Morning all.
The winter transfer window has been good I think. We’ve added two defensive players, both of whom have a lot of experience under their belt. It’s clear from what Mikel Arteta said in his press conference that our finances meant loans were pretty much the best we could do. However, those who are responsible for our wheeling and dealing seem to have done well in my opinion. The Mari deal has an option to buy included in included and Soares will be a free agent, so we’re first in line for making the deals permanent if the loans go well. Cedric Soares seems to be on a mission to make sure his does.
It has been a while, to be fair. We were close a few years ago, (to joining Arsenal) so it’s not the first time. It didn’t happen that time but now thank God it came true. I’m super happy.
Obviously it was important for me in my career to come here. Southampton gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League but obviously it’s amazing this step, to come here and play for Arsenal.
To be able to reach this point is unbelievable.
One hundred per cent that I will give all my best every day and every game. I try to be a guy with energy, a player that goes up and down. I like to consider myself a team player and yes, what can I say? It’s difficult when you need to talk about yourself! But again, I will give my 100 per cent for the team and for the fans.
He’s happy to be at Arsenal that’s for sure and he’ll give everything, both a big part in a players personality. If a person is happy where they are in life, the best of them will always come out. If it’s in there. Now all we can do is wait and see what both players can bring to the team. Yesterday both got stuck into training. Mari both outside and in the gym but Soares has a slight injury so won’t be doing much until after this break. I was reading a Southampton fan blog yesterday and while there were a few who aren’t overly fussed about losing their right back, others were quite a number who are pretty disappointed, saying that their team always played better with him in it.
Nothing else materialised for Arsenal as far as transfers go for the rest of the day which bearing in mind our financial situation, was hardly a surprise. And as said yesterday, our squad is pretty deep in any case.
Goalkeepers:
- Bernd Leno
- Emiliano Martinez
- Matt Macey 🏴
Defenders:
- Pablo Mari.
- Cedric Soares
- Hector Bellerin
- Kieran Tierney 🏴
- Sokratis.
- Rob Holding 🏴
- Shkodran Mustafi
- Calum Chambers 🏴
- David Luiz
- Sead Kolasinac
- Tolaji Bola 🏴
- Zech Medley. 🏴
Midfielders:
- Dani Ceballos
- Mesut Ozil
- Lucas Torreira
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles 🏴
- Joe Willock 🏴
- Matteo Guendouzi
- Granit Xhaka
- Robbie Burton 🏴
Forwards:
- Alexandre Lacazette
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Nicolas Pépe
- Reiss Nelson 🏴
- Eddie Nketiah 🏴
- Gabriel Martinelli
- Bukayo Saka 🏴
- Folarin Balogun 🏴
I think it’s great to see so many English players in our squad, I counted thirteen Brits, eleven of them English and most of them are playing for the first team. Not always I know but clearly Mikel Arteta believes in them. Or at least many of them and they’ve grown together through the academy so they know each others game well.
I’m really looking forward to next season although I don’t want it coming around too soon as it means summer is over, but I really feel positive about where Arsenal are going under Mikel Arteta.
Tomorrow we’re going to Burnley to face a team who are tough. Physical too. I really hope we stand up to Sean Dyche and his bullish tactics and come away with a hard earned three points.
Have a good Saturday guys…
Good morning Rico.
I agree that we’ve made the best of a difficult transfer window, two experienced defenders signed for a relatively small outlay.
My one caveat is the fitness of Soares, according to this morning’s Telegraph he is not available to feature against Burnley due to a knee injury.
We seem to have a prediction for signing players carrying injuries. Kailstrom, Suarez, Tierney et al.
In the same newspaper this morning there is an article about Tony Adams “Sporting Chance” charity including an interview with “Our Tone”. It’s a seriously thought provoking look at addictions affecting past and present sportsmen. It’s available here https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/01/31/tony-adams-interview-talk-gambling-addict-exactly-thoughts-feelings/
Lovely, mild and sunny day here in delightful Norfolk.
Morning Cicero, his injury is nothing major I read and will be fine after the break. I can’t see any problem really.
I do hope that is the case Rico, we are due a bit of luck in the injury stakes. 😉
Afternoon all, My concerns is about the left back.
Joaquim, I think our other signing Mari is able to play left back as well as left sided central defender.
We sure are Cicero.
Kolasinac is soon back Jm and before we know it, so will Tierney. I think Cedric has played left back too.
Chelsea and Leicester with a draw are doing their best to open up a top four finish for the chasing pack. Keep it up Brendan and Frank. 😉
Saka, Kolasinac,Tierney just started light training, it’s under control…
Smith Rowe scored at Fulham for Huddersfield.
