Morning all.
It wasn’t so long ago that Arsenal seldom stepped outside Europe for pre-season. We’d play sides which gave us a good workout fitness wise, but more often than not, not a real physical test. I don’t mean a good kicking, I mean in every department. Test our level of defending, our abilities going forward against a strong defensive unit a midfield battle to overcome.
Yet this summer it’s quite different. Ok, we’ve played the American club which was more about the owners I think but nevertheless, the younger players got playing time which is good. Yesterday we played Bayern Munich, next we face Fiorentina and then it’s Real Madrid. It doesn’t stop there though as after The Emirates Cup, Barcelona is our final friendly before heading to Newcastle to kick the new campaign off. A club which currently has a few problems after Rafa jumped ship and Bruce was appointed. There’s talk on SS’s that the fans will boycott the stadium. Anyway, that’s their problem.
Did you see the quotes from Mesut Ozil in The Mirror this morning? Apparently he and Alexandre Lacazette went head to head in a crossbar challenge, set up by Mustafi and Kolasinac. The loser had to dye their hair a different colour. Yep you guessed it, Ozil lost hence is white hair which he said he likes now but might change it back to its proper colour before the season kicks off. Kolasinac and Mustafi had to dye theirs too but having looked at themselves in the mirror, they took action.
Sky Sports are reporting we’ve tied up a deal for William Saliba. In principle anyway which I guess means he’s just a medical is left for him. He’ll be staying with St Etienne for the coming season. They also report that the chase for Dani Ceballos (season-long loan) Kieren Tierney goes on with the club said to be increasingly confident they can get both moves over the line. Great if both arrive but where’s our much needed central defender? Some 6’ 6” guy has been linked to us if you read the headlines on NewsNow but I know nothing about other than he’s tall. Lol.
The Metro is one of a few newspapers who are reporting that Zaha has told Palace he wants to leave so 2+2 means he’s heading to Arsenal and finally, Utd are rumoured to have offered £62 million for Aubameyang although other than on NN, there’s little evidence to support this rumour. If they do want him though, they’ll need to double their offer in my opinion.
Another friendly tomorrow which means another chance for the younger players hopefully.
Have a great Friday guys.
Goodmorning Rico and everyone, it seems most Arsenal fans have forgotten the fact that we have alot of players we don’t want to see warring the jersey next season, the likes of mustafi, elneny, Ozil, mikhi etc are still in the club and nothing so far has suggested they any of them would leave… I don’t expect anything different this coming season unless we clear off most of this baggage of players we carry and get real fighters..
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico, so that’s why Mesut went platinum blond or white or whatever shade his barnet is, it does suit him. I might give it a go myself.
Morning Mexy, we haven’t forgotten…
Morning Kev. Apparently so. If being white haired makes him play well, I hope he keeps it.
Kev, stop using hair colouring and you’ll be there soon enough hahahaha
Hello mate.
Morning all.
Hey Scott, unfortunately I don’t need a bottle to lighten my hair, it’s happening all by itself.
What do you think about the Saliba news, seems that we’ve got him?
Rico, it’s just starting to rain here in Essex.
It’s been peeing down all night and today here Kev, just what we need…
‘morning all, I only wish I had enough hair to dye. 😒
Rico, it’s prudent to remember that we only have 17 spots available for foreign players over 21, so that doesn’t include 18 year old Martinelli or Saliba if he arrives…
As it stands Arsenal have: Leno, Monreal, Kolasinac, Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Ozil, Mkhitarayan, Mavropanos, Xhaka and Elneny…
So that’s 3 more spots, 5 possibly if Elneny and Koscielny leave…
I’m pleased about Saliba, Good news that he chose Arsenal instead of Spurs although they went over and tried to get him last weekend. , good bit of business , he looks like he will be a great CB for us one day
Looking forward to the game V Florentina on Sat night, it’s at a better time for watching too. Hope Reiss starts he didn’t get very long against Bayern . Saka looks like a real player , think he could do a good job for us in the Cups next year, if we don’t loan him out
Much can be done yet then Kev. 😜
Kev, I haven’t seen the kid play, but the reports are pretty big so if we need to leave him on loan for a season, so be it.
