Amazon launched a new trailer for the All or Nothing series and it looks absolutely electrifying.
I remember there was this weird assessment from some folk that Arteta was meek in character, that wasn’t true as a player, and it wasn’t true as a coach. But, until people see it, they can say what they want.
Well…
Much better trailer.
People are going to realise the ‘meek’ persona Arteta was painted with for no reason… wasn’t true.
What a wild season to get in at Arsenal. Ground zero. This will be the best series yet. Arsenal fans are gonna meme this so hard.pic.twitter.com/WCCnGUU0VU
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) July 19, 2022
Topline thoughts on this series?
It’s going to be electric.
Being successful in life is as much about timing as it is anything else.
Amazon timed this to perfection. They got in at ground zero of implementing a new strategy at the club. The series was nearly over as quickly as it was for Pochettino after 3 straight losses, but then all the action happened, 6 new players, a great winning run, and the 180 conversions of fans from wanting Arteta axed to truly believing in the club again.
‘We’re falling in love with the club again’
Perfection. ❤️ https://t.co/vQZAIcpkfQ
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) July 19, 2022
Beau said it right.
Remind yourself again about how little you felt for the club this past decade. We were going nowhere, the players weren’t that interesting, and everything was all a bit boring and predictable. 4th was our lot in life and we didn’t know much existed past that.
Fast-forward to now. I’m feeling the pain of disappointment again, why? Because my expectations have been reset. I believe in this squad and its potential. I love the players because they have character and they go to war on the pitch for me. I respect the ownership group because they picked the visionary path with the new manager, they put a middle finger up to the short-termists, they rode out the temptation to make emotional decisions, and they invested BIG in winning over the long-term.
That will play out in this series.
Arteta apparently pushed to get the crew in at the club, I expect partly to fund transfers, part to create a bit of a resume builder.
These shows are make or break for managers. My suspicion? This will do a lot of good for Arteta’s profile. He has the corporate babble of a fast-tracked management consultant in America, but he also has the raw aggression and passion for the Arsenal badge that electrifies fans.
My guess? The people that have been complaining about our standards dropping since Arteta arrived are going to see what setting actual standards looks like. It’ll be interesting viewing because there’s a lot of table banging that my HR department would not tolerate.
Onto the football stuff, Ornstein has spoken, Zinchenko is ours. That’s a magical signing for all the reasons I pointed out yesterday. Check out my thoughts on the excellent Latte Firm.
He also said that moves on new players might be exit-dependent.
- Pepe
- Nelson
- Bellerin
- Ainsley
- Torreira
- Leno
- Mari
Let’s be real here, the reason no one has bid for our players is the reason my brother shops at Waitrose after 8… he knows those yellow stickers are coming out and there will be some steep discounts available.
Pablo Mari right now is an £8m player. In 3 weeks’ time, Edu is paying Napoli to take him off our hands. That’s how we’ve rolled and it’s difficult for us to undo the idea that we’re not whipping boys when selling.
To be fair to Edu, unless you are making up lies in the media about MASSIVE selling prices, it’s very difficult to get big fees for players that have failed. The only clubs spending this window are those that are in the Premier League, those that have won the Champions League, or Barcelona who have mortaged their future and spend the proceeds like they’re trying to crush the club.
… what I will say. Enjoy this last summer of selling players we don’t like. After this final flash sale, the only time we’ll sell talent, is likely when we don’t want to. There will be painful moments ahead. The only way we counter horror exits happening is to keep progressing.
Still, let’s not rule out a sale:
My man, Dom Dominique (Sporting Director Podcast), just informed me that Lucas Torreira is at Heathrow Airport today. Maybe that means he’s going for a medical somewhere?
Whatever happens; we need to shift on some talent just to declutter the squad.
The only player off that list I’d keep around if I could is Ainsley, who would be a top, top back-up right back. You can do something you dream of, or you can do something you didn’t dream of, but at the highest possible level for your talent profile.
