Morning all.
I didn’t watch much of the Charity Shield final yesterday afternoon but apparently Liverpool fans booed the national anthem and Palace fans were noisy during the minutes silence in memory of Jota and his brother. Shame on them I say. It was slightly amusing to see Liverpool the penalty shootout though. You’d think their players would be spot kick experts by now considering the amount they are awarded each season.
When Mikel Arteta was asked if Arsenal have concluded their transfer business for this summer, his answer was probably little more than one would expect:
Let’s see what happens in terms of where the squad is in the next few weeks, but we are actively looking at options. There are a few players that have to leave as well, so we’ll be open to see what happens.
I think he has said similar during every transfer window since he became manager, it’s just a non committed response to what really is a stupid question. After all, he’s hardly likely to tell the media what the club has planned. Mind you, he wasn’t shy about selling players and those who ‘have to leave’, are probably already trying to find another club. Assuming they haven’t already because knowing they need to move on isn’t something which they would have found out yesterday. They would have known since the beginning of the summer if not before.
As well as the players returning from a season out on loan, Leandro Trossard, Oleksandr Zinchenko and perhaps even Gabriel Jesus must wonder how many playing minutes they are likely to get and with our new centre back signing Cristhian Mosquera looking so at home in the centre of defence and Riccardo Calafiori hopefully over his fitness troubles, Jakub Kiwior could be thinking about a future elsewhere too.
With numbers as well as quality being the goal for the summer, I’m sure Arteta would be reluctant to let a player as good as Kiwior go. However, money talks and just like any other club, if the right fee is offered, I’m sure the club will think long and hard before saying no.
Pre-season has been a bit mixed but then that’s to be expected really. Gaining fitness ahead of the new season is all that matters really. Of course we want to see the team win but more importantly in my opinion is seeing the team play well. Gabriel and Kai Havertz missed the last couple of months of last season through serious injuries and yet here they are now, back in the mix and looking stronger than ever. Certainly Havertz. He’s bulked up, he looks quicker and he certainly looks up for the battle with Viktor Gokreyes for the striker role. Competition is healthy and I think in certain areas of the pitch we’ve been lacking that. Perhaps we still are in the centre of midfield as who is breathing down our captains neck? What if suffers an injury again?
On that note, catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico.
My one concern about our returning players is Calafiori, either he cheated at his medical or was horribly unlucky to get a serious injury seemingly hours after signing his contract. It has to be said that he does seem to be injury prone. Hopefully, Timber will have a less injury plagued season and will be able to cover the left back position if required.
Cloudless sky and 25c heading to 28/9c later in a very dry Norfolk. 😎
Sorry Rico, I didn’t answer your headline question, Nwaneri? Or perhaps Zubimendi.
Morning Cicero, I’d love nothing more than to see Nwaneri be the player.
Calafiori worries me too, we always seem to have one or two who break down after signing for us. We must be really unlucky or, our medical aren’t robust enough.
Just watching the training coverage, all bar Jesus and Trossard are involved..
I didn’t think Trossard was injured perhaps he’s on his way out.
People saying Nwaneri can cover for MO are completely wrong!
Arsenal need a top quality number ten who isn’t a teenager!
Arsenal will not win the title or champions league if Arsenal pin their hopes on a teenager!
Yes I love Nwaneri and yes he will be a great player for Arsenal but a teenager that has hardly played a full 90 mins at senior level isn’t ready to be expected to be the creative force at number ten!
Be realistic!
Arsenal need a top class number ten who is ready now!
Without and it’s another season of nothing!
He picked up a niggle against Totts. Apparently, contract talks have come to a standstill so I reckon he’s off.
AFC Rick, I wouldn’t say it’s wrong re Nwaneri but it’s unlikely imo. I think he’s more likely to continue on the right for resting Saka etc. I still think we’re a midfielder short because as good as Nwaneri, Dowman are, they are still young and growing. Play them of course, but not overplay them imo.
Nwaneri and Eze will have that covered.
