Morning all.
How refreshing, a young Englishman has been snapped up by Arsenal and when asked how he felt, the best word he could describe his move was ‘mental’.
Cohan Bramall, a soon to be 21 year old non-league player, a name most of us would admit we’d not heard before his link to Arsenal has made a ‘rags to riches’ move in his footballing career but I strongly suspect, money is far from being top of his agenda. For now at least…
Big money signings are always exciting but I’m actually pleased with this one too. Plucking homegrown players from a lower league is great, watching them rise to the occasion is even better and for life of me I don’t know why but I think this guy is going to do well, very well.
His interview on the official site is different from most I’ve seen before when players sign for this great club. He’s living his dream and still stunned after leaving Hednesford Town to be involved in training with our first team. Bramall likes to bomb forward, he said so himself, he likes to get crosses into the box for others to score:
Which left backs in general do you watch to try and learn from he was asked during his first interview with his new club:
Marcelo, Kieran Gibbs, David Alaba. They bomb forward, and that’s my key – my speed is the key to overlapping, trying to put the ball into the box and trying to get an assist. That’s what I do.
What, not Santos???
Having watched his Youtube clips, the standard of his final ball is pretty good.
When asked who his favourite Arsenal player was whilst growing up, there was no hesitation in his answer:
Thierry Henry, there’s no doubt. He was a top, top player. Straight away I’ll say Thierry Henry.
He was strong, fast. I liked the cockiness about him, the way he put himself about on the pitch. He was a top player and again it’s mad that I’m here because he’s been here… it’s just crazy.
His football story so far is stuff dreams are made of and the more you listen to him, the more you realise that he’s simply amazed to have been given such an opportunity and I just have a feeling he might take it, especially if his attitude on the pitch is anything like it is off it. His not been born with a footballing silver spoon in his mouth, he’s not used to earning big bucks, and nor does he have a big ego. He’s just an ordinary lad who wants to play football, a lad who just weeks ago was working for Bentley on their production line. Until he was made redundant.
He’ll join up with the under 23’s side under the guidance of Steve Gatting but I doubt it’ll be too long before we see the soon to be 21 year old flying down the wing for the first team. As said the other day though, let’s judge him as a player and not by his price tag.
I truly wish him all the best in his life, especially as a footballer at Arsenal, I really hope he does well and proves that Arsenal were right to take a chance on him. To be honest, if we hadn’t, some other club soon would have.
Hopefully, that’s our left-back situation sorted out for the next few years, unlike the other side of the pitch where we only have Hector Bellerin. Carl Jenkinson appears to be heading out on loan as rather than play him in the FA Cup match last weekend, Arsene Wenger preferred Ainsley Maitland-Niles which suggests he’s being groomed for that position. He struggled a bit against Preston last weekend but then he wasn’t alone and as we often say, when even the better players aren’t given much support, they’ll struggle to cope.
But if both of these two players work hard, improve their game and are strong both mentally and physically, who knows, we might just have two cracking English defenders in the camp in a few years time.
A bit of trivia to end with. Who is the best known Premier League player who once played for Hednesford Town?
Transfer Gossip:
Arsenal have opened talks over a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura, according to Tuttomercatoweb who claim that Arsene Wenger is a keen admirer of the Brazilian and the Gunners have already taken the initial steps of making contact over a potential deal.
The Metro- Arsenal are keeping tabs on AFC Wimbledon defender Toby Sibbick, according to reports. The 17-year-old mainly plays at right-back but is also capable of playing in central defence.
If he joins, along with Idris Kanu, that’ll be three from the lower leagues and guess what, Sibbick is a versatile defender who wants to make a central role his own. We certainly don’t have many of those in the academy…
Have a great day guys, don’t forget to check out the new boy’s interview on the official site, he’s cool….
You sound excited by this deal Rico 🙂 . I hope he sorts our left back issues too, long term. Good thing we need a player who is not ‘academy pampered’.
Crossing the ball? I hope he doesn’t like a shot too. Wenger will cure him of those ailments. 🙂
If he fails, what have we lost?
I love the signing, and that’s without knowing a thing about the kid.
Has Arsene got more in him??
Rico-took me 10 minutes typing that comment on the last post and you put a new one up!!
Bloody terrible 🙂
Morning all.
Adam, i hope he’s not aggressive, then!!!
I am Marshall but really don’t know why ?
? Adam, lets hope not…
It’s all about timing Scott.. lol
Yes, timing is everything lol
Nice one Rico.
