Morning all.
Arsenal shocked the world of football yesterday afternoon by announcing the permanent signing of Mikel Merino. So much has been written about him already there’s very little to add other than he’s just what Arsenal need right now. Not just a body but an excellent player who in the summer, helped his Spanish teammates win the Euros.
Last season, Mikel won an incredible 326 duels, more than any other player in Europe’s top-five leagues, and 40 more than his nearest rival, Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes with 286. Only Cadiz striker Chris Ramos (600) competed in more duels than Mikel (581).
He also ranked second in La Liga for aerial battles won, helped by his 6’2” frame.
I think that’s a big part of my game and that shows the character that I have. I want to fight for every ball and this is something that I learnt when I was really young. Maybe you can win it, or you won’t. I’m not promising I will win every duel, but what I can promise is that I will fight for every ball with 100 per cent. It’s always tough to talk about myself in those kinds of terms, but I think I’m a hard worker, I want to call myself a good teammate. I like to work for the team with or without the ball. I’m always thinking about the collective aspect of the game. I like to play with the ball, I have a Spanish culture of football.
I’m sure there will be Arsenal fans somewhere in the world who’d rather see a player like Premier League ready Guimaraes at the club instead but that’s life. One, or as in this case, Arsenal, can’t please everyone all of the time.
I love this from Arsenal.com.
It’s funny how life works sometimes! My father was a footballer as well and I used to have t-shirts of the teams that he played in, but I never used to have other teams’ shirts. One holiday my parents came home and gifted me a full Arsenal kit. I remember being all over the moon and wanting to take pictures as if I were a professional! I was there like the boss of the players! It’s funny how right now I’m achieving a dream of playing in a huge club and how life works, from those pictures from 20 years ago.
Paying a big fee for a player who is 28 years old and into his final year of contract at his old club might seem untypical of today’s Arsenal but as Mikel Arteta said when Leandro Trossard arrived from Brighton: “The squad can absorb right now a player of 28 years old — with the right experience, the right versatility and the right quality.” Trossard has more than proved he’s been an excellent signing. Merino is another “here and now signing” – a player Arteta clearly believes will bring something extra, something better to the team/squad. Just as Leandro Trossard has.
Interestingly, Kai Havertz was mean to be the player to strengthen our midfield according to Mikel Arteta at the time of his signing: “He will bring a huge amount of extra strength to our midfield” but the reality is, the German has brought extra strength to our frontline instead although he’s certainly not shirked his defensive duties along the way. Now though, we have a midfielder who will strengthen our midfield.
It’s a shame that he’ll have a just few training sessions before heading off on international duty. Merino will wear the number 23 shirt and honestly, I’m really looking forward to seeing him play. Perhaps he’ll get a few minutes this weekend when we take on Brighton at The Emirates but if not, his debut could come in the first NLD of the season. After that, it’s a trip to The Etihad.
We’re into the final three days of the transfer window and the big question is, will Arsenal sign another attacking player?
Catch up in the comments.
Who’s Max Boyce? I thought, and then I recalled this Welsh geezer who used to go on and on and on about rugby.
What a bore he was… 🤔
Moving on swiftly, I see that Fulham are sniffing around Reiss Nelson.
Sniffing isn’t enough Kev. Lol
From The Athletic.
Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle.
The Athletic reported Arsenal hope to sign at least one goalkeeper before the summer transfer window closes on Friday. They have been seeking a goalkeeper with homegrown status to join the first team squad. Tickle, along with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Dan Bentley, is now under consideration.
Well everything starts with a sniff Rico until Fulham cough up the dough.
I get why fans get anxious about not having a top quality No.2 goalkeeper and often use Emi Martinez as an example, but at the time Emi Martinez was just a guy who’d come up through the academy and had some loans – with mixed results – nobody at the time expected Emi to blossom into the goalkeeper he is today.
So personally I’m not sure we need a top quality No.2, yeah we need a good one but no top quality goalkeeper is going to want to be back up to David Raya given his form and his age.
I’d rather see the club saving the goalkeeper money and spending it on a wing/forward. But Tickle looks a good option as a No.2 if Ramsdale leaves.
Right I’m off to Google Max Boyce.
I’m not fussed Kev, what will be will be re Nelson. I wouldn’t be disappointed if he stayed and played.
The keeper situation is bonkers really, has been since MA took over.
Wouldn’t surprise me if he stayed either.
Nketiah set for Palace medical
Latest from Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth, Adrian Kajumba and Michael Bridge:
Eddie Nketiah is set to have medical at Crystal Palace today ahead of his permanent move from Arsenal.
The fee is £25m up front plus £5m in performance-related add-ons.
Personal terms have been agreed in principle.
