Morning all.
Football, a game of two halves. Six words which have been used to describe an Arsenal teams performance for a few years now. Yesterday was little different. The first half was horrid to watch, at least it was for me. Luiz could have been sent off, Berge definitely should have been sent for an early bath after his challenge on Aubameyang which really was nasty. The elbow to Elneny’s face was deliberate, of that I’m sure. Just watch the Utd player before he delivers his blow. If that’s the dirty tactics Chris Wilder is happy to deploy then I hope his and his teams bad run continues for the next eight months.
To say Arsenal struggled to get going would be an understatement. The first half was just awful. The group of players looked liked strangers as nothing they tried worked. Sheffield Utd weren’t any better by the way. Aubameyang’s shot from distance was the closest Arsenal came to opening the scoring, A good strike which the Utd keeper tipped over the bar.
Early into the second half and Mikel Arteta made the change which changed the match. Off went Eddie Nketiah, on came Pepe. He, Aubameyang, Willian, Elneny and Bellerin – all involved in the build up to our opening goal. Saka with the header at the back post. A lovely move from start to finish. Our second goal was all about Pepe. Superb. More of that and his critics might hush a bit.
It was a bit of a bum to concede late on which made the final minutes a nervy affair but we held on for all three points. Gabriel was a solid as a rock again.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X0LRQA3F0b4
The funny thing is, as much as in parts the game wasn’t brilliant, I usually believe we have something special up our sleeves. Don’t ask me why as I don’t know but often, that moment arrives. Perhaps it just stems from the enthusiasm Mikel Arteta has for the game, the belief he has in himself and his squad. We know things are far from perfect both on and off the pitch as new players are needed and others need moving on but those little moments of magic like we saw yesterday keep me believing that things will be fine. Just not yet and perhaps not always after two tough away fixtures to Liverpool.
By the time the Aston Villa v Liverpool match finished, our performance and result seemed better than it perhaps was. Old Trafford saw a potentially good game, ruined by the referee who decided one player deserved to be sent off after Martial retaliated to Lamela’s initial elbow to his face/neck. The whole incident added weight to the question about why wasn’t Mane sent off against Arsenal. Seeing Utd get thumped 6-1 would ordinarily be wonderful to watch, however, it was that lot down the road who dished it out. Later in the day though, well that was hilarious. Villa must have thought Christmas had come early. We wore them out for you Emi.
After the game Mikel Arteta was quite optimistic about getting a few deals done today.
“I am confident we know exactly what we want to do. We are trying our best to finalise the deals. Let’s see what happens. I cannot comment [on players]. At the moment there is nothing definite.
“I cannot discuss the players we want. We recognise certain positions we are short in numbers and quality. I’m really happy with the players that I have, that is my job. Whatever we can add, of course we will try to do it but we have to be realistic. It’s a give and take. Whoever jumps on the boat will be welcomed. We all share the same ambitions, we have a clear direction.”
“Believe me that the ownership, the board, myself, are doing everything we can to maximise the resources we have to improve the team and to sustain and keep the players that are in this club to make this club successful. I have 100% backing from them. It’s not just words, it’s reality. Whoever knows me, if it wasn’t like that I wouldn’t say it but I say it because I feel it and it’s true.”
This guy is being linked to us.
Bobakary Soumare. A 6’ 2” box to box midfielder who plays for Lille. Apparently he was left out of the squad which played over the weekend so he’s either injured, rested or on the move. His contract expires next summer so I suspect Lille would rather cash in whilst they can. Hopefully Arsenal are in France handing over some money.
Kicker report that Omar Rekik could be on the way to Arsenal. If he arrives today, he’ll join Per Mertesacker’s academy along with the other younger arrivals this summer.
French Football News report that Arsenal have accepted a loan without option to buy offer from Hertha Berlin for Mattéo Guendouzi.
Sead Kolasinac is also expected to leave the club today after being left out of yesterday’s squad. Personally, I think we’ll see a few loans go through before 11pm. How I wish Mesut Ozil will be one of them.
See you in the comments guys.
Morning Rico and all.
We’ve seen plenty of last minute signings happen, so we can’t be sure what will happen before the window closes.
Meanwhile, Mikel focuses on getting the best out of every player in the squad and I think he’s doing very well in that regard.
It’s clear a few players aren’t shaping up and meeting his expectations but it’s equally clear they’ll play little or no part in games.
So be it.
Morning Scott, all.
I remain hopeful we’ll see one or two through the door today. We certainly need something more/different in midfield.
Creativity, Rico.
That’s exactly what we need imo.
Energy too Scott. A box to box who can ramp the speed of our play up because right now it’s slow and predictable I think.
