Morning all.
Kev and I have scrabbled this one together.
I don’t like our third kit at all and I certainly wouldn’t buy one. It’s dark, drab and blue. Thanks goodness it’s the third kit so we shouldn’t see the guys wearing it too often. Love our second kit though. The yellow has so much history to it, albeit the shade is slightly different.
Isn’t that Arsenal right now? Not ready or equipped to challenge for trophies in the present but planning for the future. A future when the old hangers on who Arsenal can’t sell are gone and in their place will be younger and more dynamic players ready to challenge for more than just a top four place. Players who want to be at Arsenal because they’re either born into the club or want to grow into and with the club.
Apart from signing Willian, although at the time I understood why the club did, and rewarding Aubameyang with a new contract, which by the way, most Arsenal fans wanted at the time, Arsenal’s signings have been good under Edu and Arteta. Especially so this summer. Plus, Emile Smith Rowe, Kido Taylor-Hart and Folarin Balogun have committed to the club long term. As has Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney. We don’t know what or if other offers they might have received from other clubs so for now, let’s just credit our contracts guys.
Actor, Robert Stack was a great favourite of mine growing up especially in the part he played as Elliott Ness in the late 1960’s series The Untouchables. It was usually on late in the evening and I rarely got the chance to see it as I had to be up for school the following day but on odd occasions I was allowed to watch it and it was from there that I developed a keen interest in the gangster period of Chicago and Cleveland in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Kieran Tierney’s new extended deal is good business. His profile is exactly the kind of player Arsenal need more of. He’s one of the club’s ‘Untouchables’ – a small group, smaller than I wish, of players who Arsenal cannot sell at almost any price. Not least because of the signal it sends out and the way that Arsenal would be perceived if they were sold.
I’m sure, if they could, Arsenal would sell the likes of Bellerin, Xhaka, Lacazette, Elneny, Torreira, Kolasinac etc, but it’s hardly their fault that no other club wants to sign them, or sign them for a pittance. Selling Joe Willock to Newcastle Utd doesn’t perhaps sit well with many of us but if we want the club to be successful again, Arsenal need to buy players who’ll make a difference to the team from the moment the step foot onto the pitch. What irks re Joe is we won’t truly see how good or bad he is until he’s moved away.
Aston Villa have sold Grealish but I bet they didn’t want to. Southampton the same with Ings. Brighton sold White, not because they wanted to I’m sure but because the money they made from the sale was too good to turn down. Unless a club finishes in a European spot or has money to burn, money is tight. Even more so after a year without fans in the stadium so the only way to survive is buy selling players for a profit and buying smartly to improve the squad. £50m for Brighton is two, maybe even three players worth of money. Joe Willock’s sale, if he goes, would probably be enough to sign another keeper. Give or take a few million.
Arsenal’s stock has dropped hugely under the stewardship of Stan Kroenke but sell any of our ‘Untouchables’ and frankly we may as well as a fan base forget it as far as Arsenal being a competitor goes.
The shenanigans of Aston Villa added a sense of the ridiculous during July with their low ball bids for Emile Smith Rowe but he too is one of our Untouchables so it was never going to happen. Bakayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, new boy Ben White and maybe the other news boys will join our group of Crown Jewels eventually. They give me hope for the future for as bleak as it might seem at times. Gabriel and Partey aren’t quite Untouchables, but selling any of them would be a seriously negative move.
As for the rest, well to me they’re all available if a decent fee was to be offered and that Gooner’s says a lot about the quality of our squad I’m afraid and where we are in the EPL food chain.
See you in the comments.
Morning Rico. I rather like the new shirt.
Morning Adam, all.
I think it’s popular with a lot of fans Adam, it’s certainly not one I would buy. But then I’m not keen on wearing blue anyway. I like the bright colours, they reflect my personality. 😂
Rico. Having met you on several occasions I agree that you have a sparkling personality. Especially at lunch-time in Cafe Spice. 😀
The third kit is a banger. It has the same 90s retro pattern through the background like the wonderful Ajax away kit of last season. It’s also nice to get the lightning stripes back from the wrighty years. I am guessing you play it very safe fashion wise. This kit will be looked back with fondness in later years. May I remind you that the bruised banana kit was hated when first released.
Hi Rico.. I’m not keen on the kit.
Well, if all else fails we could always sign ‘Len’ 🤣
I am surprised at the reaction of Willock’s ‘sale’.. for me it never quite happened for him with us. 25m and a sell-on clause shouldn’t be sniffed at, he was never a first team regular. Would we rather talk him into staying to warm the bench and see his value plummet?
We’ve often been guilty of hanging on to players for too long, it’s about time that changed! AFC goes on…
Spill the beans – what happened in Cafe Spice!! 🙂
Sue. All present have been sworn to Omertà.
Adam, you missed out, ‘after a few Cobra’… 😂
Anon, shame you haven’t a name. Each to their own I guess but I wouldn’t call bright colours playing it safe. To add, I loved the yellow kit back in the Mersin, Wrighty days.
Rico. As you know I am a gentleman. 😉
Spoilsport 😂👍
Hi Sue. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head re Willock. If Arsenal had paid £5m for him a couple of years ago and he wasn’t English having come through the academy, I’d imagine many of us would be suggesting he was sold. To be successful, I guess Arsenal need to be a bit more like Southampton.
