Morning all.
Football journalism is already showing it’s bias and the season hasn’t even kicked off. Man Utd were held to a 2-2 draw by Brentford and the Mail focus on how good the goals and both teams were. Arsenal however, thrashed Watford 4-1 and the headline, plus video, is all about the one major error committed by Arsenal. Or rather Mo Elneny and Bernd Leno. Next thing they’ll be writing about is how the new Celtic manager should be sacked after his team were dumped out of the Champions League by Midtjylland.
Hats off to Eddie Nketiah and Miguel Azeez for their goals against Watford. The latter struck a sweet shot from distance but Eddie’s was all about Eddie. Great to see. A penalty from Alexandre Lacazette and a strike from Kieran Tierney meant for the second time in succession, Arsenal scored four goals.
Starting XI: Leno, Cedric, Chambers, Mari, Tavares, Lokonga, Elneny, Nelson, Willian, Nketiah, Aubameyang
Substitutes: Runarsson (for Leno 46), Bellerin (for Cedric 46), Holding (for Chambers 46), Tierney (for Tavares 46), Partey (for Elneny 46), Pepe (for Nelson 46), Lacazette (for Aubameyang 46), Kolasinac (for Mari 64), Azeez (for Lokonga 64), Smith Rowe (for Willian 64), Maitland-Niles (for Nketiah 64)
I reckon around seven players from the squad involved yesterday could be gone by September 2nd, either on loan or permanently.
It’s hard to believe that the new season is just two weeks away. Personally, I think the squad needs one, maybe two more signings. However, before looking outside, I’m sure Mikel Arteta will be thinking whether or not, solutions can be found internally. Just as he’s probably looking at ahead to the ACON when Pepe, Partey, Aubameyang and Elneny will all be away with their respective countries for 6-8 weeks depending on we’ll they do. Will Nelson stay to give cover for Pepe and play in the domestic cups? My brother said he’s happy to step in for Aubameyang on a short term contract but Thomas Partey, how will Mikel Arteta fill the huge void his absence will create?
What happens if ESR suffers an injury which keeps him out of the team for weeks or worse, months? Willian is the most likely candidate although I’d prefer Willock or Azeez but there’s no guarantee either will still be at the club when the transfer window closes. Our other little super star Saka, we all know both he and ESR will be targeted by certain players from certain teams, what happens if he gets hacked down one time too often? Of course that might not happen and hopefully it won’t but fail to prepare, prepare to fail as the old saying goes.
However, what you and might think we need could be similar to what Arsenal’s thoughts are too. Positionally at least albeit probably not personnel. We can play football manager whilst the club have to deal with real money. “Stan Kroenke needs to splash the cash’ can be read on many an Arsenal website but we shouldn’t forget what’s happened over the last season and a half.
Arsene Wenger was criticised for spending money badly over his last years. Justifiably so in my opinion but what seems to be happening now is the money the club do have is being spent where it needs to be. Yes, Ben White might be costing £50m but before we moan and groan, let’s see what a difference he makes to the team and don’t be negative just because other big money signings might have been a disappointment.
The Martin Odegaard rumours are gathering pace. Another season on loan at Arsenal would be a positive move I think, very positive. If that were to happen and Arsenal sign just another defence minded midfielder to replace Xhaka if he goes, then I think the transfer window will have been a good one. Certainly on paper.
Oh, and if Lacazette does depart, a striker please Arsenal…
See you in the comments.
Good morning Rico, sunny here this morning after yesterday’s storms. Got to go and cut the grass. Give us shout if Arsenal announce the Ben White signing. 😉
Morning Cicero,all. I’ll whistle loudly..
Morning Rico and all
Good match report Rico. I saw more highlights of the game and tbh we could and should have scored more. We could easily have ran out with 6-8 goals. Potter is right (in previous post)…..Leno shouldn’t have passed the ball to Elneny just because he was in the penalty area. Elneny got blamed but Leno had whole pitch in front of him. And he should have seen that Elneny had two players behind his back.
I loved watching Azeez play. And I feel that he would be forcing Arteta into a transfer rethink
Morning Devil, I didn’t write a match report 😀
Mid now coffee break.
Tyreece John-Jules has gone on loan to Blacpool. Good or bad Kev?
Mow not now.
Blackpool did well with Ballard so obviously the cluib trusts them . It should be good experience for him .
Good move for John-Jules I reckon.
Morning Geoff, I don’t think doing that would do anyone any good. Certainly not Leno unless he’s already been tapped up.
Morning Rico and all
I don’t care who they other clubs buy, as long as we get the Wright players for us for the Wright price. Sometimes I wonder if Leno is deliberately making stupid mistakes so Arteta and edu sell him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0v9d8DcHpo
About a minute in . What’s that about learning lessons
Blackpool did a good job with Ballard last season Cicero and they’re now in the Championship so I’d say a good move mate, TJJ needs to keep fit, he has all the tools to be a fantastic player but cannot retain his fitness, if he can solve that he’ll soar.