Got an assist, his lot 2-3 down, but in the game.
John Jules playing at Southend for Lincoln, 0-0 @ HT
After an impressive debut for Northampton Town in midweek, on loan James Olayinka isn’t in the Cobblers squad?
I hope he’s not bloody injured…
Daniel Ballard, a very promising centre half, had his loan cut short at Swindon after a good start due to injury, damn it…
I actually thought that Arsenal would send a few more youngsters out on loan, like Medley and Burton and even Oluwu, but it is what it is and we have a lot of games in the U23’s and U18’s to get around.
Medley is the one I thought would go out on loan. Maybe next season. Bola too.
Afternoon Rico and the house.
Not a very good day for our injury hit academy teams.
U18s at home to Westham lost 5-1
U 23s away to Liverpool Lost 3-0
In total 7 u18 players were in the U23 teamand the u18s
had some 15year olds playing
Kev
Olayinko voted MOM injured on 90th min.
He is now back with us for scan and treatment.
Ballard has been out since Oct and the last I heared he would not play again this season.
Ithink at the moment Harry Clarke and Medley are the only CenterBacks the U23 have fit.
It looks like Harry is taking his chance with some good performances.
He wasCaptain today so it looks like Bouldy likes him as well
Afternoon Rick. Not a good day all round then.
Cedric at left back ? No
We are now at 12th position…
Nice one Rico.
I still dont get the Soares loan !………………….other than that we got what we could afford, which under Kroenke is nothing spectacular. I understand that due to FFP we are skint, so fair enough, but I`m sure there must be loopholes , one being his wife`s Walmart sponsoring us and two for future he could invest as much money as he likes in the academy which doesn`t come under FFP, it`s what Chavs and Man C do!.
There is a third option which is my own opinion and I have no idea if it is legal but I cant see why it cant be done and I`m surprised Man C have not tried to loophole FFP with it yet!………………………….Kroenke owns Colerado Rapids and as far as I know FFP has no jurisdiction anywhere outside of UEFA, so why cant Kroenke buy any player for The Rapids and then loan him to Arsenal ?
Why not Jm?
Good idea Lc, although we’d still only have a player on loan, a wage to pay out and I think with our wage bill as high as it is, it’d still be a problem.
I asked the other day about Soares Lc, and when you last saw him play?
I have not seen him play whatsoever, Rico, but I just went on his age, not playing for Soton and being replaced in squad by a Totnumb youngster…….ironically on loan !…………………..maybe we should have got the spud on loan as we have loaned an Arsenal Women player to Spud Wenches !
😆
Only because his contract is up in the summer Lc.
My point is, like me, you haven’t seen him play so writing him off is surely a bit previous. Why not wait and see how he plays under Arteta. Then slag him off. Lol
I too haven’t seen Soares play, well I must have but can’t remember.I do recall thinking Portugal had a solid defence, didn’t concede many goals, and he’s been a part of that, so that’s all to the good.
Games against Burnley are usually hard fought close affairs, tomorrow’s game is huge.
And Southampton lost without him today Limey. 😂
rico: Cedric is a right back not a left back. He never played a left back. I know him since 10 years ago,
Am I the only one worried about relegation. I see people on other blogs talking about top 4 but not about relegation. Please tell me I am being stupid!!
Ok Jm, thanks.
PE. You’re being stupid… 😂
Seriously, I don’t think we’ll drop that far down. Not that I think we’ll get top four, or even Europa.
Rick, according to Jeorge Bird, Daniel Ballard is in light training and might be available to play in April…
I knew that Olayinka was injured, although I didn’t know that he was back at Arsenal getting treatment, that sounds worrying…
News now full of stories that a Qatari club made a last minute bid for Ozil but despite Arteta being up for it the deal was rejected in the board room . Some say it was because we could not get a replacement in time but if true it shows that Ozil is not in his future plans , so can we expect a return to seeing a sullen benchwarmer.
‘ morning Potter, I read that it was Arteta who blocked the sale.
Arsenal rejected a January offer for Mesut Ozil that both the German and Mikel Arteta would have been open to accepting,
That was the quote I saw. Fom the Mirror ( ever reliable ) and picked up by a few others
It’s here, https://www.90min.com/posts/6549094-mikel-arteta-blocked-mesut-ozil-transfer-to-qatari-side-in-january
Don’t know if it’s true or not.
Big difference in League position, and the mood going into the winter break, if we win or lose today.
A draw keeps us in tenth but a win would be great.
Sol Campbell got his first home win yesterday, I’m taking it as a sign!
COYG
If the Ozil stories are true, someone needs psychological help!
Morning all.
New post up now