Morning happy people.
Feeling all warm and fuzzy inside? Positive and optimistic ahead of the new season which kicks off on Sunday at Newcastle? I sure am. In fact I’ve not felt such optimism towards Arsenal going into a new season for a long long time.
This has to have been one of the best transfer windows we’ve had for years. Here’s every deal done and there’s still time for further exits as other leagues around Europe have a longer transfer window.
In:
Nicolas Pepe (Lille) £72m
Gabriel Martinelli (Ituano) £6m
William Saliba (Saint-Etienne) £27m
Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) Loan
Kieran Tierney (Celtic) £25m
David Luiz (Chelsea) £8m
Out:
Aaron Ramsey (Juventus) Free
Petr Cech (Retired)
Danny Welbeck (Released)
Cohen Bramall (Released)
Charlie Gilmour (Released)
Stephan Lichtsteiner (Released)
Julio Pleguezuelo (Released)
Vontae Daley-Campbell (Leicester) Undisclosed
Xavier Amaechi (Hamburg) £2.25m
Krtstian Bielik (Derby County) £9.5m
Takuma Asano (Partizan Belgrade)
Laurent Koscielny (Bordeaux) Undisclosed
Carl Jenkinson (Nottingham Forest) £2m
Dominic Thompson (Brentford) £3m
David Ospina (Napoli) £3.1m
Eddie Nketiah (Leeds) Loan
Jordi Osei-Tutu (VfL Bochum) Loan
Daniel Ballard (Swindon Town) Loan
Ben Sheaf (Doncaster Rovers) Loan
William Saliba (Saint-Etienne) Loan
Raul Sanllehi and his team have worked their magic. Here on HH, the general consensus was we needed width, pace, a creative player, a left back and a central defender. A defence minded midfielder was on my personal summer wish list too. Arsenal have signed a player in every position we hoped. Admittedly, David Luiz wasn’t in my thoughts any more than he was probably in yours but if the ‘perfect’ player isn’t available, an experienced, mouthy, hard man isn’t a bad second choice. A two year contract is ideal as Saliba and Medley will grow both in age and experience during that time.
The loan deal for Ceballos gives us something different and he might decide he wants to stay. Raul might want him to too. Pepe gives us the pace and width we’ve cried out for. Saka and Nelson too. Martinelli brings Brazilian flair up front and his fellow countryman brings ruggedness, sneakiness and a lot of chat to our defending either in midfield or defence itself. He’s the kind of player I despised at Chelsea but will now love in a red and white shirt. Tierney, a young left back who’ll be desperate to prove his fitness and that the step from the SPL to the PL is not too big for him. Lastly, Saliba. A young and expensive centre back, who in just a few years might well look like a £25 million bargain.
As Kev said in his post yesterday, we’ve shipped a number of players out too. Not for hundreds of millions but that’s because they weren’t worth that amount but nevertheless, we put a few million back into the club. Around £20 million which has on paper paid for Luiz and Martinelli. We also offloaded a lot of money from our wage bill. Welbeck, Koscielny, Ospina, Ramsey and Cech being the bigger earners but every £20, £30 or £40k a week on a few players all adds up.
Finally, Alex Iwobi moved to Everton late yesterday evening in a deal somewhere between £35-40 million which brings our summer spending right down to around £70-80 million, on paper at least, give or take a few million. Not spent in hard cash though as the fee agreed for Pepe will be paid in instalments.
That’s being smart in my opinion but at the same time, its improved the Arsenal squad big time. Once Bellerin, Holding and Tierney regain full fitness, even our defence should look good. Who knows, a bloke like Luiz might just be what Mustafi needs, Xhaka too as the Brazilian isn’t afraid to bark orders at those around him. An ideal candidate for the captains armband perhaps.
Roll on Sunday I say and the weeks and months ahead as I’m really looking forward to seeing how Unai Emery brings this team together.
Top four this season? At least I’d say…..
A big fat well done to Raul and his team, to the Kroenke family too for rubber stamping his appointment. On paper this transfer window has been smart, frugal, yet seriously productive. Very shrewd. Very very smart. Raul has showed exactly what can be done without having £100’s of millions in his pocket. Josh Kroenke told us something good was coming and he was right.
Now it’s down to Unai Emery to do his job as well as Raul Sanllehi has done his. He’s had his free season, he’s got a very good and pretty balanced squad in his hands. Basically, he has no excuses.
