Morning all.
Remember the song all those years ago? Zoom by Fat Larry’s Band. Loved it then, detest it now but that’s what happens when something is repeated time and time again. A bit like an Arsene Wenger Press Conference.
None of that yesterday though as Mikel Arteta plonked himself in front of a camera for a ‘Zoom Press Conference’ ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Man City.
Here’s some of what our head coach had to say courtesy of Arsenal.com.
His emotions going into the first game…
First of all I hope everyone is there, I can’t see anybody! But I hope you guys are all well, I miss you a lot. It’s been a long process, we’ve been through very different stages but now we are really excited and back to doing what we want to do. Hopefully we can do it in the right way and we can sustain it, so now it is really important that everyone does what is required.
How he has balanced the work between fitness and tactics during the build-up to this game…
We need to know how to get to this way of working with all the limitations we have, we have tried to make the most of it. I think we have found the right balance, and the most important thing was to provide the players with a safe environment to work where they could feel where there was no risk, or a very, very limited risk, to develop their profession. I think we have managed to do that and from now on, the physical part is really good and the mental side as well has been a challenge over those three months. Now let’s see how ready we are to compete.
The fitness of the squad…
So far everybody is okay, we will see how training goes tomorrow to pick the right team and the right squad. Again, it is going to be different with the amount fo substitutes that we can have on the bench and the amount fo substitutes that we can do, so we have to think about how we can do that.
The influence Pep Guardiola has had on him…
Well, he was an influence for me since I was 15 years old and we met at Barcelona, both as players. And in my coaching career and my personal life, he has an enormous influence. If I have to talk about the person he is, his values, the way he has treated me and how he deals with the players and the staff around him, its phenomenal. As a coach, I have learned so much from him, we have spent some amazing moments together, some difficult ones as well, but the experience next to him has been incredible.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future…
I think it is our responsibility to make him feel this is the right next step in his career. In order to do that, he needs to feel valued, he needs to feel he belongs to us and we want him, and then he really needs to believe that we can take the club forward in the way we want to do, and he is going to be a key player to do that. At the moment I am extremely happy with how he has been performing and behaving, I have a really good relationship with him where we can discuss face to face a lot of things. As far as I am aware, he is very happy at the club.
The contract situation…
Well, I think in a different context we would have liked to do things much quicker but obviously we have been really tight with time and communication as well. These unprecedented times bring a lot of uncertainty and things are getting clearer and clearer every day, we are a step closer to get back playing football and moving forward.
The friendlies against Charlton and Brentford…
It was a really nice practice for us to get a little bit of a feeling in what it is to compete again in a match, how it feels to play without any crowd and the protocols that we have to go through in order to be in a safe environment to compete. Physically we haven’t played a game of football for three months and we wanted to give the players some minutes. We managed to do that without any injuries so it was a really positive test.
The effect the break will have on the previously in-form Eddie Nketiah…
We treat Eddie as an important part of our squad, we had to make a very important decision not to let him go out on loan again after the spell he had at Leeds. I watched him train and I am convinced that he is the right player for us, to move us to the next level and that he can contribute in a big way to the way we want to play. He has been fantastic so far.
Will the new Premier League rules will give more young players a chance…
I think it will happen, for example in our case we have five games in 15 days, that’s a game every three days. We don’t know how the players are going to respond physically because we have had a really short preparation time. We have to use them, we have some really talented young boys that are asking for chances. I’m sure at other clubs the situation will be the same and I think at some stage we will be forced to use some of them with the amount of games that we are going to be playing in that space of time.
What has he learned from the Bundesliga restarting…
I watched some aspects that I think we can take some advantage of, but I think you have to experience it. I’ve watched some games from the Bundesliga, but then when I was at the Emirates and there is no crowd and you cannot steal that energy, push or drive, the game is different. The intensity has dropped a little bit and I think the physical state of the players is not as it was three months ago, so you can sense that as well, and that urgency doesn’t exist anymore from the crowd and how passionate the crowds are here in England, but we have to adapt. We have to experience it and find ways to motivate our players in moments. Let’s see how it goes!
