I hope you and all yours remain fighting fit and healthy. Here in the UK, Boris Johnson is reported to have written to us all, emphasising the dangers of Coronavirus and how critical it is for us to stay at home. I’m sure it’s the same for those of you living in other parts of the world. Yet still the British media have captured on film, DIY shoppers, groups of people sat together drinking coffee or just generally being a dick through all of this. Meanwhile NHS staff together with other key workers are out there looking after us. Putting their own health at risk, their own lives on the line.
Like many of us, the majority of Arsenal staff aren’t at work right now. I don’t mean the players, I mean those who probably have to work a year to earn what Mesut Ozil earns in a day. Ordinary people living an ordinary life like so many throughout the world who can’t work right now, people who need to pay a mortgage and utility bills each month and rely on their salary.
Vinai Venkatesham has put their minds at rest by confirming they’ll be paid during this period of time away from the club:
“We are truly grateful for the outstanding efforts of all our staff every day. We rely on their tireless service to provide a first-class experience for our fans, on matchdays and non-matchdays. This gesture is intended to ease their financial uncertainty.”
I know I’ve said this before but it wouldn’t hurt these multi millionaire players to give a bit back to society would it? How all the players and coaching staff along with Sanllehi and Edu etc chipping in together and then as a club, donate some money to the NHS?
Forget the Balloon’dor or whatever it’s called, what about a global recognition for all the medics and key workers who have looked after us through this? Forget the team of the year voted for by a group of media people who vote for the guy in his/her kids dream team because the team of 2020 can only be those who are out working right now whilst others are enjoying time at home with their family. Football needs to do more, that’s all I’m saying.
I read something in one of the newspapers yesterday, can’t recall which one but the crux was that Mikel Arteta and Raul Sanellhi plan to make use of their contacts in Spain for this upcoming transfer window. In other words, more European players to Arsenal. I hope this, like many things written in the back pages, is a pile of you know what. I’ve said it before so forgive me for repeating myself but the last thing Arsenal need right now is a player who might not fit in well with English football. In my opinion of course. I’d much rather Arsenal went for players who have what it takes to win at Sheffield, Leicester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Wolves, West Ham, Brighton – the kind of places where the team we face will dig in and if required, get physical. I don’t mean cheat etc, I just mean strong, as we once were albeit a long time ago now. I’d be looking at the clubs flirting with relegation from Premier League and go for their standout players. Same for the Championship clubs because every squad has the odd player or three who stand out from the others.
Not every French player is going to be the ‘next’ Patrick Vieira, Manu Petit or Thierry Henry. Not every Spaniard is going to be ‘next’ Cesc Fàbregas, Santi Cazorla or Mikel Arteta for that matter and not every overseas footballer will settle into the English game having played in warm climates or a league where the slightest touch to the precious tootsies, is deemed a foul.
We’re constantly told that the club has to be smarter with their transfer business, well I reckon there’s little smarter than signing a footballer who has roughed it up (no offence meant) in the Championship, or helped his team beat relegation.
That’s my Sunday waffle over…
Stay safe guys, stay healthy.
I’m amazed Cicero, if that’s his salary..
New post up now
Not me Scott, I judge him on how’s he’s played for Arsenal over his entire time, not just since his pay increase. A total waste of £50 million signing on fee imo.
I reckon he’ll end up there Sue, or Barca etc.
‘morning all, you think players are overpaid? Diego Simeone is on £36.2 million a year, that ain’t chicken soup! 😉
Rico, fair call but we judge Ozil on his wage that was handed to him a few years back.
No, I don’t think he was worth it even then, but I don’t reckon and sportsman is worth that 🙂
Auba told his late Grandfather one day he’d play for RM… watch this space, hey?!
Morning all.
Depends Scott, today’s Alexis is very different to the Alexis who played for us. Mid Arsenal contract, he was worth at least £60 million I’d say.
I’d be really miffed if Arsenal were to sign a 31 year old for £18m Cicero, take the £10m for Mikki and be grateful imo.
Real Madrid are “interested” in signing Aubameyang, but only if they fail to get Harlaand from Borrusia Dortmund or Mane from Liverpool. That must make PEA feel all fuzzy and warm to know he’s third on their wanted list behind a nineteen year old Norwegian kid. 😉
Roma are ready to pay £10 million for Mkhitaryan, but Arsenal want £18 million. Is it worth taking the £10 million to get him off the books?
You lot are harsh 🙂
What’s Alexis worth now?
