Well, if anyone thought that the solution to anything at Arsenal was just stick Ten Hag in and hope for the best, you’ll not want to watch the Brighton game this afternoon.
EtH has come into a mess. He’s the new manager, paired with a new CEO, paired with a new Technical Director… where have we seen that 54-part Netflix documentary before?
Their summer business has been limp at best. Their £60m centre-back Lisandro Martinez has been getting bullied by Brighton players all afternoon, he looks light, and he is VERY small. He might prove me wrong here, but I think you might be able to get away without height in a weak league if you are mega talented. I am very interested to see if he’ll get away without height or weight at Premier League level. He’s had all sorts of problems containing Danny Welbeck. Brighton don’t even play it in the air, I can’t imagine how Haaland and Nunez will play against him.
I cannot wait for all the people that told us the word ‘Project’ was offensive have to listen to it rolled out at every United presser. The truth of the matter is there are only two ways of doing things in football if you want to get to the top.
- Buy success.
- Do things properly over a 3-5 year period
United can’t buy it after spending a billion on nothing for the last 10 years. I’m not even sure it’s possible in 2022 to buy success without a plan because Liverpool and City have money and strategy. Even Newcastle are doing things properly, with a plan, an empowered technical director, and some financial discipline.
United need to start by looking at what made Ten Hag successful.
Young players, needing a career, doing exactly what he says.
United isn’t Ajax. He’s working with extremely rich footballers that don’t give a fuck. His most lavishly paid player is 37, can’t do it at Premier League level, and they can’t get rid of him because they gave him £600k a week.
This thread from Nagelsmann tracks quite closely to the issue Ten Hag is dealing with, except Nagelsmann is tweaking a winning machine with egos, the Dutchman is tweaking a garbage fire.
Nagelsmann: “I learned how to communicate with the leading players and let them take part in my ideas. As a coach, you depend on your players, so the relationship with my players is extremely important to me”
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) August 6, 2022
Managing a big club is very different to managing a small one. Unai Emery is perfect for journeyman players because they needed to listen to him to get to the next level. 29-year-old Nagelsmann worked at Hoffenheim because his tactical wizardry would allow them to be more successful than their talent. When you work with mega players and you are asking them to do new things, it is hard, hence the reason Arteta had to clear 16 first-teamers in 2 years.
If you have Conte at the wheel, he’s big enough to bully big players, if you have a visionary no-name manager, he needs his own players. Arsenal hired Arteta and the right mix was players he knows and kids who want to takeover the world. United have a new manager with no name that is trying to do the same. It’s so lonely at United for him, he’s trying to sign Arnautovic!
There’s also a big difference in leadership between United and Arsenal.
United is the biggest club in the world. They are extremely twitchy when it comes to responding to Untied media. They aren’t strategic as a club. There’s no grand vision there at the moment. Will they have the patience to roll the dice on Ten Hag?
Who knows…
The second batch of games happened yesterday, I’m not sure we learned too much.
Spurs spanked Southampton, not really a shock, Ralph is having all sorts of problems there and most likely won’t last the season. Spurs looked fit, they dominated from an attacking perspective, and they still have the two best forwards in the League. Their third best goal poacher also showed up… own goal. Can you believe it? They also got extremely lucky with two straight red offences. Typical. Shit club.
Chelsea weren’t as impressive, but they did the job at a stadium they don’t like to go to, and their new signings looked pretty decent. I wasn’t overly enamoured by Koulibably, I thought he looked his age, but we’ll see. Sterling and the left back looked sharp though.
The good news? Those two have to play each other at Stamford Bridge next week. I’m hoping it’s a bloodbath of injuries, red cards, and a draw… or… do I actually want Chelsea to win? I think I might want Chelsea to win. I’m sorry. That’s just how I feel.
Liverpool were actually dreadful against Fulham and deserved to drop two points. They didn’t press, Fulham got at them, and Mitrovic had a field day against VVD. They’ll get back to peak very quickly, but it remains to be seen if Darwin can make up for the production output of Sadio Mane.
West Ham vs City the only game to go, but rest assured, I am going to say that City are probably going to be decent this season.