18 year old Fabregas took us to the Champions League final.
Eze is not our player, nor likely to be in my opinion.
I’d go for the latest kid on the dock-Dowman
If he was coming reckon he would already be here. However that’s not say that another player will come in . Can you really see Eze coming to sit on the bench behind Odegaard because with the best will in the world I can’t see Arteta dropping his captain.
will not come in
I can’t see Odegaard being dropped either and of course, for rest/rotation purposes, between Dowman and Nwaneri were covered but I’d hate to see us play again with Trossard’s filling in should Odegaard be out for a stretch..
I think we’re more likely to sign that left-footed French centre back from St Etienne (?) rather than a No.10, especially if Kiwior and Zinchenko leave?
Even though he’s only 15 I think that Dowman has already forced a rethink on player recruitment, his emergence and influence, regardless of age, has probably killed any deal for Eze.
I think that theres no chance of signing Rodrygo either because of the financial package he and his advisors would demand.
I’d take him on loan with an option though, try him out and then send him back if he isn’t up to it. Sell a few shirts and if he’s any good then talk about a deal then but a year from him would buy Dowman time.
It’s also worth checking out our feeder club Chelsea’s squad, to see who they fail to use properly and who we can snap up next summer.
Jeremy Jacquet Kev?
I still have a hunch Eze will arrive.
That’s him Rico!
I’m not too fussed about Eze either way Rico, if we get him great, if we don’t 🤷
I get that Kev, I’m the same really. In a perfect world, Vieira would be physically able to fill in.
PSG have agreed a £54.5m deal to sign Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi.
Looks like I won’t need to try and watch Bournemouth, they’re selling all their good players. 😜
Good afternoon Rico and all
I managed to find the reel I told you about regarding Madueke’s penalty miss. here it is
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1927340361391586
That is why I was confused
https://x.com/C02003/status/1954679774586237357
Where has his pace come from 😜
Afternoon Devil, I knew he missed one previously..
The only problem with buying from them is we get them out of PSR problems . I often wonder whether Boehly has got something on Stan in the states or whether they are mates.
I know Kev will call me one-track-minded.
Well … he’ll have a point.
It’s been quite some time since I started wishin’ Bukayo were released from his right wing, and given the Messi-at-Barcelona role for us.
The setup I’ve had in mind would look like this (and I know there’s not a snowball chance in Hell it’ll get actual – 4-2-3-1 with Martin calling the shots it’ll be, let’s call what follows an old-fool-of-a-fan’s thought experiment).
Anyway (4-3-1-2):
Raya
Timber (White) – Saliba – Gabriel – Calafiori
Ødegaard (Merino, LewisSkelly) -Zubimendi – Rice
Saka
Havertz-Gyökeres
That’d mean Martin’s shift to a deeper role (he could be at least as good as Santi was in that position imo), and … I think sky’s the limit for the number of goals-assists Bukayo would provide as soon as he started playing more central. Of course what he can do in the tight spaces of his RW is mesmerizing, but just imagine the chaotic mess he’d turn the opponents’ setups into if he was given the whole width of the pitch to express himself freely, guys!
And don’t think I haven’t felt guilty for considering our young skipper being overthrown from his favorite position. Actually I’ve only thought of him as “Pauvre Martin” (Poor Martin) lately, while having the great Georges Brassens’s song in mind:
(With his spade over his shoulder
With a sweet song on his lips
With a great courage in his soul
He would go toiling in the fields
Poor Martin, destitute Martin
Dig away the earth, dig away the time
In order to earn his bread
From sundown to sunset
He would go spading the earth
Wherever he had to, whatever the weather
Poor Martin, destitute Martin
etc. etc.
When Death beckoned him
Into tilling his last field
He dug up his own grave
In a hurry, hiding from sight
And laid down in it without a word
So as not to bother anyone
Poor Martin …)
That’s going back a bit… lol
Simon Hooper has been appointed as the referee for Sundays opening match of the 2025/26 Premier League season, away to Manchester United.