From the transfer activity list, it would seem Wenger is trawling the lower leagues for bargain January buys! I hope he’s not preparing for his successors potential failure by buy ‘poor’ players! In fairness if any of these ‘targets’ are seriously in the frame I would be most surprised, most surprised indeed.
Of the Wenger dispute, I believe he has run his course, by a few too many years already. But he is a stubborn old bugger and he’s French! I don’t think he will leave until he is older than Fergie was when he retired from the scene. It’s a pride thing, hubris. He is a Shakespearean tragic hero in the making. When the fall occurs nobody will be more surprised than himself. Will he fall on his sword and resign quietly, will he hell! Arsenal is, after all his club! Cronky, the Board, the fans what do they know? He’s been in football for a millennia so, what can any other human being know about running a football club more than him?
His problem is, he has no moderating influences. His wife has buggered off, back to Paris. He doesn’t even have a cat. His cleaner is Polish, and the milkman won’t leave milk any more because he forgets to pay him! Wenger is ‘Billy no mates’ a situation he has carved out entirely on his own.
He needs help but it seems nobody can help him or tell him anything. I mean he knows it all already!
His days are numbered, and he knows it, he’s not as stupid as I’ve just painted him but, he is extraordinarily arrogant and that trait will lead to his ultimate downfall, of that I’m certain.
I just hope he retires before he is ‘pushed’ but if fans are fighting on the terraces about his value, worth and tenure the state of Arsenal totters. Only one outcome can come of it! Time to retire Arsene. Thanks for the memories. I shall look forward to reading the autobiography it’ll be a blast, unless Silent Stan the syrup meister, hasn’t forced him to sign a pledge of silence, (for cash of course).
Time for change and the change is now!
Morning all. Grim here high wind and a bit smelly!
Wavy, 42 degrees here today- stop moaning lol
Morning all, good post rico.
Scott, I didn’t know if you were an ex-pat, or Aussie through and through. I guess asking you who you wanted when Eng played Aus at cricket would have given me the answer! Out of interest, how did you become a Goooner?
Morning and thanks Rico.
Tourists !…………………….I doubt you would find a tourist on an Arsenal blog site, my definition of a tourist is someone who is probably not into football and certainly not a supporter of the club, just someone on a trip, a bit like going to London and taking in the sights like Madam Tussauds, Tower of Londone etc and getting ripped off by Kev !. hahaha
No way would I think or even say that Scott is a tourist, he lives, hurts and bleeds Arsenal unlike a tourist and a post/zip code has no bearing whatsoever !.
Not ( or is it ?) football related, but this is the Top Ten excuses for not paying the minimum wage !
1) The employee wasn’t a good worker so I didn’t think they deserved to be paid the National Minimum Wage.
2) It’s part of UK culture not to pay young workers for the first three months as they have to prove their ‘worth’ first.
3) I thought it was ok to pay foreign workers below the National Minimum Wage as they aren’t British and therefore don’t have the right to be paid it
.
4) She doesn’t deserve the National Minimum Wage because she only makes the teas and sweeps the floors.
5) I’ve got an agreement with my workers that I won’t pay them the National Minimum Wage; they understand and they even signed a contract to this effect.
6) My accountant and I speak a different language – he doesn’t understand me and that’s why he doesn’t pay my workers the correct wages.
7) My workers like to think of themselves as being self-employed and the National Minimum Wage doesn’t apply to people who work for themselves.
8) My workers are often just on standby when there are no customers in the shop; I only pay them for when they’re actually serving someone.
9) My employee is still learning so they aren’t entitled to the National Minimum Wage.
10) The National Minimum Wage doesn’t apply to my business.
The real Scott from Oz plays Aussie Rules and claims to be Welsh; the imposter on here well has no AKB tattoo …
Morning Rico and all
Interesting rumour re. Moura; considering Fergie wanted him as well…
A typical AW midfielder; neither a winger or a no.10 or a CM or a scorer; just a 8.5
Andrew, I’m a born and bred Aussie….bugger you poms 🙂
The first club I played for was called the Glenquarie Gunners, in the clubs inaugural year, 1977.
From there, the only games we could see live each year was the FA Cup final, and our little clubhouse was full of dads and kids on Cup night, so my earliest recollection of the Arsenal was 1979…..3-2!
I’m a rep for Arsenal Australia and have been to North London once-nearly 3 years ago- where I was lucky enough to meet a few of the HH regulars, but missed a few others, unfortunately.
