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 and Manchester City have now reached verbal agreement in principle for Oleksandr Zinchenko, fee around £30m. Personal terms are still discussed. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
Salary and length of contract, in negotiation – key step to complete the agreement. pic.twitter.com/QJYrwdqJH1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2022
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.
lol
Jesus dying to get on the end of that cross?
£55m for Gabriel M, as I said on the other thread— £75m at the very least!
Well the game was too late for me. I had to watch the highlights. Jesus looks absolute quality like I expected. We needed someone that is in between Lacazette and Aubameyang interms of quality and Jesus is that guy. He can run in behind, he can come short and he creates his own chances with a dribble or a body feint unlike both of those strikers. We did an amazing business recruiting him. Saliba looked composed and non Chalant like VVD. I like players who seem in control. He looked in control. He needs a proper chance if we are… Read more »
Hard to know about partey. There might simply be a lack of info available to the club and they are treating him as innocent until proven guilty.
We’ll see.
China
That might be True. But a huge club that wants to protect its image would do it’s due diligence. They will know what the details of these accusations are. He has a contract with Arsenal and plenty of others such as Adidas.
My guess is they know of the accusations and the evidence that is labelled against him. And they think it is insufficient or a total lie. If not they wouldn’t risk their image on preseason games. They would have made him stay at Colney and train alone.
Man that American woman commentating makes Michael Owen look like John Motson
Awful.
I don’t mind women commentating after the game, in the box with sourness and whatnot but during the game is just jarring, distracting and rarely competent.
Saka looks amazing again after a rest. Just imagine how sharp he can be all season if we can give him a game or two on the sidelines to recover. Honestly the difference between a rested Saka and a red zoned Saka is quite striking Jesus looks like he’s been here for years already He’s hitting the ground running and has settled immediately I’m really very surprised at how well he’s linking with his new team mates already. Again, what a difference it makes to have a striker with energy, link up and finishing ability. He sharpens the entire team… Read more »
A very good first half last night , a well taken goal fom Jesus who looks like he will be a menace for the opposition in an Arsenal shirt. A tidy performance from Odegaard who took up some good positions and used the ball well as one would expect. On the negative side, Turner looks nervous with the ball at his feet, which would make signing him a strange decision as apparently having a keeper who is good with his feet is just as important as his handling ability. Are Everton rubbish or did we make them look rubbish, time… Read more »
Un
“Jesus looks like he’s been here for years already
He’s hitting the ground running and has settled immediately”
Definitely a touch of ian Wright about him in the way he has come in and looked at home from minute one..
As you say, he will lift the players around him.
Pierre
Eddie looks a different beats this ore season too. He looks faster stronger sharper. His shots seem harder, with more venom. His link up and touch seem to have improved. He looks a bit of a monster rather than a timid boy now. I must say I was doubtful but you called That one mate. I think having Jesus around will be hugely beneficial for him rather than holding him back.
Beast*
I was really impressed with Saliba. Looked so assured and stuck to the basics while being aggressive also. Matt Turner is the one that worries me. Someone here blamed me for criticizing him after we conceded the first goal against Nunberg. But sometimes you can instantly tell if the player is poor. The guy looks so nervous any time the ball is passed to him or he has to deal with a shot. If Ramsdale gets injured and Leno is sold, the games are going to feel super long with the American between the sticks.
Nobody saying we’ve overpaid for Jesus now are they?
Well he will be judged as value for money if he is consistently great over a 38 game season, not two preseason games…
But sure he’s looked great for the two games he’s played and that’s very nice to see
Jonko tbf maybe he is nervous. For a player in his late 20s who has only ever played in the MLS to be playing for arsenal is one hell of a jump.
