Matt

Good to know Vieira will be back in full training in a few days.

And the point of taking him on tour was??

Dissenter

Emirates You’re mistaken me for someone else I don’t have a problem with Omari whatever leaving and I certainly wasn’t referring to him when I referenced us taking only one academy player to the states. So you would rather have us take players that are 100% leaving like Bellerin and error signings like Runnarson who we will struggle to loan out again…than to give academy players a time of the lives. I mean we took FIVE goalies; Leno is leaving and Runnarson is useless Why not give those two spots to two high potential academy players because it gives the… Read more »

bacaryisgod

It might be puzzling to many but I can see the logic of leaving the academy players behind. You have some expensive, experienced assets that we’ve yet to sell, incliding Leno, Bellerin, Torreira etc. The club has to send the message that we’re not giving these players away. None of the academy players will be regular contributors next season but some of our wantaways might be needed if we get no serious offers for them. It sends the right message to other clubs. If you’re not serious with your offer,s, we can afford to keep them in the squad.

Dissenter

Un
‘ Okonkwo
Walters
AMN
ESR
Nelson
Saka
Eddie’

That’s as dishonest at if goes
Of that list only one is an academy player looking for a breakout
The rest have been settled in the first team for at least 2 seasons

MidwestGun

Man.. you don’t need a stats comparison for Zinchenko to Xhaka.. All you need is the eye test.. Xhaka makes you want to close your eyes.. Zinchenko makes you want to watch Really happy we seem to be doing the deal.. add in a cm.. and we are finally doing what you are supposed to do in a transfer window… upgrade your weakest links and plug holes with better players and get the fans excited. Anyhow.. seems to me maybe Edu had a say in who went to Baltimore today.. maybe he told Arteta it’s hard to sell our fringe… Read more »

Guns of SF

Pete what you doing man. Get off the internets and be with your baby momma.
This will pay dividends in the future man

We will wait your return! daddy

Dissenter

bacaryisgod
‘ It sends the right message to other clubs. If you’re not serious with your offer,s, we can afford to keep them in the squad.’

That will be the most bullshite bluff ever
What are we going to with 33 players,
Register them for the season
Are we planning to register 5 goalies to begin with.
A tour list has to have a mix of players, on the constituents is a few academy players on the cusp of a breakthrough.

Bob N16

Just watched Saliba being interviewed on .com. Doesn’t sound like he’s not committed to Arsenal, at least for this season. I’d imagine they’d be plenty of takers for him in a year’s time and we’d still get at least what we paid for him, if not more even if he doesn’t sign an extension. This discussion about whether or not Arteta ‘promotes’ youth players requires some unravelling. He is clearly happy to play young players if they are exceptional. We had a healthy net spend last year which brought in four starters which pushed down the fringe players. We had… Read more »

Dissenter

Guns
Good to see your post again
I was kinda worried about you after toys put up a cryptic post, following your parting.

Hope your doing great

Un

Bacary It’s not just that. What if he can’t get rid of any of them? He will need them to feel included for the season. If he leaves Torreira or bellerin out of the tour and both stay then it’s not going t be good for their morale is it? Have to say though, the 5 gk thing is a bit fucking weird Even still there are 7 academy players in the states and there were 8 in Germany. He’s promoted both ESR and Nketiah to first team players and looks to be integrating patino when he gets a chance… Read more »

Bob N16

The players (and their agents) who are surplus to our needs will want to find other clubs if they only see very limited game time. There only a few diehard Bogardes/ Ozils. Clubs who look at those players will decide if they are of sufficient quality to try and get them in. Then it’s just about haggling over terms. For a lot of them, it’ll happen at the end of the window when clubs are forced into committing to required reinforcements. For Arsenal, if we’ve got all our main targets safely in, to an extent we can sit back and… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Dissenter I referred to the article of Jeorge Bird not just because he discussed the departure of Omari Hutchinson, but also because he discussed the talent in the Academy. Hutchinson was one of several players in U21s/U18s. He discussed also that we have several young players in the first team who were ahead of Hutchinson in their development. Your argument about taking players on the trip who are likely to leave the club is wrong. Arsenal need to ensure that these players are training and not being neglected and are going to be match fit if and when they leave… Read more »

Rich

Bouncing for the game tonight. Think we’ll aim for 60 minutes from some of the players who were in Germany, and 30 minutes from the players who were later back. Apparently Saliba is set to start I don’t know what all the fuss is about? The club has said he’s staying, he’s just given a positive interview on the official site, his agent has said there were positive talks with Edu. If we sell him, then we sell him, disappointing, but it is what it is…. If I had to take a punt, I think he’ll stay, fight his way… Read more »

Rich

Arteta explaining why he left young players behind, and why he took players who might not have futures:

“The message is: this is a different season and everybody has a clean start,” he said. “Show us what you can do on the pitch, how you’re going to behave with your team-mates, are you going to make the car faster – yes or no? If you do, you have a chance to be here.”