Have a great Friday guys, not even the dark clouds overhead or the heavy rain will dampen my enthusiasm for the season ahead.
Top Post, Rico, thank you.
I suppose all of us wanted the outcome of the transfer window to turn out the way it did, but if my view was anything to go by, I imagine many of us are also surprised, happy and imbued with enthusiasm to see how the season pans out, as you said in your Post.
I would not be a Gooner if I did not have a quibble or two, primarily with the late signing of David Luiz. I woulda rudda hadda nother CB if money had allowed – either Upmecano from Bayern, or Umtiti from Barça – but that is admittedly a case of nit picking, so overall I am happy.
The other matter that surprised me was the sale of Iwobi. I know he is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I liked him, and if his end product was improved, he had the pace and skill to be a very good player as he matured.
Iwobi on one flank and Pepe on the other with Auba and Lacca inside would have been awesome.
Anyway, that is not to be, and Iwobi’s transfer has made room for young Saka, who is skilful and has bags of pace and can fill in the left wing role, if necessary.
Small matters really, and with the supposed transfer pot of £45m not promising much more than replacing Rambo, let alone any other new incoming players, the end result – even with buying on tick has been fantastic.
Now to get rid of the ‘you know who’ players — and there are at least 3 of them.
Roll on Sunday. 😳
Morning to you all. Too many to name individually 😜
Why not Luiz as captain?
Morning Rico, and all the HH contributors.
Away at Newcastle won’t be easy and, Andy Carrol is back!
Rico, a question, just before our Transfer Deadline closed there was talk of Arsenal agreeing terms with Rugani but, having to iron out the financial terms of the transfer with Juventus.
Does the fact that the Italian league deadline closes after the UK’s, will allow Rugani to play for Arsenal, IF the clubs can agree on the transfer terms?
Andorra, unless the paperwork went in before 7pm, no re Rugani. Maybe we’ll get him in January.
Great uplifting post rico. This transfer window is just what the doctor ordered for us Gooners.
High RA, How nice to hear from you buddy. I hope your health is good Sir. Fingers crossed we can meet sometime this season at the Emirates.
RA = the three in question. Would that be Xhaka, Mustafa and Elneny? They are the obvious choice and also the choice of all Gooners I know.
This window has been such a boost for us. We have some brilliant youth players coming through, and now with some genuine class perhaps we can become great once more. Just like the good old days. 😉
There seems a divided view regarding David Luiz…….imo, its a no brainer at £8m on a two year contract. Yes he can be rash and cost a goal or two, but haven’t we already got a CB that costs us much more?
He can be a big mouth, but surely thats what we have been crying out for……..for so many years now. With his experience he can help our young guys learn their defensive trade well.
UE has options all over the field now, especially in offensive positions.
I’m buzzing to see UE team line up at mid day Sunday. Can’t wait.
COYG
Thanks Vcc, agree re Luiz. He wouldn’t have been my first choice but bearing in mind our defence, He might be just what we need and he’s tons of PL experience so he knows what it’s all about.
‘morning Rico and all.
No, Andorra, no more incoming players, we can only now sell to European clubs where the window is open until September.
Goodmorning Rico and everyone, it was indeed a great summer for us, awesome I must say and I really do look forward watching all our matches this season.
David Luis is an awesome addition, the man is rugged and thats something we have lacked, let’s not forget his setpiece abilities too.
I really do hope mustafi leaves so that our younger CB can have their chances because as long as he is still around he will play ahead of chambers and the others.
Then our attack.. i’m predicting at least 75goals between auba/lava/Pepe this season.
Sad to see iwobi go but in the end it’s what’s best for the team, I know mhiki didn’t go because of his over bloated wages I still just hope he can be shipped off, same with elneny
Who is going to be the club captain now? I don’t see how it could be one of the newcomers. Ideally a defender think Tony Adams, not the ‘keeper he’s too remote from the action, a midfielder think Patrick Vierra.
I know this is going to go down like a lead balloon, but my money is on Xhaka.
Near perfect transfer window. Near perfect because Mustafi and Elneny are still milking the wage bill. I would’t have minded shipping Mikhi out too. He tends to over elaborate his moves too much given his age losing possession unnecessarily. I will take Luiz anyday in place of Mustafi.
