Morning all.
Daniel Ek is in the news once more because he’s not giving up on trying to buy Arsenal. The Mail report he’s preparing to increase his Arsenal takeover bid to more than £2bn after his opening offer of £1.8bn was rejected. The Ek camp are ‘not going anywhere and want to get a deal done’. The Mail goes on to write, ‘Club insiders have admitted they are waiting for a second offer’ – that’ll be the groundsman then, they love to chat.
Sky Sports transfer news from the back pages repeat the Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin are to be sold story as the club look to raise funds to make a move for Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves. That’s also from The Mail whilst The Sun suggest Ainsley Maitland-Niles has admitted it may be time to ‘kiss goodbye’ to Arsenal if he is not a part of their plans next season. Crystal Palace are keeping an eye on his situation.
The rumours about Bellerin and Xhaka are nothing new, nor is Arsenal needing to sell in order to raise funds. Applying logic alone tells us that. No CL money, no Europa money and an 8th place finish = very little revenue from last season. That’s on top of the loss all clubs suffered because of Covid.
I think it’s time for AMN to move on. Not because I’d like to see him gone but I think he should be playing each week and not just sitting around waiting for an opportunity at Arsenal because I don’t think he’s going to get it. Unless, if Xhaka is sold and AMN finally gets his chance in midfield. AMN is definitely quicker and I’m sure if he’s given a job to do, he’ll do it.
£40m on Neves – rumour I know, or AMN?
Good news, no, fantastic news if Fabrizio Romano is right and he usually is. Yesterday on Twitter he announced that “Emile Smith-Rowe is ready to sign a new contract with Arsenal until June 2026 after negotiations started in March. Just waiting last details to be completed – then it’ll be done.”
He added that Willian is expected to leave Arsenal this summer as well as Guendouzi.
Arsenal won’t know what to do with all the money…
See you in the comments.
Good day Rico.
Hot and sunny here in Norfolk, very pleasant sitting under the apple tree with the Telegraph crossword.
In addition to the news (rumours) you quote, the Ramsey swap for Bellerin is again on the back pages, the sooner it’s moved to the obituary column the better.
I don’t know a lot about Neves, but his transfer fee is quoted at around the £40 million mark so I doubt that Arsenal are in the running at that price.
It’s never nice to lose a home-grown player but I think AMN needs to move on to fulfil his potential.
Hi Cicero, all.
I think he will. Same with Willock if he’s not going to be a starter. Both have had a taste of playing regularly and probably enjoyed it.
“If I were him, I’d play wherever the manager picked me – and I’d never turn it down because if you are able to play in a number of positions, then you are going to get more games than if you had one position and one position only.
“Perhaps you don’t want to be tagged as a ‘utility player’ but sometimes those people are played more often than those who are stubborn and say: ‘I want to play in that position and nowhere else.”
Sam Allardyce
Juventus – Ramsey – swap for – Bellerin; recycle alert, bullsh*t.
I hope those words of advice stick Kev.
if Ramsey comes back I’m definitely finished with Arsenal. He’s the most overrated headless chicken I’ve ever seen.
A very wealthy one though Robin. Lol
I doubt it Rico, Niles could be going with England to the Euros now as a wing back, instead he’s at home chilling and that’s maybe what he prefers?
Maybe he’d have realised that now Kev. Who knows but he’s certainly not done himself too many favours. Mind you, I’d be pretty cheesed off after getting dumped so quickly after the FA Cup run. Just as Martinez was.
Thank goodness the Kroenke’s are paying this.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-9668085/Premier-League-clubs-signed-European-Super-League-hit-fines-20m-EACH.html
As far as KSE are concerned, their long term ambition of a European Super League and the riches that would have brought has blown up in their greedy faces, they are where they’ll be for the foreseeable future, no TV jackpot for them, no chances of a mega payday either, the clubs’ value has probably even dropped a tad so not the profit they’d hoped for, therefore is it just the right time to cut and run?
Maybe he refused to play in the positions where Arteta wanted him Rico?
His fall from grace was after all rather sudden last season, only 5 starts in the EPL, especially as we were struggling at the time.
Something must have gone on Kev. I know he had a bad game a left back but surely that wouldn’t have done it. Similar could be said about Cedric who very suddenly appeared to be dumped from a great height.
There’s a bit of a pattern I think…
Listening to some podcast opinions have made me think again about Rúben Neves as he was being compared with Granit Xhaka as a like for like replacement, something I never saw in him when I watched Wolves. I thought he was an attacking midfielder rather than a centre mid.
