Morning all.
Arsenal are open to signing players this month but there’s a possibility they won’t. My money is on the latter after Mikel Arteta said his “emphasis is on making the most out of the players that we have. “We will work together with the club to understand whether there are any possibilities and if we have any good options, but first of all focus on the players that we have” he said.
Well what else would he say? He’s hardly likely to tell the world he’s desperate to sign a striker or defender is he? Mind you, I think the world and his friend know already. Rumour has it, this guy is on Arsenal’s radar:
Kadioglu can play at both right and left-back and he can also play on both wings. He’s 24 years old, born in Holland but plays his international football for Turkey, his father’s country of birth. He plays his league football in Turkey too for Fenerbache, where he’s been since 2018. Whether the story holds much truth or if he’s any good I’ve no idea but on paper, he certainly ticks all the right boxes.
During his press conference yesterday, Mikel Arteta hinted that Oleksandr Zinchenko could be fit for tomorrow’s game and then there’s a couple of weeks break so whatever niggles he might have could settle by the time we face Crystal Palace on the 20th. Not such good news for Thomas Partey though as it seems he’ll be missing for a while yet. As will Jurrien Timber. Fabio Vieira is still a few weeks away from returning too.
Asked about the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium:
It will be our own one and we are really happy with the atmosphere that we’ve created at the Emirates. It’s been incredibly supportive. Can we tweak it and sometimes make it even more hostile? I think we can and that’s the next step in my opinion. We have to be so grateful for what we are achieving and creating in our home ground, and Sunday is going to be a good one again.
Well, the best way to create a great atmosphere is by playing great football and we did in our last home game against West Ham but just couldn’t finish any of the 100 goal scoring chances we created. The last game, away at Fulham, was just an awful performance from start to finish really.
The last time Liverpool came to The Emirates, they lost. The last time we played them in the FA Cup was the 2013/14 season. Arsenal won that day 2-1. They’ve had the upper hand in the League Cup during recent years but for the last season or two, Liverpool hasn’t found Arsenal such an easy opponent to beat. Not even at Anfield, one of the most hostile, or at least noisy stadiums in the Premier League. I guess that’s the kind of atmosphere Mikel Arteta wants to create at The Emirates.
With the break following this match for Arsenal, I think Arteta will field his strongest team against Liverpool. Klopp however, has a League Cup semi-final on Wednesday night against Fulham to think about. Not that I think he’ll risk playing a weakened team for this match.
Catch up in the comments.
Werner is joining Totts on loan. 😳
Perhaps we should sign Firmino on loan… lol
Good morning Rico, I didn’t see too much of our prospective Turkish Delight’s defensive skills, to me he looks a dead ringer for Zinchenko, happy to go wandering all over the pitch.
Arteta has this morning bemoaned the injuries to Partey and Timber as they have impacted his plans for being less predictable. It will take more than the return of Partey as a right back to achieve that particular wish.
Morning Cicero, Arteta likes a left back to roam though so I guess this story could have legs. I prefer a solid and reliable left back myself but those days appear to be over.
We don’t want a replay tomorrow, I’d rather lose than have to go to Anfield for a replay we’d almost certainly end up losing, probably on penalties.
Our players could really do with that mini break in the Middle East, get some sun on their backs, rest, reenergise, repair those aching limbs and maybe see a few youngsters joining the first team for training?
Yeah Rico, I think you’re right, I can’t see Arsenal making any significant signings this month, not unless they can do an Odegaard type loan signing, you know, have a test drive before committing the finance?
Morning Kev, agree re the replay, let’s hope we can get the win. We need it.
If Zinchenko plays tomorrow, I think any left back signing can be ruled out. I don’t think Tomiyasu has left yet though.
I still hope for a goal scorer though…
Yes Rico, I think you’re right, Zinchenko will start tomorrow although I doubt he’ll do the 90+ minutes.
I thought that Tomiyasu had left, would be nice if Japan and Arsenal were able to come to an arrangement over him.
Just a cursory look at the league table shows that we are second in the Goals let in, but six in the goals scored. I don’t think we need to worry about our defence it’s at the other end where we need to improve.
I think Arteta is reluctant to admit that some of his signings have not come up to expectations, therefore he’s even more reluctant to make that more obvious by dropping them. Jesus has been a big disappointment and Trossard has not shown enough to force way his in as a regular starter. In addition to those two, the Raya experiment is not working out but still Ramsdale is not getting a look in.
If Ramsdale doesn’t start tomorrow, I can see him pushing for an immediate loan move followed by a permanent exit in the summer. What a waste of an excellent talent.
I cannot see a marked improvement in our goalkeeping but then we’re playing a different game this season, a slower more controlled build up, then again who knows how that would have evolved if Partey and Timber had been available?
I’m in the Ramsdale camp but I can’t say that Raya has been a disappointment, he’s just been pretty much ok’ish, but is that him, the defence, change of tactics and would it have been any better or worse if Ramsdale had been in goal?
On arsenal.com Kev, it says Tomiyasu is ‘set’ to leave. Perhaps he’ll play tomorrow and then go.
