Morning all.
So much has gone on this week and not all of it good, for me anyway. Finally though, I’ve fulfilled a dream by moving to the south coast.
It seems Arsenal FC have finally realised that the transfer window is open which is good news. On Wednesday, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported Mikel Arteta’s side are finalising an agreement for Brentford’s Christian Norgaard for around €11million (£9.3m; $12.9m). Sevilla’s 23-year-old French midfielder Lucien Agoume could be on the radar too.
Christian Norgaard is to replace the outgoing Thomas Partey say reports but that’s not quite true is it? Martin Zubimendi, should he ever arrive will be the main man in midfield whereas Norgaard is in theory, replacing Jorginho who has already departed.
So the below comparison between Norgaard and Partey is pretty pointless really, well, apart from Sky Sports trying to make out our potential new signing is a poor substitute when he’s not. He’s a Premier League proved player who should in theory be a great asset this coming season and beyond.
Kepa is widely expected to be our new number 2 goalkeeper next season and Valencia’s 21 year old defender Cristhian Mosquera is being lined up too. As is Crystal Palace attacking midfielder/winger Eberechi Oluchi Eze who started his career at Arsenal before being let go at 13 years old. I’m not sure re-signing him would be a smart move because other than the odd terrific performance, I’m not sure he’s any better than who we already have. If we’re going for a winger, which I hope we are, surely he has to be better than who we have?
Arsenal might not have confirmed the signing of any new players yet but after the good news about Gabriel staying at the club for the foreseeable, Myles Lewis-Skelly has now committed to Arsenal by signing a new five year contract. Honestly, I’m over the moon about this deal because he’s such a quality player. He’s Arsenal through and through too. Just need Ethan Nwaneri, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to do the same.
Finally, England take on Germany tonight in the European Under 21 Championship Final. Ethan Nwaneri will be involved at some stage if not from the start. Hopefully, when he returns to the club to sign his new contract, he’ll have a winners medal hanging around his neck.
Catch up in the comments.
Welcome back Rico. I guess the move didn’t altogether go to plan but you’ve plenty of time to settle in. Not too much swearing I hope. 😉
Thank you Cicero, the move was fine until we found the previous occupants had left a lot of their stuff in the house and garage..
Still, it was soon gone. 😜
Welcome home Rico, your dream move, that sounds fantastic, there’s nothing quite like realising a dream.
Everything else will sort itself out regardless.
Sky Sports pushing a negative narrative about Arsenal, surely not?
Yeah Nørgaard for Jorginho seems obvious to anyone else except for the mob on the A.4.
I have mixed feelings about Eze but maybe the plan is to use him off of the left-wing with his trickery against teams utilising the low block rather than Martinelli running down blind alleys? It’ll be good to have options off of the left.
Ok, I’m off soon with my son James to the Legends Tour of the Emirates.
Thanks Kev. It will….
Enjoy the tour…
MLS and Gabriel signing new deals are fantastic news.
I don’t think Norgaard is a replacement for Partey – more a replacement for Jorginho as Zubimendi would be viewed as the first starter.
In today’s hugely inflated market the amount spent on Norgaard is not even a risk and it is not a signing in which Max Dowman’s route to the first team would be blocked. It is an intelligent signing in my opinion and will allow Dowman to progress and become involved.
Kepa is a sensible and experienced signing and again at £5m represents very little outlay.
I will admit the signings so far are not particularly exciting but they fill gaps in the squad which are not critical (except perhaps Zubimendi who will be a first team member alongside Rice) but are still important.
They have been signed quite cheaply which will free up more funds for positions deemed to be more critical such as Left Winger and a Striker.
We will see….
Agree Leon, Arteta said we needed numbers as well as quality and if these recent rumours are true, we’re adding both. IMO, not every signing has to be exciting. They just have to be very good at what they do. We’re building the squad as well as a first team.
Kev you richly deserve a place in the legends being one yourself in your own lunchtime. 😉 h
Very true Cicero, I always saw myself as as bit of a legend, or was it leg-end? 😉
Good comments Leon.
Just watched Lewis Capaldi at Glastonbury, wow! Just wow!
Afternoon Rico and all.
Glad the move went well. as they always corse headaches, and hows your puppy going
Afternoon rico, house. Glad move ok apart from surprise from mean previous owners. Lots to look forward to. Looking at a few days at Lulworth next week ourselves, an area never been, for a few coastal walks. Are we really waiting for July to announce many together, seems like it unless Monday?
Afternoon Geoff, Andrew. Thank you. Selfish and unnecessary imo.
I think Monday too, might even get four announcements in one day. 😂
toe or a heel? Kev. 😉