Seems the country is heading for a shutdown. Didn’t see it coming? Then you must have been in hibernation for the last few months. Looking after the vulnerable and elderly matters like never before and if you’re no longer able or allowed to go to work, think about what you can do for those around you.
Away from Covid-19, Arsenal have a few things to sort out. Big decisions to make. Four in particular, two of which they are kind of in control of. Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari. Cedric is available for free as he’s out of contract this summer but making a decision on whether or not to offer him a contract must be difficult because he’s yet to play for us but considering the club snapped him up on loan whilst he had an injury, must mean Mikel Arteta saw something in him. This forced break will have helped both him and the club as far as deciding his future goes. Pablo on the other hand has his feet under the first team table, has been telling anyone who wants to listen that he sees his future in the red and white half of north London.
Our final loanee is Dani Ceballos who for the last few weeks has been at the heart of what is quite frankly, a weak and porous midfield. But I think he’s done well and will possibly only improve the more he plays. Whether he sees his future at Arsenal I’ve no idea, whether Arsenal would spend the kind of money Real Madrid will no doubt demand on him I’ve no idea either. Headlines on NN suggest Real might offer him in exchange for Martinelli. Errr, no thank you.
Finally, there’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a player who I think most Arsenal fans will be desperate to see stay beyond next summer. He’s been quoted as saying he’s happy at Arsenal, he’s not all about money either allegedly but I’m sure his agent will have something to say about that. I think the club are going to have to make him a offer he can’t refuse if they’re to have a cat in hells chance of convincing him to stay. Even then it might not be enough.
The question today is, should Arsenal break the bank in ‘Ozil Style’ to keep Aubameyang, and which of our three loanees would you like to see stay at the club?
I would say answers on a postcard, but in the comments will do…
Stay safe guys, stay healthy…
Good morning Rico. We are gradually going into lockdown, schools closed, museums and galleries closed, National Trust properties closed, cinemas, theatres, closed, London’s tube network partially shut down at night.
One bit of good news, our village butchers shop remaining open for business with free deliveries within five miles on orders over £40.
My wife and I celebrating fifty-four years of wedded bliss, yep married in the World Cup winning year. How the World has changed in that time!
On our three loanees, all three in my opinion should be signed up. Mari has already shown enough as has Ceballos, a fit Soares will be a vital asset given the problems Bellerin is suffering.
There’s no way we should let Martinelli go, offer to swap him for Aubameyang as long as Real agree to pay us £25 million for the deal.
Morning Cicero, all.
Happy Anniversary to you both Cicero.
I reckon we’ll keep Mari but I guess Cedric depends on how he plays if he gets a chance and his fitness etc.
I’m on the fence re Ceballos. I really like him but is he the type of player our squad is in need of?
A strong athletic midfielder would be my choice before making any deal for Ceballos. Plus, if any club wants Auba and he wants out, let’s just get the money for him rather than a swap deal.
From a society point of view football is very much on the back burner . The problems of finishing league programmes is not purely restricted to this country it’s world wide . So are the problems of player contracts , effectively players are contracted annually from June but surely if seasons are to be extended so should the contracts .
All through the world people are having to be realistic ,companies are working on reduced or even no income , yet people expect to be paid . My wife and I have small pensions and inherited my mother in laws house when she died . because if we left it empty we would have to pay the council tax we spent our savings , a small fortune, to do it up to meet the regulations on emissions , heating systems , insulation etc just so that we can rent it.out .
Of course now the tenant a self employed builder with 3 children claims that he has no income and cannot pay the rent . Good for him it appears that he will get some help but not us apparently because we own the property and do not have a buy to let mortgage we do not qualify. We can’t evict and get someone in that can pay .
Anyone out there that can cast some light on where we need to go with this .
I can see us living on powdered milk and eggs and unlikely to see a banana again in our lifetimes.
( Tony Hancock reference for those too young to remember the war. )
Congrats Cicero 54 years ? We are 50 years in August and although in some respects we are all much better off the problems never go away.
