Morning all.
Have you guys seen this?
WOW! 🤯 Incredible footwork and to go on and beat #Ger 2-1. They looked so strong in 1st game! No longer any easy games in this WWCup! #FIFAWWC https://t.co/utNNSaodWL
— Faye White (@faye_white) July 30, 2023
The women’s World Cup is certainly throwing up a few surprises. Some of the football has been good to watch but like in any competition, a few of the matches have been disappointing. New Zealand v Switzerland yesterday was one of the latter. Both England games have been disappointing too but even so, they have 6 points out of 6. Linda Caicedo’s story is pretty special though considering she’s just 18 years old and has already battled, and overcome, cancer.
At the opposite end of the scale, this World Cup will be the last for two of the biggest names in the women’s game as Brazil’s Marta (37) and America’s Megan Rapinoe (38) are retiring. Nigeria’s 40-year-old defender Onome Ebi is the oldest player in this summer’s competition, with this being her sixth World Cup.
Back in north London, Mikel Arteta’s players are preparing for Wednesday’s fixture against Monaco whilst behind the scenes, it seems the transfer team are busy too. According to David Ornstein and Sky Sports, Matt Turner could be heading to Nottingham Forest and David Raya could finally make a very short move to Arsenal.
A Sky Sports stat –
No goalkeeper was used more – by his team-mates and the opposition players – last season as David Raya faced the most shots, made the most saves, claimed the second-most crosses, made more touches and completed the most passes out of all the other top-flight goalkeepers last season.
£40 million for a keeper into the final year of his contract seems a bit steep in my opinion, especially if he’s to play second fiddle to Aaron Ramsdale. Or, could it be that Mikel Arteta wants a bit of proper competition for Ramsdale with a player who’ll 100% challenge him for his place in the team?
I can understand Matt Turner leaving, as sitting on the bench for much of the season isn’t doing the American number one keeper much good but, from the little I’ve seen of him, I’m not sure he’s good enough for a team fighting for a Premier League title. Should he move to Forest, he’d be Steve Cooper’s first choice keeper I’m sure, although it is reported that Forest are also interested in Dean Henderson who has just spent a season there on loan from Utd.
Sambi Lokonga to Burnley on loan is again rumoured to be on the cards and I think this would be a smart move for both clubs, certainly Arsenal. Lokonga isn’t going to push Rice, Partey or even Jorginho out of the first team, at least not in my opinion. Burnley should be quite wealthy after securing promotion so I don’t know why they don’t just sign him on a permanent basis, especially as prior to him joining Arsenal, Kompany was raving about the player.
Anyway, there’s plenty of time for clubs to sign and sell players but what’s important for Arsenal is it appears that their main targets are through the door and have had a pre season. Whoever else joins now would be a bonus, especially if that’s Raya.
Catch up in the comments.
For Ramsdale V Raya read Ramsdale /Leno v Martinez one unhappy character filling the dressing room with doom and despondancy. I am not sure that Raya or Ramsdale will be happy to spend long periods on the bench .A Goalkeeper is not like other players you rarely get subbed at 60 minutes because your having a bad day. , once you have the gloves they are yours until a total foul up or an injury. Both will consider themselves number 1 and both will be unhappy not playing.
Balancing keepers has always been a problem and like when we had Seaman and Manninger you have 1 senior and a young back up that knows his place and hangs around for a couple of years whilst he learns.
Can’t see it personally.
Interesting Ramsdale 25 yrs old vs Raya 27 yrs old = Ramsdale knows the Arsenal players but on the other hand going by stats Raya is a much better keeper, The only way I can see it working is one does the home and away season while the other one does all other matches. The other to keep in mind is that Ramsdale is English and Raya is Spanish. Personally, I feel Raya would be an upgrade on Ramsdale.
Yes, it’s a bit of a mind bender. Both are too good for numbet two’s. I hope he has a well thought out plan and not just knee jerk to another report that Matt Turner needs regular game time (and he does for USMNT) and is off to Forest. I like Raya, he is better but Ramsdale still has time to minimise those silly errors/goals he lets in now and again.
