Morning all.
It’s the summer holidays, the players are resting or eating McDonald’s. Perhaps having a beer or three, or a few glasses of something very cold and very fizzy whilst browsing the internet. Why not, it’s their downtime albeit not for long. A week, maybe two or three at the most of rest and then it’s back to work for them. The Charity Shield is our first fixture but I strongly suspect that one will be for the younger players.
The younger players, we have a lot. William Saliba, Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Martinelli, Zech Medley, John-Jules, ESR – and they are just those who have at some stage been involved with the first team. Some more than others but either by age or playing time, they are not what I’d call experienced players. Another year, two or three and for those who have proved to be the real deal will be regular first team players for Arsenal. I was tempted to add AMN to that list but in my opinion, he’s proved himself already and at 22 years old, now is his time to be a regular first team squad player. I still hope that that will be at Arsenal.
So, they need to learn from Mikel Arteta, train and play alongside top players, experienced players, hard working players. Players who go to work to win. What the above crop of players need, as well as the next group coming through the academy is not more young players of a similar age and quality but players who’ll make this current team much stronger without jeopardising the progression others are expected to make.
Basically, what the club do now will see it through until the others are ready to play 30 odd games a season. So that’s why I totally understand why Arsenal might sign someone like Coutinho and Willian. If they do of course. I certainly feel we as a club would have a better chance of pushing into a top four spot with this kind of player than if we were to opt for more youngsters. Don’t get me wrong, if there’s a Martinelli kind of player out there, get him if we can but in my opinion, not at the expense of signing quality and experience.
Willian might be getting on a bit but he’s only ten months older than Aubameyang, he’s fit and doesn’t have a long history of injuries behind him.
Coutinho though, well he’s missed a lot of fixtures through injury so despite being younger, he’s perhaps more of a risk. I think the Arsenal medical team would have to take a long look into his recent ankle troubles.
| 19/20 | Ankle problems | Apr 24, 2020 | Jun 25, 2020 | 62 days | 9 |
| 18/19 | Hamstring Injury | May 13, 2019 | May 23, 2019 | 10 days | 1 |
| 18/19 | Torn muscle bundle | Nov 7, 2018 | Nov 26, 2018 | 19 days | 2 |
| 17/18 | Hamstring Injury | Dec 30, 2017 | Jan 24, 2018 | 25 days | 7 |
| 17/18 | Knock | Oct 26, 2017 | Nov 7, 2017 | 12 days | 3 |
| 17/18 | Back trouble | Aug 3, 2017 | Aug 28, 2017 | 25 days | 5 |
| 16/17 | Ankle Injury | Nov 27, 2016 | Jan 9, 2017 | 43 days | 9 |
| 15/16 | Hamstring Injury | Jan 7, 2016 | Jan 28, 2016 | 21 days | 6 |
| 15/16 | Thigh Muscle Strain | Nov 23, 2015 | Dec 10, 2015 | 17 days | 5 |
| 14/15 | Knee Problems | Jun 12, 2015 | Jun 15, 2015 | 3 days | – |
| 14/15 | Groin Injury | Sep 18, 2014 | Sep 25, 2014 | 7 days | 2 |
| 13/14 | Shoulder Injury | Sep 16, 2013 | Oct 31, 2013 | 45 days | 7 |
| 12/13 | Knock | Dec 17, 2012 | Feb 4, 2013 | 49 days | 3 |
| 12/13 | Tibial plateau contusion | Oct 25, 2012 | Nov 19, 2012 | 25 days | 7 |
| 11/12 | Lumbago | Jan 19, 2012 | Jan 26, 2012 | 7 days | 3 |
Unai Emery went for experienced players when Sokratis and Lichtsteiner, mixed in with Martinelli, Guendouzi, Leno and Torreira were signed and if rumours were right, he wanted Steve N’Zonzi rather than Torreira. Plus he preferred the older and more experienced Zaha to Pepe so the story went and a mature David Luiz was brought in too. Initially we looked more robust but of course, things went downhill rather quickly and more problems arose rather than previous problems being resolved but that’s in the past.
Arsenal seem more settled now. The players have bounced back from those dark days and are enjoying their football again. Mikel Arteta has been the reason for that and any player watching on, wondering if Arsenal is a good club to be at will see what we are seeing. A very happy camp firstly but also a disciplined and determined one too. An improving squad of players who under a young and exciting coach look a totally different prospect to join than they did a year ago.
The money might be at City, Utd and Chelsea but for the first time in a long time, I think proper footballers will look at what’s going on at Arsenal and like what they see. The right experienced players together with the right manager who I think we now have, could make a huge difference to this current Arsenal squad.
