Morning all.
The 2018/19 season might be over as far as the league goes but there’s still an FA Cup Final to take place and both European Cup Finals too yet tomorrow, the summer transfer window officially opens here in the UK. David Ornstein has already given us his insight on what Arsenal will be doing which to be honest, is nothing different to what we’ve seen written in the back pages for a good few weeks, months even so he’s hardly telling us something new. We as a club have around £50 million to spend this summer, a figure which is likely to be boosted should we beat Chelsea in two weeks time and if we sell players. Well unless someone at the club is leaking these figures to the media, I’d love to know how they come up with them.
If true though, we as a club are in desperate need of an ownership sale, if this frugal approach comes from the very top but that doesn’t look likely to happen anytime soon. Certainly not in the immediate future although as Liverpool fans proved with Tom Hicks and George Gillett, fans can force change when they really want changes to be made. Mind you, we’ve not been where they were at the time and are unlikely to anytime soon. Liverpool were in debt, fans were being lied to and were sat firmly in the relegation places having endured the worst start to a league campaign in years. A nine point deduction was heading their way too if the debt collectors had their way. Or so the story goes. A court case, never something the Americans would enjoy, ended with John Henry and his Fenway Sports Group buying the club for £300 million. Nine years later, not too many managerial changes and here they are in a Champions League Final and just one point between them and league winners Man City.
Arsenal aren’t about to plunge heavily into debt, being so darn frugal is likely to ensure that but we fans are kind of being led up the garden path I think. Josh Kroenke told us just a couple of months ago that the aim of the club was to be playing in Champions League Finals, to compete with the very best clubs in the world. Or something similar anyway but as he tells us one thing, daddy remains far removed from the club. A Silent Stan by name and a Silent Stan by nature. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t expect him to fly over every week to watch us play, or to be constantly talking to the media etc but just invest a little more interest in the club than he appears to be. Free up the financial shackles that seem to be in place at the club. Back Unai Emery financially so he can try to take us where Josh told us he wants us to be.
Perhaps he would though if our squad wasn’t in the state it’s in. Perhaps this ‘living within our means’ approach is his way of saying to the board ‘sort the mess out first’ because let’s face it, our squad is a mess. The wage structure is a mess, the squad is unbalanced and littered with players who through no fault of their own aren’t good enough, or are being paid an extortionate amount of money but aren’t working for it.
I’m sure we all have our own fantasy list of players we’d like to see the back of. Off the top of my head and on the top of my list would be Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Mustafi, Xhaka, Elneny, Jenkinson, Ospina and Asano. Probably Iwobi too. There has to be somewhere between £50 million and £80 million to be made there. At least. Maybe around £800,000 a week saved on wages too. If you were a smart businessman who knew something about the game, would you make vast amounts of money available to spend on new players knowing that better in house management could generate funds first?
Of course, if money was no object and there were no limits in the game then yes, I’d plough right on in there and invest first and sell later but what happens then if we get to August 8th and we’re still stuck with half of them or all of them because no other club wants them? Unlikely I know but with FFP (cough) in place, we could be in trouble. Imagine Arsenal FC being banned from signing players for overspending. Kind of funny really.
Seriously, it’s been too long since our squad has had the much required overhaul it needs and with the new regime firmly in its stride, now is the time to sort it out. We’ve got who appear to be good academy players coming through, a few of which could be able to make the step up and with a bit of smart transfer business over the next couple of months, we could look in much better shape. Bellerin and Holding should be fully recovered and match fit by the time the new season comes around too so my glass is three quarters full right now.
Outside of the Uk, the transfer window remains closed for a few weeks but I don’t think that will make a difference. Antoine Griezmann has announced he’s leaving Atlético Madrid so no doubt he’ll be our first signing. I jest of course.
But I hope as a club we’re busy. Selling as well as buying and Unai Emery can head into the new season with a more balanced, stronger and deeper squad. A mix of youth and experience with more energy than we’ve seen for a while. That job sits with Raul Sanllehi and his team.
For Unai Emery and his, it’s all about Baku.
I’ve waffled on for too long, see you in the comments…..
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico, thanks for the post and yes Ornstein was telling us nothing new, but he’s paid to talk about that stuff so as he has no new news it’s his job to recycle old news and make it sound like new news, it’s not as if it’s news to any of us as we knew that the news he had was the old news he’s been talking about for ages and packaging it up as new news, if you know what I mean…..
There’s life out there Kev… lol
Morning to you. There’s so much rubbish out there it’s hard to know what’s what although the rumoured transfer money does seem small. But a good squad sort out would help I think.
I honestly don’t think Rico, that we’re going to see the level of business we would like to see or the squad needs.
