Morning all.
Granit Xhaka and his Swiss teammates defeated Italy yesterday in the early game, then later in the day, Kai Havertz and his fellow countrymen dumped Denmark out of the competition.
ITV pundit and Totts manager Ange Postecoglou had this to say about our midfielder/striker:
I think with Havertz, he is one of these players where because they can’t pigeon-hole him into one position they struggle to find ways to judge his contribution. The one thing he does have is that he is really smart with his movement. He always finds little areas to forward. Once he gets into the box, he is a decent finisher, at times, and then he brings other players into it.
A lot of his work is about creating space for others. When you play Arsenal, in particular, they don’t have this focal point where you say ‘we will shut down this area’. There is so much movement and he is the catalyst for that. He has got the height and the physical presence. And he is always presenting for the ball – when you are setting up against him, he can cause you a lot of problems.
He’s not a striker though is he? A nuisance on the pitch yes, a crucial player for both club and country, yes, but when/if he’s judged on goals scored, he’ll always come in for a bit of criticism IF he’s playing in the striker role. Harsh I know but it’s no different for Gabriel Jesus or Eddie Nketiah who are often judged by the amount of goals they score. But, in Havertz defence, he’s gives Arsenal much more than the other two. Much more. He must be a nightmare to mark. Having a clinical striker in the team with him would in my opinion take Arsenal to the next level.
Tonight England take on Slovakia. On paper, one would expect England to win but as has been said and written by many, football isn’t played on paper. If England play as poorly as they did in the group fixtures, I think they’ll struggle to beat an industrious Slovakia.
It’s the last day of June today, the final day of the accounting period of the season. Clubs must have their finances sufficiently in order to pass the Premier League and Championship’s respective Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) checks. Everton and Nottingham Forest’s points deductions last season is something every club will want to avoid. I’d imagine that’s part of the reason this transfer window has been relatively quiet so far. That and international competitions taking place.
Anyway, hopefully Arsenal will soon get whatever transfer business they have planned, done and dusted so they can join their new teammates for pre-season. Arsenal players who have not been involved in international football this summer are back in training already.
The only new transfer rumour I can find this morning is that Arsenal have joined the race to sign Canadian striker Jonathan David.
Catch up later..
Morning rico, all. Oh what Saka would give for an overlapping White on his side. Instead he gets a straight ball down the line from Walker, has two defenders near him and usually has to pass back or sideways, by which time whole defence is organised. Similar down the left for Foden with a right back playing left. Little shape to team, but still no excuse on their lack of urgency. I’ll never feel sorry for Kane, but where are the crosses for him to convert as he loved doing against us? Lets hope different tonight otherwise the boredom waiting for return of Premier League increases.
Morning Andrew, yep, White is a huge miss for England, Shaw too although only because he’s a natural left back. Still, there’s always Dunk… 😂
I don’t think Kane is as sharp as he once was. Even when the crosses go into the box, seldom is he in a position to receive the ball.
Good morning Rico and all.
Johnathon David :- A versatile forward, David plays primarily as a second striker in a 4–4–2 formation or as an attacking midfielder;[48] he is also capable of playing as an out–and–out striker,[49] and is known for his goalscoring ability.[50] As a second striker, in a partnership he plays just behind the other primary striker.[48][51] David is able to find gaps in the defence and to attack these areas with his pace, noted for his high top speeds.[48] He is also able to play short passes and combine with teammates to attack the goal area, he is able to play best with his tight control and sharp interplay between teammates.[51] Due to his pace and speed, David is also effective on counterattacks.[48] Moreover, he is known for his tactical intelligence, defensive work-rate, and ability to read the game, as well as his willingness to press opposing players off the ball.
Age 24, height 5ft 9in. Signed for Lille Aug 2020 €30 million, five year contract.
Sorry about the digits in brackets.
Morning Cicero, been on Wikki then… 😜
The fount of all knowledge!! .😉
Indeed. 😂
Afternoon Rico and all, Sounds very quite on the transfer front.
