Morning guys.
July has arrived with a bang. First up we offered £40 million for Wilfried Zaha, a player media outlets such as Sky Sports News suggest Crystal Palace Value at £100 million and then surprise surprise, the following day, being yesterday, Arsenal announce our first summer signing. Personally, I think Palace are having a laugh if they really expect to get £100 million for Zaha. He’s already moved once in the league and didn’t do at all well and despite maturing in years, I’ve not seen anything about his game to suggest he’s a £100 million player. Mind you, who is in a real word. If a club spends that kind of money, I’m sure they believe they’re getting a game changer. I’m not sure that can be said about Zaha. Don’t get me wrong, if we do sign him I won’t be disappointed but I’d hate to see the club throw £100 million away in order to do so.
The Mirror is one of a few football outlets who suggest we’ve made a £50 million offer for Harry Maguire which they say is £20 million less than Man Utd have offered. I’m not sure whether this is true or simply a p**stake story. The same newspaper suggest that Atletico Madrid want Lacazette to replace the outgoing Griezmann.
Anyway, real news. Our first summer signing is through the door and there’s an exit too as Daniel Ballard has joined League Two side Swindon Town on loan until the end of the season.
There’s an interview with Gabriel Martinelli on the official website and basically he’s thrilled to be at the club, hell give 100% every time he wears the shirt and yes, he did have a chat with Edu about the club. Martinelli’s idols are Ronaldo and Messi.
So who is our new guy?
He was born on 18th June 2001 in Guarulhos, Sao Paulo and made his debut for Ituano in November 2017 at the age of 16 years and nine months. Yes, makes me feel old too.
10 goals in 34 appearances for his club which isn’t brilliant on its own but I’ve no idea whether those appearances were from the bench or not. Anyway, he’s rated highly in Brazil and already he’s trained with the senior international squad although he doesn’t appear to be involved in this summers Copa America. Brazil by the way beat Argentina overnight so they’re in the final.
According to Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte, Arsenal were one of many clubs interested in nabbing this young striker who a while back had trials with both Manchester United and Barcelona. How great would it be if our new signing turned out to be a top top player? Not that the media would remind Utd or Barcelona that they let this one slip through their fingers. They save that kind of stuff for Arsenal!
Lastly, what a disappointing way for England Women to get knocked out of the World Cup in France. VAR heartbreak after Ellie White thought she’d level the scores only to have it ruled out for offside and then captain Steph Houghton blew the opportunity to take the tie into extra time. Another really poor England penalty kick. Yes they’ve done well and all that jazz but they should be mightily disappointed, angry too because they bottled their big chance against the best Women’s team in the world.
Hopefully Holland or Sweden won’t.
Have a good Wednesday guys…
Morning rico, House. Yes, after years of penalty heartbreak, it seems we can now add marginal offside VAR decisions 🙁
Morning Rico,
I only saw the highlights of the Womens’ semi-final and I was reminded of Arsenal’s utterly poor defensive errors during the season. The ladies mirrored the frailties of our team.
The penalty was SO poor and her body shape gave away which direction the ball was going before she struck it so the goalkeeper made a comfortable, armchair save.
Who knows with this new Brazilian,but for sure we’ll find out when the season gets underway.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of the summer heatwave.
Morning Andorra, Andrew, all.
I thought England were poor, America were marginally better.
Arsenal, well I’m excited about this young striker, Edu making an impact already perhaps? If he’s actually returning to Arsenal of course.. lol
I believe that he has already said that he will be going to the academy rather than the first team squad.
So it’s one for the future there.
Zaha overpriced, Lacazette going to Madrid. ? Auba to China ?Let the rumours continue
Morning Rico and all.
On a negative/positive note. Thank goodness Martinelli will not be coached by Wenger! I’m sure the old chap would have had him playing in many positions, except striker, explaining that, as a Brazilian he saw him as the eventual replacement for Gilberto! Not as the goal scorer he obviously has the talent, in spades, to succeed. No. Mr Wenger could always see a sow’s ear when he got one one! However, UE may develop a South American talent and use it to good effect. We shall just have to wait and see.
As for Zaha, no not for me. Another demonstration of throwing our precious cash down the toilet.
Paper stories about selling our current strikers may have some traction. Lacazette to AM is possible but unlikely as is Auba to China. But if I were a betting man, which I’m not, I would put money on the fact that our two besties have had their names circulated to potential buyers that, for the right money, they could be available.
In any event, all will be revealed on Arsenal.com in the fullness of time. Until that time arrives I shall watch on in interest but not too much interest or excitement, until the deals are done.
