Morning all.
Rumours coming out of France suggest Adrien Rabiot desperately wants to leave PSG in search of regular first team football. According to the back pages of London’s finest newspapers, both Arsenal and Tottenham would welcome the player on board.
I’d imagine Rabiot is no different to many footballers who are not getting enough playing time right now. The Euros are just a few months away and he wants to be in with a chance of being there but that’s unlikely to be the case if he’s not playing for his club. We have the same problem with Mathieu Debuchy who also wants to be with French squad in the summer.
Rabiot is just 20 years old and they’ll be many Euros and World Cup’s for him ahead if he’s good enough so to be trying to force a move away from PSG so early in his career does seem to be a bit hasty but he’s been with PSG since 2010 so I guess he feels he’s waited long enough.
Last season, he featured in 33 matches for his club in all competitions yet so far this season, he’s featured in just 11 which clearly he thinks is not enough, or of course, he simply wants a move for other reasons. Surely that reason wouldn’t be money would it, not the big money on offer in England? Possibly, maybe probably as he’s reported to be earning somewhere in the region of £25,000 a week right now which I strongly suspect would increase if he moved to the Premier League.
His reason for a move, or for his agent spinning such stories can’t be about a new contract with PSG because that all happened late October 2014 when he was again linked with a move to England but stayed put after earning a new contract which doesn’t expire until 2019 and he was thrilled to be staying put in France:
I am very happy to remain a player of Paris Saint-Germain, the club that made me the player I am today.
I would like to thank the president who kept discussions open in recent months and the sporting management for his support. It was here at Paris Saint Germain that I grew up and enjoyed my first experiences as a player.
The club’s project is ambitious and I’m very proud to be a part of it for the coming years. Now I want to concentrate on my football, on my game and give my best for Paris Saint-Germain on the pitch and for the supporters.
How things change eh? Well no, not really, Anelka did the same to Arsenal many years ago and other players since have done all they could to force a move to another club. Nasri, Adebayor, Fabregas to name just a few…
Should all the stories be true, is this young Frenchman good enough to slot into this current Arsenal team and make a difference? Does he have the right mindset and personality to gel with the rest of the squad?
I don’t know the answers but should Adrien Rabiot get his wish and Arsene Wenger snaps him up, would you Arsenal fans be happy to see him at the club?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang skipped training yesterday for ‘personal reasons’ apparently, which of course means all the talk about moving to Arsenal has got to him. His head has been turned and he’s tempted to move. Go on Arsene, make it happen, you know you could find a place for him in the side…..
Have a good day guys and gals and don’t forget, Mohamed Elneny is flying in today to complete his move to Arsenal. If that doesn’t get Arsenal fans excited, nothing will…. 😉
Not sure about Rabiot, but Obamayang is a no-brainer – 23 in 24. Get him an one other and the title is a serious possibility.
Ahhh transfer window time.
How exciting lol.
Morning all.
He might be happy at Dortmund Iceman…
Scott, I was tempted to have a day off… 😉
Ts will be disappointed I’ve not done a post about Arteta’s return… lol
DMorning again all,
whats all this P.E.A rumours?
Gervinho is cheaper why not bring him back?
On a serious note, other rumours claim BVB were gonna swap PEA with Balo’ or firmino.
Rico, stop hating on Arteta; he will be lifting another cup this May. 😉
Apparently Newcastle are chasing Lacazette.
Now, I haven’t seen Aubemayang (forgive the spelling), but if he’s as good or better than Lacazette, who I have seen, then DAMN.
I think Lacazette will be an out and out superstar.
If Newcastle or anyone else sign him, then we’d better make sure we get the other guy.
Rico. All those dropped catches are always going to catch up with you.
Before leaving hopefully Ts…
Yes Adam, on both sides… From what looked like being a draw, either could still win this test…
I’m sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting for the arrival of Elneny, it’s so exciting…
I read a piece, last week, about Rabiot and the type of player he is…
The journo was an expert on French football and described his style as similar to that of Patrick Vieira, which of course got my attention…
Now this journo may or may not be right about AR, but if he is, then we should get Rabot in, pronto…
Good post Rico..
