Morning all.
The Sun newspaper, not in any way the most reliable source I know but they’re running a heading which basically suggests that Arsenal will not be offering a new contract to Alexandre Lacazette and he’s up for sale this summer. £15M is the amount mooted for our French number nine.
If true, that translates to Arsenal will be buying a striker before the transfer window closes.
Forget sentiment, forget the younger players like and look up to him, he’s 30 years old with one year remaining on his contract. I totally understand the need to move him on if he’s not part of Mikel Arteta’s plans but he must be wondering why Arsenal don’t want to keep him a year after his older buddy Aubameyang was given a contract extension and a 45 year old Willian was also brought into the club and paid handsomely.
Personally, selling Lacazette is the right thing to do. If it’d been Aubameyang up for sale, even better. Speculation, or rather NewsNow etc etc suggest Tammy Abraham is the hot favourite to replace Lacazette which having read around the Arsenal blog land, has gone down like a lead balloon. I’m not sure why though. He’s young, tall and from what I’ve seen of him, he’ll give everything on the pitch. Maybe, just maybe that’s why Mikel Arteta is interested in bringing him to Arsenal.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SjxUwWZqkdo
That last minute winner against Arsenal still irks.
Mikel Arteta has been talking about the three Arsenal musketeers of which Kieran Tierney is one.
He had a really, really good season after a really difficult start at the club and I really value people that when things aren’t going for them, they don’t give up. Kieran didn’t give up, he needed support and I think the club gave him a lot of support, but he was really willing to turn that situation around and prove people wrong if people were doubting him.
That character, I think it shows on the pitch – when anything happens that is not going for us, you don’t give up, you just raise your level, try to be better and transmit that to the rest of the team so they all believe. Kieran has this capacity, and Emile as well, to lift the crowd with an action, Gabi Martinelli has this capacity – and this is something you either have or you don’t have.
Surely we’ll see a lot more of Gabriel Martinelli this coming season. Not until he’s had a break after the Olympics though. Injuries aside, all three will play a big part in our season.
Will Miguel Azeez have a role to play too? He’s had all his locks cut off and looks so different. I dint even recognise him at first.
Arsenal might not have European football to contend with but it’ll still be a long and hard season, especially around Christmas when fixtures come fast and furious. Plus we have the domestic cups which is probably the club’s most realistic chance of winning silverware so the more options available to Mikel Arteta the better.
Anyway, would selling Lacazette be a good thing?
See you in the comments.
Rico, if he’s not getting a contract extension Lacazette has to go now. His transfer value will be in free-fall by the January window and zero next summer.
Totally agree Cicero.
Rather sell Auba but that’s unlikely so selling Laca helps fund fresh blood.
Morning all.
It looks as though you’ve got away with your faux pas Rico. Scott hasn’t read your comment on yesterday’s post.
I have no problem selling Lacazette if Aubamayang was “firing on all cylinders”…The indication from pre-season is..that he is not!..and having been given his overly generous new contract would be virtually impossible to shift…even on “a free”.
This obviously means that Arsenal would be extremely loathe to make a similar mistake with another forward who’s aged over 30…That said given the current market I believe that Arsenal will struggle to get any offers for a forward who’s over 30 years of age,has a current salary that is north of £90k per week and isn’t necessarily a 20 goals a season scorer.
The most ridiculous element of this scenario is that Arsenal have two raw ,unproven but undoubtedly talented strikers on their books who Arteta has been loathe to utilise…Instead he wants to bring in a forward who’s record over the last few years has intimated that he’s profligate in front of goal and despite his Club’s absolute need for a Centre forward they are still prepared to release him…to Arsenal…The ready-made local home for Chelsea’s unwanted rejects.
Ha ha Cicero.
Don’t really want anymore United or Chelsea cast offs either . Abrahams price goes up everytime you turn round , started at 20 then 25 and now some say 40 million.
It’s madness time to stop.
Remember there were 3 musketeers , Aramis , Porthus and Athos but they were supported ably by D’atangnan that makes 4 .
Saka , ESR , Martinelli with captain Tierney . That’s a good start to be working with.
I like that Potter. Four it is.
Morning Rico and Gooners, yes Tammy Abrahams has certainly gone and upset the Arsenal applecart but personally I like him, I thought he looked really good when he was younger and on loan and I thought he looked the business during Lampard’s first season at the Bridge during their transfer ban, didn’t he keep Girond out of the team? Yeah £40m seems a bit steep and in recent times our signings from Chelsea have been meh, but Abraham is a lot younger and the same age bracket as Lukaku, De Bruyne, Salas and George Graham and they all did well after leaving the Pensioners.
