Morning all.
It’s no secret that Mikel Arteta’s teams have often struggled against opponents who deploy a low block. Or teams who are solid in defence, good on the break. Finding a way to rectify this has no doubt been in Mikel Arteta’s mind for a while. Watching us huff and puff in and around the box, hoping someone will do something magical, well, it’s been painful.
Come across opponents who like to open and expansive football has in my opinion, been easier for Arsenal to overcome. Perhaps that’s why we did so well in the Champions League because European football doesn’t always follow the Premier League way of playing. Or at least that’s how it seems to me.
PSG are a different animal altogether because they have it all. From keeper to Dembele, they work well both on and off the ball. They have tacklers, dribblers, direct players, wingers, a top notch striker matched by a top class goalkeeper. They are the leading example of almost perfect football in my opinion. What’s interesting though is they’ve achieved that by dumping a number of big names and big egos. Enrique clearly doesn’t take any nonsense either because it didn’t matter that it was Dembele, he still dropped him for disciplinary reasons for our Champions League fixture at the league stage.
If you look at the players Arsenal have signed since Mikel Arteta became manager, not one has arrived with a reputation of being a bit of big time Charlie. Yes, a few have been expensive, but in most cases, worth it. Admittedly, the likes of Lokonga, Vieira, Tavares etc didn’t work out as hoped but that’s football.
Also, if we look at the players Arsenal have signed so far this summer, no egos just solid players who will add strength and depth to our team/squad and bring something different to the way we play. If we sign Noni Madueke, he’ll give us something very different to what we already have too. Pace, width, two footed, can play left and right and he’s a dribbler. No, not that kind of dribbler. lol
Arsenal seem to be addressing our needs. Slowly yes but hopefully surely. For what it’s worth, I think Norgaard is an excellent signing. Premier League ready, a leader and pretty darned good in both boxes.
Eze, Gyokeres and Mosquera are reported to still be on Arsenals radar and should all three arrive, then in my opinion, this will be a very good transfer window for the club. Gabriel and Lewis-Skelly have committed their future to the club and once Saka, Nwaneri and Saliba do the same, then it’ll be even better.
I doubt anyone likes the fact that we’re helping Chelsea raise funds with the Madueke deal but what’s the difference between buying from them or another Premier League club? They’ve already signed the players they wanted anyway so it’s not like we’re helping them buy more, they’ll do that regardless of what we do and they can only name 25 in their league squad just like the rest of the clubs. Far more important than what Chelsea do is what Arsenal do.
The reality of a transfer window is that we will seldom agree amongst ourselves on what the club do, let alone agree with the clubs decisions but ultimately, until the season kicks off, we won’t know how these new players fit into the team or what impact they will have on the way we play. So until then, I’m keeping an open mind.
The players and staff have landed in Spain for a training camp. Timber and Gabriel are there which is great news.
Catch up in the comments.
The only ego is Arteta’s. Which is starting to grate
I’m staying out of that one Neill but I do think he needs to start delivering a cup or two.
Root gets his century and Stokes clean bowled. Everything depends on with now.
SMITH !!!!-
Morning rico, agree with Norgaard, cracking replacement for Jorginho.
Many signings are risks because of a new city settling in, new league or even new country. But we have signed three ready to go, who must all live close by and not need any upheaval.
Not as glamorous as players from afar where we often see their best moments. But we need players now, this is a crucial year before our top players make decisions about whether it will ever happen here.
Root out! 😢
Woakes out for a duck. 271/7.
Signing Madueke this morning has caused unsavoury rest amongst many Arsenal fans. Grafitti has already started to appear on Arsenal murals outside the Emirates saying “Arteta OUT”! Not a good start or move for a new player coming into the fold and who will undoubtably be booed every time he comes onto the pitch which will cause unrest amongst the other players. I don’t understand why Arteta signed him before Eze and why they were not looking at others. One has to ask oneself why did Chelsea go ahead and replace him with other players if he was that good. Are Arsenal looking to replace SAKA?! Definitely not as he is so good / pivotal to the team. Sadly, I think another big mistake from Arsenal regarding a “no longer wanted” Chelsea player.
Morning Andrew, I like who we’ve signed so far too. As much as I’m keeping an open mind on Maduke, it’s a move I’m not convinced by. Still, time will tell.
