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Morning all.
For a change, I watched two football matches yesterday evening, or at least most of both. England’s women were so much better than they were against France and ended up beating Holland 4-0, Alessia Russo with a hat trick of assists. My goodness that girl has a good engine on her. After that match I watched PSG v Real Madrid. Pre match the chatter seemed all about Real, however, the European champions absolutely battered them and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
I couldn’t help but be slightly envious of the way PSG played either..
The boys are back. Not quite all but most, including new summer signings Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga Revuelta. Yes, I’ll stick with Kepa.
One player yet to return is Ethan Nwaneri and yesterday, Arsenal.com released a video clip of his best bits from his breakout season. Perhaps because his new contract announcement is imminent? I’ve no idea of course but I sure hope so..
Max Dowman is in the senior camp where it’s assumed he’ll stay rather than go out on loan. At 15 years old though, I can’t see many minutes falling his way but I doubt he’ll mind as just being around the squad, soaking up as much of the atmosphere and information as possible will keep him happy. He’ll probably be in shock for the first few days. lol
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A reunion for Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi after a season apart. This can only be good for Arsenal as the two must know each others game inside and out after spending six years together at Real Sociedad and being part of the Spain international team/squad since 2021. Once we’ve added Brentford’s Christian Norgaard to the squad, our midfield, which includes Declan Rice too of course, is looking good. Strength as well as depth.
Photo from Arsenal.com
Our goal keeping options are strong too now with Kepa arriving earlier in the summer and at the moment, Karl Hein is still on the books too although that might change over the next few weeks.
Two academy players in Ismeal Kabia and Michal Rosiak, were on the list of departures earlier this summer but both remain listed as under 21 players on the clubs official website. Whether both are an admin error or the club have managed to extend their deals, I don’t know but hopefully it’s the latter. For the academy’s sake as much as being available for the domestic cups should Mikel Arteta decide to involve them. Maldini Kacurri too who made his debut in the League Cup last season.
Anyway, whilst we are all desperate to see Arsenal sign a striker, it seems the focus for the club is on Chelsea winger Noni Madueke. Reports suggested personal terms were agreed with the player a few days ago but now, David Ornstein, among others, has suggested the two clubs are now in talks to get the deal done. £50m is the suggested fee which isn’t ridiculous in today’s footballing world and regardless of what you and I think about giving Chelsea more money, Arsenal don’t seem to mind. If Madueke signs for Arsenal and he’s an absolute hit, I doubt anyone will care about who or how much the club paid for him.
Maduke is quick, he can play on both sides of the pitch and use either foot. He’s young, direct and will run at defenders, going round them or cutting inside, he can do both. Potentially, he’s an exciting player and just because Chelsea doesn’t want him anymore, it doesn’t mean he’s a dud.
Catch up in the comments.
The longer Arsenal take about getting a striker, the more desperate they will be viewed by other clubs who will play hard ball by saying “take it or leave it, no negotiating”! leaving the door open to other Prem Clubs who will be willing to pay the asking price. Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City would love to see Arsenal once again with no No.9. Its always the same old story with Arsenal – lets see what we can do in the “kazbar” because our owners, despite being billionaires, don’t want to spend their money. Am surprised we are not known as TightArse instead of Arsenal.
“If” Madueke is a success then nobody will be worried about the fee. The issue being he hasn’t shown any signs of being a success in the past 2 seasons, and we are going to pay £20m more than he cost Chelsea. The whole deal makes zero sense
That’s a bold and incorrect statement about the owners imo, how much have they spent on transfers under Arteta?
Ralph, it doesn’t make sense to me either but if that’s what Arsenal do, then one can only hope in a different environment with different coaches he improves. He’s still young enough to.
Morning Rico, yes PSG look a bit special for sure but next time we play them we’ll hopefully have more fit players and a striker and we’ll turn them over…
Most of last season I heard fans complaining that Arteta was overplaying Saka and when Bakayo broke they went into meltdown. Saka needs cover, he needs a breather, we need to take care of him – and yes I agree.
