Morning all.
Slightly worrying news from Declan Rice who told ITV the he has been managing a “neural hamstring” issue since Christmas:
It was a smart decision [to take me off]. I was feeling some neural pain in my hamstring which I was managing with Arsenal since Christmas for a very long time – not many people will have known that as it was behind-the-scenes stuff.
The last 20 minutes is where you can pick up something – you feel your body going through it. But the last few days I’ve felt really good.
Declan Rice trained with the England squad yesterday but I don’t think that means he’ll definitely start on Tuesday against Ghana. Bukayo Saka didn’t train yesterday and reports suggest he won’t be starting. I read something yesterday about how the FA are leaving the decision whether to shake Thomas Partey’s hand or not with the players. Ridiculous that this conversation has even taken place really because our old midfielder hasn’t even had the case against him heard yet. That is scheduled for next summer.
Back to the season review which today relates firstly to 2022/23.
Arsenal’s summer transfer window began with the signing of 19 year old Brazilian Marquinhos then ten days later, Fabio Vieira joined him. Matt Turner was next. The following month, both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko joined from Man City, both were just what we needed at the time, vastly experienced and they knew how winning the league felt.
In the departure lounge sat a number of players, some on loan, others permanently.
Alex Lacazette, Arthur Okonkwo, Nuno Tavares, Bernd Leno, Folarin Balogun, Lucas Torreira, Pablo Mari, Alex Runarsson, Nicolas Pepe, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Hector Bellerin left, all bar, Lacazette, Leno and Torreria were loans deals.
By the time the transfer window closed, there were twenty-four players in the first-team squad: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards.
Leandro Trossard, Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior joined in January.
Finally, William Saliba stayed put to form a central defensive partnership with Gabriel.
The season started really well as from the opening game of the campaign through to the break for the World Cup at the end of November, we won every match barring a defeat against Man Utd at Old Trafford and a draw against Southampton on the south coast. The next five games went our way apart from a goalless draw at home against Newcastle Utd.
Then we had a wobble. A defeat at Everton, a draw at home with Brentford and then a hefty home defeat against Man City. We followed that with a couple of victories in early May but then suffered a home defeat to Brighton and an away defeat against Nottingham Forest.
A 5-0 home victory against Wolves brought our season to an end with a 2nd place finish, five points behind Man City.
Our FA Cup run ended in the fourth round, the League Cup, the third round and Europa League, the first knockout round.
Champions League football and Arsenal were reunited.
2023/24. The arrival of game changers.
This campaign still irks me, just as a few have done previously.
The transfer window saw Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, David Raya (loan) and Declan Rice arrive at Arsenal. Once again, many players departed but all were loan deals. Pepe had his contract terminated and left for good. If only we hadn’t drawn our home fixtures against Fulham and Totts. Or hadn’t lost at home to West Ham. That was how close we came to beating Man City to the Premier League title. Two more points, that’s all we needed. Had Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe not been injured for so long, who knows what might have been.
But, we were getting closer.
Our Champions League journey ended at the quarter-final stage against a lucky Bayern Munich. The FA Cup run ended as soon as it began with a defeat to Liverpool at The Emirates and we went out the League Cup in the fourth round after losing 3-1 to West Ham.
We did add a piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet though but that was right at the start of the season when we beat Man City 4-1 on penalties in the Community Shield.
Catch up in the comments.
🤣 potter.
I thought the same Kev, I did laugh when Shearer talked about set-pieces. Rice taking corners from both sides was odd, even when Madueke was on the pitch as he can deliver a good corner.
Morning all.
New post up.
I had the same thought, Kev. A tenacious, stultifying low block, something Arsenal faced throughout last season, is so difficult to break down. To score 121 goals across all comps against such required patience, tactical flexibility and skill, is an achievement of considerable merit.
There is a certain delicious irony in watching England really struggle against the low block and waste all their set-pieces and all those dumb pundits and journos who routinely criticised Arsenal for our set-pieces last season…
‘Well hello you dumb arses, has the penny now dropped?’
England had what 10 corners, don’t we have a set piece coach and if we do he isn’t much cop? Give Arsenal 10 corners and we’re scoring at least two goals…
And why wasn’t Madueke or Saka putting in in-swingers in from the right flank rather than Rice on both sides? Don’t the England people watch anything?
