Morning all.
The transfer window might be shut until the 1st January 2022, a day which will be here before we know it, it doesn’t stop the newspapers from speculating who will do what. Like Silva not staying in England when/if he leaves City which will frustrate Arsenal as they’re keen on signing him. I doubt very much that Arsenal would want him, certainly not at his probable price and wage demands. At 27 years old, he’s too old for Arsenal anyway. Lol
Another story, which The Sun are running relates to Bukayo Saka who they suggest is deemed to be “untouchable” but that hasn’t stopped a number of transfer approaches being made for the young England player.
That story made me think about which Arsenal players are “untouchable” as far transfers go. All of the new signings I’d have thought, ESR, Saka, Tierney, Balogun and perhaps Gabriel and Martinelli.
Then there’s the younger players like Patino, Taylor-Hart etc etc, basically the next guys who might make the step up in the near future. All “untouchable” until the manager decides otherwise.
Plus, the club have a handful of players on loan, all hoping to prove themselves throughout this season, although I suspect a high percentage of them will move on to pastures new at some stage. John-Jules, Ballard, Azeez and Moller are the ones to keep an eye on I think.
Also on loan are some of the older players who just can’t seem to push themselves into the plans of Mikel Arteta, all who in my humble opinion, already have one foot out of the Arsenal door. Guendouzi, Torreira, Saliba, Mavropanos and Bellerin. Clubs wanted them on loan, but when it came to pounds, shillings and pence, or Euros, if media reports are correct, there were no offers.
The player I haven’t included is Nelson because I think if he has a good season on loan, there’ll be a place for him at Arsenal.
You might think it’s odd that I haven’t included Partey as one of Arsenal’s “untouchable” players. Don’t get me wrong, I love the player and think the team is much much better with him in it but his injuries are a concern. Losing him to the ACON will be a big blow to the team. I’ve kind of contradicted myself I know but going forwards, I think he’s replaceable. I’ll get my tin hat on. Lol
As for the rest of the squad, Holding, Chambers, Kolasinac, Mari, Nketiah, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Pepe, Xhaka, Elneny, Leno, Soares, only two of which Arteta signed, I can see leaving over the next couple of years.
According to TransferMarket, Kolasinac, Chambers, Lacazette, Nketiah and Elneny are out of contract next summer. The same summer, Aubameyang, AMN and Leno head into the final year of their contract too.
This summer was busy as the club signed new players and extended a number of contracts for current players too but football doesn’t stand still. With five players potentially leaving next summer, Arsenal could be set for another busy transfer window, although hopefully, a few of the younger players who’re currently out on loan will fill the voids left.
See you in the comments.
Hi Rico,
Quick one from me I agree with what you’ve said but I think you forgot to mention Ramsdale who
I think belongs in the ‘untouchables’ group.
Sorry Rico you did say new signings doh!!
Agree
Good morning Rico. Long time here… Well on the contrary, the aforementioned players are all touchable with a bid of an irresistible £million pounds.
I’m fairly sure that Guendouzi, Torrieira and Mavropanos have obligation to buy agreements built into their loan deals, so we’ll get them off of our books next summer and earn some revenue into the bargain. In my mind they’ve already left.
A good season for Bellerin and we might be able to sell him next summer as well, Saliba on the other hand is still up in the air but he’s still our player until he’s not anymore!
As for other clubs approaching our players, it’s not really news is it, it happened for about 6 successive years back in the day with Patrick Vieira, every summer he was joining Real Madrid, that was until he joined Juventus.
The Express, The Mirror, they’re both running crap narratives, but I won’t be clicking on them, but Just Arsenal News will be taking their BS and posting it, I guess that beats writing something original and as for Football.London, if you click on them then good luck.
Thanks for the post Rico. 🙂
Hi Mig, you’re forgiven. 😂
Morning Twinsy, all.
I’m not convinced the club would sell Saka, ESR or one or two others, regardless of the offer. Not unless the play pushed for a move.
No mention of White
Pleasure Kev and morning to you. No European football makes it difficult to find something to talk about.
I get my paper b****x from Sky Sports, I’m not clicking on any NN headlines barring the readable ones, why encourage them.
Doug, read it again. Lol
The club have pretty much formed a contract with the fans to build a team around the young players that we have here plus ones that can be bought in to supplement them .
Any moves to sell the family silver will create riots within the rank and file .
Good afternoon Rico and all
Interesting and informative post Rico. Thanks
You know….sometimes I feel happy when clubs begin to circle our players….like as KEv said its nothing new. We had them in the days of Vieira etc. So it means we have good players on our hands. Whether or not we keep them is another story but the more we produce the better it is.
I have a feeling that the club are going to milk the academy…..promote one or two players to the first team and sell one to another team. We did it with MArtinez and this year we did it with Willock We know how Martinez has cemented his place in the NUFC teams but what has happened with Willock this year? We havent heard anything much about him. Good. I like that….as it would have meant that the pundits and the blogs would have something to flay us with.
I would love to ask a question….and see the opinions of others. Its a ‘what if…’ question.
We have lost the first three games to the tune of 0 goals in favour and 9 conceded. Then we won the 4th game 1-0. Now my question is….WHAT IF we were to win the next 8 games 1-0 each and everyone. I dont know who we will face except the next two games….Burnley and Tottenham. The rest I dont know honestly, although I can google them, If we do so (I know its fantasy but it might happen as well…..so dont push the boat out to hit me on the head), what do you all think?? It would mean that we would have Played 12, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 3. GF 9 GA 9, PTS 27.