We can’t afford another Ramsey , Alexis cock up so if Auba can be sold for decent money our circumstances say that he goes . We are not short of forwards and despite his record he is dispensible .
Anyhow I see major changes in society and football is not immune . Following this crisis I would not surprised to see the transfer market collapse as no club will have the cash and I reckon as the financial world picks up the pieces loans will be hard to come by.
Ceballos will go back to Madrid providing he can prove that he is immune as the Spanish will be very wary of a further outbreak , Soares is a freebie and Mari will stay if they want to accept what’s offered. The difficulty for all British clubs is that overseas players may want to return to their homes as our policy has been very different to their home nations.
Potter, you won’t get any dried milk or eggs in the shops because the greedy folks have bought them all. I’m sure/hope you have local shops etc to look after you.
Our local hotel has shut but is offering takeaway and delivery of foods already cooked along with fresh produce to the locals which is great.
It seems that all the pub restaurants are doing that trying to keep their heads above water .
Desperate times.
Excellent post rico…as always. Great topic.
First and foremost, I sincerely wish all on here stays safe and well and gets through this horrid time.
Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Cicero. 54 years of marriage. Well done you two. Appy Dayz.
My take on players in and out.
Ceballos I would let go. I don’t think he is robust enough to assist our midfield. IMO we need a dominant, big and athletic type.
Soares. How can anyone judge this player? He hasn’t kicked a ball for us yet! My money is on Arteta signing him though as he wouldn’t have brought him in if he didn’t see something he liked. Also, Bellerin has shown signs of fatigue and has slowed down considerably since his injuries.
Mari is similar to Soares, but at least we have had a view of him. I would keep him. He has shown he has a pair of cojonas, and seems to be very confident in his abilities, which is absolutely vital in the premier league.
Saka and Martinelli are no brainers. They do exactly what’s wanted in the tin…..Winners.
Here’s the tricky one imo. Aubameyang. Prolific goalscorers are a rare commodity in the EPL. and this guy can score goals. But, I think we have a ready made replacement in Martinelli. So with his contract coming to and end and being 30+ I would get as much as I could for him.
With the money made from the sale of Aubameyang, Mihkatarian etc I think Arteta will get us back into the top four with some shrew signings.
Stay safe everyone.
God bless.
SSP is £94.25 a week… how you’re expected to live on that I don’t know! That wouldn’t even cover a week of my mortgage!! You can understand why there’s panic! If this does carry on for much longer than expected, I don’t know how we’ll recover from it….
Now onto the football, I feel bad for even mentioning the figures!! (Nice one btw, Rico) I saw RM named their price for Ceballos (before Martinelli was brought into it) 36m…. and we’ve set a price for Auba – 50m…. I know Auba’s getting on a bit, but I was hoping for more than that.. I believe he’s worth more and will get at least a few more years out of him. Having said that though, I don’t want him to go!! But if he won’t sign, then it’ll have to be farewell, and we’ll have to rinse Barca for every penny!!
I’d like Ceballos to stay, as well as Mari – say 44m approx for both – could we afford that??
Now there’s talk of the Mancs coming in with 35m for Auba!! Omg and the rest…. that can’t happen… the way I felt after RVP/Sanchez left for them… urgh I’d hate to go through that again! It’d make me feel physically sick seeing him in a United kit!
£36 mil for Ceballos? Send him back, Barcelona are having a laugh. Especially as the bottom will fall out of prices once football gets back on its feet.
Aubameyang HAS to fetch £50 mil minimum.
I hope we have stronger negotiators than we’ve had in the past.
Thanks Vcc.
Have I goofed again because I thought Cabellos came from Real 😂
Never mind eh, if Ozil is sold, I’d be happy with Ceballos staying. The other two, I reckon will be at the club next season.
Apparently, Arsenal have now accepted Auba won’t sign a new contract so yep, sell to the higher bidder but only to an overseas club.