Paper Talk from Sky Sports.
Ousmane Dembele – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is keen for Arsenal to sign Barcelona’s Dembele, according to reports (Daily Mirror, August 4)
Danny Ings – The Southampton striker has been backed as the man to replace Aubameyang at Arsenal should he leave this summer (Daily Star, August 4)
Willian – The forward is edging closer to leaving Chelsea on a free after rejecting the club’s latest attempts to persuade him to sign a new two-year deal and has held talks over a move to Arsenal (The Guardian, August 4)
Diego Carlos – Arsenal will step up their recruitment plans after victory in the FA Cup final brought some much-needed clarity to their financial situation, with the Sevilla defender one of their potential targets (Telegraph, Aug 3).
Wilfried Zaha – The Crystal Palace forward is wanted by Arsenal (Daily Star,Aug 3).
Ivan Rakitic – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reportedly made personal contact with the Croat as he aims to convince the Barcelona star to move to the Emirates (Mirror, Aug 3).
I know, you just have to chuckle.
See you in the comments guys..
Morning Rico and All
Have to disagree on Will-i -ham
Top player Dif yes… two footed
as well,fit as a fiddle but played
most of his games right-side 99%
of time,not sure if Pepsi-cola would
get a look in or Admiral Nelson, on
the left we have top dog The PEA,
Craker Saka and the italian/brazilian
his stats ain’t that great Rhubarb a
lot of times.
Very good player,we know.
He wants 3 year contract or maybe 4
so for me I-2 yr contract maybe,is I
be calling a good deal.
Just saying guys.
Morning Fred.
I was thinking about four competitions and needing experience to really go for the Europa Cup.
Hi Rico and all going by the stats Coutinho has too many injuries for my liking.
We all now that we have to rebuild but even if the fans except 7 or 8 place next season will the club sponsors except it.
I don’t know about our current sponsorship deal but I know in the past some sponsors have added clause that state the sponsorship amount drops if not in finals.
Hi Rico.. nice post!
Think of our line up next season, if all of these deals go through! Bloody hell, I’m excited already!! That will be some team 👌
Scott.. Vertonghen is in talks with Roma..
Hi Geoff. I doubt arsenal are thinking 7/8th next season..
Hi Sue, thanks.
If those deals go through, there’ll be no more HH as I’ll be in too much shock to carry on.. 😂
By the way Fred, half the time I’ve no idea which players you’re referring too. Who is Pepsi and Rhubarb? Lol
We need to make our mind up about Aubameyang one way or another and stop these players holding the club at ransom.
so do we come out and say we are not selling Auba out right and that we are going to run his contract down and then hope during the year we can convince him to resign.
or do we say you can only leave if a concrete offer comes in with in a week so we can look for another striker with out rushing.
If no offers come in then we can offer him less for his contract extension as it shows him and his manager that no one really wants him.
It just seems to me as long as we have Auba contract hanging over our heads we will not know who to buy.
Would you like this line up next season?
Leno, Tierney, Saliba, Luiz (or Mari), Bellerin, Xhaka, Coutinho, Partey, Auba, Laca, Pepe….oooh the excitement levels are up just thinking about it 😆
Hahaha, Rico!!! 😂👍
Good morning Rico and all.
I have enjoyed reading your post. There is a need to look at the defensive midfield as well. I don’t know of what is happening with regards to Partey. What about Douglas Luiz of Villa. What it means is that some of the existing players will have to go to create the space and cash needed.
We need reenforcement to challenge for the top 4 and win an European Cup as well. #COYG.
I also meant to say the squad depth will be looking a lot better too!!
Rico I was only mentioned 7th or 8th as an ex-sample, personally I am hoping for for a top 4 finish after all if Chelsea can do it why can’t we.
My point was we can look at it as rebuilding but sponsors may look at it as a waste of money and spend it on another club this is why we may have to purchase 1 or 2 older players untill the young players can play and compete for a whole season.
Hi Sue I like your list but for some reason I don’t know but I not sure about Bellerin in the starting line up
Thanks Sue-they can have him.
I’d really cringe with that smug prick wearing our shirt lol
Geoff, mate, Aussies are a positive lot.
We will be winning the League next season!!!
No Sue, I’d prefer Martinez in goal 😂
Morning Paddy, thanks. Yes, central defensive midfield needs attention. That’d be my first signing if we’re down to me.
