Morning all.
Two very well taken Arsenal goals, the first from the new boy Nuno Tavares, the second from a striker who might soon be on his way, Eddie Nketiah. Two goals conceded thanks to awful defending of set pieces and a hatful of misses, too many from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ensured the match ended in a draw. It’s a concern that even at this early stage of pre season, our number 14 is missing sitters against a defence which was probably taking it easy. After all, no one wants an injury before the season even gets going.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal.com:
It’s been really good. We created so many chances but we are not converting enough. Today we should’ve scored many more goals and with the quality of the players we have up front, they have to demand much more of themselves. But at least we are getting there, the process is becoming much clearer, much better. Without the ball as well, we worked really hard and were really efficient. We won a lot of balls in the final third so there are a lot of positives to take.
Next stop for Arsenal, the USA. With “new faces” expected to be part of the travelling squad. Considering Arsenal fly out to Orlando in three days time, it’s fair to say we should get some news very soon.
Albert Lokonga no doubt, Ben White too, both players who feel like they’ve been heading to Arsenal since last summer rather than this although the latter is unlikely to be ready for a return to the game just yet. Mikel Arteta certainly doesn’t seem to be the kind of guy to tell us new players are coming if they’re not. I’m sure if he had his way, Arsenal would be adding a lot more players to his squad than the club are likely to be able to.
Most successful clubs have at least one striker who’ll pretty much guarantee 20 plus goals a season. Where’s Arsenal’s? On paper we have a great attacking unit with Aubameyang, Lacazette, Pepe, Balogun, Martinelli and even Eddie but as most of those players showed last season, scoring goals is done on paper. ESR, Saka, Partey will hopefully add more goals to their game, the defenders too from set pieces, but when it comes to pulling the trigger in the box, who is going to convert the opportunities we create.
Can Arsenal really expect Aubameyang or Lacazette to come good again? Can the club afford to give them another opportunity to do so?
See you in the comments.
Morning Campers, morning Ricolinho.
Yeah, I also saw some brief highlights and Nketiah took his goal really well, a smart piece of work with disguise on the shot. That should have added a million to his value.
It’s sounding quite encouraging regarding the new signings, get them over the line and we’re what, half way to doing all the business that’s needed on incomings.
Outgoings is another matter, still a lot to do there : Willian, Torrieira, Nketiah, Bellerin, Xhaka, Lacazette (?), Willock (?), Kolasinac, Maitland Niles, Nelson (?). Yep a lot to do!
Morning Kev, Sue, Scott, all.
Agree, plenty of work to be done yet, certainly on the exits. Can’t keep everyone 😆
Scott, we’ll soon be joining you I’m sure…
Just the twice Andrew? Lol
Ha ha re the flying ants Andrew and Auba, he needs some help from somewhere. Maybe a new challenge is the answer.
Morning all.
I’m happy that we are buying BEFORE selling.
That says Stan is supporting Mikel and that’s fantastic.
but willock ,nelson and niles mst be loaned (our future)
Good morning, Rico. What a scorcher!!
It was painful watching Auba’s misses, especially the third, there was a time when he’d have buried them – honest 😄
It’s very concerning, although with 4 preseason games to go, surely that’ll be enough time to recover his shooting boots! 🙏
Really don’t fancy heading into next season dominating possession yet ruing missed chances! (Groundhog day!)
Decent debut from Tavares! Pleased with that..
Well considering the depressed market Scott with so many good players available for very affordable prices if Stan misses out this summer then he really is a dork.
But yeah, he seems to have provided guarantees or loans via KSE for Edu and Arteta to use, maybe if we spend it all and another bargain becomes available he’ll push the boat out even further? Here’s hoping.
Have a good day you lot, I’m off to the seaside. 😎
The world has done a 360.
You guys are happy and free, we are kin lockdown.