Maybe it’s beyond him but let’s not right him off yet. Some players need to feel their way into a new club. If he has one or two really good games it might settle him down if it is nerves impacting him
China
Obviously but I really don’t think at the end of this season anyone will be claiming we overpaid going if what we’ve seen already. His energy levels alone have raised the standards
Un ‘ Man that American woman commentating makes Michael Owen look like John Motson Awful. I don’t mind women commentating after the game, in the box with sourness and whatnot but during the game is just jarring, distracting and rarely competent.’ What a take. She was a crap commentator as was the guy who was similarly poor and annoying. How about we focus on the individual commentator rather than make dumb blanket statements like women are ok to talk in a box with Sounness but not fit to be real commentators? I mean honestly I guess you’d rather she spend… Read more »
For the first time in years we have two sharp and hungry strikers, who are both capable of adding goals
We have begun them the most exciting roster of creative players outside or city
I’m really looking forward t the start of the season.
It feels like this pre season we’ve gone up levels in intensity
China
Chill your herbs man. 🌿
I’ve never heard a decent female commentator outside of Alex Scott and even then I think she’s better talking about the game rather than during. Of course there are shit male commentators like Macca and Owen too but maybe my view is my view and I’ll decide how I view things rather than letting you decide for me eh?
Yeah I’ve never heard a decent female commentator either. Do you think that’s because of their ovaries or something?
80% of male commentators are not very good either, and her male counterpart for that game was also crap.
So in order to conclude a woman’s place is not in the commentary box how about we actually see some evidence of that beyond ‘I’ve heard a couple who weren’t good so it must be because they’re women’.
And by all means keep as many bigoted opinions as you like. That’s your right
Looked very comfortable last night Jesus goals aside looks to have bedded in well, link up play and cohesion with those around him, promising signs. Negatives Tierney, ESR and now Tomiyasu again all with ‘niggles’ I know only pre season and no one would be risked but it’s becoming the usual suspects regarding injuries. Zinchenko will be such a good signing ticks so many boxes in what he brings to the squad lets hope we get personal terms done asap as fee looks agreed. One more midfield signing and the squad looks in decent shape. Outgoings I expect a lot… Read more »
Love peoples excitement but daaam people get over excited in pre-season games. I’ll get excited if we smash Palace come first game of the season.
China
The only metric I have is this comments sections which seem echo my thought quite overwhelmingly. I’ve no issue with women commentating but not during the game. It’s distracting waffle. Find me a woman who really accentuates what’s happening on the pitch with insightful commentary with a voice doesn’t sound like budgie with its foot stuck in an electric fence and I’ll happily listen
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9768515/Are-female-commentators-breath-fresh-air-PC-token-gesture.html?ico=amp-comments-addcomment#comments-9768515
Everton look a very poor team but their squad looks absolute poverty.
If one or two of the promoted sides can do a Brentford I suggest last season is going to be repeated. DCL injury prone another with constant ‘niggles’ Gordon looks their only decent creative player.
DCL a lot of Arsenal fans wanted him, not for me injuries aside he’s had one good scoring season during the covid no fan’s season.
I don’t think it’s at all bigoted to suggest that I prefer male commentary 😂
Is it bigoted to admit I prefer lamb over chicken? Blondes over gingers? Pink over blue? Why do you have to relegate a preference to something so baseline and false?
Pre season is that bedding in players, fitness levels and seeing how players combine with each other.
All means nothing if we don’t start the season well, no repeat of last season’s dreadful opening games is a must.
What’s up with Tarkwoski? He was actively going in full throttle into those tackles like he didn’t care.
I suppose you can take the player out of Burnley but not Burnley out of the player… what horrible thuggish way to play.
Pierre. ‘Bringing on AMN, Pepe , Bellerin , Mari in the 2nd half was a pointless exercise and a waste of valuable minutes that could have been given to young players who would have benefitted immensely from the experience..’
On the one hand you say Arteta’s treatment of the players who are more than likely to leave had a stink of ‘bulls*t’ by saying they had a clean slate and then you dive in with a criticism of giving them minutes.
Make your mind up!