Assistant Referees are Adrian Holmes and Simon Long.
Fourth Official: Jarred Gillett.
VAR: Paul Tierney.
Rico, Havertz’ pace has come from better training and most of all improved attitude because he knows that his CF berth is under threat.
And so it begins, Gillet at OT. Even on var he’s useless.
Said similar in the post Devil, healthy competition wakes players up..
No Rico. Not useless. Corrupt
Paul Tierney is as bent as a 9 franc note, c’est, corrumpu
They all seem biased against us..
Carlisle striker Luke Armstrong got his face completely split open after being kicked in the head by Woking goalkeeper Craig Ross in the National League this weekend.
To make matters worse, the referee didn’t even think it was a foul!
No penalty and no red card for getting your face kicked in.
English refereeing is class
Apparently Jose Mourinho has asked his club to buy Zinchenko.
Yes, I saw that Geoff but negotiating with Turkish clubs is a waste of time unless the player is free, although another suitor for Zinchenko might force the hand of other clubs who are waiting for the asking price to drop.
I’m surprised that a club like Leeds isn’t interested in Zinchenko given his influence in the dressing room?
Probably wages that puts people off . The turkish teams like to barter and want everything on the cheap . We either give him away to save his wage or he stays until someone else comes along.
Zinchenko was on £ 20,000 a week at Man City so we offered £ 150,000 a week . Some negotiation !
I think we’ve done the same or similar with other signings as well. I get the pay rise but why so big has often crossed my mind..
I’m pretty sure Nelson is on £100k a week and he’s not even in the managers plans.
I read Arsenal want £13m for Zinchenko… Bargain imo.
Rumours are Totts want Eze.
Morning guys by the way.
Morning Rico and all,
It must be Zinchenko match fees putting clubs off, as I don’t think he a bad player just not suited to us
Afternoon Geoff, isn’t it always…
Could Zinchenko leave Arsenal for free next summer?
Oleksandr Zinchenko is reportedly giving consideration to seeing out his contract at Arsenal, according to The Athletic.
Zinchenko, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Gunners, is available to leave the Emirates in this transfer window.
However, the Ukraine international is thinking about staying in north London and leaving for free in the summer of 2026.
Arsenal would prefer a sale in this window.
might be better to except a cheap offer 15 mill ) than loose him for free next season.
£150 grand a week , I would stick around too
As would I.
I’d stick around for £15 grand
Oleksandr Zinchenko Salary Profile
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Left Back) has 1 year and £7,800,000 Estimated Gross Salary remaining on his contract with Arsenal (Premier League), expiring on Jun 30, 2026. Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is 28 years old, will earn an Estimated Base Salary of £7,800,000 for the 2025-2026 Season, or £150,000 gross per week, excluding bonuses.
Disclaimer
Quick Stats
STATUS Active
VERIFIED Yes
LEAGUEPremier League
CLUBArsenal
GROSS P/W
£ 150,000 (Base)
£ 50,000 (Bonus)
£ 200,000 per week
GROSS P/Y
£ 7,800,000 (Base)
£ 2,600,000 (Bonus)
£ 10,400,000 per year
GROSS CONTRACT
1-yr/£7.80M + £2.6M
RELEASE CLAUSE
£ 0
SIGNED
Jul 22, 2022
EXPIRATION
Jun 30, 2026
GROSS CAREER
£ 27,560,000
GROSS ADJ. (2025)
£ 28,179,120
AGE
28 yo
DOB
Dec 15, 1996
COUNTRY
Ukraine
NO. / POS.
#1
Might be worth loaning him out to save on his salary if we can’t sell him?
I wonder how the £50k per week bonus works out?
Appearance?
Maybe that’s why he does play much 😜
A loan makes sense though if we can’t sell him.
Bilal El Khannouss anyone? £30 million…
I agree if we can’t sell Zinchenko then look at a loan so we can get some if not all his wages of our books for this season.
