Morning all.
Mikel Arteta:
We’re going to try to be in the market to see options that can strengthen the team. That’s for sure and that’s our obligation, and we’re going to be working on that. My obligation is to give my opinion on the things we can improve.
Obviously we have some bad injuries, like Calum a few days ago. That’s obviously going to change our plans at the back, but the reality at the moment is that we’re not going to be able to do much.
I’m more concerned at the moment about getting people back from injuries than I am the signings. I want to improve the players I have here, get everybody on board and understanding what we’re trying to do. If something extra comes up and we think it’s the right opportunity to improve what we have, let’s do it.
When a transfer window opens, I doubt there’s a football fan anywhere who doesn’t want his/her club to add players to the squad. Only the numbers differ I’d imagine. Those at the top of their respective leagues are lesser perhaps than those below who are chasing them. We all want better than who we have, although in Arsenal’s case, those players we do have are turning heads. Like, ‘why the f**k hasn’t he/they been playing like that all season’ turn of heads. It’s player power isn’t it, or like a child who sulks when he/she doesn’t get what they want. They didn’t want Unai Emery so basically, they got rid of him. Nothing new though sadly as we’ve seen it time and time again at other clubs.
But that period of time when players are on a mission to get the manager sacked has repercussions. The fallout between Granit Xhaka and the fans, the rumours surrounding him, Aubameyang and Torreira all wanting to leave, Lacazette too which as much as we can say ‘ignore them,’ the old ‘there’s no smoke without fire’ sticks in the mind. The way the three have been playing since Arteta took over suggests one of two things in my opinion. 1) They’ve back on board in a big way or 2) They’ve upped their game to attract more attention from other clubs. I’m leaning towards option one but who knows. Aubameyang has reportedly denied he’s on the move, as has Arteta and the Spaniard is adamant Xhaka is part of the club’s future. Something like that anyway. Torreira just looks happy playing in his preferred position and it shows in his performances.
Elneny and Mkhitaryan have already gone albeit only on loan but am I the only one wondering if Mikel Arteta could do something with either or both? The improvement in Ozil would suggest he might. Same with Eddie who is now back with Arsenal and possibly in contention to play against Leeds on Monday night. Wouldn’t that be odd for him.
Back to the numbers and I think we need at least two additions this month but I’m not sure where the club are as FFP goes. Arteta saying the club aren’t going to able to do much in the way of signings, kind of suggests FFP is restricting us which is no surprise with our massive wage bill. Which is probably why we’re being linked to loan deals but just because they’re written in the newspapers, it doesn’t mean they’re true. Just as Mikel Arteta saying we won’t do much this month might not be as he’s hardly likely to tell other clubs we’ve money to spend. IF we have.
I certainly hope the link to Jerome Boateng isn’t true. He struggled in this league a few years ago so he’s hardly likely to find it easy going now. The Telegraph, never a newspaper to miss out on letting the truth ruin a good story, reckon that three defenders are being considered by Arsenal. Dayot Upamecano, Nathan Ake and Daniele Rugani. Then there’s Max Arrons who The Mail suggest we’re chasing because there are doubts over Bellerin and finally, at least I think it’s finally, Adrien Rabiot.
Theres always one name which pops up every transfer window and Rabiot is one. Lemar is another and he’s in there again…
Anyway, the moral of the story. Don’t believe all you read… ⚽️
Good morning Rico. A lovely sunny day here in Norfolk but cold.
It’s a real pity that our executive management team didn’t dump Emery a month earlier, that would have given Arteta more time to assess the squad and a better idea of the reinforcements needed.
The long term injury to Chambers must have caused a certain amount of plan tearing up with another defensive position added to the list.
I hope we can find minutes for Nketiah, we need him up and running as a potential Lacazette replacement should our principal striker fail to improve both his fitness and finishing.
Don’t knock the papers too much Rico, what a dull period the transfer window would be without the hype generated by the Fourth Estate. 😉
Morning Cicero.
I’ve been thinking about but perhaps the timing was perfect in the end as any earlier, maybe Arteta wouldn’t have been ready to leave City. I don’t know but the board obviously had a reason.
Hi Rico and all I would sell both Elneny and Mkhitaryan just to clean up the books a bit and give us more money at the end of the year to help keep a top players or to buy new players
Hi Geoff, I’m sure the club will try and sell Mkhitaryan as he’ll be 31 this month and out of contract summer 2021.
Probably Elneny too, but who knows really. Arteta might think he can work with him.
Hi Rico just read Arsenal turned down 10 mill from AS Roma for Mkhitaryan and the Mail are claiming that Alisher Usmanov claims he still follows Arsenal but wants to sponsor Evertons new ground using the money from sale of Arsenal shares
Morning all.
Sunny and cold here too.
One thing is for sure and , that was Emery, or little Dick if you prefer, was no judge of what made a footballer good, or unserviceable or even worth the effort! Whereas, Arteta seems to have. An open book on the squads’ qualities, vis, Ozil, what a difference a proper coach can make and add to the list Luiz, a revelation! Lacazette is improved, a bit; Auba a nearly different player; Kolsinac the same. The list goes on through the squad, I think. Who is to say he couldn’t get the loan players to show us ‘they’re moves’ again.