Hi Potter we are potentially in a similar situation, as savings interest rates fell we put our money into buying two small houses in Norwich which we rent out in order to supplement our pensions.
Your landlord insurance should cover you for loss of rental to some extent, although your tenant should apply for universal credit which should help him to pay his rent.
The government has promised rent holidays to some tenants, they will surely have to offer recompense to the landlords affected.
The football suspension has been extended until April 30…
Thanks Sue, I’m hoping Auba wants a Bayern, Juve or Spanish move. Not a northern one, although if City offered £100m for him, I think I’d take it.
Congrats Cicero, only 41 years here, some way to go! Well done rico for keeping reports going, will get harder and harder as football remains sidelined. I guess when games get under way, many players need to impress immediately, either to get a contract,……. or seal a move away!
Afternoon all and well done Rico again.
Could we put up a league table of who has the longest prison sentences…………..sorry marriages…………..So far it looks like Cicero on 54 years(points) is going to be crowned Champion, although if I remember rightly his wife is a Spud!, so he could be deducted points on grounds of diminshed responsibility, the HH board of stupidity beyond belief may have to contravene!
In the champions league spots are Potter on 50 years, Me on 44 years and Andrew on 41 years!
These standings could change until further Data comes through on other HHers, some like my mate VCC, but him being a bigamist could have a suspension and points (years) deducted as I know for a fact he married a Palm tree and had a coconut as his best man and a pineapple was the Vicar, I know this because they told me!
We were going to rent out our Chalet for holidays for extra income, but that has been put on hold as the Wife is going to isolate in it for the recommended minimum 3 months!……….what will I do with a nag free 3 months ?……………….party! party! party !
My son and his pregnant wife are in a two bedroom annexe so her 3 month isolation should be ok as my son works out in the open air mostly and has minimal contact with people.
My youngest daughter who was supposed to be getting married next year is going to be with me as her twat of a fiance is f##king her about, what a waste of space!
Touch wood everything works out well for all on this site and everywhere else and if anyone wants a base in Cornwall for a cheap holiday in the hopefully bright future you will be welcome here!
This is the holiday home…One bedroom, open plan kitchen/lounge and massive garden ( about three quarters of an acre) to relax in and gym if you like!………………sorry though, no smokers or pets!
https://www.classic.co.uk/webpics/CMS/Owners/modbox.jpg
Just to put Cicero right, on the BBC………….The National Trust has announced it will open its gardens and parklands for free during the coronavirus outbreak……………loads in Cornwal and I should imagine everywhere else in the country.
Greggs, MacDonalds, Burger King, Carluccio`s, Starbucks and Pret`s are offering free stuff to NHS workers!……………………….quite handy wearing a white coat on my deliveries, stick a stephoscope around my neck with Dr Le Coq of Loveology written on my coat and sorted !………….many fit young women often stop me and ask what is Loveology and I just open my jacket to reveal my wash board abs!………actions speak louder than words! 😆
Not sure how the FA think this season can be finished. I think they’re bonkers…
Le Coq, The National Trust parks and gardens are open but the houses, gift shops and coffee shops are closed to the public.
Good night all and may Fortuna smile upon you. 😴
Congratulations Cicero.
I wonder if when we’re through all this, that how many football fans might blow out their season tickets, might have to….
Aubameyang, he can feck right off, I don’t care anymore, the whole saga is boring, same with any of them tbh, lets see who comes up with the kind of deal that suits his agent, because let’s be frank, it’s all about the agent and what he wants.
As for Ceballos, not good enough and not worth what Real want for him, see ya Dani…
According to 90 minutes (whatever that is) Chelsea want Aubameyang as do Barcelona and now Liverpool. A summer auction in prospect? 😉
Arsenal reloaded next week will be the 4-2 spanking of the spuds! I still have that match on my sky planner, never to be deleted haha!
We paid 58m (?) for Auba. We only have a handful of players we could make a profit from, he’s definitely one of them!
I don’t mind City, Rico, but still wouldn’t want to see him go there….only if we could have KDB haha!!
