Daily Bits and Bobs

International striker confirms Arsenal move? Real Madrid are having a clear out, will Arsene be on the case?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

There’s mixed feelings among Arsenal fans over our current defence. Many believe a centre-back is not a priority as a strong midfield unit will help shield the back four meaning they won’t be as vulnerable as years gone by. The attacking unit is the priority, after all, goals win games. Others, including me, believe differently. While the attacking unit needs to be addressed, so does the defence as Mertesacker worries the life out of me already and that’s before clubs in the league start signing players with more pace and trickery who would leave him standing in a race to the goal.

I agree when people say Merts reads the game well just as I agree when Tony Adams is often cited as not ever being the fastest player on the pitch but the game has changed since he played, and a lot.

Which takes me to Spain, not literally sadly. Real Madrid are reported to be ready to sell a few players as they go in hunt of Eden Hazard. £125 million is the amount they need and apparently, well, according to the back pages this morning, Raphael Varane, Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez are up for grabs.

The French defence hasn’t really struck me as being solid during the Euros, although any defence which includes Patrice Evra is always going to be vulnerable but Varane isn’t part of that defence as a hamstring injury late in the domestic season, ruled him out. Man United are said to be interested in signing the Frenchman, but should Arsene get in there first? After all, I’d imagine Arsenal have a better relationship with Real Madrid than Mourinho….

What about Morata or Rodriguez, do either of them still appeal you or are they still over-rated and over-priced after their Euro/COPA performance?

Well, never mind because it seems Arsene Wenger has identified the striker to solve our attacking force as reports in the media suggest Arsenal have made an offer to sign 21-year-old Japanese forward Takuma Asano from Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Honest, it’s true and the player is ecstatic, which is a bit like Ollie if you take away the first two letters, and after finding out Arsene Wenger was interested in him, he said:

I was a little stunned. But I feel like I have the confidence to succeed wherever I go.

If I am loaned elsewhere, my take on it is that I give it 100%.’

He has actually got a Wikki page, although there’s not much on it and before laughing at this story,  he’s won the J1 League which is the top tier in the Japanese football league, in fact he’s won it twice, in both 2013 and 2015 with Sanfreece Hiroshima.

And there’s a reason he’s fondly known as ‘The Jaguar’ – he has feline-like pace and speed.

Yippee, I’m sold…..

In other gossip, Arsene Wenger has fuelled speculation surrounding a move for Alexandre Lacazette after talking to the French media Canal+Sport:

I can neither confirm or deny interest [in Lacazette], if I say that I like the player it starts speculation.

Oh you old tease Arsene…..

Have a great Thursday guys, the sun is shining and the transfer window opens tomorrow…..

rico

71 thoughts on “International striker confirms Arsenal move? Real Madrid are having a clear out, will Arsene be on the case?”

  4. Le Coq Monster says:

    Damn !……………I been brainwashed into thinking that 4th is a trophy and have forgotten what it`s like to be first !

    🙂

    Thanks Rico
    Any of the Arsenal rumours on Ornstein ? 🙂

  5. rico says:

    Ricardo Rodriguez DB?

    Hasn’t Wenger said he’s only going to sign two more max?

    I like your way of thinking though….

  9. AlexP says:

    No idea who this Japanese fella is. But transfermarkt says he’s cost around £1 mil so surely worth a try. Also that would be a big pr trick just like with Ryo (remember him?) and if the guy turns out to be good then we gee will be label genius of transfers once more.

    From Real Madrid I’d only take Morata, he is great and would fit into Arsenal system so well. His runs, shooting and heading seems to be so good, and He’s what 23?

  10. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    Rico – If there is any truth to the Asano rumours, I think he will be one of Arsene’s inexpensive speculative buys for the future. In the meantime he wont do any harm to the club’s marketing in the Orient.

  12. Le Coq Monster says:

    How about Van Persie ?…….he`s available now !………………..OK !, calm, breath in….breath out….breath in…..breath out and put the knuckledusters away…………the little boy deep down inside is a Gooner !, so he cant be all bad can he ?…………..obviously he`d have to play for nothing to go some way for his traitorism !. 🙂

  15. rico says:

    I saw you wrote that yesterday Jm, which is why I asked DB.. I didn’t think he’d come to Arsenal tbh, not all the time we have Gibbs and Monreal. We need a right back more than a left back imo.

  17. Gd10 says:

    Zlatan confirming he’s going to utd apparently, sky are reporting.

    Don’t want him, just pointing it out

  18. Gd10 says:

    I agree Rico. Defence needs to be bolstered.

