Daily Bits and Bobs

Deal done? Two more needed in nine days.

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Martin Ødegaard, an attacking midfielder for Real Madrid and Norway. His name is linked to Arsenal in a pretty big way. The Metro go as far to say the deal has been agreed.

Real Sociedad want him back on loan too apparently but perhaps he’s fancies joining up with his Real Madrid teammate Dani Ceballos at Arsenal. I say teammate but they’re more like squad mates as Zidane has never really used either. I know nothing about him, other than his name, which seems to have been around for years, and previous opinions around the blogshere. He’s meant to be pretty good.

Arsenal have nine days to get this deal done if it’s going to happen. Personally, I think a left back and goalkeeper are more important.

 

 

I thought the club might opt for someone with more experience, more PL savvy. Perhaps options are limited. Still, Odegaard should be desperate to play football wherever he ends up, I’m sure of that and he’ll want to prove a point to his doubters in the Spanish capital.

Moving Sokratis and Ozil on will have no bearing on squad ‘vacancies’  because neither occupied a place but Kolasinac did so there’s room for one if my maths is right. If we’re to sign a keeper and a left back as Mikel Arteta alluded to in his press conference then it’s fair to say that more exits are to be expected. Runasson is likely to go out loan but who the other one will be is anyone’s guess. Mustafi perhaps although Arteta has said he’s staying. Willian or Pepe? Oh if only.

The keeper rumours have gone quiet, as have the stories surrounding Folarin Balogun but all the time the latter hangs around the club, there’s a chance he might stay. Perhaps that chance might come tomorrow at St Mary’s in the FA Cup. An idea opportunity I’d have thought. A big strong striker with a bit of pace against an organised Southampton team. Why not?

Injury update from afc.com suggests Dani Ceballos might be back tomorrow if he passes a late fitness test. Pablo Mari is hoping to return to training next week so that’s good news on both.

Lastly, Liverpool finally lost a home game last night. Against Burnley! Of all the teams one would expect to win at Anfield, Burnley would not be one of them. But they defended strongly and nicked it late with a penalty. A penalty awarded to an away team at Anfield, they’re nearly as rare as the ones at Old Trafford aren’t they? Anyway, their loss is good for football. I always thought they were one season wonders. LOL

See you in the comments.

 

 

 

rico

77 thoughts on “Deal done? Two more needed in nine days.”

  2. Sheila says:

    I do hope a no 2 GK is our next priority I keep reading about Freddie Woodman I think he would be a great No 2 & it seems his Dad id our U 23 GK coach so that makes it look promising

  3. Chairman Gallant says:

    Odegaard signing would be good, but Arsenal needs a very good back up goal keeper cos Runarson is a non starter Any injury to Leno now will be a total disaster.

  4. Sue says:

    Happy Friday! Happy place – not Turf Moor, but Anfield 😂😂😂😂 And that smacked arse look on Klopp’s face at full time – loved it!!!

  5. potter says:

    Still having problems logging on to the site , bookmarks not working again had to get it off the e-mail link . Still i am here now . Have sent OLE from Oslo Arsenal supporters club a message regarding Odegaard to get the Norwegian perspective will let you know what he says.

  6. Tallman says:

    Who would buy Pepe now . Arsenal are stuck with him paid too much for him bin the first place. It’s funny the day they started to investigate that the man who brought him was gone

  11. rico says:

    Tallman, I was thrilled when we got Pepe but he’s certainly struggled. A bad signing in hindsight but at the time? I don’t recall very many complaints.

  17. potter says:

    The general concensus from three replies is that it’s throwing good money out of the window , he is no better than what we already have . One said a younger version of Xhaka.

  18. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, it’s just fantastic for us Aussies to know we will see one of our own wearing the shirt.
    A big day for Aussie Gooners!!!

  19. Sue says:

    Scott… how spooky is that? You only mentioned him last night!! I’m happy with that! I’m just wondering if you’re an insider or if you’re the mole 😂😂😂

  20. rico says:

    Not the raving reviews I’d hoped for Potter. As said in the post, I’m surprised the club haven’t gone for someone with PL experience.

  21. Cicero says:

    Lovely sunny day here but cold.

