Morning all.
What a winter transfer Arsenal have had. Mesut Ozil, gone. Sokratis, gone. Stead Kolasinac, gone. Shkodran Mustafi, gone. Their wages, gone.
For a while now, Arsenal fans, certainly many of us on here, have been crying out for a squad overhaul, a removal of some of the under performing or overpaid players. I don’t think Mustafi, Kolasinac or Sokratis can be be criticised for their lack of effort but none are what Arsenal need right now. Enough has been said about Mesut Ozil over the years so all I’ll add is that I’m glad he and his agent have severed their ties with the club.
I think Edu, Arteta and the board have done a great job moving on players this month. Admittedly, we’ve not made any money out of them but sometimes that happens. What’s important going forward is history doesn’t repeat itself although I fear it might with Auba and Willian on lengthy deals.
Martin Ødegaard and Matt Ryan are good additions. One is highly thought of, the other with plenty of PL experience. Both could yet stay beyond this season if all parties are happy.
Joe Willock went out on loan to Newcastle and Ainsley Maitland-Niles to West Brom, also on loan, both until the end of the season and both will hopefully walk straight into the first team and play regular football. Because that’s what they need and clearly weren’t going to get that by staying at Arsenal. Good luck to both I say and hope they come back stronger and ready to cement their place in the first team.
Arsenal face Wolves in the early evening kickoff. Kieran Tierney is again ruled out for this one but Saka and Aubameyang are back. Mari is back in full training too as is Martinelli although other than Aubameyang, they face a late fitness test.
Wolves are on a rotten run having not won a game since the 8th January but as we know so well, sometimes the score line doesn’t always tell the real story. Wolves matches have been closely contested and they’ve a new striker in their camp trying to find his feet. Willian Jose Is a big unit at just under 6’ 3” so our defence need to watch him on set-pieces.
Arsenal are on a good run having not lost a League fixture since Boxing Day. Personally, I think tonight’s test will be tougher than those gone before because Wolves are a strong side, they have strong players and they’ve already beaten us once this season.
Admittedly Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to score goals back in September and the team looked different to the one which has help sustain our good run.
They had two shots on target and scored both times. In the second half, my team showed a resilience, togetherness and belief to try to win the game back. We generated good chances but all players go through periods where they struggle to score goals. It’s my responsibility for the team to score more goals. There are no excuses – we have to improve. – Mikel Arteta after the game.
Leno, Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney, Ceballos, Xhaka, Willian, Willock, Saka and Aubameyang.
No Lacazette, Partey, ESR, Martinelli, Holding or Pepe, all a huge loss based on their current form. Not just their presence was missing but those playing instead of them really were struggling.
Xhaka is good alongside Partey, not very good alongside anyone else because he’s trying to do a job his lack of speed won’t allow. Willock was lost in the team and Willian was just Willian, slow and negative. Luiz in September 2020 was a very different player to the one we saw punching the air after heading a Utd free kick away from danger.
In other words, I think we’ll arrive at Molinex with a group of players in a very different mindset to the one which Wolves beat at The Emirates. Teams around us have been losing matches so Arsenal need to capitalise on those results by winning tonight.
See you in the comments.
Good morning Rico.
Yep a pretty good transfer window particularly for Silent Stan, he of the long pockets and short arms, total outlay £0. On the down side total incoming £0.
Seriously though, a good clear out which would have been even better had we sold Willian. As it is Arteta will select him if only in the hope that he will come good, meanwhile leaving Nelson languishing on the bench.
Morning all.
For a January transfer window, it’s one of the best we’ve had in years, imo.
Morning everyone.
thanks for the post Rico.
Yes Scott, its been one of the best. But with regards the going out. The comings in could have been better. One jigsaw piece at a time though. So overall yes I agree with you ….. its one of the best in a long time.
Hopefully from now on……no more flukes would be signed. Only players who play for the team, for the club.
Great post. It will have cost the owner a few bob though as he had to pay up the remainder of the contracts but he’d have had to pay it anyway but not in a lump sum- which always hurts. That said, it’s money very well spent as the four of them were depressing me so FKs what they were doing to their teammates.