Being unbeaten domestically in 2020 and whether lockdown will disrupt that…
I hope it doesn’t. We’ve been working to try and maintain and improve the level that we were playing at before and improve the result as well, but there are some uncertainties that we don’t know how we’re going to respond to. All I can tell you is that we’ve been doing as much as possible to try to get into this moment with the best possible chance.
Whether qualifying for the Champions League could help convince Aubameyang to stay…
I think that will help to persuade anybody, but we are very lucky to have the club that we have right behind us. There are a lot of players who want to come and join us, but it’s not just about who do we want to attract, it’s about how happy the players are that are here and how convinced they are that they’re at the right place because it’s almost our obligation to be fighting for every trophy and playing in the Champions League with this club.
We’ve had many discussions with Pierre, his family and agent, and I’m pretty positive that we can find the right agreement for all parties.
How difficult it will be…
It’s been a challenge for all of us. It’s been a challenge since I joined, because of the situation that we were in, but I think we made a lot of steps forward. We tried to change the energy that we had around the place, even our stadium with the players and with the staff as well and I was very positive in the way that we were developing things. Obviously, we had a big turning point with the coronavirus and being away from each other for three months, but we’ve been trying to keep going in our direction, being close in contact and communication with our players and our staff and I think we are in a really good position to move forward. We have some uncertainties that we cannot control and we do not know how the players are going to respond now, playing every three days after three months, but most of the clubs are in the same position. We will try to adapt and to make the most out of it. We don’t try to find any excuses. We’ll go for it and enjoy it because I think we’re all missing football so much that we’re all desperate to get back playing.
Bukayo Saka’s contract situation…
We are trying, as a club, to finalise the deals that are more urgent and are a priority for us. The ones you are talking about [Bukayo and Auba] – they are both really important, not just for now but for the future of the club as well and if the club has something to announce, they will do it in the right moment.
Whether this run of games will give additional opportunities to young players…
They have to keep developing and one of the biggest challenges is always consistency. They have been doing it for a certain period of time, for certain moments of certain games but to do it consistently for every three days for 94 or 96 minutes, that’s a different story. In order to do that and develop the right way, they need the right players next to them, with the right mentality, with the right qualities and with the right drive. That’s what we have to do, we have to give them the right foundations around them for them to be in order to feel free to develop, without the extra pressure that they don’t need in these moments and they cannot carry on. We don’t give them too much responsibility too early, because there is always a risk to burn them.
On sticking to the principles he has established away against top teams…
We have to take every game in the same way, to go there and win the game. We know that every stadium and every opponent is completely different. I have to focus and I have to try to convince my players to focus on what we have to do, we cannot control everything that Man City does, it’s impossible. Even if we want to and I will drive the players mad in order to do that. So I just try to convince them on what we can do to try and beat them, what is the best plan possible for us to have the best possible chance to compete in that game and to win it. Let’s see how much we are able to do that because here it’s easy, but to go there on the pitch and show it for 96 minutes is different.
There’s a lot of content in his Press Conference and the above is just part of it. Talks with Aubameyang and Saka remain ongoing. Mikel will no doubt have said all the right things to both players and now it’s up to their respective agents to either thrash out a new deal at Arsenal, or move on.
If you read the full interview, or better still, listen to Mikel, he said that there are players out there in the footballing world who really want to join Arsenal so take that however you choose.
For now, Mikel Arteta will be focused on tomorrow and the weeks ahead. A strange time for football but every single club is going through the same. A few weeks training along with two friendly fixtures is it. Now it’s a football frenzy as Arsenal have five matches to play over the next fifteen days. Great for us, hard on the players bodies but we’ve a deep squad with a number of younger players to call on should things get really tough.
