Morning all.
A simple routine, yet so effective. A corner played into the middle of the pitch, just outside the penalty area. A superb strike by Lucy Bronze and it was 3-0 to England. I thought England’s women were excellent at times but sloppy too when it came to passing the ball around. Something they’ll need to improve on when they take on either France or USA in the semi-Final. Bronze should perhaps be given the penalty duties too after Parris again failed to beat the keeper from the spot. France and USA play tonight in what should be another great match in this tournament which I’m really enjoying watching.
What’s great about it for me is it’s not about money. It’s about pride and in my opinion it’s the same for all the players involved in this World Cup, not just England. It’s similar to why I like the younger players getting their time on the pitch.
Of course they’re probably already earning more than the average guy of a similar age, but the pride is still there. They want to play and they want to achieve their dream. A dream they’ve clung onto since they first kicked a ball in their back garden or on the street with their mates. Very few will be able to pick a pass like Ozil but you just have the feeling they’ll try. They’ll run all day trying to win the ball they’ve perhaps just lost, back again.
What Reiss Nelson said recently about Arsenal being his club, he’s a fan and his family are too, is priceless. Same with Carl Jenkinson who we all know is a massive Arsenal fan and always has been. He might not be the most gifted player but I doubt anyone could accuse him of not trying. That’s what you get from homegrown players. Passion, spirit, pride in the club rather than what their employers pay them to jog around looking pretty on a match day. I love watching Aubameyang when he’s on his game but what was all that mask thing about? Why would he even be thinking about having such a hideous thing ready and waiting for that right moment?
Anyway, I’ll carry on enjoying the Women’s World Cup, watching players who earn a pittance, play with pride for the country they represent. Especially the English ones who I really hope can go all the way to the final and win it. If they can beat either France or USA in the semis, I reckon they will too.
Meanwhile, I suspect we’ll be linked to the next multi million player who’ll no doubt solve all our problems on the pitch. Pff!
Enjoy your Friday guys, and the match later if you’re going to watch it.
Morning rico, all, good report and Nelsons comments do hit home. The USA women were reportedly concerned about money, didn’t they threaten strike action if not parity with men? Think it was pointed out that when attendances match the mens game, that would be the time to have equal pay. Supply and demand. Or in Ozil’s case ……….
Morning Andrew, I knew about the national anthem protest by one on the USA players but not about all the money issues. I’ve not seen much of them play because of reasons best kept to myself. 😆
Even so, I suspect the kind of money they are moaning about is nothing compared to what the men’s game is about.
I thought the protest was about Trump but i am enjoying the games bar the VAR. The other night when we played The cameroons and can’t remember the other game a little earlier in the day,47 minutes were lost to VAR and arguments,og good Morning.
United still want Auba.2 years left on his contract so will we sell to avoid a Ramsey situation.
It appears we need to sell at any price before we buy.our negotiations with Celtic are a joke and gazidis is taking the p*** re Torreira,
I think one has to come to terms for a multitude of reasons and bad management we are not a priority anymore for top players to join us as we have sunk so low and it’s not surprising that one or two of our better players want out despite they being good earners. The new kit launch won’t make players change their minds just add coffers to the club.
We are now a private company in a tax free zone and just an addition to kroenke’s portfolo.Who would have guessed not so many years ago this would happen.I would love to be proved wrong that we will bounce back and challenge the elite but based on our policy I can’t see that happening.That is reality not negativity. Thoughts ?
I’m only new to your site Rico, but so far I have had to agree and like every post you have put up, all my sentiments entirely , this one is no exception great post..Love it
Thank you Sohara.
Kelsey, the referee for Cameroon game was worse than VAR, she should b3 sacked imo. She’s nearly as bad as Dean…
Morning Rico. Nice post.
I’ve been watching some of the Women’s games and it seems to me that these girls are playing for their countries and their team with a passion. Talking about the players and the games with friends I have noticed that discussions about money are way down the agenda whereas any chats about the men’s game comes round to the damage that money has done within just a few minutes. Passion and team commitment isn’t really something I associate with the PL or any top-end football anymore.
Take Ozil (please). This bloke has a few more years at the top. Is he really going to sit 2 of those out, possibly in the reserves, not playing, just because of the money? He must have 100 million in the bank. Where is his personal pride? Any of us would play for nothing and yet he hangs around the club’s neck like a giant albatross….for money? Ffs, he could get a move to another club at about 100 grand a week, his playing career is limited in length. Surely he can’t be that greedy. He’s always seemed like a decent man to me. The club must find a solution whether it’s a newly defined role in the team or somewhere else. I won’t hold my breath on that one.