Cicero I can’t recall too many managers rubbishing the signings they’ve made, not publicly anyway.
Although I’d imagine that in a quiet moment at the training ground that Mikel and Edu, over a coffee, would have regretted re-signing Aubameyang on that big wage, you can imagine it as Edu bemoans all that wasted money “Ah Mikel, why didn’t we listen to Cicero on Highbury House, he was spot on”. “Yes Edu and Vamos”… 😉
That would be brilliant Rico and a nice surprise… 👍🏻
Exactly Potter.. Those we concede are highlighted because of our lack of goals scored.
Despite initially looking more confident defending crosses than Ramsdale, I don’t think that overall Raya has been a significant improvement on our England ‘keeper.
I don’t think it’s the player signings. Not really, other than Raya because this time last season, we sat top of the league having played really really well. The only real missing links this season other than Ramsdale is Xhaka and Partey.
I tend to agree Cicero, £40m on a player and we’re no better seems a daft decision but I can’t help but think our goalkeeping coach is the man responsible as the prime mover for this deal. I’d love to hear what David Seaman really thinks about the saga?
The links to Amadou Onana are interesting if true…
The thing is Rico we’re not playing the same this season, Raya hasn’t been exposed quite as Ramsdale was a year ago.
Good job Kev…
Our tepid slow build up play with numerous passes doesn’t help the stadium atmosphere
Sorry you were stuck in moderation Gary.
Totally agree by the way.
Perhaps Ramsdale is carrying the can for the the drop off at the arse end of last season, when we lost Saliba and the defence fell apart.
Easy to forget Ramsdale’s game saving saves isn’t it. The Leicester City one still amazes me..
Anfield last season and White Hart Lane when some idiot attacked him from the crowd.
Yep, those too.
Charlie Patino having a central role for Swansea vs Morcombe FAC.
Charlie has scored the only goal
Swansea have made four subs but Charlie is still on. He seems to be playing the left 8
Do you reckon his future is elsewhere Kev?
I’m not sure Rico, he maybe needs an another year on loan, alternatively he could do a job for us next season. He’s stronger and quicker across the ground, comes across as a bit too casual but maybe that’s a stylistic thing, I’d like to see him get a chance with us first, I mean he’s no worse than Vieira.
Maybe FFP will force Arteta to consider Hale Enders?
I hope we have plans to keep, and work in Patino next season. . Seems a dynamic player and a bit tough for his age and size too.
I’m pretty sure we promised him some path forward, for him to accept another loan.
I’d say he’s probably better than Vieira Kev. I’d be disappointed if he was sold and then we go and sign a kid from Sweden etc…
I suppose it depends a lot on the player and not just Patino. The more we sign, the more their opportunities shut down. Look at Joe Willock since he left, Howe clearly believes in his talent yet Arsenal, or rather Arteta didn’t. Then we blow £60m odd on Havertz.
Yes JNYC, I believe that both Patino and Arsenal have an understanding that he’ll be given a chance if he can develop to the necessary level required. I think that the chance for him to stake a claim for a place in thd senior squad will be there for next season.
Rico, the club will need to sell to buy due to FFP and that’ll hopefully force Arteta to look at internal solutions to his squad.
Sometimes it’s just a case of being at the club at the right time.
Kev, I realise but who they sell is what matters. I guess Partey, Tierney, Marquinhos, Jorginho will go in the summer, Elneny too so already that’s a lot of money saved on wages. That’s why I don’t understand Raya because I don’t think he’s better than Ramsdale. Next will be under 21 players and if we need to make large amounts of money, only the best of them will do that.
What I mean is do we really want to see the club sell the likes of Patino, ESR, Walters etc etc just so we can sign someone else?
Rico, I really don’t think that we’ll sell Patino and I hope we don’t sell Smith Rowe, there’s a lot of saving that can be made in other areas of the squad.
We don’t know what will happen with Tavares or Lokonga, is there any truth in the Eddie to Palace rumours, Tierney still has some value and a year left from this summer?
What will happen with Kiwior, then there’s Arthur Okonkwo whose value has increased whilst on loan, Norton Cuffy has done really well, is there a place for him or will we cash in?
Marquinhos is under contract until 2027 so they might give him more time?
John Jules, Rekik, etc etc, there’s some value in these guys.
Walters needs a loan as does Lino Sousa and Cozier Duberry, in fact a few of them might go out on loan this month.
Arsenal currently have around 21 players out on loan – or they did, I think that Marquinhos is returning and Bandeira has also come back from Colchester, he’ll probably go out on loan elsewhere. There’s bound to be a lot of churn between now and next pre-season outside of the first team.
I forgot about Tavares, not Lokonga though but I guess if Luton get relegated, they won’t keep him but overseas clubs might be tempted or newly promoted ones. I think’ a few like John-Jules are out of contract this summer aren’t they?
19 out on loan, Cozier-Duberry contract expires this summer.. Mixed reports on Hein, one says this summer, another 2025.
Horlicks, a book and sleep. Night guys…
Lemsip for me, night Rico
Hope it did some good Kev….
New post up.