Tony, they can still go though and great if they do but I kind of understand why they might stay. We’re in four competitions and need a deep squad. Mustafi, Mkhitaryan and Elneny etc could be the experience in a younger cup squad, especially Europa. Meanwhile, the rest go all out for the league. Well, top four.
Dont think so , we can sell but not buy ,The fringe players i.e Elneny , Mustafi might well see the way Emery sets up on Sunday and seeing where they are in the pecking order decide that enough is enough .
However I can see the sales happening in January after these players have kicked their heels for a few months .
Morning all.
Ozil will fire up this year because we have brought In players to compliment him.
Martinelli will be the surprise packet.
He will end up a sensational signing:
They’re my two tips 🙂
Dont know why that took so long but anyway it was already covered.
Rico, it’s too soon he must first build a relationship with the rest of the squad and may well prove too fiery and too vehement in his approach to referees. Has he ever been a club or international captain?
I’m not so sure Cicero. Sometimes a new broom is just what’s needed to fire up some of our under performing players. He probably knows most of the players already anyway..
Great post Rico, reflected the positivity flowing through the fan base, now let’s kick off 2019/20 with an away win – when did Arsenal last start a season with an away win?
Hey Red, good to see you about, I think you answered your own Iwobi question by suggesting Saka, he has it all, great going forward, can create for others and score for himself and he can also defend, has played many times in the academy as a full back. Still very young so he needs to be carefully handled and not overplayed, but he gives us fantastic options on both flanks and especially the left where we have Martinelli but not another experienced left sided player.
Thanks Kev, Vcc and Ra by the way.
This is how the rumours start
https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/dc-united/audi-field-mesut-ozil-coffee-dc-united-mls-transfer-2019/
Andorra, we can still sell abroad up until the end of the month, but we can’t sign anyone, not unless they’re out of contract, you know, free agent (I think?)…
VCC, I’m with you on Luiz, I hope he stirs things up, we’re still too nicey nicey…
That was very interesting Potter, but given the smart people surrounding Ozil it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that Arsenal and Ozil’s people could come to some arrangement this January?
allezkev. Your dead right, we are far too nicey nicey. Thats why I would give the captaincy to Luiz. We also have a confident, Vociferous Glaswegian also, he won’t hold back (I hope) Perhaps he can be groomed as a future club captain?
The future looks much brighter going into UE second season than it did in AW last several.
COYG
And if this is true we will just have to live with it.
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/797115/Arsenal-transfer-deadline-day-Kroenke-family-offer-rejected-Arsenal-Podcast-Josh-Landy
Well that’s the Daily Star for you, didn’t take them long to put a negative spin on our summer.
How long have they been sitting on that story?
I bet they’re gutted we got Pepe, Luiz and Tierney, now the shit can’t be stirred with the same gusto they were hoping for…
Express Newspapers (newspapers???) are garbage and have always been garbage.
I think today is the last day that I’ll visit NoNewsNow for awhile, maybe till December.
VCC I can’t wait until we see the dangerous brothers in tandem (Luiz/Sokratis) that’s if they can stay on the pitch long enough in these interesting VAR days….
Clownstaffi and Sideshow Bob on the same pitch worries me and has to happen at some point… I always thought Luiz was the most over rated player! Hope I I was wrong… and 8M to piss off the Chelski twats is a small price to pay! Good business every where else though, especially 35-4M for iwobe, he just wasn’t good enough. Top 4 this season and Pep taking over any one?
Great post Rico……….. A pretty damn fine window considering we have no money, just shows what happens when it’s spend wisely by people with ‘proper’ connections and not spin merchants who basically no nothing about football who were running our club. Shame the ex economics professor who used to manage us wasted so much cash on average players who we cannot sell otherwise am sure we’d have seen a few more moved on but when you look at what’s happened in 12 months then we can see slowly but surely a new direction is being taken and players slowly replaced, I said 5 transfer windows and into the 3rd year before we manage to see a real change from the 8 years of decline and poor management from the previous regime. A more consistent season and being more competitive will again show improvement and a top 4 finish would allow us to attract the very best players yet again for the final pieces in the jig saw..! All quite exciting really 😉 I bet Kev been so happy he’s been out celebrating in his bright pink spandex strides..!
That article is poop, someone is trying to stir the pot..
Good to see you Wath and thanks. Couldn’t agree more with your comment. Finally we have a guy who has backed up his words and not a single Sanogo in sight.