If he thrives this season, we’d probably miss out on him next season so lock him in ASAP, I reckon.
A lot of clubs seem to be scratching around for centre backs and are willing to pay silly money for them, how is it that we have two surplus to requirements, Koscielny and Mustafi, but as far as I know there hasn’t been a single enquiry, let alone an offer, for them.
Because they’re not that good Cicero.
I forgot Torrieira from our 17… 🙄
I’ve not seen him play either Scott, not even on You Tube, 5 year contract ties him in until he’s 23, but if he really is as good as we hope, regular contract extensions are the way to go for him and our other young talents.
From what I’ve heard our loans manager Ben Knapper, advised that Bielik isn’t quite good enough for what we need next season. Not sure how accurate that is but if it’s true I guess that Arsenal were looking at a loan fee for him rather than selling him. But he seems adamant that he wants to leave…
What’s happened to GoonerStan?
Kev, The Blonde Adonis hasn’t been seen for a while-hope he’s ok!
Even we aren’t doing much business, these transfer windows offer plenty of entertainment value!!!
Yeah Rico, there’s still room for some additions, for sure.
I’m not sure if Tierney is viewed as foreign as he’s a Scot or if Zaha is home based as he was developed in the England. the same as Iwobi even though they play for African countries?
Entertainment???
I’m not sure about that Scott, I’ve read that some transfer rumours are started up as fake betting scams, now that would explain a lot…
I’ve a feeling Tierney would be classed as foreign but not Zaha possibly but then I don’t think we’ll sign him.
Palace want Jenks apparently. Mmmmm
Well if Palace want Jenkinson then his value must be what, £15m, £20m possibly, he is after all an England international full back Rico, surely Palace wouldn’t make an embarrassing offer?
If Palace are also interested in Calum Chambers, another England international Rico, then surely given the value of English defenders, he has to be worth, what, £35m, £40m even.
I mean Palace wouldn’t make an embarrassing offer, would they?
Agree Kev, cuts both ways eh…
only speculation. We are at the 19th July.
Time to make decisions, is not it?
We need to regain the Balance between buying and selling. Too often we sell cheaply and buy at the top end.
Patience Jm, patience.. lol
Thankfully, the ones who allowed that are gone Potter. I doubt this lot will allow players to go cheaply.
Afternoon rico, all. I always thought pre-season friendlies used to be partly for bedding in all the new arrivals. Now the friendlies come first then the players with no time to gel before the season starts.
Afternoon Andrew. I thought it was just about regaining fitness..
If we can get these three quality players that UE and Mr Kroenke talk about over the line, there still maybe a silver lining in this close season????
We will have Bellerin and Holding coming back after long injuries.Together with a long list of super youngsters, Saka, Nelson, AMN, Guendouzi, Willock, Smith-Rowe. Martinelli (?)
Keep Sokratis, Ozil (as nobody else wants him) Torriera, Laca and Auba, and I would also keep Monreal for one more season.
Sell Chambers, Jenkinson, Iwobi, Mihkatarian, Koscielny, Kolasinac, Elneny and Xhaka.
Only criticism I would have is, the club do not appear to want the two positions I feel is needed. That being a top quality CB and top quality athletic DMF
Still this is Arsenal and I can’t have everything……….Can I?
COYG
Monreal must be staying because Emery mentioned him as one of his captains.
I think Monreal can do us a turn for one more year rico.
We must ship Xhaka, Jenkinson, Elneny, Mihkatarian, Koscielney, and Mavro out though.
Throwing baby out with the bath water there methinks.
Not in my book Potter. Jenkinson is a poor excuse for a right back. Elneny is weak in midfield. Koscielny has to go for his attitude towards us. Mihkatarian forgets what colours we play in. Mauro is out of his depth and Xhaka is a disaster waiting to happen every game.
