Morning all.
If you don’t get the heading, you’re obviously too young… 😂
Nuno Tavares has signed for Arsenal. The first deal for the club is over the line and whilst his name might not be a household one, he’s young, quick and apparently, has a top notch work ethic. He’s also tall, certainly for a typical full-back and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him playing in central defence if needs must. Anyway, he’s on board the Mikel Arteta ship and good luck to him. I’m certainly not going to criticise him before he’s even donned an Arsenal shirt and kicked a ball. Same goes for any other player the club sign this summer, regardless of his name or transfer fee.
Arsenal have also secured the signing of midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht for an initial fee of €17.5million (£14.9million) plus add-ons according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. The paperwork has been completed for a deal which sees Lokonga contracted to the club until summer of 2026. There’s nothing official from Arsenal yet but like with Tavares, that’s expected after he’s completed his time in quarantine.
I love these kind of deals. Younger players who have the potential to become top notch. Neither are expensive in terms of today’s stupid transfer fees either so if they do get itchy feet as they mature and improve, Arsenal are likely to make a big profit on them. Hopefully it won’t come to that, hopefully Arsenal will again become the club footballers want to join, not leave.
If Hector Bellerin and Granit Xhaka leave, they’ll need replacing and there’s still the attacking side of Arsenal’s squad to improve on. Goals, where are they going to come from or rather, who? I think the club will announce one or two more players yet. Money is tight throughout the game but I’m sure Arsenal will do what they can with whatever funds are available.
Yesterday, sport delivered in a great way. The Wimbledon Ladies Final, whilst not the best I’ve watched, was a good three set battle with Ash Barty deservedly coming out on top. England thrashed Pakistan and both the Ladies and Men’s doubles Final in SW19 were entertaining to say the least with the latter played late into the night. Today it’s the Men’s Final followed by the mixed doubles Final. The last big event of the day kicks off at 8pm. England v Italy. The newspapers are full of it but I just hope that if England don’t lift the big trophy, those same journalists don’t turn into cruel critics. It’s what the English press do. Build them up only to knock them down.
Personally, I think the right two teams are in the final. England have a mean defence, Italy have a long unbeaten streak behind them and despite their sometimes dark art antics, play well. For what it’s worth, I think it’ll be tight.
Anyway, good luck to England, I’ll be one of millions shouting at a television…
See you in the comments…
Big day today, and again, good luck guys!!!!
Enjoy the day and may the better team win.
Rico, it’s the old story, YouTube makes them all look good, but it can’t add skill to a players game, just remove the negatives.
Tavares has plenty of skill and speed.
Seems quite an attacking FB so could end up a winger as Devil suggested but time will tell.
Lokonga remains a mystery man to me, plenty of positives being said about the guy so I look forward to seeing him.
Henry rates Lokonga highly Scott, I reckon he knows a bit about the game. lol
Tavares is an absolute unknown to me but he’s young, a backup to Tierney so hopefully time will allow him to improve although he might shock us all. I thought the club would opt for more experience but it is what it is and until there’s a reason to be critical, I certainly won’t be.
Did you watch the men’s doubles yesterday Scott?
Good morning Rico and all.
The Lokonga deal is similar to Manu’ Petit one. An unknown to many. Being only 21 is advantage Arsenal as he can be moulded in the way Arteta wants.
May we get more players like him and Tavarez’ age.
Tavarez’ reminds me of Bale. Began at LB only to end up playing winger or CAM due to his speed and strength. And I feel that Tavarez will do the same.
We won’t know about either until they have played at least a dozen games . Much has been made of Tavares having signed to be Tierney’s back up but if you studied the Scot’s injury record it could well be the he’s gambled on getting a fair few minutes if not games under his belt.
Lokonga apart from having an obvious terrace song ( la lalaa la )would appear to bring youth and speed to our midfield and as was suggested the other day , speed through the midfield is where we have been lacking for some time.
The rebuild is taking place , now we need to see the players leaving to create the gaps for a couple more.
Rico, Nah, missed the doubles.
I see the Aussie boy won the wheelchair singles.
What a champion he is and as funny as buggery lol
Good morning all.
Two of yesterday’s results that you missed Rico, Rugby Union, England 70 – 14 Canada. Cell C Sharks (South Africa) 31 – 71 British and Irish Lions.
Two signings completed, have the flood gates finally opened?
No floodgates Cicero. It’s more a case of buses….you keep waiting and two or more suddenly show up
Morning Devil.
Nice one Potter, lalalala…. love it.
I realised after posting Cicero, a hard slap on both wrists. 😂 pleased for Emi..
The men’s doubles was great Scott, best game of the day but the best result for you and Geoff was definitely Ash.
Rico, i think the win by Ash was also a victory for anyone who loves sport for the sake of the game.