Azure skies here, it could be Tuscany😎
I thought he was joining up with the first team Potter. I must go to specsavers lol
Morning Wavy. If we were to take away the constant reports that we were broke, I wouldn’t mind Zaha, or if we could complete a player or three swap for him but for the kind of money Palace are expecting, I think it’d money spent badly.
We need defensive players imo, way before be spend vast amounts on a player like Zaha. Just my opinion though.
Zaha is overpriced, over rated and a diver. Spend your cash wisely UE.
Good morning Rico and all.
I read that we have seriously p****d off Palace by “unsettling” Zaha and there is no way they will sell him to us. Goody Goody. 😉
Bring on Reiss that’s what I say. We need a BIGGGGGGG CB Zaha would be nice , but we cannot afford him I really hope that Auba & Laca stay ( I think Auba has to resign though or they will sell him as he only has 2 years left on his contract) Losing him will be painful BUT losing him to Man U would be suicide …It is Man u & Chelsea we need to beat next season for that 4th spot …It is going to be tough enough to beat Man U in the Europa League final if we both get there , with the money they are spending
Morning Cicero. That’s what Arsenal do.. lol
Afternoon Gooners
Afternoon Rico, I think that Palace are cheesed off because we’ve shown up their valuation of Zaha for what it is – as being totally unrealistic.
Why would you spend £60/£80m on Zaha?
When for that money you could get Nicolas Pepe or a whole host of other quality attackers from across Europe and South America?
The Maguire bid is also realistic, £50m for a centre half is sensible, Man City spending £100m on two full backs is ridiculous and it’s City who should be criticised not Arsenal for trying to bring some sanity back into the transfer market…
But that won’t please the Press who love the hype surrounding transfers and their unsustainable prices.
I mean £50m for Wan Bissaka after only one season, think about that and how insane that is!
Man Utd are desperate and that desperation is being brought on by City, they are skewing everything, the market really is crazy, more than at any time that I can remember…
Afternoon Kev, well said and I couldn’t agree more..
City have just spent £62 million on a midfielder according to SSN’s and are to offer £70+ million for Maguire.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-open-door-clubs-17382703
Hi Rico,
As usual a contemporaneous Post highlighting the distorted 21st century transfer deals that are done or may possibly be done with Monopoly money values. Sheesh!!
It would appear that Monreal has terminated his contract leaving us in sire need of a left back.
It is interesting and very apposite that not an eyebrow is raised when PSG, or Real, or Barça, or Man City/Utd etc agree to pay stupendously ridiculous sums for players, some of whom are very average.
On the other hand, for a club like Arsenal who have a tiddly sum available for transfers, under the axiom that we (or the owner more likely) are a club who pride themselves as financially responsible under the self-sustainability ethic which can cause the odd snicker from fans of the above clubs, and even engender a defensive response from Arsenal fans, who claim our squad are very good and do not need to spend ‘big’ — which with a £40m transfer fund is just as well.
Call me a philistine but — Arsenal’s money is not mine, apart from what I pay to watch them — so as I want Arsenal to win the EPL or the CL in the next 5 years, I have no concern about how much the target player costs, which is also just as well, as we fans have no say in who we buy or for how much, so a ‘big’ spend will not happen.
Gooners have still got a sensible approach to the valuation of players, and when someone like Zaha, or Maguire are touted at ridiculous prices — they say so — because it would not help the Arsenal to buy them, and tie up otherwise desperately needed funds that are in short supply for players (defenders/midfield) who we do need at sensible prices.
But I mean it — Kroenke is a billionaire, as is Mrs Kroenke, so I would not care if they decided to spend big — even if I also know they will not spend it on quality players to replace Mustafi etc.
Hi RA.
I’m not surprised re Monreal..
Ra, the Kroenke family aren’t going to to invest their own money into the squad anytime soon, Raul said that a couple of months ago.
I agree though, and as Adam said just a day or two ago, no other club transfers get scrutinised in the way ours do. Arsenal always damned if they do or don’t…
‘ morning all, if Monreal has terminated his contract he hasn’t told the Arsenal website, he’s still listed there. But then our new striker, Martinelli, isn’t listed in either the first team or the academy.
Morning Cicero, guys.
Lampard the new Chelsea then.
Nothing very exciting going on Arsenal wise, I’m sure behind the scenes though it’s all go… 😆
Morning all, great post Rico,
I’ve been with my daughter and grandchildren in Lincolnshire and I return to see Arsenal have signed a player !