Mavropanos is expected to be good Vcc. His problem has been injuries. Like Holding, give him a good run and he might prove why we signed him. Europa Cup perhaps…
VCC you may have a point about some of the players , but logically it ain’t going to happen . Your first list included Iwobi , Chambers , Jenkinson all in the home grown quota plus Kolasinac but not your second . We are struggling to get any transfers over the line as it is . Kicking out 8 players is just too many.
I definitely think we should keep Iwobi & Chambers ( especially if we let Bielik go) and Iwobi is improving all the time, if he could just improve his final ball, he will be a great young player for us. He did OK in AFCON , also he is one of our own , he deserves to be given more time. BTW Jenks is wanted bt C Palace the fee talked about is £5 mil
As a home grown player Jenks is worth double that at least, Sohara.
How should we feel about a “rejuvenated” Ozil? According to the Telegraph Emery is delighted with his fitness and form so far in pre-season.
Ozil himself has spoken about the injuries he was carrying at the start of last season and how he was affected by the fall out from Germany’s disastrous World Cup and the furore created by his retirement from the national side.
He says he now fully fit and very happy, he also said he has a really good relationship with the coach.
Another case of wait and see?
Who suggested playing Iwobi through the middle in the Ramsey position? He has the build ,speed and footwork so it might work
Afternoon Gooners
Afternoon Rico, great post, or it will be, eventually…. 😄
It’s actually long overdue Adam writing one of his incisive posts, always something worth waiting for, and waiting, and waiting… 😀
Anyway, I finally got around to watching the 2nd 45 of the Rapids game and taking into consideration the level of the opponent (about lower Championship quality) and where we are in fitness terms (Rapids are in the middle of their season – I think?) I thought our young players put in some good performances.
Saka and Eddie and John Jules showed some neat link up play and given their shared history an encouraging understanding of each other’s movement. Very positive.
I’d keep them all and think about loans in January if by then the opportunities have dried up.
Olayinka is energetic if a bit raw around the edges, more Ray Parlour than Jack Wilshere but there’s some potential there, he could develop into a really useful utility player, invaluable for any squad.
Burton surprised me, I thought that he might have missed the boat, but Freddie likes him and has argued his case with Emery apparently. He doesn’t do anything eye catching, but he’s neat and tidy, always makes himself available for a team mate if their under stress, keeps things ticking over, always checking his position and who is near by, looks very aware of what’s going on around him. Is he Arsenal 1st team quality? Not sure, but he’s a player we could develop and sell for a good fee and if he really improves we can use him again as a squad player.
Why spend millions on the likes of Elneny when we can develop our own?
Martinelli was sharp, energetic and always looking for an attempt on goal, he looks another who could develop into someone who can play several different attacking positions.
Guendouzi proved last season, that if you perform, that Emery will give you a chance, so Gab could be in for an interesting 12 months?
Thompson looked strong and solid at left back, he likes to get forward – which Emery likes – is strong in the tackle, likes a shot on goal and puts in a wicked cross. Has the potential to be the left back understudy by the end of this season, hopefully understudying Tierney. Definitely one who I’d like to see play in the cups this campaign.
Medley did ok, reminds me a bit of Willie Young with those long spindly legs. Showed good pace when needed, dovetailed neatly with Chambers, who also looked comfortable, not that the Rapids had anyone approaching EPL standard up front to threaten them. He might get a few games this season as we lack left footed centre backs?
Macey in goal was very safe, good positioning and handling, perfect No.3 goalkeeper.
A season of coaching at Arsenal rather than Plymouth, is sure to improve him.
Tonight live on Premier Sport if you have paid your subscription. Monreal is captain, Martinez in goal, Burton and Olayinka in central midfield, Saka Nketiah and Nelson the front three. Arsenal.com haven’t bothered to put up the rest of the team. 😠
1-0 ! Nketiaj!!
Live in channel 2 Sport Tv Portugal
Great result, 3 games, 3 wins, 8 goals scored and only 1 against…
Great result Nketiah with two and a late one from Willock. Real Madrid on Tuesday will be a bit more of a test.
New post up now.
Sorry about the long wait Kev. 😝