So as we head out of Sunday, I still feel good about what we’ve seen from Arsenal. We looked fit, the football was really special at times, and it is absolutely clear we’ve moved our squad forward this summer.
There’s still talk that we might add a winger and a midfielder, but increasingly, it’s looking like that’ll only happen if we shift on players. Bellerin, Ainsley, and Nico seem like the players most likely to give us a little cash injection, but you suspect most clubs are waiting for us to yellow sticker them in two weeks time.
There are delicious rumours that we’re tracking Moussa Diaby as our ‘surprise’ winger.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE! 🚨
– Arsenal owner Kroenke has given green light to pursuing Leverkusen forward Moussa Diaby. ✅
– Price tag is £60m. Arsenal want to pay less, but are going ‘all-out’ for him to ‘complete’ their attack. ✍️https://t.co/pxOfnYwBRi pic.twitter.com/1a8vr7o72B
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) August 6, 2022
The story from FootyInsider247 says that we’re going big for the Frenchman. He scored 17 goals and had 14 assists in 43 games last season. He can play on the left or right of midfield. He has a homing beacon bottom corner finish he likes to execute. He is in the 91st percentile for non-penalty g/a, so right where we’d want a winger. His defensive numbers look pretty bad, but the dataset I’m looking at could be broken. Leverkusen don’t really allow passenger players, so you’d imagine he offers a big workrate… but I’ve not spent a lot of time watching him, so you’ll have to tell me.
Youri Tielemans played for Leicester today in their draw over Brentford, so who knows what is going on there, but I really would like to add a bit of experience to our midfield this summer.
Right, short one today. Get on our podcast or video. Heap praise on the brand redesign. Sign up to our Patreon so you get the before the Whistle that’ll drop this Thursday.
Whatever we do in the remaining window or in tactics and team selection we need to improve our shooting from outside the box. Newcastle players yesterday like Joelinton and of course schar showed how effective it can be. If all we try to do is pass the ball into the net teams will work us out like in the Wenger days.
Worthwhile opinion:
Maybe stop complaining about 1 of our own guys when he’s playing fairly well and adding intangibles to boot. See Pedro’s comments yesterday.
Please find some new whipping boys among our opponents or rivals.
Good news is the general consensus about Xhaka is becoming more positive around the net, including legrove.
Only a few cro- magnon types left.
Like I said
Nigel, there are better players than Xhaka who could play in our midfield, of that there is no doubt!
GD4August 7, 2022 18:48:47
Maybe you think the sun shines out of Xhaka’s anus.
So keep your lust for him to your damn self.
Stop commenting on my opinions and go spend more time in your mama’s basement loser
Your mama’s basement….exactly what you said to me the other week when I asked if you were really a Gooner.
Mate..grow up..are you a child still.?… your comments wreak of a desperate teenager.
Looks like it could be another long season for united lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRxh7YQ1s4o
“Tom, he didn’t start mate. Thought you’d have noticed that?“
Pedro, exactly.
What a player,……..making them title contenders just by sitting on the bench
“He’s Charlie Patino, he knew the place to go, although he’d never seen, the boys in Tangerine, he felt it everywhere, he breathed the sea air, and then he said to me, I f****** hate PNE [Preston North End].”
Feel like our linked targets are a little weird. I’d much rather our forward be able to fill in at CF. Only Gabi Jesus and Eddie for a whole season seems like suicide. I’d also much rather or CM be able to fill in at the #6 position seeing as how we have odegaard, viera, ESR, and Sambi who now looks more comfortable at the 8.
Am I crazy here? Youri seems like the wrong profile but I get the move in terms of value. I dont know anything about Diaby. Can he play centrally?
Curious to see if Balogun gets any minutes in the Reims Marseille match that’s on right now, OM up 1 nil, Nuno starting.
I like Diaby but if its a choice between Neto and him then it’s Neto for me because of the PL experience and adaptability and likely to score and assist more from the get go. Wolves are getting Guedes so this is mystery winger we’re after and i’m excited.
Nuno just scored right foot nice goal
damn what a goal from nuno T
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNXxCVYpGx0
What are united up to trying to sign Marco Arnautovic.
