Morning all.
Newsnow along with the footballing back pages are getting a bit ahead of themselves I feel but for once, I really hope they’ve been fed some real news. Thomas Partey and Gabriel Magalhaes are the players in question with the Brazilian a ‘done deal’ say The Mail. A Twitter comment made by Partey’s agent has fuelled the Ghana international midfielder’s rumours again.
Gabriel is a player I’d not heard of before this summer which is hardly surprising really considering his movements over the last few years. He might be a Lille player by contract but he’s not played for them since 2017. Instead, he’s been out on loan at Troyes firstly and then Dinamo Zagreb. If Wikipedia is to be believed, he’s barely played so if he does arrive at Arsenal, (although Napoli seem to be after him too according to ESPN) over the next few days/weeks then he’ll do so as a diamond in the rough. A player who at 22 years old, is still young enough learn, young enough to want to learn. Similar to William Saliba really although his regular playing days are already upon him. So far anyway.
But of course, Premier League football is like no other really. Yesterday I read a comment allegedly made by Gonzalo Higuain, telling Lionel Messi not to consider a move to the Premier League because the defenders in England ‘kick the s*** out of you’. Well it’s not just defenders who do that in England. Look no further than Marcus Rashford for proof of that. Pablo Mari had to wait a while to get his opportunity at Arsenal but Saliba might be arriving at a good time because not only is Mari not expected to return in t8me for the new season, but neither is Shkodran Mustafi so as it stands today, our new arrival from France could be in for a debut in the Community Shield Cup against Liverpool which takes place in just ten days time. And Liverpool are reported to have had a positive Covid-19 test on one of their players during pre-season training in Austria. Whether that has an impact on the season’s opening fixture I don’t know.
It’ll be interesting to see if our most recent signing features at Wembley but only because he’s supposed to have been injured according to Frank Lampard. I’m looking forward to seeing how he fits into Mikel Arteta’s plans. He should certainly bring more flair and creativity to our attacking game. Something we’ve really been lacking this season and before. If Aubameyang stays, a partnership is there for the making, with goals for the taking. I don’t care that Willian is getting on a bit because quality is permanent and if the willingness to excel is still in him which by the sounds of it, it is, he’s not arrived in north London with the idea of putting his feet up. Willian, Pepe with a season under his belt and Aubameyang should be exciting. Lacazette too if he’s still an Arsenal player in October.
But the defensive side of our midfield is still lacking something. A bit of grit, steel and doggedness. A player to sit in front of our back four and let nothing through. On paper, that’s Thomas Partey but it could also be someone like him. Someone younger, or someone cheaper than Atlético Madrid are reported to be asking for their man.
Honestly, I don’t care who that guy is as long as he does what’s required of him. Actually, I’d love it if Arsenal sign a cheapie or even a freebie and he’s great for the team because it’ll show that money does not solve everything in the game.
Talking of money, Arsenal still have a big bargaining chip to play with in Matteo Guendouzi. I’ve no idea how much he’s worth in this transfer window or after his mixed season but there are clubs out there who won’t care about his attitude because a strong coach will believe he can change him. Perhaps Real Madrid fancy swapping him for Dani Ceballos.
If Arsenal sell him, it’s all money into the transfer pot. Money to help balance the books. Same goes for any other player the club sell before the end of this transfer window. If Raul Sanllehi was the man behind the supposed suggestion of AMN being sold, then perhaps that’ll change. Mikel Arteta clearly likes the player and hopes to keep hold of him. Or at least that’s what he’s implied. We’ll see.
Anyway, ten days and football is back. Better still, Arsenal are back for the big opener of the season because we won the FA Cup.
See you in the comments guys.
Morning all.
Morning Rico.
I wonder if it’s worth having a sneaky peek at the Barca squad, as they are in massive trouble.
They need a rebuild, yet have no money so Guendouzi could well be the type of player they look to for the future.
Any DM’s there worth mentioning?
Saliba is the player I most want to see in our shirt.
He could be absolutely anything, though I reckon the signing of Willian is a ripper.
Morning all.
Hi Rico.
Any DM’s at Barca worth looking at?
They’re in massive strife financially, and their squad needs a major overhaul so Guendouzi may be of some interest to them.
Could be a bargain to be had.
I can’t wait to see Saliba in the red.
This kid could be absolutely anything.