It’s getting clearer by the day, to me at least, that Arsenal are in trouble and will likely sink deeper into the mire over the next few years unless something radical is done and selling Auba, because under the new regime’s game-plan we won’t condone anyone not signing a contract extension with 2 years remaining, means that we’re going to need to offer new players 5 year contract to prevent a never-ending cycle of players coming and going through the revolving door.
I remain of the opinion that, failing any tangible success in the coming season, the fans are going to have to act. At least, those who can see how this American is strangling the club to a slow, agonising mid-table death.
Morning Adam. Thanks
My sentiments exactly re Ozil and many others like him. Especially ours. I still maintain that thanks to those long gone, the club is in a mess financially and on the pitch because we have a squad top heavy with players on big salaries who other clubs don’t want. How do we get them out? If what’s been written about Mustafi is right, we’ve no chance of selling players who some might consider to be better than him.
I really don’t believe this Aubameyang stuff.
Rico. Are you saying that Auba won’t be sold regardless of what this bloke Raul has said regarding contracts or won’t be sold to Man Utd?
Afternoon All
Afternoon Rico.
I listened to a bit of the England game on the radio yesterday and looked at snippets on the BBC website. They all seem to be enjoying themselves the players and the manager, in a funny way they’re playing under no pressure maybe because the media spotlight isn’t as intense as it would be for the men, so go figure…
Aubameyang to Man Utd would be terrible, but as Adam mentioned the other day we all now seem to think like accountants and not supporters anymore, so from a financial standpoint selling a 30 year old striker with only 2 years left on his deal and minimal sell-on value after those 2 years makes a lot of sense – but it’s all dependent on the fee???
Mind you, if Aubameyang went to Old Trafford and scored the goals that helped Man Utd finish say 4th and pushed us into 5th it wouldn’t look so smart a deal…
Kelsey, kneeling at Anthem, Trump, but also wages, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-women-soccer-team-usa-gender-discrimination-equal-pay/
Utd Adam.
Afternoon Kev. Good point re the pressure but within the women’s set up,I bet the England women are feeling the pressure. It’s the media who are being kind right now because they’re winning, same with the men but when they fall, those same idiots will batter them I’m sure.
But as in all life, the pressure should come from within, stuff the media I say.
Rico. Selling him to MU would really irritate the fans. But if they offer bigger money than any other team I could see it. The new pragmatic management set-up probably wouldn’t hesitate. It depends on what the long-term plan is. 😊
If there is one after the horrors of last season.
To have a successful long term plan, everyone must be working on the same page. Not sure we have that at all?
I don’t think it’ll happen because of rvp Adam. Once bitten and all that. In any case, Utd can’t afford him. 😂
I do Andrew.
Bugger Utd.
Let those bastards find their own striker.
Surely, we can sell them another flop like Alexis rather than a good one like Auba 🙂
They can have Mustafi.
Afternoon all.
Yep, I’ve been watching some of the ladies playing football. I’ve been impressed, in the main. There seems to be a certain joy about the way they have all played, except Cameroon! They seem to adopt a positive attitude and have a smile on their face. I’ve seen little or no dissent between fellow team members even when they’ve made/received hospital passes! It’s good to watch. Some of the better teams’ play has been outstanding, fast, accurate (not always with England) decisive ball movement. Exciting stuff, even better for us because we have been winning, so far.
It has been really refreshing.
Presumably Emery has to sanction any sale of any player. I think he had issues with both Lacazette and Aubameyang early in the season, and they with him. Whether they’re mutually over it or not I couldn’t say, but to sell your leading goal scorer to what would appear to be your closest rivals would be a shocking decision. I’m sure the dissent by the fans would be very hard to live with, thereafter. Or at least it should be!
Anyhow, the sun is shining, the weather is warm and set fair for the next few days so, let’s sit back and enjoy the summer whilst it’s here and leave Arsenal to fend for itself!
G’day all, thanks for another interesting post Rico. I watched, and was impressed by, last night’s game little or no dissent, no niggley little fouls, shirt tugging etc. A generally good performance by our women apart from some sloppy passing in midfield.
