Morning all.
James McNicholas has written another good piece for The Athletic. This one relates to how both England and Arsenal have a conundrum in common: who is Declan Rice’s partner in the long term?
The turnover in central midfield (at the Euros) left Rice with a huge burden to carry. By the time the final arrived, he looked exhausted and more ragged than usual. Southgate discovered something Mikel Arteta already appears to know — that Rice is at his best with a ball-playing midfielder alongside him.
Many of us here on HH have been saying the same for much of the season and I think it was the Villa game at The Emirates when Mikel Arteta opted to play Rice alone in midfield, we weren’t as balanced as perhaps we might have been had Jorginho played as well as Rice.
Obviously, I’m not as bothered about England as surely, there’s the right player out there somewhere for the next England manager but for Arsenal, it means spending money in order to find that much needed player.
When Rice arrived at Arsenal, he and Arteta shared a vision of him playing at the base of midfield as a No 6. Over the course of his first season, it became clear Arsenal functioned best with Rice in a more advanced role as a No 8. He was supported by one of Jorginho or Thomas Partey — both excellent passers who can progress the ball from deep.
Rice is a good passer, but not quite at the level of someone like Jorginho. That is no slight. Furthermore, asking Rice to play as the holding pivot inhibits his impact in other areas. Rice, when unshackled, is a force of nature. He’s a pressing and ball-winning machine, a relentless runner, and even contributed seven goals and eight assists in his first Arsenal season. It is not so much about offsetting Rice’s weakness as it is about unleashing the full gamut of his strengths.
There will doubtless be games or moments when Rice is asked to play as the No 6. The arrival of an attack-minded No 8 would, for example, change the dynamic. But if Arsenal intend to carry on with Kai Havertz as their centre-forward, then it seems inevitable Rice will spend much of next season shuttling up and down the inside-left channel. That will mean responsibility for build-up being placed upon another holding midfield player.
In May, Arsenal extended Jorginho’s contract for a further year until 2025. Partey is under contract until the same date. At 32 and 31 respectively, neither is a long-term solution.
I share McNicholas’ view wholeheartedly. If both Partey and Jorginho were five years younger, there would be no need to even think about a new partner for Rice but they’re not. One has a history of long term injuries since arriving at Arsenal and Jorginho wouldn’t be able to cope with playing a game a week let alone two. At least not in my opinion. Plus, if he could, I’m sure we’d have seen a lot more of him in the starting eleven than we did.
The Declan Rice situation reminds me a little bit of Granit Xhaka. When played as a defensive midfield and he struggled but as soon as Mikel Arteta moved him further up the pitch, we saw a much much better Granit Xhaka and Arsenal for that matter. Not that I’m suggesting Rice struggles in either position he plays but he and Arsenal are much better and more balanced when he’s not on his own in midfield.
Gareth Southgate obviously didn’t bear this in mind when he selected his squad for the Euros but I’m 100% sure it won’t have passed Mikel Arteta by. If it has, I’ll be having everything crossed that between Partey and Jorginho, at least one of them is fit every match day. As well as Rice of course..
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico and all,
If the transfer goes through with no problems, then maybe take the new keeper Setford as this would give a chance to work with Raya and possible Ramsdale, while giving Arteta and the players a chance to meet him and see what he can do.
Hi Geoff. There’s certainly an opportunity for Mikel Arteta to take a number of younger players, especially keepers as both Raya and Ramsdale will be on their holidays.
Oops forgot Raya and Ramsdale along with Saka and rice are taking there break later than other players.
Looks like we may have a few players about to leave and Ramsdale may go out on loan. Yet no top players coming in.
Patience Geoff 😂
Poor David and Aaron, ‘no holidays for you layabouts’ says Geoff.
You’re a hard man… 😄
Reiss Nelson looking set to move to the Olympic Stadium then, maybe, possibly?
€30m for Mason Greenwood, as reported, plus a hefty sell-on clause from Marseilles, I can’t see them having enough dough leftover to pay us what we want for Nketiah?
That’d be a good move for Nelson..
Could we see Calafiori at left back and Timber moving into midfield alongside Declan Rice? That’s always supposing Edu can the deal over the line, of course.
No signs so far of Jesus and Zinchenko moving on, I never expected a flood of prospective buyers for them, but zero interest seems a bit insulting. Or is it their wage demands that are the downers.
