Morning all.
Finally. A glimpse of our last summer signing in training at Arsenal. Having missed out on the final St Étienne fixture which turned into a mass brawl at one stage, he joined up with his new teammates before heading off for a summer break. But not before talking to the Arsenal Player.
I grew up on an estate. Honestly, growing up on an estate helps. You’re together with all your mates, you get to play in your neighbourhood on the local five-a-side pitches.
You’re all together, and everyone likes football there, so honestly it’s easy. When you come from an estate, you’ve got the determination to get out of it.
I know Kylian Mbappe, too. He went to my primary school when we were little, and his father was my coach when I was little, too.
I love his last sentence. ‘I know Kylian Mbappe’ – a kind of innocence, almost excitement because he knows the French superstar footballer. That aside, I don’t know about you guys but when I hear footballers talking about growing up on estate, I get the impression that life hasn’t always been easy for the person saying it. Wrighty has often made reference to his life growing up on an estate and his definitely wasn’t easy. Getting his break in the game took ages but once he got it, he certainly made up for lost time. He had that extra edge to his game, grit and certainly the determination not to fail. He didn’t.
So many great players have gone through similar tough upbringings. South American’s, Africans, Englishmen and many other countrymen. Maradona, Di Maria, Alexis Sanchez, Christiano Ronaldo, Pele, Sadio Mane, Luis Suarez, the Toure brothers, Eboue – the list really is endless. Other sport is no different either as tennis proves with the Williams sisters and Martina Navratilova just three examples. True winners in every sense because they had to work hard to make it and find a way through holes and over hurdles to get to the top. Athletes from Russia, China and Japan- well, you know. Life has been far from easy in one way or another.
I’d be here all day typing the names of sportspeople who have gone from rags to riches, just to support my theory.
I dunno, there just seems to be more chance of a sportsperson doing really well when everything they’ve strived for has been hard work rather than when they’ve been born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
Anyway, it sounds like William Saliba is a kid who’s worked hard to get where he is and that ethic stands him in good stead for the future. Just get rid of the goatie! Lol
Finally, it seems a deal for Willian was struck a while ago. That’s if a leaked clip from the latest trailer for video games PES 21 is for real. The clip allegedly shows the Brazilian in Arsenal kit. Arsenal are in partnership with the Pro Evolution Soccer video game and it’s their latest clip which says “new signing” at the beginning before featuring Willian wearing the new Adidas strip. The clip then cuts to a shot of the outside of their stadium stating: “Welcome to the Emirates”.
I’m not sure which one of Willian, Saliba or Arteta’s four legged friend is the more scary to face but I know which one is my favourite. I wonder what his or her name is.
See you in the comments guys.
Morning all, morning Rico, the dog? He looks a bit of a Jose to me…
That’s where we are I guess, a Bosman here and a Bosman there, Willian, the kid from Nice although that’s gone very quiet, loans like Ceballos, Coutinho perhaps, part exchange deals and getting shot of Guendouzi, freezing out Ozil until he packs his bags, being smart in the market it’s called…
Morning Kev. He/she looks mean but apparently a big softie. Until…
No idea re what the club might do. The stuff in the papers is mostly garbage. Are Atletico still in the CL? If so, maybe we’ll get Partey once it’s over..
First comment in moderation?
Good read.
Been a minute since I was last here. Good to see some familiar names
rico & all. The “Dog”
My Son recently done some internal work for a well off individual who lived in a salubrious part of Essex.
On arrival he was asked if he was “OK” with dogs. Having grown up with Boxer dogs, his reply was “I’m fine”.
Whilst kneeling down and performing his work he became aware there was a presence just behind him. As he looked around he was confronted with a face to face meeting with a “Cane Corso”.
The Lady of the house re affirmed the dog was fine and impeccably behaved and loved playing with people. He said it was like a pony, not a dog, but, after getting to know this huge dog, he was like a little puppy just rolling over wanting his belly rubbed and loved a play fight, although he realised very quickly who would win a sumo wrestle, lol.
Apparently this dog was a trained protection dog that cost an absolute fortune. The price they paid you could get an extremely nice car, for an equal amount.
This dog was trained to act on a ONE word command from its owners, and attack.