I guess we don’t need to worry about united if they’re making moves like that
Tavares has that ***about him. He’s super athletic and will be a fantastic player if he can improve on his reading of the game.
He needs to play lots of games, by the time he returns we will be able to move Tierney on.
GD4 – do you get embarrassed writing this stuff?
That must be a first, two Arsenal loanees scoring in the same Ligue Un game. Even Kolasinac getting on, lol
Balogun a bit starved for service, Reims look pretty shabby but great switched on finish in the box
Pack it in, GD4
GD4 – you can’t engage you don’t have the capability or capacity to do so.
Sounds like you’re in the closet . Perhaps you need to sort out your sexual experimentation. Get through that period in your life, you’ll be happier.
Leave the keyboard alone and get out more, hang round friendly places in London or Manchester and you’ll find your thing, or perhaps you’re trapped in your basement? Perhaps your mother figure is the one causing you problems? It’s called neurotic projection and you need to work this through.
Ciao
guedes is being bought to cover a long term injury to raul gimenez, howveer does mean valencia has cash… can’t remember if teyve been linked to pepe or not but send him there plz
Pedro – apologies I was writing my reply when you posted. I’d have abstained otherwise!
Erm Pedro,
I’m minding my own business and giving an opinion..
Why don’t address those who keep stalking me?
I’m not averse to debating opinions but I’m not gonna have those who resort to insults and snide comments cuz they lack the wherewithal to reinforce their points of disagreements
I don’t like Xhaka and I think he is a drawback on the team.
Those who are in love with him can dispute this with stats or facts and not throw childish tantrums and stalk me al over the forum because it hurts their feelings
Dont think Valencia is anywhere near able to afford a player like Pepe
Venga – depends how cheaply he’s sold off for. I’m not imagining big money at all.
Valencia lost out on Torreira to Galatasaraay lol! That club has been in shambles for the past 4-5 years.
from jon wilson in the guardian
In football, form can change very quickly, but what was perhaps most hurtful on Sunday was just how familiar this felt. Ten Hag, Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, José Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, David Moyes … changing the pilot matters little when the tanker is heading inexorably in the wrong direction. Mikel Arteta, presumably, will be preparing for Arsenal’s visit to Old Trafford next month by having his team train to a soundtrack of grim muttering and resigned derision.
Man U seems unwilling to do the messy business of ripping it down to the studs and rebuilding, or at even trusting a manager to do it. ETH might be the man, but who knows really? Can’t be easy with the Greek chorus of Class of ’92 wankers constantly chipping in with their 2 cents, plus the Fergie looming over everyone. Not that I’m complaining, mind. Long may it continue.
Not a good start for Banana Skin United I see 😂
Commentators are in love with nuno tavares lol. He should have had 2 assists in addition to the goal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kvuSC_SkuU
My two cents on Xhaka.. There are two positions I think we should try to upgrade (backup for CDM is another thing) is Xhaka’s LCM and Gabriel’s LCD. Xhaka should be a priority upgrade if for nothing else than he gets a special treatment from the refs which is costing us every season + his few costly errors each season. I think we should give Gabriel one more season to see if he can reduce the number of costly mistakes, but I would not be surprised to see Arteta and Edu add a powerhouse LCD next summer. Ones we have… Read more »
GD4August 7, 2022 21:51:42
I’m not averse to debating opinions but I’m not gonna have those who resort to insults and snide comments cuz they lack the wherewithal to reinforce their points of disagreements
GD4
Go back and look at your comments to posters…pathetic.
You’re an abusive shister ..leave it out and play nicely.
GD4, if you were minding your own business I wouldn’t be telling you to behave
Pedro, I think there a lot of ways to do business and there is the new Arsenal way guided by Arteta and Edu. Next week you play Leicester at home, you win the game and then you make a bid for Tielemans. You respect Leicester, Tielemans, their supporters and got your player. This is the new Arsenal, the project. Time to deliver Champions League football e challenge for the title next season.