Geoff, Adidas took over when we were poor. I doubt they’ll ditch us after winning the FA Cup and improving on the pitch. Sponsorships are low on the priority list I’d have thought.
Morning Rico.
I am rapt at how damn good Martinez has been, he’s stepped up brilliantly, but we can’t forget how good Leno has been for us under pretty constant pressure to be fair.
The reason I’m in the corner of Martinez is mainly to do with the fact I think he’s less likely to get his head turned by other clubs than Leno is.
There’s not much between them at all, and isn’t it great to have two top class keepers!!!
And I would leave Martinez between the sticks . Bad luck on Leno but I would prefer Martinez behind me were I playing in a back 3 . Shot stopping they are about equal but Martinez is more commanding close to goal , isn’t rash off his line , catches the ball rather than punches and has better distribution in my opinion.
I don’t think that we can keep them both happy but I think Leno will probably fetch more too.
That’s fair enough, Geoff. I reckon he’ll come good again though 🙂
Le Coq.. Luiz and Willian own a restaurant in London… do you reckon there’ll be 50% off in there?! 😂
🙂 Rico.. as Scott says, there isn’t much between them. I hope he stays with us, but what if a big offer comes in for him, say 50m+ will the club accept it? The chavs have been mentioned… I’d hate to see him end up there!! I guess he has a lot to ponder over…
How great is it though, having 2 incredible gks!!! 👍
Good morning one and all.
First up Vertonghen, not with a barge pole!
Coutinho had a fair season with the Bindippers but hasn’t set the World alight with either Barca or Bayern Munich, he would be an upgrade on Ramsey but I prefer Ceballos in that role also his injury record is a no no.
As Fred says, Willian is a right-sided midfielder but pace is not going to last him for three more seasons. He will become an unsaleable liability over time. We need to stick with the seventy-two-million-pound man.
I think what I am saying is that all three players mentioned would become expensive obstacles in the paths of or home-grown youngsters.
If Aubameyang signs a new contract, our priority must be a box to box midfielder. If he wont sign then we should look seriously at the Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.
Morning Scott, me too. I think both are very good but Martinez is bigger, stronger and actually catches crosses etc rather than parrying/punching the ball…
Ha ha Potter, I hadn’t read your comment before replying to Scott. Spooky.
Sue, perhaps a German club will fancy Leno.
The photos of Martinez after the game will live long in the memories of Arsenal fans.
His heart is with the club.
He clearly loves the place and that’s what we need.
Again, i am very wary of criticising or downplaying the efforts of Leno in any way, and is love them both to stay but if the offers do roll in, and they well could, we must keep Emi no matter what.
Yes, Cicero, Edouard ticks a lot of boxes!
I’ve just read that Sancho will be on 300k a week at United, over 5 years… and he’s only 20!! The world’s gone mad!
we have 2 good keepers but if we sell one from what I have read and seen our under 23 goal keeper is ready to take the next step so we all ready have a spare keeper just waiting
Hi Rico I reentered my email at 2:36pm as the first one did not come up if it does can you please delete one Thanks Geoff
Done Geoff..
Is Sancho to Utd done? Ridiculous salary at such a young age.
Zaha going for £30m according to Sky sports. Wonder where to….
Not official yet, Rico..
30m? Wow.. I still dream about seeing Wilf in the red and white of Arsenal… yeah I know, I know 😆
If Brentford win tonight they could blow us out of the water in the transfer market!……….£160M over 3 years if they were to stay up!……………………….Fulham`s amount would be £135M………………dont ask me why it`s less, I`m only a van driver!………………………………………Come on Fulham!…………………I have a soft spot for Fulham as their old goalie Jim Stannard used to get us in for nothing and into the players bar afterwards!……………………..Clive Walker was a right perv! hahaha
Imagine how many penalty shouts Var would overturn Sue. Lol
😆 good one, Rico!
Unless we’re playing Chelsea and Anthony Taylor is the ref Sue. Lol
I’m sure I read somewhere that using the pitch side screens will be used in the PL this season. Hope that’s the case so refs make the final decisions most of the time.
I’m warming to Anthony Taylor, Rico 😂
Jeez, Le Coq, that first half was a borefest… was hoping for much more with ‘BMW’ playing!!
He’s my favourite Sue. For now.. 😂
Which ever team wins this play off they will need every one of those thousands LC . Gone to extra time and looks like penalties.
Millions not thousands might need billions
Feel a bit sorry for Brentford, them moving into a brand new stadium next season and all but Fulham were smarter and their two goals were quality.
I don’t Kev. 😝
New post up now
That’s a bit harsh Rico… 🙂