Morning all.
For a period of time during Unai Emery’s short Arsenal career, it seemed like we might be on our way to leaving the ‘southern softies’ tag behind us. We had Litchsteiner, Kolasinac, Papa, Mustafi and Xhaka. Torreira too was a little tough nut and Lacazette has never really been afraid to stand up for himself. Papa and Litchsteiner brought with them a bit of the cynical side to the game, sometimes clever, sometimes just out and out naughty. But our Swiss right back faded quickly, Papa has now found himself further down the pecking order, Lacazette plays as if he’s already thinking about his next club and Torreira has been injured. Kolasinac is just Kolasinac. Looks a beast, plays like lion cub. What we’re left with is a group of nice footballers who in a 50/50 challenge will more often than not, come off second best.
The squad itself cost multi millions of pounds to put together, more than most other clubs in the League barring the likes of Man City, Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea. Yet more often than not, regardless of the final result, we’ve been outmuscled and in some cases, outplayed. The worse case scenario is being outmuscled, outplayed and beaten.
As much as the signing of Partey would look great because he’s been playing for Simeone at Atletico Madrid in a well rounded team and of course he’d be seen as a big signing because he’ll cost big money should he arrive at Arsenal this summer. However, what if he and the Premier League don’t get on? I can hear it now, ‘what a waste of £50 million’ etc etc.
So why not go for those players who have already bullied us? Look at those who scrap for a lose ball in the box as if their life depends on them winning it. The defenders who have thrown their body on the line to stop Aubameyang, Lacazette and Eddie from scoring. The kind of players who know how to stick to a player like Pepe and get right in his face. Blokes like Brighton’s Neal Maupay who we fans disliked after the game because of the way he played. I’m not condoning what he did to Leno but his willingness to keep going until the end was excellent. Just as Ceballos did for us at Sheffield Utd but moments like that are few and far between at Arsenal. Lewis Dunk? Why not, or at least someone like him.
From as far up as Sheffield to the south coast of Brighton and Southampton, I’m sure we’ve all seen enough midfielders to know that at least one make our own midfield vastly stronger overnight. Central defenders too.
Arsenal at their best over the last twenty five years has been when the mix was right. A bit of British grit in defence, up front too with Ian Wright but the flair came from overseas. I’m not saying there aren’t any skilful English players but there aren’t enough to go around. Change the mentality within the squad by signing players with a different mentality.
Don’t be too proud to sign a Norwich, Watford, Bournemouth or Brighton etc player. Don’t think we’re better than that because we’re not. A name means nothing, nor does a price. What he can do for the team matters most.
See you in the comments guys.
Morning rico, house. Couldn’t agree more with you. Tried, tested and would deliver.
Yep ,oven ready ,prem players would be perfect.But one major problem with that theory which Is the “ English premium” I.e astronomical fees for the finished article if he plays in prem.unless you’re one of manure,chavs,Oiler’s or occasionally the mickey mousers spunking gazillions on overpriced players is not going to happen.The second Arsenal are mentioned the price goes into orbit.Would love a Grealish but hey is he worth £70 plus million or a Dunk but youlll be quoted £50 plus million.Really? That’s the reality.why? Because financial doping has changed the landscape & mid table & bottom clubs rarely need to sell these days with the prem awash with dosh.Having said all that the landscape might shift because of the pandemic & maybe just maybe more realistic prices will come into play.But I wouldn’t hold your breath
Fortunately the game vs Leicester is in London, so unless they have any positive Covid tests’ Rico our match should be ok on 7th July…
Funny that 19 year old Balogun could be leaving and Arsenal are reported to be trying to sign a 17 year old striker from Sweden, one door opens, another door closes or is it one door closes and another door opens?
I guess it means the same…
I’ve quite enjoyed the expanded substitutes, it allows a manager to keep more of his 25 Man squad involved, I also think that the 5 allowed subs has been a good experiment as well so I wonder if the football authorities might retain these changes for next season?