Bob N16, No worries mate. I completely agree with you about Xhaka. I’ve been saying here for months… dozens of times.. .I want us to upgrade Xhaka. Pedro can show you dozens of times… but I always throw in a little defense of Granit as a person in those same comments… Just today I was saying that Tielemans, though not a legrove favorite, would actually do the job for us that Gundogan does for Man City. It’s pretty clear. Of course that would have him replacing Xhaka. I just don’t see the need for the same people to come on… Read more »
Nigel Thank you for being a voice of reason on here. I don’t think there’s a single person on this board who doesn’t have a preference for an upgrade, but like you, I don’t see the need to constantly abuse the guy, especially as he’s done a fairly decent job in the last year. People seem to blame him for all our failings of the last five years when in reality the rot went to the very core of our club. We’ve been blessed with some outrageous CMs in the last 25 years, and he obviously doesn’t live up to… Read more »
When nuno is playing for another team he’s great fun to watch because he’s absolutely bonkers to watch but you don’t have to fear the consequences if he shits the bed defensively lol
He should probably move to being a winger full time TBH. With chaotic dribbling like he has I don’t think defending should be his priority game. If he improves defensively then fine but as of right now I’d say you’ll get more bang out of him by working on his final third quality and decision making than you will on improving his defensive reading of the game
Tho can you imagine the carnage if we bought diaby and had him on the left and nuno at LB lol
Defensively suspect but offensively it would be outright carnage lol
Willy, Granit gets paid 100k a week to play the best game in the world, at a massive club that consistently backs him (talking about the club not the fans necessarily) Most of us get out of bed in the morning to work our asses off under difficult circumstances, working jobs we may or may not like, with colleagues and managers we may or may not like, at companies we may or may not like. And we do that without getting paid 100k a week. Not sure how impressive it is that a professional footballer goes through a career without… Read more »
As well it’s not like he’s often getting boos in the stadium or his coverage amongst fans is totally negative At great surprise to many of us, a large section of the fan base for some reason thinks he’s pretty good and that he brings lots of positives to the team As much as I disagree on that, there’s no doubting it’s true many people feel pretty positively about him. He’s absolutely blessed to have as many fans as he does. If this were a club like Madrid or Barca that signed him all those years ago his own fans… Read more »
Just saw the City highlights and Erling’s second goal was described as Henry-esque.
I gotta agree; that throughball, that pace, that off-the-shoulder-run and that bottom corner finish.
My oh my the EPL is in for some delicious goals though hopefully not many against us.
Chinal I sort of agree, and I sort of don’t. On the one hand, everything you say is factually correct, but it rests on the assumption that once you remove financial stress, and into financial abundance, all is rosy, but it’s not. I’ve worked with at least 15 billionaires and hundreds of people as wealthy as he, and they’ve got multitudes of problems that haunt them. Are they in a better position than some of the world’s poorest? Yes. But it doesn’t stop them having very real human struggles, particularly those in the public eye. And to offer you an… Read more »
China1
I think you mildly dislike Xhaka only.
But since he never gets injured, the many minutes of being force fed Xhaka-ball pile up eventually and then you know with certainty, you don’t like him.
Also because, lets face it, he is served alongside some pretty bad dishes for the last few seasons.
If he was a new signing, first game in, folks might be thinking, “wow this guy seems ok”.
‘Dark Hei, ‘seems okay’ is the point for me – he’s ok, if you look at our starting 11, bringing in a better player in his position would arguably be the most significant upgrade that we could do.
I’m not saying he’s useless or rubbish but I don’t think he’d be anything but a squad player for our main competitors for the top 4, that should be his status for us, as a useful squad player.
Xhaka had a decent game v palace , his positional play , especially in the first half , allowed Zinchenko the freedom to move into good areas, xhaka played a good supporting role qhich sometimes a team needs. Xhaka and Zinchenko didn’t dovetail so well in the 2nd half, probably due to palace targetting Zinchenko with the ball over the top from Andersen as he was often seen going backwards instead of forwards. I actually think there was a case for xhaka and Zinchenko to switch positions for a spell in the 2nd half as xhaka would have had no… Read more »
After the first round of matches, we are looked prime. Not perfect, but the progress is obviously noticeable. Arsenal of last season would have collapsed. But we were dogged and resilient. After a seconf half dominance by Palace, and in the entirety of the match, Paddy’s boys could only construct 3 clear goal-scoring chance, with non on target, thought we should be pleased? But, NO! The more things change, the more they remain the same. Same old attitude of picking on players but based on performance, but on perceived or anticipated anticidents. Xhaka was good on Friday. If you believe… Read more »
Brilliant result om friday, aways good to start with a win.