This isn’t right hahaha
Morning all. Scott, we had 54,000 cases yesterday (highest in world above Brazil, Indonesia and India!) and rising. And decided not to vaccinate under 18s despite other countries doing so to keep rates down. Now we abandon compulsory masks in shops and transport tomorrow, big gamble or maybe acceptance that 100-200 will die a day until Autumn. mmmm
So many need to leave to allow maybe a 4th and 5th signing. I’ve gone back to looking at Newsnow twice a day😂😂
On a brighter side, it’s 29 degrees and sunny in parts of UK. On the downside I’ve just had half a dozen of the first flying ants land on me in garden! Didn’t realise till I read a couple of days ago that there is a Flying Ants day!! They have sex in sky, male dies, then female comes down and creates swarms😀.
Wish a few would land on Auba and get him moving as fast as I just jumped up😀😀
Maybe a few more rico, but didn’t want to admit to it😀😂😀
Andrew, I’d say it’s acceptance. We can’t keep living like this, and the virus could be around for years.
Thanks China.
Good Afternoon Rico and all
Thanks for the match report Rico. I did not see the game but have access to all the statistics. But the latter tell you only what you want to see….or rather what they want you to see.
But I saw highlights.
And if anyone tells me that Tavarez is a LB by nature I am sorry I do not agree. Tavarez is a forward players. End of. Look at the way he attacked the ball, entered the penalty area and opened up his body before finishing the ball in the net screams of a lateral forward.
Shades of Bale when he began as a fullback only to end up as a forward.
Yes he might be listed as a LB because Benfica saw fit to play him there. But I disagree. I would put him up front on the wing, sell Auba and put Balogun as CF. Then go and buy Josh Doig from Hibs.
We just cannot go into the new season with Aubameyang as our main striker. Arteta must use the remaining pre-season games to blood Balogun and give Martinelli a chance to cement a place in the starting eleven. Failing that Arteta must give Aubameyang a free transfer and use what money he has to sign a top grade striker whose wages can be paid with the dosh saved on Aubameyang’s salary.
Lovely day here in Norfolk, mid to upper twenties c. Light breeze and a cloudless blue sky. Sitting in the shade of the apple tree watching the grass grow, but that’s tomorrow’s problem. A bonus is a good WiFi connection via the extender in the summer house. Bliss. 😎
Morning Rico and All
It seem we have learned one thing, find the players we want and get the deal done and not leave it to the last minute.
I hope we take Willian to the USA after all he might like it there and want to stay.
Scott can you please take care of your delivery drivers in NSW, now our premier has got the shakes again and is thinking of extending our 5 day lock down for another week, I’ve only had 2 weeks free in the last 6 months even prisoners get treated better then us.
Hi Geoff, I like that idea re Willian.
Hi Mig, ditto re pre season, little matters bar fitness. The Open has been good, disappointing Rory could maintain his early form yesterday, he could have been in the mix for today.
Hi Devil, he’s a left back. Lol
Geoff, the removalists in question should be sent back to where they came from.
Morning Rico et al,
I don’t really take much from the early preseason games nobody should really. They are more about getting new players to integrate into the team and get the match fitness up ready for the new season. That said sounds like we may have another bargain full back goal scorer in the squad maybe Ashley Cole type would be amazing if so but you have to give these players the freedom to score and I’m confident that Arteta will he likes brave players. Hence the introduction of Ben White another good player on the ball who likes to bring the ball up the pitch and will Gabriel also pretty good on the ball all steps in the right direction. I do still think it’s the linkup play between the attaching midfield and strikers where we’ve been weakest last few seasons ESR apart who was amazing last half of the season. So until we see those players installed people like Locatelli and Bissouma, Aour we can be too hopeful yet. I’m certain Edu will be focusing on those players now we’ve got the defence in place.
The Open has been enthralling these past few days would love a new masters winner but it looks like a two horse race maybe three if Speith ups his game a little.
Cheer up Geoff and Scott, what goes around, comes around.
Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have to self isolate after being in contact with Health Minister Sajid Javid who tested positive a day or so ago.