Ainsley going to play midfield is the former. It might even be too late for him as back-up right back. I suspect the succession planners at Arsenal right now are looking at Reuell Walters and BNC, hoping that the squad can manage one more season with Cedric before one of those two is baked. As a total amateur, I might be tempted to keep one of the younger right-backs for Europa League, worse case scenario, Bill Saliba could cover if they aren’t up to it.
The only worry I have on the list of exits is Bernd Leno. With football players, you have to remember there’s a human there, and if you are too ruthless, you cause unintended consequences. Jesus and Zinchenko aren’t getting exits because they lack quality, they are getting moves for good service and the understanding you can’t make people play utility forever. Bernd is leaving because he needs minutes, but he’s still a top keeper, and rolling the dice on Ramsdale crushing it this year or Matt Turner hitting the ground running might be the biggest of risks we face.
Still, I am a Ramsdalian, he had dips at Sheff U and Bournemouth, he’ll have them at Arsenal, there’s so much upside to his game when he’s on form. Fingers crossed he gets in shape for game day one.
Right, that’s me done, we’ll be doing a Patreon later today about Zinchenko. If you want a piece of that action, sign on below!
P.S. thank you for all the kind messages about the baby! Thierrietta didn’t go down well for the name, nor did Bergy, Wrightina, or Giroulda. xxx
TT – please tell me , this should prove interesting
Just to state the question I asked was simple , not in anyway a trick question and something that any Arsenal fan would answer – how it took you 4 attempts to swerve it blather on about your delusional debating skills and still not give a reasonable reply.
Very , very strange behaviour from a so called Arsenal supporter
New-ish here and really like the posts and comments (minus the boring rehash trolling bits). Really, gents? As for baby names: Artetannette? Xhaka-khan?
Tom Please ignote the ‘Tom’s a troll’ trolling that’s going on here. It’s clear to any even-minded person that you are an Arsenal fan, just an argumentative one just like most of us on here. They won’t be able to provide examples because there aren’t any. There’s nothing wrong with professing admiration for another team’s manager or players. Recently, Pedro said Kane and Son were the best strikeforce in the league (admittedly to defend Arsenal’s late season collapse). No-one called him a troll because it was a logical conclusion for him to draw based on their performances over the years.… Read more »
Arteta getting shatted on already by our rivals. Saying we ‘ll be lucky to come 6th, and we might end up 7th. I would love for Arteta to shut them up with results, overtake those idiots straight thru their blind spot. It’d be a nice way to announce himself.
Another year of Cedric as backup right back makes my skin crawl. Being run over by opposing forward who smell blood, the pointless crosses… AMN is so much better. but I suppose it is time to sell AMN due to his contract.
Naija+soccer
Yep, they even have to come on here to do it. You will notice that when we sign someone like Jesus or Zinchenko or they sign someone, they start playing up. Just ignore, it proves they’re worried.
AFC
We ve strengthened the wing(Marquinhos), striker(Jesus), GK(Turner), Centerback(Saliba), Left back(Zinchenko), and CM(Zinchenko).
Thats 6 positions we ve strengthened from last season, although the goalkeeper position is a little questionable. Hoping Matt Turner turn out alright. Be nice if we can add a proper Marquee player, someone experienced. I Won’t put my hopes up just in case we don’t.
Oh and Vieira at attacking midfielder, winger. Thats 7 positions strengthened.
If we can add a Marquee player at CM, number 8 or Wing, what a season we are gonna have.
