Morning all.
In an ideal world, the Aaron Ramsdale transfer to Arsenal would never have materialised but only because Arsenal had kept hold of Emi Martinez. Ideal and world are two words which seldom go together and I think it’s time to move on from the Argentine who along with rest of his team, conceded three goals against Watford on the opening day of the season.
Going over old ground, looking for what you and I might think are mistakes the club have made will do no good whatsoever. We have to live in the present, the club having learned from the past.
What saddens me, no, angers me really is the nastiness being directed at Aaron Ramsdale across the Internet. He’s not even kicked a ball in Arsenal colours yet and already he’s being written off by people who if honest, would admit they’ve seen very little of the player and only when he’d been linked to Arsenal, did the research begin. Well, more like watching his worst bits on YouTube and viewing his stats. He’s 23 years old for goodness sake. Does anyone remember how David Seaman was doing at the same age? Just leaving Second Division club Birmingham City for Division One QPR, that’s what. Four years later and four years older, Seaman moved to Arsenal and the rest as they say, is history.
There’s a lot of similarities to when I joined Arsenal. I was England’s No.3 at the World Cup in 1990, Ramsdale has done the same. I started getting a load of stick because the fans didn’t want me. They were all singing “Lukic is better than Seaman” and “You’ll never play for Arsenal”. – David Seaman told talkSPORT.
I’m not trying to suggest Ramsdale is the ‘next Seaman’ or any other top notch goalkeeper but what I am suggesting is that we give the guy a chance before writing him off. I think he’ll be just fine and I don’t think it’ll be too long before we see him in action. Possibly at West Brom in the League Cup. Bernd Leno has someone breathing down his neck again which can only be a good thing.
Bernd’s done a fantastic job over recent seasons and I’m here to push him all the way and take his shirt.
Amen to that.
Five signings this summer so far, all young but nevertheless, quality in my opinion. KTH, Tierney, Balogun and ESR futures sorted which is brilliant so yes, Arsenal have been busy this summer bring in the kind of players who in all theory, should be at the club for a long time.
When we talk about the board/Kroenke family supporting the manager during a transfer window, I’m not someone who believes we’re ever likely to match the kind of transfer business the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd or Man City do, certainly not all the time we’re not involved in the Champions League but what I do believe is a necessity is giving the manager the money to address the squads needs. I think Arsenal are doing that this summer. Some of us might still hope the club will sign a striker, CDM and a right back and maybe we will but probably only if the club can shift a handful of players sharpish, otherwise the squad will be too big and don’t forget, they all will need paying.
Five players our out of contract next summer. Mo Elneny, Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah. Ok, they might not sell for huge amounts but altogether, they’d bring in enough to get a right back I’m sure, or even go a long way towards paying for Yves Bissouma.
So yes, as Mikel Arteta said yesterday, there’s still a lot of work to be done but so far, so good in my opinion.
See you in the comments.
Nice article mate.To be honest,i personally like the direction the team is taking.A young and talented bunch. Would just like them to be more expressive or dynamic in the final third hence i think 1 more creative player in the middle of the park would really help us progress quicker and beat presses.(Though i think lokonga is going to be a major cog in our midfield )
Don’t have a problem with the attackers because Martinelli and Balogun would come good once the confidence starts to flow.
Lets remember that everything wouldn’t be fixed in this transfer window.COYG
Morning Rico and All.
I don’t know much about Ramsdale and according to reports he does not like playing the short ball back in play. so I wonder was it him him or was it a game plan not to play the short pass in who knows. all I can say is.
Ramsdale welcome to Arsenal and please keep Leno on his toes and your time will come.
Morning Rico. If you partake in something as shallow as social media then you deserve all the misinformation and anger you get I think.
Surely it’s time to drop the whole EMI Martinez thing. He won’t though. The incredible pain of his rejection will go on and on, interview after interview.
Great post rico, morning all. Ramsdale in his interview said he’s happy playing passes out from the back or, when needed, long. It’s obviously been a talking point!
What struck me about both new signings’ interviews, was what level headed and mature young guys we have brought in. Right age, right attitude, let’s hope they have a great future here. Ode has been criticised in Madrid press for not being prepared to wait and fight for his place, but I think he just wants to feel wanted and Arteta has shown that, which may bring out his best as he can now settle into a more long-term commitment.
Morning all.
We are headed the right way, but we still have a long way to go.
Small steps, but it’s better than going backwards.
Thanks Nnamdi, Andrew, good morning to you both, Adam, Geoff and all.
Emi who Adam?
I’m happy with our signings, more than I expected but of course other areas need to be addressed too but it might be we have to wait. Who knows though if we can sell a few more.
Nnamdi, me too. The younger players should in theory, bring more energy to the team and it’s not like they’re young but inexperienced.
Trouble is Adam, one doesn’t have to be part of social media to be on the receiving end of abuse. Keyboard bullies are everywhere.
Rico. Where can one seek out the abuse if not social media? Perhaps on some of the Arsenal blogs?
Spot on Andrew, young in years but mature in attitude.