Afternoon Geoff, are you feeling much better?
Jonathon David, only £36.000 per week.
Thanks Rico, first day out of bed in nearly a week, still getting dizzy spells but feeling much better.
Cheap as chips then…
Glad you’re starting to feel better Geoff..
Jonathon David sounds ok for the money, however I would prefer it if he was on the otherside of six foot.
He’s quite ruthless in front of goal though apparently.
Good afternoon Rico and all
25 years ago today, Sylvinho became the first Brazilian to sign for The Arsenal
Gilberto Silva was and still is, my most favourite Brazilian ever. So quiet, so humble and so skillfull
The worst?? Pizza/Spagetti/Burgers/Hot Dog boy.
Afternoon Devil, Santos by any chance?
That was the correct answer M’Lady.
I used to cringe everytime I saw his name on the team sheet.
That was ………………….7 million down the drain, Andre Santos fat again, Waka Waka eh eh
Was a weird signing that’s for sure Devil.
Good afternoon all!
What a drab first half from England.
In the words of the Walkers crisps man England are s**t!!
That they are.. Talk about lucky…
I don’t buy the criticism of Havertz. Just because the stupid networks place him up top on the pregame lineup graphics, it doesn’t describe what he’s doing for the team, and what the manager is asking of him.
For example Lacazette was trying to play Arteta’s false 9, and he went a whole season with about 1 goal.
Havertz is playing the most fully realised false 9 I’ve ever seen, and we’ve seen it from great players on Manchester City and Liverpool in the past decade.
Havertz wins balls in midfield, defends deep, is one of the best pressers in the league, gives opponents a good rough kick, and then gets all the way into the 6 yard box.
For all that, I’d say that his goal tally is actually very good.
Some people would prefer a lump like Toney or Lukaku who do nothing but wait around for glory goal opportunities… and they still don’t score enough.
He’s not Kane or Aguero, but they could never bring all that he adds all over the pitch.
Nigel, which critics is your comment directed at?
I think Arsenal fans in general respect what Havertz brings to the team.
Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry have left the club.
Good afternoon Rico and all
Just read on one of the many Arsenal sites on FB that Arsenal will begin the summer with a straight swap of Nketiah for Onana of Everton.
Just watch the crowd go, “Onana Na, Onana Na, ehh ooeeehh UUUUU ahhhhh”
I have seen both ACD and RW play on the games transmitted by Arsenal.com. They are good players like Omari was. Its a pity we couldn’t keep them however if they preferred to leave its better.
As always that is one of the reasons why I am an advocate of the Arsenal B club which will play in the lower divisions and work its way up till the championship. It cannot participate in the knockout cups and whatever position in the championship it cannot be promoted to the EPL.
I like the Italian method the best. Two methods infact.
1) The club ties down all players they deem to be good at 18 years old to 5 year contracts and send them on loan. Internazionale for example prefer to send them to Italian clubs. But other clubs send them all over Europe.
2) The club ties down a player to 5 year deal at 18. Another club in the same country buys half the contract of the player and takes him to play for the club. However, if another club comes in for him, the parent club has first refusal and they can buy him back OR if he is transferred the transfer money gets split 50/50. I think this system is illegal in England.
Afternoon Devil, interesting re Onana and Nketiah but can’t see a straight swap personally.
Me neither Rico. It depends on how much Nketiah and Onana are valued by their clubs. I think its more likely that it will be Nketiah+30million for Onana.
Quite a few clubs are rumoured to be after Onana so Everton can name their price I guess..
Late goal for France probably means they go through,I would have been quite happy for Saliba to go home.
Me too now he’s a regular. Still, Trossard will get a break now.
Raducanu quietly through the first round at Wimbledon 7-6 6-4. Emma was quiet but the crowd were voluble in support.
Saliba is building a huge reputation with the all round quality of play. At the same time he is enhancing his value in the transfer market. Did I read recently that he had extended his contract at the North London Giants?