@ bacaryisgod Yeah Conte turned them around alright infact all the way around to pip us to 4th by 2 points. WTF are you talking about? If we had an actual striker you wouldn’t be talking about Conte today. Just because he’s this so called “elite” manager doesn’t mean he’s going to succeed at Spurs. It would take a miracle and the stars aligning for him to win anything there. As long as Kane and Son are there and that club’s failure DNA still exists it ain’t happening no matter how much you’re in love with Conte or some of… Read more »
This is so far appearing a pretty remarkable window . The GK maybe playing for an American audience if I was to be cynical . Otherwise it’s sound , technically very able and with a high energy man in Jesus. The Spuds setting themselves up as some sort of street fighters is very interesting and creating a lot of click material for their foaming mouth brigade Just perhaps after the two piss poor ‘Homer’ referee performances at the toilet bowl against Liverpool and Arsenal the word will get around about Son and others. This Could result in disciplinary problems for… Read more »
Naija
Jesus is a marquee signing. Amazing Arteta convinced him to join, he’s a massive game changer.
If you look at what we have attack wise, it’s really looking good. Jesus, Eddie, Martinelli, Saka, Odegaard,, ESR, Vieira, If you’ve got 5 of them on the pitch you’ve got serious threat. Plus they can all control the ball & keep possession. I like what we’ve done. Adding Zinchenko today gives us another ball progresses & gives us other options. We’ve made smart signings.
As of right now we ve improved every position on the field except for RB and maybe DM but I think Arteta see Elneny as a capable cover for Partey. Lokonga is a 8 not a DM.
Markymark
“….for their foaming mouth brigade”
I said this earlier. All they have is talk, they have nothing else to be fair. The media love an underdog so that’s why they embrace the trophy dodgers. As for PGMOL hopefully things will change. That Kane studs up on Robertson had everyone scratching their heads, it was that bad. . It was as bizarre as PGMOL VAR Ignoring Godfrey standing on Tomi’s face. Seems they ran out of patience with Mike Riley. Rightly so.
DissenterJuly 19, 2022 19:15:27 One person who’s image will be burnished by the amazon prime series will be Xhaka. We’ll finally begin to understand why every manager he’s had has taken a liking to him Spot on. Pedro,didn’t your blog mantra read something like ‘where you can have an opinion?’ When did that stop? A couple of posters made some simple remarks about Spurs recruitment…you do it frequently….but that’s okay I suppose? Then Serge,Nigel et al pile in with abuse. None of you are fucking grown ups are you? What’s wrong with keeping an eye on how our rivals are… Read more »
DissenterJuly 19, 2022 19:17:25
Pedro
I’m shocked you’re not defending the right of Tom to make a cogent argument about a hated rival.
I’ve never seen Tom cheer for Spurs, if that’s what you’re concerned about.
That’s what I was referring to…not Granit…..👆🏻👆🏻
Just scrolling through the comments and can see good ol Pedro responding to me. Unless I have a twin brother who is just as devilishly charming and handsome as I that I don’t know about – then it must have been a BTEC poster that has Left in their name.
Clinton MacsherryJuly 19, 2022 21:11:04
New-ish here and really like the posts and comments (minus the boring rehash trolling bits). Really, gents? As for baby names: Artetannette? Xhaka-khan?
Xhaka khan genius I tell you lol
Jonny – I know what I need to know about Conte . He wears a wig , he was banned for 10 months in 2012 for a match fixing scandal . He appears to throw tantrums , some people cough cough think he’s a brilliant manager . I see the evidence that he has so far failed to win fuck all with Tottenham Hotspur . A proud record of failure that I wish the Spuds to continue.
That’s my review of the competition now off to water the garden plants.
Tom,
I enjoyed that last response to me. Good stuff. Maybe not as anti-spurs as Pedro, but very reasonable.
Markymark
It’s like the wrong end of the Seven Sisters Road on here. I think Pedro has been well and truly trolled. But I don’t think he gives a toss he’s probably laughing his head off.
Izzo
Thanks for proving my point. You can’t even rationally accept that Conte has been a success at Spurs! He took over a team in crisis and helped by a couple of astute January signings took them to the Champions League.
I hated every minute of it but it doesn’t make it any less true.
Graham62: You’ve gone a little quiet, as have some of the other Arteta-is-meek posters.
