Morning all.
Happy Birthday to our new number 10. Emile Smith Rowe is 21 years old today and whilst he might get the key to the door as the old saying goes, I hope he goes into the new season with the key to unlocking many an oppositions defence. It’s a huge season for him and I reckon he’ll more than do the iconic shirt number proud. The expression on his face in the above photo is one I hope we see time and time again as the next weeks and months go by.
M = Medical and today is supposed to be the day which Ben White undergoes his at Arsenal. I imagine he’ll sail through it with ease. M = Multiability – I know there’s no such word so I’ve made it up and Ben White certainly has multiability. Centre back, central defensive midfield and right back. He can do all which will come in handy when the ACON’s comes around next year.
Currently we only have Pablo Mari, Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhães. So yes, Arsenal need this Ben White deal to go through.
Mikel Arteta is one of many managers who deploy the playing out from the back. Graham Potter is another so that’s a big tick against him signing too. I read somewhere on the big wide web that spending £50m on Ben White is a waste of money, and no, it wasn’t on HH. I’m baffled I suppose because William Saliba went on loan again but if Ben White improves what was last season, a much improved defence, then surely that £50m will prove to be money well spent. If Arsenal don’t concede goals, they don’t lose football matches. It’s as simple as that. For ten years or more, Arsenal haven’t been able to defend well, the goals conceded numbers have been high, higher than most other clubs in the League but thankfully were scoring goals too.
What we witnessed last season is when the club’s key goal scorer goes missing, Arsenal can struggle to win matches. How Mikel Arteta addresses that this time around i don’t know. Perhaps Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will have got over whatever it was he was sulking about and his form will return. With Alexandre Lacazette rumoured to be on his way out this summer, maybe, just maybe, a striker will be signed before the 2nd of September.
- Arsenal have registered an interest with Inter Milan about striker Lautaro Martinez. (The Telegraph)
If you think £50m for Ben White is a lot, Lautaro Martinez is reported to be valued at £77m. He’s described as being a dynamic, quick, agile, and technically gifted player, who is a prolific goalscorer, he is known for his elegant playing style, good dribbling skills, and clinical finishing ability, as well as surprising physical strength and aerial prowess despite his diminutive stature.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ja9KnAEnQE
A South American striker at Arsenal again? Oh yes please.
What are your thoughts?
Morning Rico and all
Theirs been a few stories claiming that Ben White is not worth £50 million, mainly claiming that he has not been in the premier league long enough.
However the way I look at it a player is only worth what ever someone will pay for him.
As for Ben White being any good for us only time can tell.
Good morning Rico and all.
Loved reading the post Rico.
I doubt the Martinez rumours are true Rico. It’s either TA09 or DCLO9.
Hi Rico.. Apparently we’re playing Watford at Colney today…
Morning Geoff, Sue, Devil, all.
Re White Geoff, I think that’s rubbish, he was Brighton’s player of the season last year I think and I’ve not read anything but positive views on him. Ignore the stories. Lol
You never know Devil.
Sue, is it on the website?
Pundits must need to be complete morons to qualify for the job.
Watching ESPN, the boofheads on there, infusing Stewart Robson are criticising Arsenal for spending 50 million on White after whinging for years they’ve tried to get by on the cheap.
Of course, the kicker was when the experts said we’ve spend up on you g defenders before, like Chambers and Holding.
Holding????
Wasn’t he 2 million?
Ffs, they just like listening to their own drivel lol
Morning all.
G’day all, thanks for the post Rico and happy twenty-first to ESR. 🎂
I guess it’s too much to expect Arsenal.com to come up with any news about the Ben White signing they always seem to be a couple of hours, or even days, behind the media.
We will have to sell before being able to afford Martinez, £77 million will be stretching the piggy bank to the limit, the one positive is that his current wage is €55,000 per week, that’s chicken feed compared to Aubameyang so even if he demands a pay rise, it shouldn’t break the bank.
Rico, I don’t give a toss about Aubameyang’s sulk, but I do care about his current goal drought. Maybe Inter would accept him as a swap for Martinez…..on second thoughts, nah don’t think so.