Top four I reckon strangeman, can’t see Pep ever arriving though…
Well, blow me down — I have not seen a a sign of you, Wath, since ……. I don’t now when …… or for that matter any reference to GG or vuvuzelas.
I don’t know about Kev’s pink spandex strides (they are a ‘must see’ on my list) — but I vaguely recall you were famous for your own attire on return from the World Cup in South Africa.
I’m not famous — just a big, quirkily ugly follower of fashion — so you won’t remember me.😜
I’ve actually got them on Wath…
Never know, Agag might make an appearance at this rate…
Hi, VCC, and Kev,
You guest my ‘you know who’ for the chop — or more kindly – for sale, VCC — yup – Xhaka, Mustafi and Elneny.
There are other combinations that could be put forward, but these guys could save the Arsenal a few dollars.
Healthwise, things are a bit better, VCC, thanks for asking, and I definitely plan to get together for a pre-match drink in the coming season.
Re: Luiz for captain, I think that might be a good idea, as he has a reputation for facing other players down, and is never short of giving ‘advice’ — something that our captains have never done since the days of Vieira, I think.
My main reservation is that I still think of him as being a Chavs player. A couple of crunching tackles or pin- point cross field passes could change all that.😀
I would like that, Kev. Agag was my favourite blogging heroine, [Rico aside as she was the Boss] and in her terminology a ‘definite keeper’.
RA… Glad your health ok mate, the attire stories re after World Cup in SA were and are grossly exaggerated by the fact Kev was just plainly jealous and it was soooo obvious he’d have his famous pink spandex strides on..! I knew you would “Grandad Kev” now if only I had some GG on tap I’d have an even better weekend, With the return of Bellerin, Tierney and Holding all within the next six weeks even our shitty shaky defence doesn’t look half bad at all. With the integration of the younger players I am thinking this could actually be the foundation of a really very good side. Once we sign that other young french centre half in Jan that’s the back ‘5’ sorted for years.
Rico, the best signing of the lot could actually be the loan deal of Cabellos… he’s a proper player..! I think Raul Edu and Unai had their targets and if the targets were unavailable they went to a list of players who would do a short tern job without hindering the fact they’ll go for the top targets again in Jan or next summer if they missed them this summer.
Wath, agree, I like the way they went for Zaha, no deal so move on. Before you know who would have continued to flog a dead horse without success.
Not seen much of Ceballos but he looks real quality. When they’re all fit, I reckon we’ll look very good.
Wath,
re: Kev – 😀😛
I agree we have moved forward with the defence now.
I was sorry Kozzer left us, but his chronic injuries were affecting him more and more, and it was probably the right thing for him to go back to France for the remainder of his career, it was just a pity that he allowed the PR guys to make a silly video with the changing of the shirts.
As you say, Tierney, Belli Button, Holding and now Luiz available we will hopefully not give away so many goals, and the forwards look as if they are going to do the biz.
I also think that the trio of Raul, Edu and Emery have done a grand job, and I hope they continue to do so at the next transfer window. It ‘s what we have missed for years.
Here’s the latest update from our medical team ahead of our match at St James’ Park:
Alex Lacazette
Right ankle. Will continue to be assessed ahead of Sunday’s match at Newcastle.
Nicolas Pepe
Regaining full match fitness following late return from African Cup of Nations. Decision to be made on participation for Sunday.
Hector Bellerin
Left knee. Continuing with on-field rehabilitation. Aiming to participate in full training in October.
Rob Holding
Left knee. Continuing with on-field rehabilitation and now participating in full training with the first team.
Dinos Mavropanos
Groin. Continues to receive treatment and further assessment. Will be out of action for at least 6-8 weeks.
Emile Smith Rowe
Groin. Progressing well in training and aiming to re-join the first team squad in 1-2 weeks
Mohamed Elneny
Regaining full match fitness following late return from African Cup of Nations. Decision to be made on participation for Sunday.
Copyright 2019 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source
Thanks for that Cicero.
I’m a bit surprised that Elneny is being assessed for Sunday, as I was led to believe he was one of the players we are trying to offload.
[I have to say that altho I do not know anymore about Elneny. than anyone else, I have always perceived him as a decent guy, and not as bad a. footballer as the reputation he has been given by some fans.
