Morning all.
There is an interview with Ben White on Arsenal.com.
We’re not worried about anyone else, what they’re doing, or sending messages. We’ve got to continue to do what we’ve been doing and reach higher levels as a team. If we play the way we can, we’ll beat anyone.
When asked about Manchester City, their success and what it will take for another club, in particular Arsenal, to topple them, he said:
They’re unbelievable and have done it for so many years now. The players they have are outstanding, so each season is very different. Perfect is probably what it takes to win the Premier League. We’re capable of doing that.
Capable perhaps but the chances of being perfect for ten months is virtually impossible. Even Guardiola and his multibillion squad haven’t managed a perfect season. That is if perfection means not losing a match throughout an entire league season. Perhaps I’m being pedantic but Arsenal don’t need to be perfect either, just better than the rest.
We’re all driven to win and you see the work that we do day in, day out. The manager has ways of getting us into the right frame of mind. He’s a special manager to play for and you can’t not give 100 percent for him.
No doubt Ben White and the majority of the rest of the squad will be relieved when Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract. Arsenal fans too. Having come so close to winning the league last season, I think there’s an anticipation that Arsenal might go one better this time around.
Are the players ready for the challenge?
This pre-season was different, a different atmosphere. We’re here to really do something and we know that we can because we got so close. It’s the confidence that we’re producing in training and in the first game.
White was asked about our new summer signing Riccardo Calafiori:
He’s amazing. He’s fit right in and is doing well. He’s been training with us for a few weeks and has settled well. He’s strong, big, aggressive and a very front foot defender. He gives us a different type of full back so it’s good for everyone to compete and bring up the levels for everyone.
When you see the defensive record you just look at the back four and the goalie, but it’s much bigger than that. Most of the attacking players have a massive part to play in it. Most of the time the ball doesn’t even get back to us because of the high press and the attackers doing so well for us.
Defending from the front and attacking from the back is a basic in football but to get it right requires the right players. It’s probably easy for any player to press the opposition defence but it’s energy sapping when done well or should I say properly. There’s a big difference between forward players simply jogging around by the defenders and pressing them hard. Arsenal do it well, very well. Usually encouraged by the sound of “vamos vamos” from the technical area. In fact most of Arsenal’s play is encouraged in the same way.
What about Aston Villa, the thorn in Arsenal’s side last season, or at least one of them?
We need to put that right and get that result this time. I’m sure we’ll do that and prepare well for it. They’re all big games, no matter who you play against. The points you drop anywhere in the season, you can put it back to that. There are games that we drew that we should’ve won and they’re two points that we should pick up. It’s always a tough game when you get there, (Villa Park) there are a lot of duels, it’s very aggressive. They’re very quick and want to play on the counter, so we’ve got to be ready for that.
He’s spot on, Arsenal need to get a very different result at Villa Park tomorrow. A result which they should have got last season in this fixture but more on that tomorrow.
Catch up in the comments.
Great post Rico
That’s the beauty of how our squad is evolving – regarding the left-side – now it’s impossible to be really sure how Mikel will go now because it wouldn’t surprise me if any of our trio of left-back candidates started, just as it wouldn’t surprise me if Jesus started and Kai dropped into the 8
Emery can’t be sure either, which is an bonus and believe me he wants the win against Arsenal so much it hurts. In fact I’d imagine that he hasn’t thought of much else since the fixtures came out?
Thanks Kev, I have afc.com to thank… 😂
I’m not as convinced as you, I think he’ll continue with the same team with just one possible change at left back…
Although he might opt for Jorginho instead of Partey if the latter is moving in the next 7 days..
Arteta: We need to make room for academy prospects
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s approach to the transfer window and using academy players:
“We knew what we wanted to do and what we could do, which is important. You have to put those things together.
“And then, what is available that can really strengthen the squad for the short, medium and long-term?
“The other important thing is looking at our academy. We have some promising talent and we have to create space for those kids to come close to the first team.”
Arteta not ruling out transfer ‘surprises’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the final week of the transfer window:
“Anything can happen, both ways, and you have to be ready. Especially in the last week, you have to be alert and prepared because a lot of surprises can come for many different reasons. We are prepared.”
Morning Rico and all.
I don’t think Emery cares about beating us any more than he does about any other club. I reckon the pressure is on Arteta more than on Emery.
Unless I am mistaken I don’t think Emery has said a negative word about us since he departed.
Good morning Rico and all
Good one Rico.
Geoff, Emery has never said any bad word about Arsenal since he left, on the contrary he has praised the club. And neither the club nor Arteta have said anything against him. On the contrary they have praised him. Its only the supporters and probably some players (those who used to ridicule him but now are out of the club) who have said anything bad about him. I for one would love him to succeed because he is quite a good manager. he had a hard act to follow and the board were not patient with him like they are with Arteta. Arteta is trusted fully. Emery was not. Why remains to be seen, because Emery was successful with regards cup wins with more than one club.
Merino soon to be in.