Those leaving graffiti at the stadium should be ashamed of themselves imo…
Have we signed Madueke? Nothing on the club website.
No, we haven’t..
David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
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9m
🚨 Viktor Gyokeres does not intend to report for pre-season at Sporting Lisbon amid Arsenal pursuit. 27yo required to join squad Sat but told #SportingCP president he won’t play for club again. 5yr #AFC deal ready subject to fee being agreed
@TheAthleticFC
Good post Rico, I remember pundits etc opining that Leo Trossard was going to be a lot of trouble but he’s been, on the surface anyway, a model professional.
At the end of the day it’s about respect, you may not like or agree with a decision but if you respect the manager you’ll suck it up and work harder.
Interesting that Albert Lokonga commented recently that he was actually looking forward to returning to training with Arsenal (😳) not that that exactly means he had a future at the club but maybe he’s grown up a bit and realised how lucky he is to be an Arsenal player at this time…
He’s still got two years on his deal so it’s up to him to make the most of it…
Thanks Kev, I’d like nothing more to see Lokonga turn out for Arsenal and play well. As you suggest, perhaps he’s grown up…
Laura, I will be absolutely astonished and amazed if Noni is booed by the Arsenal fans, in fact I think quite the opposite and I expect the match-going fans to double down on their support for him a la Havertz.
As for the graffiti, do we even know if that was Arsenal fans?
The furore over this transfer is quite unedifying, the reaction of some fans, mainly social media fans, is I find embarrassing, maybe they need more going on in their lives, like getting a job that ensures you get out of the house or take up a calming type of hobby like say fishing (for men) or embroidery (for women).
Failing that try acting your shoe size…
Yeah Rico, he came to us with such praise ringing in his ears and he looked the part, but other than a spell at Luton on loan he’s been a big disappointment. Like you I’d love to see him turn a page and start to play like the player we hoped he would be. Sambi has all the tools, he’s always had those it’s what goes on between his ears that I feel is the issue…
I cant believe how fans think Rodrygo is “so much” better than Madueke? 30 million better. I watch Madrid games very often. Rodrygo’s work rate is so poor, especially on the wing. Why do people think Ancelotti moved him from the wing to the #10 role, and then to the bench? It was not all because of Mbappe. Have anyone wonder why Alonso doesn’t want to play him? He’s good with the ball; but, without he’s a glorified Phil Foden, Harvey Barnes or Trossard – age not withstanding. He has 32 goal in over 170 appearances playing for a stacked Madrid team in the Spanish League, common fellas. Is Rodrygo better than Martinelli? I dont think so.
I have always wonder the potential of playing Saka in the middle so that he can’t be doubled as he’s consistently now on the wing. Madueke allows for that possibility when team low block. To the pessimistic fans, the transfer period is not over, give it a chance. There’s still more signings to be made.
Exactly Kev, he thought he could run in England before mastering how to walk. The Arsenal documentary certainly did him no favours.
Kev, it must be okay for men to embroider Starmer does it to the truth every time he opens his mouth…😉
Obi, I’m not bothered about Rodrygo either, I’d be disappointed to see Arsenal go for him. I’d rather we avoided players who are long haul travellers through international commitments too. Three is enough, assuming Jesus might one day return for Brazil.
Starmer probably advising the club on it’s transfer policy . One in one out.
🤣🤣
Cicero once again you have stitched up the imposter of No.10 quite without equal… 🙂
Jeorge Bird
Defender Will Sweet has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal, as reported by the club’s official website.
The 18-year-old progressed all the way through the ranks at Hale End and broke into the U21 squad in the second half of last season.
Usually deployed as a left-sided centre-back, Sweet has made ten appearances for the U21s and has scored twice at that level.
Sweet has also featured three times in the UEFA Youth League and played for the U18s on 38 occasions.
The youngster has an excellent passing range and will now be part of the U21 squad on a full-time basis.
Good afternoon Rico and all
I just heard that Wayne Rooney is going to be a regular pundit for BBC on MOTD. He will get a salary of BP800K.
Mark my words he will get them relegated to BBC2 😅😅😅😅
Off to read the post and comments
Afternoon Devil, Rooney eh. He must be getting hard up. Lol
David Ornstein
Noni Madueke has been given permission by Chelsea to undergo a medical with Arsenal.
