Morning all.
Arsenal confirmed a fifth summer signing yesterday in Cristhian Mosquera, a 6’ 3” 21 year old Spanish central defender. One for the future? I doubt it because since stepping into Valencia’s team at the age of 19 in August 2023, he has gone on to start 70 league games out of a possible 72. That’s a player ready for the here and now and not just the future.
Unless Jakub Kiwior moves on, which I hope he doesn’t, we now have five central defenders and that’s not including Jurrien Timber or Ben White. Admittedly, Riccardo Calafiori is likely to play at left back at times throughout the season but when was the last time we had depth and strength in defence as we do today?
We have two quality keepers in David Raya and Kepa.
In midfield, we said goodbye to Thomas Partey and Jorginho just weeks ago but said hello to Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard. With Declan Rice and Mikel Merino too, Mikel Arteta has plenty of options in the middle of the pitch.
Ethan Nwaneri and Martin Odegaard offer creativity but I think there is room for another in that department. I can hear the what about Max Dowman thoughts going through your head but he’s 15 years old.
I read this in one of the usually negative Arsenal newspapers about Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri:
“You would ordinarily call his half hour during Arsenal’s 1-0 win (against AC Milan) a ‘cameo’, but this felt more like an announcement. It felt like a boy saying he is ready for the man’s game. Dowman receives the ball with the delicacy of puck on stick, and glides as if on ice, too. When it came to a ceremonial penalty shootout, he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with a left-foot swoosh that cut through the nonsense of the convoluted attempts of his elders. The socks at half-mast spoke of his confidence and swagger without the need for a Panenka.”
“Nwaneri’s first-half showreel was a distant memory by this point, but it should not be. He does not look 18 and nor does he play 18. If anything, his new shirt number, 22, would be a better guess of his age if not knowing otherwise.”
On the wings, we have Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke.
Speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s 1-0 pre-season win over Milan in Singapore, Declan Rice talked about his Arsenal and England teammate Madueke:
“There’s obviously been a lot of talk around his signing, I didn’t like it, if I’m speaking honestly. But I know how driven he is. I’ve spoken to him and you’re going to see what he’s about this season. As football players, and players that have played with him, we know the quality he has. He’s so driven, and he’s proven. He wants to prove, and show everyone, what he can do and I think you’re going to see that. There’s a hunger inside his belly.
“When he signed, he had like 10 or 11 people with him — that excitement, it’s a good thing. He’s hungry, He wants to play for Arsenal, and those are the type of players we want. It’s so positive. I think he’s going to shock a lot of people, and I can’t wait for him to come.”
“Trust me when I say the boys are really looking forward to it. People have been speaking internally — the players, the staff. We know the player that we’re getting and we’re looking forward to having him at our club. It’s going to be exciting.”
I certainly hope the player soon silences his critics, not because they need to be proved wrong but because he’s doing well for Arsenal. I read something yesterday or the day before about how despite being on a break, he is preparing himself for playing on the left side of the pitch. Thankfully, the Premier League have seen sense in reclassifying the Barnet born player as “homegrown’. UEFA rules are different though so as far as the Champions League goes, he’ll still be listed as non homegrown. Ridiculous in my opinion.
Back to the squad, the striker department is still lacking in strength, let alone depth. Yes, we have Kai Havertz and the currently unavailable Gabriel Jesus but as has been said/written many times and by many people, neither are what I’d call a proper striker. However, Viktor Gyokeres should soon be confirmed as being an Arsenal player.
Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Sambi Lokonga are the other players listed in the current Arsenal squad although I’m far from convinced they’ll still be at the club when the transfer window closes. Perhaps the sale of all four, plus Jesus and Trossard would help fund a move for Alexander Isak?
It doesn’t hurt to dream does it?
Catch up in the comments….
Morning Rico
Sorry Geoff I forgot to answer your question, but yes both the AC Milan goalkeepers were good but the young lad who came on at half-time was very good. I don’t know either of their names, also the Milan defence was very good. Arsenal probably should have won 3-0, I think it’s a bit too early to think that our finishing is still as erratic as last season.
Morning Kev, I’m yet to watch any highlights but it’s on my list of things to do 😜
If it wasn’t for what’s gone on before, I doubt there would be a concern over missed chances, but I’m hoping Noni and Viktor have a say in changing that..
Terraciano started and Torriano was the shoot out.
Confess I looked it up .
I’ve just done the same, the 20 year old being 6’ 6”, that’s a big target to miss..
Donnarumma is 6’ 5”
It must be the pasta, pizza and garlic. Lol
Good read Rico.
Yes, the theme for this window should be depth and quality. It looks like they are sorting both out. But unlike you, I will prefer an Eze to Isak and Rodrygo. Why? From experience we need penetration from our central attacking players, particularly as other teams continue to “”low block” against us. With Gyokeres, bringing in Isak will be more of a luxury than need.
Isak is a non starter imo Daniel, I just put it in there as a joke really.
I’m with you, another creative player would be ideal, not sure if Eze is the answer though. I guess we’ll have to see how the next few weeks go. See who Arsenal bring through the door and who leaves.
Good morning Rico.
Strange that the photo of Mosquero signing his contract alongside Arteta and Berta was taken at our training facility at London Colney. When we know that at least two of them are in Singapore. Mosquero appears to be wearing the same shirt he had on last week when photo was leaked.
Very odd.
Morning Cicero, you’re right. Wasn’t this deal done when Noni was announced though but a little problem with his medical had to be solved.
Afternoon Rico and all.
I’m not worrying yet just praying and touching wood, that we don’t pick up any major injuries dureing these practice matches.
David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
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45m
🚨 Arsenal reach total agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign Viktor Gyokeres. #SportingCP grant 27yo striker permission to travel; medical scheduled for Saturday. Sweden international expected to wear iconic No14 shirt as new #AFC front man
@TheAthleticFC
Afternoon Geoff, I’d imagine every club fans think that. But they’re a must..
It’s not hard to know what goes on behind closed doors Rico, it’s bloody well impossible. 😉
I guess that Sporting have suddenly realised that there are not too many high class strikers queuing up to sign for them as a Gyokeres replacement, but there are a few that would be happy at Arsenal if the present deal falls through.
Exactly Cicero, on both accounts…
When is Joseph Edward Root going to get the knighthood he so richly deserves?
6 runs away from Ricky Ponting and then the big one Tendulkar?
Soon I hope…
He’ll get a Knighthood if we beat the Aussie and he scores at least a couple of double centuries.
Two thousand runs short of Tendulka’s total, I don’t think that total will ever be beaten.
I suppose it’s time that we learned how to pronounce our, almost, striker”s name correctly. It’s sort of Jokeres. The initial letter being a kind of combination of J and Y.
Perhaps he will have his first name Viktor on his shirt.
He deserves one regardless of the Aussies imo.
Viktor sounds a good idea to me.
Root is 34 and showing no signs of decline, I reckon he can keep going for another 4 years if the desire is there so 10 centuries and 20 half-centuries or something like 3 centuries and 5 half-centuries a year, doesn’t seem out of the question?
In fact it seems eminently get’able to me, but I guess we’ll have to see?
There certainly isn’t anyone in a position to threaten him for his place and his fitness record is impressive so watch this space…
Just less singles and twos as the years roll by. 😜
Very few threes.
Good night Gooners, everywhere. 😴