He’d have to pay us bahahahahaha
Night Rico, sleep well…. 🙂
Yeah, from Brondby, seems more the kind of player we should be looking at although €5m is a lot for a 19 year old in the present market.
Apparently he’s a holding midfielder, a position where we’re light…
Night Kev, all.
Not really Kev. 😂
Ha ha Kev..
Anis Ben Slimane is linked with us. Danish holding midfield.
You think he’s worth that much Rico? 😉
Neither will I Kev. Who’d pay him big money now though after the way he’s played for us. He’d be lucky to get £50 a week. 😝
He’s the new Benzema, Rico, as regular as clockwork…
James has been linked to us for the last few years. All poppycock imo.
Yes Rico, one more year of Mesut and his agent, then he can bugger off to the MLS or Fenerbahce. I won’t miss him.
Kev, I’m all for seeing more of Willock, Eddie, ESR and co too, at least a long enough run to see what they’re made of. These large fee signings so often end up being a bit disappointing.
Yes, the story about a Ozil did warm my toes. Not! Thank goodness his contract is soon up as I’ll be glad when he’s gone.
Scott, agree. A really kindhearted bloke. Shame the media couldn’t leave him alone…
I’d be astonished if there was any truth in the James Rodriguez rumours, classic agent spin I suspect, but let it rumble on while we’re hopefully scouting some young talent.
It gives the click bait tossers on News Now something to post.
Of course Real Madrid would love to dump him on Arsenal just like Man Utd when they dumped Mkhitarayan on us in exchange for Alexis.
There’s going to be a lot of overrated superstars on vastly inflated wages on the market this summer as clubs desperately try to recoup some of their loses from this truncated season.
Potter, I suppose it’ll all be relative though. A bit like the house market really when so often a friend can be heard muttering about the increase or decrease of the valuation of their property, forgetting of course that the place they hope to buy will have moved in the same direction.
We might not get as much for Auba, but then whoever we hope to sign won’t cost as much either. Freebies come cheap anyway. 😂
Morning all.
Rico, I did hear that Re:Andrew Ridgely.
Brilliant story, brilliant and decent man was GM.
Geoff, we don’t know that we hear rumours are true mate, so we can’t hold them against the club until confirmed.
We’ve all been through enough TW’s to know most of Arsenal’s signings aren’t even spoken of in social media until the last day or two.
Rico that’s my whole point , I think that the bottom will drop out of the transfer market . Anything that we expected to get for those players is going to be greatly reduced however if as I believe the price we might get in , which supposes that any club that they would be interested in going to has any money , would also relate to the price that we might have to pay for anyone that wants to come to London .
The way things are at present I would be very wary when the restrictions come off of travelling to Madrid , Barcelona , Milan let alone living there.
Being linked with Rodriguez & Madrid.exactly the type of purchase we should NOT be making.28 yrs old a flop at. Madrid & Bayern.overpriced & a snowflake.If this is where we’re heading again idont hold out much hope for Arteta who I would love to succeed.
Season ticket renewals are going to be another bone of contention in the next few months and never mind the waiting list, as I can see a lot of fans deciding that putting bread on the table and a bit of financial security comes before boosting the share price of KSE.
Then we have the global economic slow down, how is that going to affect sports fans in the US and how will that impact on the big American sports investors who bought into the Premier League gravy train? I mean it was going to last forever wasn’t it…
Apparently Derby and Fulham are developing some really good young players, we should be scouting them, not some cheapos from La Liga.
Of course Ozil’s agent didn’t miss the opportunity this week of reminding us all that Mesut is staying at Arsenal and all because he’s a lifelong Arsenal fan and he loves North London.
Doesn’t that bring a warm glow to your colon…
Afternoon All…
Buying and selling players in the very exciting new post pandemic world is going to be seismic methinks…
Players and agents who are expecting the level of riches they dreamed of pre pandemic might be in for a very nasty shock when the transfer windows open – whenever that is…
For example, are Arsenal going to get the kind of renumeration for Aubameyang that they probably imagined they’d get only a month or so ago or will Pierre Emerick himself even be offered the level of deals he hoped for at the same time?
Clubs’, agents and players might find that they’re not going to be as wealthy as they thought they would be and maybe that isn’t a bad thing, the whole filthy football lucre circus was becoming disgusting, has become disgusting and a bit of reality blowing through the business is probably a good thing…
I want to see Arsenal pushing through the likes of Smith Rowe, Nelson, et al into the squad next season, as I’m a bit fed up with the Pepe’s of this world.