Morning Andrew, makes sense to me. The best way to change our fragility perhaps.
Uwot, they don’t need to be English, or British. Just players who know what this league demands. Scrappers.
Hi Kev. I appreciate that but travel out of Leicester is restricted to ‘essential’ only so I wondered if a game of football falls within that category. I’d say not. It’s a big risk to take in my opinion.
I like the idea of five subs but perhaps it favours those clubs with depth in strength. Like City, Chelsea, Liverpool etc.
I guess it depends where the Leicester squad travel from, do the players live in Leicester or the surrounding area, do Leicester leave from their stadium or training ground?
When you consider how many games of football have gone on since the restart, the travelling involved, the staff, coach drivers, the incidence of positive results have been non existent and that’s not what many thought prior to the restart, I think it’s been amazing.
Not sure why there’s been a spike in Leicester, it is a university town but then so is neighbouring Loughborough and Nottingham, no problems in Derby either so far?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53232171
Where Balogun goes will say an awful lot about his agent and the advice he’s getting?
If he joins Liverpool or Man City – both are said to be interested in him, then it’s all about the money because Balogun isn’t getting anymore opportunities at Eastlands or Scouselands than he would get at Arsenal, in fact he’d probably be immediately sent out on loan which is exactly what would happen to him at Arsenal if he stayed – see John Jules!
If on the other hand he joined Southampton, or another club of that stature be it in England or abroad then it would be clear that he’s looking for an earlier route into 1st team football and that’s understandable.
I find that particular transfer (Balogun) fascinating as we, I believe, are going to see a lot more of these kinds of decisions made by young players and their agents in the years ahead.
The whole transfer landscape is changing, especially in England where the amount and quality of young players has grown out of all proportion from where it was only 10 years ago.
Good points Kev. I didn’t give thought to where they lived etc.
I reckon Balogun has been approached by Liverpool.
I’ve never seen Balogun play. “They say” it is very good. With Martinelli injured, could it not also be an option and win the board’s confines and be easier to sign?
I do not agree with the renewals of Luiz and Cedric (4 years !!! ???). The previous year was Liechteiner for a year. OK. The question comes from far behind. We do not have a second solution for the right reliable defense post.
Never been asked about Cancelo (M. City) – 26 years old? Arteta knows him. Either there was no chance or Arteta doesn’t like it. However, it would have been a better solution.
Just read the BBC link, I guess a postponement could be on the cards yet then.
Having already been in trouble over the Jadon Sancho affair Balogun’s agent is using Arsenal as a cash cow , His clients are mainly from an African background as is he . . He has 5 Arsenal youngsters on his books Balogun , Saka ,Nketiah, Nelson, Omole they also have Iwobi and Akpom seems that he have an in to our junior ranks and seems to be getting a move for them one at a time . Akpom sold in 2018 , Iwobi 2019 and now 2020 Balogun with Saka apparently unsettled ( who is whispering in his ear ?) will he be next years bonus.?
Akpom has done ok in Greece, but he’s not done a Sancho, the boy at Dortmund is the star of his group of players and has in my opinion made the right choice for his career he is now an England international and it’s worth an awful lot of money certainly a lot more than his contemporaries. Nelson ran it down to the last minute before signing a new deal a year ago and going to Germany. I wonder if a nice signing on fee changed hands at the 11th hour?
Nelson has hardly played this season, he’s been overtaken by Saka.
Saka is Arsenal’s Hudson Odoi, lose him and how does that make us look on the world stage?
Maybe the Balogun scenario is Arsenal telling this Agent that enough is enough?
Afternoon Rico and All
Kevs right on the comings and goings of
youth players.
These young players want it all now.
Balogun looks a player at youth level,
he wants a crack at the firsts,parents
are second on the list as far as advice
go’s.
Agents today will take about 10 young
players at a time and if one makes it,job
done.