    Whats the point in scoring loads of goals if you’re shipping them in the other end too.
    Newcastle proved going top heavy doesn’t work in what, 1995?

  20. Silky says:

    Evening all!!
    Quiet enough this evening!
    Hope all are well!
    I would like Varane classy CB with a fantastic future ahead of him!
    Really would like to know that we are working on a striker in the cusp of greatness! I’m ok with the Japanese kid as future is also important! Think we may have missed a trick regarding Fulhams Dembele! Def one for the future!

  21. Joaquim Moreira says:

    yes, if Debuchy exit and Gibbs stay. We have Jenkinson (?), Chambers… but in the center we have Kos, Mets, Gabriel and Chambers again. Mets can’t play more then 15-20 games a year now; Gabriel is Gabriel, Kos don’t play every games and Chambers is good but… and I forgot Flamini, but only play 1-2 games in that position but slowly. so we need the Iceland central back.
    Look to the squad, with Arteta,Rosicky out (and probably more), Wilshere and Welbeck injury all the season, I can’t understand how we only need a central forward more.

  22. Le Coq Monster says:

    Bobby Charlton was asked how he thought the England team of ’66 would have fared against Iceland.
    ” I think we’d have won 1-0 ” he replied. “Only 1-0?” Said the reporter. “Yes,” said Bobby. “Most of us are in our 70’s now!”

  25. Le Coq Monster says:

    Ibrahimobitch saying he will be at Manshafter !……………I wonder if they asked him to do a trial ?

  28. Silky says:

    Soz Rico was playin 5 aside!
    Ya Celtic serious coup for Rodgers!
    Worth keeping an eye on him!
    Typical Mourinho getting positions stocked but is he gonna give Rashford the game time? Doubt it no regard for youth that OAPaedophile!!!

    How’s everyone keeping?
    Hope the Poles beat that goose necked pricks team 2nite!

    Wanna c a bit more of Milik classy bit of stuff but needs to work on his finishing!

  29. Silky says:

    I really think that events like the Turkish bombings should be observed with a minutes silence!
    A little more poignant than applause!

  31. Obi says:

    Vertonghen out for the rest of the euros for Belgium. I hope the Totts won’t get him back anytime soon. Btw, 26.3m for Mkhitaryan that’s a steal that makes the United team very scarily offensively.

  32. Le Coq Monster says:

    Morning all.

    Simililar post headline for me today !……………….Real Madrid are not the only one`s having a clearout !………………….wife made an excruciatingly hot Ruby last night !……my Arse is on the case !

    Sorry if you were just eating brekkers and have the image ! hahaha

  39. Wavy says:

    The gig is over for Giggs at manure untied. He is officially looking for a new gig! The poison dwarf has his first scalp! How many more, one wonders?

  40. allezkev says:

    It’s quite nice being spot-welded to the settee…

    I can see the attraction now…

    I could get used to this…

    As my son texted me earlier today, if Watford can turn down £30m for an average big lump like Deeney and £36m for Ighalo, another big over rated fridge-freezer, then what chance has Wenger with his £20m search for the next Thierry Henry?

  41. allezkev says:

    Interesting to see that Leicester City have made three signings already, three players I’ve never heard of, but that’s how they do their business…

  42. frednerk says:

    Afternoon All

    Grapevine gossip says Wenger has inquired about Lacazette,but says
    40mil is to much.

    We all know how much a top striker will cost and its more than 40mil

    So is Wenger just playing with the media again..surely if he really
    wants a top striker…It’s plain for all to see.
    Nothing new there then…

  44. frednerk says:

    Imagine giving giggy’s a job
    and he ain’t at work when should be?
    Lock up your wife,daughters and the sister-in-laws.

  45. Adam says:

    We’ve been here before haven’t we? Wenger surely cannot be prepared to roll the dice again.
    Nothing would surprise me though.

  47. Malaga gooner says:

    Afternoon Rico and the house

    Lewandowski is now out of the euros, we have the money.

    At least test the waters and see if something can be done

    Let’s start acting like a big club

  54. allezkev says:

    I just hope he gets a regular game Rico, what I find frustrating is when our youngsters go on loan and then end up on the bench or out of the squad…

    Anyway, night Rico and Come on Wales …

  55. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Saw the game yesterday. And tbh I was very impressed by the teamwork ethic all the Welsh harbour. Belgium had the individuals but Wales had the collective and teamwork.