We need to be loaning a player to Portsmouth where the Cowley brothers are in charge, top top coaches the pair of them.
I like to see Arsenal developing relationships with Coaches and clubs, it’s as close to a nursery club as I think we’ll ever get in the U.K.
I know it’s unlikely with KSE running the show as it’s all about the bottom line and no vision elsewhere but with the UK now being out of the EU it might make sense for Arsenal to purchase or buy into a european club where we could still sign young talents and develop them for Arsenal, transferring them if they reach the required level.
Kev, I reckon if Edu, Arteta wanted to do that, Kroenke wouldn’t stand in their way. After all, the more young Arsenal players who go onto make it in the first team, the more money he saves. I don’t think I have such an issue with the club spending what they earn though. Kroenke imo, has just continued the trend of Arsenal being a self sustaining club.
Rico or does Leno want out and the club refused after all we don’t seem to be in a rush to replace him.
No idea Geoff but as Cicero said, he’s always had these kind of errors in his game.
Geoff, I don’t think Leno deliberately made the “mistake”, he has always been prone to that sort of panicky error. Perhaps it’s something in his genes.
So the latest reports are that Ben White is having his 2nd part of his medical to day,
Right now according to Sky Sports. Probably over by now.
Contracts signed, announcement to come but when……that’s what I’ve just read
Lol
Let’s hope the lad is what we think.
I saw the short video available from yesterday’s game.
I can be wrong (and I hope so), but we will be in the last week of August, after the first 3 league games, very active in the market to try to improve/remedy the team.
I expect they’re enjoying tea and sticky’s now 😀
Jm, I’m sure if money is available, the club are busy trying to get transfers completed every day.
Fabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
·
2h
Ben White has signed his contract with Arsenal until June 2026. Official announcement soon, done deal confirmed. Paperworks completed between Arsenal and Brighton too for £50m fee. White circleRed circle #AFC
There’s still nothing agreed for Bellerin – both Inter and Arsenal sources denying.
announcement will be made 5 minutes after Rico goes shopping. haha
I’m vegetarian Devil so I don’t think so…
have you popped out to buy some chicken breasts yet Rico? We are waiting for the White annoncement!!! lol
Bruno Guimareas is the next name to be added to the list of players Arsenal are interested in. Lyon might be tempted to sell as they are out of CL but then so are we. He is Brazilian and 23 years of age. He is currently at the Olympics. Saw him play in two games…nothing flashy but has good positiional sense. He plays as DM or Box to Box. He is good at breaking up play, but plays the safe pass before he repositions himself again. Shades of Xhaka it seems.
please delete the previous comment Rico
I doubt Rico would buy Chicken being veggie and all but it would be handy if she had to nip out for a bag of rice or something..
Potter, a dog bed and it clearly doesn’t have the same effect. How annoying eh. 😂
Nip out to buy a bottle of champers for the celebration Rico. 😉
I did Cicero, but this time, I failed. 😂
Wind up merchants on social media are already comparing the Varane and White transfers just as they were comparing and point scoring last season over Greenwood and Martinelli, mind you a lot of this is instigated by Mancs because they can’t stand being upstaged by the Gunners.
Jamie O’Who will no doubt be on the case on TalkNonsense tomorrow, yawn….
I was listening to someone on Sky Sports comparing the White and Varane deals. He said White is 23, 3 years left on his contract, English and a top notch signing. Varane however is 28 (I think), going into his last year of contract and foreign.
I wish I could remember who it was but his opinion was that Arsenal have the better deal long term.
Rico, I saw the highlights from United vs Brentford and there were actually 4 really good goals.
Brentford are a really good team and if any Arsenal fan thinks playing them is going to be easy on Friday 13th August then they could be in for a shock. I’d take a draw if you offered it to me now…
Agree they were good goals and Brentford will be tough Kev, but typical Daily Mail ignored our two corkers and a 4-1 win and focused on the gaff. Buffoons.
Yeah, I get that Rico but then if we’d won 10-1 the Daily Mail or Daily Mirror or Daily Bullshit would have focused on that cock up. It’s what they do and they do it because Arsenal have the biggest footfall online and they’re after clicks. It’s all about the ads…
Real Madrid want around £43 millon for Odegaard according to ESPN. That’s too much.
Cicero, he’s a bargain imo
Young, will improve and already showed glimpses of his talent.
Is he the best option out there?
That’s the question.
If Real value him at £43m, why isn’t he playing for them?
Morning all.
Does it matter???
We valued Martinez at 20 million and according
to most, the club got it wrong.
Could be the same thing.
Add in the fact they’re broke…..
I think it matters, clubs like Real think they can always rip other clubs off. Why should we sell low and sign big? If he was English, I could understand his price.