I can’t recall Cafe Spice, or at least the hours after we left Sue. 😆
😂 Adam.
That Twitter clip is brilliant Sue. Good old Len, what a guy…
Great Post! Thanks
Good morning BTW!
Blue trumps the yellow kit. Such a garish shade, yuck.
I feel Willock is only being sold because we haven’t been able to shift anyone else. It’s disheartening, but I hope there are some good clauses in the deal for us to benefit from longer-term.
Morning Dexter, thanks.
Me too Neal. Same goes for any others who are sold, like Eddie, Nelson, AMN.
I see Bola has now gone for good.
I think in all the negative chat about incoming and outgoings, it’s been over looked that we’ve got so many academy products either in the starting 11 or close to it.
It’s a shame Willocks going, not least as I don’t think he’s been given a fair chance and he might have stuck around if we managed to sell Xhaka! But for Araenal to have Saka and EsR as starters, AMN who would be if his ego and mismanagement were sorted out, plus Willock (I know) and Eddie and Reis, not forgetting Balogun and Azeez not too far away, it really does show the clubs academy in a great light.
Plus there’s more behind them Dexter.
I bet whatever went down at Cafe Spice was a hoot, Rico!! 😂
24m for Ramsdale.. sigh. Well there’s the gk, Rico, not exactly what I had in mind though. But he’ll soon be one of us and I’ll have to get behind him…
No offence Sue, but if Ramsdale does sign, I’m going to take the views of those whove watched him week in and week out at Bournemouth and Sheff Utd.
Plus he was player of the season for both clubs each season in the PL.
I think it’s a case of him not being considered a flashy, sexy signing!! 🤣🤣🤣
I was totally underwhelmed when the rumours started weeks ago, but now I think it’s a good signing. We’ve been linked with the Ajax keeper too, but I know sod all about him ATM!
It certainly was Sue and the food was amazing.
I don’t mind Ramsdale, I think he’ll challenge Leno.
Regardless of the design, pattern or colour I wouldn’t buy one of the new shirts on principal. 97% of Adidas sportswear is manufactured in third world sweatshops.
No signings, no departures. Very disappointing. 😒
Good point Cicero, and I wouldn’t want to line the owners pockets either.
TOON STILL SHY OF WILLOCK DEMANDS
Newcastle and Joe Willock are a distance apart when it comes to agreeing personal terms.
The Magpies are hoping to sign the 21-year-old in time for their season-opener at the weekend.
Arsenal had accepted Newcastle’s bid of £25m including add-ons at the weekend.
Is this Xhaka and Roma all over again? Surely not!! 🤣
That reminds me, how come Roma can supposedly afford Abraham yet can’t cough up for Xhaka?
That’s fair enough, Dexter. Will I be made to eat my words? Hmm we shall see…
Good evening Rico and all
I enjoyed the post Rico.
I love your attitude and method of expression Dexter. Keep it up. It brings a smile to my face.
Its not that Roma cant cough up……its Mourinho trying to squeeze Arsenal like a lemon. Whatever he says he will always love Chelsea so he will pay whatever it takes for Abraham or whoever the player is. So he was trying to get a good midfielder for Serie A on the cheap from us knowing fully well that we have to sell to balance.
Even Sheff Utd are trying to squeeze the last drop….they realize that Arsenal are trying to get English players so they can steal a headstart over other clubs for the future due to brexit. Atleti demanded 34M for Trippier yet if England had remained in the EU Trippier would have cost only 15M max. and if say, Juventus, Milan, or any EU club come in for him that is the max he will fetch….but since its Arsenal or any other English club, Trippier will cost that much.
The only snag about Ramsdale is his fee..it will be like a millstone around his neck. But I feel he will begin as a reserve and end the season as first choice.
Different priorities I guess Dexter.
Evening Devil, thanks.
Abraham is hanging on for an Arsenal deal according to reports.
English players have always cost more than overseas. Clubs are broke so it’s inevitable the prices would be wacked up this summer.
Cheers Devil!!
I can’t see us being in for Trippier at all.
In a couple of years, we could see Arsenal line up with 6 or 7 home grown players in there!
Trippier? No chance imo.
Efl awayto WBA
Evening Rico and the House
Good post Rico its very clear the part Kev put in
After tonights draw I would think AMN would be in
a good position with what info he can give about WBA
Not the easiest draw we will have to be careful about playing too light a team.
Hi Rico and all Been busy moving the last week is there any good news about us getting a goal keeper. The blue shirt looks crap and the Yellow one looks faded I like the red shirts best but in the end did not mind the red and white marble looking shirt from last year
As per
@gunnerblog
, Arsenal have decided to pursue alternative goalkeeper targets after Sheffield United refused to lower their demands for Aaron Ramsdale.
Officials from both clubs met today but failed to find a breakthrough over the final fee. #AFC
(Chris Wheatley)
Arsenal in advanced talks for Ramsdale initial fee of £24 million which could rise to £30 million with add ons. (Football.London)
Sue, you must be delighted!! 🤣🤣🤣
Morning all.
New post up now
Hi Geoff, hope your move went well.
Really Rick, I couldn’t tell. Lol