116 Comments

It's so clear to see les miserables take every bit of good/exciting news and try to downplay/piss on it with possible negatives.

Why TF are we talking about opinions of loser fans (haters) of rival clubs, when they will never praise us, despite us being one of the best clubs in the world, with an amazing squad and playing style.

Then the same people want to cry about a youth player leaving, who may end up being a flop. If he has no loyalty, I don't care.

I know we will survive without him.

Do you think Saka, Saliba, Ødegaard, Havertz, Rice give a shit about chido whatever ?

Exactly.

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Knowing Arsenal under Arteta and Edu, the sell on clause for Cala would amount to fuck all as we will loan hom out in 2 seasons with an obligation to buy of €12m.

Welcome Calafiori. Our 16th option at LCB/LB. What a club!!

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Jul 20·edited Jul 20

Yes, Calafiori is basically announced

Fabrizio and Ornstein both said it in the last couple of hours so it's basically official.

From what I've read about Calafiori, I'm not so sure if the opinions were of Italian fans who are probably jealous of Bologna pocketing good 20m+, or actual fans of Bologna, but most of them predict that Calafiori will fail here.

It's mentioned he's been a one season wonder, he's a normal (average player), that Italians don't do well in the Premier League (Scamacca was mentioned) and how Kiwior was also a top defender in Serie A but we're already getting rid of him.

That Thiago Motta deserves a statue at both Bologna and Basel who've never seen so much money.

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Riccardo Calafiori to Bologna after returning from holidays:

“Let me go and fulfill my dream.”

The fee mentioned is £34m + £4m in bonuses and a sell-on clause.

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Jul 20·edited Jul 20

I have a counterpoint to one tournament wonders. How did he earn the Italy call up and all those starts at the Euros? We've been on him way before the Euros started. His Euros performances (🔥) made us spend 10m extra on him but it is what it is.

Artedu got their man and I just hope he manages to fit well in the London lifestyle. I'm also interested to know if if we're only moving on Kiwior or Zina will also follow (he got a new agent the other day, could be something).

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When you see what yamal did last season for Barcelona and again in the just concluded euro, it will be foolish for anyone to think that all you need to convince a 16 or 17 year old is money. Gone are the days when young players are told that they are not strong enough. This days, there are many managers who play players based on their skills and not their strength. Even this days defenders are technically sound. The reason saliba is one of the sought after defender and Zuma has disappeared from the radar.

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🚨 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄: Arsenal and Bologna have reached an agreement for Riccardo Calafiori! 🔴⚪️🤝🏻

After breakthrough in talks revealed earlier, deal is in place between the two clubs for the Italian defender.

Exclusive detail: final fee will be €40m fixed plus €5m add-ons and sell-on clause also included for Bologna.

Calafiori agreed already in June on signing five year contract valid until 2029 with salary around €4m net.

Final step needed: Bologna owe 50% of the deal to FC Basel, the two clubs will be in touch to discuss details and payment terms for that fee… then, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐠𝐨! 🇮🇹

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I do have concerns about the impending departure of Obi Martin. This is not because I think that he

is a mega star in the making. Frankly he could turn out to be a flat track bully, because of his relative size. Being a prolific goalscorer in youth football is not a guarantee of success later on in

your career.

However, it does raise issues about Arsenal's current youth policy and the pathway to senior team.

Arsenal have offloaded 20 academy players this summer and lost two other players [Walters and Cozier- Barry] that we wanted to keep have decided to move elsewhere.

That raises questions about the club's career progression from Academy/U21s to Senior Team.

I have suggested on many occasions previously that Arsenal should include a couple of Academy

players in first team squad on annual basis. This should not be of course a guarantee of regular first team football, but a facilitator to give them gametime experience when the opportunity arises.

Giving Nanweri 3 minutes and 13 minutes in two games over two seasons is not my idea of progression.

Obi-Martin may turn out to be a mega star or a damp squib. Only time will tell, but the departure of

3 academy players who were wanted but chose to move elsewhere is in my view sending the wrong message.

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The fact that in a dead rubber UCL match Arteta refused to play the academy players on the bench. Or the fact pep has given more academy players mlre minutes last season than Arteta in 5 years is not good.

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Who were wanted? No, arsenal really want them. Because if we want them they will stay. It just their agents making unfounded stories. We are The Arsenal remember

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I will excuse Chido Obi martin for signing Man u as long as he makes the right decision and represents Naija.

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Jul 20·edited Jul 20

David_Ornstein

🚨 Man Utd exploring deal to sign Chido Obi-Martin after Arsenal terms expired. #AFC made what felt was fair offer but youth striker decided to move on. 16yo visited #MUFC this week - discussions at early stage + others (not #MCFC) also keen @TheAthleticFC

_________________________________________________________

So the AcademyScoop guy was right. It is what it is.

AcademyScoop

Manchester United are interested in Danish striker phenom Chido Obi-Martin, with discussions at an early stage. The record-breaking goalscorer visited Carrington on Tuesday.