To be fair the young Brazilian fits exactly the profile we should be going for.Ive seen that he will be with the first team for pre-season,then a decision will be made.I wonder what it means for Nketiah though.Ive also seen that Monreal has definitely had his contract extended for another year.
No progress on moving on any of the unwanted.Ozil for one is 99% certain to be still here in August, probably until his contract runs out in 2021.
I’m sure Kev will be proved right,and most of the deadwood will still be here in August.Hell Arsene himself only dropped off the payroll a few days ago.
I’ve also seen we bid £40m for Zaha, the media are reporting palace want 80-100m, the world’s gone mad,in my opinion he is worth nowhere near that.Good player but not what we need anyway.
BBC are reporting Atletico have signed a Portuguese player (Felix ?) for 113m,so that means they won’t be buying any of ours probably.
I’m still enjoying the cricket but pre season games start soon.At least we have a nice kit…
Thanks Limey.
I wondered the same re Eddie but there’s still a chance for him, especially if Martinelli goes into the academy first. Can’t see it though, if he has a good pre season, I reckon he’ll go ahead of Eddie. All guesswork though as I’ve no idea really. Lol
I’m still hopeful some of our deadwood will be moved on.
If Monreal and Koscielny want to leave, then we should allow them to depart as they’ve been great players for us, but Arsenal should ask for a fee, the days of letting players leave for nix, should be consigned to the dustbin, we need to be more business like in the market – we’re seen as a soft touch for a reason…
Just a thought, Martinelli cost us £6m (or was it €6m), now if Arsenal put Nketiah up for sale, would we get £6m for him?
I’m certainly not advocating selling Eddie, I really like him and I hope we keep him and use him, but if, by some miracle, we do get Zaha and we keep both Aubameyang and Lacazette, then where on earth does he fit in and how many opportunities will he get?
The injury to Welbeck may have really buggered up the career of Nketiah, because if Danny stays fit, then Eddie goes on loan and maybe really develops and scores a lot of goals, if that happens then maybe Eddie is nailed on as our 3rd forward for this season, no need to try and sign Zaha etc. As it is his career has stalled and he spent the second half of last season getting splinters in his arse.
Maybe Zaha is seen a player for the wings, if so it’s perhaps Mkhitaryan who is on his bike Kev..
Surely Welbeck has left Arsenal after his contract expired last month. Wasn’t there on-field announcement to that effect at the end of last season?
He has gone Cicero, Ramsey, Lich and Cech too.
The injury to Welbeck last season Cicero…
Sorry Kev I misunderstood your comment.
That’s cool Cicero…
Rico, maybe Emery is gonna try to copy Liverpool, with three quality forward, we may as well, because defending is an art that’s disappearing from Arsenal’s armoury at an alarming rate.
It’s what fans want nowadays, 1-0 to the Arsenal doesn’t do it for the new social media football fan – and maybe they’re right.
What our defence needs, as much as a dominant centre back is a proper defensive midfielder in front of them, it’s what we’ve pretty much lacked ever since Arsene Wenger went all Barca lite and Gilberto left.
If we do go with three attackers I’m not sure where Ozil fits into that?
Good point Kev, didn’t give that one much of a thought. It’d be great to see some pace back in the team, the way we’ve played for a while now has become boring.
Klopp has a decent defence too, marginally better than ours… 🤣🤣
Also Kev, I’ve believed for a while that signing a proper midfielder is as important if not more, than signing central defenders. Not saying we don’t need a defender or two, just think out midfield is really weak.
Good afternoon, Rico, et Al, 😁
We cannot get away from the tipsy, topsy world of media reporting on transfers — and not just the Arsenal one’s either.
It seemed to be widely accepted that Nacho had decided to make tracks and return to his native Espagne — but it now just as widely reported that Arsenal have taken up the option to extend his contract for another year – and quite rightly.
Not too far apart are they? If I owned a newspaper, I would have the sports editor up on a media charge, and start by saying “tu as le cerveau d’un microbe” or “you have a microbe’s brain” – and then fire him, or give him a promotion – depending on how many extra papers were bought by mugs desperate for news – or not.
Here’s another one: (1) ‘Arsenal only have a £45m transfer fund this summer’; (2) ‘Kroenke is to be asked, at a Board meeting, to release more transfer funds’; (3) ‘Arsenal have a lot more money in the transfer kitty than £45m — it is putting on the poor mouth to fool Palace in the Zaha negotiations’.