This final few weeks of the season is about which clubs, or rather their players, can deal with the changes best. Who has kept themselves the fittest whilst being away from the game. Mentally as well as physically. Who wants to win more than anyone else. Which of our own players want to prove to Mikel Arteta that Arsenal is the place they want and deserve to be rather than find themselves being one of the first placed on the sale rack in Autumn like an odd coloured pair of shorts or tee-shirt which no one wanted to buy during the summer.
Eddie Nketiah certainly won’t be on that sale rack, not after what Arteta said about him. ‘I am convinced that he is the right player for us.’ You know what, I agree with him. He’s different to the kind of strikers Arsenal have had over the last few years, or at least I think so. His game doesn’t appear to be about pace and strength, but about being in the right place at the right time like a good old fashioned number 9 at the beginning of what could be a fantastic Arsenal career. He’s young in footballing terms and perhaps that sometimes shows but he’ll score goals.
I would say that’s my waffle over but most of it was supplied by our head coach but his words aren’t a waffle. He knows what he wants and I wouldn’t bet against him achieving it.
It might take a bit of time though…
Stay safe guys, the future is bright. The future is red and white.
Too cheesy?
Good morning Rico and everyone, so excited football is back… That’s all I have to say 😂😂😂😂😂😎😎😎😎
Good morning Rico, a very interesting read. We probably got more info in this one press conference than we did from all of Emery’s put together.
It sounds to me that wages are the sticking point with Aubameyang’s new contract rather than the prospect of winning medals. He has said, elsewhere, that the ball is in Arsenal’s court and he is happy at the club so what else can be the reason not to sign.
Morning Cicero, all.
I’ve only listened to snippets of his interview but going to listen in full a bit later. You’re right though re him and Emery.
I like his honesty and the way he talks about the game and his plans for Arsenal.
Morning Mexzy, aren’t we all. Lol
Where’ve you been hiding?
Thank you for the post, Rico and Mikel 😜
He certainly covered a lot of ground! Loved what he had to say about Eddie..
I know you’re not fussed, Rico, but I hope we can sort Auba out.. as well as Saka.. Very impressed with Mikel and at least I haven’t come away from listening to him scratching my head, thinking what the hell was that all about 😄
One day to go!! What is it they say on the advert, the master v the apprentice?! I say the cashmere sweater face off 😂
The excitement is building……
@ Rico… I guess some of us are more excited than others 😂😂
I’ve been really busy, work work work work…
Hi Sue. I want them both to stay, but for the right reasons. I’m just not convinced Auba wants to be part of the rebuilding plan, possibly because like Henry said about himself, time wasn’t on his side. I think Saka will sign though.
Morning Rico and all. The Aubameyang situation surely revolves around his age and balancing what he will provide over the next 2-3 years against what the club could do with the money that he could be sold for. Of course Mikel will talk the contact situation up, but, looking at others in the squad, perhaps the money might be spent better elsewhere. He will be a depreciating asset from the moment the club agrees to give him £1 million (plus plenty) per month, at the very minimum. Is the Saka contract situation the more important to get resolved?
Whatever the club decides, they really need to stick to Raul’s commitment to sorting the contracts earlier and not letting a Ramsey situation develop under any circumstances. Plus, they must back Arteta to the full. If not, we’re going to be in trouble quite quickly.
Morning Adam. Personally, I’m far from convinced Auba would be value for money. For one season maybe but after that, I’m not so sure. On his side though is seldom does he suffer serious injury.
It’s a tough one but he can’t go for free. Actually, he can if he chooses to wait and same with Saka. I thought situations like these were meant to be a thing of the past..
So did I, Rico 🙄
Morning Rico and all, thanks for the post…
‘The Aubameyang Quandary’ what is the best outcome for Arsenal?
PEA is at his peak, but the transfer market is in the Mariana Trench and that’s the key to me…
If he leaves can we replace the 25/30 goals we know that he can provide and with who we have left to get those goals, because I don’t think we can and it would probably mean re-signing Lacazette and tbh Laca is the guy, with two years on his deal that I’d be moving on?