Hi Rico and all hope the loan of Guendouzi goes through Maybe playing for a smaller club might take the pressure off him and also wake him up and get his career back on track
Morning campers, morning Rico, Ben Godfrey, £20m from Norwich to Everton, more smart business by Everton…
Interesting to see that no loan fee will be paid by Hertha Berlin for Guendouzi but they are expected to pay all his not too shabby wages. That along with Torrieira going to Atletico should take a considerable lump out of our salary bill, I wonder how much influence Tim Lewis is having on our financial policy, as it is?
Morning Kev, Geoff.
Everton seem to be making hay whilst the FFP sun is shining. They look quite strong now.
Just wish we could have shifted Ozil too. Still, at least this time next year he’ll be gone, if not sooner. Good to see Guendouzi find a club though, but if we’re not signing a midfielder, what’s the point in letting Torreira go?
I’ll be surprised if we haven’t signed a midfielder by close of play tonight Rico, it’ll probably be someone none of us have heard of.
I will be too Kev, disappointed also.
Torreira and Ghendouzi confirm
Walcott maybe in the way to Southampton
I would rather that we didn’t sign anyone if we are buying a pig in a poke , unless we are getting a definite improvement it’s just not worth it. Just remember the last trolley dash , Arteta , Mertesacker , Santos , Park and Benayoun . 2 out of 5 worked the rest were just filler , we don’t want or need a repeat and certainly not players coming in on high wages that are impossible to shift like the ones we already have.
Massive late surge for Partey?
I don’t know how much we pay our mascot but the way the headlines state Gunners sack mascot to save money makes us sound like our Mascot is on mega dollars or we are a very poor club, and he is not sacked he’s just taking a little break
I’m hoping Arteta and Edu aren’t about just signing anyone Potter. You’re right though, someone is not always better than no one.
Charles Watts is tweeting there could be progress in the Partey affair…..
Charles Watts
@charles_watts
Replying to
@charles_watts
Terrible time for the website to crash, story still hasn’t uploaded. But basically, I’m told Arsenal have indicated they will pay Partey’s release clause. Legal team is at Colney now working on the transfer. Negotiations not needed with Atletico.
David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
Police cars revolving light Arsenal make late move to sign Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid. Contacted 27yo camp expressing intention to pay clause. #AFC making all necessary arrangements (medical in Spain etc) + optimistic. Credit
@charles_watts
Good day all, been away for a couple of days stayed at Warwick Castle. A medieval masterpiece but with medieval WiFi and little or no phone signal. Only found the results this morning. Stunning, Villa thrash Liverpool, a small north London club shatter Man U and Arsenal trounce Sheffield United.
Aouar is staying at Lyon.
Are we rally going to meet the £45 million buy out price for Partey?
Really good entertainment yesterday afternoon, no not the Arsenal game although I did record it, A fantastic display of Falconry. An Andean Condor with an eight foot wingspan flew so close over my head that, had I any, it would have parted my hair.
Afternoon all, some relief if we do get Partey. Otherwise really upset we let Martinez and Torreira go, two that could have had an Arsenal future.
Thanks Rico/afternoon everyone,
Yesterday’s game reminded me of the early George Graham years – very dour and hard to watch.We must have defended better then,I seem to remember lots of 0-0 and 1-0.I hope we are on the brink of something because we then won the league twice, and played fabulous attacking football in the 90/91 season.Arteta himself reminds me of George in that he is single minded, ruthless and decisive.
Who knows what will happen in the rest of the Transfer window.Is Guendouzi to Hertha Berlin done yet ? Perhaps he will hang on for Real Madrid/Barcelona/Bayern or PSG ha ha good luck with that..
Get French Football News
@GFFN
St Étienne have now made William Saliba their #1 target to replace Wesley Fofana on loan after it emerged this morning that they will struggle to cover the wages required in a deal for Panagiotis Retsos (Bayer Leverkusen) – talks on right now – full story.
Reports that Arsenal are looking to sign a young Swedish centre forward and that Daniel Ballard has gone on loan to Blackpool
I did hear that William Salibas mum died in May.Understandable if he goes back to France for a while.
I think Partey will be ours…
Afternoon guys, I’m starting to believe Partey will be ours soon too..
Apparently Arsenal don’t even have to inform Atletico, so I understand, because it’s a buy out clause Arsenal are dealing with La Liga.
It wouldn’t surprise me if everything concerning the player and his agent was agreed ages ago, it was just Atletico who wouldn’t move on the fee.
I wonder if Arsenal tried to negotiate a deal with the fee being paid in instalments but Atletico wouldn’t budge? So then Arsenal leave it until deadline day so Atletico get all the dough but can’t spend it. Karma?
Guendouzi gone.
But they’ve got Torreira now Kev. Could be that’s what they were waiting for but wouldn’t do a player/cash deal as they needed money.
