So in the past weeks, we have:
- Extended Tierney and Smith-Rowe
- Gotten Tavares and Lonkonga
and Arteta has indicated for each of them that they are young, energetic, committed and have desire (are hungry) and have quality (talent). He also mentioned that these are the ingredients he wants in his Arsenal team. He also talked highly of Martinelli who he said has, like Tierney and Smith-Rowe, the ability to also inspire others to raise their levels…
So at this stage, we have the following squad for next year (for sure):
GK: Leno (boo 😦 )
RB: Chambers,
CB: Holding, White, Gabriel, Mari
LB: Tierney, Tavares
DM: El Neny, Lonkonga
CM: Partey, AMN
RW: Saka,
CAM: ESR, Willock
LW: Pepe, Martinelli
CF: Auba, Balogun
I think that the players above would meet Arteta’s requirements and there are some interrogations about how WIllock will fit back in the team and then how Lonkonga and Tavares will adjust to the EPL…
Question marks over some players future: Bellerin, Cedric, Xhaka, Nelson, Willian, Nketiah, Lacazette
If Lacazette leaves, we would need adequate replacement for sure and I d also be more than happy if we invested in a solid RB and a better GK
Likely line-up:
Leno – Chambs, White, Gabriel, Tierney – Partey, El Neny – Saka, ESR, Pepe – Auba
Ramsdale – ?, Holding, Mari, Tavares – AMN, Lonkonga, Willock – Willian, Balogun, Martinelli
Good enough squad to challenge for titles? Not sure but it is Arteta’s squad and he is moulding it
Arsenal News 24/7
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Hey old friends
I hope and pray that we keep Lacazette, as he is absolutely pivotal to all that we do well in an attacking sense. Pitches in defensively too.
Its surely obvious to everyone just how much the others love playing with him.
It’s pretty disappointng that there doesn’t seem to be a contract offer incoming as he enters his final year.
i fully agree
Elneny? Won’t whilst Lokonga and Xhaka are here
Xhaka may be sold in the end…El Neny – Partey works rather well in midfield
Interesting RC
Still wonder why you are so negative about Leno and please not Ramsdale for £32m, who is not as good as the German IMO.
White is the cover for right back ( and central holding midfield), and, if he is still with us, so is A M-N. I hope personally that we keep Willock and Elneny, but think the former will go back on loan to Newcastle.
And just to stir it up, wish it was Laca with the long contract, not Aubameyang. Sell, if possible, the rest in your “others”list, and I wouldnt turn down Bissouma and/ Aouar.
Exciting season ahead, eh Jigsol?!!!
There’s surely no way that Xhaka’s still here on Sept 1st.
Personally, I’ve always been a big fan, but even I think its probably time for an amicable parting of the ways
Sharkey
I can’t believe there’s no contract either! He is a fab player and works his socks off. Any team would love to have attacking players, imo.
Hopefully he gets offered an extension, and he signs it!
As much as I hope Lacazette stays. The same can’t be said about our Swiss Miss-ing In Action!
I can’t wait for Xhaka to fuck off! He won’t be missed. He, like Ozil and Mustafi represent the bitter end of Wengers reign for me. Mustafis fragile temperament, Ozils lack of interest and Xhaka…. where do I start with his Arsenal career? I never liked him, wanted to, but just couldn’t.
In terms of the squad
I think Leno is more than good enough, but he does need competition/back up.
We’re sorted at LB and CB. If AMN refuses to accept that he can potentially be our 1st choice RB for the next 10 years, then he will have to go and in that case, I’d keep Hector. He and Chambers can cover the right fullback position between them and Inter can do one with their mickey taking ‘offers’ the cheap twats! 🤣
In midfield, I’ve been clear my views on the DM position. We need someone ASWELL AS Lockonga. And as much as I love how El Neny stepped up (a tiny bit like when Kolo did at CB, but no where near as successfully sadly!) I think we need an upgrade.
In Central midfield we have Partey and Whillock. That’s where I’d deploy Joe anyway.
Then we have an array of wide forward options: Pepe, Saka, Martinelli, Aubameyang, Nelson and the much maligned Willian. I can’t see Arteta keeping all of them though.
As for the CAM number 10 role, we have ESR, obviously! So an addition would be good! Again I think Aouar seems a decent and realistic option, despite the talk of Maddison.
CF: Lacazette (give him an effin ting to sign!!), Auba, Martinelli, Balogun, Nketiah. Again, we may sell/loan a player or 2 here.
So 3 new players still needed for me. And several players futures to be resolved.
Leno is not a bad GK but he is not great either. I think that in his time with us, maybe he had less than 15 good games with us and he is a liability for every 3 games in average. He is not great in the air, he is not great at marshalling his defense and he is not great with his passing. He is great on his line though and is a solid shot stopper but overall, he would be in the Top 10 keepers in the EPL not the top 5 and I would hope that we aim for a GK that is a Top 6 at least…Now I can name atleast 6 GKs that are better than Leno in the EPL:
Allisson, Ederson, Mendy, Schmeichel, Lloris and may I add Martinez, Henderson, De Gea (?) and Pickford to the list…There is a case for Meslier too…
So it is not so much that I do not like Leno, it is just that I do not rate him as a good enough GK for a club like ours.
I hope Lacazette signs on and I would not mind Auba leaving but I doubt that any of these hopes materialize…If Laca goes, we would need to get a CF and I would not mind getting Mitrovic from Newcastle.
As for El Neny, I agree that we can get an upgrade but if we can’t secure a better player than him, than I do not mind keeping him. If we could get Rice or Philipps, I d be happy 🙂
Regarding Aouar, I like him but there really is a question mark about his ability to deal with the physicality of the EPL. I would rather get someone more experienced and better at set-pieces.
As for White, he is coming to play as a Central Defender for sure…Now his arrival is just confusing us so as to whether we will play with 3 CBs or 2 CBs:
Leno – White, Holding, Gabriel – Chambers, Partey, ESR, Tierney – Saka, Laca, Pepe
Now things getting better or actually worse…
Laca to leave for 15 Mln EUR and Abraham to arrive on loan with an option to buy him for 40 Mln…Does it make sense?
