Liking the new Arsenal.

Morning all.

Zak Swanson has left Arsenal after signing for Portsmouth. He was one of the academy players who made it into the squad during the last couple of months of last season but it’s clear now that he was just making up the numbers. It’s always a shame when a local player departs, especially one who has been at the club for so long but there’s no point in him staying if he doesn’t have what it takes to play Premier League football. Still, I’m sure there are many young footballers who’d love the opportunity to play in League One and let’s face it, if he turns out to be better than Mikel Arteta believes he is, Swanson will soon move up the leagues. Good luck to him I say, Daniel Ballard too who has moved to Championship club Sunderland.

So far this summer, Arsenal have signed five players.

  • Marquinhos
  • Matt Turner
  • William Saliba
  • Fabio Vieira
  • Gabriel Jesus

According to Wikipedia, Austen Trusty will finish his loan with Colorado Rapids on the 17th July when Arsenal will be in the USA so it’s feasible that he might meet up with his new teammates out there before a rest and perhaps another loan, preferably in England if that’s still Mikel Arteta’s plan for him. Should he stay at Arsenal, we’ll have five centre-backs in the squad.

If only we had such luxuries in the centre of midfield. Defensively I mean. Or on the wings, you know, what I would call a proper winger with pace to burn and the skills to go with it. A left back too who can do all that Kieran Tierney does but for more than half a season. Actually, half a season would do as long as it’s the half which Tierney misses. Lol I’m not convinced Mikel Arteta has much faith in Nuno Tavares, not yet anyway but I think it’s too early to cast him aside. Perhaps he’s another who’d benefit from a loan. He’s young, athletic and just needs to improve his positioning and discipline in my opinion.

Manchester Utd, Chelsea, Brentford and Leicester City are the only clubs who are yet to sign a player this summer. Totts, Arsenal, Leeds and Aston Villa have been busy though. The rest have signed either one or two players so far. I mention that because I keep reading negative comments about Arsenal and how as a club, we dilly dally over transfers. In the past we have but last summer was the start of what seems to be a more organised and proactive approach towards the signing of players. Whoever is responsible for that, then kudos to them I say.

I’m sure Mikel Arteta played a massive part in Arsenal being able to sign a player like Jesus. The two have worked together before which is clearly the reason why Jesus turned down offers from other clubs. The smile on Arteta’s face when he introduced Jesus as an Arsenal played showed just how elated the Spaniard is to have him in the squad. I’m pretty sure most Arsenal fans will be equally as happy. Our new number 9 is aiming to score a lot of goals.

Marquinhos and Gabriel Jesus were training with their new teammates yesterday. Kieran Tierney too which is great news. Not seen any pictures of Fabio Vieira but then he might be resting his ankle which was last seen in a protective boot.

Lastly, there are a lot of rumours flying around on social media about the identity of the footballer who was arrested in Barnet yesterday on suspicion of Rape. He’s reported to be a 29 year old international player who lives in north London. 2+2 = he’s an Arsenal or Totts player. I’m sure his name will be leaked at some stage although if he’s charged by police, it’ll be made public anyway but until then, speculation is best avoided I think.

Speculation continues in relation to who Arsenal will sign next though. The Martinez rumours rumble on, Raphinha and Tielemans too. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic joined them in the Arsenal rumours on NN yesterday. I’m optimistic we’ll at least sign a midfielder and cover for left back before the season begins but whether it’s someone the media link us to is a different story.

Catch up in the comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21 thoughts on “Liking the new Arsenal.

  1. Aussie Geoff says:

    Morning Rico and all

    As I said yesterday This is the best transfer in a while not only have picked up a good player who understands Arteta.
    While also picking up a few more players who seem to be ok but most importantly the new players will have more time to meet, practice and settle in before the season starts.

  2. Phanuel Odari says:

    We need a physically big and menacingly witty left back to help when we meet stereotypically physical sides like C. Palace and Newcastle… Last season, that was what denied Arsenal top Four position. I gunner for Martinez from Ajax ( he is versatile and strong in the tackle) We could possibly do with a physical striker as well… Games change and height is a requirement sometimes… Kudos to the management so far…

  3. rico says:

    Morning Geoff, Phanuel and all.

    I think our most needed player is in midfield, someone better than Xhaka and as good as Partey on his better days.

  4. Obi says:

    Rico @ 11:08, you have just described Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Although he wasn’t as dominant as the previous 2 seasons this past season, he fits the bill. Much better than Tielemans because Tielemans takes games off, not just plays.

  5. devilgunner says:

    Good afternoon Rico and all.

    I dont think that it might necessarily mean an Arsenal or Tottenham player who has been arrested. It might be someone who plays for a london club but lives in NL.

    Anyway…..we have three international midfielders who are 29 while the spuddies have 4 players one of whom is a media darling.

    We wait and see.

  6. devilgunner says:

    Rape happened in June so its irrelevant where they are now. If during June all three international 29 year old Arsenal midfielders were not in England than our players are cleared.

  7. rico says:

    It does Devil because whichever player was arrested is still in custody so they wouldn’t be anywhere other than a police station right now.

  8. Devilgunner says:

    Yes you’re right there Rico. If they are in Germany while xhaka is on holiday than our boys are out of trouble.

    Imagine if it’s the media darling. 😂😂😂

  9. Obi says:

    The stories I read said the player is “an England international player” not an international player. All Arsenal English players are under 29 y.o. I thought it might be the one at Palace but I remember he switched countries.

  10. allezkev says:

    It’s not an Arsenal player!!!

    Oh dear, the media will be mortified, feck’em…

    Savic looks good on You Tube, good in the air and likes a goal which is what we’re missing from midfield, but he’s 27 so no sell on value in the player therefore I wouldn’t spend a big fee on him.

    Serie A is totally skint and desperate for dough, so it’s the kind of deal you can let run until the end of August and then try to get a bargain. I notice that the Sassulo centre-forward hasn’t moved yet, are they waiting for a bidding war to jack up the price, jog on Italiano.

  11. Cicero says:

    Good day all.

    So, we have signed Gabriel Jesus, I was never in favour of him joining Arsenal but as he has, I will support him for as long as he gives his all for the team.

    We now need a left sided defender and a defensive midfielder to complete the best summer transfer window for the last decade at least. All power to the collective elbow of Arteta and Edu.

  12. andrewh1313 says:

    Yes Rico, Wheatley’s earlier confirmation in Germany was false, doesn’t sound good that he deleted tweet an hour after putting on, then retracted news.

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