Morning all.
Jordan Henderson didn’t last long in the Saudi League did he? Al-Ettifaq, the club managed by his old team mate Steven Gerrard isn’t for him it seems as he’s now on his way to Ajax on a permanent deal. Karim Benzema isn’t keen on staying in Saudi either apparently as he’s heavily linked to a number of clubs, including Arsenal. He’s scored 15 goals in 24 games for Al-Ittihad.
We all know what Benzema can do because he’s been around for years. He scores goals. Yes, he’s 36, but he’s still as fit as a fiddle and probably fancies a stint in the Premier League before he finally retires.
Hypothetically, what would you think if he came to Arsenal for the rest of the season? What, thanks but no thanks? Ok, back to Ivan Toney it is then…..
Mikel Arteta’s team has to come back from this mini break in Dubai with a positive mindset. What’s done is done and now it’s about the next four months of fixtures. Whilst I remain doubtful about our chances of winning silverware this season, all the time we’re in a race, we have a chance of winning it. But the players will need a near perfect run in the league fixtures if City, Liverpool and others in the mix are to be beaten.
The expected soon return of Thomas Partey will be a boost for the squad and we can only hope that Oleksandr Zinchenko’s injury is nothing serious. We need our left back because he gives us something extra in midfield. How bonkers does that sound eh?
Arsenal fans need to see why Mikel Arteta paid so much for Kai Havertz. A good player admittedly but he has to be better in front of goal if Arsenal are to win games, as do Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard. Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson too when they play. I’ve said it before but it’s all very well criticising the defence but if our front men do what they’re supposed to do, the odd goal we concede will be irrelevant.
I don’t suppose for one minute that Mikel Arteta’s team will come back from Dubai and start playing a different system and why should they bearing in mind how many chances the team is creating but it’d be better if the players did what they do, a lot quicker. At least I think so. Football at a higher pace gives an opponent less opportunity to regroup, less chance for three players to bear down on Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli. Pace, width and quick passing. Open up the opposition to create space, not dawdle on the ball so they can fill the spaces we as a team want to occupy.
Remember the acronym KISS? I think it sums up life in general, keep it simple because over complicating something can cause mistakes. Football is a simple game in my opinion, but a game complicated by too much teaching. Arsene Wenger in his heyday was brilliant for keeping football simple, at least it appeared simple because the players executed his game plan so well but then it was quick. Very quick. Successful too.
Some of the best football Mikel Arteta’s teams has played is when they come out of the blocks fast and give the opposition no time to settle. Start a game slowly though and any opponent can start believing they have a chance. It’s easy to drop a level of intensity in a football match but not so easy to raise it. At least that’s how it seems for Arsenal.
Catch up in the comments..
I’d take Benzema for this, and next, season – at the right cost outlay.
However, when I reflect that we could have gotten a proven Gooner back into the fold, who just happens to have eclipsed TH14 as France’s all-time leading scorer… and for a paltry 1 million quid…
How Edu didn’t snap up Giroud when he left Chelski, I do not know!! How handy would a dozen goals have been from him this season? And you just know he would have gotten us at least that many!
Jdh, why did we ever let Giroud go in the first place I wonder?
I don’t think we’d get Benzema because of his wages etc. We definitely need goals from somewhere, or someone.
Go 1 nil up after 5 minutes 2 nil after 10 , life is easy drop off and get caught out. Once you relax it’s almost impossible to raise your game again especially as your opponents will have gained confidence too.
This is why we have seen many games where we find the last ten minutes defending like the Alamo :- hanging on , bringing on defenders to protect a narrow lead that should have been much larger .
This is also why we don’t get to see the youngsters come off the bench for their ten minutes of fame.
When you are on top , you have to go for the throat , make a two goal lead four whilst the other team are rocking .
Never ease up .
Spot on Potter.
As for Benzema , we have been down this street before with players like Suker great in his time but too old and too late and Podolski not used correctly.
Good morning Rico and all.
Snowing heavily here at the moment, and it’s settling.
Benzema? No thanks! As for Toney! A great big raspberry!!!
Reports have claimed that Sheffield Wednesday want Denmark Under-21 international Mika Biereth after Arsenal recalled him from Motherwell.
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell said: “Mika has been recalled. It’s been a difficult one for us over the last 24 hours. It’s a major, major disappointment.
“This was a little bit unexpected. The conversation was that Mika would stay here until the end of the season just last week unless something big came on the table for Arsenal that they couldn’t turn down.
“They believe there’s an opportunity to send him to another club that takes him that step beyond where we are just now.”
Signing oldies isn’t the way forward imo, if money is tight why waste it on hefty wages.
Morning Cicero, I’m mixed on Toney, one day I think yes, the next, nope.
I guess you’re putting your skies on as I type….