Mig, The Open? Is that where blokes in funny trousers wear one glove and walk around a field with a stick and a ball? Mark Twain got it right, quote “Golf is a good walk spoiled”. 😉
Cicero, we will survive mate 🙂
Don’t forget if we get the Lokonga deal done he has also been able to play box to box and score goals along with others we are hoping for, we could have a fast running team now to fix up the Auba and Laca lack of goals it could be a good season.
But we need goals from midfield as well of from the strikers, not instead of.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9799763/Arsenal-overhaul-Mikel-Arteta-eyes-FIVE-new-targets.html
Or defenders / forwards who now how to play corner / set pieces
I am starting my own rumour,
Arsenal sign white, Lokonga and one more in America and official photos show Arteta the player and Josh Kroenke all together.
You sound like a dodgy “sauce” to me hahahahaha
Now Rico, don’t get carried away, I still have things I couldn’t stand about the guy, but watching the season review from 14/15, when he was on fire, DAMN he was brilliant.
Yes, Alexis, and with Ozil alongside him they were dynamite.
That hurt hahahaha
Without him Scott, top four would have been gone a long time before it did.
Good morning all.
It seems that Arsenal are willing to pay the £34 million asking price for Italian midfielder Locatelli. We are also trying to sign Norwich City’s right back Max Aarons as a replacement for Hector Bellerin.
IT’s a shame all this money that’s available for Arteta was not available for Unai Emery but better late than never
There was money for Emery Geoff, it’s just Raul spent it on Torreira, Guendouzi, Leno, Sokratis and Pepe. Saliba, Martinelli and Tierney too.
Morning all
Cicero, all things being equal, surely Sassuolo would rather sell to us than Juve.
Fingers crossed.
Geoff, shame it was. Available for Arsene but yes, time to look forward as there are better days ahead.
Wasn’t…..
On the surface the appointment of Emery was entirely sensible . A manthat had managed a second tier club in Spain and had lifted the Europa cup 3 times what could possibly go wrong ?
Firstly at Seville in his last Europa league winning squad he had 31 players where 28 were native speakers of Romantic languagues , Spanish , Portugese , French , and South American whereas in the year we went to the final and lost of our 33 only 6 were from this background .We had a squad of predominately English and German speakers with a few Greek and Africans thrown in.
As we know language was not his strongest suit as most of us couldn’t understand him and I doubt the players could either.
I think he is a good coach in his own surroundings and I don;t believe that Arsenal was beyond him but i do believe that the changes that he would have had to make in the end scared our money men to the point that they either let him go or would have gone themselves , which in the end happened anyway.
Plus, if rumours are correct, he had no say in who the club signed. He was never going to be a success..
Which made knocking us out of Europe and going on to lift the cup even sweeter!!
Exactly Sue. I’d have loved every second if I’d have been Emery.
You say that Scott, about aiming higher yet the club appointed a rookie.
I’m behind Arteta although I still have my doubts but Emery is far more experienced in football than his fellow countryman.
Emery will still be knocking off UEFA cups in 10 years.
I’d like to think we are aiming higher than that, to be honest.
Rico, I see 70 year olds driving cars every day with more experience than me.
Fat Sam has more experience than anyone.
It’s an over rated thing.
Emery is a very good coach.
Great coaches win bigger trophies and he had his chance at PSG.
Maybe I should have used the word trophy/silverware instead of experience Scott.
Mikel has a nice one.
His stake rate is better than Emery’s.
I’m sure Arteta would swap that FA Cup for a Europa Cup.
Exactly why I think he’d swap his FA Cup. I think we could have, should have even, won that last season. Still, onwards and upwards and with no European distraction, a top four finish is a realistic achievement imo.
I doubt it.
Arteta did win an FA cup with the same squad Emery had….credit where it’s due…
Got to start somewhere though , and the Europa is a gateway to the Champions league where the real money is . Bearing in mind that we are competing with actual financial powerhouses in City ,Chelsea and United qualifying from the league is very difficult as we are competing with the other teams for potentially 1 place.
Only by reacjhing C.L can we afford to keep developing the squad along the lines we want and if Arteta can get us that far all well and good.