The best part of that 100 minutes was the 3 pints of |Norada bitter in my local. It kept the boredom at bay
That’s 100 minutes of my life I’ll never get back…
Funny you wrote that. I thought the very same..
Yep that would be a good business Potter. Getting 25M on top of the 8million if Balogun goes for 50M
Do a Clive Allen , buy him for £ 100 million and sell him to Barcelona for £125 million.
Let’s hope they can sort our injuries out.
I still think Alvarez is a smokescreen. The player himself has stated he wanted Barca who also want him. So Alvarez to Arsenal is either smokescreen or clickbaits by journos who spin a story as easily as saying the alphabet (if they know how to say it in order that is)
The only player who I would swap Gyokeres for is Haaland but I dont think he would want to stay humble
I looked up 3 Spanish sports papers and although they are reporting Alvarez wanting to go , nobody has mentioned arsenal.
Yes his name was Joaquin Acedo apparently he is permanent now. He came from Cadiz which is only about 70 miles from Seville where Angulo came from , so it seems likely that they know each other.
Not sure I’d like the suggested swap either. Can’t see there being much truth in it. Why would we go for Alvarez when he really wants Barca. Who knows eh..
40 degrees??? oh dear. those are our average nearly all summer. I understand you in that way…..keep hydrated and in shade. and eat lots of ice creams and granitas.
If Arsenal swap VG14 for Alvarez I will end up hating Berta for the rest of my life. There is no sense or reason in that swap because Alvarez does not lead the line in the same way that Vik does and he does not have the same presence. Vik was the main reason we got the league this year. I dont think that Arteta is daft enough to offload him. but stranger things have happened.
I hope its not real.
its good that Arsenal have changed their medical staff. Injuries are part and parcel of a season but ours have been atrocious and debilitating.
Afternoon Devil, it’s 40 degrees in places in the UK today.. At least that’s been predicted.
Good afternoon Rico and all
if the end of the world sits around 26-28 degrees then what are you going to say when it hits the 32-35 degree mark?? lol 😂😂😂😂 you’ll be frying lol. here we hit 39-42 heat and believe me….you’ll be drinking so much that you will end up identifying as a water fountain. lol 😂😂😂😂
Just thought, wasn’t that other guy a doctor Potter, the ex sprinter?
Not sure re Angulo, I’ll google it whilst slowly melting away…
When I was a kid too. Just before it rained 😜
Hi Geoff, I’ve started watching more of the World Cup. Not so much the football but the off field stuff which is quite funny.
Is Angulo the man that came over about 6 weeks ago ? He was bought in to oversee our ongoing injury situation .
If so he has a tremendous reputation.
The world is definitely coming to an end with this five days of summer heat. It’s uncomfortable for sure but we knew it was coming.
Flaming June , they said when I was a kid.
Afternoon Rico and all, been taking a break from reading and watching football, as I have no interest in the world cup, but noticed there are reports that Arsenal could offer Victor Gyokeres and cash for Julian Alvarezm don’t know much about him however does anyone know if this would be good deal as I like Gyokeres and feel the players now are starting to understand his style of play.
Calafiori is probably whispering in the ear of Tonali..?
Looks like Arteta is preparing the ground for another titanic season by ensuring our players remain as fit and available as realistically possible, we are going to be the numero uno target across the board.
Not sure if Rodgers is worth £100m but if that’s what it takes then maybe part of that could be add-ons. We can string it out until August if Rodgers, as was the case with Rice, is set on only Arsenal, Villa will need to do business themselves eventually.
Loved Eduardo, super striker. Proper striker.
According to ABC in Spain, Arsenal have strengthened their medical and performance department by signing Eneko Angulo, the head of rehabilitation for Real Betis’ first team.
Angulo leaves Betis after 12 years with the Spanish club, where he had worked across the youth academy before taking responsibility for first-team set-up.
Mateo Gonzalez reports that Angulo accepted a “lucrative offer” from the Premier League champions and Champions League finalists.
Tho’ he played for Croatia, Eduardo was Brazilian born and certs had the X factor, at least up until he got Birminghammed in ’08. That tennis shot of a volley against (I think it was) Burnley lives long in my memory.
Ha ha Kev..
I get the asking price for Rogers, England international, still young etc. Plus Villa need money I believe.
I see Villa are saying they want £100m plus for Morgan Rogers.
Yes Rico, mind you nobody said the world was coming to an end in November, December and January not even the BBC.