Pre season is important and often does give an indication of how the team will fare against the big boys. Whenever Arsenal have had a poor pre season, the performances in the first 10 or so league matches have also been poor, like the last season. Not a coincidence. Look at that dud Nunez. No way he’s gonna be a top player for Pool. Absolutely poor. Even the top Pool journos who are usually very patient have started tweeting negatively about him. Pre season IS important.
Un – yes your views are yours but really?…………
That was an incredibly sexist statement- I suspect that being a commentator or supporting pundit pitch side is an incredibly difficult skill and sadly beyond the abilities of most to do. TV companies should move on quickly if they have a poor one – chances arethey will
Whether they are male or female is not that relevant . Karen Carney really grates but so too does Michael Owen. It is the individual not the gender
Bob “On the one hand you say Arteta’s treatment of the players who are more than likely to leave had a stink of ‘bulls*t’ by saying they had a clean slate and then you dive in with a criticism of giving them minutes., make your mind up” My position hasn’t changed. The thing is, if Arteta doesn’t know by now what the likes of Leno, AMN , Pepe, Mari and Bellerin can do , then he needs to find another job. If you think those players playing half a game in a few pre season friendlies is going to change… Read more »
It’s the soprano pitch of the voice, they get all squeaky when excited. The sultry Marlene Dietrich pitch will do just fine.
We played well in the first half, we had a nice shape about us, other than Tavares getting caught out positionally on a couple of occasions. The obvious thing to do with Tavares seems to be to send him out on loan, both the player + club would benefit from him playing consistently for 40 games. He’s got a lot of the raw ingredients to develop into a good player, but positionally + tactically, + his decision making, are currently a long way off. The problem we’ve got is Tierney’s injuries, Tomi is also carrying another issue. If Tierney gets… Read more »
Nice to see Un still excels at calling folks names for holding opinions that he dooesn’t agree with.
I stand by my point about academy players barely getting any look in.
Love Gabi Jesus
“Pre season IS important”
No it’s not. The season opener against palace will tell alot if we have learnt anything from last season.
Rich
If Arsenal sign Zinchenko, why worry about LB in particular?
Rich
“, so maybe Tavares could cover on the left of our attack in an emergency”
No need, both Eddie or Jesus are good out wide..
Eddie is good coming in from the left, Jesus is good on the right meaning saka plays on the left and eddie up top ….simple solution
If you are correct in saying that Smith rowe has issues,
Tomiyasu has issues plus Vieira has issues , that doesn’t bode well for the new season.
Rich
That don’t sound good three players already injured.
England is best
Marge Simpson and sisters would be decent commentators 😂
Same
Pre season is important. It sets the tone for how we begin. A god solid pre season lays the foundations physically, mentally and tactically. Look at how sharp Jesus Nketiah and Saka look already. There are goals among those three from the off
Martinelli isn’t far behind. Apparently Tierney ESR and vieira are carrying knocks and niggles
I really hope we get ESR fit this season and he can put those worries behind him. I’d hate to see him go the same way as Rambo and Jack.
Ah
Rich beat me to it
It is interesting to note that what might be considered our front 3 at present – Martinelli – Jesus- Saka can all play in at least 2 positions. Then we have ESR and Eddie as back up and formation shifters / for rotation too and the as yet unknown Marquinhos as the possible surprise package for the season. So I’m personally not feeling we need another winger and I think that time spent on trying to buy Raphina could have been far more usefully spent focusing on other positions Assuming we bag Zinchenko this coming week (fingers crossed) then Tielemans… Read more »
Picking up on Pierre s point, I’m very concerned about why we’ve taken this dross with us to the US.
We have a whole bunch of talented kids who could have really benefited from this experience – especially Patino and Flores. Whether that was the last nail in Hutchinson’s coffin remains to be seen.
