Morning all.
A tough fixture tomorrow afternoon against Chelsea, a team playing better away from home than they are at Stamford Bridge, or at least their results suggest that’s the case. I’m looking forward to the game, seeing how two young managers, both ex players returning to the club they played for, battle it out for bragging rights.
Frank Lampard had to go into this season off the back of a transfer ban so had to make do with who he had. Not a bad squad though by any means. Mikel Arteta also has to make do with who he has too and despite a transfer window looming, I can’t see much changing. For us I mean, not Chelsea, unless players leave.
One exit rumour which won’t go away is that involving Granit Xhaka. There’s been all sorts of supposed quotes filling the back pages. Mikel Arteta spoke well of Xhaka, followed by agent talk I guess on how the Spaniard has privately told Xhaka he can leave next month. A deal is reported to have been agreed between Xhaka and Hertha Berlin with just a transfer fee to be thrashed out. Obviously, Arsenal need to recoup as near to the £35 million they can because unless we can get a holding midfielder in on loan until the summer, to sign one in January would mean paying over the odds. An alternative option would be to take a chance on a cheaper and less experienced midfielder. A potentially top notch player rather than a ready made one. Another option is to make do with who we have with Mikel Arteta asking more and different from Guendouzi, Ceballos, Willock or even Luiz. None of which would be ideal because an injury to Torreira and we’re in the mire.
We’re in a pickle with our fullback situation too with both left backs injured and Bellerin seemingly fragile so other than AMN, the only other options are Chambers, or Mustafi. Ideally, Raul and co would find a solution in the transfer window, certainly at left back.
Perhaps Mikel Arteta will turn to more younger players, who aren’t so young anymore. Bola – 21 in a few days time, Omole – 20 years old, Clark – 18, nearly 19 years old who began his career as a CDM – all around the same age Dele Alli was when he made his debut in the PL and Guendouzi when Unai Emery put faith in him. Jack Wilshere, Alex Iwobi and AMN too.
Bukayo Saka is one of the youngest players to have played in this Arsenal team yet a) he’s playing out of position and b) he’s not ever been out on loan to gain experience, so if these younger players impress in training, whose to say Mikel Arteta might not give one or two of them a chance to prove themselves? Certainly in the FA Cup against Leeds, if not in the league. I still believe it’s better to have a natural defender defending than it is to have a winger back there..
This armchair football is easy… 😂
Good morning Rico.
I don’t think we can take to much of a chance against Leeds. Without a miraculous recovery, on our part, and a meltdown by five or six other clubs, the FA Cup is our most realistic chance of European football next season. To go out of the competition in the third round would put the cap on our own Annus Horribilis.
Hi Rico Unless we are very active in the January transfers window and we keep out of bottom 4 then I agree why not kiss this season good bye and slowly introduce the young players and see how they stand up to the pressure of senior football
I’m backing us to finish top 4.
I believe Arteta will make that much difference.
We may fall short, but we are the Arsenal and I’ll continue to believe.
Our squad is much better than most believe, imo, and we will continue to improve throughout the season so JUDGE ME IN MAY 🙂
Morning Cicero, Geoff and all.
I can’t see us dropping into a relegation battle at all. Not if the attitude we saw at Bournemouth continues. I still think we’ll end up in a Europa place and it’s the best way to bring younger players through imo because otherwise, they are stuck where they are. Loans seldom seem to be of any benefit.
Plus, there is still a chance of winning Europa this year.
Jose Gaya LB from Valencia is the man to get in!! let Kolasinac leave, but this young Gaya at Valencia is a solid choice at LB.
January sales or academy? Either way will do so long as we end up with two new fullbacks one for each side.
If Arteta isn’t prepared to give Bola a chance at left back, then my choice would be to try and prise Leighton Baines away from Everton, either on loan or on a two year contract.
On the other side academy player Zak Swanson could be the chance.
Isn’t Swanson a midfielder?
I guess we could all name names but how many squad places are available, how many overseas players can we sign? Most importantly, how much money/wages can the club afford?
From the club website “Previously a midfielder, Zak played in a variety of positions throughout 2018/19, filling in at left back, right back, centre back, centre midfield and left midfield”. An ideal utility defender.
Again though, it’s ‘filling in’.
AMN is filling in, as is Saka.
If we have no money and we need home grown players due to squad vacancies, what’s the alternative?
Saka is not a fullback, AMN is not a fullback. Swanson has had a season playing in the U23s in the defence. He is better qualified than either of the other two to “fill in”, if that’s how you see it.
Bola is a left back.
We could do with Rick to fill us in on the progress of some of the younger players.