My first ever game was 0-6 at Stamford Bridge so I had a hell of an introduction!!!
We’ve got a little sports bar where we view games when they’ll open, and watch games with the few Gooners that’ll stay up that late, else I watch at home when possible.
No blood ties to North London, but I’ll bet I can claim something very few can-i played cricket, darts and football for the mighty Gunners.
Not even dennis can match that, I’ll bet 🙂
I appreciate that, LC, and those excuses are used here in Oz, as well!
Bugger off, Ginge 🙂 🙂
Let me just say the two weeks I had in North London was as good a time as I’ve ever had in my life.
12 odd nights at the Gunners Pub, a visit form Kev, a meal with Lee, Adam, Rocky (who’s been missing a while now) and Kev, no wins in 3 games I went to, pub crawl with the sister of the the real Rocky, stadium tour, Away Boys river cruise………..two weeks I will never forget.
I’m getting teary lol
But have you an Arsenal onesie Scott ?
I have one of these (below) which I wear at home when we are playing ! 😀
https://media.gettingpersonal.co.uk/134493/images/products/98/28098/fullsize_a.jpg?width=1000
Great story Scott, but with no wins on your visit I`m beginning to think you are a fcuking Jinx ……..so dont ever visit theses shores again !………. hahaha
LC, I can not compete with that lol
My son has Arsenal quilt cover, sheets, pillow cases, pyjamas and his wardrobe is half filles with kits.
LC,
I’ve told plenty the joke about how on arrival home, 2 big guys in dark suits knocked on my door, looked at me and simply said “Arsene wanted to make sure”!!!!
Hahahahaha love it !
Right, off to muck out horses stables……………………they are similar to Kangaroo`s Scott, but hop about on four legs ! 🙂
Even the women got smashed 3-1 by Birmingham in the CL game at Barnet!!!
That was fun!!!!
Passport stamped NEVER TO RETURN!!!
LC, I wish some of the horses I backed were as quick as ‘Roos!!!!
Nice Scott, if you ever come over again I’d like to meet some fellow Housers if there’s a meet up!
In my eyes, a Gooner is measured by how much they care about the club, how happy they are at winning and how unhappy they are at losing. Wherever they are in the world is immaterial, unless they worship Wenger for life over what he achieved all those years ago.. Just joking on that last part!
Everyone here cares otherwise they wouldn’t bother posting. I do envy those that don’t care as much, friends who go to odd match then don’t even know last nights result. as they can enjoy football more than I can. Often I cant watch other weekend games after we have lost, guess I’m a bad loser and take it too much to heart!
Darn power cut!! Gale force winds here….
Afternoon guys…
Nothing wrong with that Andrew…………in fact, not only am I a bad loser, I`m a bad drawer( is that right spelling ?) as well………only like winning !……………………….two of my biggest tantrum strops were draws !………the two 4-4`s against Newcastle away and Spuds at home !
LCM is a tourist these days with his Cornish accent. 😉
I think AW is just spending the petty cash regardless if he leaves or not.
Good post Wavy.
Power cut at Rico`s Berkshire Country Estate !……………………….get the servants to run around and generate some leccy ! ………………..if they stop, deduct money from their minimum wage, lazy bastards ! 🙂
It’s not the losing which cheeses me off the most, it’s the fashion in which we lose….
The servants are slower than Merts Lc, they’d be no good…. 😉
Hahaha Kelsey………………….actually, the majority of the population of Cornwall is from outside of it and has been for many years……….more Cockney`s here than Cornish ! 🙂
Oops !…………………….nearly forgot to go and pick up the Grand Dustbin Lids ! 🙁
Afternoon All
Afternoon Rico, that was a great post and like you I have good vibes about young Cohen.
There’s something about players who struggle initially to make the grade, drop down a few levels but never lose their enthusiasm and work hard to improve and make it later in life.
Doing a proper job, at Bentleys, will have given him an insight into the real world most of us inhabit, something many academy players never experience until they are released and reality kicks in. So Cohen will grab this opportunity and thank his lucky stars every day.
Good luck to the lad….
As for ‘Tourists’, it is a term I and everyone else I know, uses to describe those who attend the odd game, spend copiously in the Arsenal Shop, sit through the games munching hot dogs and add nothing to the atmosphere except to complain that the fans in front are standing up and making a racket…
I am not a ST holder anymore, but I’d be interested to know what the attendances would be like if you didn’t need a ST and had to pay at the turnstile on the day?