Rico – Aubameyang, like many other players, have a ‘Grass is Always Greener’ default switch. If he is one of these, he will jump – maybe not to us, but we can hope.
I’m glad you didn’t, Rico 🙂
Scott, I honestly don’t think AW will go for a striker, I reckon he believes we have enough up front…
Interesting Kev, sounds like high praise for Rabiot. I wonder though why Psg don’t play him more or is it simply a case of too many ‘better/experienced’ players ahead of him…
Scott, not that’s just being selfish… 😉
‘grass is always greener’ Iceman, surely footballers are loyal to their club these days and don’t think about money… 😉
You could well be right, Rico, but I really rate this kid.
I’d hate to see him lining up against us.
I would too Scott, he was good against us if I remember rightly….
Kev- I am no french football expert but Rabiot is no where similar to PV04.
I would say Rabiot is more of a Delphi/JW10 combo.
Matuidi is the closest to PV04 in modern football imho apart from the younger Yaya Toure of 3 or so years back…
😀 Rico.MA08 will go and come back as the manager after Aw goes…
How many folks thought PEA was African and too similar to Gervinho 3 summers ago?
PEA is not even an out and out striker so comparing him to Lacasette may not be fair.
PEA could have been a TH14 if he was a tad bigger imho…
Afternoon all
Rabiot and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be class additions, but lets face it, we wont spend, especially in January.
The Egyptian aside, we won’t sign anyone, as we have players coming back. We will offload a few in the summer and a few of the returning loanees will go out on other loans.
Ts, thankfully, I think the chances of that happening soon are quite slim… 😉
Rico – money talks and players walk!
You are spot on Rico re. Rabiot.
Psg’s midfield of verrati, Thiago and Matuidi is one of the most well balanced midfield 3 outside barca in my view.
Rabiot had a good season last year when your friend cabaye was in and out of teh dressing room and verrati was being played in a more attacking role.
At the moment he seems to rotate with Thiago and even then verrati does the ‘sitting’ and not Rabiot.
George were you near the burning Tower on NYE?
TS, he’s 1cm shorter than Henry…….
In the unlikely event that Psg would sell to us, I will rather take Verrati than rabiot even though Rabiot is taller.
Two I reckon George…
I know Iceman, I was being ironic. It’s all about money these days isn’t it, certainly for ‘most’ players – not all, but I’d say most…
I didn’t know you watched the French league that much Ts… 😉
1 cm makes all the difference Lee…. lol
Veratti has just signed a new contract, expires 2020, so no chance..
Didn’t know that Lee; He seems taller from the stands; he is very lean which I guess makes him very nimble…
Lol rico, Emma and Snap are the Ligue 1 experts. i catch the odd game as I like Verrati
I use to watch it until AW missed out on Josuha, PEA, Sissoko, and Capoue. 😉
I think AW will go shopping in lyon now that he and Aulas seem to have patched things up…; with lyon unlikely to qualifier for the UCL next season; Grenier plus Gonalons will be solid midfield additions
I wonder if Alexis will be in the squad this weekend?
Maybe 20 mins at the end Kev. Little run around before Liverpool….
Elneny has his work permit according to a few headlines on NN. One being The Star… 😉
Ginge, i was 15minute walk away. The fire was awful, i could see people jumping from the 20th floor but the news reported no deaths. Also there was 2 loud explosions which have been mentioned in the press as gas explosions, all very conspiracy and crafty…
Rico , i hope your right about the 2 signings…the other being a real class addition
Only another 25 days to go George so we’ll soon find out… lol
I had hoped any new additions would be in by now and certainly by the time we go to Anfield…
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-legend-frank-mclintock-calls-on-arsene-wenger-to-find-january-replacement-for-per-a3149841.html
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
PEA and Rabiot would be great additions. However, everything I’ve read suggests that Rabiot wasn’t for sale, but might be available on loan and I can’t see Arsene bringing a player in on loan.