Eddie Nketiah seems to have faded from the 1st team picture at Selhurst Park:
‘Eddie Nketiah is currently recovering from a severe hamstring injury that forced him to miss the final months of the 2025/26 season. After transferring from Arsenal to Crystal Palace in 2024, the 26-year-old forward has been plagued by recurring fitness problems.’
’On 30 August 2024, Nketiah joined fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace for a reported fee of £25 million plus £5 million in add-ons. He signed a five-year deal with the club and was assigned the number 9 shirt, which was previously worn by Jordan Ayew.’
Morning Kev.
The world is definitely coming to an end with this five days of summer heat. It’s uncomfortable for sure but we knew it was coming. 😜
I wonder if we have first refusal on him..
Morning Rico, that’s a fabulous image or as Chris Rea would sing ‘On the beach’ and under the apple tree Cicero reminds me of a Laurie Lee book.
Morning Gooners, that might be 15% of any profit Limey but it all helps, today is going to be roasting and if you watch the BBC it’s the end of the world, thank heavens that corrupt corporation is having to shed jobs, I imagine it’s full of people earning a living for doing bugger all. Here’s an idea BBC get rid of your H&R dept, that’ll save a small fortune?
I saw somewhere that Arsenal get 15% of any fee for Balogun.
@David_Ornstein
·
1h
🚨 Folarin Balogun expected to leave Monaco this summer. Contract 2028 but no talks over new deal + striker favours move. Interest from PL & Europe building amid #FIFAWorldCup form; anticipated #ASMonaco will seek ~€50m to sell star @TheAthleticFC
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/W4ZxVAj-A1A
Morning Cicero, Dennis, Kev, all.
Cicero, I was on the beach at 6am with the woofa, 22 degrees then but with a lovely breeze. It’s certainly much hotter now though.
I think so Kev.
Dennis, I think much comes down to ownership, money spent, depth of squad etc. Arsenal and Liverpool live within their means, at least that’s what their financials tells us. That’s why CL football is so important for clubs, the money.
I also think a number of clubs don’t invest well. Just as we haven’t at times over the years. Saying that, look at the clubs who are now finishing just below the top four, very different names to five years ago for example.
Good morning all.
Another hot one today here, even hotter down your way Rico.
Thankfully, the apple tree provides ample shade and is well within WiFi range.
Stay cool, stay hydrated. This is what summer is all about. 😎
I must correct myself, Leeds didn’t decline post-war, their first success didn’t come until the 1960s and early ’70s.with Don Revie.
But they are another Northern club who have become largely irrelevant in any title conversation since Ridsdale screwed them over early 2000s.
Referring briefly to my previous comment, the destination of the PL title has become even narrower, because apart from Leicester’s anomoly in 2016, for years it has become London v North West – or Arsenal and Chelsea v City Liverpool and United.
The other 15 clubs are just making up the numbers, creating shocks and chaos every now and then, but never enough to break through the glass ceiling.
The consequences are that it has made our game far less enjoyable and far too predictable.
I’m an Arsenal fan who loves winning, but I’m also a passionate football fan who respects the history of our national game, and the many clubs whose stories are woven in to our football culture.
Hi Rico, Potter,
I was talking more about clubs resources, and whether or not any of the other 15 clubs have the structure and ability to win the PL.
There are some ‘big’ clubs who haven’t properly challenged for decades.
Sunderland for example, have 6 titles, just like Chelsea, but their last one was 1936. Newcastle, Villa, Everton, Leeds, none of them have properly challenged in decades.
London is more desirable than all of these places, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that these clubs have slightly declined in stature post-war.
Everton (who since being part of the original twelve in 1888-89, have spent only four years out of the top tier), won a few titles in the ’60s and ’80s but haven’t been able to challenge since.
If you were being kind, at a push, you might suggest Spursy, because of the stadium and the London factor, but as the crows say “I ain’t never seen an elephant fly!”.
Here’s what I mean –
1959-60 Champions – Burnley
1960-61 ” – (You know who)
1961-62 ” – Ipswich
1962-63 ” – Everton
1963-64 ” – Liverpool
1964-65 ” – United
1967-68 ” – City
1968-69 ” – Leeds
1969-70 ” – Everton
1970-71 ” – The Arsenal
1971-72 ” – Derby
Ten different title winners over an eleven year period.