The England international, 23, will not train with Chelsea in the United States on Friday and instead travel back to the UK.
An agreement has been reached on a £52million ($70.38m) deal while personal terms were previously agreed on a five-year contract.
Madueke is set to become the second player to move from Chelsea to Arsenal this summer after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made the move across the capital for £5m. Raheem Sterling, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Willian also all moved from Stamford Bridge to north London during manager Mikel Arteta’s tenure.
Aye. Let’s see what drool he manages to spit out when its us on the telly
Good post Rico
It still is a Nono from me. However, it must be because he is a chavs player. had it been from another club then it would have been ok I feel. I am simply getting tired of begging, stealing or borrowing players from them. As Kev says they are our feeder club, however, we should be getting them from someone else.
BDW, Sterling is up for sale at BP10M. The sooner someone snaps him up the better. I hope we dont see him in our shirt again.
Afternoon Rico and all.
So according to the daily mail Arsenal fans are starting a petition to get rid of Arteta.
Personaly I think it a bit early to do be doing things like this, wright now we need to show support for any player coming in even if you don’t like them.
Having said that if we don’t win silver ware this season then questions need to be asked about Arteta future
Thanks Devil, just imagine he’s a Brentford or Madrid player then. 😜
Afternoon Geoff, I thought the petition was about not signing Madueke. Regardless, I very much doubt anyone will take any notice. Now right now anyway.
I don’t care where he comes from , I am to be convinced that he is an immediate upgrade on what we already have.. I am getting more convinced that Berta and Arteta are relying on Martinelli going to Saudi for £ 70 million . However the question is whether he wants to go there.
His contract is to 2027 and unless he is told that he has no future with us if he doesn’t want to go I don’t think he will..
I know that I wouldn’t.
While I don’t want Martinelli to go, 70 million will get us 70% of NoNo and Eze. 2 English men for the price of a Brazilian. Not bad imo. Maybe Vieira and Nelson will cover the remaining 30% of the above two players. With Trossard going as well expect a striker to come in.
With Saka, Nwaneri, NoNo and Eze manning the flanks one is compelled to ask….When was the last time we had 4 English players on the flanks? The answer I suppose was when Kev was still refereeing and I running after the local birdies as a teenager 😂😂😂
In my view neither Madueke or Eze are an upgrade on Martinelli, at twenty-four he is reaching his prime and I believe this coming season he will show just how good he is. There is no way Arsenal should consider selling him.
It would be bonkers imo to sacrifice Martinelli for Madueke, absolutely bonkers. He’s far too young for Saudi surely.
He will always be young and too good for Saudi. I would hate to see him leave
SkySports
Nottingham Forest consider Morgan Gibbs-White’s proposed move to Tottenham Hotspur to be off for now, while Forest consult their lawyers over potential legal action.
Forest believe Spurs made an illegal approach to the player and never granted permission for them to speak to him.
Sky Sports News reported on Thursday that Tottenham had triggered a £60m release clause in his Forest contract.
Forest believe there has also been a breach in confidentiality around his release clause, because Tottenham’s bid was pitched at exactly that level.
It is not yet clear if Forest are able to block the transfer entirely, however, it is now expected to be delayed as Forest prepare a complaint to the Premier League.
Rico at 4:18. You are a 100% correct, absolutely bonkers. Given how small the squad is and with the persistent injuries every season, we are actually beginning to assembly a championship squad on all front.
ESPN US and Talk Sports are reporting that the Madueke deal is 40 million with 12 million in add-on.
Obi, if we were signing a 25 year old Messi in his place I could understand it, or a 25 year old Henry….
Perhaps championship squad is a dodgy expression to use though. 😂
Oh yeah, Rico, imagine those two at 25 in this current market… Well it’s championship or bust this season.
I don’t want us in the Championship Obi. 😜
They’d be amazing, so many of those players Arsene signed early days would be..
Lol….
Maresca on Madueke to Arsenal
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca:
“Noni is in contact with the new club and I guess he is going to be [announced] in the next hours.
“Selling him to a rival? I said in one of the last press conferences that if players want to leave, then it is difficult for the club and the manager.
“Noni decided to leave. Nobody told Noni he had to leave. If he is happy, we are happy.”