So, with those strings we get 3 rumours — and not just the usual two contradictory ones — but shushhhh — don’t say a thing about the third one — we mustn’t let Crystal Palace know!!!!!
What a load of horse feathers!!
Afternoon RA, very nicely summed up.
Do those idiots writing all that stuff think we believe much if any of it?
I tend to agree Rico, our defence looks so pony because it’s left exposed by our pony midfield.
Put a fridge freezer of a def/mid in front of them and hey presto, we’re Invincible again…
Well maybe not, but you get my gist… 😉
When you think about it Red, and I have a lot of trouble in that dept, where did the £45m rumour come from because I haven’t a scooby?
Was it an urban myth dreamed up on Twitter which then took off and had a life of its own while the club just let it run because it suited their agenda?
Raul must have been pissing himself while we all accepted it as verbatim.
Now the same rumour mongers are dreaming up new sums of transfer cash…
So be prepared for ‘Arsenal’s £200m war chest’ on News/Lies Now any day soon.
It’s all knockabout stuff isn’t it?
Kev,
I do not think any of us have a clue either. In my rather fevered imagination, I sometimes visualise a whole bunch of elves sitting around a wood bench each morning. sharpening their quills, and the chief elf saying, ‘right lads — anyone come up with some really terrible transfer rumours this morning? OK, let’s get the mischief out on NewsNow — soon as you can!” 🤪
I do get your gist Kev.
As for the £45m budget, did anyone really believe it?
Another thing that makes me laugh, even tho I have worked in the UK for quite some time now, are the expressions sometimes used by the populace.
I was having a coffee in Starbucks, this a.m. and I heard about a new (?) phenomenon called explosive marriage proposals . An example of which was a video of a couple driving their car and suddenly being stopped and manhandled by balaclava clad military types and bundled out of their car.
The woman was hysterical and suddenly the ‘baddies’ let the man go, and he turned to her, got down on one knee, and held out a ring while he proposed, to the relief and delight of his would be wife.
Weird. Anyway, further tales of how women were proposed to were mentioned, including one where the woman said, “my then boyfriend took me to my favourite Chinese restaurant, and while we were having a crispy duck, my boyfriend proposed to me!”
The person relaying this tale, then said, “for the sake of clarity – ‘crispy duck’ was not meant as rhyming slang!” 🥺
It took me a few seconds to register that, and I fell about laughing — and nobody else seemed to understand it, or were too busy chatting — so laughing on my own just made me laugh more!!! 😁😜
Reading your phrase, above, “haven’t a scooby” — [Scooby-Do]? started me laughing all over again.
Thank you — can’t help loving the quintessentially English humorous dialect. Marvellous.
I believed it, Rico, only because I have it in my mind that Kroenke is a tight wad, and I know nothing about him, so that’s a bit lame! 😞
Another clearly nonsensical rumour portrayed as up to the minute ‘breaking news’ — was the message that Tierney was ‘jetting in’ to London to complete his contract agreement with Arsenal. As that was last Thursday, he must have taken the ’round the world’ route, as I heard today that he had been spotted ay Heathrow, at last.
Ion truth, love all this transfer bollix, because it is so bad, and it does make me smile (or laugh) at the ignominy of people repeating it , and arguing about how ‘expensive’ it all is, on various blogs, as if it is gospel. 😎 Me too, it seems?? 🤪
Ha ha RA. I’m not a fan of Kroenke at all but not because of his lack of investment but for his lack of interest he appears to have in his club. If FFP dictates clubs can only spend what they generate then by my understanding, he’s not permitted to do so anyway.
Is that the very reason City are being investigated?
All the genuinely ‘big’ clubs are getting away with a smacked wrist when they transgress the FFP rules — and at worst end up with a paltry fine.
Well, paltry to them.
So Red, you was sitting all on your lonesome, in Starbucks having a coffee and having a tin bath, good for you… 🙂
Transfers can take an inordinate amount of time to be concluded, you’ve almost lost any sense of excitement by the time the said player/players have signed. It’s all quite boring…
Tierney will probably sign over the next few days and I’ll stifle a slight yawn, we might even get Zaha before the deadline and I’ll try not to nod off…
A sign of the times is Yunus Musah, a talented 16 year old wide forward who has not yet signed the professional contract he’s been offered by Arsenal. All his mates have signed, Miguel Azeez for example, a player who is probably more talented, but still Musah or his advisors are holding out.
Is it money? Probably…
Does he want guarantees of being fast tracked into the senior squad? Possibly!
Is he being scouted by other clubs? Almost definitely…
Are there other offers on the table or in the pipeline? Maybe?
