He ain’t Neto….


Photo from Arsenal.com

 

Afternoon guys.

At last, Arsenal have signed a new player this summer and its ex Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa. I prefer to think of him as ex Bournemouth goalkeeper because that’s where he was last season and he did well too.

The 30 year old Spaniard will I’d imagine, play second fiddle to David Raya but I’m pretty sure he’ll do all he can to take the number one spot off his fellow countryman. I think this is a clever signing by Arsenal, certainly a more reassuring keeper than Neto and one who might actually get to play a lot more than the Brazilian did too. Reports suggest we paid just £5 million for him which if true, is a bargain.

 

I’m really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming. The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana], how much they show me their desire to win. I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.

So it’s one in with four or five more needed but at least the Arsenal transfer ball is now rolling.

I’d have thought it was a bit early for mind games and excuses but dear old Guardiola is at it already.

He says he does not know if Manchester City’s Premier League challenge will be “destroyed” by their Club World Cup campaign or not but admits, they are in it to win it. However, he had to watch his team get knocked out of the competition overnight by Al Hilal. I don’t suppose he saw that coming. Funny though…

England manager Thomas Tuchel has already aired his concerns for the clubs involved in the Mickey Mouse tournament in sweltering conditions, even going as far to suggest that the involvement of City and Chelsea would hand the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal a “huge advantage” in the title race.

Jurgen Klopp has also described the event as “the worst idea ever implemented in football” because of concerns over player welfare.

Love or loathe Klopp, he’s absolutely spot on in my opinion. After ten months of constant football, why on earth would anyone think yet another competition, especially during the closed season, is a good idea? All the money in the world is not worth risking players health or potentially their career for. I simply cannot understand why the PFA, if that’s the body who look after players welfare is called these days, haven’t done more to stop it.

Guardiola reckons that the moaning and groaning about the club World Cup comes from jealousy for not being involved. He must have been smoking too many cigars or the one he was puffing on was swapped for something different. I for one am extremely happy that Arsenal are not involved and hope it stays that way.

Lastly, the next couple of months are great for fans of all sports. Wimbledon kicked off yesterday in what was a good day for Great Britain, both the England men and women are playing international cricket and the Women’s Euros 2025 kicks off this week too. When it’s a bit warm to do much in the garden, what more could one want other than a feast of sport on television.

Catch up in the comments.

 

 

 

 

6 thoughts on “He ain’t Neto….

  1. Carmelsson says:

    Kepa in!!!!!

    The dream…..Raya and Kepa get to play 19 games each in the EPL and both end up winning the golden glove with 14 clean sheets each. Now that would be something to shove down other people’s throats.

  2. Cicero says:

    Very good news about Kepa. Should keep Raya on his toes.

    Don’t forget the British and Irish Lions tour down under is underway too Rico.

  3. Aussie Geoff says:

    Afternoon Rico and all, good news about Kepa now let’s see a striker cross the line

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