Morning all.
I think the new deal for Mo Elneny makes absolute sense. It’s a year with an option for another if all goes well for him and Arsenal. A dip into the transfer market to find a player who has his experience, enthusiasm and energy would cost the club money and very likely, wages greater than what Elneny is on. He’s not going to be starting 38 Premier League fixtures next season, nor is he likely to be Mikel Arteta’s first choice central midfielder in the league but when he’s needed, he’ll be there, just as he has been during the final weeks of the season just gone. Mikel Arteta needs a squad, not just a first team. Elneny doesn’t seem to have a chip on his shoulder and having watched his recent interview, he makes no demands, he just loves Arsenal football club and wants to stay until he retires from the game. Yet not for one minute do I think he’s staying for an easy ride.
I love this club and I feel like part of this family. I want to continue at this amazing club and amazing family and I’m very happy and very excited for the future.
Arsenal fans can vent their frustration on social media and other websites, suggesting Elneny extending his contract isn’t a sign of Arsenal showing ambition but in my opinion, they’re not seeing the bigger picture. Arsenal aren’t keeping the negative, sideways and backwards passing player we saw a few years ago, they are keeping hold of a player who now looks up and ahead, opting for safety when it is the only option.
The same applies to Eddie Nketiah who is reported to be on the verge of signing a new five year contract with the club. If Arsenal confirm this, I’ll be over the moon. No, he’s not the strong, athletic and tall striker many of us feel the team is lacking but he has different qualities which has been evident for a long time. He’s clearly worked hard on his game and has been worked hard too.
Credit to Mikel Arteta for not dropping him as soon as Lacazette recovered from Covid. If he ever had Covid in the first place.
I read a comment in one of the newspapers this morning which suggested a five year contract for Nketiah is bonkers. Something similar anyway but on one hand the club are criticised for allowing players to leave for free, yet when a long term contract is offered to a 22 year old, that’s not right either. Yet it is, at least I think it is. Eddie finished the season with 10 goals, our 3rd highest goal scorer behind Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe yet if we compared the minutes he’s played to the rest of our attacking players, I’m sure Eddie Nketiah would come out on top. Not for one minute am I suggesting Nketiah should be our main striker next season but we need depth and he gives us that.
I’m sure we all have a number in our head of how many players we think Arsenal need to sign this summer but when number of solutions are already at the club, what’s the point in taking a gamble on an unknown player from overseas? Surely, the only way Arsenal will be improve next season is by bringing in better players than 2 or 3 we have seen in what I would call Mikel Arteta’s first choice 11/13 players. Also, with injury concerns over Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu, better players than we currently have, to rotate/challenge them.
Anyway, you have probably guessed, I’m pleased Mo is staying and I’ll be even more pleased if Nketiah does too.
See you in the comments….
First Arse… Sorry, wrong site😁 but more chance here
You’re right Dean.
Morning Rico and all
I hope the Story about Eddie is true, I don’t think he will be another Thierry Henry but will be a good honest player and that’s all you can ask for, The only person who could loose out is Eddie him self as one hundred thousand per week for 5 years is not much in this day and age and if it does not work out he still should be easy to sell.
Morning Geoff.
Blimey, £100k a week not a lot? I wouldn’t mind earning that in a year…
Rico guessing to you and me and most people it is a hell of a lot of money but in-regards to player payments it’s not compared to a lot other players.
I think it’s a lot Geoff. Too much really but letting players contracts run down does that.
Morning rico, agree that’s both deals make sense. Elneny has shown loyalty above most players and deserves something back, and is a useful substitute to always have. Not sure on Eddie, we know there’s a player in there, and improved performances once he got a run, show promise. It would be horrible for him to go on a free and then be one who got away, that would hurt. Willock doesn’t look quite like what we needed, and Nketiah may be same, but he will always have some resale value, so hope he signs. Above all, hope he scores 15 for us next season.
Morning Andrew. Yep, there’s always a chance Eddie might flunk but as you say, there’s a player in there and I’d rather he was scoring for us than Palace, West Ham etc. I did read Liverpool were interested too.
Both deals are sensible because we can’t keep letting assets walk for free.. If it doesn’t work out for Eddie with a few years left on his contract he will have resale value above the blackmail fees we are getting for Mavropas , Torriera etc and of course he is home grown .
Providing that Arteta keeps him in the loop and he gets more than just run the clock down minutes he should be happy enough . It’s the sit on the bench culture that has overworked some and caused others to wish to go.l
Good day you all.
Keeping Nketiah makes sense, he’s England qualified, he’s an integral part of the squad, he has considerable Premiership experience and will be ready to go from the off next season. Finding a similar replacement would be expensive and disruptive. Keeping him is good business.
Agreed Potter & Cicero.
Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign former Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata.
Sport have reported that the London club are ‘very close’ to signing the Spanish international in a deal worth around £25 million.
The forward has been on loan at Juventus for two years from Atletico Madrid, but the Old Lady are not taking up their £30m option to buy.
If I was Nketiah I would be delighted because it would be virtually impossible to sit behind this lump .
If Juventus don’t want him , why would we ?
In 290 top flight games across Europe he has scored 94 goals and at Chelsea 2017′ 20 he scored 16 in 47 outings . just not the striker we are looking for.
I can’t believe Arteta would want Morata..
Villa aren’t messing about this summer. Two signings already.
3 including Coutinho.
Carlos and Kamara both played 3800 minutes this season, Coutinho half of that.
Kamara is a strong DM with decent tackling and aerial skills, while Diego Carlos compensates his relative lack of heights with good elevation, but is card prone. He was Martinelli’s teammate when won the Olympics last summer (along with Richarlison, Dani Alves, Bruno Guimaraes and future teammate Douglas Luiz).
I suppose we have a few weeks of rumour and counter rumour to put up with , so we just have to keep our heads down and carry on .
Just for once in my life I have only one thing to say about tomorrow.
FORZA MADRID
Morata – please God no!
Just realised this post was 33 years after the best game I ever attended! Doubt it will ever be bettered in football…for me anyway… Up for grabs Noooow!
28th April 1970 , 3rd May 1971 , 8th May 1971
376 days that gave all the bragging rights in London and beyond.
It’s my age but even though there have been great times since , that period sticks out for me.
Afternoon Rico and all
It seem that most of us agree on who gets a new contract and who we would like to see come in, lets hope Edu and Arteta agree with us
@Potter. Bit before my time, but a friend was at the Fairs Cup final 2nd leg at Highbury and said it was a fantastic occasion. His favourite.
I have never known the atmosphere at Highbury or the Emirates to top that evening. When Sammels scored I really thoght that the roof on the North Bank was coming off.
Hard to believe so much time has gone by since ‘89. I can’t remember how many times I’ve watched Fever Pitch. Mind you, I do rather like Colin Firth… lol
New post up now