Nuno Tavares, Flo Balogun, Cedric Soares, Sambi Lokonga, Jorginho and Mo Elneny are back in Arsenal training although goodness knows for how long as out of the six, four are reported to be heading off somewhere else very soon. Charlie Patino has already left on loan which is good news I think.
The only player not training is Gabriel Jesus.. I read something from Micah Richards which suggested Arsenal have no chance of winning the League now because of our missing Brazilian. I’ve read some crazy things over the years about Arsenal but this has to be one of the most ridiculous. I get it, he brings energy, experience etc to the team but if Richards thinks we don’t have equally as good or as important to Arsenal right now, then he really needs to do a bit more homework.
I’ve no idea how this coming season will unfold but I think it’s fair to say we’re going into it with the strongest looking squad Arsenal have had in many years. We’re even going to have two top notch goalkeepers once David Raya is confirmed as an Arsenal player, hopefully in time to be available for our opening fixture. His deal is a loan with an option to buy next summer which I think is a clever move by Arsenal. Smart from Brentford too as they’ve tied the player down to an extra year meaning he won’t be leaving for free. The battle between him and Ramsdale over the next ten months will make interesting viewing, but I can’t see Mikel Arteta dropping Aaron Ramsdale unless he makes a string of big errors. Even then I’m not too sure because how many did Bernd Leno make? History now I know.
With a top top squad comes expectation which I touched on the other day. Mikel Arteta has said that he to question himself at the end of last season :
The first few weeks, very tough. The first thing you have to do is look in the mirror and understand – is there something that you should have done better or differently? If that is the case then learn from it. Judge yourself – ‘are you still the right person to drive the club, the team, forwards in the way that you want and do you have that energy and that belief that you want to do it?’ It took a big reflection, but the answer is yes and I feel with a lot of energy and positiveness.
More pressure will be on Mikel Arteta and his players this season, especially after four top quality players have been added to a squad which finished just five points behind Man City last season. Idiots in the media are already knocking Declan Rice, the same player they were raving about last season, writing off Kai Havertz because he suffered at a club in a mess both on and off the field but, at least they’ve noticed that Jurrien Timber looks the real deal. I wonder what they’ll have to say about David Raya once he signs for Arsenal. The reality is, it doesn’t matter who Arsenal sign, they’ll seldom be seen as being good enough, or right.
There’s no doubting William Saliba’s injury in the second half of the season seriously dented our title challenge but I don’t think it was the only reason our results took a wrong turn and I guess that’s what Arteta means about learning. Not just him though, players too and I don’t just mean the new rules. From Ramsdale in goal to the player going for goal, they have to be more assertive, more decisive and more clinical. Easy for me to say eh…
Yesterday was all change in the transfer window as Kane, who Sky Sports suggested was likely to stay at Totts, now looks likely to join Bayern as he’s heading out to Germany for a medical. Chelsea, who’ve been chasing Caicedo all summer, now look as if they’re going to sign Lavia who is around £50 million cheaper. Meanwhile, Liverpool, who according to reports, refused to meet the fee Southampton had set for Lavia, have made a £110 million offer for Caicedo which apparently, Brighton have accepted. And to think, pundits reckon Declan Rice was overpriced but at least he’s been playing Premier League football for more than five minutes and he’s English. £100 million for Kane is bonkers too bearing in mind his age and contract situation. I guess Bayern must be hoping his goals will see them win another Champions League trophy because the League has been theirs for a while. For their sake, I hope they get awarded a few penalties…. Lol
The 2023/24 Premier League kicks off tonight with newly promoted Burnley taking on Man City at Turf Moor. I’m going for a home win. Remember when we played Brentford on the opening Friday a couple of seasons ago? Of course you do…
Catch up in the comments…
Nice one Rico,I’m really looking forward to the season,as you say the squad is looking strong,having said that it will be tough to better last year,at the halfway point we had 50/57 points.
That was an incredible return,to listen to most media(in UK anyway) the season was a failure,because of what happened in the last few weeks.Well I thought Arsenal were great to watch – the most attractive in the Premier league by the way,and the best Arsenal team I’ve seen for years.What made it even better was that it was so unexpected.The media totally ignore that.
As well as the Premier league,it will be great to be back in the Champions league.I personally hope we do well in the domestic cups,but maybe that’s greedy.We are in good shape to do well in the first two,that will have to do!
I took a break from the football Internet,things got so nasty,also watching Arsenal got pretty dire.I checked in on my favourite Arsenal blog from time to time,and especially recently.
Bring it on. COYG
Morning Rico
So we’re here finally, after all the transfer waffle, the season is upon us. I can’t wait to be back at the Stadium tomorrow.
We got our transfer business done early and made some top signings. We will be in the mixer.
Our rivals, Spurs, are in a mess.
One question: Where is Mik’s new side-kick? He needs a voice in his ear when things aren’t going as planned. Santi?
Come on your rip-roaring Reds!
Hi Limey, Pete.
Good to see you back Limey.
I too am looking forward to this season. Should be a really good one.
Isn’t that Albert Pete?
G’day Rico and all.
When Raya finally signs in, if he does, I think we will have had a really good transfer window. However, I think it could be even better if were to either sign a genuine central striker or integrate Balogun into the squad.
All in all I’m cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season, but not getting carried away, we have a number of players who need to find their feet, and find them quickly.
Hi Cicero, I’m of the same opinion. If our goal sharing doesn’t repeat itself from last year, we might need to defend well. 😂
Lightning doesn’t strike twice though and I bet City wont have a squad decimated by Covid
A girl can hope though..
I see that Liverpool and Brighton have agreed a £105m fee for Caciedo but the player prefers Chelsea( neither attractive destinations)
The transfer market has gone mad.
And there was me thinking he once wanted to move to Arsenal… lol
Or was that Mudryk…
Mornig Rico and all.
They are starting to drag the Raya signing out.
Good luck to all our players who have found a new club.
Morning Geoff, all.
Frank says it’s done.
New post up.
You having fun Harry. 😆