Huge opportunity wasted. What the hell was Arteta thinking bringing along Mari etc. That we showcase them to get more money? That ship has floated
Northbanker
Fair enough but can you give me an example of just 1 female commentator who is actual good? Who you enjoy hearing give insights throughout the game and who’s voice carries the same gravitas of some of the more famous male counterparts?
When we go to the box and we hear Rio, Neville, Henry RvP or Keane give insights on dressing rooms and mentality at the pinnacle of the sport does Karen Carney compare? The answer for me is no.
Jonko I woundnt be so quick to write off Nunez Henry pires and bergkamp started slowly for arsenal. New league with an alien tactical framework. He will have to adjust. I mean I hope he bombs from an arsenal perspective but if he were our players and he had a tough pre season I’d expect him to take 6-18 months or so to start really showing what he can do on a consistent basis Look at foden and grealish. Pep likes to give his players room to learn his system properly before really making them first choice. Darwin likely won’t… Read more »
Although Martinelli looked dangerous on the left against Everton, he did flatter to deceive with his decision making and final ball. It is so important for a wide player to play with his head up and not make that extra touch on the ball. There were probably 3 or 4 occasions when he found himself in very good positions after good runs and each time he made the wrong decision. In the first half he got to the byline a couple of times with good runs which came to nothing, and early in the 2nd half he broke through on… Read more »
Pierre, you haven’t responded to your contradicting comments about the surplus players smelling bulls*t about a new slate and then being taken on tour and been given minutes. You’ll probably accuse him of being two faced when they get moved on in the next few weeks! Anyway I think that it’s possible the odd player who we assume is leaving might stay and the others are being showcased and are sharing the minutes. Most players are getting no more than 45 minutes which necessitates loads of changes. They’re nowhere near match fit so having a large squad makes sense. I… Read more »
EB Because I want Arsenal to be competitive, I want us to compete for 4 competitions, I don’t want our seasons going up in smoke at critical stages, after working our way into good positions. Zinchenko can’t play 60 games, the whole point of having 2 players in each position, is that we can rest, rotate, and change a game from the bench. If a player is carrying a small issue, we can more easily rest them, they then don’t risk aggregating that injury Carrying injury prone players in the squad is a nightmare, because we then risk overplaying their… Read more »
I think it’s a possibility that ESR may replace Martinelli on the left side as the season progresses if the Brazilian doesn’t improve his decision making.
There’s an awful lot of crap commentators out there, I actually struggle to think of any that I particular like, apart from the ones on BBC 5 Live. In days gone by I would turn down the tv volume and have 5 live commentary on, but it seemingly can’t be done these days due to the delay in the live feed on tv, radio gives it away a few seconds before the tv does. Maybe I should try it again and delay the radio broadcast somehow. I think it’s best to leave gender out of it totally though, that would… Read more »
When you weight up £55 million for this Lisandro guy and then compare it with £35 million for Zinchenko, I’d be taking the latter every time. It’s a great deal for us.
Injury updates
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on a number of players’ injury statuses.
Speaking after the Gunners beat Everton, he said: “We have Kieran [Tierney] with a slight problem, we have Emile [Smith Rowe] with a muscular niggle, Tomiyasu as well and Ben [White].
“Vieira has a slight problem in his bone, hopefully he will start to train in the next week or so.”
Sending a link to a daily mail article
Laughing at his own jokes
Resorting to name calling
Sexist backward views
Ohh dear
All four who have had issues last season including White toward the end.
Although Zinchenko should hopefully get tied up; Saliba is in. Martinelli is playing where Mikel likes ESR to play, and then its just RB.
Cedric fills me with dread, so unless we play AMN there or Bellerin hangs around I would even like us to look at that position.
Although I doubt we will.
Bob
“Pierre, you haven’t responded to your contradicting comments about the surplus players smelling bulls*t about a new slate and then being taken on tour and been given minutes. You’ll probably accuse him of being two faced when they get moved on in the next few weeks!”