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/mikel-arteta-arsenal-charlie-patino-24510263

Seems fair, giving everyone a clean slate, and an opportunity to impress.

Freddie Ljungberg

Wonder if Xhaka is going to make the car go faster? My guess is nope.

izzo

Can you guys stop with all the Saliba nonsense. He is not being sold. He’s staying and will play this season. Look at his interview on the .com. Bunch of crybabies. Cry over Omari Hutchinson leaving and 1000% you’ve never seen him play and so what if Saliba doesn’t renew in a year if he plays a blinder we can sell for a large amount and if he sucks and still wants to leave same shit we’ll still get a premium fee for him. There are so many upcoming young players out there I see no reason to cry over… Read more »

Adams

Good

nwm

Pedro

One question and one. comment and I know you might not get to either, (congratulations BTW). Question: In your first graphic, what exactly is tackle success, how is it calculated. Comment: Tapsoba is a right footer and we know how Arteta loves his left footed left center backs (that was part of the appeal of Martinez) so if they are adding a center back, I would expect him to be a left footed, especially if Gabriel leaves.

Mr Serge

Graham how are you mate ? Saliba never said he wants guaranteed first team football he wants to play because he wants to get into the France squad for the world cup

Mr Serge

MattJuly 16, 2022 17:03:27
Good to know Vieira will be back in full training in a few days.And the point of taking him on tour was?

To integrate and get to know his new team mates so he feels part of if it’s not hard to fathom

Let’s make the lad feel wanted

MidwestGun

Diss- Shouldn’t you be working up a Le Grove banner right about now instead of worrying about seeing some extra youth dudes.. ? I expect a full report when you get back.

Vintage Gun

I kinda understand Arteta taking the full first team squad to the US (bar Runnerson) as we already have a very young squad and none of the U23 players are likely to be regular in the PL this season. And that includes Flores and Patino So let them train and play with the U23’s and select the best performers as options for the Carabo Cup and early EL group squads. Part of levelling up our squad means that it will be harder for youngsters to break into our first team. I wasn’t so long ago that some were worried that… Read more »

bacaryisgod

I’m taking bets. Which gets announced first? Zinchenko’s signing or Pedro’s baby arrival?

Matt

Mr Serge

Let’s see how much he features this season. My guess is very little.

bacaryisgod

Dissenter/Un

Of course we didn’t need five keepers. That was stupid. But if we have players who can contribute next season and no deal can be struck to sell them then of course have them on tour. I’d still take Bellerin over Cedric for example.

I still think it’s a stronger move taking those types of players on tour. My best guess is that many of them will be gone over the next five weeks but at least they will be partially integrated if a couple of deals fall apart.

bacaryisgod

Don’t forget, it’s also a message to players like Torreira and Bellerin that they can’t just force their way out to their preferred club. Except for the keepers, it was a sound decision.

nwm

Re the discussion about taking players on tour that Arsenal would probably prefer to sell. I see two potential benefits to this strategy, 1) Arsenal can showcase them instead of leaving them home to train out of the limelight, and 2) if Arsenal leave any uninjured first team players home, they are admitting those players aren’t in their plans for the coming season, which drives down potential transfer fees.

Gommit

This argument about giving young players is not going anywhere.. I am one of them who think Arteta has been terrible at including the up and coming players. That being said he included them in the squad for the last 15 games or so but we never managed to get into a comfortable situation to give them minutes. We will see how things develop next season when he has 5 subs in the league. If he will not give them minutes when possible it will be a hard sell for them to get our young exciting players to commit long… Read more »

G

‘’ He wants guaranteed first team football.
You just know Arteta won’t give it to him.‘’

Re saliba.. why should Arteta guarantee him anything.. he’s probably said to him fight for your place like any other player

Un

Bacary

I concur
Outside of the 5 keepers it’s the only decision to make. The youth got their tour
Now the seniors are back it’s serious business. Arteta is setting his stall out to take us back to the top and I personally am really encouraged by what he’s done this summer

zaco

With Lewandoski, Raphinha joining Barca and Dembele renewing, Auba may find himself on the bench regularly this season but who cares?

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