Just catching up with some of the weekend matches. Liverpool were a bit off but you have to give massive credit to Fulham who were competitive right from the start. They were steaming into challenges and with Mitrovic they have a cagey knows all the tricks experienced striker. Periera looks a good signing for Fulham he had a good game and the Portuguese DM they signed from Sporting Palhinha he also looks a good signing. He will make Fulham along with a few other workhorses in their midfield competitive in that area. The little winger Kebano also had a lively… Read more »
You raise an interesting point Pedro. Managing a top club is less about coaching and more about whether you can motivate dim millionaire footballers who don’t give a shit..
The really successful ones like Ferguson and Wenger weren’t top coaches by any means. Pep might be the exception. Which category Arteta comes into remains to be seen ?
I’m still curious as to how we are to avoid falling foul of FFP after the spending of this and last year I know we’ve reduced the wage bill (or at least assume we have ) but nevertheless add last year to this year plus outstanding instalments on Pepe (does that still count or is it a past year deficit?) and new TV money and it still feels we must be showing significant deficit esp if we really do sign 2 more players I wonder if part of the plan is that KSE will capitalise the debts at least in… Read more »
The Bard
It’s not just footballers (dumb or not), it applies to all of us: we need to believe in the man (or woman) we follow. Dictators ensure that through state propaganda.
Returning to football, Mourinho is a classic example with his ‘Special One’ pose. Fergie was the ‘Feared One’, Wenger more the ‘Kindly Guy’ – all of this to gain belief in them.
Wisely Arteta has assembled a squad of players that believe in him.
Englandsbest I don’t fundamentally disagree with you. There are all these football manager tropes. ‘Workaholic’ ‘ obsessive” attention to detail ‘ etc. What they don’t talk about is whether they can manage players. Arteta seems too anxious and controlling on the touchline for my liking. He needs to calm down and let the players play. But it does seem as though they are currently on board with the project.
Our game on friday also carried a lot of bad similar traits from last season. We still can’t control a game for long periods, always in short busts periods. Odegaard easily brushed off the ball or making those suicidal back passss under pressure Retreating into our own half after going a goal up. Manager taking ages to make changes. This was particularly annoying becase we now have up to 5 subs, our team looked gassed past the 54 min mark and this was just day1. He needs to get better at in game management. We desperately need another CM. Happy… Read more »
Don’t disagree with you either. Arteta overdoes the ‘inspire’ stuff on the thouchline (and most likely elsewhere.) Hopefully it’s a pose that will calm down as the squad progresses.
I thought the opening premier league weekend was good for us albeit somewhat predictable. Maybe Liverpool not getting max points can be seen as a bit of a shock but overall, I don’t think it will affect their push for the title. Nunez looks the business so I can see Klopp’s misplaced loyalty to Firmino being the most detrimental effect to Pools challenge in the first half of the season. United are in disarray and it’s wonderful to see, the transfer windows not closed but that team will not finish above us this season, it just won’t happen. Chelsea grinding… Read more »
the single biggest improvement we could make as a team is to be able to force our way back into the game when our opponents are going through their ‘good period’
once we are under pressure it seems that’s the way it stays…can’t remember us fighting back
otherwise I am very encouraged by what I see when we play ‘our’ game
Bati it was all too familiar but the win helps gloss over what was large spells of the game where we struggled
My favourite bit recently was seeing Ten Haag in a press conference looking like he’s already flustered 😅😅
It’s been 90 mins in the job and he’s already feeling it
Very reminiscient of the previous guy in the hot seat who was way out of his depth
I just think United is a shit job to take at the moment. I mean that squad needs a lot of work on it and I totally get why the glasers aren’t pumping in as much this summer given they’ve pissed away so much the last few years
Apparently it’s all kicking off in Barcelona as they look to force Frenkie De Jong out of the club because they need the money.
Frenkie De Jong doesn’t want to go Man Utd. Could we perhaps make an opportunistic swoop?
