The smoke has turned into fire … any moment the club will announce that Dani Ceballos has joined Arsenal from Real Madrid on a one year loan deal.
The exact details of that deal are not known, the optimists will hope that there is an option to buy at the end of the 12 months … I very much doubt it, Real Madrid are not in the habit of letting developing talent go cheaply.
Ceballos is not Denis Suarez. He’s already proven quality. He has very good close control. He can weave through a defence and find a killer pass, he is a free kick specialist … he scores goals.
Feast your eyes on this … but a note of caution, no-one can know how he will adapt to the EPL. He’ll get a kicked all over the park if he starts embarrassing opposition players as easily as you’ll see in this video ….
Dani was being courted by many top clubs and should already assume hero status by virtue of choosing The Arsenal over ‘that lot down the road’.
The boring stuff:
- He’s 22, a Spanish national who has represented them at U19s, U21’s and in the full national side
- He’s 5ft 10in, a midfielder who can play in several positions but is most effective in the advanced role of a No. 10.
- He joined Sevilla as a youngster, signed his first professional contract with Real Betis and joined Real Madrid in 2017
There is no doubt that Arsenal are restricted in what they can spend. The loan deal for Ceballos (effectively coming on a free for the year) to some extent balances the plan to sign William Saliba and then send him back on loan. That deal involves delayed payment and so much of our £45m mini war chest remains … currently it may be in the region of £39m if you deduct the £6m paid for Martinelli.
Make no mistake, this is progress. We are getting a player who will significantly improve the quality of the squad. Ceballos is a Real Madrid player and a Spain International. The new management team have pulled off a major coup … the Saliba deal is all but in the bag … what next I wonder? … Would a centre back be too much to ask?
Rasp
Arsenal News 24/7
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Nice one, Rasp. Just read what Sky had to say about him yesterday… does sound rather exciting! And as for a CB, don’t be silly Rasp – why on earth would we need one of those?! 😜
We beat the mighty Barnet then… a 6 minute hat trick from Balogun.. 👌
So what we doing with guys like torreira guendouzi, willock this season
How exactly he will improve the quality of our team
If anyone wants to take a friendly bet I say ceballos is going to be a flop
Morning, Rasp, just what I needed to know — unfortunately I have lost touch with football recently, so I thought “Dani Ceballos — who dat?” 😁
Now I know!
he won’t be aflop i bet
Morning fred … you are our little ray of sunshine 😉
The only way I can see him being ‘a flop’ as you describe would be if he doesn’t have the stomach for the physical challenge and referees don’t protect him.
I see him as an upgrade on Mhki … don’t forget, we haven’t seen any players leave yet. The picture will only be complete once the TW closes.
“Ceballos is not like Dennis Susrez” really? Dennis suarez was a star performer for Sevilla during their all conquering days at the europa league, topping the assist chat which promoted Barca to resign him… ceballos has made how many starts in madrid in two seasons? Yet he is the finished deal as he proved this in an u21 championship where a certain Frank Merida once dominated.
Hi Kevin, let’s give it 6 months and see who’s right. I had high hopes for Suarez, but he didn’t seem to offer anything for the short time he was on the pitch.
I must admit, the idea of Ceballos playing alongside a re-energised Mesut Ozil is a mouthwatering prospect … they could rip defences apart if they click … Laca and Auba wouldn’t be short of supply … but then I remembered we have to defend too 😳
Ceballos is basically going to play in the midfield 3 where Ramsey did so on the right side of the DM. He s not great at defending so we must put two players next to him that can cover for him.
I wanted AMN to take this spot and also I think that Ceballos is at his best as a 10 or even as a 9.5. But we have Ozil as a 10, Mkhy and Willovk and ESR as well as Laca that can play there so the signing of Ceballos baffles me to be honest. No one is questioning his potential but aren’t we adding a player that does not bring what we need in terms of defending and steel?
We ll give him the benefit of the doubt but if he s with us only for a year, do we even want to invest on his development? The deal doesn’t make much sense to me on any front.
You want a box to box, go for players like Doucoure. He s proven in the EPl, he can defend and attack. He s no Ndombele or Pogba or SMS but he d bring us something different.
U got urself a bet Hanington
Fair enough rasp , as u know am all for the kids this season and any transfer I see derailing their growth am not to keen about
A CB on lo
Before I comment can I think Mike and Mike jnr for yesterdays post match write up. More of that sirs if you please as the season progresses.
Thanks Rasp. I still feel our priorities are a LFB, CD, and another more in their prime and experienced wing forward to compliment our young options here.
In consideration of Ceballos, you are right in saying that much depends on who leaves before the TW shuts and also what young academy players are coming into what positions. I also think about it in terms of what I feel we need this season based on how I feel the team should (on the most part) line up, and the type of players we have been missing to get that balance and strength in our favoured formation.
We can adapt to a couple of systems at different times but I feel as a go to system we need to be able to field a strong 4-3-3 formation, as most of the other top teams seem to do these days.