As for PEA, he’d cost a pretty penny. The question remains would Arsene and the board be willing to pay the price(s) for either or both these players? I don’t think they are at the moment.
We have a number of players returning over the next few weeks to months, a number out on loan, and three (Arteta, Flamoney and Rosicky) with contracts expiring in July. I can’t see Arsene making any major buys until he has assessed potential and weaknesses of the current squad (including the Academy players).
He may surprise us, but even though he has done it in the past, I doubt it. I think any significant additions to the squad will wait until the summer transfer window.
Good Day all,
Anyone know if Elneny is any good?
I see big Frank Mc has been adding his few cents.
I agree with his assessment
Me too Lewis….
Me too Lee and Lewis…
Hi Cg – let’s hope he surprises us all….
Hi all, Rabiot move doesn’t seem like a possibility to me. In AW’s head, he has Coq and a young Bielik he signed from I can’t recall where. Hayden and Chambers are all for that holding spot.
Aubameyang can’t happen in the winter TW. My views of course. Since we have a french coach at real can Wenger call to say bonjours and ask nicely (in french) for Jesse on loan?
AB De Villiers is seriously sledging Jonny Bairstow – he’s singing ‘I’m missing you Kevin Pietersen’… 😉
I suppose money is the reason that players want to stay at PSG. It is a shite league that has suffered through excessive money unbalancing it totally. Look at the points. Players that stay there play a handful of competitive games per season and hope to win the CL through being less tired than their competitors. I have seen Rabiot playing left side of midfield. He looks skilful enough but how he will go in a kick and rush league like ours, who knows?
That’s funny re Jesse Marshall…
George- its all very crafty as you have said. An acquantaince who works in Mediclinic City mentioned he knows of at least 12 deaths…
Jesse will be awesome Marshall.
But how many times did Zidane undermine Aw in the past? maybe without Platini pulling strings things will be different.
At least Arteta got no adverse reaction after featuring for the u-21’s yeasterday
Marshal- In my view and the little i have seen Glen Kamara is ahead of Beilik with regards to the CDM spot.
Bielik was in defence again last night….
Pulis’s comments today on serge’s work ethic and attitude is quite refreshing…
If rumours are to be believed apparently Ruben Neves agent Mendes has turned us down…
Arguably the best 18 y.o CDM since Davids of Ajax. I guess RM bound.. imo of course
Rico- i think Beilik has been moved back to defence to stop him from bombing forward like flamini… lol
Ts, haven’t followed his development much either but he seems to be honed for the defensive roles. It’s good he’s having competition for the spot they might hopefully come good. His physique though might give him an edge for the spot- re Bielik.
Rico I hope they find it amusing too and do the deal. Ts I think Zidane and Wenger have mutual respect for each other…and we know only one portuguese who makes everything personal
Mendes is what is wrong with agents today. They make players put money ahead of the beautiful game. Look at what he’s done to Falcao. Getting him megabuck deals without caring for his development. Funny how he convinced his client Mou to sign Falcao they must be laughing at the move now. I bet that’s why Arsene hate doing business with him.
I have seen Rabiot play and it’s an interesting and good player. Similar to P. Vieira? no, i think. More close Coquelin.
Lacazzete Newcastle? very good for them
Abdounayang for us? will be good (I think I prefer Lacazette) but don’t Forget he is from Gabon and we have always the same problem: The Africa Cup (this year again)
Egyptician fly tomorrow? I had watched him whem he was played for Basel but I’ve not any idea of him
How many headlines can the Metro produce in one day??
More importantly, why do so many footie fans click on them on NN?
Afternoon guys..
Ts, agree re Bielik, he learning by playing in defence, smart move imo…
Youssef Aït Bennasser is the next player they’ve managed to make a story out of, and no, I didn’t click on the headline honest… well, not really… 😉
lol Rico, are you saying curiousity did not get the best of you?
Jm – what makes you prefer Lacazette? Just out of interest…
I am Ts… Lol
Bellerin won’t be playing on Saturday, he’s in Amsterdam apparently…..