Has Timber ever played in midfield?
I don’t know Rico, but Ben White was a centre back and is now one of the best right full backs in the Premiership. Perhaps Arteta sees something in Timber that can be developed.
Very true Cicero. As long as it’s not Zinchenko 😜
How would we know if there’s any interest in Jesus or Zinchenko… or if we have any interest in selling them at all.
I could imagine Arteta possibly wanting to keep both of them.
I’d love to sell Jesus, but I think Zinchenko is a much better player than gooners remember. But I would understand if he was sold too.
We have almost no idea at all what players our club is pursuing because they are keeping it quiet. Why do you think we would know about interest from other clubs anyway.
Sometimes we hear something, but it’s a big leap to assume there’s no interest because you haven’t heard about it.
The good journos like Ornstein maintain great sources because they don’t spill any news earlier than the clubs want them to. If Ornstein talks about players in the market, you can bet he got the OK signal from the club.
Kev, if you want to win big trophies, then some sacrifices need to done, after all if I can get up at 2am to watch them, then maybe they could give up a week or two holidays. 😁
Nigel, I think the most negative thing on the internet is NN and advertising because it gives licence for anyone and everyone to write a headline linking us to a player when in reality, 99% of the time, it’s not factual. Then, when that player or players don’t arrive, the assumption can be that the club has ‘failed’ in its pursuit of a player.
Like you, the only person I take seriously in relation to transfers is David Ornstein.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5640847/2024/07/18/emile-smith-rowe-arsenal-future-transfer/
Good piece on Emile Smith Rowe…
I agree with Rico and NN and some of the subscribers have viruses so avoid .
I think ideally we need to expand the A team instead of having an A Team and a C team.We are slowly shifting players out on loan with an option to buy but with just over a week to our tour of The States nothing concrete about ESR or Ramsdale and others and has Cana left ?
I don’t think transfer window has been that busy in general though Kelsey. City haven’t don’t anything yet, but I suspect they will, same as us but we can’t forget books need to be balanced and transfers aren’t always simple. If we are really after a Spanish player, then the Euros will have been an issue.
I’m not fussed about our lack of business, not in the middle of July.
Geoff, you get up at 2am!
Mate you have my respect.
But you’re still a hard taskmaster. 😄
Califiori seems to be in the same ball park as Rice, in that he wants Arsenal so despite other interested parties trying to generate interest from elsewhere, it’s not happening.
Maybe a year or two ago Arsenal would have just paid the asking price but PSR has changed things – and for the better.
Surprised at the lack of interest for Kiwior, hopefully that’s because Arsenal are holding out for a proper price for him. It’ll take a couple more windows but in time the word will spread that Arsenal aren’t a soft touch in the market anymore.
It’s always frustrating when deals are in the pipeline and nothing seems to be happening but I’m comfortable with our squad as it is. It only needs a bit of tweaking and The Hale End trio to be moved on and upgraded.
Merino looks like an upgrade on Elneny, I hope it goes through.
The performances of any youngsters taken to the Colonies might inform as to where the squad needs strengthening and that maybe we already have that upgrade in situ, eg Nwaneri for Smith Rowe?
Lucky I am not a Tottenham fan, after all I wouldn’t give them a day off. 😒
Thing is, deals might seem to be in the pipeline but invariably, it’s just rumours.
If Merino can get in the Spain squad, he’s good enough for me 😜
Just seen our 2024/2025 away shirts, the look something a worker at a pizza shop would wear.
Not the actual kit does Geoff, the colourful one is a training top and tracksuit
Rico are we talking about the same shirt as the club is calling the black shirt with red and green our away kit.
It seems so Geoff.
Kev,
I’m with Rico about Merino being a Spain player. Pretty exclusive group to be in.
I have to do research to learn more, but I don’t want to bother yet, because if he’s valued by other Spanish clubs, the odds of us getting him are low. Arteta is our only hope to draw him.
Also I’m hoping Kiwior situation is quiet because we’re keeping it that way, since its international clubs involved, it’s easier than England.
There’s no way we can buy Califiore without moving him, and we should time it properly, or buyers will have leverage knowing all our left side defender options.
It’s a delicate process because of that. I think the dragging out of Califiore buy is partly to work on the outgoing simultaneously.