This will be our first summer under the full ownership of Enos, although I doubt that he realises that for one moment as he’s almost certainly totally focused on the 2019 NFL draft.
Josh? Who the fcuk knows what he thinks?
And so with a Board of Directors incapable of making a meaningful decision, we wait to see what Raul has in store?
But don’t be at all surprised if Ozil, Mkhitarayan, Xhaka, Mustafi et al are all lining up in Arsenal colours next August.
I’m not so sure Kev. Xhaka and Ozil perhaps might stay put but I think there’ll be a few sales.
Maybe I’m being too optimistic…
Thanks for the post Rico,and afternoon all,
Ornstein told us nothing new.I wouldn’t disagree with any of those names that need to go, however I also fear most will still be here come August.
The thing that could save us is an exceptional crop of youngsters.I know we’ve heard that all before,but I’m optimistic it could be different,IF they’re given a chance.
Here’s hoping..
You being optimistic Rico, that’s news to me… 😉
G’day Rico and thanks for the post.
If Autumn is the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness then, as far as football is concerned, Summer is the season of myths and outright deceitfulness.
We are going to be inundated with stories of players desperate to join Arsenal, agents desperate to unload their mediocre charges on us and clubs prowling around our academy players.
Don’t be taken in, it will mostly be a load of old pony. 😉
Seems I’m the only one Kev.. 🤣
Can’t go youth alone though Limey and there aren’t many in the squad you’d want them learning from… lol
Hi Cicero, one day these rumours will come true. Or maybe not….
Limey, I don’t think that we should expect too much too soon from our youngsters, none of them have been ripping it up whilst on loan whilst Willock and Nketiah have struggled for game time.
Personally I’d keep them all at Arsenal next season, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Willock, Bielik, Martinez, Saka, Osei Tutu, give some of them the League Cup and early rounds in Europe if possible. If they show the right development then gradually ease the odd one into Prem games via the bench.
Mavropanos is a difficult one as he never stays fit, maybe a loan abroad if we can find the right club or a Championship team like Charlton where he’ll get games, but we need to be selective as sitting on someone else’s subs bench is no use…
Apparently Amaechi has attracted attention from abroad so he’s at the right age to maybe go out on loan with so many in front of him, likewise John Jules.
I have no idea what the club have planned for Chambers, we have him on a long contract and can selll him for a good price or bring him back into the squad as we’ll need home made players in the 25, 8 I think is the minimum…
Medley might need a spell on loan to learn his trade, defending is a different skill set and maybe learning from his mistakes elsewhere is a better way to go. Although I think he has the quality to make the grade at Arsenal.
We could revisit the loan market in January if any of our youngsters haven’t progressed.
That’s my thoughts anyway…
Rico, of all our youngsters, the one who I’d bet on, to make the breakthrough next season and get a run in the 1st team is Bukayo Saka, he would be a brilliant impact player from the bench, once he gets a run in the team I think the fans will love him…
Good day Rico, arsenal fans may have to start some sort of agitation to force the hands of the owners to do something. The whole Arsenal set up craves money, so hurting their revenue stream by not buying arsenal matcday or season tickets will be a way to start.
I see you listed Iwobi as one of those to be sold. My question, Rico is; how much older is Iwobi tham Niles? Both are academy products, both are young, requiring patience and nurture. You always show this “curious patience” for Niles on account of his age and arsenal blood, what stops you doing same for Iwobi using the same sentiments? I have earlier mentioned this, not in relation with Iwobi and someone here also stated it. We must use the same yardsticks Rico
I wouldn’t be surprised either Kev re Saka..
Hi Daniel, Iwobi is in his second season though but AMN is in his first and out of his natural position..
Rico, Iwobi in his first season was much better than Niles. What I am saying is that if we are going to lower the standards for our graduates, it must be across the board. Iwobi has been inconsistent, Niles, in position or out of it has played poorly most of the time.
We accept they have potential and hope it comes to the fore with age and careful nurture. But it must be stated that one is not much older than the other.
Daniel I have to disagree with your assesment of Maitland – Niles , he has not been poor . Average on occasions maybe but no worse than the defenders around him and the midfield in front. Iwobi however gets time on the ball , he dribbles frequntly into blind alleys , his passing and crossing is poor most of the time and he really is not positive in front of goal.
Having said that I thought that he grew up a bit following his clashes with Lowton’s physicality at Burnley . I hope that his aggression can now be channelled into his play and make him more positive . It’s the major thing he lacks.
I think AMN had one game where he made a number of mistakes Daniel but as Potter said, no worse than international experienced players around him. Otherwise I think he’s done really well.
Iwobi just frustrates me. His lack of final ball or decision making etc. I liked the cross he provided for Aubameyang though in our last match. No messing, just looked up and played the cross in. More of that and he’d be so much better…
rico, a great cross but Google Earth are still looking into where the previous 20 ended up lol.