Keeper and midfielder for me Cicero, plus a striker if Lacazette goes. If Bellerin goes, I think we’re covered with Chambers, Cedric and White if he ever arrives. AMN too if he stays.
The position Odegaard plays is not a priority for us at this stage. We need a striker, a ‘ keeper and a right back. Our midfield is stuffed full right now.
He appears to have no future at Real, I wonder why that is.
Money.
I watched every game Odegaard played for Arsenal last season, I was initially impressed but he faded as the season wore on and opposition players sussed him out.
If we are to spend £43 million on a player he needs to be oven ready not just showing glimpses of talent.
I’m not sure where Arsenal are in relation to homegrown players but if Eddie, AMN and Willock go, we might be in need of English players, hence links to Maddison and Ramsdale etc.
Odergaard was initially fit-ish and was good. Then he was injured and faded but, as his fitness returned, he was one of our best players because he picked up that half and half position and always seemed to find space. Also his final third passing is exemplary. I think he’s an excellent proposition if we can get him. Leicester are chancing their arm with a £70 million price tag for Maddison, good though he is.
Yep, he picks a pass like nobody else in our squad.
He creates another attacking option for us so at the price, compared to what figures other players are being made “available” for, he’s a great option imo.
£70 million for Maddison no thanks I would rather get jack wiltshire back for free and pay him peanuts
When Arsenal come calling the whole football world smells blood . I don’t see too many other clubs falling over themselves for Maddison or Odegaard . The media narrative that we are desperate is being taken as gospel and prices are being quoted accordingly .
Tell Real £ 30 million if we must , take it or leave it and £ 70 million for Maddison tell them to stick it .
Throwing money at things rarely works ,just ask the government .
It’s interesting how we see things differently in relation to football and players. £70m for Maddison, if that’s what Leicester are expecting, is ridiculous.
Morning Gooner’s, I thought that Odegaard, who hadn’t played much before he joined us as Zidane didn’t like him, started slowly but was just getting up to speed before the Norwegian manager played him, when he didn’t need to, and Martin who was carrying an ankle injury aggravated it and missed some games at a crucial time for us. His form then fell away as he struggled to get fit and was just coming back to form when the season ended.
£43m is a lot of dough and we have a lot more work to do but if we can do it then I’d be broadly in favour because he knows the club and thus no settling in time. My only hesitation is that a year ago I’d imagine that a lot of us would have been happy to sign Ceballos following our FACup win and his part in it. In retrospect taking him on loan again was a wise move.
So I wonder if taking Odegaard on loan again might be the best or middle way, that’s if he’s happy to do that and Madrid of course?
Kev, for all the rhetoric, Real
Need money.
We can get him at a better price imo.
Ceballos went through my mind too Kev. Compared to his first season, he was a huge disappointment.
Aussies v England in the women’s football.
Shaping up as a good game though we’ve been nowhere near the same side since Alen Stajic was sacked as coach.
Some bitter players made it about everything BUT football, and out he went.
I really like Maddison, I liked him when he was at Norwich and at 24 he is at a good age. He seems, on the outside, to have a great temperament and I think he would fit in just right with our young squad and where we want to go. Technically he a fantastic player who can score some outrageous goals, but, there is that injury issue with his hips (I believe) and £70m is simply £20m more than I think he’s worth. Being English I guess means an extra £10m so if he was physically ok then £60m is ok, it’s the kind of fee Man City would pay, but for £70m it’s too much and Arsenal could get two quality players from elsewhere in Europe where they’re all skint for that fee…
Scott it’s a deal that if we do actually do it will probably be in 2 or 3 weeks time as Real start to get twitchy. We need to focus on selling a few first…
Absolutely agree, Kev.
He’s not priority no. 1.
Good morning Rico and all
Kev….for 70mill we can get 4 Sambi Lokongas. And have some loose change.
I have liked what I saw with regards Sambi. What do you think?
So 45 mill for odegaard and 70 mill for Maddison is simply over the top for me
I would offer 25mill for odegaard and 50mill at most for Maddison
Not a penny more. RM are skint. So take it or leave it
Morning Devil.
Aussies 1, England 0.
We’ve had one chance, you have hit the post 3 times.
Funny game.
I don’t care whether we sell or not. Even if we have 1 billion from player sales I still belietthat we should not pay over the top
Exactly Rico and morning to you, I was ok with Ceballos re-signing on loan but I hadn’t forgotten how average he was midway through that cup winning season, he certainly didn’t do a lot to save Emery and initially he was average under Arteta, but then he woke up and smelt the coffee and begun ‘training like an animal’. He had a great end to that season but he’s too hit n miss and I’m glad we backed him to Madrid.
I think that Odegaard is made of sterner stuff than Dani, but it’s always a risk I guess.