Arsenal, Spurs monitoring Barrenetxea
Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea, a current Spain U21 international (The Sun).
The north London clubs have both been scouting the 22-year-old through November and December, but he has since suffered an ankle injury, ruling him out for three weeks.
Arsenal see Barrenetxea as a player who can provide competition for Gabriel Martinelli.
Why don’t we just keep Mika? 21 next month, 6’ 2” and a strong looking lad.
Benzema – 36 and not going to chase a defender? Unlikely, but he does put the ball in the net. Sounds like an older version of Haaland.
Looking at Mik’s buys a lot have EPL experience. Makes sense, Taking a forward from another league is risky. Just look at what happened with Pepe (useless in the ACN).
Toney makes sense on many levels. A little older than the team profile, but like Ian Wright when he joined, you know he will get goals. Shame we didn’t take him a few seasons back when he was a lot cheaper.
My ski(e)s are stashed away in my garage loft, they haven’t been moved since I put them there on returning from my last ever skiing holiday in Meribel February 2013, five months after my heart attack. I would love to get them out again but I can’t stand the cold anymore. 😕
Mika Biereth must fancy the switch, Sheffield Wednesday are in a tough spot so I’d imagine that he’ll get a lot of minutes. The major benefit is that Mika will be up against much better opponents in the Championship so we’ see if he’s got what it takes?
Do Arsenal see this as an opportunity to raise his profile and value pending a sale next summer or did Arteta see something in him during his return to Arsenal during the winter break in Scotland and wants to see him versus better defenders with a view to bringing him into the senior squad?
Who knows, Mika could save us £100m next summer?
Afternoon Rico and all.
Benzema no thanks, we need someone for the long term not just a fill in for six months.
I felt a bit sorry for Motherwell, we’ve basically left them a major striker short and they aren’t in a really strong position to replace Biereth financially so I guess they’ll be looking for another young striker to loan – like everyone else at that level?
Perhaps they didn’t play him enough Kev or Arteta just wants him to play more competitive football.
Pete, for that very reason I can’t see Benz at Arsenal. Arteta likes every player working their socks off.
Cicero, sorry to hear that..
Hi Geoff.
Afternoon Rico.
Biereth played in 14 out of the 21 SPL games that Motherwell have played this season, scoring 6 goals, which on the face of it isn’t a lot of goals but it’s more than any Arsenal forward has in the EPL this season.
Scottish football might so be as sophisticated as some other leagues but you need to grow up quick to survive there. I’m sure he’s a more mature footballer now than he was 5 months ago.
Hi Kev, can only be the league isn’t competitive enough I guess. Honestly, I don’t know why we’d loan him out again when we need a striker. He’s not a kid any more..
…as for Jordan Henderson…what a 2 faced t^rd.
It’s all about the money Jordan…always was…
From what I have read, Henderson has not received a penny from the Saudi club. His deal was structured in such a way as to avoid paying tax in the UK. Now that he has left Saudi they will not need to pay him anything and he will still have to pay his UK tax bill if he returns to to this country.
The Saudi club have not won any of their last eight games so it looks like the manager will shortly follow his former team-mate back to Liverpool. Now what is the name of the manager? Oh that’s it! Steven Gerrard. 😉
If we sign Raya then we could do a loan deal for Toney is the latest red top rumour . Personally I don’t particularly want either of them.
Henderson was naive imo. He thought football would believe he went to Saudi for positive reasons, however, we aren’t fools.
Gerrard has apparently just signed a two year contract extension Cicero.
I should imagine that Gerrard’s stock has fallen as far as his bosses are concerned Rico. He must have had a big say in recommending Henderson and that has blown up in his face.
Must admit Cicero, I was surprised to read about his contract because he’s been awful.
Maybe I’m limiting myself too much… or I’ve been too influenced by Arteta success in squad, team building through character… but I don’t want Toney. Not a good guy.
Benzema…. amazing player.., I always rated him as one of the best strikers in the world from his early days..every aspect of his game…. but his history of behaviour is disgusting. Some athletes are just rich low lifes.
Jnyc1, maybe a bit of both. lol
Going by one report on the internet, Arsenal called back Mika Biereth as Sheffield wednesday are interested in loaning him from us. what ever they do lets hope it is in the interest of the player and not just to raise his market value with the full attention of selling him to raise funds.
Benzema is a fantastic player but any move would probably never happen,as someone said it would have been a great move a few years ago. Transfer rumours don’t you just love em.
I am making up my own rumer, like the media do, Ronaldo want’s to return to the premier league and is in talks with Arsenal.
Glad the season restarts this weekend so we can talk about the players after their nice holiday.
Mika Biereth joined Sturm Graz after all, European Conference football might have been a consideration to Mika and his advisors, it’ll raise his profile and value whilst a loan fee will have interested Arsenal, so shop window all around?
New post up