Aaron Ramsdale is at Trent Bridge watching the test match. Looking very relaxed and happy to say a few words to the commentators. Naturally they didn’t ask him anything about his situation at Arsenal, and he didn’t volunteer anything.
Manchester City are up and running, they’ve signed 20 year old winger Savinho from associated club Troyes for €40 million. It will be interesting to see who they now sell.
I was horrified when I first heard that we were chasing Merino, but it turned out to be Jose of that ilk. 😉
Oh dear “turned out NOT to be”
Ha ha Cicero. That would have been a worry…
I can understand if we’re kind of selling before or at the same time as buying because the last thing we need is to be left with unwanted players as well as new signings. Plus, if we buy, other clubs will know we’re desperate to sell…
Nketiah will leave Arsenal this summer’ amid Marseille interest
Latest from Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth:
Marseille are interested in signing Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.
The French club have explored the conditions of a potential deal and are discussing internally whether to make a formal bid.
One source has told Sky Sports News that the 25-year-old will leave the club this summer.
That will depend on Arsenal receiving a substantial offer.
Regarding Eddie.
Substantial means €40m (£33.66m) to me, anything less Rico is just decent.
I doubt very much that Marseilles will want to pay more than €25m (£21m) and they might even want to take him on loan with an obligation to complete in 12 months time due to them buying Greenwood this summer?
Maybe Crystal Palace will firm up some interest, I did hear that they’re looking for a striker to play off of Mateta and are planning to sell Edouard.
Nigel, regarding Califiore I did hear on a podcast that the logjam isn’t Arsenal and we’re prepared to pay the asking price it’s with Bologna trying to get Basel to reduce the 50% sell-on clause (that’s surely got to be 50% of the profit and not based on the whole fee?)
Get Califiore and Merino and that has to be a good window to me in terms of signings. Upgrade on Kiwior and Elneny, keep Partey for his last year, get a proper season out of Jesus and Martinelli, maybe sign a wing-forward on deadline day to replace Nelson (doubt it’ll be Williams)
Sell ESR, Nketiah and Ramsdale to balance the PSR.
I wonder when the US touring squad is being announced?
Nwaneri and MLS need to be in that squad…
Good morning everyone.
According to Football Insider, West are plotting a double deal for Arsenal’s attacking duo Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson for around £50M combined.
Is that a good deal?? maybe yes maybe no. But a fee that size is not one to let go easily. It depends if whether or not another club offers more for Nketiah. Both are good players and in a mid table team they will flourish I think. Much more than Balogun did.
.Regarding the new Arsenal Away shirt and why Arsenal helped designed it with another designer from London…..🔥
I have read in a few groups over this issue today boarding on complete racism 😡 and Pro Palestine .Both Palestine and Kenya have exactly the same colours on their flag..
💥This design, which represents the movement and flow of people, is bespoke, and hand-drawn by the distinguished fashion label Labrum London, and celebrates a pattern commonly found in African designs, artefacts, and decorations.
connection between Arsenal, North London, and Africa, recognising both our African supporters and the African players who have graced our team.
Designed by Labrum, the kit features the vibrant colours of the pan-African flag (red, black, and green) and a unique zig-zag pattern inspired by 1920’s African tribal art, symbolising freedom, movement, and joy.💥You can delete this if you wish.Thoughts.
Devilgunner I read this and it is a good deal as it reduces the high wages of pretty average players.
It would be ideal if WHU offered 100M for Nketiah, ESR and Nelson. That would recoup Declan’s fee in one go.
Personally I’m not in favour of fiddling about too much with the red and white strip and I’d like the club to do likewise with our 2nd strip, yellow shirts, blue shorts and yellow socks, if you want to tick a few boxes do it with the 3rd kit.
At 80 quid a pop the new shirt is a rip off regardless of who or what organisation designed it.
Kev I with you, red top for home and yellow for away, the new pizza top looks ok but it’s not Arsenal.
Morning guys.
I don’t like a black shirt regardless of what colour its trim is. I’m with you Kev, yellow all the way as it’s part of our history.
It’s getting pretty expensive to kit out say even two people in a family every year with a new kit and i agree red/white Home yellow/blue Away and often even when there is no clash of colours with the opposition when Away we still have to change kits.
Then add bight pink and orange boots and i wont comment on the hairstyles is most cases .
I won’t be buying one. lol
New post up.