Morning all.
The headlines on NN, the back pages and social media relate to Mikel Arteta and a suggested two year contract extension. Inevitable really after previous headlines in the same place, suggested Mikel Arteta was being lined up to replace Pep Guardiola when he calls time at Man City. Arteta’s contract with Arsenal is set to expire in the summer of 2023 so it’s only natural that the club would be looking at his situation regardless of what City are planning.
I know I get the hump when the club allow players to run their contracts down, so it shouldn’t be any different for a manager should it? If the Arsenal board think Mikel Arteta is the right man to continue to take the club forwards then yes, tie him down beyond 2023. If Arteta doesn’t want to commit to the club, then that’s a whole different scenario but why wouldn’t he if he’s as serious about our club as his words over the last two years have suggested?
In one of his recent press conferences, he said he needs a squad of 20/22 outfield players if we’re to compete. Really compete and he said that takes time. Money too of course which is why a top four place is so important. We’re not equipped to compete in the Champions League but as I’ve cynically suggested before, if we were to qualify and then finish third in the group, we might just have a chance of getting to the Europa Cup Final.
There’s a long way to go yet though before anything like that is decided as we’re only just into the second half of the season. The fixture against Burnley tomorrow is crucial. Of course we need the points but we need a bit of confidence too before going into the winter break. So far, January has been a stinker.
This weekend has thrown up a couple interesting fixtures.
Today: Man Utd v West Ham
Tomorrow: Chelsea v Totts
Points are going to be dropped somewhere but if we can’t or don’t beat Burnley, then we we’ll have missed a golden opportunity to gain ground on one, maybe two of the clubs above on the table.
As well as the new contract for Mikel Arteta has hit the headlines, Bernd Leno has made it too as he’s rumoured to be off, with Newcastle a potential destination. Arsenal are suggested to be replacing him with American number one Matt Taylor who is 6’ 3” and 27 years old.
Here’s his finest moments thanks to Youtube.
See you in the comments.
If City want Julian Alvarez, why aren’t we going for him?
Don’t know much about him but a cursory look tells me that he is 5 foot 8 ” and a winger come forward . Which to me suggests that there may be legs in the rumours that Sterling may be on the move .
If we are offering an extension to Arteta then it shows that Josh has totally bought into the project and like it or not , that’s the way we are heading.
We can look forward to continuing the Arsenal game of rummy as we pick up players and put others down as they work out or not.
i don’t get too attached to players nowadays as they will come and go but I do believe that if we are to repel the advances already being made for Saka , Smith – Rowe and Martinelli , we need to show some stability at the top but as we bring players in their contracts have to reflect that they are coming on trial. We can’t afford to buy on the top shelf and tie ourselves into contracts that means that we can’t shift them later.
Totally agree Potter. Swapping and changing managers at the drop of a hat helps no one. Certainly not players and ours seem to have belief in what Arteta/the board are doing.
Long gone are the days when players are anything other a cash prize imo. I’m sure if City offered in excess of £100m for Saka, and him a greater salary than he’s on now, a deal would be done.
Julian alvarez is from River.
Good player, but he wil adapt to English football?
That’s the chance clubs take with any overseas player Jm.
Problem is that the three I mentioned are the cornerstones of the process . If they go the whole thing fails and the fans will turn against the club
. At the moment we are in the mix and just as much as it looks like baby steps are being made forward we should not forget that we could just as easily end up 7th or 8th at the end of the season and that would show no progress and the calls for a big named manager will return .
We only have one target left now and it can be argued that over the period since Wenger we have badly mismanaged the squad . We now have produced a nucleus to build around but we need to supplement it . However one has to wonder whether the money being spent on Vlahovic could be better spread out in part on contract extensions to tie down these three and go for a less shiny , shiny toy to dazzle the crowd.
Morning Birthday People, morning Rico, a new contract for El Brainiac, to me that makes a lot of sense if you want to send out the right message to players you wish to sign in the summer.
It’s clear to me that the Kronekes buy into ‘The Process’ it’s just a matter of how much they want the club to be successful as their success record in general is pretty darn rubbish.
Arsenal are still a valuable asset which is continuing to grow in value and that looks great on the balance sheet. What the Kroenke’s spend isn’t out of their own pocket it’s what Arsenal make or put against future earnings – we’re still pretty much self sufficient…
Arsenal aren’t owned buy an oil rich country with an ego the size of Saudi Arabia or a megalomaniac who wants a PR sports franchise to divert his ill gotten gains into whilst starting WW3, that’s why we’re streets behind them.
Competing with the petro clubs is a dream, for now…
Afternoon Rico and all
I still recon it’s to early to extend Arteta contract, I would wait until the end of season.
I still believe the Kroenkes jumped the gun when they promoted Arteta from Head Coach to Manager. Offering him a new contract at this point smacks of the same over eagerness.
Let’s face it no matter how much time is left on his contract, if City come calling he’ll be off like a shot and we’ll be left with egg on our faces….plus an oily cheque as compensation.
A new typeface Rico? Was it a birthday present? 😉
The key there is as you say, to keep building Potter. So far in this transfer window, there’s little sign of that.
Afternoon Geoff, Kev.
Cicero, I’ve just been playing. Lol
Would he though Cicero? Going to City to work under Pep is very different to working instead of him.
Plus, he loves Arsenal. 😜
I like the new type face but still cant comment on my phone . Looks like a factory reset although it’s only this site. Baffled
Everton fan just threw a drink bottle hitting 2 AVl players, I wonder if Everton will be fined not controlling there fans.
I can the see the premier league banning players celebrating a goal near fans.
So Granit says that it’s in his nature and when he is in 50 /50 situations he has to take risks .
If however he read the game better and did not get caught out so often he would not have to make those challenges in the first place.
Fair point Potter but some of those tackles Xhaka made was because his team mates didn’t cover their own player. However saying that I wish he would get this crabbing players jumper out of his game.
Rico, I was thinking more along the lines of Arteta being offered the job of Guardiola’s replacement.
I realised Cicero. My comment was not clear. Oops.
That’s weird Potter, I’ve not had any other problems on an iPhone
You’re asking a lot of Xhaka there Potter. Lol
Not sure if anybody is interested but the title decider from the 88/89 season is on itv 4 at 4 pm.
Just noticed it’s only highlights.
Still worth watching thow.
Thanks Mog.
Jammy Utd.
Arsenal official site update the squad.
As for the players we’ve been talking about: a) Vlahovic is a good player but it’s getting too expensive. Juventus has more strength to sign him. They (the expensive players) usually create a bad atmosphere internally; b) Arthur Mello looks like he will stay at Juventus, unlike Ramsey c) Leno leaves if the American goalkeeper comes.
Jack Wilshere on Twitter on Rashford’s goal :- if that was at the Emirates it’s offside.
On the subject of Wilshere, why not ?
Hein to Reading on loan ? Well he would be busy.
I just saw the very first starting 11 Mikel Arteta had when taking over.
Seriously, anyone questioning the process or progress is…..well you can fill in the blanks yourself 😉
Of course, if you wish to question or disagree with my comment, I welcome you to show the list I touched upon 😉
He certainly will Potter.
New post up now