RC
Always so “sure”….
I think Leno and White might have a few surprises for you next season.
LBG – Let us see…am hoping to be wrong about Leno and as for White, maybe there is a chance to have him as our DM…but really not sure about RB…
Good day everyone. I like that formation with 3 at the back. Because holding and Gabriel would cover for White’s lack of aerial prowess. Also white could push forward into Dm position and Chambers could drop back to right back so we could play like last season with three in midfield with an attacking left back in Tierney while playing with three in midfield ( white, partey and ESR). This in game flexibility of shape and roles is the kind of thing arteta likes. It would also mean Saka would be back to the left to combine with Tierney and ESR. These are things we’d like to see. The no 9 is where the conundrum is though.
Mendy and Lloris???
I’ve got to take issue with you there and I’d also suggest there’s no wY Leno is that often at fault for goals, etc.
He’s been scape goated a lot in my opinion, not least as the keeper is the last line of defence and IF we had decent protection he would not be left exposed as often.
Leno is not better than Lloris nor Mendy.
Sorry RC, check him out.Last season for Brighton, right back as much as right centre back. And Southgate selected him for his flexibility he said at start of Euros. It is my guess that Mikel might use him occasionally in a different way.
“Leno is not better than Lloris nor Mend”
Only in your opinion mate, its clearly subjective. Both Mendy and Lori’s are average keepers in my opinion. Lloris mainly as he’s past his best while the Chelsea keeper was a panic buy and roundly seen as bang average. The Spanish keeper they bought to replace him (£70m!!!) Was seen as world class when the chavs signed him.
You’ve clearly come down with a serious case of Otherteamitus!! Where Gooners laud other teams players freely, while refusing to see the positive qualities in our own players!
I’ve definitely suffered with that in the past too! 🤣🤣🤣
Think your wrong with that one RC veltman played majority of games at RB when lamptey was injured, if am not mistaken I remember white playing once there late down in the season
Let us see fellow Gooners 🙂
My dear friend, LBG, that you very much for thinking of me.
You ask “Exciting season ahead, eh Jigsol?!!!”.
Having approached more than 50 seasons, I have to admit that with so many of them being a bitter disappointment, I tend now to be somewhat underwhelmed as a season starts. There is hope, but usually little expectation and certainly no excitement.
Even without that, I cannot say that the acquisitions so far have the effect of increasing my expectations, as I genuinely feel that what is important for the coming season is not necessarily the personnel, as I honestly feel that they are more than capable of doing well, provided they are trained to and allowed to do so.
What I feel will make or break this season is whether or not Arteta has learnt his lesson from what happened last season and changes his style from a negative, defensive heavily controlled one to one that allows the players to express themselves with a view to actually winning the game and not simply just not losing.
With no change in tactics and style, I suspect the next season will be very much like the last, with regular dire and boring performances, minimal shooting, on or off-target, and nowhere near enough goals to make any difference to our league position.
So, it is all down to Arteta and not to the many players he seems to be intending to bring in, which itself does not bode well for a settled team to gain some sort of success.
I admire so many of you who are buoyed up with optimism and confidence simply because of a few signings, none of which, in my view, would result in any increase in the blood pressure in anticipation at any other club.
We were promised many signings and, so far we have 2 reserves and a centre back we do not need.
In the meantime, we are bleeding away some of our better players and academy graduates.
For a career pessimist like myself, nothing I have seen helps to raise my spirits.
I remain someone who would prefer to be a pleased pessimist than a disappointed optimist.
Sorry to bore you all with my views which are so unpopular to so many of you.
I hope that you are all right and I am wrong.
Good morning, Jigsol my fellow AAer! It’s good to see my comment lifted your spirits to the peak of orgasm for the new season.😁
My 60 years of attending Arsenal matches home and away with my Dad, Brothers and Son have been filled with plenty of disappointments, which I have wiped from my memory, and many, many moments of true ecstasy ( with plenty more to come). Takes all sorts…..! Happy season 2021-2 to you.
Everyone is different, sees things differently is optimistic or prefers to be pragmatic. Following and supporting the Araenal has certainly had its ups and downs. And every supports the team for varying reasons. For me, its in my blood (unfortunately at times!) And it’s a link to my family. I’ll always be a Gooner, no matter what, whether that means going to the games, watching em on TV or simply looking out for the scores. Their results will always have an impact on me. But its strange that the negative emotions released from supporting Arsenal seem to be stronger and more vociferous than when we win! Why is that?
However for me pre-season is always a time to be optimistic and dream!!
Happy Monday!!
“Terry plans to become a manager!”
Let’s hope he starts with a second division team and we are all pushing up the daisies by the time he gets to the Premier League. Horrible man and player!!
And the good news continues….no more need to put up with that git Lamela for the Spuds. God is a Gooner!
I think this is going to be our 11 for the 1st game of the season, due to Olympics commitments, I juries and extended holidays…
Leno
Chambers – Holding- Mari- Tierney
Partey- Lockonga
Pepe- ESR- Auba
Lacazette
This is what it might look like after the transfer window shuts…
Shilton
Cafu- Maldini- Adams- Roberto Carlos
Gullitt- Nedved
Brady- Bergkamp- Pele
Eusebio
🤣🤣🤣
Dexter – u r missing too many AFC greats in your second team:
– Vieira, Henry certainly…
Bellerin and saka also missing
RC
It would have been to easy to make an old school Arsenal 11 tho.
My post was a razor sharp satire on the unrealistic expectations of fans and the transfer hype the media engages in.
It’s hard hitting stuff and Adams was only in there as I could’nt think of another CB!!
Fred
Saka won’t be ready for the 1st game and Bellerin will be off.
I was referring to your team for after GW1
Fred
The team after is a piss take mate! Maybe it was too subtle, having Pele, Shilton and Cafu in it?
I know was just adding my own humour to it lol
Oh Fred, ya likkle rascal!
I enjoyed thinking about your team to start the season Dexter, you are probably right, I certainly wouldn’t bet against it.