We have had two 8th’s on the trot , as Paul merson’s dad once said “” Aim for the sky and you might hit the ceiling ” By all means aim for a top four finish but if we make top 6 it’s progress.
If Leicester could…..
Yep, we will be much better this season.
Me too, Rico. What better way to silence his critics, hey?!
Massive season for us and Arteta..
Agree Sue, the knives are already out in certain corners of the Arsenal world. If the club end this transfer window with a few cracking additions, the pressure will be on imo. Especially with fans back in the stadium. Well, hopefully they will be.
Morning Rico and all
There is no excuse, we must finish 4th or at least close to the same amount of points as the team that finish 4th place.
Arteta and Edu have the money and the team is now almost all Arteta choosing.
It’s only my opinion and it might sound harsh but in the end Arteta applied for the job and has been given every chance to succeed and any think from 6th down I would consider a failed year.
Morning Geoff, I’d imagine the plan is to aim for 1st. Lol
Rico The knifes are certainly out from certain fans, I read a story a couple of days back from a so called fan all ready calling for Arteta’s sacking , complaining about who we are bring in just because he had not heard of some of the players.
I just shook my head after all ain’t that what a good scout is for, to find that unknown player that can fit straight in, if we sign White, Lokonga and maybe another player I would say we had a good transfer on paper.
He’s certainly had a similar time frame to Emery Geoff but whereas Emery had players signed for him, Arteta seems to able to make his choices. I think Sue hit the nail on the head, this is a big season for the club and Arteta.
Geoff, he hasn’t been given every chance to succeed at all.
He’s had to get rid of deadwood, and being in HIS players.
If these rumoured transfers happen, then he’s got every chance but it hasn’t happened yet mate.
Cross fingers!!!
I must admit this is the first time in a couple of years that I am looking forward to the start of the season.
I believe who ever replaced Wenger would fail to a degree the same as Sir Alex as fans we were privileged with so many great seasons that some fans expected a new coach/manager to just continue winning. but unfortunately both clubs had certain players who just did not like a change were they had to prove them self.
Here’s our chance to get a striker for free. Andy Carroll is leaving Newcastle. He has bullied every Arsenal centre back he has faced for years and scored a few goals against us too.
😉
Chubby Chops, Steve Bruce, has said he is still badgering away trying to get Joe Willock back for next season. Good luck with that Steve! 😉
I’m not sure Willock will get much of a run this season so maybe a loan for 1 season with the option of bringing him back mid season if needed due to injuries could be a win for all.
So Lokonga is official.
Starting to come together……
And he will travel to Florida 👍
Welcome to Arsenal Lokonga,
It’s happened again. I go out and Arsenal sign a player… 😂
Go out Rico and stay out until August 31st… 😄
🤣 Kev
I don’t want to pile too much onto Albert, but I can’t escape the similarities with another 21 year old of African decent who came to Arsenal as an unknown and went on to transform our midfield and our club. Rico, I’m gonna have to go for a walk… 😀
It surely can’t be that we are into the last day of the transfer window already! Arsenal just don’t get the business done this soon. Let’s hope the rest of the transfers go through as smoothly.
Well come to Arsenal Sambi, no. 23.
Comes with recommendations from Arteta’s friend Mr Kompany and no doubt the Belgian international squad has given him the once over and Thierry is involved there as well.
Sounds hopeful ,
Unfortunately we are fully booked now until the end of September so you can’t visit Rico . So you will just have to become a shopaholic and go out a lot.
Good evening Rico, Kev and everyone
Rico, can you do as Kevin said and stay out till the window shuts?? maybe we will have a totally different team for the first game. And if you sleep out at night it might mean Auba and Laca are sold.
you should thank your lucky stars that I am not your teacher Rico…..because I will be sending you out of class so we will sign more players. hehe
Sambi is going to take the number 23. That means that 4, 8 and 10 are still available, although the chances of ESR taking one of them is high. Fingers crossed that 11 will be free as well.
Kev….before you go for a walk check your inbox mate. I sent you an email with a surprise
Number 4 Kev?