Willian is a ripper signing as well, imo.
Test.
Two comments written out and disappeared hahaha
Ok…
Morning all.
Barca are a mess both on and off the field.
Do they have anyone worth looking at, potentially to swap Guendouzi for?
Saliba is the player I really am excited to see at our club as he could end up absolutely anything, and Willian is just a fantastic signing.
Early days and a few decent players have joined already, imo.
3 comments made so far and only one showing up.
Any idea, Rico?
Morning all.
Covid 19 Scott, it gets blamed for everything else. 😉
‘morning all.
Morning all and thanks Rico.
To be honest I also have no idea who the fcuk Magalhaes is and I don`t even know how good Partey is as I`ve never seen either of them play but if Magic Mikel thinks they are good……………..and I hope it is MM and not some algorithm scout recommending them……………….then it`s ok with me!
However, I have seen Ceballos in the flesh and know he is my kind of player, I hope we can borrow or buy him.
Nothing shown in moderation or spam Scott.
Morning Scott, all
They’d gone straight to the WordPress bin Scott. Don’t ask me how as I’ve not a clue.
Oh bloody hell, they’re all showing up now hahahaha
Strange!!!
Sorry guys bahahahaha
Hi Rico and all looking forward to seeing Willian play under Arteta and how quick he settles in with his new team mates
Don’t the Barca players play with walking sticks these days? I’d steer well clear personally.
Morning Rico and All
Would be lovely to find a cheap holding c/m like the great Paddy but not many these days with that pedigree go unnoticed so I would bit the bullit and pay for a top geezer who can have a tear up and play with an engine who partners him is in my opinion the question no matter what anybody says other than a womble the game is won or lost in midfield today or yesteryears
Morning Fred, Geoff.
Surely there’s a defensive midfielder lurking somewhere in another country the club could find. Better still, in the championship so he knows English football.
Covid 19 Scott, it gets blamed for everything else.
No that’s the government or it’s chief advisor.
Fred is right , all the way from Ramseys 1966 team and the end of WM the midfield has been the battlefield that wins or loses matches. Dominate that area and you will win the match. Having spent his life in that patch Arteta should know this more than anyone else . It’s all very nice having touchy players and tricky wingers but a powerhouse in the middle wins matches.
We have the defenders and certainly 2 top keepers ,a forward that wins golden boots , get the midfield right and the sky is the limit.
I too agree re the midfield. It’s no coincidence that Arsenal have been at their best when we have a strong and athletic midfield.
Morning Rico, Fred and all. We have Torreira and Guendouzi with one foot out the door. Kolasinac (hopefully) not far behind. Possibly Rod, Mustafi and even AMN are on the back boiler. Perhaps the club want to push these through first.
A powerful CM is an absolute must surely. Partey fits the bill and likely wants to move away from the turgid negativity of Athletico Madrid’s awful football. If we can, we must surely sign him.
Morning Adam. I think Partey’s agent is trying to get him a move to a ‘big’ club.
Or at least one that will pay him £10 million a year.
Exactly.
Good morning Rico, Mr Adam, Fred et al.
Apparently Gabriel wants to come to Arsenal and a fee has been agreed between the clubs only the Gabriel ‘people’ are stalling, looking for more dough – probably for them I’d guess.
Napoli are still interested but then I read that they’re interested in Sokratis, it’s all up in the air.
Interesting Adam regarding Kolasinac, he’s often suggested as a player Arsenal can or should move on but you never hear any rumours linking him with anyone, why is that?
It’s probably because nobody is stupid enough to pay the kind of wages that Wenger and Gazides gave him. I think that he’ll do an Ozil/Flamini in that he’ll see out his contract and leave on a free. I don’t think that a transfer fee was ever paid for Mathieiu Flamini and he’s a big big friend of Ozil and Ozil is a big friend of Kolasinac. Go figure?
Kev, Kolasinac was a free transfer and was in the Bundesliga team of the season when we got him, so he was the right price but just never lived up to it.
Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane.
Can’t blame Wenger and Gazidis for that one.
Kolasinac, he did the same at Schalke , ran his contract out and came to us on good wages with a nice signing on fee . The year before he came he was Bundesliga player of the league making him him highly attractive as a player ( sorry Sue )and deserving of better wages , perhaps we might see the same increase in output as this contract nears it’s end.
