Morning all.
Don’t you just love the English media? I wonder how many hours the reporters within the England international camp had to wait before capturing Declan Rice with Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka. The Mail headlines read:
Rice was pictured greeting Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka after arriving in the canteen.
Declan Rice was seen embracing Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after arriving at England camp as speculation continues to link him with the Gunners.
Saka and Rice enjoyed a playful encounter as the winger attempted to catch the midfielder.
It’s hard not to read more into the above photographs than it’s just the press being mischievous but with all the stories about him leaving West Ham and the links to Arsenal, 2+2 really is starting to look like adding up to 4.
Then I think back to January when Mudryk was definitely going to join Arsenal and then reality kicks in. Nothing is a done deal until it’s a done deal. Declan Rice to Arsenal is not a done deal regardless of how close the media tell us it is or however many times they do.
David Ornstein, the usually reliable source of football transfer information, updated his Twitter account with news which won’t please every Arsenal fan I’m sure.
🚨 Arsenal have made proposal to sign Kai Havertz. Pursuit ramped up in recent days; contact with Chelsea & 24yo. #FCBayern also keen. 2yrs left so #CFC ideally renew/sell
➕ #AFC planning formal offer to West Ham for Declan Rice soon @TheAthleticFC #WHUFC https://t.co/kV4wznmT5e— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 14, 2023
No, not Rice but Havertz. Surely to goodness, the club aren’t going to give Chelsea any money for him let alone £60 million? Offer them Pepe and a tenner and be done with it. Seriously though, unless Mikel Arteta has seen something that you and I haven’t when he’s played then I’m thinking this would be a big fat waste of money and a risk too because if it doesn’t work out for the German at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is going to have a few tricky questions to answer I think. I’d like to think we as a club are stringing Chelsea along here.
Another story doing the rounds yesterday was about the coming seasons fixtures and what looked liked a document on official Premier League headed paper. Turns out it was a hoax but it’d be spooky if it wasn’t. We’d be away to Fulham if that document was genuine and Man City would be travelling to Burnley in a game which would see Guardiola go head to head with ex Man City player Kompany.
Anyway, the fixtures are out this morning and these really are official, courtesy of AFTV on Twitter.
Arsenal play at home for first and last fixture….
If my eyesight doesn’t deceive me, we only have one month in which we have to travel up north more than once.
Morning Rico, you’ve been a busy bee, regarding yesterday’s post and the Kiwior rumour, if he goes (and I hope he doesn’t) then maybe that opens the door for Auston Trusty to be Big Gabriel’s understudy. The American certainly impressed quite a few people with his seasons work at Small Heath.
Regarding our youngsters, of course we all want them to be successful but as much as we want that it can’t be at the expense of performance and you simply cannot slip up against this relentless Man City machine. Arsenal slipped up last season in only a few games and we were swatted away.
Good morning Rico, a brief rest from mowing duties, while I cool down a little.😉
There is a report this morning that Real Madrid are not prepared to pay more than £50 million for Havertz so there’s little point in offering much more. That’s if we want at all.
The workload on Arsenal this season will be enormous and our players now know that a half-a-dozen off days means finishing empty handed so there’s no room for error as Liverpool know and competing with City very quickly degraded the best team they’d had in two generations leaving Klopp exasperated. Fortunately our group is younger and has more scope for improvement but the challenge is daunting.
So it’s well nigh impossible to drop a teenage novice into that environment but the League Cup, FACup and to a lesser degree Papa Johns trophy are the testing grounds. Having seen the opposition in the Champions League it’s difficult to see where a Cozier Duberry or a Bandiera would get minutes.
If Arsenal are the only show in town for Kai Havertz then I reckon we can string them along a bit, Boehly has already turned down a bid of £40m for Mason Mount but it’s clear that the clubs chasing the Chavs wares are going to drive a hard bargain and Boehly might need to learn a lesson in being more humble.
Unlikely I know.
What I don’t want to see is Arsenal paying big money for Havertz and then seeing Chelsea hoovering up a couple of our targets immediately afterwards, that would be dumb.
Don’t believe Ornstein, he is known for fake news., good article though, I think their are a lot of people in the media, not all, but some, who are hoping Arsenal over spend on players, so that they have little budget left to build in key areas. For example, I heard that Arsenal made an unwelcome bid of £52 million for Rice and That Westham was hoping for nearer £75 million, which was the figure quoted last year, when he had 2 years remaining on his contract. Some media, but not all, are trying to convince the world that the figure being renegotiated is £100 million, due to a comment made by the manager saying ” I wouldn’t sell him for £100 million. But all managers say that sort of thing, but they don’t expect that kind of money in reality. Due to his one year remaining contract, I think they will compromise at £60 million plus future add-ons that may take it up to the fee West ham realistically expect to eventually reach, and that is £75 million.