Morning Rico and all
I don’t know anything about Tammy Abraham however if he is so good then why is Chelsea willing to sell him considering he is only 23
Balancing the books Geoff, they want Haaland and he’ll cost north of £100m, also Tuchel doesn’t seem to like him, two pretty good reasons there. It’s also where we are, we’re not a club that pays £100m for a player atm and Arteta seems to want to go down a more youthful avenue with English players.
Morning Kev, I’d welcome Abraham with open arms.
Morning Geoff, I think it’s more about Chelsea wanting big players and big names, than him not being good enough – same with DCL. Imo, both are good, young English players which is why their valuations go up.
Newcastle clearly aren’t giving up on trying to get Willock.
£15m for Lacazette is a giveaway, but it’s due to the current climate and his salary, maybe Atletico Madrid will make a cheeky bid?
If we don’t sell him then we keep him it’s not a hardship for me as he’s a good player with a great attitude, in fact a much better attitude that Aubameyang. The downside might be that Balogun would have to go on loan but let’s see what occurs?
Rico, the Willock thing is really getting on my nerves, the only thing holding up a deal isn’t Arsenal it’s Newcastle wanting him on loan again without an obligation to buy.
Now Newcastle are apparently interested in Maitland Niles so I wonder how they’ll spin that?
If the Barcodes are so keen on taking Willock on loan, then they must agree to pay his wages in their entirety, as well as a loan fee based on appearances, goals and assists. The same conditions should apply for all our players going on loan.
I think someone will snap Lacazette up for £15m. I still prefer it to be Aubameyang who goes but wages etc leave it almost impossible. Even if he stays Kev, I don’t think Balogun will go on loan. Expecting Auba to have a better season would be a disaster for Arteta.
Kev, it was same with ESR and Villa. If another club really wants an Arsenal player, back it up with an offer or accept our clubs terms. I know ESR was going nowhere but tell Newcastle to do one and loan Willock to another club who need him. If he’s going on loan that is.
Rico, it’s all a game really and unfortunately its partly our fault also for being so gormless with our sales business in recent years, therefore we’re not taken seriously by other clubs who frankly just take the piss. If Newcastle lose a couple of their opening games I reckon that they’ll be back for Joe before the deadline.
Cicero I’d only let him go on loan to Newcastle if there is a obligation from them to complete the transfer in a years time all the other things you say I agree with – tbh they should be a given!
Agree Kev, Arsenal haven’t behaved like a big club in the transfer department for too long. Arsene Wenger, post Dein was terrible, as was the handling of contracts.
As I said I don’t know much about Abraham but I’m willing to support anyone we bring in
What you say about Arsenal and contracts is only too true Rico. However, I do think things are getting better under Edu and Arteta, they are being proactive in the case of Lacazette who’s contract expires next June. No extension and so, presumably, no part of Arteta’s future plans.
I don’t think Laca is an Ozil or Ramsey type, happy to sit out a season, take his wages and grab a Bosman in a years time.
Oops, I used the “R” word! Should I delete it? 😉
Apart from Arteta Geoff. 😜
Too late, I hit the “post comment” button. 😕
Another win for GB women in the football.
Do we really want to see Willock go though ? He has shown that he has got it , our job is to get it out of him on a regular basis.. The way that he played for Newcastle was similar to the way that Ramsey and going back years Platt played for us by ghosting into the box late and getting follow ups . In this climate we would be selling him for next to nothing and spending a fortune to get a similar player from abroad.
If you read around Willock is going to get us £15 million whereas we are looking at double that for Locatelli who has a nice sounding name but is he twice as good .
In fact is he “”AS”” good ?
Locatelli 6 foot 1 ” age 23 has played 144 serie A games and scored 8 times .
Willock 6 foot 1″ age 21 has played 54 premier league games and has scored 9 goals.
As we know money is tight and what sort of money would the Italian want in salary ? Juve apparently have offered him 3 million a season. Even in Euros I would think Joe would be happy with some of that.
Apparently, Arsenal offered 26 year old Bellerin a contract extension, his current one runs out in June 2023, but he has refused to sign it. Inter Milan are keen on him but are reluctant to pay our £15 million asking price.
Another proactive move by Edu & Co?
Rico hahaha. I was only talking about players
I’d like to see Willock stay, but then I’d like AMN and Nelson to stay too.
Offering Bellerin a new contract at this stage of his current deal is right imo, now it’s up to him. Sign it or be sold.
With regard to Abraham, it’s surely about judging his potential. Looking at his time with Chelsea I’d say he has been underwhelming and hasn’t shown that he has the ability to be elite. For someone who is about 6 feet 4 his heading ability is poor. Personally I would swerve a £40 million commitment for him and look for someone far, far more mobile. Also ex-Chelsea players are seldom worth the money.