So he went for the money and, like the Ox, has gained some reflective glory from the home success of Juventus ( and the Dippers), but surely Ramsey wouldnt consider coming to play at the Armitage Shanks Arena and expect a welcome back?
LBG
I can’t imagine Ramsey playing for any other English side other than Arsenal.
Maybe he’ll return to Cardiff! 🤫
I won’t mind seeing Ramsey back at AFC. He can add experience and guile to the team.
I read that the Everton fans have it in for Iwobi. Another mystery transfer. How did we ever get £30 million for him. He had his moments, but not many…
They also very kindly took Theo for £20 million. One of the most over-rated players we ever had. Fast, but little control or skill.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was one that fooled me. I thought he had everything to be a world class player. £35 million looks like a fantastic deal now. He hardly gets a kick in the Liverpool team. Spends more time in the gossip columns.
Yeah Pete, the Walcott & Iwobi deals were good. Hindsight probably showing Ox sale was good too (considering his serious injury).
Which brings me back to looking pittance for Xhaka, Bellerin & Lacazette – there’s bargains the for some club!
Yep seems once your a home grown dey pay more, does other league have the home grown rule
Well Fred…..Laca could be a bargain! 😁😉
French football is about to go bust; Barcelona are skint; Italian football is in huge debt; can’t see where all the money for transfers is coming from??
BTW I read that Spurs are 1 Billion Euros in the red. They are officially screwed!
Yep, all the whiny Gooners and the amount of shit they’ve spouted about how Arsenal don’t get decent transfer fees for their players conveniently overlook Iwobi, Theo, Oxlade, etc.
So although transfer fee low, there salary usually high
Fred
Exactly mate, and Varane had a year left on his deal and Real needed to sell or risk losing the player for nothing.
Forget about Manure.
Where are we going to find £79m for a player we don’t need?
By the way, Walcott was a deadly finisher.
All of those amongst you who are into the statistics. is it not true that those seasons when he was not injured for most of the season, did he not score at least 10 goals a season?
He is another player that so many fans like to criticise and yet he scored goals, which is more than one can say for so many’s darling Partey or plenty of others in our squad.
He scored 65 goals and provided 43 assists in 270 appearances, that is one goal or assist in ie one goal or assist every 2.7 games.
The 7.14 comment is possibly the best comment I have read on this site for months, maybe years.
This excludes Rocky, of course.
Jjgsol
I love Theo. Always thought a lot of the negativity was bang out of order and led by the media.
I remember being at Ewood Park and the opposition defence were totally shit scared of him as his pace.
Then there was that FA Cup game vs the spuds! He was unplayable and ended up getting crocked and going off on a stretcher.
We’ve had so many bad I juries to our players and the impact has probably cost us a title or cup or 2.
Diaby, Eduardo and RvP spring immediately to mind.
“Deadly finisher”??
One season of 21 goals in all competitions
One season of 19 goals in all competitions
All other seasons, less than 10 in all competitions.
A goal approx every four games played is not my idea of deadly, and Partey was bought as a holding midfielder not striker.
Those that watched Theo regularly also saw a player provided with literally hundreds of chances to score by such genuine “assisters” as Mesut Ozil, and saw them squandered, I’m afraid.
PS
His record for Everton is 77 appearances, 10 goals, by the way.
So Fred, what you think of having Martinez playing for us next season?
Sorry,………its Lautaro Martinez from Inter as possible player plus cash for Hector and/ or Lacazette! He is Argentinian.
Ray Kennedy 70 today. With Raddy, true striking giants. Always be grateful for that goal at Shite Hart Lane.
Arsenal v Watford 3pm on Arsenal.com
Beautiful goal from Eddie.
Class!
My thoughts on a pre-season match at London Colney – Arsenal v Watford
Score 4-1.
Positives plus plus: –
Partey and Lokonga, Surely a potential starting holding pair. Both massively positive in their passing.
Positives plus:-
Nketiah and Azeez, two beautiful goals and Eddie linked well with Tavares.( Tavares is a little careless when marauding forward) – Mari and Holding solid, and more and more confident with ball at feet. Both also playing forward, dynamic passes. – Elneny, hard-working and forward in his movement ( unfortunately lost ball on edge of 18 yard box for their goal.) – Lacazette, usual hard-working and creative. Unlucky not to score two. Emile S-R, creative but out on the right. Tierney, solid, usual creativity on left.
Less positives – Nelson – decision making whether to go outside or inside and then appropriate pass not very good. Soares similar criticism.
Cannot understand why players who should already have gone, still get a game – Willian, Kolasinac, Bellerin ( sorry Fred), and even Soares and Nelson for me.
Question: Why no Willock?
NO
LBG
Theo is a wide forward, or even a winger, so his stats for Arsenal are decent mate.
Stop picking on our Tea Oh!!! 😆
And as for the players who might be off and who are getting game time. It makes sense to me as Arteta might well need them for a game or 2. The transfer window shuts at the end of August (I think?), and players might still be with us. A bit like Nasri, before he effed off up north. At least Samir played games before he left, unlike Cesc! Who refused to.
Which brings me to Joe Willock… I’ve got a horrible feeling he is off and without even getting a chance to stake a claim for a starting spot.
Really hope I’m wrong.
Tea Ooooooh…came to us as a striker, Dexter, and the boy who was signed by Southampton had an amazing goal record as a thirteen, fourteen and even fifteen year old. 50-60 goals a season. ( Not kidding, I had an old friend and ex Southampton goalkeeper, who watched him regularly in those early days). And that was what Wenger had seen/ been reported to on.
His asset was obviously his pace, but he HAD a goal scoring ability. I believe being selected for England and then the ” gentle nature” drained away at Arsenal.
PS
Most of us who watched him for Arsenal, and several pundits, used that phrase ” Theo needs to take his chances without ‘ thinking’, too much time on the ball and he misses”
I’m with LBG. Theo never really did it at Arsenal. 10 years of he’s about to…but he never did.
He seemed a nice guy, but was never the top level striker we were expecting him to turn into.