She really is a beautiful soul.
The recent talk of diving etc etc-these guys could learn one hell of a lot from the likes of Ash.
Pliskova too Scott and many other tennis players. Pliskova was very gracious in defeat as Barty was in victory.
Hi Rico and all good luck to England let’s hope it’s a good match
Hi Geoff, Finals can often be disappointing..
Afternoon Rico, yes I got the headline, nice work.
As for Bellerin leaving well that’ll be sad as we all love our cockney Spaniard but he’s not been the same since his knee injury and a move to the less attritional Serie A will benefit and extend his career. But I’m not sure, bearing in mind all the business that needs to be done, that replacing him is as crucial as it seems to be. Personally I’d be content to go into next season with Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares sharing the right back berth.
Arsenal haven’t yet sold anyone for a transfer fee of note so there’s is only a finite amount of funds to go around and it’s been needed and will be needed in other crucial areas – and has been up till now.
I’m hopeful that after another year of development that a young right back will emerge from the academy but if not then we can go again in the transfer market in that position and a candidate for right back, who maybe isn’t available this summer, will be available in 12 months time?
Rico, yes, the likes of Ash-woman athletes, basically.
I did say last night how brilliantly Pliskova woke.
That would have been easier to say, though, admittedly.
Male athletes can learn a lot form their female counterparts, generally speaking.
Afternoon Kev, thanks. I knew you would. 😆
I reckon the sales will happen. Xhaka perhaps, Torreira, Guendouzi to start with. Plus the younger players who’re deemed surplus to requirements.
What’s happening with the young right back who went on loan Kev but played on the wing?
Not all women though Scott, some can be bitter losers. I always was. 😆
A good loser is still a loser.
A good loser is still a loser.
True but the way to handle defeat is a way that not too many of today’s youth have been taught .
Potter, it’s the participation award generation as I call it.
Spoilt brats ill equipped for real life in the real world!
No wonder the world is a mess.
I’m not an X-Factor fan, however..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CZJvBfoHDk0
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
That was absolute beautiful, Rico.
I’ve never watched the show so thanks for the clip.
What an attitude towards life, and what a voice.
I wouldn’t normally post something like that on here Scott, but it got to me.
Rico, there is never a wrong place or time for something like that.
Reminded me of Eva Cassidy Scott although she never knew she’d become famous…
Rico. It got to me too.
Hi Rico.. woah, what a comeback from Berrettini in that first set!!
I watched some of the Ladies doubles yesterday.. Rico, what was that woman shouting when she served – fire or higher??! 🤣
Really happy about Lokonga – Henry knows right?!!
4.5 hours to go….
Party atmosphere at Kings Cross, crowds of young people getting into the party mood.
Good luck to them, I hope they enjoy themselves and have many positive memories to look back on… 🤞
Nice words Rico.
Nightbirde.. what a woman, what an inspiration
Not surprised Adam.
Hi Sue, that really was a seesaw game wasn’t it. Brilliant, but a lot of vocals. Lol
One of my favourite poems Kev.
Afternoon Rico and the House
Thanks Rico thats Brilliant.
Its got me too in big way.
That Kipling bloke could write poetry as well as making exceedingly good cakes.😉
I have a liking for lemon drizzle Cicero
Mind you an M&S fruit cake is delicious with a cup of Darjeeling 😄
It’s amazing how certain words said in a certain way can have a strong meaning,
It’s like that old saying something like – a picture paints a thousand words.
I like listening to some of Leonard Cohen songs how can mix the song with poetry
Sounds like Saliba is going on loan to Marseille if this happens I would like to be a fly on the wall when he starts talking to Guendouzi about Arsenal and Arteta
Afternoon Rick, glad you liked it…
Telly Savalas got to number one with that one Geoff. Lol
What a fantastic game of tennis that was! Djokovic is the master!!
I’m not a fan of his but he’s simply superb Sue.
Sure is, Rico 👍
I wonder if there will be games in which Tierney will be moved to CB (?) with Tavarez as LB and Lopez as the reserve LB.
Its a possibility. Especially when Arteta wants to play Tierney but does not want him to go up and down the flank but simply to defend.
I know we have Gabriel, Mari, Holding and possibly White as CBs but the above scenario could be possible.
It’s all been happening today – forgot about Richard Branson flying to the edge of space!! Made the mistake of watching a replay of UFC – Connor McGregor’s leg break – horrific!!
Now… the build up to the match 🏴 Saka is dropped..
Bella priorum cara patria,
Nunc et semper florens gloria,
Pulchras terrae patriae!
Fortes terrae pro homines,
Romae noster aeterne,
For those who don’t recognize the language, that is Latin
Saka on the bench.