I mentioned Bola @ 12.32
Evening. Most are assuming we have no money? I haven’t actually read this from anyone inside the club. Most new managers insist there are funds to spend when taking over. I’m looking in the bright side and hope we have a little pot plus money from Xhaka or any other sale
VAR??????
Just seen a Pukii goal rule out because his little finger was beyond the fingers of the spuds defende, the MAN was not offside his finger was…..what a weird interpretation of the rules. The whole thing is absurd. Surely it is the feet that do the talking not the fingers.
I know our world has been turned upside down recently but the application of these rules, which were supposed to make the game fairer, quicker and more acceptable, is turning the Premiership into a laughing stock. ( no surprise there, I know)
This system needs overhauling from top to bottom and the Refs who are overseeing the system need to be sacked. ALL OF THEM especially the chief high honcho Riley, needs to go TODAY!
Mini rant over. Time for tea…….more leftovers😩
Didn’t Ornstein suggest we didn’t have any money?
Wavy, ridiculous that the Norwich goal was ruled out. Kane wins yet another penalty. Clever but cheating imo.
The really annoying part of that VAR decision Wavy was that according to the TV commentary the goal was ruled out initially because Pukki had come back from an offside position. The VAR ref then changed his mind and ruled that Pukki was in an offside position when the ball was played. How, if he had “come back from an offside position” , could he then be in an offside position when the ball was played? It just doesn’t make sense. No surprise there! 😉
Even though Norwich are my local team, I have to say that was a clear cut penalty Rico. No cheating there…..on this occasion.
Seven minutes of added time. Has Mourinho been granted the right to Fergie Time?
On the ball City! That put the the downer on Mourinho’s Christmas. 😉
12th now….
Ornstein does seem to know more than most 🙁
But we were hearing similar in summer, then bought Pepe! Maybe instalments, but then many deals are.
People didn’t get too upset with tight decisions going the way of attacker, benefit of doubt, clear daylight interpretation etc. But fingers and armpits offside after celebrating a goal is getting ridiculous! Thank goodness Spurs didn’t win.
Morning all.
We will be paying off a few of our purchases for the next year or two so unless we sell, I’m not sure we will have money to spend.
Remembering our actual spend last summer was the 40 odd million that rumours suggested we had, but with some brilliant wheeling and dealing and a few sales, we purchased some big priced players but will we suffer for a while because of it?
Does Arteta has a promised budget?
Aahhh, questions, questions, questions lol
Evening Rico and the House.
Sales or academy you ask.
Looking at the full backs it must be sales.
Bola would be a big gamble and Swanson(at the moment) is not
any where good enough for the P/L
The stats that Cicero quoted are for last season when he was with the U18s.
He is now with the U23s and being used as a right back,
but at the moment he is out injured ( dont know what its or how long he will be out.)
I honestly think that Zac Medley is the only option from the academy and saying that
I am not fully convinced by him.
So its a case off keeping fingers crossed that Bellerin is close to full fitness.
Hope you all had a good xmass see you latter
Pellegrini has been sacked by West Ham.
Massively experienced manager who’s had his share of success.
The game is changing.
It’s all about results and money. West Ham are 1 point from the bottom 3 and they can’t afford relegation .Apparently Moyes is in line , the music goes round and round.
Potter, I’m happy we didn’t try to resurrect someone’s career and, instead went for a fresh option.
Moyes ,Allardyce , Pulis all on the magic roundabout. When in doubt turn to one of them. Pochettino would be too rich for their blood .
Mate, Poch still has plenty to prove imo
Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got it in him but when people say he should be at Real or Utd, not sure I agree at this point but then Arteta hasn’t won anything either lol
I do agree Poch would be a much, much better option than the others you mentioned, no question.
Sam isnonky good for a relegation battle ridden side-he does fire players up.
Moyes should’ve stayed at Everton and Pulis would be perfect at Spurs 🙂
Hi All does any one know how William Saliba is going and what Mikel Arteta thinks of him maybe we can try to get him back early to help our back line for the rest of this season
I think he’s injured, Geoff.
is this the most coaches sacked in the first half of any season
Hi Rick, thanks for that update. Let’s hope the board have a left back in their sights..
Saliba is back playing I believe. No recall option either I read.
Morning all.
Thanks Scott and Rico Lets Hope when Saliba comes back he is injury free
Morning all.
I had a look at the St Etienne site and it had Saliba’s last 5 games with the most recent in November but hey, French isn’t my first language hahaha
I’d love to see how he’s progressing as the reputation is certainly growing.
New post up now
I didn’t receive a new Post so adding this comment to see whether it pops it up?
2nd try
3rd try, ticking all the boxes