Next??? Lookman, Gyokeres, Osimhem. Yawn. I prefer Gyokeres but he only plays CF. Lookman can play anywhere across the front line, while Osimhem has lots of Gallas-like tantrum baggage, he sulks and once he even threatened his manager at Napoli. Now Nico Williams has been thrown in the mix. he can play anywhere across the front three but like Leao, Toney etc….he expects the team to play for him. I dont trust players who openly want to join Barca and then joins us since his club is skint.
Morning Geoff, Devil.
Agree re Emery, I think he’s focussed on Villa rather than us.
Emery is a top manager who with the kind of support Arteta has had, would have done so much better at Arsenal.
Merino medical today apparently.
Jamie Smith cops a Nelson out for 111. A very good innings, classy!
He’s one calm cricketer. Even after his hundred he was straight back in his crease ready..
I for one will be glad when we don’t have to keep hearing Merino deal close.
I personally believe the board always wanted Arteta, but because he was not available at the time the used Emery to try and shut the fans up.
358 all out first innings lead of 122.
Different board members wasn’t it Geoff?
Agree re Merino, what a saga it’s been…
Great start by England, Woakes one over, one maiden, one wicket.
It gets better, Atkinson four balls one run one wicket.
Rico, I am just glad that the board are backing Arteta and not being like some clubs and changing managers every year or two.
I see football365 claim 6 clubs want Tierney, but Arteta wants him to stay.
Tierney’s only job since arriving is to keep the medical team and physio’s in a job.
Those clubs that want Tierney probably want him on loan with Arsenal paying part of his wages?
I think Arsenal are not as solid and playing as well as they want us to believe.
Yes, it’s all very suspicious….
Ditto Geoff, if Arteta doesn’t win anything, no one can suggest it’s through lack of funding.
I wonder if Jorginho might start tomorrow,he scored the season before last,a great strike,which hit Martinez on the head before going in,comedy gold.
Watching the cricket,at least England will have to bat again,at one stage that looked doubtful.
Limey, that was a quality moment…
Vieira linked with a loan move back to Porto..
Scrap that, The Athletic (Ornstein) reports he is returning to Porto on loan with a deal agreed.
Nwaneri has to be in front of Vieira now, Ethan is likely to get those minutes anyway, Fabio has had enough chances to clinch a spot in the squad but to be blunt he’s been pretty feeble for most of his time at Arsenal, I won’t be sorry to see him leave.
£ 34 million down the drain , Vieira’s home again.
I shan’t be shedding a tear either.
As Potter says, a waste of £34 million, roughly what we sold ESR for…
Southampton in talks over Ramsdale loan
Southampton are in talks with Arsenal over a loan deal for Aaron Ramsdale.
The clubs are also discussing potential obligations to buy the goalkeeper if Saints stay up.
Yesterday, Sky Sports News reported Southampton were preparing a loan bid.
Wolves remain interested and Ramsdale is also on the list of goalkeeper targets at Bournemouth.
He has been told he can leave Arsenal if the right offer has made.
Arsenal want to make a permanent sale – or at least a loan that comes with an obligation to buy.
They are working on potential replacements if he is to leave and have explored the conditions of a deal for Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
Joan Garcia ? Another Inaki Cana protégé ? from his Barcelona school of goalkeepers.
Ramsdale should have learned Spanish.
When we bought Vieira I thought we had a good player, but as it turned out he did not have the strength needed to prosper in The Premiership. I wish him well wherever he ends up.
It is inevitable that we are targeting Spanish players, Arteta knows what he wants and knows the Spanish market inside out.
Wenger did a similar thing when he first joined Arsenal with French players.
Don’t know anything about Garcia, other than he’s Spanish.
I think everyone wishes Vieira well, it’s not his fault his move didn’t work. I blame his agent, he should have done his homework a lot better but then so should have Arsenal.
We don’t have that many Spaniards in the squad though… one isn’t it?
If he comes it will be two , both keepers . Funny that . Maybe Cana has communication problems in any other language.
Out of Leno , Ramsdale , Runnarrson and Martinez only the Argentinian has said good things about him . We know that Raya is his golden boy .
I think the Argentinians speak Spanish or a form of it too! Just saying😊 So, we Cana have non Spanish speaking goalies at the arsenal, Cana we..
Sorry! But someone had to say it!
Three with Merino.
Didn’t realise Martinez said good things about Cana. I’d hoped he’d be gone this summer..
Ha ha…
Good news about Vieira, hopefully a few good matches under his belt and his confidence back again, looks like a win for everybody.
Arteta-Cana_Brentford_- Basque region and nearby are all connected .Anyway I am clearly not wanted on here as I signed up for emails re new posts, never get them, and never get a reply and probably the next comment will be New Post UP.
Good for all I reckon Geoff.
Kelsey, I’ve no idea why you’re not getting the emails. Have you checked your spam folder?
Your suggestion of not being wanted on here is ridiculous and unwarranted imo. I cannot solve your email issue if you don’t let me know.
New post up.