Imagine coming out with bobbins like that after Arteta is backed by billionaire owners for standing up to millionaire prima donas like Ozil and Auba. Quite the take there chaps.
I have a feeling it was some of the same posters that denigrated every signing this time last summer and who have very little positive to say about the signings this year.
Tom’s takes are pretty good to me and to be fair, I think he’s just a lot more objective than the rest of us — nothing wrong in that
You know what people like Izzo and MarkyMark should be getting mad about? The fact that we’ve finished behind Spurs for the last six seasons. Do you even remember how many consecutive seasons Arsenal under Wenger finished above Spurs? It was 20. TWENTY. Now he fell behind them in his last two seasons and it was the right time for us to move on from him but now we’ve gone about 1.5 seasons under Emery and 2.5 seasons under Arteta behind them. The debate should be whether Arteta is the right man to change this 6 season streak vs. Spurs.… Read more »
Matt B
The labeling of Arteta being meek is more apt to describe some of our play under him than his personality. Overly cautious is how I would put it, but there were definitely improvements last season with some of our open play. Let’s hope the new additions can make us even more attractive to watch.
Oh for goodness sake Bacaryisgod spurs were shit for the vast majority of time Wengo was manager and even then pizzagate played a part. Wengo had to deal with UTD he usually dealt with this by finishing second and selling them our best forward. When Chelsea petro dollars came along he finished 3rd when City came along he finished 4th. When the Spuds started to prosper guess what? We’ve never had the fall away that out Spuddy win nothing neighbours have been through. Conte is one forward loss (probably Son ) from disaster. Either Son or Kane are going to… Read more »
MarkyMark
So it’s ok to trash our greatest ever spell in the Premier League and still consider yourself a fan but you can’t criticize finishing 6 seasons behind Spurs.
That’s a very odd take. Good luck finding anyone to back you on that one.
How long before bacaryisgod gets depicted as “Tottenham bac” or something
Only a matter of time.
MarkyMark
It’s not a shock that you, as one of the least informed posters on the blog, would confuse Pizzagate with Lasagnagate.
Dissenter
Maybe they’ll call me GarethisGod.
Bacaryisgod- I felt Wenger should have gone 5 years earlier. He’d have gone out a legend . I’m not after affirmation on that it’s simply my thought process.
I was devastated when George Graham went . Wasn’t devastated at all when Wenger went and like Arteta
Naija: “As of right now we’ve improved every position on the field except for RB”
With White and Saliba available this year to back up Tomiyasu and now Zinchenko to backup Tierney I’m feeling okay with both FB positions – also think that there is more to Cedric than we’ve seen so far
Juve finally given up trying to sign big gabby good they can absolutely do one
Matt B “I have a feeling it was some of the same posters that denigrated every signing this time last summer and who have very little positive to say about the signings this year” There is an extreme group of regular extremists on here. They made Arteta the enemy so they trash anyone he signs and praise those he let’s go. They are so extreme they choose to side with trolls and see nothing wrong in belittling Arsenal and praising Spurs. To normal fans that’s weird behaviour. To them, anything is good as long as it trash’s Arteta or fans… Read more »
Mr Serge
“Juve finally given up trying to sign big gabby good they can absolutely do one”
We’re building here, they had no chance. Classic tactic of leaking interest and hoping the player fancies a change.
We’re becoming a go to destination like Arteta said, the signings of Jesus & Zinchenko reinforce that.
AFC did you see the interview with the 3 gabbys on you tube funny stuff
AFC
Yet rival fans would have you believe that Arteta has no pull. I love being an underdog though.
Also thats why I ve always believed Saka will sign. Hes in a good place in his life at Arsenal. Why disrupt that to go and prove something at Liverpool/City ? Maybe at 24 or so he can start thinking of a move if we are still a struggling club.
Mr Serge
Yes I did. I love that sort of stuff. I get the feeling Arsenal will be a fantastic team environment.