Iv’e seen so much heartbreak from young
lads and parents,to be at a big club from
6 years of age till 17/18 years all those
years ferrying that kid around like a crown
jewel week in week out and to end in a tug-
of-war between agent and club and end up
nowhere is very sad.
The reason parents have to let go is because
the player has no chance of getting a loan to
another club if he has no agent.
The Arsenal would want him to prove himself
every game and mature within the club,then
send him on loan,when he is stronger.
It’s a real shame,this of part of football.
Bread and Butter players could look out
of place in these top sides,nowadays,
when you see the keepers now,
talk about sweeping up at the back,how
skillful are some of these are.
Spot on, Rico! I’d quite happily take a few players from those teams you’ve mentioned!
I like Max Aarons, he’s only 20!! Also like David Brooks. There are some very talented players ‘down there’ best we start looking!!
With who goes down, it’ll be very interesting to see if they can hang on to their assets.. a lot of people are drooling over Todd Cantwell… he scored against us at CR.. wonder if he will tomorrow?! Soares is available for selection tomorrow…all these games, can’t keep up with it all 😂
I just looked on my Arsenal account (been a while!) Up popped my position on the s/t waiting list – 45, 856!! Going to be a while 😂
Is that true Fred?
You’re saying that if a young player hasn’t got an agent that he’s unlikely to get a loan?
So Arsenal couldn’t arrange a loan for one of their players if he hasn’t got an agent, why?
You know, if that is true Fred then football can’t complain about agents, because surely it’s the clubs’ job to arrange a loan, not any agent…
How long have you been on the waiting list Sue?
5 years now, Kev..
Hi Fred.
So in other words then, these kids won’t really see a future with their parent club at all, unless it works for them..
Sue, there’s a guy at Norwich I like too, can’t remember his name or what position he played in but I watched a couple of their matches earlier in the season and he looked decent to me.
Rico /Kev
The players that Iv’e been involved with
who came away around 17/18 from the
big clubs.I had to get agents for them
parents of these lads were desperate an
ask for my help,a lot of parents have
no football background.
17/18 at clubs get lost unless exception,
nowhere for them to go,clubs like to keep
some of these and try to strengthen them
then send out on loan with a fee attached.
Every season a new crop show up.
I spoke to Kev a few years ago about a
player at our club,bumped into his dad just
before christmas,I asked how his lad was
he said he quit playing now just has a
kick about over the park.
Can’t to much on here guys.
Who remembers that Arsenal song(maybe the fans still sing it?)..”We will follow the Arsenal over land and sea…….and Leicester!”……………….well that will have to change seeing as Leicester is in an isolated lockdown!…..it wont be safe!………………………”We will follow the Arsenal over land and sea……and Bicester!”……………any takers? 😆
Glossister?
Coalchister?
Oh the list is endless LC!
Thought I would have a browse at the Highway code because them sneaky fcukers in a job interview may question my knowledge!………………………….one thing has always struck me as seriously effing stupid on a theory test………………the stopping distances!, what the fcuk!……………like when you are driving you will look at your speed o meter and think OK before I hit the brakes I have to calculate the stopping distance for 60mph!…………thinking distance = 18meters, braking distance = 55 meters , added together = 73 meters!…………………BRAKE!!!!!…………………nice bit of braking there Le Coq !……………just a shame you have run over VCC and his zimmer frame!
The most stupid effing question in the test, but that`s just my opinion, I would love to hear anyone`s opinion if they disagree! 😆
Anyones sister will do me, Wavy!
Forgot to add road surface, weather conditions and length and weight of vechile!…………..add that lot together aswell and I could have reversed over VCC again !
LC…… you won’t catch me walking along the pavement in the near future…..i’m still isolating buddy.
Also, my Zimmer is in for an MOT…..
Fred, I can understand parents having little football background but you’d think they’d know what’s best for their child’s welfare. But then at 17/18 years old, they don’t always listen to their folks. The grass always seems green too I guess.