That is you make up your mind to go or not depending on your circumstances that day, rather than always going because you’ve already paid…
I wonder if attendances, especially at Arsenal, would seriously dip?
Of course the clubs love it the way it is, as they have your dough already and whether you go or not doesn’t matter to them in that case…
Afternoon Kev, thanks..
Nice comment by the way and a really good point about the turnstile tickets, I bet the place would be half empty..
I remember going to a League Cup game with my eldest boy the season before last.
We sat in our usual seats surrounded by strangers, but that was ok, it was good seeing so many kids getting a chance to go for a change…
As soon as the game started, my lad and I stood up as we usually do, but soon became aware that most of the newbies around us were still sitting, slurping cola and munching on pizza.
Then the Mum and her two young sons behind began tut tutting and her kids were grumbling about not being able to see, so we sat down and watched the game, pretty much in silence with just a knowing glance between us and a chuckle at this experience of new sanitised football at the Emirates, as Lee and I sat through vs Man City a few years back in Club Level, where nobody seems to get excited and the most atmosphere we saw was the rush for a free half-time lager.
That, my dear Gooners, is the US style soccer we see gradually creeping in at the Grove…
And the main reason that I don’t miss going anymore…
Rico, I honestly think if you didn’t need a season ticket and could pay on the day, that over the last 5 years we would have seen quite a few attendances in the 40,000/45,000’s….
That’s another reason why the clubs won’t sanction safe standing…
It has nothing to do with safety and everything to do with money.
Not that that will surprise anyone….
It’s a great shame though Kev because safe standing would much improve the atmosphere at the ground. I used to love standing at Elm Park watching Micheal Gilkes running up and down the wing and Stuart Beavon in midfield… I took quite a shine to the latter… lol
And yes, I could see ok… 😉
Did you take a milk crate to stand on Rico?
Or did you wear enormous heels, you know, like the Bay City Rollers?
?
Cheeky tinker Kev… lol
Neither ?
If there were no season tickets or corporate we would have better off at Highbury, in fact even with season tickets we would have been better off at Highbury.The place had atmosphere and we could have built up to 50000 capacity, the board might have not changed as much though of course dear Danny died and it would be interesting to see in the last 10 years at Highbury and the first ten at The Emirates how we fared results wise.
Morning all.
I never got the chance to visit Highbury for a game, which is a shame.
The Emirates is a beautiful stadium, but it deifitnely lacks atmosphere-one of the games I saw was v Citeh, 1-1, and the crowd was up for a little while but apart from that, small pockets were singing on occasions and that’s about it.
Andrew, there’s some top people in this lot 🙂
As for worshipping Wenger, well, Lee leads that charge lol
Do you reckon fans would go right now Kelsey?
Rico, without ST’s, there’d probably be a burst of people going to the first few games, then it’d settle down to lower numbers, I think…….unless we start performing.
Fans bounce off the performance Scott, the team bounces off the fans. But it’s up to the team to get the fans going from the off…
Boring, predictable and stale football won’t get the fans singing….
True, Rico, but we were fantastic v Citeh thsat day and should’ve won.
I’m just not sure the stadium is conducive to a great atmosphere but obviously others who’ve been there more often can answer that better than I.
But we didn’t Scott… and those top performances are few and far between…
Night guys..
Agreed Rico, but has the place ever really been rocking?
Night Rico…
Just been flicking through the pages of the Evening Standard, not the newspaper it used to be…
Got to the business pages and there was some right dodgy geezers in there…
Kev, wait until you hit the political section 🙂
I don’t know re The Emirates Scott… Someone who was a regular when we first moved can only answer that one but I bet there was plenty of excitement in the stadium. After all, we were about to compete with the big boys now we’d moved… Or that’s the line we were spun…
Morning to you and all..
Hahahahaha
Too true, Rico.
Talking of Stadiums, in the next 3-4years our major competitors in London will have caught up with us. Spuds, Chavs and Hammers who already have high capacity stadium will be at par with arsenal in revenue generation hence competition in the transfer market and competition for the league. We thought moving to the Ems would take us light years ahead of everybody….shock on us.
Perhaps with a different manager Marshall, we’d push on ahead of the others…
Marshall, on the other hand, Arsenal has proven a new stadium guaranteed nothing 🙂
New post up now.
True Rico…maybe.
Scott, could have been only the case with Arsenal- stadium not guaranteeing anything. With a different management and ambition from the top to the kit man we could have been better off. Has been over a decade since we moved!