Morning all.
It’s that time of year when behind the scenes at Arsenal Football Club and players decide to part company. Some are probably told their services are no longer required while others make the decision for themselves. Occasionally, the grass appears greener elsewhere but that’s life in football as we fans know only too well, especially during the second half of Arsene Wenger’s time at the club and as Man City came into money.
As far as the men’s side of the club go, I think we all have a list of players we would like to see leave and be replaced by better, I know I do.
First out the traps as far as exits go though is from the women’s side of the club as yesterday it was announced that Beth Mead will be leaving Arsenal this summer, nine years after joining the club in 2017. 263 appearances, 86 goals, one WSL title, three League Cups, one FIFA Champions Cup and one UEFA Women’s Champions League. Add to those achievements a WSL youngest Golden Boot winner in 2015 at the age of 20 and European Champions winners medal with England in 2022 & 2025. Mead had a fantastic competition in 2022, picking up not only the Golden Boot award but the UEFA Player of the Tournament award too. It didn’t end there for Mead in 2022 because she was voted BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year and England’s Player of the Year and lastly, BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
I’m exhausted just typing all of that….
Arsenal’s Director of Women’s Football, Clare Wheatley, said:
Beth has made a huge contribution to our football club over nine years, and will go down in history as one of our best forwards and a legend of the club. Beth is such a special person and will always be welcome at Arsenal. I know our supporters will join me in wishing Beth happiness and success in her future endeavours.
Watching an Arsenal women’s team without Beth Mead being involved will be strange but wherever life takes her next, I wish nothing but the best for her.
Also leaving this summer is Laia Codina who joined from Barcelona in the summer of 2023. She leaves with a Champions League, Champions Cup and League Cup winners medal in her pocket.
As often is the case, things come in threes and the third women’s departure is Victoria Pelova who joined us in January 2023 and leaves with the same medals as Codina.
On the men’s side of the club, according to TransferMarket, there are no players on contracts which expire this summer but five whose contracts expire next year. Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard. Both Norgaard and Martinelli have one year extension options. Piero Hincapie’s current loan deal will be made permanent this summer. Jakub Kiwior has already made his deal at Porto permanent for a fee just less than we paid for him if add ons are to be considered.
Personally, I believe Jesus and Norgaard are likely to be sold but after that, I’ve no idea what the club are planning. Who you and I might want to see moved on is probably quite different to the thoughts of Mikel Arteta and the club.
Catch up in the comments.
Seems I’ve dropped off your mailing list. Can you add me back in?
Going through a blip with emails John, no one is getting them.
Good morning Rico. Sad that Beth Mead is leaving, her contact expires next month and her playing minutes have been steadily decreasing this season. With the Women’s World Cup next year Beth needs to be starting regularly to ensure her participation. There will be no shortage of clubs waiting in the wings to sign her on a free transfer, she could walk into any team in Europe.
Best of wishes Beth, You will be much missed.
Morning Rico, yes Mead is a name even I know, to me she always seems to score in the big games, a nice habit to have. Am I right in thinking that she’s had a lot of injury issues over the last couple of years?
Trossard is an interesting one, recency bias comes to play when thinking about him I suspect, but given his age (31?) and probable transfer value, on top of his gift of scoring goals, I would keep him and probably extend his contract. I guess if someone came in with a serious bid then the club would have to consider it but it takes a long long time to assemble a potential title winning squad and next to no time to dismantle it so this summer is one for clear thinking and careful consideration.
Id like to see Vieira and Nelson moved on before worrying too much about anyone else. Sagoe Junior, Hein and Rojas are out of contract this summer so unless there’s some developmental compensation we’ll make nothing there.
Agreed Kev , Bertie Mee did it in a heartbeat. It takes a long time to build but take wrecking ball and it’s down in seconds.
Morning Cicero, Kev.
I too am sad re Beth Mead leaving but if it’s what she wants too, good luck to her.
She had a cruciate ligament injury Kev, as did Williamson but imo, Mead still has a very good game in her.
Wenger did it too post invincibles.
Rico/Potter, I’m all for constantly rebuilding the squad as you stand still at your peril, but we have, on the surface, a very unified group who all seem to get on and put the team before each other.
Personal relationships are important in team dynamics, look at how Norgaard has behaved, no drama from him just supporting his team mates. Other players hear about this on the grapevine and often want a piece of it. Myles, despite his own deep disappointment has been a standout member of the squad and is now enjoying the rewards and thoroughly deserves the plaudits.
