Morning all.
When Arsenal finally got round to telling us all that Folarin Balogun had put pen to paper on a new Arsenal contract I was elated. We’d heard the rumours he’d committed to the club but until yesterday afternoon, nothing was official. I know ‘he ain’t done nothin yet’ but I’m convinced it won’t be long before he does. I can’t see him going on loan next season, I think he’s strong enough to take on the Premier League in the same way Bukayo Saka has. ESR too although he did go on loan but then again, he was younger.
Edu is thrilled, Arteta is too and Balogun – Flo to his mates, is ‘buzzing’. As am I.
With Lacazette and Aubameyang ruled out for Thursday’s fixture, Balogun is bound to be plane heading to Spain in a couple of days time.
I think it’s great that Arsenal are finally bringing players through the academy and into the first team. Obviously ESR and Saka have been the headline stealers but I don’t think it’ll be long before a few of their previous academy teammates will be be back alongside them again but this time, in the first team. That excites me, a lot more than Arsenal going out and spending £40 million plus on an overseas player. Of course there’s a need for experienced players too who more often than not come from a different country but I just love seeing Arsenal boys becoming Arsenal men. Sadly though, not all do but at least most of them have been setup to succeed in the game at a very good level.
This Arsenal squad is certainly looking very different to the one Unai Emery took to Baku for a Europa Cup Final.
The team/squad on that awful night was:
Cech, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, AMN, Torreira, Xhaka, Kolasinac. Ozil, Lacazette and Aubameyang.
Subs: Elneny, Lichsteiner, Iwobi, Leno, Mustafi, Welbeck, Jenkinson, Guendouzi, Iliev, Nketiah, Willock, Saka.
23 players of which 10 have since gone. A further 5 are out on loan. Lliev’s contract end this summer so he’ll be gone, Mustafi too so I’ve included him in the ‘gone’ list. Luiz is likely to leave as well.
Arsenal have seen a lot of change since Edu and Arteta joined forces and I don’t think we’ve seen the end of it by a long way. Question marks hang over the future of AMN, Willock, Nelson, Nketiah, Guendouzi, Torreira and Kolasinac. Torreira is rumoured to want a return to South America, Newcastle are reportedly interested in keeping hold of Willock but I’m not convinced AMN will want to stay at WBA, not with them soon to be a Championship club and I can see Nketiah, Nelson and Guendouzi being sold to raise funds for summer signings.
On one hand, I think the changes being made at Arsenal and the lack of fans inside the stadium has been a blessing in disguise for Mikel Arteta but on the other, I wonder whether a full Emirates would have given the players a lift when they needed it. Look at Liverpool, their home results are so different to any season before and I truly believe that’s because the Anfield crowd aren’t behind them. So yes, I think there’s a lot of mitigating circumstances for Arsenal’s poor home form. The officiating has hardly done Arsenal any favours either but then I don’t want favours, just honesty.
See you in the comments.
Good Morning Rico and all
Aye….today’s squad is different than the one Emery took to Baku. And I can assure you that in September it will also be different to the one we have now. I guess anything between 5-9 players will be gone. Many have it 5 or 7 but I believe that other two, who are still playing and not on loan will be gone as well.
I hope that any new players are better than the ones we have and that they will improve our team plus I also hope that they have a better atitiude and winning mentality. And I hope we get a leader who takes the team by the scruff of its neck and pushes it forward.
Morning Devil, all.
I too think more than five will depart this summer. Kolasinac, Mustafi and Luiz for starters. Unless we win the Europa Cup, which i can’t see us doing, raising cash will be on the agenda 8m sure.
Hi Rico and all I read a story the other day were Willian said he would like to finish his career in America, hopefully an American team come calling
Hi Geoff, America is welcome to him.
Can they take Willian with them?? I will only accept that he stays if he scores 5 in the Europa Cup final and makes 5 assists to Saka, ESR etc.
Obviously we have to get there first.
Morning Rico, I was chatting to an Arsenal mate yesterday and we agreed that Arsenal could probably sell/ move on 12 players and bring in 6 if the finance was right and we made the CL.
Mind you, if it meant getting rid of KSE then I would happily forgo the CL.
Signing Balogun is massive news, although I suspect that the club sat on it for PR reasons all the same I think that Flo could be as influential as Bakayo next season.
For any top Premier League club to have 3 or 4 young academy players in its first team is amazing in these days of ready made teams like Man City and Chelsea.
Last season we saw Saka come through, this season Smith Rowe, next season Balogun and perhaps even Azeez?
Morning all.
For all the negative things we can talk about, look at the positives that are constantly mentioned, but the poor results mean they only get a passing mention.
So many players with terrible attitudes are gone or going.
So many Arsenal kids making their name already, or about to in our first team.
I know plenty think I’m just positive for the sake of it, but the reality is we have plenty to look forward to.
Good morning all.
Three of the Invincibles have given their backing to Daniel Ek’s attempt to buy the Kroenkes out of Adrenal Football Club, Henry, Vierra and Bergkamp. While that in it’s self is encouraging, the comments emerging from the trio are a little worrying.