So when Arsenal go to our feeder club for a quality player who can help protect Saka by taking him out of the firing line and those who melted down last season, er, melt down again because of where he’s coming from I do tend to scratch my bonce!
Anyway, I imagine that SSN will have some insightful views on this scenario…
Morning Kev, they were so good last night, a joy to watch I must admit.
Feeder club, that’s a good way of looking at Chelsea 😜
PSG changed radically when it stopped having star, overpaid players, who cause internal problems and are heavily scrutinized and exposed abroad. This is what often happens when you have players who were acquired at very high prices and earn much more money than others. PSG currently has a very strong team, with above-average players, more cohesive, strong, and without major salary differences. This is one of the reasons I’m against acquiring Gyokeres or another forward for very high fees. It’s preferable to buy one or two more affordable forwards and not unbalance the team.
Agree re PSG Jm. They’re certainly not missing the egos..
https://www.arsenal.com/news/christian-norgaard-signs-arsenal
Norgaard confirmed. Yippee 😂
Afternoon Rico and all.
I must admit I’m not over impressed in buying a 31-year-old, it feels like he was brought just to add numbers.
Afternoon Geoff, he’s a good squad player imo. PL experienced who gives us depth as well as strength. Cheaper option to giving Partey a pay rise. Although obviously that ship sailed after his charges.
Exactly Geoff, he’s an inexpensive player who was captain of his club who does add numbers to our squad. A lack of numbers did for us last season didn’t it?
Sometimes I wonder how often fans watch football other than the team that they support. Noni Madueke is a very good player. I will argue that the arsenal team as constituted now has no one with his complete skills set. Please watch the kid play. Chelsea for the past 3 or so seasons, can make anyone look bad. This kid is quick, fast, strong and with good works. In two seasons with Chelsea he has 13 goals mostly coming off the bench. I will buy him before I buy Eze. Nothing against Eze, but in 5 seasons with Palace Eze has 34 goals playing mostly every game. The kid is only 23 years old. Please let us be objective. It’s not like we are buying past their prime Willian, Sterling or Cech.
Okay, Norgaard done and dusted. Now 100% effort to complete the signing of our number one priority a twenty goal a season striker.
Why are Chelsea selling him then Obi?
Kev / Rico, he may have games under his belt but at 31, in 9 months turns 32, sure we could have found someone simular but young around 25,
We did Geoff, Zubimendi 😂
The Athletic:
Does Madueke leaving make sense for Chelsea?
Liam Twomey: From a squad-balance perspective, yes. Pedro Neto has firmly established himself at the top of Enzo Maresca’s wing pecking order with his Club World Cup performances, and the Portugal international prefers to operate from the right flank. Cole Palmer has been deployed on that side for stretches of games in the United States in tweaked versions of Chelsea’s system.
That is before we even consider that Palmeiras prodigy Estevao arrives at Cobham this summer, and is likely to split his game time between attacking midfield and right wing. Tyrique George can operate on either flank, and Joao Pedro was recruited in part for his ability to play in any of Maresca’s attacking positions.
Kendry Paez is with (though not part of) the Club World Cup squad. Fast-forward 12 months, and Chelsea will also welcome Geovany Quenda, another dynamic young left-footed winger, from Sporting CP. Maresca has plenty of alternatives to Madueke on the right, and the signing of Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund lessens the need for him on the left.
Madueke is also emerging as one of Chelsea’s best opportunities to raise significant sale funds in this transfer window, and the importance of selling as well as buying was underlined by the terms of the negotiated settlement entered into with UEFA this month after being found in breach of the governing body’s financial rules.
Would his arrival benefit Arsenal? The Athletic
Art de Roche: Madueke would provide Arsenal with much-needed depth in wide areas.
Mikel Arteta’s reliance on Bukayo Saka on the right wing was highlighted as far back as the 2020-21 season, so having an option who could allow him to be rested would be welcome.
Madueke’s ability to play on the left could also help Arsenal, but that may come down to whether Arteta is comfortable playing a left-footer on that side. He did use Gabriel Martinelli, a right-footer, on the right at times last season, but that was only when Saka and Ethan Nwaneri were injured.