2 good season from Ben White then and then us fans can laugh at those who said we paid to much for him.
Watching Optus sports 1 hour of Arsenal greatest goals, brings back some great memories
Hi all,
It’s the going rate for good English defenders. Been like that for years where United and lately City and Chelsea paid above the odds to get their man.
If he’s anywhere near a Ferdinand, Terry, Walker or a van Dyk then well worth it and sell on value if his ambitions change as we’ve seen so often at Arsenal.
On a RB I saw an article on a young span yard on City’s payroll for 7m buyout clause who last year won the league with Sporting. Porro seems good with 3 goals and 3 assists for the season. Article says he hasn’t spoken to Pep in the 2 years he has been with City. Seems believable, similar sentiment from Eto where Pep didn’t speak to him and pushed him out even though he was Barca’s top scorer that season.
Trouble is Cicero, it seems we’re stuck with him so I definitely want him to be over his sulk…
Fekken Ex Spurs youth keeper just cost Australia any chance of progressing the Olympics.
Fumbled a ball that would have made
Lloris proud.
Tom Glover, take a bow ffs lol
The only thing that worries me about White is his height. We cannot defend corners and free kicks , haven’t been able for years
Leno doesn’t come for the ball with any authority like Martinez did and White is barely 6 foot.
At Brighton Lewis Dunk attacks the ball at 6 foot 4″ .
Although Holding is 6 foot 2″ and Mari 6 foot 4 ” they dont seem to be able to repel set pieces . Maybe amongst his other skills he is an organiser because we definitely need one.
Rico.. sorry for the late reply – 3pm on Arsenal.com 🙂
I just have heard that the Watford manager has told the players that part of the warming up today is to take a 20 metre run and try to jump the hedge separating their training ground from Colney. It must be clean jump. Those who touch the hedge, even with the hairs on their toes will not make the first 11. Cojones touching the hedge are not considered either.
It must be the longest run and jump that the Watford players have ever done for a game.
Apparently Jamie O’Hara on TalkNonsense has been quite scathing of Ben White and his decision to join Arsenal and scathing of Arsenal in general.
Jamie O’Who I hear you cry?
Exactly…
I couldn’t give a toss what some no marks say about Arsenal this summer, our transfers and our business, I just see the headlines on NewsNow and YouTube and that’s all I need to see. If you fancy winding yourself up just click on them, but I’ll give them a wide berth thank you…
Twitter must be full of Arsenal Doomers and they seem to pop into the comments section of ArseBlog News daily and although I’m tempted to engage, you know I simply can’t be arsed. If you’ve made up your mind about Edu, Arteta, the club, KSE, Brexit, then there’s nothing I could possibly say on that blog to change their minds. Tbh the comments section on ArseBlog News is becoming quite tedious…
Afternoon Gooners, thank heavens for HH.
Good afternoon Rico.
There seems to be an ongoing discussion about creating a pitch shared by Arsenal and Watford. Both of them will take care of half a pitch. Its has been reported that part of the hedge is being cut down and the centre line and kick off spot being done exactly where the hedge was. The Arsenal side will house half the pitch and the Watford side will house the other half.
Right now the only snag there is for such a project is the design of the lawn mower. Arsenal want it horizontal while Watford want it vertical
Kev, I have even given up reading other posts. I dont just go on them anymore. Sometimes the title of post catches my eye, but otherwise I dont even read them let alone write.
Even social media platforms I try to avoid reading the comments. Some are simply disgusting. And even some of those who write are so set in their ways that its a waste of time trying to reason with them.
So I just give up……and prefer staying here on HH when time and home situation permits.
Medical successfully completed, apparently.
According to Express….Arsenal have beaten Watford 4-1 and Azeez was on the scoresheet
Any bets on the Watford goal being from a set piece….corner, penalty or free kick??
It’s one all at halftime and we are playing, effectively, with nine men. William and Aubameyang are passengers.
Afternoon Rico and the House
Good goal by Eddy Shows what he can do
Willian what can I say thats not been said before.