Why is it we tend to criticise players who run out their contracts?
We all do it, so I’m definitely not having a crack at anyone, but they sign a contract, play it out-why is it we feel the club should still have a hold over them?
Does this happen any in other industry?
Was he the right price Scott, I’m not sure that he was but then I’m judging it on retrospect?
In fact most of us judge things on retrospect don’t we, I mean I don’t recall anyone having misgivings about Raul when he arrived, he was the ex Barcelona man, he must be great.
Wenger and Gazides were responsible for a lot of poor business and Gazides was the man Arsene wanted when the club decided we needed a CEO. The Kronekes approached other possible CEO’s but Arsene objected and Stan always deferred to Arsene, he allowed Arsene to run everything.
I guess the advantage of running your contract out is the money any club save. By not paying your current club they can give you a better pay
In fact I only remember Stan intervening once and that was the Van Persie transfer, Stan never interfered when Arsene messed up over transfers like
Alexis, he never interfered when Arsene allowed Walcott and Ramsey and Ozil and Flamini and Alexis run down their contracts, among many others, like Edu. Stan even backed Wenger when Gazides tried a power grab a couple of years before he succeeded.
Stan eventually backed Gazides following the crowd dropping off and Wenger left.
Stan backed Gazides when Ivan brought in Raul and Sven, then Ivan fcuked off.
Stan backed Raul when Sven left, Stan backed Raul when he blocked O’Leary leading to Chips retiring early. Stan it seems backs the experts but it’s the experts that let us down not Stan.
At the time, Kolasinac was the right price.
Not an Arsenal fan I know was upset at the signing.
We didn’t have the benefit of hindsight but looking back, he was way overpriced.
I’m not getting into another Stan/Arsene argument as versions of certain events and who’s to blame are a matter of opinion, and it’s been done to death anyway.
Remember when Arsenal had that famous war chest, whose fault was it that it wasn’t spent and maximised when we could have really strengthened the squad and then the transfer market went mental after Neymar moved? Who decided to dither?
That wasn’t Stan’s call, that was Wenger and Gazides, just like the summer when we signed Petr Cech and no one else, that wasn’t Stan that was Arsene.
Arsenal could have signed Van Dyke when he was at Celtic, Stan didn’t stop us, it was Arsene he decided to sign Mustafi instead.
Whose fault was it when Arsenal bid £40m +£1 for Suarez, that wasn’t Stan he just ok’d the money being spent just as he ok’d the Ozil signing for £42m.
I’m not saying that Stan is blameless, but we have supposedly top people making decisions at Arsenal, Stan gives them a free hand maybe too much of a free hand, but ultimately we are where we are because those top people – Arsene, Raul, Ivan, Sven, – have fcuked up.
Maybe wrong but free transfers normally sort out what dosh they want for arguments sake Will-I-am wanted 20mil I think we could have him for a season then sell him if he wanted to go
Fred, I know it’s almost a given that clubs use the situation to make money and they all do it, but just seems strange how players are treated like leper’s if they see a contract out.
It’s unique to football as far as I know.
Kev, do we want to do this again?
I have my opinions, you have yours.
Doesn’t make either of us wrong or right on certain points.
Some of your scenarios are spot on, while others and how they played our are not fact, they’re your opinion.
All of us know where each other stands, we’ve discussed these things often enough but Arsene is gone, Stan is still at the club and those are the facts so let’s move on.
I have moved on Scott, but it does no harm to remind us all that the football decisions at Arsenal are not Stan’s remit, we have a set amount that he allows us to spend within FFP and how we spend it is down to the experts he employs although I guess you could blame him for the quality of his employees.
The continental approach which Stan backed on the advice of the experts didn’t work, you know Director of Football and Coach, that was on Ivan as was the appointment of Emery, although it was Raul who wanted to extend Unai’s contract. The contract extension didn’t happen which is I’d guess down to Stan and Josh having doubts about Raul.
We now it seems have a manager not a coach, a manager with a direct line to KSE as was the case with Wenger. Edu is in charge with Tim keeping an eye therefore so far so good.
Tim could actually be the best appointment that Stan has made during his tenure.
Kev, more seems to be happening since Josh got involved, imo.
Scot it goes back a long time never forget Winston Bogarde spent 4 seasons on his Harris at 40 grand a week equals 15 mil in all 20 years ago what’s that worth todays money The Tinkerman never rated him,
9 appearances.