Afternoon Rico and all.
Goal keeper simple, if Ramsdale leaves then have Rayer as number 1 and promote our under 21 keeper as his reserve and save money. after all no number 1 keeper will want to go to any club and become there number 2 keeper.
Afternoon Geoff, he’s gone off on loan.
So far Arsenal have shipped out a staggering thirty-one players. That’s according to Sky Sports news.
Rico, re your 2.43 who has gone off on loan?
Good Afternoon Housers
I enjoyed your post Rico.
Do you like a Tickle Rico??? Hahaha
DArwin Nunez mentioned. I am not sure about this. Half way if I am to be honest.
Hein Cicero.. Geoff suggested about promoting the under 21 keeper if Ramsdale goes out on loan..
Good Devil. lol
Not heard much of the keeper, seems odd to sign an England under 21 though when we had a senior international keeper in Hein.
Kiwior staying put according to Fabrizio Romano.
Kiwiior staying?? that means that Tommy’s injury is more than two months and 30 days at least
Just what I thought..
Southampton agree fee for Ramsdale with Arsenal
Latest from Sky Sports News’ Lyall Thomas:
Southampton have agreed a fee with Arsenal for the permanent transfer of Aaron Ramsdale.
It is understood the fixed fee is £18m, potentially rising to £25m if performance related add-ons are met.
Negotiations are continuing to agree the other aspects of the deal.
It is looking positive for all sides the deal will get done.
£18 million rising to 25 is a derisory price for a very good English international goal keeper.
Yep. Trouble is he’s been sat on the bench for a year…
Also he is collecting £ 120,000 a week which equals £ £ 6 1/4 million . He had 2 years left on his contract and had he stuck around his value would have decreased and we would still be paying him . Effectively we have saved £12.5 million which no doubt helps us with the PSR figures
Cicero @ 10:21 pm. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses. No team has been running to obtain his service, and moreover it could be the addition 18m needed for a striker/ winger.
How much did we get for Leno, wasn’t it £2m + add ons. The add ons pushed his fee towards something like £5m and he was a German international.
I’m not sure that it’s value for money spending a big fee on Garcia, how much will his value decrease?
I would have liked to see us sign a more experienced and cheaper No.2, someone whose reliable but say in his early 30’s looking for one last good move but who’ll be happy to be cover for Raya.
We bought two young goalkeepers this summer and have a very promising young keeper in the U18’s who we should be promoting not blocking them off with Garcia!
Good morning everyone
We got Bolton in the Carabao cup. Time for Calafiori,Nwaneri, Lewis Skelly and Heaven. Plus Nelson if he remains. Fingers crossed Saka and White will be rested for this. And Martinelli scores.
Kev, I think that Arteta sees Garcia as a long term keeper for the number 1 spot. He is getting a 23 year old who will spend the coming season as back up to Raya who is 29 years old. Garcia is an Olympic gold medalist. I dont think that his value will decrease.
Ramsdale would not have stayed and if he had we would have a discontented keeper. Garcia gives the club to have the option of a good back up (we have yet to discover how good he is though and that is through games….maybe the Carabao cup for first experience) who is happy to stay that way for the coming season.
I dont think that Setford or any other young keeper should play any time this year. Granted they might be third keeper but will never get any game time I think.
I agree with your reasoning but I feel that that’s how its going to pan out.
The question I ask is…..Did Arteta trust Leno, Martinez and Ramsdale fully??? Does he trust Raya fully? Or simply the latter is the best option for now?
Another question is….Does Arteta sign Garcia for a lot of money or does he sign a senior keeper plus Tickle and spends the money on another forward???
I didn’t know we loaned out, our under 21 keeper, the whole keeper issue is starting to get messy.
I’m with you Kev, sign an older but solid keeper or even loan one. Hein will be back in a year and if he’s had a good season on loan, who knows..
Morning all.
Did Arteta trust Leno, Martinez and Ramsdale fully???
Or does our friend Inaki Cana Pavon ? The Spanish goalkeeper obsession is beginning to really worry me.
David Raya born in Barcelona , joined Blackburn from Cornella a town about 15 kms from the Catalan capitol .
Juan Garcia plays for Espanyol the second team of Barcelona .
Inaki Pavon He has worked as a goalkeeping coach for many years and also owns a goalkeeper academy in guess where ? Barcelona.
He went on to become a coach at Barcelona F.C when Mikel Arteta was a junior .
It’s almost incestuous.
Just as well we are not run by LaPorta and Rossell.
It was clear to see how good Martinez was going to be. Ask any Reading fan, they thought he was brilliant. Then in our FA Cup win, he was outstanding imo.
Can’t stand the guy now though….
New post up
You old cynic Potter 😜