Bob, you are waffling on about nothing in particular, it’s obvious what i meant and it’s obvious what’s going to happen with those players this season.
One of the players was on crutches.
It was too far for me to white is was. Someone in the crowd said Tomiyasu.
Eddie got the loudest applause yesterday
The crowd loved him the way you love Rocky Balboa
For some reason many people,see themselves in Eddie.
Saliba too got loud cheers.
I reckon that first half 11 is starting the first premier league game.
Jesus is a street fighter.
He’s no different from Richarlison in that regard. I reckon he’s going to taunt defenders all day, wind them up to get penalties and do lots of simulation all season.
The dude plays hungry, very handy like someone owes him money.
Rich You are absolutely right, in today football Arsenal should have quality cover for every position, the days of 14 first=choice players are over. And of course, that is Arteta’s clear intention. Hence the huge number signings this summer (at the very least two more to come), because Arsenal were short in numbers as well as quality. Blending so many newcomers into a cohesive unit is a huge task – but Arteta has made made his formulated plan second nature to his players, and the newcomers chosen will adapt readily. Which is why I think Arsenal will set off with… Read more »
Has anyone seen the three Gabis interview?
Frimpon, Arsenal’s social media manager interviewed Jesus, Martinelli and Magalhães
It was hilarious
Dissenter
I agree with you except if Tierney and Tommi are fit they play
Seems Odegaard just glitter, his creativity is non existing and no assist
Don’t understand why Arteta insist with him being the captain
The likes of Bellerin really put a downer on the US tour. He looks so finished.
Everyone can see some players aren’t there , just bidding their time.
Apart from AMN, who’s definitely better than Lokonga in the middle. I can’t see an of the outsiders breaking into the premier league squad.
38 PL games 6 Europa League group games 9 potential Europa League knock out games 7 potential FA Cup games 6 potential League Cup games Potentially 66 games + internationals, we’re unlikely to play that many, but our aim to be competitive in multiple competitions, should be there. Liverpool won both domestic cups last season, got to the final of the CL, then finished 2nd on 92 points. City + Liverpool are the benchmark, if we want to develop a squad to compete with these 2 clubs over the next few seasons, then we need to move past the idea… Read more »
Diss Regarding Eddie I think there’s an element of the classic underdog story in him. He was doubted and is now proving those doubters wrong. Totally different trajectory from ESR and Saka who’s vault was never in doubt. Also, the fact that he works so hard and visibly cares, even if he is a little deadpan sometimes, is infectious with us fans. I’m really enjoying seeing him flourish into what he can be. Let’s hope he continues. That love he gets wouldn’t have been the same he’d get left for a palace, a Brighton or a West Ham. He’s one… Read more »
I wouldn’t start ESR over Martinelli though.
Martinelli will have a very good season, playing alongside Jesus. Maybe ESR will combine better with Eddie.
Pierre
Regarding your but on martinelli and his left foot
That’s so weird as when I played (I’m left footed) I’d have my head up more on my right because I was less assured and would he looking to get onto my left when I could and see what was around me. When the ball was on my left I’d feel more naturally able to find my team mates or was somehow more aware of my space as my touch on my left gave me extra time and room.
First half was excellent saliba is gonna take whites place for sure
White better start learning to play rb or DM lol
Love Jesus even more after hearing he turned down Chelsea..pretty obvious the reason Jesus mainly signed and hopefully zinchenco is Arteta.. he will now have his own team … under pressure but I’m sure he wouldn’t want it any other way
Howard
‘I agree with you except if Tierney and Tommi are fit they play’
How often will that happen though
Tomi has the Tierney injury constitution; his calves are chronically inflamed in some ways. It’s something that has to be managed.
I don’t know what’s up with Ramsdale.
Serge
I think Saliba will blow up this season but I have a feeling it won’t be white who misses out to accommodate him in the team. These Juve rumours won’t go away and we are being linked with left sided centre halves
Whatever happens, Saliba looks like the defender we really need. He’s got it all. I’m just keen to see if he can maintain his concentration in the box as this seems to be the issue with both white and to a larger extent, Gabriel.