In Germany, the market close at 5 pm.
Thomas Partey is now flying to London!
Atlético Madrid board have received the notification 1 hour ago from Arsenal for Thomas.
#AFC are set to trigger the release clause for €50m tonight, race against time then… here-we-go
Atléti will complete Torreira deal on loan.
Arsenal apparently informed Atletico at 5pm…
Kolasinac stay
Get French Football News
@GFFN
·
2m
PSG asked Arsenal to let defender Sokratis terminate his contract so he could join for free – the Gunners said no, according to Téléfoot Chaine
West Ham have terminated jack Wishere’s contract.
Just saying
He’s fit now too…
Willock´s brother in QPR.
Are we going to get Partey? 5 mins to go
David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
Partey to Arsenal is done.
Sky Sports saying the same…
Torreira has gone. Official.
Hurrah! We’ve signed the “missing link”, the hidden claw😀
Let’s wish him all success and hope he’s quick to settle and it looks like we’ve signed a gem😊😊😊
Partey deal done but has it been done in time?
I think so. Atletico Madrid say his contract was ended after our bid triggered the buyout clause.
These are the footprints of a gigantic hound
Watson……Lets have a Moriarty
Well done The Arsenal.
How many years have we been waiting Wavy? Ten?
Night guys.
Partey confirmed. Excellent news.
https://mobile.twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1313241301148749824
Now we can look forward to better times, I believe Partey will be massive player for us.
Sleep well Gooners. 😴
Never in doubt 🙂
…….and, I think he is a PLAYER!
Well done to the club ‘buyers’ I think they may have done good!
I’m as relieved as I was back in 2011 when Arteta and The BFG were signed.
Ever onwards ever upward….top 3 anyone??
Charles Watts
@charles_watts
·
3m
Thomas Partey will wear the No.18 shirt at Arsenal.
Arteta: “We have been watching Thomas for a while, so we’re now delighted to add such a high quality player to our squad. He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy
Hopefully, the player we have all cried out for, for years. Well done Arteta, Edu and the Board. Believe we had to pay the whole amount in cash, for a buy out?
Someone complaining that we left it to the last minute.Should have included Torreira in the deal and have two weeks to sort out a replacement
Potter, I guess we don’t know what happened behind the scenes so it’s hard to criticise, especially as we got the guy so better Kate than never.
Point taken though…..
Better late than Kate lol
What’s the matter with Kate?? I’ve a daughter named Kate!😀
Let’s Partey instead. Terrible, I know, but it’s going to happen time, and time again…..I he( the pun that is).
Simeone
At last a midfielder that hopefully settles in quickly
It really feels like we’ve filled a space that’s been in the squad for a long, long time and ignored for that period.
Finally, we have our beast!! So chuffed!
An incredible end to the window!!
Leno.. Gabriel… Partey…Auba… some spine that!! So happy right now!
Thanks to everyone involved, even you Gunnersaurus!!
Arsenal offical site headlines should read, Fan’s celebrate as Gunnersaurus gets Partey started
Well played Geoff lol
On the Partey deal, am I correct in assuming Stan has chipped in to fund this?
Our sales wouldn’t have paid for the deal, I wouldn’t have thought and even if sales in the near future mean funds go back to Stan it’s still good to see Arteta being backed.
The buzz around this signing is as big as I’ve seen since for a long time.
Scott We must have saved a fair bit of money by sacking over 50 staff and selling Martinez not sure about Guendouzi loan as 2 different reports 1 says loaned for free and 1 said we got 4 million for him But both claim his new club will pay his full wages with no option to buy Hopefully he will take full advantage of his loan or his short career could be over I still think he has a career with us if he learns from his mistakes
On a day when we can spend £45 million on a single player and give him £200,000 per week wages while continuing to pay Ozil the obscene sum of £350,000 a week, you have to feel sorry for long serving Arsenal employee Jerry Quy.
Who is Jerry Quy? I hear you say. He’s the guy who wore the Gunnersaurus outfit for twenty-six years and has now been made redundant.
Cicero, in all fairness, I find it hard to believe that the wage Jerry was on would be a drain on the club.
No crowds and no end in sight means there is so much uncertainty around certain staff members and it’s damn sad to see, but the club can’t keep paying forever unless a contract exists.
Can’t blame Ozil, blame China.
Morning guys
New post up now
Apparently, Jerry has retired.
Spot on Scott. Every business is struggling.
‘People’ moan when the club does nothing, then moan when they do. It’s crazy.
As much as you don’t like to see people loose their job even I agree it does not make sense to keep paying a mascot every week for nothing I’m hoping Jerry Quy has another part time job and as the club said when the fans are allowed back then Gunnersaruus will come back