Cicero…..how did Watford score their goal?
Can someone explain why the groundskeeper put the sprinklers on at half time considering it is raining.
78 minutes Arsenal 3 Watford 1
Nice win Pepe looks more hungry for the ball meanwhile the new players seem to be settling in well and enjoying them self.
Unfortunately atmospherics have been screwing my internet all day . I saw about 15 minutes at the end of the first half and about 20 of the second in patches . Missed Azeez’ goal although Perry Groves was waxing lyrical about it.
Will have to wait for .com to show the highlights.
Players farting about with the ball in our own penalty area, lost possession and gifted the goal.
Much better second half, the first passenger, Aubameyang, hooked off @ 45 minutes. William woke up a bit but didn’t achieve much then he too was hooked. Lacazette with a penalty, Tierney with a tap from an ESR cross and Azezz with a long range shot hit superbly.
Nketiah, Tierney, Lacazette and Azeez were the goalscorers.
I read a match report on the Watford site….and according to it we should have scored more.
The same report states that we were superior and more experienced
Thanks Cicero for that brief description. I couldn’t see game.
Partey is looking goooood! Going to be massive for us this season..
Looking at Aubameyang and Willian, we need to flog both. On last season’s form and what he has shown in a couple of pre-season games Lacazette is better than the pair combined.
Sue I agree about Partey, should be a big season for him.
Forget Odegaard, ESR is worth two of him.
I watched the game on Arsenal.com. Some things to be encouraged by and some to be worried about. Everything changed when ESR came on and provided a touch of creativity. I can see us playing high-pressure stuff as long as we keep the backdoor locked.
A bit of transfer business to go yet I think.
I was impressed by Nketiah’s goal, it had to be a solo effort as neither Willian or Aubameyang were on the same planet as our young striker as far as pace and effort were concerned.
Hi Rick, Kev, all.
Two classy goals from Eddie and Azeez. Didn’t see the game, just the highlights. What on earth was Leno and Elneny thinking…
Cicero….just a question….what do you think Arteta will do on Auba, Laca, Nketiah? You commented that neither Auba not Willian were on the same planet as Nketiah (and I agree with you). But who do you think will be sold to make way? Auba or Nketiah? Auba or Laca?
Warming up for Sundsay.
And its starting to look good
I think AMN, Nelson, Willock and Eddie will all be gone by September 2nd.
The weather or football Rick? Lol
DG, 3.09, I don’t blame you at all.
Great composure and technique from Miguel Azeez, I wonder if he’ll be the breakthrough youngster this season?
Kev, Miguel’s goal was Azeezy as you like 😂😂😂😂 and yes….I feel he will have a Saka effect. Maybe that is why AMN and Willock will be sold. I saw highlights but was impressed by him
DG, I have no idea what Arteta is thinking but it is my considered opinion that we should sell Aubameyang. Lacazette is out of contract next June, if we are to get any sort of fee for him we need to sell him in this window. His price next January will be rock bottom. Alternatively we we could keep him for the season and let him go for free next summer, he is one player who will not be happy to see his contract out whilst sitting on the bench.
As for Nketiah, I think he will be sold.
I was not impressed with Willian at one stage he lost the ball and didn’t even chase after it. Lokonga looked good before he was taken off I felt we played around with the ball too much
Just watched the video of Watford’s goal . When will Leno learn that just because a man run towards him doesn’t mean he has to pass it to him. Elneny was runnig back in his own area with a man just behind him and two in front one closing him down and the other cutting off the full back. It should never have gone to him .
Leno is a shot stopper but not a great keeper , the lack of interest in him following his remarks about being open to leaving speaks loudly.
Yep,
Keepers fault.
Morning Gooners, it’s a beautiful sunny day out here in Essex.
Morning Rico, Ben White still not announced so you’ve gotta go out for the day. 😎
Morning Kev, all.
Sorry, I’m home all day. I’ll try popping out in the garden for a while. 😆
New post up now
Absolutely agree re Leno, Elneny drew the players in and Chambers was in acres of space to Leno’s right. Really poor.