The Panorama expose regarding organised crime and boxing was an interesting watch last night, all the top boxing movers and shakers as well as the media companies happy to rub shoulders with the Irish gangsters behind many of the boxers mad3 me chuckle.
I mean, boxing and organised crime, who would have thought it? 😄
India vs England test series starts on Friday, that’s going to be a tough 4 match series Rico.
Apparently India have a pace attack, 4 bowlers to be exact, not that I expect them all to play, but I wonder if that’ll mean bouncier, faster wickets and less reliance on spin?
Should make for an interesting series and plenty of reverse swing…
Aussies pulled out of tour to South Africa – don’t blame them.
Hi Rico and all
As you all know I am not a big fan of Arteta as a coach yet, but I agree this clean out by Arteta and Edu is what we needed for years, Yes it would of been good to get some money in but on the good side we got rid of players that Arteta does not want, now with all the other clubs trying their best to miss out on top 6 hope fully Arteta can prove to me and others like me that he will turn out to be a good coach.
Geoff, maybe yourself and others like you will begin to see he already is a good manager 🙂
No money spent, but gee we’ve saved a lot in coming months by letting go of a few.
Great business.
Morning all.
I’m looking forward to the series Kev. It’ll certainly be tough but it’ll be good. I fancy us to win.
I thought Nelson would go too but I guess he’ll be in the Europa squad.
Let’s be honest, no club was going to pay for Mustafi or Ozil with them out of contract in the summer so it’s better to cut our losses. I read that Mustafi took a lesser payoff to get his move so credit where it’s due. Same with Sokratis apparently.
I agree, excellent housekeeping.
We could have done with signing a full back, but perhaps Callum Chambers will fit in if necessary. Good luck to Joe and AMN, I think their future will be outside Arsenal.
Brian
Well I hope that Arteta will use Nelson during the rest of the season, but he needs to get on the bench first, with no Willock and Niles taking two of the sub spots there is really no excuse for Mikel not using Reiss.
Morning house. Rico you got me up for tonight already! Don’t think Kolasanic is gone, we now have on loan: Saliba, Torreira, Guendouzi, Kolasanic, Mavropanos, Niles, and Willock. Unless I’ve missed some of them leaving, lol. Are we becoming the new Chelsea?
Kev, I’ve counted 17 players plus the six we had unavailable last match. Hopefully 3 back but with 20 needed now, surely Nelson included tonight, unless still injury niggles.
Scott I said last transfer market that we should let some go for nothing or cheap just to get them off the books and was told that it was a stupid idea, but at least it is done now, as for Arteta as I have always said I will judge him at the end of this season. The last thing we need is to be one of these clubs who keep changing coaches
does any one know if Balogun resigned
Geoff, that’s it, at least 18 months before a manager can be judged properly, I reckon.
I can not wait to see how this team goes when the stadium is full I recon the younger players will lift.
Geoff, imo it’s different now with their contracts expiring in a few months. Back in the summer I’m sure the club tried to sell them.
Andrew, I don’t think Kolasinac will return, I’d imagine his social media comment to Ozil will have killed any chance he might have had..
Rico, I honestly hope that Kolasinac will not return. Not because of his comments but more because of his tactical nous…or sometimes lack of it.
Afternoon Rico/all
I think it’s great we’ve offloaded so many unwanted players,a shame its cost Arsenal millions to do it,with nothing in return.I suppose covid has an effect there .
Interesting discussion on Sky about the Lacazette contract,the club really have to either try to sell or extend his contract this summer. He’s an important player,the club can’t afford another player running down his contract ,and leaving for free.
Tonight’s game and Saturdays against Aston villa are so important if we want to climb the table,hell even the two teams below us will go ahead of us if they win their game in hand,so it will be tough. Its funny before the season,I’d made my peace with finishing 6th – 10th,now it looks like only Man City and Liverpool are nailed on for top 4 – the other places are up for grabs. COYG
Hi Andrew, if Arteta picked the same squad for tonight’s game that he picked for the Mancs then he’d have two spots in the 20 man squad to fill with Aubameyang, Ceballos, Saka, Mari and Nelson vying for those two spots?
It would be nice to see Nelson in the 20 but I suspect that he’ll miss out again.
