Morning all.
We’re into the final month of the season. Just three fixtures remain for most Premier League clubs with a week between each of them. The fast and furious month or two we’ve been through is over. Thinking of 2024 alone, Arsenal has done rather well. Holding City to a draw at their place was something we’ve not done for a while but next season, a win would be even better. We’ve seen lots of goals scored with different scorers adding to their seasons tally yet despite heading the goals scored table, I still feel we could have scored a lot more. The defeat to Aston Villa a week or two ago was the only blip of the second half of the season. So far anyway and I hope it stays that way.
I think we missed a trick in the Champions League but, considering it’s the first time this group of players have played in the competition, let’s not be too critical. If we end the season runners up to City, then so be it. City are hoping to win the Premier League for the fourth season running so they have bucket loads of motivation. Hopefully though, one of Wolves, Totts, West Ham or Fulham will put a massive dent in their chances.
For Arsenal it’s simple, three wins out of three and then hope. Or as Mikel Arteta said about the Totts game at 3-2, pray!
Yesterday, David Ornstein broke the news that Arsenal have offered Jorginho a new contract and the midfielder is expected to sign it. Jorginho joined the club from Chelsea for £12million ($14.8m) in January 2023, signing an 18-month deal with the option of a further year. The 32-year-old has been a crucial squad member for Mikel Arteta since his arrival and has played 35 times in all competitions for Arsenal this season.
Initially, I thought the idea of Jorginho staying was bonkers but soon had a change of heart. With Soares and Elneny set to leave and Partey kind of expected to leave, we’d be left with no ‘older and wiser’ heads in the camp. We’re a young squad in footballing terms so having someone like Jorginho around is crucial. It’s not like he’s renowned for spending half a season injured so he’ll still have a role to play on the pitch as well as off it and let’s be honest, in a few fixtures this season, he’s been crucial to the way we played. Crucial to way Declan Rice has performed too in as far as the freedom he’s been allowed because of Jorginho. Partey too but we all know his fitness is a huge problem. So yes, I can’t understand why Mikel Arteta would be keen to keep hold of Jorginho for another season.
Ornstein went on to quote Arteta as saying:
For all the kids at the club, if you want to look at somebody, just look at him. He’s won everything but you ask him not to play or play one minute last week he’s happy to go there. Ask him to play 90 minutes at that rhythm and he’s able to do that. I’m really lucky to have players like this. It’s a game that I had in my mind. I was imagining how much we were going to need him. He’s a really intelligent player, his biggest quality is that he makes the people around him better. He connects everybody. I think he was man of the match.
The above was after we’d beaten Liverpool.
Another interesting article in The Athletic discusses Gabriel Jesus who has scored just 4 goals in 24 appearances. Even when he’s fit now, or at least named in the squad, Mikel Arteta seems to prefer Kai Havertz to be our roaming striker. Another ex Chelsea player who’s long forgotten his ties to his old club. His celebration after scoring against them last week showed that. Honestly, he’s gone from being Mr Marmite to Mr Popular in a flash. Could he do more? Of course, every Arsenal player can but he certainly looks like a player who’s finally found the right club for him. Next season, well I reckon he’ll be even better.
Last month, Jesus said:
In my best moment, one of my best moments in my career, I went to a World Cup and ended up getting injured and today I still have these little problems with my knee.
Perhaps that explains his absence and even his form, not that he’s ever really been a prolific striker but I don’t think Arsenal will give up on him just yet. Although who knows in football, if a big offer comes in for him, the club might think long and hard before making a decision. After all, every player has a price which if offered, Arsenal might just take it, especially if that player is getting itchy feet.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico and the Gang.
Yes, you’ve gotta be happy about Jorginho staying around, for Mikel Arteta it’s gotta be like having a coach on the pitch. He’s never been blessed with electric pace therefore his game has been based around passing and movement and intelligence. So age won’t take away what he’s never had.
We’re all kinda assuming that a Saudi club will come in with a fairly large offer for Partey (£20/£25m) but what if they don’t, do we stick or do we twist?
Do you let him go for a paltry amount and probably still have to pay him off or just pay off part of his contract, or do we just keep him for his last year and see what happens?