Morning Rico and all,
My understanding is Havertz want’s out of England and it’s his manager that is offering him to us, as no body wants to pay what Chelsea want for him.
£100 million for any player is beyond reasonable, Real have just agreed to pay £89.5 million for Bellinham and Rice is not in the same category. I doubt if Arteta will go much above £60 million for the West Ham midfielder.
Morning Kev, Cicero.
I’d be disappointed if Kiwior left so soon as apart from a few dodgy moments, I think he’s looked good.
Dave, I’ve always thought Ornstein to be reliable but I hope not in the case of Havertz. I just cant see what he offers the team. We already have Pepe if we need a bit of sub standard height up front, why pay for another?
Hi Geoff.
Afternoon all. Sky bet odds on Rice to Arsenal this morning has gone 1-20, 1-4, 1-3 and now 2/5. Not a good trend. City 2-1 from nowhere.
Sky Sports report that we’ve had an £80m bid for Rice turned down.
Man City are lurking apparently.
Afternoon Andrew, just seen that too. I just hope Mrs Rice will not in any circumstances move to Manchester 😃
Rice will have to make up his mind between starting for Arsenal or possible be a bench warmer for City as I don’t see him, in their starting lineup.
Havertz would be an excellent acquisition at 55 million. So skilful and good in the air. He will definitely make Arsenal stronger.
You know what, if Rice goes to City, then he goes to City, I’m not investing myself in any prospective signing this summer, although I quite like the links to Xavi Simons.
I’m kind of a similar view, whoever goes where, what does it really matter. If a player prefers more money elsewhere or thinks we’re not good enough, stuff them.
Skins, he’s not been very good at Chelsea..
Skins, he’s a light weight, not robust enough for a premiership striker.
Community Shield and then Nottingham Forest, with who we have a point to prove.
For me the business that needed doing has pretty much been done, Martinelli, Ramsdale, Big Gabby, Saka, Saliba (almost), those were the major deals for me, I want Declan Rice because he’d be a statement signing but there’s others we can get, I mean £80m is almost Bellingham levels and there’s plenty of talent around Europe, also I see that we e withdrawn from bidding for Caicedo, I wonder if Brighton can get the £70m we bid in January let alone the £80m they want now without Arsenal sexing up the deal?
Fluke ‘em…
It would be great if we can get a major signing very early, and not try all the transfer window only to miss out again,
Thought you were talking about Vieira Cicero.
Chelsea will pay it Kev, just because they can..
Another Mudryk hopefully Rico?
we can’t have two light weights in the squad Rico.
Indeed Kev
Agreed Cicero, hence my comment. 😂
Seem West Ham are hoping for a bidding war between us, Utd, City and Chelsea. Think we might lose that one.
The only way he comes to us is if he says that he wont go anywhere else . If it comes down to a bidding war , we will lose out or be forced into a bad deal.
If Arteta does want Rice, I hope he has a plan B if we don’t get him.
Arteta has already pulled out of the chase for Caicedo who will join Chelsea. So that’s plan B down the tubes. Personal terms have been agreed with Havertz but not yet a deal with Chelsea. It looks like Tierney will be sold to Newcastle, he will have to be replaced as we can’t rely on an injury prone Zinchenko.
More important thing on my agenda The Ashes Tests start today. Just as the fine weather is set to break.
We don’t want it to be too hot Cicero, those Aussies will think their at home… 😆
Morning all.
Arsenal are on the verge of of signing Russo from Man Utd. What a fantastic addition she’ll be to the womens team.
Inter Milan want £40 million Balogun to replace Dzeko. If he’s that good why are we wasting time and money searching for a striker (Havertz) ?
We tried that one in January Rico, It was laughed off by United and Russo then, but as you say she’d be a great asset. Let’s hope!!
My thoughts exactly re Balogun Cicero.
Serves Utd right, they should have taken the offer, a world record one, in January. Now she’s left for free.
Russo wanted the move to Arsenal back in January by the way. Utd stood in her way but I guess she knew she’d have the last laugh.
The Premier League will shortly be announcing all men’s players whose contracts are ending with their current clubs.
Our thanks and best wishes go to the following men’s players from our first team, under-18s and under-23s squads whose current contracts will officially end on June 30, 2023:
Zach Awe
Joel Ideho
George Lewis
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Matt Smith
Tom Smith
In addition, please note that Reiss Nelson’s contract also ends on June 30, 2023 and negotiations are ongoing.