    Good news that we’ve signed a back-up ‘keeper. At six foot and, by the pictures of him, built like brick s**t house. He could be just what we need. I look forward to seeing what he can do, but tomorrow is likely a bit too soon.

    If we are to sign Odegaard lets hope he can pass the most rigorous of medicals. We’ve had enough crocks from Real in the past.

    Now we need a left back, c’mon Edu and Arteta get the job done,

    Sorry to read about your dog Scott, tough luck there but hopefully she’ll breed some useful pups.

  22. Sue says:

    Great read btw, Rico, particularly the last paragraph 😉 Good old Jordan, hey?!
    That’s great news about Ryan! Things are happening then and we’re not even in the final hour yet 😄

  24. Limey says:

    Good news about Matt Ryan, I’ve always liked him, it’s just a loan to the end of the season but Premier league experience is vital.
    I’m not sure about Odegaard, everyone says he’s super talented, everyone except Zidane that is. I’ve just read on another Arsenal blog, he’s got everything but is lazy – sounds like someone else, the name escapes me!

  25. ScottfromOz says:

    Sue, it really was throw at the stumps lol
    No inside info, just eerie 🙂
    Cicero, thanks mate.
    Better news on the injury today, but she won’t race again.
    She will live the life of a queen 🙂
    Rico, the net is buzzing down under atm!!

  28. Lee says:

    Blooming Aussies are everywhere! 😉

    You must be chuffed Scott?

    Who scouted the current number two keeper, Roy Orbison?

    Things are certainly a lot brighter now at Arsenal…

  29. ScottfromOz says:

    Hello Lee,
    I’m pretty happy mate.
    He’s also a bloody good keeper and that’s what’s important.
    Fantastic back up for Leno imo.
    Good to hear from you mate!!

  30. rico says:

    Understandably Scott.

    They sure are Lee. I’m glad the club didn’t panic and sack Arteta. Instead it seems they’re backing him.

  31. potter says:

    Better news on the injury today, but she won’t race again.
    She will live the life of a queen .

    Got her basket in the sun ready with a few doggy cigars , cocktails and just waiting for her suitors to turn up.

  32. Devilgunner says:

    Good afternoon folks

    I guess we got one or two happy Aussies here today. They must be chuffed to bits.

    I guess Woodman was a bit of a long shot at the moment since he is on loan to Swansea. Fingers crossed he will come next season since Ryan is on loan. But who knows what will happen. At least we have got a good backup for Leno.

    Am I excited?? Not that much to be honest. I dont like this loaning players from other clubs lark. No not even Odegaard and Ceballos.

    But I guess that is the way it has to go at the moment.

    Anyway. In my opinion the Odegaard loan stinks for me. I hope that at least he puts in a shift. Every time I saw him play he just expects the ball to arrive at his feet. No getting stuck in.

  35. rico says:

    Funny how footballers suddenly become a fan of the team they’ve just signed for Sue.

    City have KDB out for 4-6 weeks
    Leicester have Vardy out for a few weeks too.

  37. rico says:

    Huge Sue. City will certainly miss KdB, hope it doesn’t have a huge impact on their results. If we can’t win the league, I’d rather City did than the others.

  43. Devilgunner says:

    Yes you are right Rico. But I hate loans. Especially from clubs like RM and Barca. None of them worked out on a good level

  46. Cicero says:

    Ryan Bertrand, thirty-one year’s old five foot ten and weighs 85 kilos. Might have to run off a kilo or three but a six month loan with an option could be a plan.

  53. Devilgunner says:

    With Balogun its been made clear that if he does not sign he will not play with the first team Rico. With Azeez I do not think he is yet ready to face an EPL club. Maybe next year he will get more minutes. But not yet

  54. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning all,
    Rico,
    Ryan is most definitely a lifelong Arsenal fan.
    A school teacher mate who’s also a mad Arsenal fan taught Matt, and vouches for it, but you are right in what you said 🙂
    Thanks Potter.
    Quite incredible-we announced the girls retirement from racing yesterday, and already have people lining up for pups!!!