    Now AW has some serious thinking to make. He has two perfect number 10 in his team….Ozil and Aaron. Imo he should stop faffing around and rotate them both. It cannot be denied that in the hole Aaron has led the game and if he continues to play him as B2B or on the right than AW is seriously playing with Aaron’s maximum return. In all the games I have seen him so far Aaron has been a standout performer.

    As it stands Xhaka, Cazorla, Coquelin and Elneny should all vie for the CDM/B2B spot while Aaron and Ozil should be rotated for the number 10 spot. Where does that leave Jack??? Wherever he wants as long as he gets himself off the treatment table.

  56. rico says:

    Morning Devil and all..

    The new post will be up at 10am.

    I’m off to pack the car and head for the coast for a week, so catch up another day….

    TTFN…

  58. allezkev says:

    Morning All

    Morning Rico, sand castles, paddling in the sea, candy floss, fish n chips, hope the weather stays nice for ya…

  59. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. Ramsey was fantastic last night and didn’t look phased playing through the middle. If Wenger can get those performances out of him then he almost looks captaincy material. So good to see him getting his game back after a difficult season.
    Welcome back Scott.
    Rico. I hope you have a lovely time and don’t forget my stick of rock. 🙂
    Actually, do we still have rock after Brexit?

  60. allezkev says:

    Coach, Ramsey has been very impressive in the competition, increasing his valuation with a string of eye catching performances.
    No doubt he’s seen the Euros as an ‘in the shop window’ exercise, hence his blond barnet.

    Rumours of him being unhappy at his position in the team, not playing in his favourite position, make me wonder if a move to Spain isn’t on his and his agents agenda?

    Linkage to Barcelona, on the back of Gareth Bales success, has been mentioned before so it wouldn’t surprise me if Arsenal don’t decide to cash in if the offer is high enough?

  61. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Selling him would be a big mistake. I do not agree.

    As it stands the team is this………..

    Cech

    Bellerin, Kos, Gabi, Monreal
    (Jenks),Chambers, Per, Gibbs

    Xhaka, Cazorla
    Elneny Coquelin, Jack

    Iwobi, Ozil, Alexis
    Ox, Aaron, Cambell

    Ollie
    (Theo)

    I omitted Danny because its a long term injury.

    Jenks I put him in brackets as I feel he will be loaned again. Theo I do not know what will happen. I doubt he knows either.

    AW has only to rotate ffs. he has the team and it has a bit of depth. so I hope he rotates well this time.

    Plus he has the money. We need a CB a winger and a CF.

    I only hope he does not repeat Inamoto, Park etc and go and buy from Japan.

    We need an established player or two.

  62. scottfromoz says:

    Cheers Adam.
    Aaron is playing his correct spot-the position he excelled in a year or two back.
    I have no answer as Ozil is in front of him, unless Devil is right -rotation.
    The guy hasn’t forgotten how to play.
    Fans have forgotten where he plays best, and maybe Arsene has, as well.

  63. Wavy says:

    He can always play Aaron in the league cup games, just to keep him ‘fresh’! I’m not sure the Arsene is very good at rotation. Not since the arthritis caught up with his bones!

    Morning all. Sunny and bright here, lovely.

  66. allezkev says:

    Coach, I am not saying that we should sell Ramsey, I’m just wondering if that’s in his and his agents mind and wondering if Wenger/Kroenke would be tempted if Barca stumped up a £50m offer for him.

    Remember, this is Arsenal that we’re talking about here, where the bottom line is the priority over winning trophies, as I’m sure you’ll know bearing in mind the comments attributed to our absent American owner some months ago…

  69. scottfromoz says:

    On Aaron, i believe his heart is at Arsenal.
    Saying that, he is stuck wide and it’s not his best spot.
    He cops abuse yet it’s not his fault, so can we really blame him if an offer comes!
    I hope it doesn’t, and I hope Devil is right that he is rotated and gets his chance.

  70. Hell Raising Devil says:

    its for the benefit of the team Scott. not for Aaron’s benefit. nor Ozil’s. its for the team.

    AW has so many options and plan A B C D E that it can be frightening.

    The opposition will have to change the game plan according to us if one day he pops up Ozil in the hole and another Aaron in the hole.

    And it keeps everyone happy

  71. scottfromoz says:

    Devil, I’m all about Arsenal.
    If I thought Aaron was no good for us, I’d say so.
    As I said, his problem is Ozil in front of him, and as much as I rate Rambo, Ozil is just ridiculous-not human.
    Still, selling Aaron weakens us, and potentially strengthens a massive club he goes to even more, so yep, there is no advantage in letting him go.

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