]
I was disappointed to read that Hector Bellerin will not participate in full training until October, which probably means he won’t be match fit until November. That leaves us with Maitland-Niles as our right back, the only alternatives are Chambers and, if he hasn’t gone, Mustafi.
Have we a decent young right back who could be promoted.
Hello Fellas:
About time that we have proper players and a balance team! I agreed with most of you, now it’s up to Emery. I hope that he doesn’t mess up the package as he did at the end of last season with questionable selections and tactics.
The one person I really want gone is Mkhitaryan, he is just wasteful and he can take Mustafi with him. EPL is not a good fit for Xhaka, he needs to go back to Germany. Good riddance to Iwobi, the guy had no end product. With Cabalos and Pepe we have two players that can really hold on to the ball and drive, if they get the necessary protection from the refs they will be amazing.
With the defence it will solve itself out when the injured players return. I have watched Holding and Chambers on international duties they are solid together and with proper coaching they will be very, very good. Mavos, Tierney, Saliba are all solid right now. So the team in just 2 season after Arsene is way better on paper. Now all we need to do is bring Sonogo back; Arsene ruined his career.
rico, an experienced, mouthy hard man, I prefer to go with a cheating, diving wuss ! the pluses, he speaks the Queens English, has plenty of premiership experience as you say & loves his blood curdling challenges (has put the boot in on a couple of our players down the years & got away with it) but the referee’s have got his number now.
Himself & Mustafi in defence will be like the blind leading the blind imo, got a feeling our back line will be very entertaining again this season but as usual for all the wrong reasons.
More importantly……..who let Wath outta his cage lol.
Micko, you have to forget that side of his game now he’s ours.. You’ll warm to him after he sticks Carroll on his back. Fairly of course.. lol
If Norwich could finish, this game would be 3-3….
Evening all and thanks Rico.
All this transfer news has been sizematic for you northern barstewards, but here in the southern most part of the UK we had our own sizematic occurrence !……………………………a quake, measuring 2.2 magnitude, happened about three miles (5km) south-west of Falmouth !…………………..although that was later beaten by my exasperated tongue hitting the floor when I read that Obi still worships Sanogo ! 😀
Don’t write The Canaries off Rico. Yet. 😉
Ha ha Cicero, I think they need to forget this one and move on..
Scouser’s ‘keeper has injured himself kicking the ball.
Shit, I missed Halley’s Comet, aka Wath!!
Morning all.
Have we signed anyone yet?
Sorry Micko, my GG ran out so had to venture out my man cave…. I’ll go back soon enough mate. Obi no chance we can sell Mikhi as his salary is ridiculously high hence no one wants him on such a salary, we stuck with him until he retires lol
Scott, have Koz and Aaron now both moved in with you..?
Just be careful Scott when Koz says he will mow the lawn for rent he is lying he’ll go on strike as the neighbour would have obviously offered free rent and brekkie for doing the garden..!
Hahahahahaha Wath, they’ve been replaced.
Although my new lad, Ballard, has been sent on loan!!!
Glad to hear from you!!!
Neither Ozil or Kolasinac are travelling to Newcastle for Sunday’s match over security fears.
The club say Arsenal are liaising with the police and providing the players and their families with on going support.
Lacazette, Pepe, Luiz and Ceballos are all to have pre match fitness tests. Out injured are Bellerin, Holding, Mavropanos and Tierney, while, as mentioned above, Ozil and Kolasinac are sidelined for security reasons.
Two of our high profile signings a are injured, Tierney and Ceballos, two more Luiz and Pepe have fitness doubts.
Not a good start to our season.
Rumours about Kolasinacs gambling habits/debts causing the dramas.
Has anyone else heard this, or anything else?
Rico, re: Cabalos, his movements and vision are exceptional. He never stands around and he’s always ready to receive the ball. If we didn’t get him before Asencio got hurt, I don’t think we would’ve gotten him.
Afternoon you happy people, just been exchanging texts with my son, he’s just passing Peterborough on the way up to Newcastle…
Night out in the Toon, then the game tomorrow, wish I was with him.
You know, I can’t speak for anyone else (fortunately) but I’ve not felt this positive about a season at this stage, since we left Highbury.
The club really seems to have some direction – at last, the right people at the helm – at last, hopefully the right manager – this season is the acid test, an owner or to be more accurate an owners son who seems to be on the page and ambitious, who is more involved and more he gets involved the more the club might draw him in?