Maybe Arteta sees great potential in him and feels like he can turn him into a much better player as he reportedly did with Sterling.
Hi Rico.. we’re meant to be playing Millwall today in a behind closed doors friendly, although with Millwall about I can’t see it being that ‘friendly’ haha
Just saw this on twitter:
Hearing Arsenal beat Millwall 4-1 at London Colney this afternoon, goals from Chambers, Lacazette, Pepe & Balogun
The whole 90 minutes are being shown on Arsenal.com @4pm…
Afternoon Rico and the house.
We are playing Miillwal in a freindly this afternoon.
Its live on Arsenal .com from 4pm.
Will Danny be playing for them?
Sorry Sue
Having trouble with Word Press.
No idea whats on the house untill I post comment
Afternoon Rick, Sue, just seen that too. Pleased it’s on the player..
Hope Ballard is playing.
Rick, I’ve inserted a WordPress login link at the top of the page. It might help with logging into HH.
Ballard is playing and looking useful. Half hour gone 1 nil Millwall hit post from a free kick header. Got to sort this.
Good evening Rico and all
Interesting statement and question. Yes those three plus Martinelli are our three musketeers plus D’Artagnan…as Potter put it. Hopefully we will have more by December….players who are deemed undroppable. Maybe Pepe and fingers crossed…..Chambers??? I would love that.
Sell Laca?? you know my feelings due to the post of around 5 weeks ago. Personally I would sell Laca and Auba….and go down a new path. but who knows…maybe Auba will stay and tear the defences a new one??? More hope on my side than feeling confident about it.
As I said a few days ago….I prefer DCL to TA. Incidentally will they give him the number 9?? It will be TA09. We will soon begin comparing him to a Tony Adams from down under seeing the 6 is the upside down image of 9. He will play his football while walking on his head then. lol Scott will have no problems with that seeing that they are all the time walking upside down.
It seems that NN is reporting that we won 4-1 against Millwall. So probably the game is already done and Arsenal will be screening it now. I know what has happened then…..Arteta wanted them to play….then he wants them all in front of a laptop while the game is being played on Arsenal TV……so that they can read the comments that people write. HAHAHAHA
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1467150/arsenal-beat-millwall-pre-season-friendly-folarin-balogun-goal-news
this article says many things except a good match report which is what I wanted to see.
Bloody useless Arsenal.com, I watched the first half, no replays, dodgy camera work and a truly amateurish commentary. Then turned over to the Lions/ South Africa game. Went back to Arsenal.com only to find there’s no way to watch from half-time. Good thing it was free to watch or I would have been royally p****d off. 4 – 1 final result.
this is from .com which gives the bare facts , I watched the whole 90 minutes so I can fill in gaps where i think more information might be handy .
Four different scorers found the net as we continued our pre-season preparations with a commanding win over Championship side Millwall on Saturday afternoon.
Calum Chambers grabbed our opener, while Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Folarin Balogun were also on target.
There was also a first glimpse of Albert Sambi Lokonga in our famous red and white, with the 21-year-old completing 45 minutes in central midfield alongside first Thomas Partey, and then second-half substitute Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Alex Mitchell’s close-range finish from a late Millwall corner was a minor blotch on our performance, but overall Mikel Arteta will be pleased with his side’s professional pre-season display following the potential disruption that could have been caused by the cancellation of our US tour.
After all, his side attacked right from the first whistle and Kieran Tierney was the biggest threat inside the opening 10 minutes. First he dropped a shoulder to find Eddie Nketiah, who headed over, before Mohamed Elneny dragged the Scotland international’s low cross wide of the mark.
We were nearly made to rue our missed chances just moments later when Connor Mahoney’s free-kick was headed off the base of the post by Jake Cooper. Then we were indebted to Arthur Okonkwo, whose quick reflexes somehow kept out former Gunner Benik Afobe from six yards.
But then we did make our early dominance count. Pepe surged forward on the right-hand side and, sensing a deep delivery, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang peeled off to the far post.
When the ball game in, our captain was stood back to goal on the edge of the box, but still managed to strike the crossbar with a stunning acrobatic effort. Chambers was quickest to react and tap into the gaping net.
Half-time presented Arteta with an opportunity to freshen things up and he obliged, with Lokonga coming on for his Gunners debut, alongside Nuno Tavares, Karl Hein and Lacazette.
And it didn’t take our No 9 long to make his mark. Again, our build-up play came down the right-hand side and when Chambers found a yard of space, he arrowed in an inch-perfect cross for Lacazette to head home at the far post.
The Frenchman was heavily involved in our third, too. Aubameyang occupied a pocket of space on the left-hand side and ran at his man before sending across a low delivery. Lacazette, hearing a shout, stepped over the ball, leaving Pepe with a simple finish into the top corner from 10 yards.