Hope he doesn’t consume any of the funny pie they serve up….
Might sharpen him up…. it did me!!!!
Rico- I thought it was only chocolate cookies that made you go all woozy and chips with mayo you got from Amsterdam?
🙂 Lee
Never been there Ts.
Lacazzete is a good player. Last year was super.
Aboumayang is very fast.
Different players
I think Lacazzete is more complete but depends of the team you have. Important, will be the players will be behind and how you play.
Funny pie? 🙂
You can’t beat an Eskimo pie.?
Evening all, I know Frank McClintock knows vast amount more about football than I do now or ever will.
Here comes the but ? Per has been a member of one of the best defences in last couple of seasons and for the year 2015 he has been a member of the best.
With ice cream?
Per’s a bit slow though…
He’s a bit like Arteta imo, has a big role to play in certain games, but not against those who have oodles of pace…
He is no slower than John Terry who many consider one of the best cb for years ich I feel sick. ?
Terry is slow these days, but not as slow as Merts imo….
Tbh, both have seen better days….
I’m off so night all…
I wonder how Crystal Palace move for £10m Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar will transpire; very interesting player for 22 y.o, at least for the EPL.
Basel is changing tune on Elneny
In what way tsgh, I swear I hate transfer windows even when we have net spend of 95 million.
Rico ice cream my drug of choose
Campbell in talks with Galatasaray apparently… Seems an odd one..
Morning all…
Morning Rico and Lads,
Well if Joel’s odd could bring Aubameyang instead, it would be blessing in disguise eh.
Nah…just a dream.
Morning Orf, that’s a big if though…
Reading want Iwobi on loan for the rest of the summer. Could be a good move for him as McDermott would play him I think…
I hope wenger will play Jeff Rene in this FA cup against Sunderland.
When is the right time ever AW gonna give him a chance to prove himself if he didn’t get one.
I’d imagine both Jeff and Iwobi will feature this weekend…
Rabiot’s mother has denied her son/client wants out of Psg… lol
morning Rico and all
Maitland-Niles is coming along very nicely on loan. So is Toral…
Conflicting reports on twitter that JW10 has had another set-back…
Why oh why haven’t we signed someone, morning all another joyous transfer window and we are only only 6 days in I am going to go grey again.
Where is Malaga gooner when we need him the most…
Mg- can you confirm that Veronique is in discussing with Juve to send Rabiot there on loan;
Hi Joe, we haven’t signed anyone because MA08 is back… lol
Morning Ts & Joe..
I see we are linked to the Swiss DM again this morning… 🙂
Morning all.
Rico is that Xhaka?
Yes Ts..
Hi Scott.
Arteta and sanchez are back like a new signing. Morning everyone
Hi Scott. What ban did the head-butter in the A-league get?
lol Sukky- until MA08 breaks down again and then AW will pull out another Kim ‘Kardashian’ Kalstrom last minute. lol
Xhaka far far better than most CDM we have been linked with including Bender.
8 weeks, Ginge.
It’s a joke.
A guy the previous week for armed a Mariners player in the back of the head, off the ball, and copped one week.
One!
The headbutt was in retaliation to an obvious intentional elbow to the eye which resulted in two weeks.
Now 8 weeks is fair enough, but based on the other two penalties, it’s an absolute farce.
That should read fore armed…….
Goes to show there is no consistency in the way football isofficiated globally except in Colombia I guess…
Lol.
Every League has their favourites, bud.
Again, I’m not condoning the headbutt, not even close, when they suspend a guy for a blatant elbow, they’re called needing he’s guilty, so 2 weeks??
Incredible.
Called needing?
Fukking IPad.
CONCEDING.
And it missed a ‘C’ out Scott… 😉
Rico, I should proof read every bloody comment lol
That’s why my posts take so long Scott… lol
I thought your post took longer because you were also consulting for Caught offside and Metro as a side job… 🙂
Talking of which, the new post is up now…
Cheeky Ts… lol