Morning all.
It’s a good job the transfer window opens again in a few days time because Arsenal have done absolutely nothing so far. The only news coming out of the club is Gabriel signing a new contract. Don’t get me wrong, I’m over the moon our Brazilian powerhouse is staying put but we need new players, very very good new players. Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool and Man Utd have already got their transfer ball rolling but as has often been the case with Arsenal, we’re left waiting. As long as we’re not left wanting, it doesn’t really matter when our signings arrive. Within reason of course as ideally, any/all will be in before pre-season kicks off. I know dawdling can open the door for other clubs to step in and put the kibosh on a deal but if a players head is that easily turned then perhaps he wasn’t fully committed to Arsenal in the first place.
It’s funny how the media tried to send Arsenal fans into a state of panic by announcing Saudi club Al-Hilal had made a tempting offer for Benjamin Sesko in the last couple of days. Apparently they wanted him in time for the Club World Cup competition but funny enough, he clearly wasn’t interested. What young footballer would be unless money is their only drive in life? The Premier League is the most competitive league in the game and it’s where a lot of top players want to be. Not all I know because there are a lot of top notch European clubs who are equally as attractive, if not more so but the competition in those countries is not the same. There’s nothing like a trip to Newcastle in the middle of winter to test a players resolve is there?
Moving away from the transfer window, The Athletic has an interview with Ethan Nwaneri in which he talks about himself as well as Mikel Arteta:
There’s a lot to learn from Mikel. If you ever met him, you’d see how intense he is. How he’s so good with his words and he knows what he’s saying. He’s elevated my game, definitely. There’s so much, not even just tactically but mentally too. On a personal level, he’s helped me a lot. He’s really big on body language and the way that he presents himself. He puts that onto me. Before, maybe the way that I’d walk or slouch a bit or just the way I’d be sitting, he’s onto everything. That’s helped me just sharpen up in my mind and it’s helped me a lot.
Going from playing quite a lot to not playing as much is normal in football. So I don’t really take it to heart. I understand Mikel’s got a decision to make at the end of the day, and it’s hard for him to make. He obviously wants to include everyone but he can’t. But I think it’s part of football and it’s those times that can really define where you’re going to be. I think I’ve dealt with it well. I’m in a good place mentally and physically.
The “intense” reference to Mikel Arteta doesn’t surprise me at all. He always seems intense when it comes to talking about football. Unless we’ve just won a game, then he might smile. Or when he’s talking about his family, summer breaks and barbecues… Seriously though, when it comes to coaching, I’ve only ever read positive things about our manager.
Ethan Nwaneri is certainly benefiting from the Spaniard’s coaching methods though because as the player said, he’s in a really good place. Good because we need him to sign a new contract. His mate Myles Lewis-Skelly too. I think this coming season will be a big one for both players.
Nwaneri will be playing for England in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship which kicks off tonight in Slovakia. The final takes place on the 28th meaning Nwaneri, or any other Arsenal under 21 player at the tournament who makes it that far is likely to miss early pre-season training.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were part of an England team which slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Senegal last night. By all accounts, England were dire and were booed off the pitch at full time. Thank goodness I opted to continue watching England play the West Indies in their final T20 game. At least that was highly entertaining.
Catch up in the comments.
If Sesko had any interest in a Saudi move then we wouldn’t be interested in him. So, no surprise there.
Exactly, the Saudi league is imo, for players looking for money and nice weather. Lol
Morning Rico and all,
The problems with the stories in the media, is you don’t know what is true or made up by the media, the players club or the players manager trying to get more money for him self.
Morning Geoff, the best way is to believe nothing. Then there’s no disappointment.
I was glancing through the Arsenal squad page on Transfermarket and noticed that they had Nwaneri down as under contract until 2030!
Now unless they know something that hasn’t been announced yet then that seems typical Arsenal, get the business done and then sit on the good news until it’s time to renew season tickets etc…
Lewis Skelly btw didn’t have a date at all, just a 0…
Still no news on Thomas Partey, I guess a return to Spain must seem an appetising prospect having spent a long time there already?