DG I doubt that Schalke will sign Kolasinac at the end of the season as they’ll probably get relegated and I can’t see any other German club taking him on not unless we give him a free.
So he’s bound to return as there’s not a lot of value in him as we know so well.
We can sell both Torrieira and Guendouzi because they have a value, we can probably get a fee for Mavropanos, Medley and some of the other fringe youngsters, but nobody is taking on the stupid wage Wenger gave to Kolasinac.
Ditto Devil.
Afternoon Limey. Agree re the Villa game, it really is a six pointer. I’m hoping they’ve had their good run and now they stutter. Most teams seem to have gone through a bad spell.
Limey, it’s not only Lacazette, we’ve got to make a decision on Chambers, Elneny, Nketiah and Guendouzi this summer as they all expire their contracts in 2022.
Your 12:22 Andrew, that’s a lot of potential cash there is we sell Torreira and Guendouzi. We should get around £45-55 million for the pair. Enough to buy a top notch midfielder and a left back hopefully.
RIP Sir Tom. 😢😢
May he rest in peace.
That’s really sad news about Captain Tom. He was in hospital being treated for pneumonia and caught Covid 19 which killed him. May he rest in peace.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-55881753
Yes. RIP Captain Sir Tom. An inspiration in difficult times.
Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Luis, Cedric, Xhaka, Partey, Saka, Pepe, ESR, Lacazette.
Where’s Nelson?
RIP Sir Tom what he achieved was truly remarkable. Fantastic.
Shame Tierney misses out but good the rest are back.
RIP Sir Tom
Strong bench.
R. Rúnarsson
Gabriel
Ceballos
Odegaard
Willian
Aubameyang
Chambers
Elneny
Martinelli
Saka MOTM in just 25 mins. Wolves cannot handle him as he is everywhere.
Brilliant from Pepe.
pepe has peppered one in. 1-0 to the red riding hoods.
What a final 100th year, he was our Vera Lynn raising spirits at a low time. I see the family have chosen the smaller film Studio who made Fisherman’s Friends and Finding Your Feet to portray his life so it will be full of sadness and happiness, will be a treat.
How good has Saka been, could have two good goals but for Lacas foot and the post. Nice right footer from Pepe😃
Did he even make contact?
I am still trying to figure out how come we are not 2 or 3 goals up. And we end the half with 10 men and 1-1. ffs
I guess it will be one of Pepe or Saka out now.
My money is on Pepe
Unbelievable, effing hell
Just when you thought it was safe to come out because Mustafi had gone…
Poor game management, we were too open at the back when we didn’t need to be.
Dreadful decision in my opinion.
Luiz did make contact as he clipped the player’s heels it seems. It was not intentional or malicious. More clumsiness imo. But he was shown a straight red
I feel it should be better to take ESR off now. And stay 4-4-1. Its important that the wings stay untouched.
Three times is too much. But this time I’m sure it was unintentional from Luiz and really should not be red if any common sense was applied.
One of our better halves this season, well, 46 minutes.
rico, how long have we had to put up with decisions like this? I feel really sorry for Luiz, just when he’s been in really good form. Would love it if the team can get a win and save the criticism he will get for costing us.
I disagree Devil. Not one replay showed Luiz making contact.
Ditto Andrew, I too feel sorry for him. Sure hope we can win this.
Is Riley operating VAR?
Plus, 2 mins added time yet the incident was 48 mins… So infuriating.
I’d be tempted to take Xhaka off now he’s booked. I can see another red card looming.
What a prick!
Good officiating will always beat a good team.
Not as much as bad officiating…
Tongue in cheek, well and truly Rico lol
The red card to Luiz is as poor a call as I’ve seen in years.
Two straight reds ! Team for Villa will be interesting. then Leeds and Man City wow. I cant see where the touch came from and even if it did it was so minimal that it should never be off . However Leno I haven’t got a clue.
However as said before Var was on the case for our goal but who was it in the warm with his feet up and a brandy.
I did wonder Scott. Lol
Leno was stupid, utterly stupid as ten men might have nicked a draw, but the penalty and sending off, never in a million years imo.
VAR: Jonathan Moss. Assistant VAR: Tim Wood.