Going to play for Guardiola and Klopp is certainly attractive, but being one of the guys that helped bring Arsenal back right on top is more attractive, I would imagine from his perspective.
Naija
“Also thats why I ve always believed Saka will sign. Hes in a good place in his life at Arsenal.”
Really good comment.
It’s one of the reasons Arteta was so determined to get shot of the problem players. You have to build a team environment where everyone feels they belong and have fun together. These lads spend a lot of time together. If they’re happy, have mates around them it’s harder for them to leave. Culture is so important. We’re on a journey, you don’t jump off when you’re halfway there. Saka will sign.
Ray+LA
Forgot about White, and yeah hes the perfect replacement for Tomiyasu since we ll probably employ a back three a lot next season. We are covered in many positions already it seems.
Naija
Correct-recruitment is one of the three big arguments fir retaining Arteta this season
1. Retention of our talented youngsters (Omari was unfortunate but you can!5 keep everyone happy)
2. Getting the Kroenkes to seriously open up their wallets.
3. Recruiting quality in Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus from his former club. Reassuring that players of that level want to reunite with him.
That’s the most compelling case for keeping him but there still needs to be a deadline on Champions League qualification
Bacary destroying posters tonight!
Agree with every single Word!!
Thanks Benjamin but you’ll be accused of being my double identity and that my reply to you is a diabolical plot to cover my tracks😂
gossip that paquetas fee has been cut in half to 35m gbp
Zacharse
Last odds I saw were Newcastle at 4/6, then Spurs at 8/1 and Arsenal at 18/1.
I’m fine if we don’t get him as long as we can still pick up Tielemans.
Looking forward to doc.
Xhaka looks like boos , tets weak and full of bullshit in those 2 min.
If Paqueta goes to Newcastle, we will know we were never really in for him. If he goes to Spurs.. fek them both.
Tielemans is the better bet for me
If Torreira.was at Heathrow it could indicate that Valencia have done a deal. That then sorts out the cash for the midfielder
In other news Conte is going down they need to fear us route . All the vibes from them up the road including their sweet hearts in the press suggests mire dark arts , rotational fouling. It’ll only get them so far
I think Arteta needs to finish top four at some point before he is lauded a “success”
There may be signs that things are headed in the right direction but as we know there is competition to overcome before you are a true success.
This coming season is going to be very illuminating in this regard.
Seems there are victory parades before there is actual victory.
Huge congrats on the birth of your daughter Pedro!
I would keep Leno onboard, as Matt Turner is an unknown and could even fail spectacularly when
and if needed during the long season. What does he do when Chris Wood comes charging at him ??
Zinchenko is a great piece of business and all we need now is Onana in midfield..
AFC forever “Someone once referred to this blog as the anti-Arsenal Arsenal. Very hard to disagree with that.” I agree , anyone who could write such disparaging remarks about our club and players is surely a member of the anti-Arsenal Arsenal.. Comments like ” broken club with a rotten culture and an unbalanced and ageing squad” “The players were a disgrace” , “The bad apples have been fucked off because Arteta is a professional. ” Who could have written such disparaging remarks about the Arsenal and players that brought so much success to this club….none other than AFC FOREVER then… Read more »
Maybe” AFC forever “is due a name change.
“Arteta forever “sounds about right.
Congratulations on arrival of your princes. Artenita may just appeal to you. I hope you are already aware that you will be on at least three months off season before you can resume playing matches at the Emirates.