Hi Geoff, I was just joking with you about Glenn McGrath, great bowler, if he didn’t get you, Shane Warne would. McGrath helped massively in the 2005 Ashes win, he stood on a cricket ball and injury ruled him out of the rest of the series after the Second Test.
I’m not a major cricket boff but I know England always struggle and have taken a few hammerings in Oz.
And Joe Root has never hit a ton down-under, he must be running out of time.
With our record over there, a 5-0 loss would not surprise, India pushed England all the way over here this summer to get a 2-2 series draw.
Harry Brooks is going to have to raise his game to new levels.
Anyhow, quick Arsenal stuff.
You mentioned Zinny being on £90k p.w. before Arsenal bought him and put him on £150k p.w. (it would be interesting to know when that £90k a week at City began in relation to when Arsenal bought him).
These are not reliable sources, but I read the other day that we raised Havertz from £250k to £275k p.w., Gabriel Jesus from £90k to £265k p.w. Mikel Merino from £50k to £130k p.w. Viktor Gyokeres has jumped from £40k to £200k p.w. and a real shocker if true, Califiori from £12k to £120k p.w.
If this is an example of how Arsenal negotiate their business it’s no wonder they haven’t won the PL or CL, and not likely to with such profligacy of precious transfer funds.
Good morning everyone
SAH….That’s a very interesting point regarding the mammoth increase in wages. While I dont agree with your last comment (that its no wonder that we havent won the EPL or CL with such profligacy of money) I agree with the fact that so many players get such a mammoth increase is not something good.
Someone at board level needs to get their work right. And I hope that Berta does that because certain players, like Zinchenko and Jesus dont justify the jump in their wages seeing that they are sitting down more than they play. The club needs to get their wage level down and while its important to attract top players with good salaries its of paramount importance that the club are careful with their money .
I didnt agree with your last comment, simply because I feel that the last two seasons, especially the last on, it wasnt that reason we did not win the league. I am not including the CL in this, (simply because it was injuries that derailed us getting to the final because we were better than PSG). But in the league, besides injuries, it was the refs who made sure we faltered. And every Tom and his dog know that the refs cost us around 10 points at least through their unbelievable decisions taken during the season where it was one rule for Arsenal and another rule for the rest of the EPL teams especially the dippers.
Devil, there is a definite bias against Arsenal from the PGMOL, but it’s only a disadvantage if you play into it.
It has been going on for decades because most referee’s are Northern based,
but Arsenal are well aware of this and need to be a lot more savvy on the pitch.
Arsenal were miles off a title challenge because they didn’t recruit well enough last summer to give us legitimate cover for Odegaard (who had a poor season after injury), or Saka, who Arteta ran into the ground.
It’s disingenuous to say Arsenal were better than PSG. Yes in the league stage in October when PSG didn’t have Kravatskelia and Dembele was injured.
Over both legs of the semi-final PSG had a measure of control, and Arsenal never looked capable of progressing to the final.
Liverpool and Villa gave PSG a closer fight than Arsenal.
Personally, I still think Arsenal need an X-factor, a game-changer in the final third.
Get one of those and Arsenal will push Liverpool/City/Chelsea to the wire.
Four days to OT, squeaky bum time 🤞
Just a question which for now has nothing to do with Arsenal………
…with Sesko a definite starter, Hoylund and Zirkzee as subs, where does that leave Obi??? maybe a loan perhaps now. A bit of a rushed judgement from Chido, but it should serve him right. He should have stayed and probably, with the injuries we had last season he would have definitely got a chance like Myles. And maybe cemented his place. Yes he was young and it would have been risky to play him up top, but MLS did well no? and he was 17.
I disagree with Liverpool giving PSG a run for their money in the CL last season as they were battered over the two legs in all bar the scoreline. Villa came closest imo but I think when there’s nothing to lose, it’s easier to go all out attack. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t.
I can recall Arsenal playing Bayern I think it was and we were trailing by 3 or 4 goals. In the end we were 1 goal away from levelling the aggregate scoreline. The story suggests we came close but the reality is, over the two legs, which is what European football is all about, we were absolutely second best.