Once we know these other factors then his potential worth to the team will become more apparent. Right now I feel he is a luxury we don’t need and almost feel it is once again just bringing in a technical player we like the look of rather than the type of player we really need.
That 4-3-3 system comprises 2 goal scoring winger / wing forwards forwards either side of a single 9 (Auba, Laca, Eddie, Nelson, Saka, and Zaha if we get him). The midfield 3 are, for me, best comprised of a trio that compliment each other and give us balance with a dedicated holding midfielder, (the invisible wall and defensive screen), and a number 10 / ACM. In between these 2 should be an athletic box to box player who can do a bit of everything and carry the ball through the midfield.
In regard to that midfield 3 I do feel that when I consider Bielik, Chambers, AMN, Torreira, Iwobi, Willock, Smith-Rowe, Ozil, Micki we are looking at excellent options for that balanced midfield 3 combination. I haven’t even mentioned Xhaka or Elneny in that and I also feel with the right set up around him that Ozil could become a different animal and really flourish this season.
I can see Ceballos’ raw quality, but I just don’t see what he would bring that we really need as a priority now. At the moment I feel he would fall into the category of “excellent technical player but doesn’t really strengthen where we need it”.
Also as a number 10 / ACM his goal scoring stats aren’t greatly impressive and I don’t think he will get as many of the fouls in the EPL as we saw in this video when he goes to ground.
If anything I also feel he could upset the harmony of that area of our squad where we already have quality and good youngsters coming through, and I would prefer to give a promising youngster, who could be a big part of our future, the chance over a player we could improve for another club over the season and then never see them again.
Well done for positivity, Rasp.
I had done a little research and thought he has talent, but might get kicked, a bit of a Reyes for me, let’s see. Have the same feeling about Dybala that the mob down the road are thinking of investing a club record for. What do you think of him, RC?
Given the endless Mesut/Aaron No10 debate of the last few years, hope he is more adaptable.
He’s nominally free, so let’s give him a chance to prove he isn’t Suarez.
Much more concerned at how we are to use Smith-Rowe and Nelson this year and whether they will benefit other Clubs and not us. Big sell on fees in contracts if we are to risk them not wanting to return.
Fred you are such a doom merchant since you started commenting on the right day. Terrier, Ouzi AND Willock will be stars this year.
Happy Thursday AAers.
Thanks guys … I agree with all those hoping Ceballos’ arrival won’t hamper the progress of our youngsters. I think he is seen as a replacement for Ramsey. From what I’ve seen in the PS games, Willock should be on the bench or starting games … Eddie slightly behind because we have 2 top strikers, and ESR getting games in the cup comps. Nelson is a quandary, I know he doesn’t want it, but I do think he’d benefit from going back out on loan.
Yea Nelson hasn’t impressed at all with Eddie I actually think je should be playing on the left on the 433 to start the season, I know it isn’t his natural position but he is a rich vain of form
Morning all. Let’s be careful here that we don’t fall into validating jjsol’s observation (which isn’t fair). Ceballos will improve our squad at the right price. End of story. As far as Suarez goes, he claims he was injured for almost all his time with us. I hope that’s true because he wasn’t much help. I’m sure he was a lot better than he looked. This kid looks good too so how can it be a bad thing? He’s not costing $350k a week . For those who say he blocks the progress of youth, its only a year and if he’s good, maybe he helps them?? Last, let’s remember there are most likely going to be injuries, hopefully short term ones but this is the Arsenal. Injuries will happen.
I’m excited that we have a quality player joining us. Hope y’all are too !!!
Rasper,
We have all been pleading with the club (AW – primarily) over the last few years to bring youth into the Arsenal first team, but it has largely fallen on deaf ears.
That may have been partly because as fans, rather than coaches, we my have seen certain youth players through rose tinted glasses.
If I was a doom laden betting man, I would reckon that much the same thing will apply next season.
I am not a doom laden betting man, of course, but if we have only one or two youth players on the bench at the start of next season, that would not surprise me.
That is not just a matter for Arsenal, because other clubs have the same quandary. Results matter, so risk taking is not something any manager relishes.
Youthful players will get opportunities in Cup games, and also when they come in for injured players in the EPL — so, it will happen — but slowly, if previous experience holds true.
The transfer market activity, or lack of it, will have an impact on which players will get opportunities first, so leaving that aside, my choices for rapid selection would be;
Saka, Nketiah, Willock and Thompson.
It’s official!!! Welcome Ceballos!! 😎
Fred, I had always assumed that Nelsons natural position was on the left side of the striker. I have still to watch the last 3 games which I have got recorded. Does this mean that Nelson has been operating from the right side?
I seem to recall that most of the decent footage you see of him when he has done something in games, either in our academy matches or last seasons loan, seem to show him operating from the left.
Either way Fred, I would agree with you that Reiss Nelson is a left inside forward predominantly, and should be utilised this way.