Someone else, Lucy Bronze perhaps, should be taking over penalty duties. Winning games breeds confidence and reduces pressure, our team are in a good place at the moment. Long may that moment last.
I’ve all but given up on transfer interest. No doubt Emery has an input to purchases and sales but is by no means the final arbiter.
Selling Aubameyang this time around is the last chance of getting some decent money for him, if Man U want him and are willing to go above £60 million let them have him. Just don’t accept Lukaku, or any of their deadwood as part of the deal.
Wavy, I reckon tonight sees the two favourite teams go head to head. Should be women’s football at it’s best. ‘Should’ lol
I’d take Martial and Rashford Cicero. Lol
I did say no deadwood Rico. 😉
I’d take Sanchez and 20 mill. (hides from Scott!)
😂Cicero..
We could always part-ex him with Juve for Ramsey.
Or Smalling?
Mustafi to Fenerbahce?
It’s difficult for me to ever remember one single player we’ve ever signed from Man Utd who has actually turned out to be top class and help us win anything.
They usually take our top striker and we get their rejects…
Thanks Rico.
The Lionesses have been a thresh of breath air………………win the WWC and I expect a Bronze statue !
Rumour that AC Milan have been chucked out of next seasons EL for breaching FFP rules !………………..make Man C next and that will make a fine start to the season with us replacing them in CL.
De Gea perhaps, or is he not over the hill enough yet?
Fingers crossed Jm.
Rico, I shall be watching tonight if only to weigh up our next opponents. My iPad will provide all the images , in silence as my good wife is presently going through a, “I hate football” but is in love with Gardeners World, and she even, “quite likes Monty Don”! I feel I’m very lucky as I can watch two programmes at the same time! I bet you’re jealous!
Right, back to the kitchen sink I think I left my fetters there……..!
Good multi-tasking tekkers, Wavy !
It’s not just a rumour anymore Le Coq. From BBC Sport:-AC Milan have struck a deal with Uefa to serve a one-year ban from European football over breaches of Financial Fair Play rules.
The club, which finished fifth in Italy’s Serie A, will miss next season’s Europa League.
Uefa will end its proceedings against the Italians for overspending, said the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
“AC Milan is excluded from Uefa club competitions of the sporting season 2019-2020,” said Cas.
Milan’s ban means AS Roma, who came sixth in the standings, move up to the Europa League group stage while their place in the qualifying rounds is taken by seventh-placed Torino
Ha ha Wavy, footie for me with the lovely Monty on record…
United want to offload Lakaku so
are testing the water with us as we are an easy touch for all clubs especially at 31 next year he can run his contract down and it’s not us it’s a club decision
Make £20/30 million finish mid table and that fool Kroenke will think it’s good business
If it was me I would agree for a straight swap with Pogba or no deal .
Martial and a lot of cash or forget it.
Kelsey, is that your hunch?
Can’t see it myself, those days are gone imo.
England and USA in Tuesday’s semi-final, could be a tough one.
They say the winner of this game will win the Comp. The USA are strong team and favourites for the Title but there were times tonight they collapsed a bit and France nearly got it to ET ( which would have helped us whoever one it)
Andrew, I will actually be very interested to see Alexis at his next club.
I dare say he will have his tail between his legs and if he rids himself of his petulance and selfishness, Could well be a super player for someone.
I’ve never questioned his talent-he’s up there with the best.
Scott, think we agree he wants to be a winner, and some of the Arsenal players around him surely drove him to a few shows of exasperation. No excuse for less talented players putting in less effort. (Nor Ozil)
It’s n a hhunch Rico but it appears we are prepared to sell anyone at a loss or profit to fund new signings at a cheaper price
. Emery has said yesterday that since January he has tried to loan out Ozil at half his wages to Turkey but no takers, he will listen to any offer for Mustafi who cost us £34 million two odd years ago, he wants Mikkitarian and ahambers sold but I honestly believe we have lost our standing as a prestigious elite club and clubs are taking the p***
We can’t conclude the Tierney deal as we are penny pinching and we have a squad where some want to leave and others we are trying to get rid of which doesn’t make good reading.
The ourageous two year loan deal for Torreira and then an option to by has thankfully broken down but does the lad really want to stay with us ?
in all probability Ozil will be with us next season.
I see CVhris Sutton has joined the anti Arsenal Celtic brigade . He states that if we can afford to pay Ozil £ 350000 a week we can break the bank for Tierney.
Now the media are using the past regime to beat us with.