How’s that player doing at Barca I wonder, he left us 2/3 years ago and was playing for their ‘b’ team…
I can remember back in the early 1970’s when I first heard those stories about the big clubs, all clubs really bribing parents with maybe a new kitchen or a new car or a holiday in Spain or such things, so that little Johnny would sign for their club.
It was common practice and I’d I’m sure that all clubs were at it. Liverpool have been caught several times, what about the Wicks boy, who Arsenal had to threaten court action to get him back from Man Utd, then there’s the Willock brothers, Man Utd stole the eldest but we managed to hold onto Chris and Joe.
It’s rife…
Arsenal take players from other academies, like Crowley and Greenwood, from Villa and Sunderland, other clubs take our boys, Leicester took a couple of ours recently. Don’t tell me that money doesn’t change hands…
Some families see their little Johnny or little Jose or little Jamal as a chance to earn a few bob. Some young kids have extended families that they feel responsible for, they want to help them, it’s not about the football, football is a vehicle for a better life for them and everyone. Dads, Uncles, they all want to be advisors, I don’t actually blame them, it’s like winning the lottery, what would I have done, I don’t know?
Rico,Impatients at that age is one of the problems,I guess.
Another young lad with a top Prem club who thought he should
play every game decided he wanted to take a route that an
england international well known player took a few years ago.
He moved to a championship side and could’nt get the games
he wanted. 17/18 is the inbetween age man/boy in some.
His dad called me and asked to give him some agents numbers,
I asked why whats wrong with him,he needed games he told me,
the club he was at was not keen to loan him out,
He decided against all opinion and went with an agency he liked,
the agent soon had him playing at a much lower league side,on
loan,thats how it is with a lot.
Kev,Still going on Dads getting cars and jobs
It’s wrong though Kev. Would make a good article if the press guys were interested but I guess it would draw is as many clicks as a made up transfer rumour..
https://mobile.twitter.com/AFCProgramme/status/1277916599127814146
They’re idiots Fred, impatient as you say. These kids think they’ve made it far too soon, certainly as soon as they earn a good salary. Everyone wants to be a teenage millionaire, forgetting that the real thing in all this is the game they’re suppose to love.
I think that’s why I like the idea of signing players who don’t play for the big clubs because they don’t seem to have lost the passion for football. I love seeing the Arsenal youngsters play but already it’s easy to see that yes, they try, but there’s just something not quite there. Not like it is with Martinelli for example.
This will get you pumped for tomorrow 😍
https://mobile.twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1278063272814673922
Of course it is Fred, only now it’s a flat and few thousand in the old skyrocket, it makes the Graham bungs look tame…
I wonder how foreign Dads got scouting jobs from Arsenal after their sons signed for the Gunners, but is it any different from paying a commission to an agent?
Not really.
Rico, the Press know it all, it goes on all over the world, but it’s not rotten Rico, it’s just business, for them it’s their chance to have a better life and remember most young footballers basically come from poor working class backgrounds, you have this chance to change your life and the life of your parents forever, maybe your extended family, what are you going to do?
Kev, it still doesn’t seem ethical to me though. I understand it’s a huge bonus for these kids and their families but it’s not like they don’t earn much. I see it as bribery. Underhand.
Morning guys.
Morning Rico and Kev
When a big club want a young player
who is at school age 13/14 or younger
what do you do,to far to take home
every every day from training session
I have 101 stories I could tell you.
Paper bags full of money for bribes or a new car, what a change from when I was a kid!…………………..a bag of Sherbet Strawberries is all it took for me! 🙂
Must win for the Mighty Arsenal tonight. Considering the difficult next five games.
Away Wolves
Home Leicester City
Away Spurs
Home Dippers
Neutral Man City.
They don’t come much harder than that.
VCC…………..One of those hard one`s is a semi……………
LC…….I wanted City before the draw was made. I’m hoping to nick a win, maybe on penalties then get the Mancs in the final and beat them 3-2….Appy Dayz.
LC 9:16am……. we should be on stage together as a comedy double act. LMAO
Morning Fred, all.
New post up now