Would you take that? I would. Definitely
In the current team I can see Auba and Laca both leaving and all our players out on loan would be available to leave, but if we don’t show any real improvement then I feel that there could be a long list of players wanting to leave if Arteta stays.
The next few weeks will give us a clue on Leno’s future
I think so too Potter plus what message would it send to fellow younger players coming through the academy? Loyalty goes both ways I think.
Devil interesting question. Depends on how you look at it.
(1) Win / losses looks good
(2) amount of goals scored not great as teams scoring more goals could still push us down the ladder so no good.
(3) how many easy goals we have given away
(4) how many easy goals we have missed
My answer using the results you suggested is very happy with that. At least we are winning and most importantly showing improvement.
Nice dream to have.
Afternoon Devil, right now, I just want us to beat Burnley and build on that. One game at a time I reckon.
In relation to academy players, I’m sure the odd one or two will be sold but not those who can make an impact on the squad or first team.
I steel think we need some older players otherwise in 5 years time we will end up with a team of players all in there late 20s and be no better off than we are now.
Hi . Newbie here. I liked the vibe of the comments
…. Oh , and the blog ….clearly.
Question. Does it not mean anything that both Douzzie and Saliba loaned to the same Club, but only one has an option…..Obligation…. To buy?
There’s a narrative across many shit sites ,and some blogs, that Arteta dislikes Saliba, and an inference that his ego makes him a mug. Where does this come from, ? Artetas comments about Saliba have always been about Prem readiness and building experience. He’s never been questioned on Ballard …. Didn’t cost 27 mil I guess, but bet he’d say the same.
One of them will replace Holding.
Rico…personally I feel that the following…..Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Sambi, Saka, Odegaard, ESR will still be forming the basis of the team in two years time. MAybe even Tavarez and Martinelli. Even though a week is a long time in football, let alone two years, but they are still young enough to be there and grow together.
The rest, as you pointed out, will gradually go. Some of them even by January. I wouldnt put it past Arteta to sell Xhaka in January if he manages to buy one or two midfielders who can go straight in and improve the team. Leno I feel would be sold in January if Arteta manages to get a 2nd keeper as well who can challenge. By summer he would be gone.
Geoff, we do but the younger ones will be another year older and experienced.
Welcome Ferk. I think the assumption is that Arteta doesn’t see Saliba as being part of Arsenal, it’s certainly mine anyway. Same goes for the other older guys out on loan. If they’re all sold next summer then so be it I guess. I like Ballard, a good old fashioned centre-back.
Devil, yep, I think the base of the team will become clear now that the squad is pretty much fully fit. The Leno situation is interesting I think because he doesn’t strike me as someone who’d be up for a fight for the number one spot. Again though, just because Ramsdale started on Saturday, I don’t think we can or should read too much into things. Performance should dictate who plays and who doesn’t.
And then Mikel Arteta leaves and we start all over again… 😂
G’day all and thanks for the post Rico. I promise you I’ve read it twice. 😉
I think calling players such as Ramsdale and Tomiyasu “unsellable” is pushing it a bit. the former having played less than a handful of games whilst the latter has had barely sixty minutes of game time.
I sincerely hope that Tomiyasu makes it but we need to wait and see how he copes with the pace and refereeing of the Premiership. Pepe too looked great for the first couple of games, then the opposition worked him out and found ways to negate his contribution.
How long Arteta keeps his job will decide the future of his younger player strategy. A new head coach, such as Conte, would probably want to bring in older more experienced players in the hope of quicker upswing in the clubs fortunes.
Playing Ramsdale may well have been a shot across Leno’s bows to keep him on his toes or possibly Leno is carrying a knock that has not been made public.
Saliba is a conundrum , we know that he isn’t an Arteta pick but if he is as good as the French reports suggest then gift horses come to mind . But if again Ballard continues the way he is going Mari might be under pressure too.
According to Chris Wheatley (dont know who he is but is on Instagram) Charlie Patino will be involved against AFC Wimbledon because he was very impressive during training sessions.
Mari looks like the strong guy we need in the middle. Until he meets a strong guy, and he doesn’t seem to find a way to match him. Understood why we hired him, we were desperate with injuries, but never understood why we signed him. Hopefully Tavares earns enough credit to allow Tierney to fill in at LCB if we hit injuries again, and both Ballard and Saliba get given a fair trial on their return for next year.
Here you go Devil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_5VIdvwZ3Q
Balogun got 2 Patino the third.
Here’s Balogun’s too , Number 4 is England international Phil Jones.
Thanks Potter. That was a touch of wizardry from Patino. He took on a defence and came out top. A defence that included Henderson and Jones. I hope he bulks up as he is of slight built
Ha ha Cicero, glad to hear it. Lol
The reason I suggested the new arrivals are probably unsaleable is 8n the main because they’ve only just arrived. Can’t see any of them going just yet. 😜
Okay Rico, I’ve read it a third time and I agree with you. 😉
Ah DG, I can assure you that none other than Adam ( the conscience of HH ) holds the said Chris Wheatley in the highest of regard, I mean only yesterday he himself told me that ‘that Chris Wheatley is one in a million, thankfully’.
I’ve got my ticket for the Wimbledon game so I hope that Patino does get a run out, my only worry is his slight build and the awaiting hatchet merchants so maybe 20 minutes off of the bench is wise.
Would love to see Hutchinson, Taylor Hart and Flores in the squad as well whilst Henry Francis is also another very promising young midfielder, not as technical as Patino but he can put his foot in…
I see that Ballard has copped an eye injury at Millwall, hopefully he’s ok.
Morning all
New post up now