Morning all.
Arsenal kicked off their pre-season with a 5-1 victory over Ipswich at the weekend. Eddie Nketiah scored a hat-trick with Sambi Lokonga and Flo Balogun scoring the other two. A strong Arsenal team played the first 45 minutes but at half-time, Mikel Arteta turned to the younger players. The result means nothing although the minutes on the pitch means everything to the players. Getting back to full fitness before the new season kicks off is crucial. It’d be refreshing to see Arsenal open the new campaign with a fully fit and healthy squad too as I don’t think that’s been the case for a while now.
Having a squad which doesn’t appear to have gaping holes in it will be refreshing too and so far, Arsenal’s transfer window has been productive. Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira and Matt Turner have already arrived and just a short while ago, Arsenal.com confirmed that Gabriel Jesus is now an Arsenal player.
Technical Director Edu said:
We are delighted that we have secured the transfer of Gabriel. Everyone who knows football well, knows the qualities of Gabriel Jesus. Gabriel is a player who we have admired for a long time now. He is 25 years old and an established Brazil international who has consistently demonstrated that he is a player at a very high level. We look forward to seeing him join up with his new teammates ahead of the new season. We all welcome Gabriel to Arsenal.”
Mikel Arteta added:
I’m very excited. The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature. I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here. This is a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I’m really happy.
Jesus said:
I’m so happy to sign for this big club. Since day one when I knew I could come to play for Arsenal, I was happy. I know the staff, I know some players, the Brazilian ones. I know there are a lot of top players. They are young and I’m still young as well, so I am so happy to be here to help. I come to help, to learn as well and to try to do my best.”
Rico added, I’m glad the saga is over. Lol
Seriously though, Jesus is quality, of that there is no doubt but I guess he got fed up with playing a bit part at Man City. That’s the problem for footballers who go to clubs with rich owners. Their depth as well as strength is so deep, game time can be limited. Jesus is at a good age, young enough to have so much left to achieve in his career but experienced enough to know what this league demands. On paper, he’s a very exciting signing. All three new outfield players are I think.
There are a lot of rumours linking us to midfield giant Amadou Onana. West Ham United have already made an official €23 million (£20 million) bid for him according to Sky Sports Dharmesh Sheth and that bid was rejected. If Arsenal want the 20 year old, they’ll need to be quick I think. He’s 6’ 5” tall, powerful and quick apparently. Don’t know about West Ham needing someone like him but I think we do.
In other newspaper talk on Sky Sports, Arsenal are expected to continue with their pursuit of Lisandro Martinez despite Man Utd’s interest. There’s also a suggestion that Edu and Co might try and go for Aaron Hickey who Brentford are on the verge on signing. As said the other day, I’m surprised the club haven’t moved for him already really because of his versatility and our own needs. I suppose in Martinez, there’s a midfielder, centre-back and left-back rolled into one.
Lastly, I’m quite enjoying the Ronaldo stuff. Anything that upsets the apple cart in Manchester is good news in my opinion.
See you in the comments…
https://www.arsenal.com/news/gabriel-jesus-excited-arteta-reunion
Morning rico, all, my last in hot Camp de Mar, 5 day break. Finally we have the signing. Most impressive seems his attitude and his thanks for what life has given him. I’m optimistic he will be our best striker for years, as long as referees doubt let him get clogged, moment he is playing for us!
Morning Andrew, enjoy it. Bring back the sunshine will you. Lol
Well that’s that saga finished, but it has dragged on for a bit too long for me.
Good morning all.
Amadou Onana, a six foot six midfielder, he’ll be handy to change light bulbs and dust the top shelf of the trophy cabinet. 😉
Does it matter though as long as the deal gets done?
Ha ha Cicero, a bit of height in midfield would be handy.
What’s Onana eating ? When I checked last week he was 6 foot 4 ” then Rico had him at 6 foot 5 ” and now Cicero has him at 6 foot 6″ . If this goes on he will be able to clean the clock.