Dont know if any other AAers ( waste) use time looking at other sites? “Arsenal Pictorial” is one I have recently ‘joined’. As the name suggests great old photos, for any that enjoy that sort of past history. Reason for mentioning it, most will be aware of my devotion to Liam Brady as one of the truly great Arsenal legends, but surprised when I challenged ( clearly another devotee) on the site, who, holding him up as the best attacking midfielder of all time for Arsenal, said ” he would have run rings around Bergkamp”. 😯😯😯😯
Even with my rose coloured specs for Liam, I was doubtful of that assessment. Any views, oldies?
John- Jules gone to Blackpool on loan.Good luck, young man.
Liam was home grown which makes him very special “Born is a King” etc. But Dennis was world class when he arrived, still don’t know how we did that. Now days there are probably 3 other clubs he would have gone to before us.
The other thing that makes Brady special is that he truly loved Arsenal.
Walcott drove me to despair.
Seriously, your memories are failing!
Theo didn’t arrive as a striker. He was a winger/wide forward. Wenger spoke about wanting to convert him to that position, but he rarely played as a centre forward.
He played on the wing. And his main position is still right winger.
Dexter
So was he bought to score goals first and foremost? Did he not argue he wanted to play as a striker? Where he ended up is another thing.
Liam Brady. I was lucky enough to grow up watching his parents Mike and Carol. Did you know he was the same age as Marcia.
LBG
Are you 1 of those people who doesn’t like being corrected me ol mukka??!! 🤣
He’s a wide forward, a winger, he played a few games up to for Arsenal, including that 1 against the spuds when he got crocked! But he joined as a winger!
I bet Wemger hoped he could turn him into Henry mk 2.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Theo.
I am loving these rumours about Arsenal putting in a player (Bellerin) plus cash bid for Inter’s Martinez!
It’s like the club are getting their own back for all the BS spouted by the Italian club’s media mouth pieces, trying to get Hector on the cheap.
🤣 Fred.. love it!
Whatever Dexter! Surely we can agree to differ, and you, and anyone else, are entitled to your soft spot for Walcott.
Other sites are suggesting the new pumped up Azeez must go out on loan as there is little chance of playing first team football regularly this season. Really pleased to see this player beginning his breakthrough.( Look out for his goal in last pre -season friendly). I think we should save “excessive” money on Maddison, Aouar and even BOdegaard and give this boy a real chance here. What do you think Rasp?
I wouldn’t waste money on Maddison. He couldn’t get in the Leicester side at times last season and had a few run ins with Rogers. Aouar had a poor season, if Lyon are desperate we could offer £10m. Odegaard was ok, a few decent games, some where he disappeared. Not sure he’s worth £40m.
The desperation for a No.10 seems misplaced. ESR will play there. If he’s injured Saka can play there too.
I’m more interested in a defensive midfielder to replace the departing Xhaka.
We also have Willock that can play as a 10 and also Lacazette, Pepe, Willian could also play there if needed
So ultimately, I do not see the value of brining in Maddison or Odegaard. If we want someone that can also play as a 10 and if Laca is actually leaving, then I would not mind taking a good look at players like Forsberg, Isaak, Kulusevski, Olmo, Malinovski or maybe even Ramsey, Che Adams
The point is that we do not need to bring in someone…There r more pressing issues like GK, RB for example or even DM.
I can’t believe Ramsdale’s record…There r better keepers than him available or that could be tempted like Sommer, Vaclik or even Hredecky…
Now…PSG is also having a very odd transfer window and it is not clear how Pochetinno (whom I wish would be fired but he got extended instead, it beats me) wants to set up the team…
We have Navas, we get Donnarrumma
We bring in Ramos when we got rid of Thiago Silva last year
We bring in Wijnaldum and no midfielder has left so we have: Pereira, Paredes, Gueye, Herrera, Verratti, Wijnaldum and Rafinha
We needed wingers but we have not brought in one yet and we are looking to offload Sarabia, which also beats me…
So how will PSG set-up? 352 or 433
Navas – Hakimi, Ramos, Marquinhos, Bernat – Verratti, Wilnaldum – Di Maria, Neymar, Mbappe – Icardi?
Oh please, no!!🤬
Rc78 what we need is willian no where near the squad
Yea I saw that sue, so is the new contract so we don’t lose him on a free or day just value him so confused
So, at last! Welcome Ben White!
Finally!!
No.4 Ben White (England, age 23, CB/RB/DM). 5 year contract till 2026.
Ready for pre-season (The Mind Series friendlies) and start of new season.
Welcome Ben White!
Hope he has a long and exciting career for us and that he cost us less money than what has been mentioned.
If we extend Xhaka, then I might have to take a sabbatical from my club-seriously.
Why didn’t he just take the train
Sabbatical might be to short Aaron, am afraid the time away should be the length of xhaka contract
Does arsenal realise dey not in Europe this season so we have no need for all these players
Can someone tell me where is Gabriel the CB, thought je was at Olympics bit haven’t even seen him
Wow, Ben White signs for Arsenal…..didn’t see that one coming lol
LBG
I think we agree on Xhaka my mate!
I also think that it’s PR to let Roma know we’re prepared to extend the useless twats contract, rather than let him leave on the cheap….
Dexter
We definitely agree! I would have given him away as a bogoff with Mustafi!!😁
Fred.. Gabriel withdrew from the Olympics because of a knee injury.
And Fred, rumour has it Bellerin is to be offered a new deal also…
👍👍👍👍👍👍
Oh, please no!!
Reis Nelson going on loan to Palace would be great for all concerned, IMO.
Hopefully he gets regular game time to assist his development.
Arsenal v Chelski – “Friendly……my arse”
Ist half:- Thomas Partey 9/10… then taken out by Chelsea midfield and off with injury to ankle
– Kieran Tierney, usual creative play down left 8/10…then taken out by Zouma.
Kovatics already in book for take out late tackle of Smith-Rowe
WHAAAAT……!!! Xhaka on for Partey. First contribution, loses ball in central midfield because no peripheral vision or speed on ball.
Aubang seemingly up for the game. Holding and Mari looking more and more confident, BUT left twice short handed on very fast Chelski break. Elneny again loses ball on edge of box…nearly a goal. Two good saves from Leno. Pepe looking dangerous. Chambers looking capable of being our right back this season…unless Sue is right!