Wonder what he thinks now his assistant manager at Jong Ajax
Fred, agents getting involved in sport only helped the agents 🙂
one of the issues I have with KSE was when Wenger gave them money for services to the club, KSE could have said thanks for the offer but use it on the stadium loan. and when we are staying around 2nd or 3rd on the ladder for say 5 years then you can pay KSE for services Knowing the club was running on a small margin he would have got a lot more respect from the Members and fans
Geoff, the way the loan was structured, we can’t pay the stadium off early as there are large penalties to do so.
Afternoon Kev, all.
Who’ve we signed today then? Lol
Lets remember the thing at the top of the page………………………”WHERE IT’S OK TO DISAGREE!”………………………me and Rico seem to disagree on a lot of things, but it`s OK!
😆
and not forgetting the one just above the comment box………………………”Join in, we don’t bite…”…………………………although there is a bit of snarling sometimes! 😆
I`d like to know how much Kroenke is paying Kev`?…………… 😆
Thanks for the reminder to change both Lc.
Hi Scott not sure what you mean about not being able to pay the stadium off any quicker, didn’t we just restructure the stadium loan last month
An early stadium payoff would come with hefty financial penalties I th8nk.
Nice one, Rico..
Jose Fonte:
🗣 “Everybody’s dream is to play in the Premier League. Gabriel has been asking me questions about the Premier League, clubs in the Premier League, so I tried to give him my honest opinion. Hopefully he’ll be very successful. I have no doubt.”
Thank you Agent Fonte.
The fixtures are released tomorrow @9am!!
Excited!!
Haha Potter… it’d be nice to see Kolasinac score a few before he departs – that is some drought he’s on!! 😜
Oh, and btw, Andre Marriner is officiating the Community Shield… undecided whether that’s a good thing or not… var is there to stop him sending off the wrong player I guess haha!! Could’ve been worse, could’ve been Dean!
Hi Sue, I thought you’d abandoned us here. Lol
NN is full of us agreeing a deal for Gabriel. It’s funny really.
No chance, Rico 😄 I look on Transfer Checker and GoonerTalk…. 😉
How are you anyway, Rico? Reckon Auba’s deal will be announced on Friday?
I’m good thanks Sue, you? I read Auba’s Deal might be close..
Glad to hear it, Rico! Yes, I’m fine thank you!
They’re back training on Friday or Saturday? So was hoping it would be announced around then… I’m so impatient… the waiting really kills me 😂😂
I don’t know why they keep us dangling for so long!!
I could really do with a few bob LC but it’s actually just the way I see it, whatever KSE do, like restructuring the stadium loan, they don’t get no credit for it whilst those who are actually responsible for running Arsenal and also responsible for where we are today get a pass.
Good Sue. I think he’s already signed his new contract. Arsenal being Arsenal just like to keep us guessing. The media too who I suspect hate not having the big story that he’s leaving…
Haha you’re not wrong, Rico, I bet they’re gutted 😂
https://mobile.twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1296145139296079878
Looks nice!!
Gnabry 🔥🔥
What idiot allowed Gnabry to fade away at Arsenal. The blokes a real footballer…
Watch and weep, hey Rico?! ☹
Yes Sue, and then Jeff..
Is Gnaby on our shopping list?
If not, it should be
Seriously,
Some of the comments are not great guys, and especially when you actually know the facts.
The comments are fine Scott. Just fine.
Rico, no, they’re not.
They’re petty, on occasions.
Tony Pulis didn’t think he was fit enough to play him!
That’s not up to you to decide Scott. No one censors your comments, you cannot censor anyone else’s. Not on here anyway. I’m responsible for that.
Neither did Arsene Wenger.
Couldn’t believe at the time that we let him go to Stoke, of all teams!
Sorry, West Brom, but Pulis!
Pulis would be the last choice in my mind. I think that was the end of Gnabry at Arsenal. I’d have been pretty miffed to have been sent there on loan.
The whole Gnabry thing is a mystery to me.
Everyone knew Gnabry had massive potential.
There were a few players in front of him, had some injury issues and he couldn’t run out 90 minutes, yet wanted to play first team football which is understandable.
He wanted out.
Not sure how that is anyone at the clubs fault.
Should we allow players to dictate whether they should play or not?
No, of course not.