I’m with Cicero and Kev.
Hopefully a summer auction for Aubameyang. It will push the price up. Sell to the highest bidder. Unless its ManUre, then sell to the second highest. hahaha
Dani can go, he is far too weak for the premiership.
Let AMN go too.
Morning all.
To be honest, bar a handful, I really don’t care who leaves this summer. Just get as much money as we can for them and rebuild.
My rationale Sue is that Auba at City would probably stop Utd, Dippers and Chelsea from winning the league. I’m not keen on the way City operate in regards to throwing money at the squad and of course the ethics of their owners etc, but, I’d rather City won the league if it can’t be us.
Woohoo! Great minds, Rico.. that’s exactly how I feel….my daughter being a City supporter probably has a little to do with it though haha!!
Hi Rico and All Congratulations Cicero Hope you have many more happy years together.
I say keep Martinelli and as for Aubameyang going once going twice and sold to the highest bidder
How did you manage to raise a City fan Sue? 😂
Hi Geoff.
Good morning all, and thank you for the kind wishes.
Morning all!
What are the direct consequences of Brexit on English teams? Cedric and Ceballos are no longer community players. How many foreign players can be registered and play for a team?
Good question JM , I am sure that I read that they were trying to make special arrangements for football but I don’t think that there is anything decided yet.
Personally, I can’t see things changing much as footballers coming here will do so with a job to come to. It’s not like they’ll fall under any wage threshold if there is one set.
Shame though as I think it might help the younger British players long term.
We are of course in one year of transition so effectively nothing will change as such but it is confusing to say the least but at the moment what isn’t. How are things in Portugal , we hear about France and Spain but little about your country.
I have no idea, Rico 🤪🤣 just thankful she’s not a spud, chav, scouser or manc!!! Then there would be a problem hahahaha!!
MOTD is back tomorrow! Bye bye Mrs Brown’s boys!! Wright, Lineker and Shearer will be discussing and debating their top 10 greatest PL captains…. plus over the weekend they’re showing some old FA cup quarter-final classics, including Watford v Arsenal in 87…. better than nowt hey?!
Actually, think I’ll give that a miss 🤣 should’ve known we’d only be shown if it was a loss!! Haha!! That was before I was a gooner!
I see the EPL has come to the worst possible decision on the league situation.
Under no circumstances will the competition be declared null and void, instead the powers that be have decided that the remaining games will be played out behind closed doors but if there isn’t sufficient time to complete the whole fixture list Liverpool will still be handed the League title.
Which means that Liverpool only have to win one more game before they can sit back, relax and field their under-twelves if they are so minded. The fact that other clubs final positions will be impacted by those results seems to have escaped the notice of the morons who run the EPL.
Cicero…………………Where did you hear/read this as I cant see it on BBC ?
If the season does not get finished before the new season starts how can they give a title to a team who have not won it having not played all their matches and not even mathematically won it?……………………say the virus had impacted earlier in the season and a team was top say after 5 games and the season did not get finished would they be crowned champions ?…………where do they draw the line as to how many games have to be played to be crowned champions?……………unless it is mathematically impossible to catch the top team then they cant be crowned champions!………………….Bindippers need 6 points to be mathematically un-catchable………………they have not won the league and wont be champions in my mind if they dont complete the matches!……………………….if the EPL want to give them a trophy, then give them a different trophy and call it the ……”Would have probably been the Champions if the season had finished Trophy”………………….and make it from some melted stolen hub caps as that would be ironic!
I need to calm down calm down calm down
Potter, for the moment better then Italy, spain, Germany and France but
the indicators rise exponentially every day, even in quarantine.
It’s on Telegraph Premium. Le Coq. I’d put the link up but it’s too long and fiddly on a Kindle, sorry.
Good night Gooners…..everywhere. 😴
If Arsenal really want to keep Aubameyang and looking at his age just run his contract down by then he will be around 32 and do not give him any more money and give it the young players to stay longer
Morning all.
New post up now