It’s gotta be down to wages I’d imagine, no Spanish club is going to offer him the kind of salary he gets at Arsenal given his age and injury record…
That would be good if true re Nwaneri…
Looks like Sane is heading to Galatasaray. Phew.
https://www.arsenal.com/news/herbert-chapmans-arsenal-100-years
Nice piece…
It’s easy to get overly frustrated by the clubs lack of transfer activity, it gets on my nerves as well, not least when comparing it with our competitors.
Chelsea and Man City have the FIFA club World Cup ( or whatever grandiose name it’s called) to deal with so their early business puts a false slant on how we view things.
Man City unsurprisingly have spent around £116.1m (£88.7 net with sales) so they’re the big spenders, but that tells me they have to spend as Guardiola’s best team is breaking up.
Chelsea are flailing around as is their way and have spent £89.1m. No manager at the bridge of sighs is ever given time so they’re expected to deliver yesterday and I unfortunately think they’re going to be serious contenders next season. As with City the hope is they run out of steam after an early start.
Liverpool are smart operators in the market, they remind me of Bayern in that they don’t necessarily pick up the players everyone is focused on by they always seem to get a tune out of them. The Lucky Scousers have spent £55m (£33.5m net) but are looking at one big big signing and he’ll probably be exceptional this coming season, damn them…
For context let’s look at the basket case that is Man Utd, £62.5m on one player with an attitude issue.
Yep it’s business as usual at OT, keep up the good work lads…
For Arsenal, well we’re £9m in the black this window so Stan will be a happy bunny.
Role on the proper window!
I’m not really bothered about not getting deals over the line yet. IMO, the transfer window proper is when we’re more likely to operate, when current contracts are at their end for the season. As long as we get the players we need, I’m sure we’ll all be happy.
Well, apart from the fans who don’t like who we sign. 😜
The idea of the Leroy Sane we remember so well from his Man City days made the prospect of him at Arsenal quite appealing for me initially, but that version of Sane doesn’t exist anymore and with the memory of Sterling still fresh Rico, like you I’m pleased he’s taken his talents to the Turkish Super Liga.
Good job Stan is happy then Kev because many a club owner/board would have perhaps sacked Arteta by now..
Agree Kev, the payers who were once great, aren’t anymore when age catches up with them. There’s experience and those approaching their retirement. Especially when it comes to attacking players. We need a bit of speed in that department in my opinion.
G’day Rico and all. I know nothing so I’m keeping shtum, 😉
Afternoon Cicero. Best way I find 😜
I’m not sure they would have sacked Arteta if I’m honest Rico, Chelsea and City are different animals so you gotta ignore how they’re run, most clubs and owners would be absolutely delighted with finishing 2nd on three successive seasons and qualifying for the CL for a third time in a row, bottom line and all that. If winning trophies was the KSE mantra then Wenger would have got the bullet after we finished runners-up to Leicester.
Winning a trophy didn’t save Ange (unfortunately) or the previous incumbent of the managers seat at OT…
If the papers are to be believed, yes I know, Thomas Frank is to be the next Spuds manager I have two pieces of advice for him, 1) Run a mile now. 2) should you actually take the job, do not win anything in the first two seasons as you will certainly get the sack if you do.
That’s my point though Kev, it works both ways with ownership. The Kroenke family have been mocked in the past for allowing the club to drift but now, giving Arteta more time and more money is ok. They can’t win imo. 😜
Ha ha Cicero, pressure is going to be on Frank that’s for sure.
Fabio Vieira will be representing Arsenal in the FIFA club World Cup whilst on loan at Porto. Hooray!
He cost us £34.3m and has, in between spells out injured, been seriously underwhelming but this is his big chance to catch the eye and maybe get that move elsewhere, Saudi perhaps?
Hopefully a club somewhere will think he’s worth spending big on.
https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/fifa-club-world-cup-explained-whos-playing-how-teams-qualified-schedule-prize-money-odds-more/
City on the verge of signing Nypan it seems…
New post up.