Players with a contract running out often discover they have super powers within, I refer you to Theo…
I guess it all depends on what business the club does and how we fit in any new players into the 25 man squad? There will be other players who we have who’ll generate far more profit and sustainably than selling Partey despite his wages.
It’ll be an interesting summer for sure with Premier League clubs reigning in their spending and Saudi clubs looking for more value.
Finally Rashford. It’s a big no from me!
Morning Kev, all.
Gilberto didn’t have a lot of pace either but with both, a cool, calm head and ability to read the game is what makes a difference.
I think a European club will be interested in Partey, he’s worth the risk if the price is right. But, if he stays, so be it. Little else the club can do really other to let him leave for nothing to save in his wages.
A fully fit Partey is a great player, just since joining us, he’s not ever been fully fit for an extended period of time.
Rashford, Toney, Isak – no thanks. Out of the three though, Isak.
I agree Rico, great news that we are trying to keep Jorginho on board. As well as being a very useful squad player at this stage in his career, the guy’s got a real presence about him. Looks like a top class manager in waiting, rather like Alonso and Arteta himself were.
I get that Rico, but Partey has a year left on his contract, I think that Cicero said it was worth around £10m, so he’ll still want that paid up even if we let him go for nix.
Unless of course someone makes him an offer that he finds attractive enough to walk away from his last years’ Arsenal wages.
It’s a Willian scenario.
afternoon Rico and all.
Just repeating what I said yesterday, happy that we are giving Jorginho a contract extention, but would have prefered it to be for one year just because of his age.
You know Rico, I never understood how and why Arsene Wenger let Gilberto Silva leave, it could have only been for financial reasons, because he still had a lot to offer the club. I believe he still continued to play for Brazil after he left us.
Ramsey on a free, Alexis on a free, Wilford on a free, Kanu on a free, Edu on a free etc etc. We were an absolute car crash under Wenger regarding contracts…
If Party wants to leave then just say straight out, you can go with our plessing, but you and your manager have to wave any money we owe you for next season.
I wish it was as simple as that Geoff
G’day all.
Extending Joginho’s contract is a no-brainer. Where would we find a better midfielder for nothing? We are committed to paying £25 million for Raya, so I believe that alone spells the departure of Ramsdale, who, I am sure, will go for £35 million plus. Partey, Elneny and Cedric going will ease the wage bill but will not add much to the transfer kitty.
I wouldn’t touch Radford and Toney with bargepole, but Isak would be welcome although his price may be a stumbling block. I think Edu and Arteta have agree that all incoming players should have Premiership experience.
Absolutely Anthony and he’s won so much in his career. A seasoned pro.
I know Kev but he’s in control of his destiny. Either option could unfold this summer but if he leaves, I think it’ll more Ozil and Aubameyang than Willian as the latter just wanted a move whilst asking for nothing from Arsenal so I read.
Gilberto leaving was imo, Wenger sulking because he went off to play for his country as the new season began. Ridiculous really wasn’t it when that ex Chelsea midfielder came and went rapidly and Flamini returned? I might have my timings wrong.
I don’t think we are Cicero, we still have a choice re Raya but I’d imagine we’ll make his deal permanent.
Raya has the shirt untiil Arteta goes . I wonder if his mentor Cana is getting a new contract because since he came we have frozen out a few keepers and Ramsdale seems to be next .
Depending on City cocking up is not a nice place to be but we can do no more than win out and hope for the best .
That’s life !
The permutations re the squad will require a juggling act but we should look to the additions and only pare out those that are surplus .
The goal keeper turnaround under Arteta has been bonkers and regardless of who has come and gone, the best one was discarded far too quickly imo. Still, nothing can be done about that now. I do hope Cana moves on in the summer though.
Brilliant article imo.
https://theathletic.com/5460175/2024/05/01/declan-rice-athletic-interview-analysed/
According to the Athletic, Arsenal are prepared to accept offers for Jesus.
Juventus and A C Milan have turned away from Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee (22) because he prefers a move to Arsenal.
I read the article about Jesus in The Athletic and unless there’s an update, there’s no suggestion he’ll be sold. It just says he’s no longer indispensable because of his injury/form.
The same theory could be applied to a number of players. 😂
Morning Cicero, all.
New post up.