Morning all.
Can we say Matt Turner is Arsenal’s third signing of the summer bearing in mind we’ve known for a long time that he was coming to north London? Too darned right we can because it’s only now that he’s crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s on his contract. It’s not even the end of June and three are through the door with a fourth expected to be announced any day soon. Maybe even today. I’ll be glad when Gabriel Jesus is ours so we can move on to the next. Lol
Will it be Raphinha, Lisandro Martinez, or perhaps both. It might be neither too because at some stage, if the selling clubs keep pushing their price up, or if the players themselves aren’t 100% for a move, then Arsenal might just move on to plan B. Assuming Raphinha and Martinez really are the plan A of course. That’s the thing in football, no one other than the clubs involved in any deal really know.
L’Equipe report that Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Paris Saint-Germain are all interested in a move for RC Lens’ Seko Fofana. Likened to Yaya Toure, he’s perhaps seen as an alternative to Youri Tielemans, although I wouldn’t be sure. He’s probably just another in a long list of players linked to Arsenal as it’s become clear the club are not messing around this summer.
After Kroenke gained sole ownership in September 2018, things started to change. Whilst Edu and Mikel Arteta are taking the plaudits for what’s going on with the squad, let’s not forget that none of this would be possible without the owners rubber stamping the ‘project, process’ or Mikel Arteta and Edu. Collectively, the staff at Arsenal have turned the club into one which has a high percentage of fans believing again. The bad apples have gone as Kev wrote about yesterday and we’re left with a group of players who are singing from the same hymn sheet. Or at least that’s how it seems to me. Yes, there are players who will be sold this summer but that’s more likely to be because they don’t fit into the style of football Mikel Arteta wants to play, or they’re simply not good enough which is very different to ridding trouble makers.
In hindsight, perhaps it’s a shame this ‘process’ didn’t begin on the day Mikel Arteta and Edu landed at Arsenal but perhaps it would have had it not been for Covid and the financial impact it had on the game. No football, no fans, no income.
I’ll be glad when Jesus is finally announced, if for no other reason than to put an end to the continuous media speculation. Would he be my first choice, probably not because I’d hoped for someone with more physical presence up front but it’s Arteta’s job to assemble a squad/team of his choice, not mine or yours. Jesus is a quality player though, of that there’s no doubt and I don’t see him as being a Pep reject either. Yes, I’ve read that somewhere. City need to balance their books just like every other club (cough) and with the signing of Haaland and potentially Phillips, someone has to make way. Will the media say Sterling is a City reject if Chelsea sign him, or Ake? No, I don’t think so either but that’s the British media for you.
See you in the comments.
The Last Supper before Jesus makes his announcement.
Lovely day at Wimbledon yesterday getting dizzy on Pimms No.1. Hic..
Stan Kroenke had a huge investment in developing the new stadium for the LA Rams. Now that the stadium has been built and he has his Superbowl and Stanley cup wins maybe he’ll concentrate on developing Arsenal.
Things taking shape early giving a clear message to those that might be slipping down the pecking order . After Jesus is announced I reckon it will be those leaving that grab the headlines.
Good morning Rico and all.
Seems that there is agreement on Lisandro Martinez between all parties according to some sources. Whether it’s as a LB or CDM remains to be seen.
Potter, I think that the incoming ones will be before the ones going out. It is telling them not to mess around otherwyit will be the Ozil treatment. Plus Arteta will want the squad ready as early as possible. Hopefully there will be no holes left to fill. I think by mid July the transfers would be done.
Morning Devil, all.
I too think the outs will follow the in’s.
Hi Pete, spent many a day at Wimbledon over the years, loved every minute although I stayed clear of the Pimms and took my own strawberries 😂
Hope so Dominic. I just think that after much criticism over the years, he deserves at pat on the back for supporting this new era.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/19022095/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-edu-medical/
Hi Rico, a comment that I posted about thirty minutes go seems to have gone walkabout. Can you help please?
Hi Cicero, there’s nothing behind the scenes.
Okay thanks Rico, I’ll try to reconstruct it.
If, and when, it goes ahead the signing of Jesus should put to bed the Raphinha story as I can’t see Arsenal being able to afford two players at around £40/50 million plus wages.
Jesus will fit in with Arteta’s preferred style of play but I would have wished for a more robust striker, for that reason I think Balogun would be a good addition to the squad as he will provide a different, and low cost, option up front as and when needed.
If we can secure Lisandro Martinelli I think that will complete our in-coming business for this window and provide us with a strong and adaptable squad.
Fingers crossed, this one makes it. 🤞
Success Cicero.
I don’t think Jesus and Martinez would/will be our final transfer dealings.
That’s why I said that we have to get people out of the door to know where we stand before bringing more new ones in
I think we can assume Pepe, Leno and probably AMN will be off, perhaps Tavares too on loan. Torreira, Bellerin, Mari are likely to leave too. Is there anyone left? Lol
The Kroenkes certainly seem to be going for it. They must have high confidence in Arteta and be encouraged by the price achieved for Chelsea.
The deals for Mari ,Torriera , Amn , have fallen through and Bellerin wants the Auba /Ozil let me go for nothing deal. Pepe no news or rumours of interest and Fulham have floated an inquiry for Leno but that’s all . We could end up getting stuck with some or all of them , hence my comments about getting them out first.
But it seems that this one has gone through
Romano tweeted:
Medical successfully completed for Gabriel Jesus in London today as expected, he’s new Arsenal player until June 2027. It’s all signed and completed between clubs too. 🇧🇷 #AFC
Good evening folks
Potter, I understand your concern, however players who have been on loan will play hard ball during this moment. If all squad is settled and there is no place for them then they will not play hard ball imo. But will be desperate to get out because for them it would mean a season out of football.
AMN has suitors I think. Hopefully there will be more than one…and he will fetch a tidy sum.
Adam, either that of if the super league comes around again, he doesn’t want Arsenal missing out.
Looks like Chelsea are going to snap up Raphinha..
Yep, they’ve agreed a £55 million fee. I do hope the deal goes through.
I had a feeling you would. 😆
You know me so well Rico. 😉
Now if Barca can sell Frenkie De Jong to Man.U, they could make a bid for his replacement…Pepe.👍
Wishful thinking perhaps Cicero…
Disappointed about Raphinha but pleased that Edu has walked away after trying to negotiate a sensible price, there was a sense of Abramovitch style coming in with a bid after we did all the groundwork about the Chavs but one door closes another one opens so more opportunities for Hutchinson and Flores and a fortune saved perhaps?
As you well know I have had my doubts about the wisdom of buying Raphinha and the effect he would have on our younger players . Maybe we have played the long game and pushed the price up for Chelsea now being reported as £ 55 million with an extra 5 million in add ons . no doubt by tomorrow it will have gone up again.
I am not disappointed our own boys can be just as effective and if we pay them the money that he would have got it should keep them sweet.
I have no doubt the clubs will try again for a super league, let’s just hope it’s not for a few years.
I’m still not convinced Saliba will stay, but we have to get rid of Leno no need to have 3 keepers
Here we go then
Today’s rumours are that Atletico Madrid have entered the chase for Bellerin who was meant to be going to Real Betis but they can’t afford him ( Mirror ) and now Verona are offering to take Mari if we pay towards his wages.( HITC )
You can’t make this club up at times.
We really have created a reputation for incompetent dealings which the media and the rest of Europe try to take advantage of.
It’s only paper talk though Potter. They’re always putting Arsenal down.
New post up now