Why are Arsenal fans having doubts over his signing?
De Roche: There will be a few factors behind this. One of the most important is likely the timing in comparison to other deals.
Madueke could become Arsenal’s first attacking signing of the summer, which fans would not have envisaged at the start of the window. Had this come about after the arrival of a striker and another winger/attacking midfielder, there would naturally be a different mood among the fanbase.
Another key factor is that this is yet another Chelsea player. Most players who have traded Stamford Bridge for the Emirates have not set the world alight. The more this trend continues, the more tiresome it becomes. The cost of signing a player from Chelsea also makes it a baffling move to some when other clubs find young, exciting talent abroad more frequently than Arsenal for less.
Due to the politics of new signings, Arsenal have also seen former Chelsea players take minutes that were previously given to fan favourites, which leaves a sour taste.
Arsenal fans online seemed to be in unison against this potential signing, but there has since been a swell of support for Madueke. The hashtags on either side of this debate appeared to be light-hearted social media talk at first, but the creation of a petition against Madueke signing is going over the top.
That being said, the negative sentiments would not be present in stadiums. For example, Aaron Ramsdale’s arrival in 2021 was similarly divisive. Most fans on social media were against the signing, and were vocal about it. On Ramsdale’s debut, away against West Bromwich Albion, he was applauded by the travelling support as he came out to warm up pre-match. That is very rare, but you could tell it was a gesture that was appreciated and helped him settle on the pitch.
Xavi Simons is apparently looking for a move. Just saying…
Rico at 1:46. I think other posts have answered the question. Chelsea is a mad operation. They have more players than necessary and they are all picking up checks. It’s mystery as to how they are in compliance with financial rules. Oh yeah, 10 year contracts.
Obi, I realise that side of the potential deal but what doesn’t sit quite right with me is the sudden Arsenal interest. If he was a target early in the summer, why are we still faffing around I wonder. Especially when the players are back for pre season. We could have got him before Chelsea jetted off to the US..
Rico at 5:20. That’s the Arsenal way. Lol.
My point exactly Obi, reactive rather than proactive.
Arsenal Women have agreed a world-record fee of £1m to sign Olivia Smith from Liverpool Women.
The 20-year-old forward would be the first women’s player to surpass the seven-figure barrier with Smith set to have a medical this week.
It would eclipse the $1.1m Chelsea paid San Diego Wave for Naomi Girma in January, which equates to around £890,000.
Smith played in 20 WSL games last season, scoring seven of Liverpool’s 22 goals. The Reds finished seventh in the league.
Good evening all
Putting my feet up now so had time to read the post. Good one. but not the comments yet.
Just read this…..Fenerbahce have reached an agreement with Leandro Trossard on personal terms.
The Turkish club continue to negotiate with Arsenal regarding the transfer fee but the feeling is positive.
My guess is EUR15-18M
That would be a good deal. Use the money to get Sesko Devil. 😜
Bit light I think should be nearer £ 20 million. We have to get out of the habit of being the bargain sale club of European football.
He’s out of contract next summer though..
I’ll make a prediction, Leo Trossard will not go to Turkey…….. most probably because Fenerbahce won’t be able to afford the transfer fee and to pay Leo’s wages…
It’s a long and well trodden path to Constantinople…
Fernebahchi based in Istanbul the last step in Europe, cross the Bosphorus and you are in Asia. So still European football and a competitive league unlike that home for semi-retired footballers laughingly called The Saudi Pro League.
£20 million would be quite good business and a decent sum in wages off the books.
£ 4.68 million per annum or 90,000 a week , could give Nwaneri a chunk of that and tell Chelsea to shove off .
Fabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
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27m
🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE: Noni Madueke to Arsenal, here we go! Fee agreed in excess of £50m with add-ons included, green light from Chelsea.
Madueke already agreed five year deal at Arsenal days ago and he’s now set to complete the move.
The winger leaves #CFC to join #AFC.