Spinach Potter..
Now we are looking at Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. . 6 foot 3″ as an alternative to Onana.
He’s meant to be very good isn’t he?
Six foot six according to his wiki page.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. is much better than Onana , but United & Chelsea are after him as well
Afternoon Rico and all
This transfer season seems to be one one of our best in a long time, Maybe Kroenke has and the board are listening to the coach and not who they want.
They way Arteta and Jesus met it looks like they have a lot of respect for each other.
Who knows maybe Arteta might give him the captain armband over Odegaard.
Surprised Bellerin, after recent comments by him, was captain against Brighton.
Hi Geoff.
A goodbye gift perhaps Andrew. Lol
I’ve not seen Savin or Onana play as far as I know so have no opinion. I cant imagine us going into a new season without adding some steel to our midfield though.
Afternoon all!
Good Afternoon Rico and all
Cicero…..that is why the spuds did not go after him…..they dont have a top shelf of the trophy cabinet to clean.
If PV04 was a monster at 6ft 3 imagine Onana at 6ft 6. I hope he manages to win the first ball with his head or legs.
Savic I have seen play in the Lazio team. Tachnically he is good and also an astute player. but the EPL is vastly different to the tight defensive Italian league although that might come in handy when trying to break down blocks of players. He is also strong and not easily shoved off the ball.
Rico I dont think Martinez will come…..even if we offered 70 million for him, remember that their DOF is Van der Sar while the united manager was also an Ajax manager…..so the chances are that Ajax will do a deal with United at whatever money they throw. even if Arsenal threw double at them. I would like him to come but not holding my breath.
Afternoon Devil, yes I know all of that but the player himself might fancy a change. I don’t think we can assume he’ll want to go and live in Manchester
Ronaldo to Chelsea? Amusing if true.
England giving it a go, 107 for 2 chasing 272 to win.
Breaking News:
A well known Premier League footballer has been arrested in North London on suspicion of rape, as per The Telegraph.
The player was reportedly set to participate in the World Cup later this year.
A Premier League international footballer has been arrested in North London on suspicion of rape, Telegraph Sport understands.
The player, who is in his late 20s and cannot be named for legal reasons, is currently in custody being quizzed over an alleged attack which is said to have taken place last month.
Scotland Yard confirmed in a statement that the player had been taken into custody in the early hours of Monday. The club has been contacted by Telegraph Sport and is aware the player is being questioned, but it declined to comment.
“On 4 July, an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police,” the Met Police said in a statement. “It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022.”
Police said the man was arrested “at an address in Barnet on suspicion of rape and taken into custody where he remains”. “Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing,” officers added.
The player is internationally renowned and it is unclear whether he will now play in his club’s pre-season fixture schedule. The Premier League season begins on August 5 and the player is also due to play at the World Cup in Qatar this November.
Whoever it is, the player cannot be one of ours, he’s reportedly 29, far too old to be part of our squad, apart from Xhaka and I think he’s 30.
Wavy, I think both Partey and Xhaka are 29…
Partey is in Germany , Elneny didn’t qualify for Qatar , which leaves three North London players that fit the bill 2 at Tottenham Plus another whose 29th birthday is in a few days.. Plot thickens.
And “”Barnet “” do they mean the little town at the end of the northern line or the London Borough of Barnet ?
Which comprises
Hendon, Finchley, Golders Green, Friern Barnet, Chipping Barnet, Whetstone, and Edgware; there are also village settlements notably Totteridge and Arkley along with rural areas and countryside part of the Green Belt.
The local authority is Barnet London Borough Council, based in Colindale.
Much bigger area.
My first thought was a certain striker from that lot down the road, but his seven bedroom mansion is in Essex, not by any stretch of the imagination part of Barnet.
Good morning all.
Whoever he is, he’s still in custody. I guess the media will be checking the training photos now…
New post up now