He did Cicero, last summer I believe, or January. Some other club will soon come in with a big offer though.
Surely we wouldn’t even think of selling him.
Oblak saves an extra time Ronaldo penalty! The boy Christiano is in tears. Well taken penalty, but a great save.
Glad we didn’t sign Sesko
Portuguese players have or should have the better technique for the penalties and should start as favourites in the shoot-out.
The one fly in the Portuguese ointment?
Jan Oblak
All those clubs that want Onana…..
They can have him. He will never be good enough for Arsenal.. unless maybe we’re looking for a bouncer.
What a depressing addition he would be.
Rico,
every time Havertz goes a game or two without scoring, for either Germany or us…. gooners come with the “need a striker” talk. What striker is available… and what’s his contribution other than shooting at goal?
They totally ignore everything Kai does as a box to box player.
Ange spoke about it, and I’m sure other managers see what he does.
Arsenal fans think a striker is justified only when he scores.
If Havertz defends, presses and helps open opportunities for his mates to score, he’s helping more than most players.
Good Morning everyone
Nigel, it depends on what the manager wants and also the tactical system applied. For example can you imagine the invincibles without TH14 and with Kai as CF?? No me neither. The 2004 system was built and aimed with one purpose. Get the ball to TH14 in space and he will wreak havoc. Pires, Lyungberg were supporting actors with the director lying in behind them. But Kai cannot run the same way that TH14 could.
How many goals has Kane scored??? Many. But will he have added to the present Arsenal squad in the same way as Kai??? No for the simple reasons you yourself explained before my post. Kai is all rounder. He is not fast like TH14 and he is not deadly as Kane.
Many people talk about Arsenal needing a CF (like Henry) who scores goals. What they dont realise is that for Arsenal to have a CF like that they would have to change their tactical system.
In my system goals should be shared. The ideal CF should do what Kai does, that is, ‘defends, presses and helps open opportunities for his mates to score’ plus bring others into play by laying on Assists.
Then again, with TH14 as a CF in the present squad we would go over 100 goals per season because TH14 was an apex predator. He used to do all the things Kai did plus score. Shearer used to do that in his prime as well. These kind of players are rare.
Nigel, you’re missing what ‘those gooners’ are possibly thinking. It’s not about Havertz, it’s about needing a striker to give the team something different. A striker who’ll score goals. We don’t have one in the squad right now, not one…
I disagree Devil. It’s far more simple than that in my opinion. When we 70 minutes in (eg) and were in need of a goal, maybe two, is it better for Arteta to turn to Jesus or Nketiah, or a clinical striker? Even France have Giroud to turn to. City have two…
That’s why imo, we need a striker…
Rico I never said we dont need a striker. I only referred to ‘what type of striker’ Because we have buy one surely. But its someone who fits the bill like Havertz. A certain type of striker.
Rico I agree with you when you said we need a striker who scores goals. Ideally a 20-25 EPL goal a season striker. But that striker has to bring what Havertz does to the table. Not to stay in the box waiting for the ball to come to him.
Good morning all, it would appear that we have made our first signing of the summer, a goal keeper by the name of David Raya. Yes Arsenal have exercised the option to buy Raya after a season on loan.
Devil, I was just suggesting that Arteta doesn’t need to change his system to accommodate any new striker signing. I’ve always believed a striker signing is about replacing Eddie if he’s sold rather than Havertz.
Havertz is a very good player, hard working and brings a lot to the table but, by definition, he is not a striker. Think how much a dedicated number nine would benefit from Havertz’s hard work, much of which is wasted on our present wearer of that shirt.
That’s a shock Cicero. 😂
I think calls for a striker are often assumed to be a criticism of Havertz but they’re not. As you say Cicero, Jesus, our so called number 9 is not a goal scorer and with Nketiah clearly out of Arteta’s plans, we must be one of very few clubs in the game who don’t possess a striker.
New post up.