Absolutely agree Potter.
I’d heard it was Moss, aka Riley…
There was contact…..Luiz’s knee when it was forward touched the striker’s heel when it was up.
But to give a red card for that leaves me speechless. it deserves it to be rescinded. As it was never a red card.
But slight contact was there…..the Wolves player made a meal of it.
Any player taking a fall two strides after alleged contact is diving.
He didn’t stumble when the ALLEGED contact was made.
And to think people are abusing the crap out of Luiz on social media.
I actually thought it was the Wolves guy who ‘made contact’ with Luiz and yes, a stumble was an afterthought.
Rico, the VAR official hides behind the “oh, but there was contact” call.
When does common sense come into these things?
Rhetorical question, of course.
It makes football a joke and seriously, when non football fans take the piss out of the game, it’s impossible to defend when we see incidents such as this.
The rules encourage diving ffs.
In what universe is that a good thing??
When scum like Neymar are household names, and their blatant cheating is simply ignored then you know the game is run by clowns.
FIFA must sort this.
4 sent off in a season is too much.
In this “championship”, we must be in 1st. It is a little strange, because in some (several) games, it is not understood how 11-11 arrive at the end.
I accept Luiz’s red, but I still don’t understand why B. Fernandes in the last game didn’t get red (or yellow). Or I understand.
It seems to me that Martinelli should have entered, not Auba; I got the feeling that they were 11-9 since the start of the 2nd half and it got worse when it was 11-8.5
Hopefully it won’t affect the team much, because it was Arsenal’s best 40 minutes at the season.
Scott, I’ve watched it several times now and I still can’t see where contact has been made. Either I can’t see the bleedin obvious or I need to go to the optician…..
I fear that there is more to this than meets the eye .
You should have an email or two
Rico, to be honest, even if contact was made, and I’m with you there that it wasn’t, it wouldn’t have been enough to break the skin of a custard let alone fell a man like he’d been shot with an elephant gun.
Disgraceful!!
These cheats dive knowing the worse that’ll happen to them is a yellow card for simulation, yet they’re trying to have a player sent off and gain a penalty!
Risk v reward-it’s worth it because even when no contact is made, they’re usually not even yellow carded.
The rules are totally in favour of the attacking player and the cheats.
Exactly Jm, where is the consistency in applying the rules, do they apply to every team? We’ve had players sent off for less than what Fernandes did to Xhaka.
I’ll take a look Potter, thanks.
Can’t disagree Scott. I know Luiz has history for bundling over players in the box and I truly believe that’s whats cost him and Arsenal tonight. Reeks of cheating to me.
Thank god for foam balls our else I would be buying another TV, Luis was not a red card then Leno mistake, VAR must be holidays, let’s hope we can regroup for the next match
Piss the VAR off.
Keep objective technology for offsides and goal line calls, and get rid of the rest as it’s not doing what it should.
Pepe looks like he is finally settling in fingers crossed he he can now help Laca and Auba in scoring goals, shame Laca was off side things may of turned out differently
If we appeal Luis red card and it shows Luis made no contact at all then the wolves player should be suspended for diving the way it looked to me the wolves player was already falling before Luis got near him
Geoff, they’ll back the officials and say it wasn’t an obvious error so can’t be overturned.
It’s a farcical situation imo
It was certainly a bad night for the club alright.
Even worse for the officials, Adam, but they’ll survive 🙂
Very disappointing to lose in such a manner.
Two straight reds means two players suspended for three matches. Luiz will not be missed, we have able replacements in Gabriel, Mari and Chambers.
The problem arises with Leno’s replacement. Our new signing Mat Ryan is, I believe injured, did he pass a medical before we signed him? Which leaves us with Runarsson who’s poor showing was the reason for signing Ryan. Leno’s brain fart could have lasting repercussions for the next few vital games.
Cicero, I can’t say for sure, but I read earlier that they’ll only be a one match suspension as neither was for violent play/conduct.
It was in a FB where the question was raised and answered.
Can anyone clarify??
Morning all.
New post up now
Hi Scott just read both will only have to miss 1 match
New post? Where? I know my broadband can be a bit slow, but it can’t take an hour for a post to get here can it?