  55. ScottfromOz says:

    Devil, I’m damn excited we have an Aussie lad at the club, but I do believe he’ll do a fantastic job for us, which is most important.
    I really rate him 🙂

  63. Rick says:

    Good win for the boys tonight.
    Thats 5 wins on the trott. It takes them up to 5th and within reach of top spot.
    The next game is away against the leaders the Spuds.

    Kev Good to see Lopez and Okwonko play for 90 mins
    Lopez looks very fragile to me and could do with a long time with out injury.
    Okwonko looks massive and made some very good saves..
    The highlights will be up over the w/end (so they say) so you be able to see.

  64. Aussie Geoff says:

    Scott bad news about your dog hope she heals soon. I know what it’s like one of my older show dogs jumped and landed wrong braking his leg in 2 places vet bills are a killer

    Go Aussie’s

  65. Devilgunner says:

    Good morning everyone

    Rico….One might say that Ceballos has done ok. But although he is technically gifted I dont feel comfortable with him in the side and tbh dont trust him much. I prefer Willock or AMN in his position. If he is being kept until they make the step up or else one from the academy makes the step up than its ok for me. But I sort of feel uneasy with him in the first eleven. Same goes for Willian plus Pepe. And from what I saw (only three games mind you) of Odegaard I feel its more of the same as well.

  66. Devilgunner says:

    I might be mistaken about Odegaard. He might turn out a good one for us.

    However, what does that mean for ESR??? will he get shifted to the flanks??? Why should ESR play wide if necessary, in a different part of the pitch, simply to be there while Odegaard gets adapted to the rhythm and tactics?? Will it mean that Odegaard is there to rest ESR so as not to burn him out or take his place??

    And would we have option to buy if successful?? I hate giving RM money because it means we are strengthening them….and they are already strengthened by the banks of Spain. If he was that good they would keep him no???

    Personally I would rather try and search for another type of player like Holding from the lower divisions, get him for around 5-10 million and put money down there where they need it.

    Getting players from RM is like getting the Chelsea pensioners rejects etc. Yes even though he is only 22.

  67. allezkev says:

    Cheers for the info Rick, delighted to see Moller score again, as for Balogun as long as he’s not signed for another club there is hope that a deal can be done. I suspect that if he had agreed to stay that Eddie would have gone on loan and there’s still time for that to happen.

    Rick, I hearing Reiss Nelson to Preston North End on loan, maybe he’ll come back and play like Tom Finley? 😉

  68. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico, DG and everyone, DG let’s see if the deal goes through first and if it does how Odegaard shapes up, I know of him but I’ve never seen him play although I’m told he’s left footed and plays in a similar style to Mesut Ozil, which I hope doesn’t mean he has a constant issue with back pain and he disappears in matches, anyway I’ll reserve my opinion until I’ve seen him play.

    DG I actually think that Ceballos has been decent for us especially during the cup run last season where I think that he and Xhaka were a big part of us winning the FACup.

    That’s not to say that I’d like us to sign him because I don’t think he’s worth the kind of fee Real Madrid would want, he’s been useful for us during this transitional period and he’ll return to Spain next summer and good luck to him, but I think we should be looking for players to improve us and who areof the Partey level, Ceballos’s level is just treading water and we need to move on from that imo.

  69. allezkev says:

    As for Smith Rowe, it’s in his hands DG, if he remains fit and he keeps performing then I’m sure that he’ll play I reckon, much the same as Saka. I’m less concerned because Odegaard ( if we sign him?) is a loan, you could actually say that he’s cover for Smith Rowe. It’s going to take Odegaard (if we sign him?) a few weeks to adapt so maybe a month before he can show us anything and by then Smith Rowe will be well established – I think he’s established now but that’s me…

    I just see Odegaard as insurance, 6 months and ta ta, he’s not leaving Real Madrid and Madrid aren’t selling so I’m cool on the deal.

  70. allezkev says:

    How about loaning out Miguel Azeez, let him have 6 months of 1st team football in the Championship or League One?

    Toughen him up and see where we are in the summer, he could save us £40 or £50m?

  71. rico says:

    Morning Kev, all.

    I’m not fussed about Ødegaard coming in if he does, it’s a loan, it’s help through to the end of the season and we know ESR can’t play every match. It’s no different to having Willian and Pepe to rotate with Saka, although it’s painful when they do.

    New post up now

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