Arsenal can get under your skin, so I’m hopeful that Junior will one day ‘get it’, put away his silly LA Rams t-shirts and wear an Arsenal shirt….
Kev, the anticipation and excitement is building all over the world.
I can’t remember the last time we Aussies were looking forward to a season as much as we are this time around.
Scott, I’ve been searching for those rumours you spoke of earlier, only a couple of very vague hints that appear to be nothing but adding 2 and 2 and getting a couple of dozen.
Could it be Fake News. Surely not. 😉
Cicero,
Yes, a very vague rumour, but that’s the only thing I’ve heard.
Doesn’t mean it’s true, but I wonder if anyone else has heard anything at all.
Strange situation, whatever the cause.
Scott from what I’ve read this morning, both players have hired private security firms to guard their homes and families. This is a common practice among wealthy sports stars, particularly in Cheshire where many of the richest footballers in Britain live.
A sad reflection on today’s society.
That’s true, but unfortunately, money will always attract the scum of society.
Also there’s the Ozil/Erdogan connection that would have upset many exiled Turks living in London.
Afternoon All,
I have just read a very classy goodbye note from Iwobi, and the difference between that and the poorly handled ‘hello Bordeaux’ video by Kozzer is like chalk and cheese.
Alex was very emotional and has been at Arsenal since he was six years old (I think), and he will always carry Arsenal and the fans in his heart.
Nice one, Iwobi!!!! 👍
Hmm! Last season’s top two are both off to fliers, 9 – 1 on aggregate. Looks like we have quite some job on our hands if we are to keep pace with them.
Spuds and Villa kick off at 17.30, that should be a walk over for the dwellers at the New Swamp.
Watching the spuds / Villa game and I don’t know who the ref is but if he was a stick of rock he would have Tottenham written right through him.
Two Turkish sounding men arrested outside Ozil’s house. Reported on Sky and Talksport and Newsnow
Morning all..
A new dawn and hopefully a new Arsenal.
Good times ahead, BT.
Morning all.
Lets hope so Scott n BT
COYG
Morning, just seen the line up for today and tbh I don’t think it’s good enough to win the game.
Leno, AMN Chambers Sokratis, Monreal Xhaka Guendouzi Nelson Willock Mkhitaryan Aubameyang.
Subs…. Martinez, Ceballos, Lacazette, Pepe, Luiz, Matinelli
+ Torreira
Neither do l Kel.
Still it will be nice to see the toon get off to a good start, eh?
Neither do I Kel.
Still it will be nice to see Bruce and the toon get off to a flying start!
So the new season is upon us, a bit of an odd starting 11 but it’s only Newcastle !
The bench is stronger than the starting team. This is the same guy who give Cech a start against his next employer, his selections always is worrisome. As I said earlier this week, Emery has the tendancy to messed up the package. If it is the case that they are not fit, why are they even on the bench? If they are on the bench then they can play.
Not the most exciting game but the three points are most welcome.
On nil to the Arsenal!! 🔔🔔🔔
Not a lot to get over enthused about , clean sheet away is improvement and I thought that AMN , Nelson and Willock did not look out of place. So the future is bright and when the new guys bed in a little more even better.
Best moment of the game was AMN’s interception, in his own half, his forward run and the perfect pas for Aubameyang to convert. Could well be the assist of the season.
Seemed to me that the team were more focused on the defence, both full backs staying back and supporting the centre backs.
Monreal hardly got forward at all during the whole game, AMN made more attacking moves but he has great recovery speed. So we seemed to rely more on creating attacks through our midfield and were not that quick transitioning from defence to attack, that’s why we seemed ponderous at times. Mkhitarayan and Nelson were our outlets on the flanks, both got into promising situations but many of their final balls were less than disappointing.
AMN created most of our best chances, his interception and cross for Aubameyang to score was top class, some of his defending was still a bit careless but he’s getting better.
I thought that Chambers and Sokratis were superb, no risk, sensible, controlled performances from both of them….
Arsenal last won away, keeping a clean sheet in 2008, some 11 years ago.
It’s all about building some momentum now, let the back four get into a rhythm, keep it tight and wait for the forwards to find some fitness and form. Once Lacazette is 100% and Pepe up to speed we’ll see some fireworks. Good to see Martinelli given his debut, along with Pepe and Cellabos earning debuts and Willock earning his first EPL start.
Not a show stopping start but promising.
New post up now