Pierre, i agree with you about bashing previous players and mots of all Wenger. The man had his flailing’s just like all others, but as i remember the last manager to win PL for Arsenal is still Wenger. He is away from the club for 5 years now and but people will not let him be. It is possible to big up and laud Arteta for what he is doing without berating Wenger in every post. I do think they are both have their place in the sun. Wenger yesteryears and Arteta now. Surely we can be mature enough to… Read more »
Pedro my son was born at the start of the invincible season, just putting that out there
Also my first born so edueta Xhaka khan could be a good omen 😂
Ishola “Seems there are victory parades before there is actual victory.” Exactly. A settled team/squad is usually a pre requisite for a successful period. What tends to happen with Arteta is he falls out of love with a player all to regularly, maybe it’s because of the non negotiable thing. We are going into this season with another large turnover of players who will be required to hit the ground running, which is never easy. Saliba, Vieira, Jesus, Turner, zinchenko and probably one other cannot afford to have a slow start to their Arsenal careers or they will go the… Read more »
Both Viera and ESR seem to be more equipped than Odegaard as CAM. In case Arteta appoints Odegaard Captain of the team it won’t be in the best interest of the club. Someone who deserves to start for us should be appointed the leader of the team.
Tr7
ESR is carrying injuries and vieira has never played a minute in the league. They may very well become 2 permanent fixtures and I really hope they do, especially Emile. But for now Odegaard will remain our main creative conduit until one or both of those guys can get fit and firing to the best of their ability
Arteta seems to associate a lot of value to who spends most number of hours in training and who talks the good talk. Xhaka earlier and now Odegaard are being billed as leaders of the group primarily based on these two factors. I am not sure he quite understands what qualifies as leadership qualities.
Nigel TufnelJuly 20, 2022 04:31:23
If Paqueta goes to Newcastle, we will know we were never really in for him. If he goes to Spurs.. fek them both.
So it’s okay for you to mention Spurs and transfers Nigel,but not anyone else or you trash talk them? That epitomises you right there.
Un
All I am saying is someone who is nailed on to be a starter for us should be anointed Captain of the team. While I agree that right now Ode is the favorite to start ahead of ESR and Viera but that might not be the case once Emile is fully fit and Viera has settled in.
Leadership is based on how you conduct yourself in the heat of battle, not how good you are at collecting subscriptions off your colleagues or sweet talking your manager.
Pierre telling it like it is and making some people look pretty stupid. I don’t know how many times it needs to be said, nobody wants Arteta to fail. If Arteta wins, Arsenal wins and everyone is happy with that. Nothing or nobody is beyond criticism so I wish people would stop trying to lay down rules about what is and isn’t off limits. Arteta is the manager, he will get criticised like every manager before him and every manager after him. Everything he does is there to be scrutinised and that comes with the job (and the multi million… Read more »
Add to the above
If reaches top 4 Arteta has been pretty successful at least as successful as Conte at the Spuds. Finishes outside of top 4 but wins a trophy he’ll stay . Outside top 5 no trophy he’s gone .
Matt
We all know this but I think what Pierre is highlighting above all else is that Arteta’s past record in respect to his man management skills is not very good.
Let’s see how he deals with all these changes and hopefully it will be for the benefit of AFC.
Fingers crossed then. 🤞
Some people speak highly of Arteta’s coaching skills.
So far, I haven’t seen anything that proves to me he is an excellent coach.
Now we’ll see what he can do when the pressures on,
Pierre It became crystal clear by 2020 that Arsenal’s squad was not fit for purpose with a bunch of ageing and overpaid players and a team which needed complete overhaul. There was also criticism of the owners who many who posted on Le Grove believed were unwilling to invest in the team. What many failed to understand was that the Kroenke family did not own the club until they bought out Usmanov and the minority shareholders. They were merely the majority and controlling shareholders. Since full takeover the Kroenke have cleary changed their policy. Josh Kroenke announced that the club… Read more »
I agree that it often takes time for new teammates to bed in but I think that Zinchenko and Jesus won’t be an issue. They both are PL experienced and seem popular to their teammates, both have great technical ability, are hardworking and unselfish in their play. Off the pitch there may be issues but I can’t imagine swapping Manchester for London will be too painful a move for them and their families. Vieira, Marquinhos and Turner will not be first choice starters and have more time to assimilate into the group, particularly in cup games as well as the… Read more »
Very measured Graham.