I’m not sure that we’ll need a major refit this summer, maybe one elite signing and one or two quality signings, but only to replace outgoings. The potential of some of our youngsters will hopefully make a major overhaul redundant.
Time will tell I guess Kev but we cannot afford more signings like Madueke imo..
Good evening Rico and all
Lovely post on Beth Mead and Ladies team. Its sad when a cycle finishes. Mead’s is now. Its been quite some years with her as a fixture in the team. And when that happens to be a legend of the club then its even harder. She gave the team beautiful moments and was also a role model for others. I think many will wish that she stayed. But time waits for no one and it catches up.
Good luck to her wherever she may go. Maybe one day she will come back in a different capacity.
I have a feeling that the title will be won at the Emirates on Monday vs Burnley.
Evening Devil. Cant see Palace getting a result tomorrow, they are probably thinking about their European final.
Anyone else watching Saints v Boro?
It’s official, Ben White is ruled out for the rest of the season. He suffered a significant medial ligament injury to his knee.
Morning Cicero, I saw that in The Athletic. So disappointed for him. Should mean he’ll stay at Arsenal next season which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially after a summer of recovery.
Good morning Rico, yep the injury has certainly scuppered any chance of the mooted move to Everton this summer and it seems very unlikely that Ben will make the England World Cup squad too.
I suppose much depends on the severity of his injury Cicero, a minor tear and you never know, he might recover quickly.
Good morning Highbury winners.
So gutting to hear about Ben. As Rico pointed out it means that he will stay with us for the coming season. If Ben goes eventually we will need a replacement in defence.
I liked Ben. A quiet unassuming type whose work ethic was a top role model for any young pro.
He will remain a top servant of the club and will always be welcome if and when he departs. Was it money well spent?? You can bet it was.
Clubs with the most runner up finish positions in the top English league…….
Man UTd 17 times
Arsenal 11 times
Liverpool 10.
Jesus, we are runners up even in the league runners up.
And they batter us for arriving 2nd three times in a row
Morning Devil, I just hope he recovers fully.
Afternoon Gooners, personally I wouldn’t mind at all if Ben White stays, I guess it all depends on who the club want to replace him with, given the injury record and suggested price of Livramento, I’m not holding my breath over him.
My son got his ticket for Budapest from the ballot yesterday, €160, he’s driving out there with mates and flying back, a bit of a palaver but he wants to be back for Sunday. 🤞
I’m expecting nothing tonight,then again Everton surprised us last week so you never know. Seriously City are more likely to drop points away.
Hopefully Oliver Glasner wants to go out on a high.
R.I.P Peter Simpson , Norfolk born McLintocks quiet but efficient back up. Would have been a staple for England had it not been for Bobby Moore. Inter cities cup and 70/71 double winner. Aged 81 .
Sad to hear that Peter Simpson has passed away, a quiet man who gave of his best.
R I P.
RIP Peter Simpson. You were one of Pa’s favourites. I never got to see you play but Pa always spoke highly of you as a player and as a person.
Pa always spoke highly of the 71 double team. He loved them much more than any other team, even more than the 04 Invincibles. Maybe because they were his age (similar to me and DR07, DB10).
Everytime one of them left for pastures new he felt it deeply. Even more when someone passed away, like Armstrong.
And bdw…..one of the reasons I mentioned DB10 and DR07 is that these two legends and myself were all born in the month of May.
Sleep tight Peter Simpson..
Me too, DG. 17th.
Beth Mead starts tonight against Everton in her final game at The Emirates.
Live on Sky sports kick-off 7pm.
47 years ago yesterday Arsenal gave me the perfect birthday present by winning the FA cup against Utd 3-2. I was 11 years old that day. Now I am 58
Good morning, HH. Peter Simpson was one of those faces on my adolescent bedroom wall. Quiet, unassuming, effective, played a key role in that first double season. Your Dad knows what he is talking about, Dev.
Farewell, too, to Beth. Likely end up at City with her old mate.
Here we go, Palace…
City and Palace are rotating heavily tonight. A lot of very good players from both sides on the bench.
Max Dowman has won the premier league home grown detutant of the season award following the historic first campaign
It would certainly make their relationship easier if Beth went to City. Hope she doesn’t though..
New post up.