The following scholars will also be leaving us this summer at the end of their contracts:
Kaleel Green
Alexandar Kovacevic
Tino Quamina
Mathaeus Roberts
As previously announced, our women’s team will also see a trio of departures following the expiration of their deals:
Mana Iwabuchi
Rafaelle Souza
Fran Stenson
Any further developments regarding players extending their contracts; joining/re-joining us; or leaving us will be officially communicated as soon as they are confirmed.
We thank all the above players for their contributions to the club during their time with us. You will always be part of the Arsenal Family and we wish you all the best of health, happiness and success in your futures.
Rafaella Souza will be missed, an excellent player.
Can’t believe we will possibly let AMN go for free
His own fault really. Had he accepted the right back role, knuckled down and focussed on doing so, he might have had a better chance at Arsenal.
Tosin Adarabioyo is going up for sale apparently as the ex Man City youth player wants to leave Fulham. 6’ 5” and quicker than William Saliba…
Talking of Saliba.
https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1669676809925820416?s=20
Apparently we’re in talks for Romeo Lavia of Southampton. A DM.
I reckon it’s about even Steven in the test match, England declare on 393 for eight with Joe Root 118 not out. Australia scratch their way to 13 for no wicket in four overs at the end of the first day at Edgbaston.
All set for a humdinger over the next four days, weather allowing of course.
Stokes didn’t bowl and was out for one. As my old headmaster wrote in my school report, so often, must do better. 😉
And now onto the football, what a match to savour, Malta vs England. Southgate looks to have kept all of the Manchester City piss artists out of the match day squad while the sober up. Mind the banana skins lads. 😉
And the weather could change tomorrow so hopefully a bit of cloud and Jimmy will be swinging.
Completed a couple of jobs in the garden, now relaxed with my second glass of Cotes du Rhone. Bring on the football. 😉
Shame on you Rico, Jimmy is NOT a swinger. 😀
😂 he is in my book Cicero…
Rico, I’m suddenly getting a tiny comment box and either a Twitter or Facebook logo. What’s going on? I don’t have an a count with either and don’t want one.
Me too Cicero.
I’ve had a tiny comments box for over a year on all WordPress blogs.
I have no idea why but my iPad Mini is 7.5 years old and I attributed it to its age?
It’s a bummer because you cannot always see the mistakes you’ve made and can end up posting gibberish
Hey, I’ve got the full size comments box back.
Not good to see Saka cop an ankle injury from a bad tackle, he continued until halftime and was then subbed. The sensible thing to do was sub him immediately but we’re talking about Southgate here, the dumb b*****d.
Let’s hope Saka’s ankle is too bad.
You missed out the “not” there Geoff….I hope. 😉
Martin Tyler has left Sky Sports. 🥂🍾🥂
Morning all.
Missed he will be not!
Good morning Rico.
Send him to the beach now, let Foden get crocked against North Macedonia..
Transfer window getting boring already , too many ITK’s regurgitating the same story and adding their 5% for good measure.
With West Ham effectively pricing us out of the market by demanding £100 million for Rice, it looks likely that Arteta will turn to Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, but the deal may be complicated as Manchester City retain a £40 million buy back clause. It is thought that City are also preparing a bid for Rice.
Having watched him in last night’s England match I saw nothing outstanding about him, indeed he seemed pretty average with little effect either in defending or attacking. £100 million? Over priced!
Cicero defiantly missed out the word not, the last thing we need is Saka carrying an injured ankle into next season.
I could not wait for the transfer market to start, now I can’t wait for it to finish to find out who we got and how they can improve our team.
Morning Cicero, nope, not one bit.
Great start in Birmingham..
Agree re Bukayo, send him home and let him recover.l
I just hope that wherever Martin Tyler goes he can take Kevin Peterson with him, his constant prattle drives me potty and makes listening to his comments on the cricket almost unbearable..
Yep a good start and Aussies are definitely rattled Rico.
Break this partnership Cicero and it could be an interesting afternoon.
Boy did I love seeing Smith skulk off..
The way he just immediately appealed the decision was arrogance itself, no thought of asking the opinion of his fellow batsman, just goes to how that he is no team player.
Head out. Partnership broken. Khawaja next please.
Morning Rico and all.
In regard to Cricket, I turned right of it because of Smith and a couple of other players, whether Smith is or is not captain he always thinks he is, and that he better than any else,
I’m not a fan either Cicero
Hi Geoff, him and Warner – not nice players imo.
Trying to out do each other with belligerence
Missed some great chances but Broad overstepping ffs, he’s not a novice, very poor and I’d like to see Foulkes back behind the stumps, you simply cannot miss chances like yesterday’s in such a series, it’s too close to call.
Jimmy Anderson was tight as always, gave little away and was probably underused but I wonder if this will be his last Ashes series?
New post up now