After many celebrities recently having been burgled, the sale of such dogs are in high command.
High demand
Morning all.
Not sure growing up in an estate or the like makes much difference, to be honest, as some individuals are just hard as nails and as determined as hell regardless of their background, just as plenty aren’t mentally tough at all.
I love the kids humility and think he is going to be an absolutely massive player for our club, and the deal, when struck, was brilliant as we got him at a damn good fee.
He’d already worth more, and his star will continue to rise.
Hi Kt. Good to see you back. A few of us were only wondering the other day where you’d got to,
Hi Vcc. I was reading the article about Mikel and his woofa in the Mail. I was totally unaware that so many footballers have them but then it seems when the players are away, their families are being targeted so it makes sense. Clever animals.
Jack Wilshere has one too.
Great story about your son.
The ‘estate’ bit was just his word Scott but I do believe when people have life really tough growing up and I don’t mean just sharing a room or not getting private school education etc, I mean when there’s little food on the table, no money for clothes etc etc. That’s what I mean by a hard upbringing.
I’ve been well rico! Good to be back home like the FA cup!
Good to hear Kt…
That’s a mighty fine picture ktr7 has 😍
Nice post, Rico!
Today marks the 4,547th day since the spuds last won a trophy 😄 it’s good to have a ‘let’s laugh at the spuds’ day every so often!!
One actually said to me on Monday that it didn’t matter (us winning the cup), as they’d finished above us 🤣🤣🤣
rico,
AM is in the Champions League and will be for the next year, going directly to the group stage.
It was the 3rd in the final table.
Rico, I got that, but I dare say those who made it would have made it anyway, but then who knows.
I reckon it’s more to do with the fact he’d have played football every day of his life growing up.
Maybe that’s because there was little else to do, or that his family could afford so it probably all ties in.
Could be the signing of the decade for us!!!
My comments @ 10:04am and 10:40am say they are in moderation!……………………….any idea Rico?
Excerpts from the Athletic :- It’s an old article but quite illuminating.
Last month, as the Premier League’s Project Restart was ramping up, Arsenal’s players were invited to an important conference call about the return to contact training protocols. They needed to hear all the relevant legal information before signing a document about safely stepping up for the next stage towards football’s restart. A couple of players said they couldn’t make the conference call. Arteta was unimpressed. He sent an uncompromising WhatsApp voice message in return. The gist was crystal clear: these are the standards expected and if you are not prepared to commit to these standards, then you are not the sort of player wanted at this football club. The implication was unmissable — are you in or are you out?
Although Arteta demands utter professionalism from those under his charge, he is not without a sense of humour. In recent months, the club’s code of conduct has seen a playful new addition the Spaniard brought with him from City: The Wheel of Fortune. If a player commits a minor indiscretion, such as being late for a team meeting, they must spin the wheel. On the wheel are a series of forfeits, ranging from a modest fine to cleaning the dressing room, or even having to polish the captain’s car. There is one option on the wheel — the one every player hopes for — that permits a “lucky escape”. It’s just one of a series of changes Arteta has made that have lifted the mood at London Colney.
Arsenal appear more resilient under Arteta but there has been a trade-off. Arsenal are not yet the attacking force the new coach hopes to build. In the final third, there’s still a huge reliance on the efficient brilliance of Aubameyang. The Europa League exit against Olympiakos showed familiar psychological frailties and Arteta himself is acutely aware he has achieved nothing of consequence yet. Arsenal remain ninth in the Premier League. Two months into Emery’s reign, Arsenal fans hubristically sang, “We’ve got our Arsenal back”. This time, there is inevitably more circumspection.
Yet there is no doubt the new coach has brought with him a gust of optimism. Much of that can be attributed to the presence of someone in the dugout who is familiar, who resonates and relates to the club. But there is also a conviction in Arteta that inspires belief. It was present in the rousing speech he gave ahead of the victory over Manchester United on New Year’s Day, and in the public disciplining of Matteo Guendouzi after a misdemeanour in Dubai. In a squad meeting on June 12, Arteta looked his players in the eyes and told them the club needed a change in attitude. In that meeting he explained it’s no longer acceptable to say that on their day, they can beat anyone. It should, Arteta insisted, be their day every day. So: are they in or are they out?
