Morning all.
It’s a serious question, honest. Could Arsenal benefit from keeping hold of Fabio Vieira, especially if the offers for him are peanuts. I know he appears lightweight and gets brushed off the ball a bit too easily but not being funny, a lot of footballers go to ground as much as he does and they’ve hardly been touched, including our own players i hasten to add. That’s the game these days whether we like it or not.
It’s easy to forget how good his left foot is, the quality of his passing and his ability to find the target when shooting regardless of whether the ball hits the back of the net or not. Vieira is still just 26 years old so has his best years ahead of him, but could those days yet be in north London?
Maybe I’m clutching at straws a bit but is he any better or worse than Noni Madueke as far as productivity goes? I’d imagine he’ll feature in this afternoons game against Dortmund so it’ll be interesting to see how he fares.
The logic behind this suggestion is more about Arsenal not finding a left sided player, or a proper alternative to Martin Odegaard if he breaks again this season. A player for rotation and the domestic cups so that others don’t overdo their minutes. Sometimes in life, it’s better the devil you know.
Ok, now you’ve finished rolling your eyes or wondering when the men in whites coats are calling at my home to drag me away kicking and screaming, let’s celebrate our new signing Bruno Guimarães. He’s been training with his new teammates according to reports so I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see his name in the squad this afternoon.
He is going to get one heck of a welcome though isn’t he? I’m not sure Arsenal can top a signing of such magnitude this summer. He’s everything a football fan could wish for in their teams midfield.
Speaking after signing his contract:
I feel amazing. I’m glad for the opportunity. Since the first time I spoke to [Andrea] Berta and Mikel [Arteta], I was excited. I just felt inside of me that I need a new challenge in my life and I think to be an Arsenal player is going to be an exciting challenge in my life. I’m so excited to join you. I will give you my best, I promise. I’m your warrior, I’ll never give up. Hopefully we can create many, many good memories together.
In transfer news, Sky Italy report that Fenerbache are trying to sign Romelu Lukaku which could be good news for us as the move could pave the way for Gabriel Jesus to move to Napoli. I was hoping a Saudi club would show interest in Jesus because the transfer fee would in all likelihood be more but it’s important he moves this summer for his own sake as well as Arsenal’s in my opinion.
Anyway, enjoy the game this afternoon guys which is being shown on Arsenal’s YouTube channel for free. You just have to subscribe and yes, that’s free too.
Catch up in the comments.
West Ham want Nelson on loan according to Sky Sports.
Arteta:
“I think Ethan has been brilliant throughout pre-season and I’m really happy with him.”
I wouldn’t be disappointed to see Nelson stay if we don’t sign a winger. Not that I’m convinced we will.
If any of the three do stay then I would think it would be Nelson . I have always thought that there is a lot there that’s never been optimised.. It is a fact that his time has run out and youngsters are in place to come past him but at the moment I don’t see anyone on the left that might do it.
If he gets a good move , all well and good but if not , we might as well use what we know about as opposed to taking a gamble on someone else.
I think Kepa has been starting whilst Meslier gets used to his teammates in training.
Nelson too, he needs to find a club.
Definitely keep Nwaneri , but we must get rid of Vieira and Jesus on todays cameos
Messlier saved against Albert and Nwaneri won us the shoot out.
I hope Messlier starts game against Como with Setford coming on sometime in the 2nd half.
Arteta know now’s he to get rid off
I thought similar..
That’s ten bob off of Vieira’s fee
Thankfully, he can play left, right and central. Really hope he’s not sold.
Nwaneri playing for his place but where ? Remember Dortmund wanted him before he went to Marseille.
very happy with Tzolis he is fitting in well.
I really like the look of Tzolis.
Gyokeres makes it 2-3. Penalty
Tzolis has already had 4 goal contributions till now. 1 goal, three assists
He certainly is Cicero.
we score one and get to breathe, then we concede again. 1-3 now.
I don’t think we can rely on Kepa
We’re definitely playing against twelve men. Kavanagh is an awful referee.
A repeat of the Betis game..
That’ll do Ethan the world of good.