Pierre, waffling, pot, kettle.
The Arsenal world according to Pierre can be questioned/discussed. You come out with forthright statements, is it not exactly the reason for this stream, discussing thoughts and ideas. You are usually willing to entertain some sort of debate. Nothing wrong with accepting you may have overstated your case.
Anyway, enjoy the day.
The stadium in Baltimore seats about 71k fans
The attendance was about 40k.
At the most, there were 2000-2500 Evertonians , and that’s being extremely generous
The rest were gooners, someone next to me flew Japan just to see the game. That’s the reach of Arsenal.
Hopefully someday we go back to start challenging for league trophies.
I’m surprised we haven’t gone in for Dybala on a free. Maybe his demands are too high and his intensity too low but he’s a quality player who offers end product and comes with no fee. He’s also wounded and got things to prove. If Arteta really is looking for a guy to cover the front 3 forward positions then this makes sense to keep
Un
‘ I think Saliba will blow up this season but I have a feeling it won’t be white who misses out to accommodate him in the team’
You’re obsessed with Gabrielle
He’s our leader at the back, large gregarious character who sticks up for his colleagues
He’s only 24 years, when he matures he will be unstoppable.
You’re the only one who’s determined to will him out of the club.
‘’ Seems Odegaard just glitter, his creativity is non existing and no assistDon’t understand why Arteta insist with him being the captain’’
Lol.. yeh such a shit player , re captain see if you can speak to Norway manager, might give u the answer
Rich “We can’t be in a situation where 2 injuries derail our season to the extent it did, we have to improve the quality in depth, we need our players to be available.” I would say it was 3 injuries not 2 that derailed our season, or 4 if one believes that Smith rowe was injured, plus our manager’s mistake in recognising that we had thenanswer tonour goal scoring problems already atnthe club. At present we are in the same situation. Partey…same , no cover…unless Arteta does a 360 degree turn and selects AMN. Tierney…same, Tavares the replacement was made… Read more »
Taking some of these players that have no future with us wasn’t that helpful. And it’s not like these players can be integrated because they will stay with us beyond next year. Most of them are in their final year of their contract. Bellerin, Leno, Torreira, AMN all should have been left at Colney. Their is also a case for leaving out Pepe, Mari and Nelson too. Although, I would keep Nelson or Marquinos if a RW player doesn’t come in. But all on all we would have been better off taking Patino, Flores and Salah. Conte left out around… Read more »
Diss
If I had the will you alter things at a multimillion pound organisation remotely I doubt I’d be using it to get Gabriel to leave the organisation 😂
Also….. obsessed? I’m just saying what I see
I called this on ozil, auba, Ramsey, Leno and Guendouzi while everyone was still cheerleading and thinking they were great
If Gabriel goes I won’t be surprised as I called him a weak point very early on.
There is an agenda on some players from our fans. Odegaard, Eddie (despite his improvements) Ramsdale, and White. There are also the less divisive ones like Martinelli, Partey and Gabriel that some criticize. Most are quality that are going to make a step up and have been here for no longer 2 seasons. What annoys me though fans like pierre who constantly bang on about the lack of quality of some of these players despite the evidence to the contrary because they like one player over the other. Eddie and Odegaard the examples. I have my preference of players too.… Read more »
Arteta ‘Saka’s new contract is just a matter of time’.
Arteta rightly gets criticism at times but if we manage to sign both Jesus and Zinchenko this window, it would be churlish not to accept the importance of him being their coach at City and the good relationships they had with him.
Habesha many are so blind consumed with their hate,, if you hate Xhaka but he has a good game they’ll refuse to admit it., is pathetic.,
AMN as Parteys backup? That’s a disaster in the making. He’s 24 for fuck sake and so many of our fans still see him as a plucky youth player just waiting to break out despite years of evidence of the contrary. He’s trash, had maybe a handful of decent matches for us the rest he’s been awful. Sell asap, he’s a liability as fullback and would be even more so in CM.