We haven’t seen that open-ness in our league since the formation of the PL, and it does feel like a bit of a closed shop with a tiny exclusive membership that only the big five are invited to.
Leicester had a very fortunate year in 2016, when the big clubs were recalibrating.
Not since Jack Walker bought Blackburn the title in 1995 has anyone outside of the big five seriously challenged (Leicester aside), Newcastle briefly for a season and a half in the mid ’90s, before they sold Andy Cole to United.
Everyone wants City penalised for being a State-owned club who spend ridiculous amounts of monèy which has given them an unfair advantage over their rivals.
The same argument could be made for the ‘big’ five against the other 15. They have left them standing because they’ve had commercial and financial backing that most of those clubs can dream about.
So what is the integral, fundamental difference between City using their financial clout (after 100 years of playing second-fiddle to United) to get ahead, and the gulf created by the ‘big’ five and the rest.
Sure, an unfancied underdog will give you a bloody nose occasionally, but when the biggest trophies are handed out they are out of sight, out of mind, nowhere to be seen.
As I say, nothing for us Arsenal fans to be over-concerned about, I just find a lot of the English football narrative is conveniently dishonest, especially when money does all the talking.
He wants Barcelona doesn’t he?
abrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
·
59m
🚨 BREAKING! Julián Álvarez: “I don’t want to hide or act like I don’t want to be clear. I try to be honest”.
“I spoke to Atlético people and I think the BEST for everyone involved is for me to LEAVE”.
“I want to fulfill my DREAM”, told ESPN. 💭
Seems that Chelsea and Liverpool are the only two clubs to have been involved heavily in transfers this early in the window. Might remain that way until most of the World Cup is over but I’d guess that a lot of deals are primed to go and just need the ok to be concluded?
I’ll feel a lot happier when Jurrien, Declan, Kai and Raya have returned to England and extended their contracts…
You explained it better than me Potter. Lol
I read that too about Odegaard Kev, I’m kind of mixed about him. When he’s great he’s great but other times he’s either really off or injured. Same with Havertz really but I know too many changes wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing.
When you look at the table we won by 7 points which means that City dropped more points than we did.
They lost games to Spurs, Brighton , Villa twice , Newcastle and United and drew with 9 teams which included West Ham , Spurs , Everton , Bournemouth , Brighton and Sunderland.
Looking at your list you might conclude that they should have maximised those points but because of the competitive nature of the league they dropped unexpected points in some of the most unusual places.
We however lost more predictable matches against Liverpool , Villa , United , Bournemouth and City. But our draws included Brentford and relegated Wolves so it is not as much of a foregone conclusion as it is in the leagues of our European rivals.
Of interest I got carried away and looked up PSG who lost to Marseille, Monaco and Lyon all big teams and of course Paris F.C who they played their last game intheir leage 2 weeks before the Champions League final.
Nice rest.
I agree Rico, there definitely seems to be an increasing momentum surrounding Morgan Rodgers moving to Arsenal, I’m certainly myself warming to the prospect of Morgan becoming a Gunner but at the same time there’s also a lot of increasing chat concerning Odegaard leaving, I’m not sure about that one, unless of course he or his wife want to leave England?
I don’t think it’s about titles won etc, I think the PL is tough because on any day, any club can beat another. Sustainability is the only difference imo, being able to compete over ten months.
Is our league really competitive? Here’s how long PL clubs have waited for a title –
Arsenal Champions
Villa 46 years (end of 26/27)
B’mouth Never won title
Brentford Never won title
Brighton Never won title
Chelsea 10 years
Coventry Never won title
Palace Never won title
Everton 40 years
Fulham Never won title
Hull Never won title
Ipswich 65 years
Leeds 35 years
Liverpool 2 years
City 3 years
United 14 years
Newcastle 100 years
Forest 49 years
Sunderland 91 years
Spuds 66 years
Clearly it’s not as bad as Germany, Spain or France, but 15 of our 20 PL clubs have either never been champions, or have been locked out for 35 years.
I’m happy that we’re a big club and on the right side, but it creates so many ‘dead rubbers’ in the PL, you have to marvel at and respect fans of those 15 clubs who pay fortunes every year, and for some of them clubs (tiny Totts), avoiding relegation is as good as celebrating a title 🤣
I know it’s not our concern, but it does raise the issue of integrity in our game.