Not if we sell Aubameyang, Lacazette and two or three others Potter. I can see Guendouzi being sold if a good offer comes in for him.
If Sky, Bt etc hike their prices up, I won’t be staying with them and a lot of others will quit too I think. They’re a rip off as it is.
Geoff I wouldn’t worry too much about expensive signings , The only incomings will likely be for players out of contract and as they have no income if they want a job they will have to temper their pay demands.
Without getting too political
Lets face it the western world is dependant on a thriving growth in their economies and after this virus has gone governments are going to realise that they are broke.I am sure that prices will spiral , inflation will go mad and their will be a major recession.. Football clubs currently have no income but their excessive wage liability remains , their sponsors and Sky , BT et al are seeing their incomes reducing and they will be doing all that they can to get their money back..
Going to be interesting to see how the world in general and football in part reacts.
We need to keep our academy but the question is should we sack the academy recruiting staff for picking the wrong kids we need at least 3 or 4 young players each year trying to force the older players out of our senior team, not just 1 or 2 and then keep sending them out on loans.
Hi Scott I agree there are a lot of players and famous people that do a lot for charity and don’t want the public to know and that is fine how ever If the reports are correct then I don’t believe any club has the wrights to asked it’s players and staff to take a pay cut then straight away start looking at expensive player to buy
I didn’t think what I got was funny Cicero.. 😂
Beautiful sunshine here in Berkshire..
Sleet here in Essex.
No Rico, it’s a farmer standing in a pasture expecting an OBE. He heard that they give them for being “outstanding in your field” so that’s what he’s doing. There’s also an interaction with the guy who asked him why he’d been standing there for three days.
Was that meant to be a load of builders in India Cicero?
Snow? You can keep that in Norfolk thanks… lol
Actually it won’t, sorry! 😕
Afternoon Limey, I’m the same with Bt Sport and Sky Sports. I’m sure it would work out cheaper to pay by the game but I’d miss the cricket, golf and everything else which comes with it… I do think both will lose customers after this though, a lot too.
Ditto re Arteta, he certainly knows what to say. I hope we see his thoughts transferred onto the pitch next season.
Good day all, light snow at the moment just a few flurries I hope. Earlier we had a hail storm then heavy rain after which the sun came out. very windy and cold out so I’ve abandoned the garden for a while.
Pay cuts for players? A great idea! Sadly turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.
We need to get the best out of our academy players, they deserve the chance to make it into the first team squad if they can. If not why are we spending a fortune on the academy?
Hope this brings a smile.
VID-20200234-WA007.mp4
Me neither Scott. You mentioning George Michael, did you know he added Andrew Ridgley to all his records, even his vast number of solo hits just to make sure he’d never want for anything. Incredible man, a very generous man as you say but didn’t need to brag about it…
Afternoon Rico/everyone
I agree about buying players from within the British game – I’m not bothered about nationality. It’s a no brainer, those players should adapt better you would think. Arsenal and most teams to be fair seem happier to line the pockets of agent’s, it drives me mad.
To be honest football seems unimportant right now, I’ve cancelled my Sky & BT Sports subscription, they carry on until April 17th but I’m not watching them anyway. I’m impressed with Freeview, more channels than I thought, I watched a programme about the 2018 world Cup yesterday which was really good, I don’t think I will go back to Sky/BT.
Best thing about it, I’m saving hundreds of pounds a year, I’ll need it to pay the extra taxes which we will all be paying!
The economic impact of this will be huge, players across Europe are taking paycuts. The silence from the Premier league, the PFA too is deafening. I think all players at that level should give a small percentage of salary to help grassroots.
Everything Arteta has to say is impressive, makes me positive about the future, as much as you can be right now!
All the best.
Media reports mean very little guys.
We all know that, and yet we all get caught up with them at some point 🙂
Rico, we don’t really know what the players do or don’t do with their money.
Not football related, but when George Michael died, the stories of his generosity and charity work came out and were incredible.
Very, very few people knew as that’s how he wanted it.
Ozil, for all he cops, is said to have paid for hundreds of operations for children around the world.
Rumours, yes, but again, who knows what they do or don’t do?
I’m sure I let ya wouldn’t do a damn thing to help anyone else but then, we can say that about society in general.
Hi Geoff, we certainly seem to need two or three grafters instead of these little flakes we have.
Hi Rico and All I don’t get it the clubs say they have to sack staff who work in the back ground and players need to take a pay cut to help the club survive then you read stories that club are looking at buying very expensive players does not make sense,
We should be looking for players in the premier league who will fight for there spot and love playing the game