Try again!……………………………
I had a tough up bringing and ended up just a van driver!……………………….where did it all go wrong? hahaha
To prove I`m tough, this morning I have had my blood tests ( a year after my heart procedure) to check liver, kidney, cholesterol and also for the prostate, she took a gallon!……………..she also took my blood pressure which was ok, surprising really considering the size of the effing needle she put in me for the blood tests!
😆
Need to lay down now!………………….how long does it take to replace the lost gallon?
You know Lc I’ve read that last piece of yours before! ……somewhere! Yesterday,s post perhaps?
A bit of blood letting is always an exciting adventure, especially when it fills the phial with a sticky blue substance! The nurses are always dumbfounded and most impressed.
We could do with a bit of footballing ‘royalty’ making up the numbers in our current squad. Most of the team of 2002/03 for example.
More seriously the following is not good news. I just wonder if Ozil is one of the fifty five?
Posted at 14:3714:37
BREAKING
Arsenal announce proposed redundancies
Arsenal
Arsenal are proposing 55 redundancies at the club because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a joint statement, Gunners head of football Raul Sanllehi and managing director Vinai Venkatesham, said: “Our aim has been to protect the jobs and base salaries of our people for as long as we possibly can. Unfortunately, we have now come to the point where we are proposing 55 redundancies.
“We do not make these proposals lightly and have looked at every aspect of the club and our expenditure before reaching this point. We are now entering the required 30-day consultation period on these proposals.
“We know this is upsetting and difficult for our dedicated staff and our focus is on managing this as sensitively as possible.
“These proposed changes are ultimately about ensuring we take this great football club forward, creating the right organisation for a post-Covid world, and ensuring we have the resources to return to competing effectively at the top of the game here and in Europe
I wondered the exact same thing, Wavy!
Thanks Sue. FA Cup over finishing above that lot every day of the week. Especially as this one means even more fixtures for them.
I’d read that one Potter. I like the discipline Arteta has brought into the club. Long overdue. Right back to the Arsene Wenger days.
Can footballers be made redundant?
Knowing how much Stan is worth and how much the board and players rake in each week, really is a kick in the teeth for those 55….
Totally agree Sue.
I blame Arsene Wenger for hiring the 500 odd people he needed to run around after him. Lol
If Arsenal are doing this, other clubs are likely to follow suit I reckon.
Francis Cagigao Is one of those going apparently and a few other scouts.
And then next week such and such player will be announced on an extortionate amount each week… that Kia bloke will pocket millions…. it’s so wrong…
Money and football = madness from top to bottom…
Rico…………….I have 3 comments saying they are in moderation, can you see them ?……………..as I dont want to keep repeating myself if they can be seen!.
What comment was that Wavy?
Probably something to do with the description of yourself Lc. Certain words will send comments into moderation..
Words like what, rico?……….as I have not used anything rude etc`!…………….can you actually see the comment on your admin thingy?
One is out of moderation Lc.
Lc, it must have been on site when I logged in at about 10.30 this morning and then like some of your extravagant tales😊 disappeared into the ether until you reposted it later.
Hope this helps?
Hi Rico and all I feel sorry for the ones who lost there job.
Their are 2 ways of looking at this issue
1 if it is scouts who are not doing their job and finding future players that’s fine.
2 if it is normal staff for ex sample The Arsenal Shop / Receptionist then the question should be asked of Kroenke and the board we has all the money gone. and why was there no plan in place just incase some thing like this happened.
The problem with this club is every time they come out and make a statement about clubs finances it seem to raise more questions than answers.
Maybe Kroenke should get rid of josh and hire some one with good PA skills.
Hahaha Wavy, you were the priviliged one to see the unedited version! 😆
My son had his father-in-law come over to our place last night( my son and his wife live next door in a detached annexe)……………….I like to refer to him as the deluded in law as he is a Spud!…………………….i wonder if he saw all the subtle subliminal messages I put up around the property, like my privet hedge shaped into the number 14, the red and white flowers everywhere and the words ..”fcuk off you spuds”…..written into the gravelled drive!
Morning Geoff, all.
New post up now