It’s currently an open book with a blank page facing him. It will be what he can make of it and them. Historically, look what Clough did at Forest back in the day. He had a group of mostly have beens, or were never beens and he turned them into European Champions, twice. He was an example of what a ‘good coach’ can extract from his journeymen players, and ours are mostly much more than just being ‘journeymen,. So who knows?
Leeds? Bring them on!
Hello Rico/all
Nketiah would be a great pick for the Leeds game, no problem getting him motivated for that one.
Who knows if anyone will come in, probably loans are most likely.
I like Nathan Ake, probably overpriced but very Arsenal like to sign an injured player, so you never know.
Afternoon all. I believe advantage with Ake is he can play CB or LB, so be like a double signing! Can’t see us paying 40m unfortunately, as he seems a likeable hard working lad.
Thanks for the post Rico…
Is Lemar the new Kalou?
Afternoon all.
Have we bought/borrowed a young/not too old/experienced/quality central defender yet?
Hi Limey, me too re Ake.
I reckon so Kev, there’s always one the media like to regurgitate…
Evening Rico and the House.
Once again thanks for another excellent post Rico.
Before you all think I have been on the hard stuff
what I am writing is fact.
Last night our u23s were at home to League leaders Derby County.
Today our U18s were away to League Leaders Chelsea.
U23 had 3players missing,
F/Bback Zac Swanson and M/F Coyle injured and M/F Burton suspended.
Early in the game C/H Mcgiuness was injured and replaced by Harry Clarke
who was just returning from injury
Today the u18s had 3players missing.
F/B Lopez and M/F Azeez were injured and M/F Matthews suspended.
Early in the game C/H Kirk was injured and replaced by Dennis who was
just returning from injury
Last night Derby were winning 2-0 and looking good for the 3points
Then on 80 mins Sam Greenwood scored and on 86mins a Drby OG made it 2-2
Today Chelsea were winning 2-0 and looking good for the 3Points
Then on 80 mins Sam Greenwood scored and on 86 mins a Dennis shot
was diverted by a Chelsea player to make the final score 2-2.
Should add that both Greenwood and Cottrell played the full 90 mins today
after playing about 15 mins for the u23s last night
I wonder who is the script.?
should be who is writing the script
Evening Rick, thanks re the post.. unlike us to get a bit of bad luck..
Morning all.
Kev, on your comment yesterday regarding our Prime Minister etc etc
These fires have become a political football, yet people and animals are dying, properties being destroyed etc etc
That is the perfect example of politicians being utter scumbags.
Our PM is being blamed for the situation by the Greens, and the media is doing their very best to incite the situation.
Labor and the Greens are very closely aligned here in Oz, and it’s become an evil marriage of convenience.
When the Green and Labor Parties tell us all the problem is budget cuts to our fire Brigade, everyone laps it up, yet choose to ignore the Fire Commissioner who’s stated on numerous occasions he has the largest budget ever to work with.
Why the hell would people believe opposition parties and media, yet totally discard the man who’d know better than anyone?
Well, if it doesn’t support their own belief, people will ignore it.
It’s like a transfer rumour in football-social media allows these lies to be spread like crazy!
We’ve apparently been caught short on equipment and man power because of the alleged budget cuts.
The problem is, the gents in charge of battling these fires all day that they could have another 10,000 people involved, but a lot of these fires are in areas they could t get to anyway, as the Aussie bush is one wild place.
Hazard reduction burns are the very best way to control the fires but obviously they’re needed before the fire starts, and must be done in winter.
Again, the Greens, Labor and the media tell us they’re not being done due to the alleged budget cuts!!
Of course, budget cuts from a PM in power for less than 12 months doesn’t explain the fact that certain areas haven’t had and hazard reduction burns in 15 plus years but again, people believe whatever suits their opinion!!
Greens Supporters will also tell us it can’t be that parties fault as they’re not in power lol
They clearly have no idea how politics works on this country, or once again just ignore that.
The fact that over the years, 87% of these fires are out by arsonists is also ignored as it’s down to climate change lol
No, I’m not suggesting climate change isn’t an issue but damn, Mother Nature is t carrying around a bloody cigarette lighter!!!!
I’ll leave it here and imo, this can’t make the situation any clearer, surely.
Every single person I personally know who lives in rural areas blames the Greens for doing everything they can to stop, or at least drastically reduce hazard reduction burns.
This includes a few volunteer fire fighters.
Every person I know who supports the Greens lives in the city or at least, suburban areas!!!!!
Ps Kev-I don’t like our PM and I didn’t vote for him.
Sorry for the drawn out rant but this is devastating our country, there’s no end in sight and when political parties and the media use and abuse the situation, it gets you pretty mad.
Hi Scott I back you 110% in Victoria the labour government sacked the country fire association board because they did back the local labour government and thanks to both labour and the greens many of our 4 wheel drive track have been closed these are the tracks we help to keep clear for us and the CFA fire trucks to use incase of bush fires
Geoff, it’s amazing what we read in the media and compare it to what people right in the middle of these fires tell us face to face.
The differences are incredible.
New post up.
Morning all, Scott, I’m not simply dismissing your comment on the fires but I really don’t know what to say. They’re horrific and my heart and thoughts go out to all those affected. My heart breaks for the animals and lives which are lost…
Rico, I know-there’s really not a lot anyone can say.
I can’t even speak on behalf of those affected.
To an extent, I’m on the outside of things as well.