They all three profess an interest, and willingness, to “get involved” in the running of the club. Bergkamp with the academy for one, no stipulation from the other two for now.
If this does come. about and our three heroes do take up positions within the club, all I can say is good luck to whoever is the manager.
Morning Kev, perhaps the number will be greater if we include some of the players out on loan of which we have a lot.
Honestly though, I can’t see six coming in during one summer, not even if we win the Europa League. Can’t see Kroenke selling up either. I’d love to be wrong though.
Agree Cicero, good luck indeed as they are three big characters in the game and have played at some big clubs and won lots.
Wouldn’t it be great to have them about though! Morning all.
I would forgo a little cohesion, just to have people running who care in their hearts for the club.
It’s unlikely to happen, we know.
Get Freddie back too, the kids loved him I think.
All we need now is Tony Adam’s and Sol Campbell to offer themselves up and we’ll nearly have a full side!
Sadly I can’t see the Kronekes going. Arsenal is their cash cow for all their other ‘projects’.
But it’s a great idea. Even better if the new consortium can be persuaded to only buy 49% and the remaining 51% must be bought up by fans. Doubt that that would happen either. We can still dream though.
Balogun hat trick on Thursday? A dream come true😀
Hi Rico.. Great news about Balogun! At least that’s something to be cheerful about amidst all the doom and gloom – the ESL fiasco, Stan (say no more!) and losing to Everton at home for the first time in god knows how long!!!
At least the future is [very] bright regarding our youngsters – now just to sort everything else out 😄
I thought of you, Rico – Burger King are now serving plant-based Whoppers and vegan ‘chicken’ royales 😋 lush!!! Will make shopping even better!
Wouldn’t that be special Wavy. I wonder if Arteta will start with him.
Hi Sue, yep, really good news re Balogun and the super League thing was a disaster but if the backlash pushes Kroenke out, we’ll be thankful of it in the end.
Thanks re the Plant Whopper etc, not that I’d want to queue at our local Burger King. I can’t believe how many people are so desperate for a burger, McDonalds is even worse. 😅
Just seen some breaking news :-
Both Arsenal and Manchester United are expecting take over bids involving club legends , arsenal have Bergkamp , Henry and Vieira.United have Mike Riley , Graham Poll and Howard Webb.
Ho ho Potter.😂😂😂
That’s hilarious Potter.
Who will the spuds have??
Mr. Potato Head?
Good news this morning my eldest grandson passed his driving test, bought a car, taxed it, insured it and is now proudly driving around in it. He was due to take the test four days into the first lockdown, he got a new date for the test but that was cancelled by the second lockdown, third time lucky. 👍
Afternoon House,,
Great news about Balogun,I know it had been widely reported but until it’s official you never know.
Depending on the result in Spain,we could field a complete second string against Newcastle on Sunday.
Arsenal are in a strange position,we all want to win but we also want Stan out.I suppose if the team is successful we won’t worry about the owners.
Ha ha Potter.
https://twitter.com/AFTVMedia/status/1387034344632426496?s=20
Evening Rico and the House
What a massive lift Flo has given the fans after all that has gone on
over the last couple of weeks.
Lets hope he gets a chance on thursday he could be a match winner.
Evening Rick.
What makes him staying even more sweet is Liverpool we’re reported to have him in their sights. Saka all over again. Ha!
Plenty of games to get excited about in the next few days.
Tomorrow WSL home to West Ham .Its live on FA player
Thurs Villarreal Live on BT sport
Friday FA youth Cuo Q/F away to Liverpool LIVE in Arsenal .com
Sat Premier U23 Home to West Ham (only game not being shown live)
Sun away to Magpies Sky
Looking forewood with great expectations
COYG
There were 3 non enlish clubs plus the Pool who were after him.
Did you see the interveiw Flo gave.
I got a great lift to hear the comment he mad about Kwame Ampidu.
I rated Kwame very highly and thought we made a mistake in not keeping him.
And now hearin Saka, ESR and Flo saying how much they owe him tells
me I was right.
I did, he certainly doesn’t forget those who’ve helped him get where he is now.
Josh and Stan have reiterated their determination to hold onto Arsenal and their wish to turn Arsenal into championship winners, the first part wasn’t surprising the second part was hilarious.
It’s not going to be a 5 minute job to shift them, it could take years.
Maybe Ek is a stalking horse and other interested parties will start to show their hand.
Everything has a price, even to Stan.
Balogun must like what he’s seeing at the club to stay, considering the amount of interested clubs he potentially could have gone to.
Now Wenger has announced that he would be willing to join Daniel Ek and the three Invincibles in the Arsenal buyout. All we need now is to hear that the ghost of Herbert Chapman has signed up too. 😉
Cicero, Kev has said he will throw in!!!
Morning all
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/04/28/arsene-wenger-has-a-point/
Yep, if Herb joins the consortium then count me in…
Btw, I’m thinking of voting for Count Binhead in the mayoral elections next week…
Is there no U-18 player from Palace or Fulham who is worth just betting?