Re our overinflated wages, when Arteta and Edu took over, Arsenal weren’t in a good place and honestly, not a club I’d have wanted to join if I was an ambitious player. I suspect that’s why we had to pay ridiculous wages. Plus, every footballer knows the PL clubs, especially those with rich owners, is the place to be. I think the best comparison is Liverpool who have a 33 year old Salah on £400k a week and a 34 year old VvD on £350k a week.
Good morning all.
Absolutely agree Devil, he made his bed…
SAH….against PSG we were inferior you say?? Then how did their keeper, Donnarumma take MOTM twice over both legs?? In the 2nd leg alone we could and should have been 3-0 up in the first 25 mins. But Gigi played a blinder and saved them well.
And Xabi Alonso, the PSG manager, during the post match comments, said that of all the English clubs PSG faced, Arsenal were the strongest and best team and the one which he feared most.
Alonso was manager of Bayer Leverkusen at the time Devil, you mean Enrique 😜
Sorry, I meant Luis Enrique. Got mixed up haha.
Enrique did say that in the post match comments.
Doesn’t make him right though Devil. 😜
Imo based on the fact that in both games Donnarumma the keeper was MOTM proves me right. we were better overall. but their keeper saved the day.
had we got into the final we would have beaten Inter for sure
Not really Devil, it just proves they had a very good keeper. If we were better, we’d have won.
Morning Campers, it seems as if Mark Guehi could be on his way to Luckypool meaning that Palace will soon have a few bob to spend after paying a percentage to Chelsea.
Jakub Kiwior is being strongly linked to a move to Palace to replace Guehi, although no fee has be mentioned. I reckon Kiwior would be a great signing for the Eagles given his experience in international and champions league football and just what they need for the Conference Cup. He would bring that element of professionalism from Arsenal and is in his prime, the only issue would be the fee?
I reckon that Arsenal are looking for north of £30m and personally I think he’s worth it. Palace have also been linked with Reiss Nelson so I wonder if some kind of player plus cash deal could be agreed over Eze?
Fulham it seems are only interested in a loan deal for Nelson but Berta isn’t Edu and I suspect that The Don will drive a hard bargain in order to balance the books and make him look tough.
Forza Andrea…
Be interesting to see how much Liverpool pay for Guehi because however much it is, Palace should be paying the same if not more for Jakub.
Palace want £40m apparently for Guehi
SAH, I am like you I am not a big cricket fan, but enjoy some friendly banter, and yes Australia has had some good cricketers but unfortunitly in the past the selectors would mainly look at one state to fill the team and it was harder to get dropped than it was to get picket.
My wife just purchased some very soft foam balls for me to throw at the tv if we play bad this season.
That’s funny Goff, a smart wife you have..
Its not the balls which are the problem for Geoff Rico. He can throw how many he likes during the season. The problem would arise if he got really angry and instead of throwing the balls at the tv he would end up throwing the tv out of the window. 😂😂😂😂
Devil/Rico I have smashed 2 tv in three season, Yes I get a little carried away when we do stupid thing and loose to teams at the bottom of the ladder. so I have warned if I break another she will cut more than my pay tv subscription off 😢
Watching football is expensive Geoff. Lol
Zinchenko discusses Arsenal future
Oleksandr Zinchenko has described last season as “easily the worst season I ever experienced as a professional” amid limited game time at Arsenal – and revealed his desire to play more.
The 28-year-old made just 15 Premier League appearances for the Gunners last season – starting just five games.
The summer signing of Riccardo Calafiori plus the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly was partly to blame, with Zinchenko linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer.
“I was basically out of the starting XI altogether, bar a few isolated matches,” Zinchenko wrote in a new chapter of his autobiography Believe.
“In pure personal terms, it was easily the worst season I ever experienced as a professional. A player who doesn’t play is nothing.