Leeds gunner.Indeed.How I would piss myself laughing if Arsenal suddenly nipped in & nabbed him.Alas I think the theiving Catalans would be on the blower to the chavs who’d throw the kitchen sink at it to get him.so it’s highly unlikely.
However,As pointed out earlier by myself & others since.I think we’re waiting until after the Leicester match to make our approach so as maybe to soften the blow.History repeating itself with Alan Smith ,all those years ago?? Similar situation?.Can’t remember exactly.
As for surprise winger.Got a feeling could be Neto.Yes please.
Frenkie De Jong doesn’t want to join this former manger at United because they don’t have CL so why would he join another club that has not played in the CL since 2016-2017.
Very true
6 years out of the champions league btw
Frenkie De Jong is one of the best midfielders in the world, I hope he stays at basket case Barcelona…. I think we’d pay the £70 million, but there’s no way we pay the reported £350-£400k p/w It would screw up our wage bill, once the going rate is that high, it’s only a matter of time before Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Martinelli + Saliba rightly demand parity, or close to it. Nothing screws up the atmosphere + energy in the workplace, quite like staff who believe they’re being undervalued in comparison to their colleagues, while delivering similar output. Arsenal… Read more »
In those highlight videos, Vieira looks as if he should start over Odegaard and Xhaka. Would he ?
We need a killer ball specialist in our front 4. Odegaard is more a tempo guy. We need a KDB/Foden. Killer instint is so underrated.
As pointed out earlier.Highly unlikely we’d get/ go for de jong.As for why he might want to join us? Apparently admired us under wenger & thought he’d end up at our gaff as a stepping stone to Bars.eventually.The 6 season absence had f** K all to do with it strangely.
From Yt clips at least, Paqueta seems to be the kind of AMF who likes to dribble, makes thru balls and shoot. if he’s rated at £50m, should we get him or Diaby at £60m?
Diaby or Yeremy Pino… that’s a tough one right there
Really interesting analysis of Zincnenko and Xhaka relationship on the pitch by Pierre.
Wicked Willy,
Financial planning? Investing?
I’ve met lots of footballers and managers through work, and most seem like you see them on camera in the documentaries, a little shy when they’re not in their element.
Vieira very humble, Guardiola gregarious. Thierry very comfortable with new people, not shy at all.
Noel Gallagher was the only one I talked about football with… he was raving about how Pep was amazing around his kids, and the way he loves teaching young people so much.
I probably should watch the Man City all or nothing show.
2nd place is starting to look gettable w klopp announcememt. Huge deal.
Wonder if gerrards already been lined up
Formthebsake of argument, lets say pep also announces sometime during the season its his last at man city… do we become realistic title contenders??? Big year ahead.
Aw jeez looks like ive been fooled by twitter. Nevermind
De Jong looks tailor made for the Chelsea swoop.
Just continuing having a look at the weekends EPL games on catch-up. The Bournemouth v Aston Villa game was a liitle strange in the fact that Villa didn’t play obviously badly but what killed them was always looking to play central with no great attacking threat on the flanks from any of their offensive players. Villa rely on their fullbacks for true offensive width Digne and Cash. Coutinho likes to operate central, McGinn likes to operate central, Bailey doesn’t convince in regards skinning a player out wide. He also likes to come inside when on the ball. Buendia when he… Read more »
Nigel
Man United is the biggest club in name only
Seems winners don’t want to go there or don’t want to stay there. Can you imagine players turning down Real, Barca or Bayern.
Something is definitely broken at Man United. Biggest club in England yet they seem to have no class at the moment. Is this payback for all those titles they won. Liverpool struggled like that too for a long time until recently.
Frenkie De Jong has major problems too
He’s not interested in leaving for Uni9ted but is desperate to0 stay at Barca, a club that’s 10x more broken than United.
United don’t owe on thie r commitments and fill up stadiums anywhere they travel to. They are a major football club.
News is that Barcelona has notified Frenkie De Jong that they are tearing up his contract because it was conceived under dubious corrupt practices between his agent and their former president.