Do I care if he stays or goes. No….
One door closes and another opens Yunus, bye bye….
Appy POETS day HH’ers.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that good transfer news is only round the corner. Not only quality coming in but dross going out.
It appears (at least to me) that UE is trying to sort the good from the bad. What a difficult job he has been left by Wenger and Gazedis.
In a personal note, it’s nice to see my old buddy RA on here starting to comment more and more. Great stuff.
Also, hope Cockey is on the mend.
Good health and happiness you Glorious Gunners fans everywhere.
Let’s keep the faith. Onwards and upwards
COYG
Morning all.
Morning all, here’s my snippets.
There you are heres our new keeper.James Hillson is an 18-year-old goalkeeper who only joined the club, from Reading, back in February on loan. He has now completed his free transfer to Arsenal.He still has to go to school on certain days of the week.
As reported on Tuesday, Lacazette’s agency met with Arsenal this week. This has been confirmed by pictures on the agency’s Instagram story, though reports differ over the reason for the meeting.
Some claim it was over a contract extension, whilst others, such as Yahoo Sport, wrote that it was to discuss a possible transfer to Spain.
At the time, the rumoured Spanish club involved was unnamed, but we speculated that Atletico Madrid were the only seriously viable candidate. Now, the Mirror have moved to confirm that speculation, claiming that Atletico are indeed interested in the signing.
It makes sense, as the La Liga side are losing Griezmann to Barcelona for over £100m. They have both the motivation and the funds to pursue a player like Lacazette, and it’s clear Arsenal need money.
On the other hand, this is Arsenal’s player of the season, who scored and assisted numerous crucial goals in big games last campaign.
Letting him go is unlikely to be a popular move, no matter how much money the La Liga side through at the club. It has been well documented that Arsenal can only generate extra funds through players sales and a figure of around £70m – less than what Crystal Palace want for Wilfried Zaha – is being touted.
Despite signing a one year extension to his contract Monreal is attracting further interest from Real Sociedad and if a fee can be agreed he will go.
He’s been a loyal servant but another now well into his thirties.Now I read this today.Arsenal have reportedly handed Spanish full-back Nacho Monreal a new one-year contract, with an option of extending it by another twelve months.
Now I read this today. as well Arsenal have reportedly handed Spanish full-back Nacho Monreal a new one-year contract, with an option of extending it by another twelve months.
I really try and seperate rumour and fact but the above about Monreal came out by two different reporters within an hour today.
Morning Gooner’s
Morning Rico
I’ve not looked on News/Lies Now yet, it’s the highlight of my day and gives me a lot of laughs as I judiciously avoid clicking on the usual dishonest suspects as they try to draw you in with headlines that are intriguing but vague. You can usually decipher what they’re stealing from other outlets, the majority of them have never written anything original in their entire time online, it’s simply a scam.
Whose these two Brazilians we’re linked with, a 30 year old right back and a centre back sporting a quite Germanic name?
I’ve forgotten their names but apparently Edu is the mover and shaker behind them, well that’s what the guff says.
Interesting to see that despite the threats of expulsion from the CL for Man City, over FFP (stifles a laugh) that the boys from Etihad have still managed to outspend every other team in the EPL so far – balance the books, you’ll have Red laughing into his Skinny Latte in a corner of Starbucks!
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/05/arsenal-wilfried-zaha-ian-wright-crystal-palace
Morning Kev, all.
Atlético have just spent over £100 m on a youngster, could they afford another £100m for Lacazette because that’s what Arsenal should be selling him for IF they plan to let him leave.
😂 Kev, you love NN as much as I do then…
Vcc, I corrected your little slip up. You got your h’s muddled with a’s 😝
There’s a new post up now..
I do love N/LN Rico, you’ve just got to be smart and negotiate you’re way through all the crap towards the few sites that are worth clicking on and that’s not many, but I still get caught out. 🙄
Take the supposed meeting between Raul and Stan, is that anything out of the ordinary or just procedure before the summer spend gets into swing?
Who knows?
The click bait sites certainly don’t know, that’s a given, so ignore that rubbish…
If a ‘story’ doesn’t name a player in the ‘headline’ then it’s suspect…
If it’s newsworthy they’ll give the name, a vague headline equals bullshit…
If it says anything like ‘deal agreed’ ‘deal done’ ‘clubs agree fee’ you know the stuff I mean, then it’s bollocks, always is, those sites know fcuk all and just recycle – but that’s good for the planet, isn’t it? 😁