Very much so Adam, I’ve read a few of the Arsenal blogs comments are terrible. Also, the comments section of many newspapers are often vile.
Thanks Rico
I’m happy with what we’ve done this summer. A good step in the right direction
You don’t build a winning team in a day
Next summer would present an opportunity to take the rebuild a notch higher
Let’s hope what we have now will take us back to Europe even in spite of the disruption of the AFCON in January/February next year. Then we can take it from there
I agree with you on both counts mate.
Odegaard is a brilliant player who, for whatever reason, hasn’t worked out at Real but we’ve offered him a home. Ramsdale is just a little starstruck to come to the country and that’s a great thing. He will live every minute if his experience with us.
Corporate, I think that’s why we’ve kept Xhaka. Losing Partey for the ACON will be a big miss. It’s such a shame he’s injured so often.
Well said, Corporate.
Ignore them Rico. They are mostly anti-vaxxers and general nut jobs I would think. To read them gives them a sort of credibility that is undeserved.
Country Scott, Ramsdale is English. 😜
Scott, Ramsdale “star struck to come to the country”? Born in Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire, played in Sheffield Yorkshire, Bolton Lancashire and Bournemouth Dorset. He must be pretty familiar with the country by now. 😉
Morning Rico, a great post focusing on the good things the club has done this summer, £132m spent, is that a record for Arsenal?
Is it even finished?
I think we would have got Abraham if Nketiah hadn’t got injured or if we could have moved on Lacazette.
I like Ramsdale already after seeing his interview and his interaction with his family, his Dad obviously thinks the world of his son – I get that. I like his personality, he seems as if he’s the kind to be on to his defenders all the time, talking, advising and rollocking, our defence needs that I think.
Some of these online trolls, tippy tappy experts need some psychological help, their own lives must be a war zone, I go on the comments section of Arseblog News and wonder what ever happened to our fan base? There are some really unhappy people out there.
Coming to the two blogs I visit is a relief as they aren’t full of anger and vitriol, it’s so enjoyable just chatting about stuff other than football and you get it on here, proper people and it thanks to you Rico…
Cicero, my Aunt and Uncle lived in Whitmore Road just around the corner from Hoxton Market and the continuation of Pitfield St, they were there from the early 1950’s and that is where we all met up before and after games, it was a ritual, I know that area so well. My Dad grew up around there as well.
I swear I wrote club lol
I know where he’s from. Damn phone 😉
Typo mate.
Seriously lol
I believe that given the constraints under which Eduteta are working they have done well to capture our latest recruits without busting the bank.
What I’ve seen of White, Tavares and Sambi leads me to think they will be successful if properly coached. We already know much about Odegaard and know what to expect. I haven’t see much of Ramsdale, just looked at some of his stats. Unlike the other four, who are all very close to the starting eleven, I can’t see Ramsdale elbowing Leno out just yet.
We all do it Scott. Rico we need a comment edit button. 😉
I see that the roll of the vaccine in Australia and New Zealand has been quite slow Scott/Geoff, why is that do you think?
I had my first jab in February and my second in April, I would have thought that all you Aussies and Kiwis would have been done by now. The politicians in both countries seem to do a lot of talking about everything, what about vaccinating the population, or are they more worried about ‘trans’ issues?
Kev, we are run by lefty dickheads.
Both major parties have been overrun by them.
Enough said.
Gee I’d be using it every second post lol
Yes Scott, the CCP must be delighted.
Morning Ke, thank you on both comments.
I really don’t understand how so many Arsenal fans can be so down on our signings. Why can’t they see the bigger picture? As you say, perhaps it’s just a mirror of their own unhappiness.
I think people forget that Arsenal aren’t in Europe, haven’t had fans in the stadium for 18 months and like most of Europe, is skint. We are self sustaining and although it think that idea alone is a little bit odd in today’s world but it is what it is. We don’t have the players to sell for massive money, well, apart from Saka and ESR and imagine the outcry if we sold one of them?
Ha ha Scott.
If only I could Cicero but if you’re able to edit yours, you’ll be able to edit mine. The very thought eh… lol
The way our authorities are handling things, we may as well be in China.
Does anyone know when Partey and Gabriel are due back?
Let me at it, Rico 😉
On the day I give up perhaps Scott. Lol
Good afternoon Rico and all
Kev, I have a feeling that DCL will be joining us by the end of the transfer window. Imagine him and/or Martinelli up front with ESR, Odegaard, Saka, Pepe behind him. Tierney would have a field day crossing in our box.
Rico, lovely post, but why shouldn’t Ramsdale turn out to be better than Seaman maybe? I am already looing forward to the WBA as I am sure he will play. I guess he will be playing some games in the league by January.
Kev
The Idiots running our states only care about seeing them self on tv as I said before in Victoria we have been in lock down for over 200 days in the last year now we have a curfew between 9pm an 5am.
That’s why I like this site it gives me a break and a chance to talk about our great club Arsenal even if we loose.
