Morning all.
As the days pass without an Arsenal signing confirmed, it’s easy to settle into the “here we go again” mentality. Arsenal are too slow in getting transfers over the line, we’ll end up signing mediocre players late in the window – you know the thing. Guys, it’s day six and the reason Chelsea and City appear to be busy is that they have a competition to play in which starts next week. Plus, both clubs seem to have a pay now and worry later policy. The rest of the Premier League clubs have done little or nothing so far.
Many of the football outlets reported yesterday that Arsenal are expected to appoint Matteo Tognozzi in a senior recruitment role where he’ll work alongside Andrea Berta. The Italians are taking over I’m telling you. Jesting of course.
Tognozzi’s legacy at Juventus.
Analysis by James Horncastle of The Athletic:
Tognozzi was part of a very talented group of recruiters under Fabio Paratici at Juventus. He helped set up Juventus Next Gen, an Under-23 team Juventus enrolled in Italy’s third division to help bridge the gap between youth team and first team football.
Many of the players that Tognozzi helped identify went on to make the leap up to senior level. They include Dean Huijsen (now at Real Madrid), Kenan Yildiz (one of the jewels of the Juventus first team), Matias Soule (now at Roma) and Samuel Iling Junior (on the books at Aston Villa).
Although Tognozzi left to pursue a more senior role with Granada in La Liga, his work at Juventus is highly respected. Of the players mentioned, only Yildiz remains and he was given the No.10 shirt. The rest were sold for significant money by the successive recruitment department. This has been viewed as short-sighted and is the source of considerable regret. Cristiano Giuntoli was the sporting director who cashed in on them. He reinvested the profits poorly and paid with his job this week.
He and Berta could make a good team, looking after the Arsenal present whilst not neglecting the future. As said yesterday, another group of academy players left for nothing so it’s kind of clear that Arsenal need to raise their game when looking at who to add to the academy because not every young kid born or raised locally is going to make it at Arsenal. If we don’t look after our academy, we’ll always be a club which has to buy players for big money. Saka, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri are the exceptions rather than the norm.
Arsene Wenger had a reputation for bringing young players to Arsenal. Ok, not all made it at the club but if we sign two young players and one turns out to be a success story, then that’s good surely? When these kids shine bright and 14/15 years old, we need to be all over them, metaphorically speaking of course, because by the time they reach their current clubs first team, they are expensive. Understandably too because that’s how top clubs operate, sign cheap, sell big later.
Arsenal right now are in a conundrum because if we are to have a chance of winning something next season, we need players who are as good as our best or better. Yes, that’s expensive but of the clubs own making really. It’s all very well moving players on but we need to be getting a respectable transfer fee for them. Tierney and Jorginho have moved on for free and Partey might yet too. How many millions is that we’ve missed out on?
I know there is little any club can do if a player is adamant over running down his contract but logic suggests that his situation could be sorted out before it comes to that. If that means selling him, then so be it. Look after the club before the player is my motto.
Anyway, if Tognozi joins the club and helps improve the academy which in turn will improve the first team, then it’s good. If they only use us a stepping stone then fine, just make sure we sell them for a premium instead of letting them walk for free.
There’s a saying, “use them or lose them” – quite apt for Arsenal these days in my opinion.
News just in…..
Gabriel has signed a new contract at the club…
I arrived here as a young player and after almost five years I’m so happy and I’ve learned a lot. I’m so proud of myself, it’s an amazing journey, and I’m so happy to continue it. I hope I win some trophies with this club, because I love this club and my family loves the club, too. Arsenal is an amazing club and I’m so proud to sign a new contract. I love this club, I love the supporters, my teammates, I love this stadium. I’m so proud and thank you for all the support. We continue together for the future.
Excellent news…
Catch up in the comments.
Now that Gabriel has extended his contracted, I wouldn’t bet against Saliba following suit.
That’s great news Rico and we know it’s true because it’s on the club website. Unlike so much “news” which turns out to be fake.
Yep Saliba next!
Him staying is a big deal I think Cicero. Our best defender imo.
…and goal scorer, Rico.
Ah yes, a goal scorer Cicero 😂
Arsenal’s Zubimendi move to accelerate
Latest from Sky Sports News senior reporter Dharmesh Sheth:
Arsenal’s move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is expected to accelerate after the international window.
All details are in place for the transfer between the clubs after Arsenal agreed to meet the £51m release clause.
Furthermore, there is an agreement in principle on personal terms. It’s thought the deal has reached the medical stage
I watched Spain-France yesterday, which was great fun. If you haven’t, just have a look at Spain’s second, scored by Merino. The finish was brilliant, as so often with MM, but what I liked most was Zubimendi’s pass at the start of the move. It took 4 players off, tore France’s attack and midfield apart, the kind of pass from a midfielder we’ve missed so much since … I don’t know exactly when, but I’d say since Santi got injured. I write this because I had watched Zubimendi play for Real Sociedad a few times, and hadn’t been able to see what the fuss was all about. I think I know better now. Such passes would allow the team to skip the “play-by-numbers-til-we-can-touch-Bukayo” phase, our frontline would not have to waste so much energy in 1v1 – 1v2 dribbling sequences, and could save it to … score goals!
Spurs manager gone.
That Zubimendi report is unlikely to be true. yesterday evening he was playing for Spain against France.
Thomas Frank?
Good afternoon everyone
Who have we signed yet?
A quick reply to MrB….Katetsas, the youngster we are on the verge of signing and then loaning him back to Genk is the youngest goalscorer for the Greek national team.
Rico, it’s understandable that Berta gets Italian men in his team. Fingers crossed he gets us Barella in midfield as well. Now that would be a dream
Funny guys those spursy lads
Pochettino was sacked after the champions league final.
Mourinho was sacked 6 days before the league cup final
Postecoglu was sacked days after winning the Europa league
They always sack managers with long surnames
So spursy
It does suggest after these international fixtures though which makes sense. Zubimendi said he was concentrating on his Spanish duties.
Of course Devil, doesn’t always pan out that way though.
Wouldn’t surprise me Kev although Brentford are better than that lot. 😜
BonJour LG, I as well as you have been underwhelmed when I’ve seen Zubimendi on TV, albeit in small doses, but as you say, once we get the chance , dieu willing, to see him for entire matches and he has adapted to the combustible nature of the PL, we will be happily pleased and surprised.
I’ve heard this young Greek lad described Dev as the Greek Messi, not the first young footballer to be laboured with that tag, but if he is half-as good then I won’t complain, but who is this Brazilian winger at Feyenoord?
Brentford are a very well run and smart team indeed Rico, they go under the radar somewhat as everyone’s favourite Brighton seem to get all the flowers for those qualities, but then Bournemouth are on a similar level and will soon be building a new stadium so it bodes well for those clubs.
I’d imagine that the people who run Brentford will have been half expecting Frank to leave them for the last 18 months or so and will have another unknown but equally competent manager lined up to replace him on top of some nice Tottenham compo!
It might be that Sesko, Zubimendi and Rodrygo will not be announced early simply because they want Saliba, Gabi etc to renew contracts simply because they will expect similar wages to the new signings.