But we haven’t sold anyone yet Kelsey and I very much doubt Torreira will be heading to Italy. It’s just media speculation which for now, is best ignored.
Until we sell or sign anyone, I personally couldn’t give a toot what the papers say, they’re not often right are they?
Sutton really is a plank…
Morning all.
Andrew, no question he wanted to win, but he did become very selfish and petulant.
For a player who turned the ball over directly to opponents more than any PL player in history, seeing him abuse team mates for a making a single error was where he lost me.
If he gets back to playing for the team, he’d be a massive asset to any squad.
We should simply check the club’s website for accurate transfer “rumours” 🙂
Morning Rico. It seems that every ghastly old has-been wants to have a pop at Arsenal and their potential deals like the Tierney thing. I cannot think of another club that generates quite as much comment and ridicule as Arsenal, even though they are no longer a top team. Sutton, in particular, never misses an opportunity to put the boot in. He has never forgiven Tony and Bouldie for kicking the shit out of him I suppose though most would consider it a public duty.
Morning Gooners.
I reckon things will start to happen next week fam, so take a chill pill, ignore all the speculation, it’s all gonna be cool…
Morning Rico, Chris Sutton is just a wind up merchant, I actually enjoy listening to him but I never take him seriously. It’s all bollox atm, we probably have more than £40m to spend but if players won’t leave then what can we do?
We’ve got this scenario for at least two more years if certain individuals sit tight, until their contracts run out. We’re paying for the stupidity of Wenger and Gazides and we’ve got two more years to rid ourselves of their tainted legacy…
Morning Adam. Talking of idiots, have you seen what your favourite USA player has been saying?
Rico. Is that the divine Meghan?
Morning Kev. I’m surprised Arsenal have offered as much as they’re reported to have for Tierney. Lol
Pinky Adam. Lol
If it’s about not going to the White House, I couldn’t agree more. Trump is heavily anti-gay so I can see that.
It’s not, apparently that about the White House is old news. Her latest comments are from yesterday.
Ok. I’ll check it out.
She has a sportswear line and they’re having a sale…
Adam, I’ll pay that comment about “public duty”.
Very good 🙂
Bloody hell Ned, it was like driving a taxi in Alice Springs today, thank heavens for air conditioning, a bloody lifesaver…
Don’t worry Gooner’s it’s all going to happen next week, the transfers will come through thick and fast, even Adam believes….. 🤔
No Mustafi to Fenerbahce, you was wrong yet again JM…
Go brush your teeth….
According to the Mail on Sunday, we will have to pay £100 million to sign Zaha from Crystal Palace. I am mightily relieved that we don’t have that sort of money to squander on a player who has never impressed me.
Does anyone here think Zaha worth even half that fee?
No not worth anywhere near it. A big fish that left his small pool found a few sharks and went back pretty sharpest.
Zaha is an odd one I reckon. Could be great but he’s a bit of a diver which with VAR in place, will be penalised more than before.
A £100m player? Never in a month of Sunday’s, or a year of them imo.
Morning guys.
Rico, Torreira. won’t be going to Italy as Milan have been thrown out of the EC.
Now palace want 100 million for Zaha so Mustafi’s price should go up to 5 million. 😉
I don’t think he was going anyway Kelsey.
Morning Rico. Despite his diving and feigning of injuries I reckon that Zaha must be worth 50 million-ish in today’s hyper-inflated market. At least he moves the ball forward as opposed to most of our sideways players, As per usual though we are coming to him too late. He wanted to come when he went to Man U where Ferguson ignored him. Wenger’s keen eye for a player also led him to snub a move for VVD when he would have been about 12 mill and yet Mustafi was deemed to be worth 35 mill. Kante – no, Xhaka -yes. Don’t get me started on Mesut.
These decisions might be seen as coming back to haunt us now. Still, hindsight is a wonderful thing – as Arsene says.
Morning Adam. Thanks to dear old Arsene and his side kick, we’re in this mess…
Rico. I bet Arsene doesn’t see it that way😅
I bet he doesn’t Adam.
I get not every player signed is going to be a success story but my goodness, how long did he stand by players, even reward many, who really weren’t right for the club.
Morning all.
Rico, he also stood by guys like RVP who shit all over the club and fans so yes, Arsene was a poor judge at times 🙂
Zaha-well, unless i do a complete about face on diving scum, it’s a no for me.