4-1-2-3 doesnt cut it. MLS is the only defensive minded midfielder and he cannot do it on his own. Unless its to see if he blinks first. He does need help although he is doing his utmost best.
Gabriel yellow card was pretty harsh, considering some of their tackles.
The 2 people talking at half time look like they have been picked from the crowed more than a professional commentator.
i think some players are playing their last game in the red and white today. What’s the point of playing them??
Seems odd though after Bellingham got away with his. Gabriel got the ball.
Someone at Arsenal needs to stop our players going to ground so easily.
Glad it’s only a practice match, as I feel we can still come back but our defenders look too slow,
Yellows don’t count but a red might.
Only Kavanagh would book Gabriel in pre-season!
Having just one defence minded midfielder doesn’t work imo.
Playing through the midfield too easily, they look dangerous every time they come forward.
we are 2-0 down with them having only 2 shots on target.
Not a good start, 30 minutes in and we are 2 nil down, we have had some good chances,
Didn’t expect this..
I hope Havertz and Gyokeres sharpen up a bit before we play Coventry
I think it’s no re Vieira then. Lol
nah can’t see Vieira in Martin’s place not even if he was backed by Bruno and Rice. I dont think its his size or stature. Cazorla was a midget. But both his feet were magic wands while his brain was poetry in motion. Vieira does not just cut it in the EPL. Yes he is good but not for the EPL and the cup games. If you told me for the CL then yes he would be good as play there is different.
How come that none of the top clubs in Germany, Spain and Italy want him?? That says a lot.
Afternoon Devil, Geoff.
Pleasure Andrew 😂
How good does Bruno look in red and white.. lol
Just done his wave to the crowd., Re Vieira can’t see it , he is one of those very talented players not suited to Premier League football and even if you were to use him for the cups he is even less suited to playing more physical lower division teams.
Afternoon Rico and all, just getting ready to watch the match on YouTube, looks like a beautiful warm day in London.
Good afternoon Rico and all
No Bruno in the line up. Imo it would have been a bit early . Maybe a bit against Como and then a half time against City at Wembley. That is my opinion of course.
A midfield of Bruno, Rice and Odegaard. Licking lips in anticipation. Bruno tackles, Rice covers and Martin creates. MLS might have something to say about that I think. He played in the CL final, and he played very well. So he will bite yer legs like Norman used to do. The oldies around here know what I am talking about.
I used to remember Pa telling me about Norman back when I was still a child. Later on he used to compare him to players like Keane, Jones etc. And he used to laugh when they were called hardmen. Pa used to say he could play with them in his pocket.
We have a good line up today. Except between the sticks. I hope he judges the flight of the ball safely, I hope he calculates the height safely, I hope he catches the ball safely. I hope he doesn’t put the R in his surname otherwise it would be kRepa which means trembling in Italian.
I was asked if Napoli have any youth player of notice for us. The answer is NO. There is not any player who would improve our team. Not even as a squad player imo. They are a good team but as a team….no individuals stand out. There are good young players around in Italy, but Napoli dont possess anyone, not even from youth sectory, who would improve our players.
So no….imo no player exchange but only good clean money if Jesus goes to them
Bruno G not on the bench.
Kepa, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, MLS, Havertz, Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis.
Thanks for report rico, afternoon all. I’d like Viera to knock in a couple of goal, get an assist …….. and then get us 5m more for a fee 😉
Enjoy the game Kev, you going Emi’s?
Morning Hobert, Cicero, I knew the idea would be controversial 😀
Good morning Rico, for once I completely disagree with you about
Vieira, as Hobart has said we already have better options in the squad. Vieira would just be a road block in the careers of our home grown youngsters.
Psst Rico, that knocking at your front door is a man with a strait jacket. 😉
No point keeping Vieira. Nwaneri, Dowman, Odegaard, and Eze all in front of him.
Take anything and get Jesus’ wages off the bill.
Hopefully Guimarães will learn about the Arsenal tax before he falls foul of too many red cards.
Happy that we seem to be looking at Strikers again though.
Let’s hope not. I’m sure he’ll be made aware of the way the officials deal with Arsenal.
Bruno got away with a lot at the barcodes – i predict a few reds at the Arsenal