When you write ‘when the pressure is on’ do you mean now that he’s been backed heavily in the transfer market? I agree with that if so. That said I think he’s been under pressure from day one!
In agreement with all of that Bob N16, with the Zinchenko transfer all but wrapped up I’ve got to say the incomings this summer have been great, weaknesses have been addressed and except for maybe the new backup goalie I don’t have reservations about any of them, all quality acquisitions or players with great potential that will only improve the team. Now, if we can get at least half of the players surplus to requirements out for a decent fee and bring in Tielemens, Paqueta or SMS it’s an outstanding window for us. With a squad like that there is… Read more »
Arsenal need to sign a proper winger. We have zero of that. Saka is good but he isnt exactly very pacy. We need someone running at defenders again and again..i really cannot recollect a signing of the mould in the last 20 years.
Digital B, I do have slight concerns about our depth at CF. If Eddie or Jesus get a long term injury we could be light there, bearing in mind the number of games we’ll have to play now we’re back in Europe.Martinelli could play there or we could play with a ‘false 9’ (like Laca!). I imagine we’ll get little money in from our outgoings, lots of loans and nominal fees. If Tielemans or another CM comes in, we could get money for Xhaka. Leno, Bellerin, Pepe, AMN, Mari, Torreira should all leave but it could be very late in… Read more »
Saka is a right midfielder who can also play on the wing. Frankly he is quick enough. You
don’t need a speedster who is unintelligent or brain dead.
Bob16 – Yes an injury to one of the two and we do look a little short up front (no pun intended, I promise), the way both strikers play we also have a risk of burnout in the second half of the season. So, do we keep Balogun and/or Reiss Nelson to provide additional depth? With Nelson in it allows Martinelli to play more CF. Signing another forward is risky as we don’t want to be too top heavy so to speak, at the end of last season I felt Eddie signing would be as a 3rd option but looking… Read more »
We’ve got Balogun who’s a brilliant talent, technically he’s superb. but he might go out on loan again, we should have sent him out last summer, instead of waiting until January.
We also renewed the contract of Khayon Edwards in May, who was wanted by a lot of big clubs.
Edwards scored 16 + 5 assists, in 16 appearances for the under 18s last season, he’s expected to play for the under 21s this season, now Biereth has gone out on loan.
Could possibly be involved in Europa League + Domestic cup squads.
DigitalB, Maybe the compromise is to keep Balogun until January and see what we need in the January window. That said, if a good option for Balogun’s development becomes available then let him go, but if he goes he has to be getting considerably more game time than he would if he stayed and played cup competitions for us. One of Marquinhos or Nelson could make up the wing numbers. I imagine Nelson could be sold. You would have thought loads of clubs would be interested in him for a small transfer fee. I’m not really bothered about whether we… Read more »
Two great clips of Guardiola and Walker(!) praising Zinchenko on his departure, making it clear that both on and off the pitch he was a great player to have around.
The striker situation is good , Jesus + Eddie given the service are potentially prolific. Why not play them together, Jesus has already intimated how they could develop as a partnership as they are on the same wavelength “. “It was so good to play with Eddie,” Jesus said. “We’re both together and make short passes that’s good. Two strikers there is a little bit different. We have a lot of qualities and it was so good to play with him.” The surprise for me was that after witnessing how well they linked together in such a short time, Arteta… Read more »
Agreed Pierre, My only concern if Jesus and Eddie play together is not their ability but how many high energy games they can manage. The intensity of the press which has always I think been Arteta’s desire, could mean that the players will need to be properly rotated. With five subs, it could be a game changer. Often Liverpool press for say 60 mins and then ease off but if appropriate subs can maintain the press in the second half it does change the way teams will plan to play. I’d imagine all the teams are considering seriously the 5… Read more »
With 5 subs rule in place, teams can deploy two formations in every match.
