Morning all.
It’s back. The cannon is back, loud and proud on the new kit Adidas have produced. It’s a shade of yellow but not quite the same as Bertie Mee’s Arsenal players wore back in 1970-71 when they won the double. That season’s FA Cup Final will always remembered for Big Charlie’s goal celebration. The cannon on the new kit is set facing in the opposite direction to the one back in ‘71 but nevertheless, it’s great to see it back and on yellow.
The Arsenal women will wear the new kit in tomorrow’s FA Cup fixture and the the men will follow suit next Wednesday when we go to Crystal Palace. One player who won’t be wearing the iconic kit during the next campaign is David Luiz after yesterday it was reported by Sky Sports that he’s leaving at the end of the season. In other words, next Sunday.
Honestly, I thought Arsenal would give Luiz another year because of his experience and the decision being an easy option but it’s good they haven’t. Saliba should be back at the club this summer so the process of replacing Luiz is easy. I don’t think Arsenal need another central defender, not with only domestic football on the cards. Saliba, Holding, Gabriel and Mari should be enough. The full back situation is totally different though. Ryan Bertrand’s name has on NN again as he’s available this summer for free. Max Aarons is another name doing the rounds. He’s English, can play left back as well as right back and at just 21 years old, fits the profile in my opinion. Whether newly promoted Norwich City will sell him is a different matter but every player has his price I think.
Bertrand and Aarons is two of five players Arsenal are looking at according to The Mail, the other three being Yves Bissouma, Sander Berge and Josh Doig.
As the next few weeks and months pass, the internet will be awash of stories linking players to Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has openly said that he expects the owners/board to support the changes needed at Arsenal. Basically, he’s telling them to back him and they have to in my opinion, otherwise what’s the point in him being given the job in the first place? It’s human nature to dissect a performance after a game and just because you/I might be critical it doesn’t necessarily mean the board should sack Mikel Arteta after the referee has blown his whistle to end the game. Unai Emery went on something like a 22 match unbeaten run during his first season but the football was pretty unspectacular. Back then Arsenal were scoring more goals and they needed to because as far as defending goes, the team were all at sea and conceding goals for fun. Arsenal aren’t doing that now so there’s improvement.
I think Mikel Arteta’s problem to solve is how the team goes from defence to attack. Transition I believe it’s called. That’s where better, or rather different players added to the squad this summer will help enormously I think. More power, more pace and certainly more clinical in front of goal. Of course though, that doesn’t automatically mean Arsenal will have to buy lots of players because the academy might very well solve one or two problems. We know Balogun is a strong player, pretty quick too and Azeez has fancy footwork although neither have been tested in the Premier League yet.
Weird as it might sound, I’m quite looking forward to seeing what Edu, Arteta and co get up to this summer…
See you in the comments.
Good morning Rico.
Well it’s farewell David Luiz and welcome William Saliba. If nothing else the swap should reduce our CDIC, central defender injury coefficient.
Incidentally, during his time at Arsenal, so far, David copped three red cards. I must admit it seemed more than that to me.
I don’t have the appetite, that some fans do RaKa for instance, for wholesale changes in playing staff. Integrating more than three or four new players will cause enormous disruption of the squad, it’ll be Christmas at least before they all settle down and we can’t risk having the first half of the season wasted.
I go along with the age old adage “Moderation in all things”. 😉
They were not my valuations in fact my point was similar to yours . A previous post had made these predictions and I was sayting that they were unrealistic .
Keep up Kev. ( joke )
Sorry Potter, the old brain cells aren’t what they used to be, so I do skip some comments, but yeah, we broadly agree on the prices and that’s always good. 😉
I see that Willock has now scored 6 goals in 12 EPL games for Newcastle after only scoring once in 40 League apps for Arsenal.
Scott no problems
Hi Rico and all. The shirt looks very old school but not keen on the shade of yellow used.
Luiz may of had a bit of up and down years at Arsenal but at least he tried and that is all you can ask for.
Morning Cicero, Kev, Geoff, all.
I quite like this time of year, in football terms that is, because the transfer spin and rumours range from unlikely to darn stupid. 😂
Thanks for the post Rico, yes I like the new away shirt but it’s a shame they don’t last two years anymore because I can’t keep up with it.
I really liked the raspberry ripple shirt even if we didn’t wear it enough times this season, but next season it’ll be what, the custard tart shirt?
I feel sorry for the parents nowadays, trying to keep up, I mean back when my boys were knee high to a grasshopper it was every year, a new home shirt or a new away shirt, alternative years as they would last two years a shot. Then the third shirt came in as the manufacturer tested the water and how far they could go with the fans, you know see how far they could push us and as usual we sucked it up.