I know I’m gonna get pelted for this but that’s the way I see it. I think Odegard is not good enough. I said it after his 6 months loan, I said it after last season, and people seem to be catching on even though we’re just 1 game into the season. Indeed, I think there are 2 positions in our first 11 that we should upgrade: Xhaka and Odegard. With them being permanent fixtures in the first 11 I doubt if we’ll make top 4 no matter the improvements we’ve made in oother areas of the pitch. Who watches… Read more »
The de Jong story is an interesting one and I’m sure it will rumble on until the window ends. There is clearly a tug of war between him and Barca ( I guess over wages ). He is 25 in the prime of his footballing life. Why would he want to join a club in a mess like Untd ? We’re a wild card option I know but ….
FDJ if he’s coming to the PL my call would be Chelsea.
Location, CL, win trophies, pay big wages.
They would also pay the 70m euro plus that the Barca pawn brokers want.
Success + failure aren’t set in stone, they’re malleable, football fans are often like gamblers sitting at the table, when things are going well, they mistakenly believe that the good times will last forever, and that’s why the house always wins. Who would have predicted after 2003/04, that Arsenal wouldn’t have won another title for at least 18seasons?…. It was unthinkable. United are in a similar mess to us 18 months ago, their recruitment sucks, and they appear to have bad characters on big contracts they can’t shift. I hope they get off to a shocker, sack ETH, and end… Read more »
Thorough I understand where you’re coming from, but if we’d had Jesus and Zinchenko and Saliba last season we would have smashed it. It’s not credible to say that them alone don’t put us in contention for top 4. It’s also worth notng that we just spent £34m on an odegaard rotational option, and he had the second highest g/a per mins in europe last season. No offence, but i’d be very surprised if you’re Bournemouth guy is as good as him. We’ve also got ESR who can play there. I really don’t think we need anyone else for that… Read more »
Odegaard is young, has been stifled in his development by Madrid, and he will come good for us. To say he is not good enough is a bit short sighted. Yes he is shot shy, but that will come with confidence and coaching. He will be immense for us this season and beyond.
Besides, what we paid for him was a bargain any way u look at it
Wicked Willy.
Long story short we still need to buy someone who is both capable of playing with Partey as well as play in his place when he’s absent, and we need to critically analyze our first 11
Bergkamp.
Ode is a playmaker who isn’t particularly a very good dribbler and he doesn’t shoot. He’s been here for more than 18 months and we should be seeing the progress by now. And 30 million may not be such a bargain if we find out later we have to give him away just like the others. Saka, Martinelli and ESR are younger yet we can see the potential,and to some extent are already delivering on a regular basis.
Thorough
I agree. Although we are not going to find a Partey replacement. Best we can hope for is someone capable of playing #8 and double pivot fucking well. I don’t believe you’ll find anyone on this board who disagrees. Let’s see what unfolds. The pool of get table candidates is quite small, and we’re not the only ones looking, but I’m confident we’ll do what we need to do.
Im also curious to know if White, Zinchenko, or Tomi can cover #6 sufficiently well
Don’t know who your watching if you think Ode hasn’t progressed.. he’s 23, luckily Arteta loves him
WW.
Seeing that were well stock in central defense, trying White there may be an option.
Odegaard is a brilliant player, outrageous talent. If his struggles in physical away days continue, then there may be certain games where we strategically rest him, but that’s no big deal, he can’t and shouldn’t be playing every game. Football is a game of opinions, I was never Ozil’s biggest fan, a joy to watch on his day, but always felt he was a luxury we shouldn’t have been accommodating, I’ve never been a fan of impact players who don’t do both sides of the game. Odegaard seems to split opinion, but he’s clearly going to be a fairly regularly… Read more »
No shot at Frenkie De Jong he wants champions league football and we haven’t had it in 6 years. Pipedream that one
Rich.
If Odegard develops into a Silva or Bernardo I’ll be the happiest man alive. Now I’m having the nightmare that he may turn out another Ozil. I just hope it’s due to my Ozil PTSD.
How many years no CL Marko?
My two grouses with Odegaard is that he doesn’t embrace the physicality- he will shirk from putting as foot into a 50-50. KDB, Bernardo Silva and David Silva as good as there were. won’t shrink from those situations.
He also doesn’t shoot enough.