Personally, I think Stan should’ve demanded Serge received more game time.
Bloody Stan 😉
Gnabry didn’t want out until he was mishandled by Pulis , but I have already said my bit about that the other day and there’s no point in going over old ground.. Whoever brokered the deal and the person that sanctioned it needs shooting.
Pulis the genius lol
Most horrid manager of all time, or at least up among them.
I’m only guessing but I recon Auba will sign a new contract when he gets back from his holidays now we need to start selling and loaning out players
Gnabry was a big loss and there’s no doubt that his loan was mishandled and it’s probably why the club now insists on our youngsters extending their contracts before they go out on loan.
We could lose another good youngster this summer in Folarin Balogun but sometimes there’s nothing you can do, agents and family get involved and turn heads.
Arsenal in general are far more switched on when it comes to loaning players but we had to learn the hard way after Arsene messed up.
I agree with you about Pulis, Scott… and that gross shell suit 😂😂
5m we sold Gnabry for… wonder what he’s worth now, or more like hate to think!!
Nice waking up to this:
Arsenal have completed the signing of Gabriel Magalhães according to the extremely reliable
@GoonerTaIk
.
Medical most likely tomorrow. #AFC
Plus, he said AMN no longer wishes to leave the club, after discussions with MA – sweet 😉
Sue, signing completed BEFORE medical? I don’t think so….although we do seem to ignore the fact that many of our signings spend the first half a season in recovery. 😉
Ok this one sounds better, Cicero:
Arsenal have won the race to sign Gabriel Magalhães from Lille. He will join on a five-year contract in a deal totalling £27mil.
Arsenal stole a march by agreeing to pay the majority of the fee up front, whilst Napoli could only offer a structured deal after making sales. #AFC
Rico, just wondered, have you been watching ‘Married at first sight, Australia’ it’s on E4? I’m loving it!! Addicted 😄
Sue, admitting to being a fan of MAFS just lost you some credibility hahaha
Truth be told, I’ve never watched it, but it’s damn popular here in Oz.
Gnabry-wanted out, headed home to Germany, dodgy deal sees him magically and suddenly appear at Bayern but yes, all Wengers fault.
Of course, LC and I blame Stan bahahahaha
On a serious note, what are people’s opinions on Gabriel and Partey?
😂😂 I thought so, Scott… I’ll lose even more now – Wentworth has started here and what a disappointment it’s been ☹
Don’t know a great deal about Gabriel… but Partey – what a beast, we have to get him!!
https://medium.com/@F3stuff/what-can-thomas-partey-bring-to-arsenal-d13a6776600c
Scott it’s old ground but look at the time line . Gnabry wanted to play more and Wenger set up a loan with Pulis . After kicking his heels for half a season at West Brom where there was obviously a clash of personalities, Wenger refused to bring him back to the club and left him hung out to dry . This was the decision that made him want to go back to Germany and his agent worked to facilitate that move.
The fact that he went to Pulis is on Wenger , and the fact that his loan was not cut short also is down to him.
The fact that something dodgy went on to get him to Bayern is a sideshow , in my opinion had he been treated differently by Arsenal the desire / need to get away would not have occurred . The Arsenal cocked up , they got it wrong , Wenger was the man in charge and that’s where the buck stops .
Whether he ( Gnabry ) would still be with us is another question but his move to Bayern , had he been handled better , would have made us a lot more than the £ 5 million pittance we received from Werder Bremen.
Potter,
He wasn’t up to first team football at the time, so the loan was a decent idea but yes, the wrong manager to send him to.
These things happen, but there is no way Wenger didn’t want him to stay.
First game away to Fulham.
Fulham away first game
Beat you to it Sue. 😊
Serge Gnabry had five years under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger at the end of which time he said of the player “He lacks a bit”.
His time at WBA was a disaster and ended with the comment from Pulis “could he do it on a wet Tuesday night at Stoke City”.
I know Scott wont like this but if Wenger couldn’t add that “bit” in five years he must accept some, at least, of the blame for Gnabry’s departure.
The comment by Pulis only goes to show his own limitations, he could see no further than The Potteries whilst the player has moved onto the sunny uplands of European football.
New post up now
Agree Potter, terrible management of a player. Who on earth would send an Arsenal player to play for a manager who supported Shawcross after he’d broken Ramsey’s leg. Utter madness imo.