Can Nketiah and Martinelli pick up the slack at their age?
I don’t think so, not over an entire season and it would be unfair to expect them to…
Can Arsenal sign a younger striker, say 23/24 who can fill the gap and how much would that cost in terms of wages and transfer fee? There’s been a few names mentioned but they all seem a long shot to me.
What kind of fee are Arsenal going to be offered in a deflationary market for a guy whose 31..?
We aren’t getting £50 or even £40m for him anytime soon…
I’ve seen £18/£20m mentioned for him which seems wholly unacceptable, are we really going to release our top goal scorer for such a paltry amount?
I’ve seen and read all the reasons for selling him, but to me it’s a balance between the 25/30 goals that will get us into europe vs £20m that will guarantee us absolutely zero, even in this market.
If Arsenal do need £20m to be able to do some transfer business under KSE then we really are in the shit!
For me, unless we get an offer upwards of £30m I’d keep him and go all out for a top four finish with him leading the attack and then see where’s we are in 12 months, by then he’ll be almost 32 and might be more likely to re-sign and on more favourable terms….
And if he walks for free, then so be it…
Big words from Raul are biting back Sue.
Morning all.
I’m 50/50 on Auba.
As long as a deal is done soon then fine, but if we started creeping towards kick off next season without it sorted, we are in a mess.
It’s now or never for mine.
Saka is a diamond.
At the absolute worst, if he wants out, we must hold for massive dollars as any club in the world would want him, imo.
Ok, cough up what we demand and you can have him!!
No more soft touch on the transfer market.
In saying that, and I’m just guessing here, I think he will stay and cop a fair old pay rise-deservedly so.
Morning Kev. You make some valid points although I would say that what we get for Aubameyang would be reflected by the price of any player we replace him with. If he’s looking for a big deal next summer, probably his last, will we see the same effort post Christmas when talks begin?
It’s a tough decision to make, but imo, tying Saka down is more important long term, including a ridiculous but out fee transfer fee clause in the deal.
Saka worries me than Aubameyang tbh Rico
more
Tough to do that though Scott because of the one year and the market. Or at least the market we believe it’ll be.
I think he’s more important long term Kev, but I think he’ll stay. His mates are around him.
I know, Rico, but just need to sort it.
Hers a crazy thought, for the point of conversation only.
Would it be better to have all leagues finish a few weeks earlier, then the CL can be played as a tournament over a 2-3 week period?
I’m sure there are plenty of reason why it won’t work, but I’ll bet there are plenty why it would.
Yes, there’d still be multiple midweek games, but it’s mean lot less travel and short turnarounds after such international trips.
I’m sure it has been discussed before..
It’s really hard to decide the best option regarding Aubameyang, Yes he can get us twenty-five to thirty goals a season at the moment, but come December, January, February will he still be as prolific?
I believe we must give Martinelli and Nketiah the chance to step up in our remaining games this season so that we know where we stand for the next campaign.
My eldest son and his son are building us a log cabin style summer house in the garden, this morning we’ve been visiting a couple of reclamation yards searching for hardwood windows. Yesterday we picked up a pair of double glazed, mahogany patio doors from Boston in Lincs. The framework is almost complete and the floor joists are in position, the under floor insulation is going in as I type.
We’re grateful that the summer house is being built and my son and grandson welcome the income generated. A truly win win situation for all of us.
Sorting it is perhaps easier said than done though Scott.
Agreed, Rico, but it’d be much, much better for the players, imo.
We are in thr throes of building work too repairing the damage done by our recently departed tenant. . I am on the cement mixer whilst my wife is doing the patio laying . Inside we are waiting on British Gypsum to make some plaster so that we can fill the holes in the wall that he kindly left and the toilet arrives tomorrow so that I can plug the hole in the wall and reconnect the pipes .