Mike, a quality CB on loan for a year, in the absence of being able to bring one in permanently, I would leap all over. I remain to be convinced regarding Ceballos (not in his quality individually per se; goal-scoring aside maybe) and his potential worth to us for a loan year, and can’t shake the feeling that it is deja vu again, with us overloading that ACM position where we have been top heavy for a few seasons. I also slightly worry what his arrival means for certain youngsters.
I feel this fresh new transitional season with the introduction of many of our quality youngsters, is an opportunity to re-balance the squad and have options in areas we have been weaker in, such as attacking pace, width and goals from the wide / wing forward areas, and a proper defensive (holding) midfield destroyer.
Just my opinion though Mike and I could easily be wrong, and maybe he will storm the EPL and really make a difference for us this year.
Haha Sue. I take it all back. No point in my reservationist opinion on it now. We will find out what it all means and how it pans out in due course. I hope we did get some option to buy in there (doubt it) just in case he is the bees knees.
GB.. have to say, I’m a little excited about this, now it’s finally been confirmed… but could my excitement be to do with – the fact that I’d forgotten what that feeling was like when your team sign someone and see it all over Sky sports news.. or the fact that, we have to make the most of it as he may well be our final signing this season!! 😄
He can’t be too shabby (being a Real player) he may turn out to be a complete beast! I’m intrigued as to what UE has planned for him.. as well as others!
Aherm …. Rasp the soothsayer strikes again 😂
Rasp.. 😂 who needs mystic meg, hey?!
My next prediction is that Boris Johnson will become Prime Minister 😂
Unfortunately there is no option to sign at the end of the years loan and Murphy’s law predicts that he will have a stormer of a season, be our best player and wave goodbye with tears all round at the end of it.
I’ll take that and welcome Dani.
Nelson is a left sided wide attacker, but as is customary left sided players nowadays are often used on the right and cut in to hit shots with their left foot.
I personally want wide players to go round the fullback and cross from the byline, like olden times.
1) Ceballos – on loan for only a year
2) Saliba – loaned out for a year
3) Martinelli – one for the future too
If Emery considers Ceballos one of his 3 to 4 signing, we can only expect 2 to 3 more. Am hoping there is a CB, DM and FW.
Zaha is Everton-bound apparently. Sorry Sue. It seems we ll welcome another Brazilian in the person of Everton
Bloody hell, 2 announced in 1 day!!!
There’s still time for a third… Wilf? Please?
Oh RC… consider my cornflakes well & truly peed on 😂😂😂
Fred.. did you see Ozil’s tweet to a spud fan? Bloody brilliant!! 😛
Pepe discussing a move to Serie A with Napoli. Ancelotti seeing him as an option to bulk up his strike force on the flanks as Mertens is being moved further up the pitch and Callejon to be used as a supersub.
4-4-1-1:
Ospina – Ghoulam, Koulibaly, Manolas, Hysaj – Pepe, Fabian, Allan, Insigne – Mertens, Milik
They still have Maksimovic, Chirches, Zielinski and Callejon on the bench. Not bad…
Mike no attacking player will improve our squad we already have an abundance of quality attackers
Not welcome Ceballos @sue think that what u meant right:)
No Nelson has been on the right side even in hoffeinham he was on the left
But against Florentina when he was moved to left in that game he shows signs
No Sue can u post it
Well if zaha going everton and we still purchasing Everton the Sue seems you got your wish
I would Fred, but I don’t know how 🤣🤣
Ok
Ceballos got number 8 steups
Ramsey please come back
Fred …. don’t you think you should at least give Ceballos a chance?
Ok I will give him a chance rasp
Is it this sue lol
Mesut doesn’t have to do anything rice this season After that comeback he candidates do anywrong
That’s the one, Fred….. good old Mesut 😂👌👌
Fred, how about if Ceballos is a replacement for Ramsey? Still not needed ? More in hope than anticipation but still…..
Scary stuff… Kolasinac, my hero
There can only be one Ramsey mike bit I want willock to get some game time and AMN should have even gotten the Ramsey role
I know that would have please u Sue
Sue that was literally the first time I have ever seen Kolasinac defend
Kolasinac, as a defender, he defended Ozil brilliantly.
Congrats to Glen Durrant.. making his world matchplay debut, taking out 137 to beat James Wade and book his place in the semi final 👊 Come on Duzza!!!
By the way, Fred, anyone with a normal heart rhythm like you illustrated needs to see a cardiologist immediately, because there is an electrical fault, probably hereditary!!!!
Reasons to be excited :-
It’s Friday, we’ve signed 2 players, it’s a lot cooler, 2 days until I board an Emirates-bound train 😊, 16 days until our opener against the Geordies, the darts, Wilf 😜, oh.. and the final season of Orange is the new black has just dropped on Netflix – binge time!! –
Have a great Friday everyone!!
Morning all …
… New post …
LBG I actually had a whole in my heart when I was younger and needed surgery or else I wouldn’t be alive today
Sue were you from,