Morning to you Kev, didn’t he need a kick up the backside from Arteta halftime way through the season? Soon after Arteta took over?
Trust Arteta to know the type of players we need, imo.
Especially if they’ve had time with us on loan.
DG, I’m sure that we can spread £70m across two, maybe more quality players during this football recession.
This is a cracking game!!!
Hope you’re all watching.
I am Scott
Apparently Edu knows him well from his days with Brazil. I hope Martinelli is tapping him up.
I always worry when Jill Scott comes on..
How good is it, Rico?!
Pressure is immense but both sides are having a real crack.
Love it.
The Guimares links are more interesting than the Neves ones for me.
Who, Adam, and I don’t mean that sarcastically lol
Where’s he from?
Lyon player?
Just asked the walking encyclopaedia at home lol
He rates him!!
He’s in my post Adam, just waiting for Arsenal to wake up. 😂
Scott. Yes, that’s him. Quality footballer from what I’ve seen.
And once again, who is the scout at Lyon lol
Incredible eye for talent.
I think we tried to sign Bruno last summer?
Makes sense we’re back in for him then.
According to that organ of responsible journalism, the Daily Star, Arsenal fans are in ‘meltdown’ because Ben White is set to get the No.4 shirt which I believe was the number originally given to Saliba…
Well, is anybody on here in meltdown?
I’m more focused on making a cup of tea tbh…
Kev, I haven’t slept since I heard that news.
Of course, it’s only been two minutes.
I’ll survive 🙂
I couldn’t care less what number he gets, certainly not a player who doesn’t seem to be in Arteta’s plans.
It’s very good Scott.
Game over now I think.
Australia have taken their chances Scott, whilst GB have fluffed theirs.
I’m off shopping so I expect Ben White to have been confirmed when I return. 😂
Yep, finishing has been the only real difference.
Mucky deflection, Rico, but how about that first touch?
That young lady (Fowler) is special.
When you take into account that Smith Rowe, Tavare, Balogun, Martinelli and Saka are all, for this season, U21 and aren’t included in the 25 man squad Arsenal must name in just over a month, it kinda makes me think that we’ll be ok with a 20 man squad.
It’s been suggested that as many as 9 more players could potentially leave, that’s: Bellerin, Xhaka, Willock, Nelson, N’ketiah, Niles, Kolasinac, Lacazette and Torrieira (remember him?).
I’m not sure they’ll all leave as it’s just too big a hole in the squad, but there’s as many as potentially 11 spaces to be filled in the 25. That’s a lot of business and it can’t surely all be done this summer…
Morning all
Jill Scott? I had exactly the same feelings Rico. I think we were right to worry!
A shame GB were the better side for much of the game but couldn’t defend! Sadly I don’t rate Millie Bright and Capt Steph is not what she was. ……back to the drawing board. Pity Kim Little isn’t English!
Don’t think we need Odergard any more and Maddison? Way over priced, good player but nothing like £70.m No, not for me. Save the money and spend it elsewhere if it’s burning a hole in the club’s pocket! Try promoting some of the young guns and paying them well enough to make it worth their while.
What a miserable day. Dull wet and cold. I suppose it’s a typical English summer’s day. Oh joy.
Wavy, nearly all goals were down to poor defending, from both sides but it was a high pressure game.
Scrappy but exciting.
Kev I am not in a meltdown over a player’s jumper number, why keep a jumper number for someone who is not playing for us this season
Arsenal plan to offer Granit Xhaka new deal as Roma move stalls,
Fan reaction will be interesting , 2 years left offer him 1 year and promise that he can go when he wants.
I’ve just seen a pic of Edu, Arteta and White…the type of pic you see when a player is being introduced.
It’s either genuine or a bloody good photo shop lol
Holland women are out, lost on penalties to USA. Miedema with another brace today. 10 goals in 4 games.. what a player!!
How much longer until White is announced?! Be like the old lady in Titanic before long; it’s been 84 years.. 🤣
Scott just looked at the photo to me it looks like someone took it on a mobile phone while they were walking pass.
but if it is true then who leaked it, so did they blame the wrong people last time
Scott.. The hoodie White is wearing in that photo has only just been released, so must be genuine
It’s no surprise the deals done-we all
knew it so let’s see it on the clubs site and be done with it 🙂
Great to see the lad at the club!!
Finally… welcome Ben White! Rico, you can come home now 🤣
It seems that finally, Rico has managed to go out for something 😂😂😂😂 Ben White has signed. And will wear the number 4 shirt.
What that means for SALIBA is a million dollar question
I’ve been home ten minutes Sue/Devil.. 😂
Wavy, I think we were right to worry. Mind you, she might have converted the penalty…
New post up now
Ben is ours
Evening Rico and the House.
Rico is there any chance you can add a good G/K and a goal scoreing C/F
top your shopping list.?