Morning all.
The Internet is awash with news that Arsenal FC has offered West Ham £105 million for Declan Rice. Yes, it’s crazy money for one player but, if the previous two bids didn’t convince every Arsenal fan that the Kroenke family are serious owners, then this latest offer should.
It’s incredible how far the club has come since the days of offering £1.00 over the get out fee for Suarez. Just four years ago, Arsenal as a club had become a bit of a laughing stock. I know money was probably tight because of the building and subsequent move to The Emirates but whatever money the club had, wasn’t always spent well.
For a long period of time, it always seemed like we’d kick off a new season with a squad lacking in key areas for a starting eleven, let alone the bench. The football was grim, transfers were random and if there was a direction the club was heading, it was missed by me. By thousands of others too I’m sure. Most notably, and not in a positive way, the atmosphere within the stadium was awful. The major shareholders, the Kroenke family and Usmanov, were doing nothing to convince anyone that better times were coming.
Arsene Wenger left at the end of the 2017/18 season, Unai Emery, who I still believe would have done much better had he had more control over player signings, came in and whilst results improved for a few months, it was clear that certain players weren’t responding to the new mans ideas. Or just didn’t give a toss. Emery didn’t last long and it didn’t look like his replacement Mikel Arteta would either but after a few dodgy early player signings, Arsenal had a different plan it seemed. Instead of focusing on the manager, the attention turned to the players. Shape up or ship out seemed to be the new way and let’s be honest here, the majority were shipped out in one way or another. Ozil, Aubameyang, Luiz, Willock, Martinez, Torreira, Kolasinac, Mustafi, Guendouzi, Leno, Bellerin, Chambers, Sokratis, Mkhitaryan – plus many others from the squad.
Someone once said to me that it’s always the managers who get the sack, seldom the players. Rightly so I thought because usually, it’s the manager who names the player he wants to sign but when a manager/coach takes over a squad which has performed badly for a long time, there’s a bigger problem. I think that’s exactly where Arsenal were when Unai Emery joined Arsenal and even more so when Mikel Arteta replaced him in December 2019. What’s the old saying, don’t treat the symptoms, treat the cause’.
Arsenal as a club, hadn’t been treating the cause.
Then came the ‘plan’, the ‘process’ we the fans were asked to believe in. I didn’t believe it to begin with, even now I’m sceptical but it’s been a long time since an Arsenal team/squad has been consistent over ten months rather than just seven or eight. Saying that, I’m certainly more optimistic about the club now than I’ve been for ten years or more.
The very fact Arsenal are matching Man City for Declan Rice is something I never believed I’d see regardless of where the player ends up. I didn’t think I’d see the club come close to winning the League either, certainly not with Guardiola at City and Klopp at Liverpool. Or even Chelsea bearing in mind they’ve been throwing money around on players like it’s going out of fashion for years. Weren’t Tottenham meant to be a club on the up too, and Utd.
What does worry me somewhat though is if Thomas Partey leaves this summer as rumoured, our player numbers won’t have changed should Declan Rice come in. I’d even go as far to say our midfield wouldn’t be a lot stronger either, not when Partey is firing on all cylinders. Kai Havertz is expected to be announced any day soon but if Granit Xhaka leaves, again, the numbers stay the same. If Jurrien Timber signs and Kieran Tierney and/or Rob Holding leave, the numbers don’t change, in fact if both leave, we’ll be a defensive player down.
As for Rice, according to a few headlines on NN and the back pages, West Ham aren’t happy with the way Arsenal have proposed to pay the fee so there’s a long way to go before this saga ends. Plus, there’s City to worry about as they’re expected to make another offer which I suspect will be better than Arsenal’s.
When does the transfer window shut….
Good morning Rico, first day of the second test at Lords. England going for a more traditional all seam bowling line up, Bazball on hold?
Oh football, Arsenal offer £105 million for a single player? Pigs might fly!!
I’m over Declan rice arsenal has to move on
sooner the better , If thats what the club are prepared to spend , so be it . I just hope that it doesnt impact on the buys that we might make elsewhere . We have Emily coming back ( as the Belgiun commentator ) called him so if he stays fit thats another body and a good one at that . Perhaps we can upgrade again in January if fringe players dont get much playing time .Vieira for one but I agree with Rice in and Partey out it still looks like another needed in the engine room
Morning Cicero. For what it’s worth, I think England will stick to their plan. Can’t wait.
Gavin, if this deal is accepted, I too think Arsenal could move on. West Ham are crazy to think Rice is worth more than we’ve offered. The first offer was good enough imo, let alone the third one.
Not sure what’s happening with the midfielder at Southampton who were meant to be interested in. Lavia is it? Last I read, Liverpool are interested in him too.
Our midfield, even with Rice would be too light unless Partey stays. Surely Elneny will be off this summer, and what about Jorginho?
We could do with a few of our players going to Saudi for big fees… lol
According to Sky Sports, City have walked away from Rice deal.
Morning rico, all. Hard not to keep checking news however frustrating these times are. Rice Sky Bet odds from 2/5 to 2/9 this morning and then back to 1/20 they were 7 days ago. Let’s hope they are right this time and it all ends quickly. Havertz worth way more than Maddison who seems edging to Spurs for 40m?
Loved Bairstow picking up the cretin who thinks stopping the Test will warm the public to their protest.
Morning Andrew. The Bairstow removal of the idiot made me chuckle too. Two more chances, albeit tough ones, put down by England.
I’m trying hard to steer clear of NN. 😂
Havertz confirmed then…
As shucks, I can’t ask the question “have we signed anyone yet?” anymore. Well not ’till January at least. 😉
BBC Sport are reporting that West Ham have accepted £105 million offer from Arsenal for Rice, talks are on going about how payments will be structured. Elsewhere Talk Sport are saying The Hammers have agreed that Rice can undergo a medical at Arsenal.
It’s not going well at Lord’s, Australia 339 for 5. Dropped catches AGAIN, 12 no balls, 12 leg byes and 12 byes, that is just not good enough.
On a day when the England bowlers were struggling, Stokes was able to bowl only three overs when he should be dominating the opposition, if he’s not fit to bowl more, and better, one maiden no wickets for twenty-one runs, he should not be playing.
England must up the intensity today if they are to avoid facing a substantial first first innings total, or we could face a humiliating second defeat.
Morning Cicero, all. Well, I say all but I mean………… lol
New post up now