Emile Smith Rowe could have got himself on the scoresheet soon after, surging forward with a trademark dart behind Millwall’s back line. But after he’d expertly brought down Partey’s long diagonal, he couldn’t apply the finishing touch.
There was still time for a fourth goal, though. Balogun, one of four substitutes made by Arteta on the hour mark, stretched the visitors’ back four. Willian combined with Lacazette and spotted our academy graduate on the move, threading a ball through for Balogun to round the keeper and tap into the empty net.
We looked to be heading towards our first clean sheet of pre-season but, with just minutes left on the clock, Murray Wallace headed a corner into Mitchell’s path and the 19-year-old poked past Hein from close range.
Arsenal starting XI: Okonkwo, Chambers, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Partey, Elneny, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Aubameyang.
Substitutes: Hein (for Okonkwo 46), Lokonga (for Elneny 46), Lacazette (for Nketiah 46), Cedric (for Mari 60), Tavares (for Tierney 60), Balogun (for Aubameyang 71), Maitland-Niles (for Partey 71), Nelson (for Smith Rowe 71), Willian (for Pepe 71).
My observations :- Fitness wise we looked sharp , Arteta is installing pace into the play and everyone was working . Partey is definitely playing further forward and with Elneny holding the gap between the back four and midfield is lengthened and with ESR , Pepe and Nketiah running off the ball , Chambers and Tierney overlapping the ball is getting forward much quicker . First half was total domination we were stealing ithe ball back off of them before they got out of their half..
In his 45 minutes Nketiah worked hard and did nothing wrong but when Lacazette came on we went up about two gears . You could say that he is playing for a move but the way he was working I’mnot sure that he wants to go,
We made the standard friendly changes but the tenure of the game didn’t change . Lokonga recycled the ball accurately and quickly and Tavare has a lot of pace as did Nelson who got a 20 minute stint and looked like he was happy to be there and was effective.
If I were in charge I would be looking at what we have and give them until Christmas .I am not sure that we need wholesale changes , we have cover for all positions Hein to me looks better than Okonkwo , Leno is back and if he stays we will need another keeper, preferably one that is dominate in the air where we gave away our goal and the one where they hit the post early on.
We have a surfiet of riches in young players , they need time and we need to keep the old heads to bring them through especially Lacazette . Selling him for a pittance would be a great mistake , when Saka & Martinelli come back we will look even stronger though I was concerned that Willock never made an appearence . I wonder if he is one of the Covid victims.
gunnerblog
@gunnerblog
White heavy check mark Arsenal have signed highly-rated 18-year-old striker Mika Biereth.
He finished last season with 21 goals in 21 games for Fulham U18 (+ 13 assists). Adds to #AFC’s collection of promising young forwards.
More on
@TheAthleticUK
‘s transfer
Apologise for my errant punctuation , I speak the language but writing it is different . Ask my old school teachers if they are still with us.
I lost interest in the subject when I had to write 500 times that my natural verbosity is in direct antithesis to the successful consummation of my academic career..
Teach me to talk in class
Yes yes yes the Lions beat the Springboks 17 – 22. Fantastic performance. Just fantastic.
The curry is almost ready, time to go and cook the poppadoms.
Interesting Potter, I was often told off by my teachers for gazing out the window instead of being riveted by their boring, rehashed lessons. Outside always looked so much more interesting than logarithmic theory or French grammar.
Evening Rico and the House
I think it was a better performance today, team seams much fitter.
It looks like the barber has been busy at LC
anumber of new hair styles.
Fantastic report Potter-thanks.
Great to see the team looking happy but better still seeing them playing as one.
One of the best sayings I’ve heard of in football was
Play for the badge on the front of the shirt and the fans will remember the name on the back of the shirt
Hi Geoff,
That is truly the type of squad I believe Mikel is trying to assemble.
I don’t think buying Abraham makes sense , certainly not at a cost of £65 million over 4 years.. We have too many youngsters coming through that could potentially be as good as him and he is not likely to be a first pick anyway
Lacazette is on £ 4,750,000 a year and letting him run out his contract will cost a further £ 15, 000,000 if reports are true making under a third of Abraham’s cost .
This gives 1 more year to see if Martinelli , Aubameyang , and a few others are up to it in a season where we have 38 games in the league plus cup matches that could make it to 50.
The additions that we have made so far should push us forward and with Leno , Saka , Martinelli returning and White joining , a top 4 finish is in range with europa qualification a fall back.
The more I look at it I am convinced that Abraham is not the answer.
Morning all.
Actually, I now think signing Abraham would be a mistake. In fact signing any striker is perhaps not a requirement, not for this summer. A keeper and midfielder imo, create the chance that even Auba can’t miss. Lol
New post up now