Getting a deal over the line might include a part – exchange agreement, as you know they’ve had an interest in Niles for example and maybe including him could make it more affordable?
I wonder if Gary Neville gets a cut of that fine as recompense for his pain.
Morning All
AMN, Arteta has had plenty of time to play him but never really gave him a chance so I would say there is some thing he does not like about him so he will be sold.
Looked up Ruben Neves and he stats show for 2020/2021 season he played 36 games but only started about 82 percent of them – 5 goals – 1 assist – 7 yellow cards and his market value is 45 million pounds.
same site value Saka at 65 million euro’s not sure what that is in pounds
Personally I would keep AMN over Neves . As Geoff’s figures show he is hardly setting the world alight and the money quoted is obscene for a journeyman.
We need to keep Willock too and let Hale End prove it’s worth, perhaps if the kids prove to be worthwhile we should have kept faith with Freddie afterall.
As would I Potter, or as well as. I’m far from convinced Neves is the answer to our our midfield.
Stats don’t always tell the full story, though.
Has anyone been watching the guy regularly?
Good afternoon Rico and everyone
Good question in the post Rico…..I would keep AMN and buy Neves. AMN should be kept because Elneny and PArtey will be off January and February and then they will take time to be match fit.
Afternoon Devil. I’m still hoping we’re after Bissouma and the Neves stuff is just poppycock.
Rick, I see that Charlie Patino is going to play regular for the U23’s this season and be training with the first team as often as possible as he’s fast tracked into the senior squad.
How do you rate him, Kev?
Geoff, it’s official.
Ange Postecoglou to Celtic.
He will end up at a bigger club imo
Morning all.
I’ve only seen snippets of Patino play Scott, but people whose opinion I respect reckon he’s the most technical we’ve produced since Wilshere. So very good.
Scott this will be a great test for Ange if all goes well who knows the EPL could be around the corner.
Stats are only a part of the game but still a senior player only playing 39 games in one season and getting 7 yellow cards no thanks we have had enough problems with Xhaka and Luiz
Geoff, that’s why I asked has anyone watched him regularly.
I don’t know the guy lol
Ange has earned this.
Kev, he sounds a proper prospect then!!!!
Scott From what I have seen on you tube Neves does not look like he will be an improvement on what we have I recon we can find a better play for the amount they would want for him
Goals
Ruben Neves – 5
Granit Xhaka – 1
Mohamed Elneny – 1
Thomas Partey – 0
Dani Ceballos – 0
Assists
Dani Ceballos – 3
Granit Xhaka – 2
Thomas Partey – 2
Ruben Neves – 1
Mohamed Elneny – 0
Minutes per goal or assist
Ruben Neves – 446
Dani Ceballos – 538
Mohamed Elneny – 1542
Thomas Partey – 768
Granit Xhaka – 840
Chances created per 90 minutes
Dani Ceballos – 1.5
Ruben Neves – 1.1
Thomas Partey – 0.7
Granit Xhaka – 0.6
Mohamed Elneny – 0.2
Successful dribbles per 90 minutes (success rate)
Thomas Partey – 1.6 (80%)
Dani Ceballos – 1.4 (66.6%)
Ruben Neves – 0.3 (60%)
Granit Xhaka – 0.3 (50%)
Mohamed Elneny – 0.2 (50%)
Passes per 90 minutes (accuracy)
Ruben Neves – 78.8 (54.9%)
Granit Xhaka – 78.1 (90.2%)
Dani Ceballos – 70.8 (87.2%)
Thomas Partey – 66.7 (87.2%)
Mohamed Elneny – 59 (93%)
Successful tackles per 90 minutes (success rate)
Ruben Neves – 2.9 (63%)
Thomas Partey – 2.6 (57.7%)
Dani Ceballos – 2.1 (56.7%)
Granit Xhaka – 1.8 (64.3%)
Mohamed Elneny – 0.8 (40%)
Interceptions per 90 minutes
Ruben Neves – 2.2
Dani Ceballos – 1.9
Mohamed Elneny – 1.4
Thomas Partey – 1.3
Granit Xhaka – 0.9
Comparing his stats against our players last season.
Doesn’t fill me with hope and expectation.
If the club are to spend big on a midfielder, or any player for that matter, he has to be miles better than who we have in his position imo. Otherwise it’s a waste of time and money.
There’s a new post up now.
Morning all.
https://highbury-house.com/2021/06/10/which-is-your-favourite-arsenal-battle/
Bissouma stacks up damn well in comparison.
I like Bissouma too Scott. He’s a busy player who just gets on with things without fuss.