I wonder how Giroud would go in our current team with our new recruits
Geoff….with the current crop of players we need a CF in the mould of TH14 or IW08. Someone who is fast and makes the opposition scared. Giroud would fare well but would need the others to run into positions for him. He is not fast. The system would have to be changed for him.
That is why I would love DCL in our team.
BDW…PD08…..IW08….FL08….MA08….AR08…..Odegaard08. While he has some good company Martin Odegaard also has some players of the clown variety. I hope he follows the other three I mentioned.
PD (Paul Davis) wore it the longest…for 12 years. I used to love Paul. Quiet, unassuming…..and I loved it when he punched the jaw of that oaf who was kicking him all the time. But most of all I loved his calm demanour on the ball. I just wish he was playing with this present lot.
Afternoon Devil, thanks. You really think Everton would sell him?
I don’t know about that Rico. But I think that if AFC were to offer them good money or players+money I think it could be done.
Personally I would give them Auba plus one of Nketiah or AMN plus money.
However that is my wish. I would love to see him in our colours
They have more money than us Devil. Why would they want Auba?
Afternoon Rico.
Yes, I left a comment buy unfortunately somewhat did not post it.
Ramsdale?
Watch a few Sheffield United games on telly; and he seem to be a good shot stopper and a decent goalie.
With so much pressure on him from certain section of fanbase, I hope he is strong enough to recover from that inadvertent howler any goalie will commit in their career.
Richard Wright was destroyed by letting a goal went through his legs and never recovered.
Lest some fans forgot, Emi refused to sign an extension unless he is guaranteed Number 1.
But Leno was a proven a goalie and Emi had an outstanding few months.
Difficult decision and only Villa came in with a decent offer.
The rest is history and water beneath a bridge.
I am always a Dreamer and hope that this latest bunch of the English Core in Ramsdale, Ben White, ESR, Saka, Balogun (plus Azeez, Omari, Kido Taylor-Hart, et al) that within next 2 seasons, Arteta can coach them into a compact unit to play the high pressing, quick passing possession football that he learned at Barca and under Guardiola.
Afternoon Merlin. I think we’re all hoping that re the younger players. If Arteta can get them playing well together, we could be back in the CL within the next couple of years. Kind of reminds me of where Ajax were a few years ago.
Elneny is in his final year and no discussion on any extension yet.
This guy is happy to play for Arsenal FC and will always give his all on the pitch when called upon.
Loves player who loves to play for Arsenal FC.
AMN?
I hope he got his head screwed right as I rated him as right wingback; and Arteta can coach him into a superb right wingback which we desperately needed against Chelski.
Wonder if Arteta will field him against Chelski?
Hope Holding is healthy and ready to play.
Arteta always get good results against Top-6 team in 3-5-2 formation, which won him the 2019/20 FA Cup and start winning in later half of last season.
I prefer Chambers-White-Holding (only healthy CB left in the squad); like Ben White playing at Brighton with 2 giants behind him.
Who is DCL ?
Dominic Calvin Lewin, English forward plays for Everton, 24 years old. JM.
It’s all well and good to suggest swapping Aubameyang for Calvin Lewin but, there are three obvious problems to overcome. 1) Do Everton want him? 2) Would he want to move to Everton? 3) Would Calvin Lewin want to move to Arsenal?
Exchanging one mid-table club for another one doesn’t look very attractive to either player.
I’m still surprised we didn’t go for Tammy Abraham if we’re after a striker. Perhaps it’ll be a upcoming player rather than a household name. Again, if Arsenal go for a striker but right now we have five, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Martinelli, Eddie and Balogun.
https://metro.co.uk/2021/08/21/stan-kroenke-sends-rare-message-to-arsenal-fans-ahead-of-chelsea-clash-15130524/
Wow! I’m out of breath, I was so excited by Stan’s message to the fans that I just had to go out for 5k run to calm me down. I don’t think that I’ll be able to sleep tonight! 😉
To give KSE their dues, they had certainly backed Arteta in current spending. Arsenal are the top spending team in the Premier League, having brought in five players at a total outlay of almost £135million.
And words that transfer business have not stopped yet.
Players that left so far are Willock, Guendouzi and Mavrospano.
If Arteta is to free up slots in the 25-man squad (with 17 foreign players max), Edu will need to move these players by 31 August – Kolasinac, Torreira, Willian, Gunnarsson, Nketiah, Nelson and AMN.
I believe KSE realized that without successes on the pitch to maintain Arsenal marquee brand-name, they will find that Arsenal Holding £2billion valuation may very well deteriorated to maybe £1.5billion within 2 years! This is a “no-no” for investment manager like them.
It is in KSE interest to re-invest to make Arsenal FC competitive to maintain and grow the current £2billion valuation.
I see most going out on loan in this post covid transfer market. Pity we can’t sell those in their final years.
Merlin I think you meant Runarsson and hopefully he can go find an easier league.
I too would like to see us keep Elneny as said before and let his contract expire.
Unfortunately no one wants our mega waged players so we are stuck with them.
Morning all.
New post up now