Great shame Potter, anything to stay away from the shops.
Talking of which, I wonder where Agag is up to these days..
Evening Devil, having seen Auba and Lacazette as part of the new kit launch, I reckon they’re staying. Can’t do all the transfer business in one window I guess.
Now I’ve said that, one of them is possibly on the way out. Lol
Evewning Rico and the House.
2Done now sell some
Evening Rick, Andrew. A blessing in disguise perhaps but no more than is needed. At least so far we’re signing players for positions needed rather than any old guy who’s up for sale.
Evening rico, all, pleasant surprise to be bringing these in without the usual ‘departures needed before we have any funds’. I’m sure it is the effects of the shameful aborted super league, so I reckon some good came out of it?
That’s the one Rico, No.4…
Yes, we still have a lot of outgoing business that needs attention, maybe Edu will focus on that more when Ben White is tied up?
I’ve got a sneaky feeling Rico, that Odegaard could be another deal, possibly a late one, maybe another loan perhaps with an obligation to buy, but only when you’ve popped out for a cut loaf and some milk. 😉
DG, I’ll check tomorrow on my phone, in bed now.
Kev, me too re Odegaard. Wouldn’t be at surprised to see him at Arsenal next season.
And to think we’ve been blaming Stan for the lack of transfers all this time when it was bloody Rico 😉
Thanks for that DG, a blast from the past.
About 4.30 this morning I heard some shouts and a noise that sounded like something being hit hard with a heavy object, well I jumped out of bed to look out of my window expecting to see a fight but instead I saw about 15 heavily clad police officers in riot gear and crash helmets piling through the front door of the people opposite. It was like an episode of Line of Duty.
The Old Bill are still there although it’s been quiet for ages so I guess they’re searching the place and no ones been taken away in hand cuffs, yet.
In other news it seems that our friendly with Inter Milan this Sunday is off with a round robin suggested between us and the other two teams involved.
I wonder if the logjams holding up the departures of Bellerin to Inter and Xhaka to Roma will be cleared this week?
It’s all going on over your way Kev, how exciting. 😆
Morning Devil, all.
New post up now
Some geezer has just arrived from the National Crime Agency (I guess as he’s got NCA on his jacket) and he’s parked across my drive, so thanks for that Mr NCA. Some Coppers are loitering about outside with the odd bod coming and going from my neighbours, it’s all very matter of fact.
Kev sounds like you had a very interesting night did you find out what happened.
Just watched the first interview with Lokonga he seems to have a level head and understands that he has to fight for his place but most importantly he wants to be at Arsenal
Hey Kev, does your neighbour have a thick black moustache and slicked down hair? If so that NCA guy is probably looking for Lord Lucan,
Cicero, You just described Kev 🙂
Good morning Rico and all
I found this……..he looks a bit like I used to do at 17. And we have same initials as well. But I never had red hair. Red hair is reserved for superstars like Alan Ball. And it looks sexier on ladies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_9LLN3TkjQ
No Cicero, he looks like a body builder, you know, can look after himself.
As neighbours go they’re ok, pillars of the community, sort of…
Scott I’ve always tried to model my look on Ned Kelly, therefore I walk around with a metal bucket on my head. 😄
Geoff, it’s very edgy around here, you have to have your wits about you, I mean when the ice cream van turns up you’ve gotta be on your toes, know what I mean. 😉
Kev, a national hero hahahaha
DG he looks ok doesn’t he, give him another year and he might be a candidate to replace Elneny in the squad.
Never a dull moment around here Rico, you should see how excited everybody gets on a Monday when the dustman turns up. 😁
That’s right Rico, all depends on the fee Madrid want, if they ask for a ridiculous amount it won’t happen, I mean I like him but he’s not £50 or £60m worth is he?
We need a link Rico
I managed to steal it from Rico’s laptop.
I hope the police and the national crime agency will not come and batter my door down now. I’d better get some wine and a few glasses to offer them a drink of peace.
https://highbury-house.com/2021/07/20/is-this-arsenal-showing-ambition/