Now it’s three new kits every single season, every year, they’ve turned it into an event to con us and the fans have sucked it up again, of course we have, it’s what we do and they know it.
And don’t be surprised if they don’t bring out a 4th kit, yeah it’s possible, I mean how about a dedicated european shirt, a Champions League shirt for when we finish top four next season?
Last night Willock missed a penalty but scored from the rebound.
Anyone care to nominate the FA Cup winners this evening? It shouldn’t be too difficult, there are only two options.
Here’s mine. Chelsea after extra time and penalties.
In a way I was quite pleased when David Luiz announced that he was leaving because it means that Arteta can’t procrastinate about his future, thanks for memories David, bye bye, enjoy your new career at Benfica or back in Brazil or maybe the MLS with your pal Willian – here’s hoping.
I wonder if, despite the myriad of names that’ll be linked to us this summer, if Arteta might consider the possibilities that McGuinness, Ballard and Clarke might be worth considering?
Chelsea, 3-1 in normal time.
I too liked the raspberry ripple Kev and love the new yellow one. I actually prefer those two to the red and white.
Like all things football, the kit nowadays is just another money making exercise…
Medley is another central defender we have although I think he’ll probably follow a similar path to Bartley imo.
I suppose much depends on whether or not we’re in a European competition next season re the younger central defenders. I’d quite like to see Ballard in midfield in pre season.
Leicester 2-1 (Fingers crossed)
Good Morning Rico and all
Nice post. In a way I am glad Luiz is going as that will benefit all CB at Arsenal next season. However I feel he would make a good influence in the dressing room and will one day be a good coach. I would love him and Cazorla to come back to coach at Arsenal.
Kev there is nothing more welcoming for me than seeing Arsenal fielding more and more academy grown players. So if McGuiness, Ballard and Clarke plus Azeez, Catalin and Balogun make the first team next year I will be thrilled to bits.
Personally I prefer Doig than Bertrand. And also Aarons. MAybe exchange AMN for Aarons?
Can we exchange Leno for Pope??? I would honestly love that too.
And for midfield…..Bissouma, Rodriguez (Guido) and Berge would be ideal. But we need to sell Xhaka first.
I would want Willock to come back. Maybe he has unlocked himself and now needs to play and rotate with ESR.
My preferences
FA Cup…Leicester 2 Chelsea 1
Europa Cup….Villareal 2 Man Utd 0
Champions lge….Man City 2 Chelsea 1
Chambers is set to be offered a contract extension. Now that is something I really applaud.
That makes sense in these depressed WuFlu times DG, he’s done really well this season and Arteta likes him, but is he the kind of player that’ll take us the level to compete with the Mancs and Oilers and Scousers, I don’t really know, but I’m in favour of extending and I bet in these uncertain times that he’s happy?
That makes good sense DG, Chambers is a decent central defender, an adequate right back and, let us not forget, Wenger saw him as a possible defensive midfielder.
Morning Devil.
Me too re Aarons because of his age and ability to play left and right.
Chambers new deal makes sense to me because he’s homegrown and also versatile. As Kev said yesterday, we’ve got to keep an eye on our overseas quota.
Xhaka could be on his way apparently.
Bob Wilson (@BobWilsonBWSC) Tweeted:
Thank you @Arsenal for the new away shirt #71Double https://t.co/SvmPWM4to8
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mohamed-elneny-post-arsenal-palestine-24114820
Well, I wonder if that may have put the kibosh on Arsenal extending Mo’s contract?
Possibly, but it’s only the coffee company. Lol
I’m all in favour of free speech, but always, always re-read your offering before hitting the “Post Comment” button.
Rico Fill free to delete this if you fill it not a safe subject I am not picking sides this is about how much say should a sponsor have over a player in regards to any subject.
Elneny has put Arsenal in a awkward position according to the mail Elneny has written an article that has now upset one of our sponsors.
This could be a hard job for the club board and even to lesser state The Premier league to fix yes you want the players to able to talk about what they believe but at the same time the player has to take into account that his / hers belief don’t offend any team member, club members, fans and sponsors
Hi Rico… how lush is that kit? 😍 I want one!!
Albeit I could have quite easily throttled Luiz on more than one occasion, I’ll be sorry to see him go – does this mean we’ll see Saliba and Mavropanos? Bring it on!
Just watching Leeds run riot at Turf Moor – that’s how you do it, Arsenal!!!
I reckon the Chavs will win 2-1…Wish we were playing in it ☹
Are you referring to Elneny Cicero?
Geoff, politics and football don’t mix imo.
Hi Sue, I love it, might actually have to buy one this time. Although the yellow and blue kit is still my favourite.
I know what you mean about Luiz, he’s hard to dislike really but he sure dropped us in it on a number of occasions.