Thanks for the update LBG.
Fuck knows why we’re playing pre season ‘friendlies’ vs the chavs n spuds?
Stupid idea!
So get a good goal back ( even if it is Xhaka) and what does Hector Bellerin do….give Chelski a goal.🤬
My goodness Leno What the actual hell
Get him flogged to Inter!!! 🤣🤣🤣
Second half update
Positives- Willock and Nketiah excellent contributions as subs. Tavares and Sambi look the business- good signings.
Negatives- Marriner and linesman have awful 45 mis. Willock’s shot crosses the line at 2-1, linesman not up with play. Definite goal not given ( no watches or VAR). Two penalties not given.
Leno makes three ridiculous mistakes when in possession with ball at feet. Kolasinac is not a centre back, Bellerin is not a footballer, Xhaka is Xhaka and poor passes are someone else’s fault.
PS White’s debut – satisfactory, but nervously gave ball away twice. Give him time. Now for the Spuds. Another “friendly…my arse.”
PPS
Aubang misses two open goals in second half.
Great stuff again, LBG thanks mate.
Well, AFC’s new model, players never hurt, now crocked….
arteta will not make it past Dec 15th without Partey…
Positives, no crowds, futbol in the $ toilet, stan the maN losing his a$$ to the city of St.Louis, sell up to anyone with an serious interest in AFC heading into this decade!
Yes Aaron, because Partey was such a key player for us last season wasn’t he?!?!
Get over yourself man! 🤣🤣
It’s a shame he got crocked, hes looked decent in the warm up games and I go back to my point about the idiocy of playing London derbies as pre-season friendlies! But Lockonga has looked good, we have Willock (and who knows, possibly even AMN) too. His absence won’t be felt as much as in other areas of the pitch.
We still need to ship out a few and get in at least 3 more still; a DM, CAM & GK.
I know there is alot of love for ESR but Willock boss it in the 20 minutes we played
Fred
I know mate, if Arteta can’t see that Willock is a valuable player to have, then his blinkered attitude to certain players still seems evident.
Which is weird when he gushes over and can’t wait to play Xhaka, the plodding one eyed, pedestrian cart horse, who doesn’t even wanna be at Arsenal!
wow just imagine if Wenger had the likes of those youth
after watching that how bad can Ramsdale be
Dexter,
We are run by the same idiots that wanted to schedule friendlies across the pond during a pandemic.
So, can’t do that, so lets generate some fan interest and re-schedule against chavs and spuds, fools nod in agreement.
Concur with your assessment of the squads needs.
Will go one step further.
Players that have no place in club with real aspirations and ambition:
kola, el neny, bel, willian, and soares. Pick your favorite underperformer….
Does arteta not know yet they are not good enough? He still encourages Leno to make those hospital passes in front of the box, to people to who do not have the profile to go by anyone. See the problem here?
Play the damn youth in preseason.
Bola, Azeez, Willock, AMN, and Nelson, unless you want to sell or loan.
This is not rocket science.
Gigantic holes at rb and the entire midfield if Partey can’t stay fit.
Stand by my assertion of Dec 15th…..
Partey on the pitch, 1st half, 0 shots on target.
Xhaka on the pitch, 2nd half, 5 shots on target.
Can I remind people that you only win games if you score goals.
Which one of these 2 is the golden boy for so many fans and which one is despised by so many fans?
Which one has been in training for weeks and which one has only come back recently because of the Euros?
Jjgsol
But Xhaka doesn’t score or create goals when it matters!
My ideal midfield pairing would be
Willock and Bissouma (i know, yawn!)
Willock DOES have goals in his locker and I hope he at least will get a chance!
Aaron
I think Arsenal and Arteta are gunner surprise a few people this season…
Willock and partey could work also even willock and xhaka just tell xhaka don’t move
Dexter. Was Partey not supposed to be the new Vieira?
I am somewhat underwhelmed with him so far.
Bearing in mind how many time xhaka played as a centre back or left back last season his return of 1 goal and 2 assists as against partey’s no goals and one assist seems to say something.
Correction.
Dexter. Was Partey not supposed to be the new Vieira?
I am somewhat underwhelmed with him so far.
Bearing in mind how many time xhaka played as a centre back or left back last season his return of 1 goal and 2 assists as against partey’s no goals and 2 assists seems to say something.
Imagine the commentators crying dey don’t want Brentford so earlier, you would swear we are a bottom table team
Jjgsol
I never even understood why we bought Partey!
He played very rigidly and defensively for Atletico yet, like our very own AMN it seems, sees himself more as an attacking midfielder.
Then again, he and Sambi could be quite a formidable central pairing.
You mention Vieira, but he wasn’t exactly prolific and neither was Petit, or Gilberto. Then again, there were a few half decent atta king options in front of them wasn’t there!!! 🤣🤣🤣
👌
“It felt great to be back.” Not for some of us!
How can we be cursed so significantly in just a series of months. Unable to complete the clear out of the remnants of the massively over priced and over rated players of the end of the Wenger/ Emery reigns, that condemned us to mediocrity so relatively recently. How can we be considering a new season with Willian, Xhaka, Bellerin and Kolasinac still on our books, all receiving twice as much as they are worth ( without even considering their original transfer fees).
Injuries to Tierney, Partey, and now Partey again.
As one paper comments, Mikel’s revolution has been stymied and the Gods of football need to stop favouring blue.
I can only see one solution Fred, get Bissouma (I know, “it’s never going to happen!”)and play him Sambi and/or White ( and then Partey) in front of the back four. The only way to edge out for good the dead wood and play a dynamic attacking game WITH solidity.
PS
And get that “attacking” midfielder, Azeez, games on the pitch asap.
Dexter, Dexter, Dexter, good friend, he IS an attacking midfielder!! ( Not ever, the box to box player that Vieira was), but creative in his passing forward. I wish all had watched the first half yesterday. My score for his first half of 9/10 was not exaggerated. As you disputed with Jigsol, he is no more a goal scoring midfielder than Vieira was ( or most definitely than Xhaka is). We have Smith-Rowe, Willock, perhaps Saka, even Azeez to do more in that area in the future. But Partey will come good IMO, and let’s hope it is in 2021-2, because another season of the Swiss oil-tanker will leave me thinking hari kari is the only way out.