Saka dropping to the bench was inevitable I think. Good sub to have when Italy’s OAP’s are tiring. 😝
Enjoy the game guys, may the best team win….
Shaw has made it 1-0 up England
Kane is the worst player on the pitch. He’s just trotting around doing nothing.
Bright start with a good goal, now a war of attrition
Sterling and Mount feeding on scraps . Trippier and Rice running the show
Time for a change refs giving nothing to Sterling as he keeps going down
Is Mount. Playing?
one of the OAP has made it 1-1
Another OAP was trying to take the shirt off Saka before the end of the game.
Extra time now
Rico @8.47….Micah Richards said that Kane was sensational in that first half
Do you feel he was watching a different game?
Is Kane playing?
No service to him Scott. We have had 33% possession. Been too tense to post, usually only Arsenal matches feel this way!
Andrew, tongue in cheek mate, but as Devil said, Micah Richards saying Kane was sensational?
Penalties-no worse way to win or lose, for mine.
And was
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but Southgate, why?
Why have 3 kids taking penalties in their first big tournament?
That’s for the experienced guys imo..
Sorry for you all, they did a superb job!!!
Rashford and Sancho were brought on for that??!! Aww gotta feel for Saka…
Glad Jorginho’s was saved (that dirty sod)
Oh well.. next time hey?!
Now you know why I wanted donnarumma at Arsenal. At 22 years old he is a massive immense unit.
Southgate should be given the hairdryer treatment. Why assign Saka with such an important penalty ffs.
I hope his confidence is not shot to pieces. If i were Saka I would delete my social media accounts for now…..due to the abuse he might get.
Et in tota patria,
Cantus nostrae resonat,
Tempus est in gaudium,
Superbiae Roma aeterna
Sue, the kids will be better for the experience imo.
Build towards the World Cup now.
He must have been Devil. I thought he was awful.
Feel sorry for Saka because he’ll be the one the media will focus on yet Rashford and Sancho missed theirs too. I’m surprised Sterling and Grealish didn’t go ahead of Saka.
And its not a FTB (kane) who lifts the Euro…..but an OAP lifts the cup.
That stutter step run up from Rashford was ridiculous.
Run in and hit it.
As soon as he missed that, I genuinely felt concerned, because the pressure would build immediately.
I didn’t expect to see 2 teenagers step up to face the music!
Didn’t see Italy leave to the youngsters.
Pathetic management, Saka should never had the whole country’s responsibility on his shoulders.
Hope it doesn’t knock his confidence too much
Southgate lining him up for a Pizza advert
Bad luck England, what a crap way to loose better luck next time.
Southgate showed his overly cautious side yet again, his handling of Grealish was amateurish, England needed a 2nd goal in the 1st half when we were dominant but missed our chance to secure the game.
Mancini made a couple of tactical changes and Southgate, as is often the case, failed to react in time and the game swung towards Italy as England fell back on our defending.
Conceding from a corner was poor, really poor.
The referee was poor, really poor.
I thought that Sterling had a decent shout for a penalty and that the Italy player who stamped on Grealish should have been sent off.
Considering his history over the Euro 96 penalty miss vs Germany I thought that Southgate showed inept management of the penalty shootout. His choices were appalling.
Pickford made two brilliant saves in the shootout and should have been the hero as his saves were of a higher quality than Donnaruma because they were much more difficult saves to make but sadly for him his efforts will be forgotten thanks to the mismanagement of Southgate.
Put simply, if Southgate manages Italy and Mancini manages England, England win comfortably.
We’re stuck with Southgate for a few more years because he’s an FA man, but I was worried before that the best crop of England players I’d seen since 1970 will be wanked away by this current England manager. I thought it before the competition begun and my view has not shifted one iota.
Saka you can walk off the pitch with your head held high you done England and Arsenal proud.
Yes it will hurt for missing the penalty and loosing the match but their was more experienced players on both sides that missed before him adding more pressure and don’t forget the keeper was the best keeper in Italy.
Maybe this missed penalty is a blessing in disguise and do more good for Saka in the long run.
I believe this will make him stronger player.
Geoff,I reckon you’re right.
He will learn from this and be a better player for it for sure.
He needs a break now.
I’ve just seen some of the abuse these 3 kids have copped on social media.
DISGRACEFUL.
Wtf is wrong with people?
I’ve also seen the English fans attacking Italians leaving the stadium after the match.
Equally disgusting.
Not representative of a nation, just an example of the filthy pond scum that makes up a minority.
Morning guys.
I’m sure you’re all proud of your lads and you bloody well should be.
They were fantastic.
Morning all.
https://highbury-house.com/2021/07/12/next-time-say-no/
New post up now.
I’m embarrassed to be English this morning.
Rico, don’t be!!!
They do not represent you!!!