Leeds were winning 1-0 when I upped and did something else, came back and it was 4-0. Lol
I’m looking more forward to the transfer season than I am the rest of this season.
I was hoping that we might be able to find 1 or 2 players in the premier league so they can settle in quickly but I can’t think of any one that might be available that can suit Arteta style of play.
Yes Rico I was talking mainly about Elneny, but it’s sensible advice for social media in general.
According to articles on NN Leno and Xhaka want to move on as well, together with Willian.
There are two games left….so imo they should not be played. I would not even risk to put them on the bench.
Raya has been bandied about again. but tbh I feel that Matty Ryan is a superior keeper to Raya so going for him would be a mistake since Ryan has been solid between the sticks in the games he played….plus he got an assist as well.
It might only be coffee to you Rico but to many it’s the most important drink of the day and they can’t operate without it.
Personally I’ll stick to tea, it’s far more British my dear old thing…. 😆
After watching City last night – what a game! – with Scott Carson in goal for City, at 35, it won’t be long before he’s linked with us 😆
Willock’s on fire.. and Torres’ first goal was Ramsey-esque – that flick against CSKA 😍
Totally agree Cicero.
I’m a tea girl too Kev.. ☕️
I can’t remember when was the last time I had tea. Don’t like it much although those who taste the tea I make always comment how good and strong I make it. But for me I prefer a glass of wine. I am not a lover of coffee either.
Pepsi max for me 😆 Don’t do hot drinks!
Can’t have a glass of wine with your morning toast or croissant though Devil. 😆
It will be water then. 😃😃😃
No tea for breakfast DG, that’s outrageous!
Rico, I could have a glass of wine anytime and with almost anything.
The best thing is to have a glass of wine with Rico, is another glass of wine, and then another, etc etc.
Haha Kev.
How good is it to see the fans at Wembley. BBC are talking about a full Wembley for the Euros Final.
Looking good for extra time and penalties, 😉
Drab old game though, it’s missing a team in red and white… 😆
First drink of the day a cup of tea, Darjeeling without milk. Coffee after breakfast black, Darjeeling again mid afternoon, cocoa at bedtime. Wine with lunch and dinner, but not everyday. Variety is the spice of life! 😉
What a goal…
I’d be worried about drinking Darjeeling tea… 😜
No sweat Rico, it has a five year shelf life and has only just expired, no fear of Covid it hadn’t been invented then. 😉
Glad to hear it Cicero. 😆
Jammy Chavs!
My prediction going down the toilet. 🚽
Flushed away!
I guessed 1. not the score but the winners.
2 to go
The FA Cup won by a proper football club.
Chelsea imploding?
Evening House. Congrats Leicester!
Makes you jealous doesn’t it? Having foreign owners who love football, their town, and their team.
Very true Andrew and having Owners who the manager, players and fans actually like and respect. I could never imagine Stan or Josh going on the pitch to lift the Cup and celebrate.
Or in their minds the FA World Series Super Bowl Cup
A bit of a let down for Cup Final day, no Mick McManus and Steve Logan in a tag team bout with The Royal Brothers. Nor Billy Two Rivers versus Kendo Nagasaki. How we miss dear old Kent Walton and World of Sport.
Really pleased for Leicester, especially after what happened to their owner not that long ago.
I reckon Arsenal ruffled Chelsea’s feathers 😂
Blimey Cicero, you’re going back a bit. Lol
Shirley was my fav… 😜
Les Kellett for a laugh
When we beat them, Chav fans used the excuse that they had bigger fish to fry.
Worked well for them lol
We don’t need the money says Josh to Daniel Ek . Is that it or the first response to the opening gambit.
I loved Les Kellett
Well let’s see KSE put their money where their big lying gob is…
So if it is correct that Josh recons they don’t need the money in that case Josh prove it by paying off all our loans in the next month other wise it shows just how much crap you say Josh so just sell our club to some one who cares.
If, as Josh says, KSE don’t need the money why did the greedy b******s sign up for the ESL?
The Kroenkes are investors.
They’ve never said otherwise.
They couldn’t give a rats arse about the Arsenal or it’s fans so they’ll never spend.
Can anyone name a single positive they’ve brought to the club?
No.
But again, we can’t blame them as they’ve made their intentions clear from the start-to make money.
Good Morning Rico and all
yesterday Nathan Tella scored his first ever goal for Southampton. This season he has already featured 16 times. For some this name might ring a bell…..he was on the books of Arsenal for 10 years before he got released.
2nd dose of covid-19 vaccine taken. now am feeling strong and ready to bash some heads for all the time I had to spend inside because of lockdown.
Morning Devil, all.
New post up now.
https://highbury-house.com/?p=44033&preview=true