Enjoyed the chat about long-gone ex-players, primarily Theo and Oxo, and have to agree with LBG and his shorter brother, LB — what they said!! 😛
LBG
Partey played as a DM for Atletico. 🤣
Hopefully he gets more freedom to express himself….. from his hospital bed!!
As for your (s)hit list, I agree they need to go, but the only one who cost us a transfer fee was Xhaka!!
Did I say that I expected Partey to score goals?
He is an attacking midfielder, and yet when he is on the pitch we do not create shots on target.
That is the point I was making.
Xhaka is also an attacking midfielder, and when he was on the pitch we had 5 shots on target, whilst, when Partey was in the same position, we had none.
Whilst so many bloggists continue to drool over him, when I watch games I see nothing that he does that I find that exceptional or even praiseworthy.
Maybe he needs more time to settle in and get used to the pace of the EPL.
Or, maybe he will turn into another one of the over-rated expensive players that LBG referred to,
Dexter
Fair enough, so it is their ridiculous salaries that they are not worthy of. Haven’t checked, did Kolasinac cost anything,?
Nope, answering my own question. So all free and all in need of foxtrot oscaring!
Ah Liam Brady. A maestro. My hero as a child.
I remember my sister helping me write a letter to him and he actually wrote back.
I remember watching the 1979 FA Cup final match again and I was shocked at how poor the football actually was but how Brady stood out like a modern day footballer back then.
I was devastated when he left for Juventus. He was only 24, so we missed him in his prime, whereas we had Bergkamp in his prime.
So difficult to compare them, but the would both be in my greater ever Arsenal XI.
1979
Total agreement. My greatest ever witnessed live, midfield and forward lines are:-
Rocastle Vieira Brady Pires
Bergkamp
Henry
What would yours be ?
I think ice totally blocked him out of my memory banks, but who was the Irish player who defected to ManU??? About the same time Brady went to Italy.
Boooooo!!!!! 🤣🤣
Happy 44th Birthday to the other famous Brady.
Tom Brady, of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers possibly the best quarterback of all time, with seven Super Bowl Rings! What say you, RA?
Dexter
Frank Stapleton.
LBG – yeah, Frank Stapleton. There was a serious Irish involvement in that 1979 team.
My all time MF line up would be;
Pires, Vieira, Brady, Overmars
Tasty
Dear God, buddha, Allah!!
Can Inter stop being such a tight arse and cough up for Bellerin?
It already looks like we’re gunner be stuck with Xhaka Can’t coz of Roma’s parsimony!!!
Thanks guys!! Frank Stapleton was the culprit!!
Everyone knows my opinion of the Swiss oil tanker, but it will be a real mistake from Management if his retention blocks Azeez fro first team. Depends on other possible buys, plus Willock and AM-N situation. Bring the youth on, Mikel.
I wonder why so many of you have not yet twigged that Arteta is not interested in the academy graduates.
He uses Saka because he really has no choice. Even so, does he always start with him?
ESR was an accident and I daresay we will see less and less of him, especially if Odegard or someone similar is brought in.
The others are simply there to fill in the gaps when his favoured players are not available.
U all know if we lose bellerin we probably won’t get a replacement right so we left with chambers and Cedric
Mistake from management haha , the past 3 years has been a mistake by management what makes you feel day would change for azeez
Fred
I’d be quite happy with Chambers as our RB.
Fred
You are becoming more like Jigsol every day!!! Surely you see some positives for the coming season!
Azeez, (like Saka, ES-R, Tierney, Martinelli, White, Gabriel, Sambi etc all have tremendous youth AND potential. Hope. as the situation at the Club improves, you will recognise there is much to look forward to at THOF.
Howdy, LBG,
Tom Brady was probably the top quarter back when he played for the Patriots for so many years.
Mind you – we have our own Arsenal quarter back in Bellerin – just wish he was a full back.
Hi RA
Trust you are thriving in the Land of the Free?
Be careful with innuendos about Bellerin, you will upset Fred.
Must admit a quarter of a fullback seems about right.
Watched the hype mongers on SSN this evening….. After they’d all finished wringing their hands over Harry ‘disrespectful’ Kane, they spoke about teams transfer business.
And the Peterborough chairman on sky sports actually spoke VERY POSITIVELY about the Arsenal’s transfer business! He’s a die hard Liverpool fan and was impressed with what the clubs doing.
Shock horror!
Hope Fred and jjgsol haven’t hurt thir bums falling off their chairs!! 🤣🤣
Dexter even if you happy with chambers as our RB what are the chances he doesn’t get injured, if AMN would decide to play as backup over Cedric then I think that would be a much better option
LBG u know I love the youth all day but when the likes of xhaka getting the nod ahead of willock I really can’t get to excited
I am supposed to take notice what the chairman of a Division 1 team says?
Really, Dexter, have you considered for a moment why his club is in Division 1?
What is so impressive?
We have spent a fortune on a centre back we do not need.
We have bought a reserve right-back and a 21-year-old midfielder, who has played a few games in the Belgian league.
Is Lokonga better than AMN or Willock?
Does he have as much experience as those 2?
What is there to be impressed about?
If you want to impress me, you will have to try a bit harder.
How about, our manager managing the players he has and actually getting his players to play an attacking game, scoring goals, winning games?
How about getting his players to play a style of football that is so boring and soporific that many supporters have lost interest in the team?
Now, if he does that I will be impressed.
Until then, I will not pretend we are what we are not and that our manager is actually one.
CORRECTION IN THE 11TH PARAGRAPH
I am supposed to take notice what the chairman of a Division 1 team says?
Really, Dexter, have you considered for a moment why his club is in Division 1?
What is so impressive?
We have spent a fortune on a centre back we do not need.
We have bought a reserve right-back and a 21-year-old midfielder, who has played a few games in the Belgian league.
