Morning all.
It seems like an age ago when Arsenal and West Ham finally agreed a deal for Declan Rice, just as it does with Jurrien Timber and Ajax yet here we are, heading towards our pre-season trip to the USA and they’re still nowhere to be seen. All sorts of nonsense has been written about Arsenal’s lawyers holding up the Rice deal, saving money as until they sign they don’t get paid and I even read one suggestion that Arsenal are simply trying to cheese West Ham off because until they get paid, they can’t spend. I think it’s more likely to be Arsenal being Arsenal – waiting for a Friday announcement. I jest of course but I don’t think we need to worry as both players have already passed their medical. At least according to Sky Sports they have. Sunday is the key day as the squad/staff head out to America for training and a few ‘friendly’ fixtures.
Brazilian midfielder Bitello has been linked to Arsenal over the last few days. The “next Gilberto” I read but he isn’t, he never will be because there’ll only ever be one Gilberto. Bitello is a midfielder who currently plays for Gremio. I’d never heard of him before his links to Arsenal. Football Fancast has written this about him:
Bitello can play in a number of positions, but it is in central midfield that he has excelled. The Brazilian, who has yet to be capped at senior level by his country, has seven goals and four assists in 33 appearances for Gremio this season. As per FBref, Bitello is just as strong defensively as he is in terms of the attacking metrics, as he ranks in the top 2% of attacking midfielders across the eight leagues most similar to Brasileiro Serie A in quality for interceptions per 90 minutes (1.12) The former Cascavel player is also in the top 5% for blocks per 90 (1.59), top 14% for tackles per 90 (1.91) and top 5% for pass-completion percentage (81.9), showing he is also capable of linking play.
His valuation, according to reports, is under £10 million. I don’t really care about what a player costs because a) it’s not my money and b) what a player does on the pitch is far more important than any price tag. Also, I trust Arteta/Edu’s judgement far more than I trust the internet ‘experts’. Pepe looked a brilliant £72 million signing when he arrived at Arsenal, £8 million Gabriel Martinelli seemed a risky bargain who I doubt many of us knew much about at the time.
Arsenal end their time in Germany later today but not until they’ve played FC Nurnberg. Kickoff is 6pm and it’s live on Arsenal.com. That’s if you want to part with £6.99 to watch it. Or £15.99 to watch all of our pre-season fixtures.
Catch up in the comments…
How is it that on transfer deadline day/night we are able to get a deal through in an hour or so. Whereas these deals are taking for ever which must be very pissing off for the sellers and can’t be doing much for our reputation as potential buyers. What the heck is going on?
Balkaneer, both deals are probably done, I don’t believe a word written about West Ham being cheesed off.
Will always love our Irishman, Gilbert O’Silva <3
Honestly, we're spending £100m. I want our lawyers poring over every little details to ensure we don't get screwed.
Me too NB, such a great player. I was gutted to see him leave..
“Bitelo” – João Paulo de Sousa Mares is a player for Gémio – Porto Alegre – One of the biggest clubs in Brazil. 23 years old
Is he good Jm?
Possibly Edu thinks so and he has better connections in Brazil than we do . I think the phrase is “”Trust the process “”.
Exactly.
Rumours are Partey has agreed to a Saudi move.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, Nelson, Trossard, Nketiah.
Subs: Hein, Tierney, Cedric, Walters, Trusty, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Vieira, Balogun, Havertz, Jesus.
Howler by goalie after Ramsdale off half time. 1-1 now after Saka early goal. Strong team apart from Hein now. And Odegaard injured in warmup replaced by Viera. Balogun, Jesus and Havertz added half time.
Balogun missed a sitter. Well, a good opportunity to score. Lol
Balogun had to score and hit side netting having rounded the goalie. Saw highlights of earlier part I missed, he hit the far post as well when looked likely to score.
The highlights for me were how good William Saliba looked and our trio of teenagers, Walters, Nwaneri and MLSkelly, how good were those lads and how comfortable they looked in the 1st team, that’s the quality we want from the Academy.
Disappointed with a few but it’s early days, although a few need to buck their ideas up…
How did Havertz go, not expecting to much as it’s his first run under Arteta
Good morning all.
You’re quite right Rico, there are no worries about the Rice deal, he’s on holiday in Portugal where he is training with Portuguese internationals Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandez and Joao Cancelo.
Geoff, very quiet 45 mins coming on at half time, but then 2nd half had so many changes. Tierney looked good I thought.
With so many changes and so many subs allowed in pre-season games, the only thing to be sure of is that any fit member of the playing staff who doesn’t get any minutes has no future at the club.
That privacy pop up is back Rico, the only way to get rid of it is to close and re-open the page.
Cicero, what I do is click on it and refresh the page and that gets shot of it.
Yes Geoff, I agree with Andrew, my son told me that he got an elbow to the face early in the 2nd half so that might have shook him up but he seemed to lack sharpness, apparently Nuremberg had played 3 games before they faced us and that might explain why they looked a bit quicker than our guys, they also left their foot in which was continually ignored by the referee. Maybe the memory ofgetting thrashed 5-3 a year ago was on their minds?
Hopefully he settles in soon as I feel like he has something to offer us,
Jurrien Timber confirmed on Arsenal.com
I’m not having the cookie page problem Cicero. 🧐
Rico, I have to watch the next Grémio game and not just the goals.
I guess we wont get confirmation on Rice for another week, Arsenal prefer to announce signings on Fridays, and I doubt we’ll hear about two in one day..
Still, it’s good that we’ve sorted two already.
Ok Jm.
Tomorrow I reckon Cicero, or later this afternoon.
Cicero, Potter – has the cookie problem gone now?
Yes , I didn’t get it this time
Good, I shut down the adverts.
Does that lose you income ?
Rico it seems to have cleared, thank you.
I was only joking they other day, but the more I think about it the more more I reckon Rice will join the team in America and be announced there by Josh Kroenke
Afternoon Rico and all
Morning Geoff, I’m going to sleep now, goodnight all.
It does Potter, but I’m not bothered. My intention back in 2010 was never about money and that’s not changed.
Pleasure Cicero.
Good morning Rico.. I’ve had trouble getting on here of late – but got on straight away today 🙂
It’s happening – Happy Declan Rice day! About bloody time haha..
Morning Sue. It is about time. Timber took a while too but better a bit late than never. 😂
New post up now
Southgate better make him England captain or else the PGMOL will be after him .