Of course Potter, where’s my head at not remembering the despicable Martinez.
Had he been a bit more patient he might have saved us a small fortune spent on subsequent Gk’s.
Perhaps he and Unai are as one, and the mere mention of Arsenal makes their blood boil.
Villa live on the memory of two years, 1981 (their first title since 1910, and none now in 45 years), and ’82, when, in a time English clubs were dominant in the old European cup, Villa won it in a format a lot less demanding than the latest version, and against some far lesser teams en route to the final.
In the final itself, Jimmy Rimmer went off early in the game so had to use rookie Gk Nigel Spink, and they still beat Bayern Munich.
He left us for a big club, just not one as big as The Arsenal.
How could I forget that ghastly bloke.. Could have stayed and become a hero but didn’t have the stomach for a fight..
Nelson Vivas, who largely flew under the radar.
Straight into the backs and legs of his opposing winger as he went past him. He was a yellow card waiting to happen. Also we had the Arsenal hating Villa keeper Martinez
He was great Dennis.
Wouldn’t you agree Rico, Sergio Aguero took City to the next level.
Obviously not on his own, but after allowing Sparky to waste millions on mostly duds, Aguero was their first real statement signing.
At £38m in 2009, probably out of our price range at that time.
Too many South Americans in the squad could cause an issue because of the international travel. Same applies to the ACON.
Argentina have produced some quality strikers over the last 30 years, (Batistuta, Crespo, Aguero, and there’ll be a few more), and yet Arsenal have never explored that market.
We’ve had quite a few Brazilians, the only one I would consider top draw is Gilberto Silva, the others are good without carrying an X-factor.
The only Argentine I can remember is Nelson Vivas, who largely flew under the radar.
I wonder if the Morgan Rogers rumours are real or just gathering pace through repetition..
Yes you are right with the Brazillians but I was thinking Merino , Raya < Zubimendi , Kepa, Hincapie and Mosquera, Not to mention Molina , Heinze , Cana, and of course Arteta himself.
Most of our South Americans speak Portuguese, they’re Brazilian.
Good morning all.
Saka back training with the squad, Rice “managing” nerve pain in his hamstring since Christmas.
Graham was mainly English , Wenger went French , Arteta has gone Spanish ( Basque ) and Spanish speaking South Americans .
.Maybe Berta will raid Italy although I am not sure that there is much there that the big boys haven’t bought in.
He does seem to be more worldly wise and looks everywhere , hopefully he finds a few diamonds in the rough.
Hope you are right Kev.
Personally, I’d rather we signed PL players but sadly, they come with a hefty price tag.
Morning all.
After Soares and Vieira I don’t think that Arsenal will be signing any Portuguese players, just a hunch you see…
Transfers news?
Who is leaving and who is coming in?
Thanks Potter.
Morning all.
I think it was half way through the 2023/24 season when I started to have a bit more belief. Although I didn’t agree with Raya at the time, he’s proved me wrong over and over again. Just as Ben White did.
Hi Kev, it’s ridiculous what he’s been through, if/when he’s found guilty then fine but until that day, he’s not.
Whilst he could settle out of court, why do so if he knows he’s innocent?
Good morning all.
Saka didn’t train yesterday….with the rest of the squad, he’s pursuing his own training program while managing his long term injury.
That certainly bodes ill for Declan. 😕
Blimey, we shifted some deadwood back then.
I am glad that I no longer follow cricket , it sounds dire..
Nice summation Rico , it was the period where the process looked like it was actually going somewhere.
The Kroenke’s had to stick or twist and thankfully they chose to invest.
It’s the blight of social media Kev.People jump to conclusions and if it suits their agenda it spreads like wildfire
It’s not new , it’s been happening around Hollywood and the California coast for years , cry wolf and get a pay out .
The thing about Thomas is that he is pleading not guilty, were he to settle out of court I am sure that it would go away from a legal position . However as far as the court of public opinion is concerned the rumours will always follow him around .
All out in 49 minutes, that’s the spirit, Archer got a shooter so that was unlucky, but the rest, no excuses. Is Bethal good enough to bat at No.3, I don’t think so? Maybe Crawley should return at No.3
As for the attack, its village green standard.
Morning Rico, regarding Thomas Partey, a lot of people might well end up with egg on their faces in the next few months, not least the guys on Arseblog Extra.
Whatever happened to innocent until proven otherwise?