Is Lokonga better than AMN or Willock?
Does he have as much experience as those 2?
What is there to be impressed about?
If you want to impress me, you will have to try a bit harder.
How about, our manager managing the players he has and actually getting his players to play an attacking game, scoring goals, winning games?
How about getting his players NOT to play a style of football that is so boring and soporific that many supporters have lost interest in the team?
Now, if he does that I will be impressed.
Until then, I will not pretend we are what we are not and that our manager is actually one.
Fred
Yeah I want AMN to play RB too man.
Jjgsol
What was impressive was that he is a football ‘man’ was spouting and waxing lyrical about a lot of clubs business and actually seemed informed, unlike most of the thick ex pros Sky pay to chat shite!!”
Xhaka to be given a new deal…amazing piece of business…lol
Leno – Bellerin, White, Gabriel, Tierney – Partey, Xhaka – Saka, ESR, Pepe – Laca
? – Chambers, Holding, Mari, Tavares – Lokonga, El Neny – Nelson, Willock, Martinelli – Auba
I don’t see how White is going to improve us so much that we will be able to compete for a Top 4…
Here’s my take:
Leno – Chambers, White, Gabriel, Tierney – Partey, Bissouma– Saka, Maddison, ESR – Laca
??? – AMN, Holding, Mari, Tavares – Lokonga, Willock, Azeez – Pepe, Martinelli, Auba
SOLD Bellerin, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Willian, Runnarsson, El Neny…..
LOAN: Nelson, Nketiah, Balogun, possibly Azeez (sorry LBG).
I don’t think it’s just about whether White will improve the team enough, but also the manager and team learning from last season and:
Developing and improving as a unit as well as individually: Gabriel, Partey, ESR and Arteta!
Having adequate cover in every area ( we suffered as a result of having no LB back up and we still need a decent back up keeper).
Bringing in better players in certain areas: attacking AND defensive midfield is key for me.
There’s still several weeks of this! And I think despite what we’re being fed, a lot will happen between now and September 1st.
I still think Xhaka will go, even if he signs that new deal (spit!) 🤣🤣🤣
Dexter
Like both of your “take” teams a lot….except
1. Still believe Mari is a better defender( if not in the air perhaps) than Gabriel. Obviously would like to see Azeez given some first team time, but surely you would be prepared to let Balogun show his worth this season with us. Unless things change dramatically, Aubang and Laca (or Eddie) are not going to score the goals we need this season.
The acquisition of Bissouma and possibly Maddison ( not totally convinced he is better than Saka/ Smith-Rowe axis) would change much of the emphasis in our season, IMO.
LBG
Hello mate!
Yeah I actually really like Mari, think as he arrived with no fanfare or a hefty price rag, he is very much under rated! I just think Gab will get the nod.
In terms of goals, I’m shocked at your lack of belief o
In our strikers! The only one who isn’t prolific is Eddie!
Our creativity and goals from midfield is what has been a bigger issue for me.
I think Balogun would benefit from a loan. Just as Reis would have last season!
Dexter
Are you really saying Aubang and Laca have been prolific? Aubang for me hasn’t been the same since winning the FA Cup ( and signing a ridiculous new contract) for us. Dont see this changing either.
Saka welcomed back with all the messages of support after the Euros. Great idea from the best Club in the Land.
One young boy spent his pocket money, and said Saka should “come round and play football with me, I’ll let you win”.
Now we all want you to go on, and light up this season for all of us, Sak.
LBG
Without good service, no strikers gonna score.
And I don’t buy this narrative that somehow signing a fat contract has had an adverse effect on Auba’s motivation.
He’s loaded any way, what’s the difference between having 10 million and 20 million in the bank??? 🤣🤣🤣
He’ll be bang on it next season!
Tend to agree with you Dexter on Aubamayeng. Last season I think he suffered early on in the season because the whole team formation was wrong and not set up to his strengths at that time. Hardly any player played that well.
We doubled up on the flanks with left footers on the left and right footers on the right so were predominantly putting in a lot of outswinging crosses, hardly the kind of service that plays to Auba’s strengths.
Once we changed formation on boxing day it should have suited him better but some strikers take time to regain form. Unfortunately there seemed to be things going on behind the scene that affected him. There were reports about his mum and Malaria but also other murmuring as well.
Hopefully whatever it was is finished and he can enter this season more settled. I dont think it is a given he is a busted flush and could easily see Auba with a full pre season and a settled mind as one of the top EPL strikers again this year.
I’ve changed my mind a few times on whether he should play up top or to the left of another player. I kind of feel we are setting up to have an inter changing front 3 which would suit Auba as he often works the left wide channel.
Auba is kind of an in between type forward almost closer to a false 9 than an out and out 9, and we could be about to start setting the team up to suit the type of striker he is, so I feel he may yet rediscover top form.
What would help this type of set up is a goal scoring ACM behind that 3 to attack the centre when Auba has moved to the left, which is why I am a little surprised we are not looking to integrate Willock more.
It seems we are looking at another attacking central midfield recruit with the links to Maddison and Odegaard. However, I’m can’t see why we don’t consider Ramsey again. He could be the perfect experienced player to compliment our young contingent and would be a positive leader in the squad.
He can operate slightly deeper as an 8 or behind the striker and is always looking to get on the ball and into dangerous goal scoring positions.
Seen a couple of comments from RA recently. How are you RA? Are you still in blighty or have you crossed the pond again?
GunnerB
Excellent analysis there dude. That’s the next post sorted!
Aubameyang has been a prific forward all his career, apart from last year. As mentioned Ed he had a few things going on, off the pitch to deal with. Therefore history and stats suggest he will be back in the goals next season.
Lacazetre score 12 goals from 20 starts in the PL. That’s pretty PROLIFIC! 🤣
We all are excited about Saka and ESR and rightly so, but if we put these two young academy products under the same scrutiny as other players (either already at the club, or those linked), then they don’t look like world beaters.
But that’s the thing. We’re prepared (we’ll most of us) to give them the benefit of the doubt, because we want them to do well and succeed.