Contrary to rumours, no agreement has been found yet, nor has a final decision been made by the player.

Several other big clubs from Germany are also interested.

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If he does not want to stay fuck him just because he is doing it at 16 does not mean he will be any good in a few years.

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The ones who begin as oversized youths, get caught up most of the time.

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Yes you are right. Arteta knows best 😁😁

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We were told last season that youth team players have confidence in the project and we're told how many of the academy players were committing their future to the club. But the new tune now is that they aren't committing because they are not good enough. So arsenal team is too strong for them so they are going to perennial failures like bayern Munich, United and Chelsea.

If you are an up and coming talent, who would you rather choose between arteta and ten hag? The one who keeps talking about giving youth players chance but never do so or the one who doesn't say much but trust them enough to start them in important games. But never mind, as long as kroenke continues to dole out the cash, there is nothing to worry about.

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More on it

FabrizioRomano

🚨🌟 Arsenal consider Chido Obi Martin gone, despite big proposal from #AFC he's leaving the club.

Chido visited Manchester United as they're pushing to sign him.

Bayern, Newcastle, Monaco, Frankfurt also made contact; decision expected soon.

Man City, not in the race.

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https://x.com/dennizzer_k/status/1814284921738822031?t=7nOpQvqZQfHvoCmtlgkQaQ&s=19

That's a strong hand. Not like Kepa or that weak buffoon Onana many gooners wanted.

Maybe our goalkeeping coach is much smarter than geniuses who watch game highlights and think they're keeper coaches and talent evaluators.

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It offers defensive solidity and very very sterile football

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At least we'll be difficult to beat. Which is everything artetaball

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Rice at #6 and Merino at #8 will be very very similar to Moyes playing Rice and Soucek at Westham.

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Jul 19·edited Jul 19

I am worried about the state of our midfield this summer.

I have been looking at Merino closely and he looks like what Arteta was trying to sign with Havertz last summer for that left 8 role. Duel winning, physical and can run the left channel like Xhaka did.

And apparently there is news today that they wanted a #6 to use Rice as an #8. But the market is dry for #6 players so they have pivoted in to getting an 8 like Merino. And for a #6 to come in Partey will have to leave.

So our midfield options would be Odegaard, Vieira, Merino, Rice, Partey and Jorginho. I assume ESR is leaving and Nwaneri will get the odd minutes in there.

I don't know if that is enough to win the league. We will give it a go but I don't know if that is enough if our key midfielders in Odegaard and Rice aren't on form. I would have been less worried if I didn't see worrying signs like physical decline from Partey at the end of last season. And he can't stay fit anyway. We need a #6 alongside a #8 for me. I am worried just a Merino won't be enough.

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I am not convinced that Rice is an 8 as imo he is an out and out 6. He just isn’t creative enough to be an 8 although his power up front can sometimes be useful

Which is why I’m really hoping we sign an 8

And yes I’d have loved that to have been ESR but that ship seems to have sailed

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Keeping Ramsdale around will have a negative impact on the team, loan him to Millwall

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The Ugarte transfer to United is a very good one.

He's a top midfield talent.

United are making some good moves

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He is good. A bit like Casemiro at Madrid. He is a pit bull. He isn't a Rodri though. They will have to rely a lot on Mainoo being that CM that breaks lines.

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No evidence that Mainoo is an intelligent or instinctual CM ... yet.

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No evidence???????

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Mainoo is the most intelligent English midfielder. But it depends on how much you rate the intelligence of English players.

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😂😂

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Why the shock Dissenter? He seems athletic with ball skills and footwork, that's it. More raw winger skills than a guy you want to build up play, and defend using good positioning and timing.

I was being kind saying there's no evidence..

Personally I think he looks like a shit midfielder that wouldn't get into any top 11. Yeah I know he's young.

For England, he was an obvious weak spot, in a vital position.

Are his passing numbers special? I don't see it, though I don't watch him that much.

Somebody please post passing stats for Mainoo if they are special.

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Joke Friday

Mystic Leaves goes in for a physical exam and the doctor says, “You’re going to need to stop masturbating."

“What? Why??" Mystic exclaims.

“Because,” the doctor responds, “I'm trying to examine you.”

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Jul 19·edited Jul 19

No one wants to leave AFC once they get their bag of $, pure and simple.

The management team still have not worked out whom to pay and not.

Going to take years to get rid of surplus players deemed not good enough or too often injured.

It will be a miracle if we can move on ESR, Ramsdale, Eddie, Nelson, Partey, Tierney, Jesus, and Kiwior this year, and Tavares and Lokonga not on loan.

AFC is playing a game with their financial hands tied due to their own undoing.

Wake me when the season starts.

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This summer I guarantee you Eddie, Nelson and ESR will be leaving permanently. Kiwior and Ramsdale are 50/50. Loans or loans obligation to buy will be the conditions for them to leave. But the Hale enders are leaving.

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