“I’ve never been a player who runs to the manager, complains or asks tonnes of questions. I can only blame myself. If I don’t play, it means that I didn’t work hard enough, didn’t do enough, didn’t play well enough.
“Let’s see what time will bring. Because I still want to play football. I want to enjoy the game and come back with a smile on my face in the evening.”
No return of the Jack then…
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6388502/2025/08/13/jack-wilshere-arsenal-under-21s/
Rico
The only time Arsenal had anyone of Salah’s quality was Thierry Henry and he left to win the CL.
At Liverpool, Salah and VVD have two PL titles and a CL winners medal.
At Arsenal we have two players who won the PL with City, and a CL winner in Kai Havertz who won it with Chelsea.
Luis Diaz who just left for Bayern, was on £55k a week.
Some clubs have that prestige and when you look at Liverpool’s history and the players they’ve had, most players see it as a privilege to play for the club, the same isn’t the case for Arsenal.
Even during their 30 year title gap they won the CL twice and UEFA/Europa League (2001).
Arsenal threw away years when they just weren’t competitive. The last years of Bertie Mee and throughout the whole of Terry Neill, and almost all of the post Emirates years before they finally got rid of Wenger.
I don’t think there’s another club as complacent and relaxed about not winning as Arsenal, even now the Kroenke’s aren’t that bothered about trophies as long as the club makes profit.
That’s the difference between Arsenal and Liverpool.
They have a hunger for success that Arsenal have never had, and it’s difficult because a mindset like that is organically grown within the club’s whole philosophy.
There is a bit of truth in that SAH.
We do seem to have a habit of resting on our laurels which is why I describe our history as feast and famine. From Mee to Graham to Wenger’s first period we either compete for everything or nothing.
Whether our present leaders have the will to climb back up again or happily tootle along in second and third is open to discussion.
If we are not to win the league then we have to make a bigger effort in the cups , although not getting T.V selling draws in the early rounds might help.( hot and cold balls ?)
Sah, I understand where you are coming from but I was more referring to how we compare, especially as both clubs are American owned. Also, the Money we offered was possibly down to the mess the club were in when Arteta took over. Just a thought though.
What irks me more is when we hand out contract extensions with big pay rises to players who don’t necessarily deserve them.
Now there’s a subject for a post Potter.. I might steal your idea.. lol
Hi Potter
Yes Arsenal always seem to get the short straw, especially in the FA Cup.
Liverpool and United in the 3rd round in consecutive years is dodgy to say the least.
If Arsenal are not prepared to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool and City, you’re right, Arsenal should make more effort to win a domestic cup.
Our League Cup record is shocking considering it’s still a big draw for the big clubs.
Newcastle breezed past us in the semi-final, like it was something Arsenal could just throw away without a care.
Anticipating Toots supporters being all over internet tomorrow . They play PSG tonight and this is PSG’s first training match of the season . As of yer they have had no pre season matches .
YAAAAAWWWWNNNNNNNNnnnnnnnnnnn. still dragging their feet. And now we are told that seasons 22/23 and 23/24 are not included except for failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cvgvrz8zpvro
Let’s hope PSG win then..
Never thought those two seasons were included…
They’re 1-0 up 😳
Totts is very strong this year
Thank goodness they lost even if it had to be penalties.
That was a bit too close for comfort, although PSG weren’t at their best.
The World Club Cup obviously had an effect so hopefully Chelsea and Man City have a slow start?
Tottenham looked organised and will be more competitive this season, but playing in 4 competitions is going to rinse their squad.
Phew…..
waking up to find that the Spunts have bottled a 2-0 lead and lose on pens made my day already.
too early for a glass of wine to celebrate
Good morning everyone
If what Zinchenko said is true he should look at a pay cut and join another club were his game time can improve.
it’s a bit quiet on the transfer out front,
Spursy is the still the truest description of our North London neighbours. 😁
Good morning all, another hot one. 😎
Morning all.
I love the hot days but not the lawn turning into straw!
I’m not laughing at the Toots, at least not publicly 😜
New post up.