*employ
Stroller “It became crystal clear by 2020 that Arsenal’s squad was not fit for purpose with a bunch of ageing and overpaid players and a team which needed complete overhaul.” That being the case, then why did Arteta sign Willian, cedric, Mari and gave Aubamayang and xhaka new contracts….all ageing and most overpaid. The decision to sign or keep these ageing players set the process back at least 12 months. I was calling for our academy players to be given a chance way before Arteta decided to go down the “ageing players” route.. Personally, and i know some disagree ,… Read more »
Xhaka on Arteta
““He is a freak in a positive way. Tactically, he knows everything. How he prepares the team before training, before the games, is unbelievable. I had a lot of coaches, but I have to put Mikel as one of the top ones in my career.”
Is this called brown nosing ?
Zinchenko being all but done is brilliant news
An excellent signing at a really pleasant price. Good work arsenal
Martinelli make or break season?…. Give me a break, he’s just turned 21, not 25… Martinelli is a cracking young player, look at the difference in Eddie last pre-season, where he was our best player, and had added power + physicality to his game. We just need to see progress from Martinelli this season, like, Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli + Odegaard, all showed steady progress last season. In all comps I think we’ll get 20+ goals from Saka this season, 15 or so from Martinelli, double figures goals + assists from Odegaard If Smith Rowe can stay fit, I’d fancy… Read more »
Pierre Thanks for showing up to push back against the nonsense that was being spewed here yesterday. Eddie was talking about how life changing it was being named in the preseason summer tour to Singapore/Australia of 2017. He said he felt like he was in heaven sharing the same plane as first team players like Ozil. He spoke glowingly of how Wenger was supportive during the trip. Wenger took SEVEN academy players on that tour. This season we decided to travel to the US with lots of deadwood and only one academy player with no previous first team game. That… Read more »
All or nothing looks interesting. Happy to give it a chance
I’m honestly just glad that despite the season ending in disappointment, the season had some good positives as well and it was not as disappointing as it looked like being at various points
Rich the problem with smith Rowe is he doesn’t get many starts these days
For him to bang in lots of goals and assists he needs minutes. Not easy for him if he’s (presumably) behind martinelli on the Wing and Ode at 10. With the arrival of vieira I’m also not sure what that means for Emile
I like the player a lot tho. I’d actually put him ahead of Martinelli right now
Bob N16 – Yes maybe keeping Balogun till January is the best course of action, from what I saw with his loan last year he didn’t exactly impress and ended up earning most of his playing time coming off the bench so I’d much rather the bench he sits on be the arsenal one especially when you consider we can now have 5 subs. I completely forgot about Marquinhos staying with the team, I assumed he would be out on loan but yes that certainly gives us depth in wide areas. Not sure why I have a soft spot for… Read more »
We still need a different type of striker to complement Eddie/Jesus or at least an attacking mid/winger that can play that role, if push comes to shove.
Eddie and Jesus have too many similarities. We need maybe a veteran tall striker who’s happy on lower wages and to be on the bench for long periods, like what Fernando Llorente did in the latter phases of his career.
Pierre
Martinelli doesn’t have all the time in the world to prove himself at Arsenal, age notwithstanding. That’s what happens in big clubs. His window is ever closing.
At some point he has to add end product to his game.
We all love the lad. He does everything well but he’s not consistent enough with the final ball/decision. You can tell defenders are terrified of him because they double up on him.
Rich,’
Last post about Martinelli was for you.
Worst case scenario you put Martinelli up front since we have enough wingers
Tho he’s not as different from Jesus and Eddie physically as you’d prefer
it’s not that easy for Zinchenko to pay for Arsenal during this summer US tour. He may join the club, travel and train with them but may not be authorized to play because he needs a work visa for Arsenal. His first game may be at the Emirates cup next weekend.
I don’t know how fast they can expedite a change of employer on a visa application. They may require him to travel out of the US to reapply for it for example.
I sure hope immigration lawyers can perform miracles before Saturday.