Potter, Iwobi showed so much promise when he first broke into the team, remember watching him having a blinder against Basel in the Champions League a few years back and yourself commenting on how much he reminded you of a certain Rocky Rocastle at the time, head down this pre-season and who knows, he might just make the cut.
I have nothing against Iwobi and I wouldn’t want anyone to think I have. I see a potential but I think it needs bringing out . Playing him as much as we are and allowing the cacophony of noise to build against him is not the way to go. The Arsenal needs a winger to supply our front line and at the moment Iwobi is not doing enough to be that man on a regular basis , competition for that space might well be what he needs to improve.
Isn’t that similar for many youth/players both from within the club and abroad. Guendouzi is another classic. He started out great, in hindsight was possibly relied on too much, possibly because of the Ramsey/Ozil problems and recently errors have crept into his game.
Football fans can be cruel and I say that knowing I’ve been guilty many times.
Morning all.
Iwobi makes too many poor decisions.
If he improves that’s aspect of his game, he will be a fantastic player for us but if not, he will be another we will discuss down the track in terms of “if only”.
Greetings all. Some of you may remember me or know me on here. Interesting about the Iwobi debate. Personally I feel he is suffering from something that has undone many of our youngsters in recent years, that being that I feel he is not being played in his strongest position yet, given his skill set.
It’s a bit of a left field suggestion but I feel he would be better in a box to box CM role. I saw him have a pre-season game there and he looked a far superior player there than he has ever done as a winger. He is a strong quick lad and he didn’t shirk his defensive duties, but was also great at carrying the ball forward at pace with those tricky feet of his skipping away from opposition midfielders.
For me his style makes you think he is a winger but I don’t feel he carries enough of a threat coming in off the wing. His shot is a bit powderpuff. Maybe it can be improved but I am not sure at this stage. It does seem Sterling was able to improve his goal threat and end product so you never know.
With Ramsey going I think I would try Iwobi in the heart of midfield and bring through Nelson and Saka as young wing forwards but also spend on a ready made wing forward. If I were Emery I would ask the board to get him Pepe from Lille. With a couple of tweaks in position, like Iwobi, adding some youngsters to the 1st team squad and add a proper holding midfielder in, maybe that lad from Watford, (is it Decore?), and a commanding CB, maybe Dunk, and I think we will be good to go.
His final ball imo is his only problem. He’s refreshing in a way as he’s not afraid to run at a defence but when he stops and thinks, it’s finished.
Hi GoonerB, long time and all that.
Something to think about re Iwobi playing central midfield although he’s like his shooting, a bit weak and timid. For a strong looking guy, I’d love to see him putting himself about a bit more..
Interesting theory as Micko said a time ago I likened him to a young Rocastle who in the beginning was played wide right but eventually became the player he was through the middle . Maybe the same could happen for Iwobi and if we wee to get the winger we have long needed perhaps it might happen.
Good shout re Dunk btw.
New heard of Walter Kannemann but apparently we’d made a £10 million bid for him….
GoonerB,
I think I remember you. Aren’t you the guy with a camel? 😳
Agreed that Doucouré would make an interesting addition to our squad – maybe it will happen?
Hi AK,
I think Medley is one of the most skilful and physically imposing young players we have on the books (pinched from the Chavs) – so that does not bode well – he is only 19 y.o., and like others he may disappear on loan never to be seen again.
Hope not — I have been impressed with his limited appearances.
Hi ya, Cicero,
You said earlier — “Summer is the season of myths and outright deceitfulness.
We are going to be inundated with stories of players desperate to join Arsenal”
You are, of course, right about that — but from a football perspective the summer Transfer Window can be pretty boring — and I love the opportunity to dream of getting a big name player to turn our team into competitors, rather than no-hopers, or, alternatively, to blow raspberries at the bare faced cheek of agents putting forward rubbish players – you know the one’s who have always dreamed of playing for the Arsenal – as you have already said. 😁
Hi Rico,
I had never heard of Walter Kannemann either, but he seems to be a pretty average CB at 28 y.o.– and if he is only valued at £10m he could be another pensioner to go with the rest of the defence.
I think we should be aiming higher – but we are presumably limited by a very small transfer budget. Oh, well, that nothing new, I suppose.
To remember 🙂
Watch this link:
https://trivela.com.br/como-foram-reunidos-pelo-arsenal-os-homens-que-conquistaram-a-inglaterra-sem-nenhuma-derrota/
Morning all.
Hi JM.
How do we get that translated?
Morning all.
Scott, I think it’s about the Invincibles..
Rico, tell me more hahahahaha
Ha ha Scott, no chance…
New post up now