Pierre is right when he states the obvious importance of having to bring in quality to provide depth in certain positions where we suffered with first choice player unavailability. Most of us have been banging this drum all year. If Partey is unavailable it looks like we’re just going to have to accept a drop off and hope Sambi steps up. Zinchenko upgrades the depth in two positions and Saliba joining the ranks means that we have one of White and Saliba to prevent Soares entering the fray if TT is out. Jesus and Eddie look quality at CF with… Read more »
Freddie
‘ AMN as Parteys backup? That’s a disaster in the making. ’
Less of a disaster than Lokonga and they are just about the same age.
We need squaddies that can come in and hold their own. AMN won’t light up your Christmas tree but he can hold his own.
Diss
AMN is a mistake machine, decent backup for Xhaka in that sense I guess. Complete liability and not likely to get any better, there’s still hope for Sambi who just had his first season with us and is still adapting.
Did xhaka have a good game yesterday?
Amazing how AMN is considered a mistake machine yet those with high errors leading to goals are not.
Yeah Leeds.No surprise re Everton’s “ tactics” .It’s the way fat Frank will have them playing.Aggressive from the off little style or tactic nous.Which brings us to Tarkowski.Exactly the type of player Lampard wants.Always of the opinion that said player had a dislike for Arsenal & a chip on his shoulder hence the tackles in a pre season friendly.C** t..
China
Xakha wasn’t great yesterday
Solid enough but gave the ball away twice
Sloppy I’d say
Oh & Tarkowski is from Manchester.Which should explain it all.
Why oh why does Arteta simply tell AMN you’re only opportunity for 1st team is RB.& if you don’t like it too bad.?He’s looking to leave anyway?
Another AMN debate? Just bin him ffs CM RB back up whatever get rid of him he’s shit. Do we have to have him on the bench for another season before people realize that he’s got to go
Habesha “What annoys me though fans like pierre who constantly bang on about the lack of quality of some of these players despite the evidence to the contrary because they like one player over the other. Eddie and Odegaard the examples.” I just think that one is vastly underrated on le grove and one is overrated on le grove. The one underrated is becoming a rated player , whilst the overrated player still needs to prove that he is as good as some think , and no i have never said we should sell him, i would just like to… Read more »
Also Don bringing down the comments section with his views…who knew
Marko
Bringing down the comments by saying I don’t rate female commentators? We can share our preferences on all manner of football related topics here but not this? It’s hardly controversial is it
Like I said, find me one who undeniably excels at the job and I’ll put my hands up. I like Alex Scott but she’s better at half/full time analysis than in game commentary
AMN can play in in 7 positions and never lets the team down. This kind of utility is hard to find and even harder to replace at low cost. Maybe it’s a personal issue with him and Arteta, I don’t know but for me he offers great value as a squad player and especially at full back.
AMN has never shown the application and concentration on anything like a regular basis and that’s why he is a fringe player still after being at the club all these years and not a youngster anymore.
Some folks tend to just look at a player in regards the ability they possess and don’t take into account the extra that is needed on top of this.
AMN has some ability but it hasn’t been enough for him for the reasons already stated above.
https://www.arsenal.com/martinelli-interview-everton-baltimore-friendly Gabi really starting to look at home Hope he can recapture the end product we know he’s capable of. Doubt he’s ever gonna transition into that no9 we all hoped he may become but he can still be an extremely effective wide forward Have to say I’m concerned about Emile though. He’s got everything needed to become one of the worlds best but if he can’t stay fit then another jw10 career beckons Even now wilshere was considered the best guy in training at arsenal. Such wasted talent. Let’s hope ESR doesn’t go the same way. To lose Jack… Read more »