The Arsenal goal-keeper coach worked previously at Brentford with Raya, so he must be able to compare him against Ramsdale. I, along with Geoff, will look forward to some real competition for the number one slot.
Yeah Cicero I read that too as well as he was the one that suggested Runarsson.
🫢
Ramsdale been lucky the last couple of years, that he has not really had any one challenge him for the number one position but if the roomers are true and we get Raya, and Ramsdale stays this could be the best transfer season in a while.
I’d love Raya and Ramsdale. Proper competition which should bring out the best in both.
Osimhen offered £1 million a week by a Saudi club. Surely to goodness someone needs to say no..
Afternoon all. What a brilliant test! Where has our friend from Oz gone these days?😀
The whole Ashes series has been the best I have ever seen by England. Terrific batting, bowling and fielding. Stuart Broad’s bails trick was pure magic. Stuff The Hundred, Stuff Twenty Twenty this was good cricket played by both sides, entertaining from the first ball (4) by Crawley to last by Stuart Broad (a wicket).
It was fantastic Andrew. Can’t believe Broady hit his last ball for six and got a wicket with his last ball bowled. Stuff dreams are made of…
I think the franchise cricket, T20, Hundred etc has helped test cricket, certainly this England team as the mindset has changed. There’s a place for all forms I think and for all sorts of players.
Rico, I cannot get any enthusiasm to watch one game of 100. I know you have watched it, how does one even decide which team to support? I’m an ex-Essex member for many years and supporting them and England means something to me, just like being a lifelong Arsenal fan. But new teams, drafts, where is any identity?
I totally get where you’re coming from Andrew. I don’t support any of them but just enjoy the cricket. A big like the IPL really..
Carey the Aussie wicket keeper was told by Stuart Broad that he would only be remembered for running out Johnny Bairstow at Lord’s. Now he will also be remembered as Broads last ever wicket.
I’ve heard a few of around £15m mentioned for Raya, that to me points to the Spaniard being Ramsdale’s understudy…
All the same Raya, whilst I don’t see him on the same level as Aaron I think he’ll give our No.1 a kick up the arse, it’ll also mean that Arteta can rotate the goalkeeper and not worry about Hein throwing one in or Turner diving over a shot at goal.
According to Wikipedia Arsenal paid an initial $6m for Matt Turner rising to $10m (not sure if the add-ins were ever paid, maybe Arsenal have to pay some on the fee to his old American club if we make a profit?
Man Utd wanted over £20m for Dean Henderson rising towards £30m and Nottm Forest baulked at that so Turned is going to be, I’d guess, around the £10m mark?
If Brentford insist on an inflated fee then Arsenal will probably walk away leaving a very unhappy player…
Brentford have already signed Raya’s replacement and are hoping to get £40+ million for him but Edu can afford to hold out for a lower price. Although Bayern Munich are sniffing around.
My understanding is Raya only has 1 year left on his contract, and no one wants to pay $40mil for him.
So, I wonder if Arteta really wants him, is it worth making an agreement with Raya and his manager, stay where you are for one year then come to us for free and in exchange, we will give a better pay deal.
Cricket, in oz some of our main media outlets laughed at England for playing Baz ball as they call it, but now they are changing their minds.
I’ve read that Raya doesn’t want Bayern Cicero as he wants to join up with his old coach at Arsenal which of course means it’s true. 😆
Morning all.
It’s interesting looking at Stats as those shown above comparing Ramsdale and Raya, I mean you can make stats say whatever you want them to say ignoring the nuances.
Raya made more saves than Ramsdale which looks, on its own, impressive, but then maybe Brentford don’t defend as well as Arsenal and give up more attempts on goal, maybe?
The comparison on passes is typical, Brentford don’t push up like Arsenal, the defenders are closer to the goalkeeper, shorter passes perhaps and lots of knocking it back to the keeper?
Just why I think stats are worthless Kev..
England Women struggle to a six one win over China. They now face Nigeria, that won’t be such an easy game.
They’re something to fill a few dull moments when there isn’t much else going on Rico.
The Nigeria game will be tough I agree Cicero, they beat Germany 2-1. Thought England looked better today but China didn’t really put up a battle.
New post up