Peter Sagan signs on for TotalEnergies in 2022. Interesting to see how he goes next year as this year he has been underwhelming, although impacted by getting covid plus crashes, knee surgery etc. Pure sprinting has gone backwards but good luck on a big money move to a small team.
Dexter
Well I do hope yours and GoonerB’s positive beliefs about Aubameyang and for that matter Lacazette, are proved accurate. I would prefer Balogun or a another genuine goalscorer to be are go to this season.
Your “scrutiny” point is unfair as it is a comparison of apples and pears! Smith-Rowe and even Saka are creators rather than strikers. Of course we need them to add more goals from attacking midfield, and the same applies similarly to Martinelli( when/if he gets genuine came time). Pepe is perhaps the “attacker” with more potential for goals…and we need them. He needs to be the Robert Pires or Freddie Lundberg of this team next season and to pay back more of his massive fee.
“our”
“game time”
Willock to Newcastle for £25million! Is it true, Fred?
Haven’t seen it LBG, honestly now for the sake of my sanity I stop watching any arsenal transfer news
Evening g all
Arsenal after a creative midfielder and Lionel Messi doesn’t sign his new deal at Barca????
Too much of a coincidence!!! 🤣🤣🤣
LBG
The scrutiny y I’m referring to is the stars in relation to assists, chances created and yes some actual goals.
ESRs and Sakas assists stats aren’t brilliant. But as I said, we all hope they improve and develop.
If Laca and Auba had a Bergkamp or Pires in the team I don’t think we’d be wondering about our strikers.
And maybe in Emile and Bukayo we’ve got our own new versions!
Messi to arsenal anyone
I think Messi to Arsenal is a given.
I think Messi should go to Bayern Munich rather than Utd, Chelsea, City or PSG…
Imagine:
A. Goretzka, Kimmich – Coman, Messi, Gnabry – Lewandowski
B. , – Musiella, Muller, Sane – Choupo
Cristian Romero to Tottenham for 50 Mln…I ve seen more of Romero than White and can say that he is a brilliant defender…Let us see who will be smiling in the next 3 years about their defenders’ signing…I hope it is us but I m not sure
I don’t really give a fuck about Romero or Varane.
I care about White.
He’s an Arsenal player. Yes he was a lot of money, but FFS , the club gets slated for not showing ambition or ‘spending some effin money!’ And when they do, people still need to find a way of being over critical.
Disclaimer
This is not aimed at anyone on here, just shite I’ve seen n heard elsewhere.
I think we always to (i) first care about our players, (ii) benchmark also against other clubs if we want to improve too…
White – 50 Mln
Romero – 50 Mln
Varane – 42 Mln
but I think that Varane still costs more to Man Utd overall…
Anyways, similar fee rate and let us see what will happen over the next 2-3 seasons. What I can tell you is that Varane is no Van Dijk, Ruben Dias so if Maguire does not lead the defense, Varane may not do so much better than Lindelof…
As for Romero, he is a more scary/robust defender. Great tackler and great at interceptions, he is clearly one that can stabilize a defense but he will need to grow tactically…
As for White, he clearly has very good potential and good ability on the ball. Let us see if he is going to improve us.
RC78
Varane is a top class defender, no question. Gawd knows how much he’s on at United? 400 grand a week easily.
He might not settle into life in the Prem and/or the northwest of England!
Same applies to the spuds signing. That’s a hell of a lot for a raw untested player. As much as he was maligned Mustafi was hugely rated in la liga and like Gabriel (the other one!) it didn’t quite work out! Although the Brazilian had stuff off the field which meant he didn’t stay. I really liked him.
Signings are a gamble and more so when they’re coming from a different league. It’ll be interesting to see how they pan out.
I really like White, think he’s an excellent signing.
Saliba’s insistence, at 20, that HE made the decision to go back to a French club, rather than get Premier League experience in England as Edu and Mikel wanted, is maybe further evidence that he has a bit of the arrogance of another young Frenchman!!
In the end, I think it will be his attitude that makes ( or breaks) him on the way to the top ( or otherwise).
LBG
If that is the whole truth and it was Saliba who forced the move to Marseilke, then yeah that’s a worry mate. Doesn’t bode well for his chances of playing for the 1st team at Arsenal!
Sad news, one of the great Arsenal left backs, Kenny Sansom, in hospital with serious head injury following a fall, when he was involved in a fight in the West Country. 61years old.
It’s a real shame about Mr Sansom. Met him a few times, usually at the Arsenal tube station on the way to the stadium. He seemed like a really nice guy.
Surely the issue with Saliba is not that Arteta wanted him and he did not want to stay, but that Arteta did not want him but wanted him to go out on loan to an English club, and he wanted to be loaned to a French one.
He quite clearly knows that he has no future here so, why be loaned here?
This business is symptomatic of the way this club is being run.
It will only get worse.
finally got excited about a transfer but surely it wouldn’t happen Trippier hmm surely ex Spurs so we can have him wearing the red of Arsenal surely not
also hearing Brighton want Eddie not a fan of eddie of all the youth he is my least favorite but looked really good in the last game
what u guess think loan or sell but think he would be great a Brighton
Jigsol
Creating your own story again, based on no true knowledge of the facts ( like all of us)!!
Why not believe Mikel wants Saliba to prove, given his youth and the Covid break in playing any competitive games, that he is ready for the fire pit of the Premier League?
Reports from last season ( in a generally weak league) were good, but I wonder if Saliba believes his own ( and agents) publicity. Even Virgil Van Dyke needed time with two Clubs in Britain before his complete blossoming at Liverpool under Klopp!
Only time will tell if the promise comes to full fruition for us as a Club, or otherwise. Will he be a Guendouzi or a Gnabry? Let’s hope the latter, but in red and white.
Morning all
Fred has written a pre-match, I can put it up in a few minutes unless there’s another plan?
Except I’ve just noticed he’s put Pepe in his team twice 🙈
Peaches
..not Bellerin or Ramsey. 🤣 Love you, Fred.
Bellerin ….. there’s a thought 🤣
I’m doing it on my phone ….. just have to find it again now 🙈
Hello LBG
There’s a New Post …………….