Talented player and definitely good enough for us, but only if he manages to stay in his feet:
They’re dreaming at 100 million lol
There’s a difference Scott, a big difference. One is clear to see, the other isn’t until the time comes. Mind you, he and the club didn’t mind taking the money offered for the players who left or as you put it, s*** on him did they?
Scott. Robin was a top class player who left because he could see what was happening at Arsenal. It was painful though.
Rico/Adam, RVP was more then happy with the club’s ambition when sitting in the stand injured, and that’s what I’ll never forgive him for.
Such a shame as he’d truly hit his peak form with us.
The Stan effect at its worse.
So many mistakes by those who count, this past 6-8-10 years.
Scott. His injuries weren’t really down to him though were they? He scored some goals that I will never forget. Time has eased my disdain for him. If the club had showed some ambition he might have stayed.
Little has changed really and we’ll always be vulnerable until we start getting serious.
And at least he explained his reasons to the board and fans. His age too has to be thought about, he wanted a PL title before his career was over. It was painful because he went to Utd, but perhaps they were the only club willing to pay for him.
Same could be said about Ramsey though Scott, and so many others who suffered injuries.
We’ve upped our offer for Tierney according to reports in Scotland
Rico, Ramsey never forced his way out of the club mid contract-no comparison for mine.
Adam, I’d love to have seen he and Fabregas hang around, as well as Nasri etc etc
We could have really competed but alas, we are just a club hoping for top 4 lol
It’s pretty ordinary.
Ah well, a new season offers new hope 🙂 🙂
In a way he did Scott, possibly in a worse way because he left for free. He could have signed the contract which was certainly to have been under his nose for quite a while. Long before the offer was retracted I suspect.
Rico,
Ramsey stated that they’d agreed upon a deal and the club pulled it without warning or reason offered to him, and while the club obviously had their reasons, they’ve said nothing to the contrary so there is absolutely no reason to believe he lied about this.
It was a damn strange conclusion to his Arsenal career, especially with the form he showed this season.
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/12/aaron-ramsey-thought-agreed-new-arsenal-contract-ready-stay
How do you guys rate Tierney?
Ive seen bugger all of him
Scott. He’s quick, skilful and injury-prone. 😀
Perfect for us then, Adam hahahahahahaha
And you believe it Scott? 😆
His injuries are a worry…
Rico, seems it’s fact so yes, I believe it.
I know plenty don’t, but it’s based on no evidence at all, other than to keep up the theory that it is Wenger who’s to blame for him leaving.
I can’t think of another reason to question it.
I don’t Scott, I simply believe that Ramsey’s agent was a money grabbing turd.
Scott, I bet you didn’t believe Nasri when he said he moved to City to win trophies? 😂😂
Rico, I’m not sure how you can suggest Ramsey is lying to be honest.
I mean, stating this openly leaves him pretty exposed if he’s lying.
I don’t see what he’d gain by making this up.
All agents are money grabbing turds, granted 🙂
All he said though Scott was ‘we thought’ – perhaps he thought wrong…
Until we know the details of the retracted deal can’t comment. Ramsey’s agent was probably trying to hike the sum to the Ozil standard and the new regime realising how hamstrung we are with the German didn’t want to go down that path again.
That’s how I see it..
Didn’t Raul say a few weeks ago that the offer was withdrawn, when it wasn’t signed by Ramsey and or his agent, because the club were not prepared to further break their pay budget?
It really is time to accept that Ramsey has gone and just get on with life without him.
Who Cicero? Lol
July 1st , white rabbits and all that and the window is open at least our bedroom one was last night . Stand by for a resounding silence from the official web site which today shows us as having 24 players in the first team squad including Asano and Ospina .
Any wiggle room here ?
Good morning all, a little cooler here and breezy, time to start the clear out.
Hey, I didn’t bring Ramsey into the conversation, Cicero.
Rico is fekken obsessed by the lad 🙂
Morning all!!
Signings?
Have we made any signings?
Is Tierney happening?
I hope not all those modelling the new kit are staying put. They can’t be surely..
Scott, I think you’re confusing me with someone who didn’t want him to leave.
White rabbits Potter.
New post up now
New shirt, £60 selling price, landed cost price £7.00 but adidas have to pay a lump sum initially to get the deal but the club make a fortune from sales.A friend of mine supplies Celtic and they make a minimum of £10 million a year.
Don’t knock it Kelsey, more money for transfers.. 🤣