When mother in law died and left us the property everyone said how lucky we were. I now tend to believe that they were wrong. It will take over a year in rent to get back the cost of repairing things . The list is endless. I have a police reference but they claim it’s a civil case and landlords insurance only covers malicious damage caused by outsiders not the tenant.
Potter that’s truly a horror story. Coincidently, an hour ago we got a phone call from our insurer advising us that the policy on one of our two rental properties was about to expire. We argued the premium down a bit and renewed there and then. My wife has just got off the phone after confirming that malicious damage by the tenant or his guests is covered. Thanks for the warning.
Meanwhile work on the summer house has been suspended, it’s p*****g down right now.
Afternoon Rico and All
I would keep the PEA
He knows where the onion bag is.
His value we hear is around 20mil.
He is joint top score 19/20 season.
His two off top this season.
His as fit as a flea.
He wants to stay.
He has the respect of all.
He can help us beat teams,
better than any other player we have,
right now.
Do we really want another Judus situation,
sell our best player,then watch him bang,um
in,every game,for someone else.
We have Eddie barking up his leg,like a dog,
and the all actionman half brazelian/Italian,
ready to pounce.
The future looks good youth wise,But
Micky needs the now men,every game
we want to win,he has to get the best
out of this squad now.
Micky has it all to do,when you kook at the
papers pridicting the comings and goings.
How he is supposed to get half of this lot,
to get stuck in,god only knows.
The one thing I do know is,at the moment
The Peashooter is the………..Main Man
We can’t afford to upset him just yet.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51601979
Raheem on a goal drought….we know how this usually pans out….
Probably try a dive or two in the penalty box Sue. 😕
That’s for sure, Cicero!
Do you remember watching Aubeimayang last season at Dortmund?
And he was younger …
And he was well pissed off because they refused to sell him! Perform he did not , and he was a real pain in the butt.
Got to keep him but not if he’s not committed to the cause. Imo.
Have I done something bad? My previous comment claims it’s with the moderator!
Are you in the naughty corner Wavy?
Evening Fred, all.
Weird old day, baking hot one minute, thunder storms the next. Give me two minutes Wavy. Lol
That’s what I fear about any player in their last year. Ozil however might pick his game up as he’ll be looking for a final big deal somewhere next year.
Arghhhh!! Eastenders has just finished until later in the year!! ☹
Been 101 days since our game against the hammers…. just think this time tomorrow night 🙂 COYG
Later in the year twenty twenty-five, with a bit of luck Sue. I haven’t watched East Enders since about the time Dirty Den got topped. It just became a daily dose of depression.
😄 2025?!! Cicero!! No!!
As soon as the drums beat I either turned off or left the room . Mother in law was addicted.Best excuse for going to the pub ever.
“If we stand still that gap will become bigger and bigger. I haven’t come here to accept that.”
Mikel Arteta warns the gap between Arsenal and their rivals will only grow if they sit on their hands this summer
The above, is the first indication to me since he came back to Arsenal, that Arteta will not accept any lack of ambition by KSE and that he could be off if Stan and the rest of them procrastinate about spending and building a squad that can compete.
Imagine if you can, Guardiola leaving Man City in maybe 18 months time, now who will be the first name that the people at City will consider to replace Pep if he’s done as good job at Arsenal as I think he will?
And if Kroneke and son are as parsimonious as they’ve been in comparison to their Premier League contemporaries and given the amount that they can access, during the next 18 months as well, will Arteta just bugger off to a club that actually sees a value in winning trophies?
We are at a crossroads and the next few months could confirm everything we’ve ever feared about the current ownership or not as the case may be?
#We care, do you?
The wait is over…. it’s match day!!! 🙂 COYG
Regardless of the availability or not of money, the days of managers sticking around for twenty years are over Kev.
Just look at the procession of managers passing through the two biggest, most successful clubs on Earth, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
I think we will be lucky to see Arteta stay for more than three or four seasons. 😕
https://mobile.twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1273133274890514432
Good morning all.
New post up now