Morning all.
Another day closer to the first fixture of the new season. In some ways I dislike it because I know the summer is coming to an end but in other ways, I love it because football is something I enjoy. Often Arsenal aside that is. 😉
The first few weeks, sometimes months, are good because unlike during the winter, the boys get to play in much kinder conditions, just as they do when the season draws to a close. There’s something about the sunshine which makes us human beings feel more positive towards life and generally much happier inside. That is unless whoever deals out the trying stuff has dealt you a really bad hand of course. Even the bright Spring or Autumn sunshine won’t help then….
For Arsenal it’s a new beginning. Stop laughing, it is, honest! We’ve a few new members of staff on board either in the coaching department or somewhere else behind the scenes and Arsene Wenger is preparing for the new challenge ahead. Well, I hope he is. Of course he is. Isn’t he?
We may not agree with his preparations etc as the season unfolds, but in his world, he’ll be ready. Ready to seriously go for the league title. I know that because he’s said it, at the start of the season, the aim is to win the Premier League. It’s just bloody frustrating and seriously annoying that by the time we get to Christmas, if not before, the chances of being crowned the best in England have often long gone.
Maybe this season will be different? Check out the odds of Arsenal becoming PL Champions and claim a free bet in the process.
Yesterday, some guy who is something to do with Monaco said that both Lemar and Mbappe won’t be sold this summer but as Fred soon pointed out, Arsene Wenger has said exactly the same about Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain but I think deep down, unless the two players have a change of heart, both will be gone by the time the transfer window closes. Arsenal FC, as rich as they might be, would be utterly foolish to let £60+ million pass them by. I really like both players and hope they change their mind, but if they don’t, they have to go. Ouch, did I really type that…….
Just like so many Arsenal fans no doubt, I was so excited when Alexis was confirmed as an Arsenal player. Not jut because he’s a top top player but just a few days earlier, the likes of Gerrard and Phil Thompson had been boasting about how well he’d fit in at Liverpool, and how he’d soften the blow of losing Suarez. The ideal replacement were the words I think I heard muttered, but they were previous, far too previous. Apparently Mourinho was calling the Chilean too as he hoped to scupper the deal, but rumour has it, Alexis ignored his phone calls. Now here we are, just a few years later and it looks like our little magician won’t be part of the squad anymore. Well, he might be for a few weeks but by the time September arrives, I’m convinced he’ll be playing elsewhere.
Same with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He might end up at Chelsea, maybe Liverpool or perhaps Stoke as Mark Hughes is reported to be interested. I’m disappointed he wants to leave, but totally understand why. Apart from the final few games last season at right-back or wing-back whatever the fancy name is, he’s hardly been a regular in the Arsenal team. No doubt that’s half the reason he wants to leave as once he gets a regular run in any side, he’ll feel much happier and his footballing career will blossom. It’s just a shame it looks like that won’t happen as an Arsenal player but then these days, he’s not the only one whose career seems to have hit a brick wall after signing for us.
A few others are widely expected to join the above two players in the departure lounge but as so often said, as they leave, Arsenal FC, or more passionately, The Arsenal, are about who stays, who joins and the future which as much as it might look bleak,, surely even old scrooge wouldn’t go into the new campaign with a depleted/under strength squad. What? He has before? I know, worrying eh!
There’s been and still are many a link to players who are all ready to jump at the opportunity to join Arsenal. That might sound sarcastic, but if you were a top footballer, would you want to join The Arsenal? Of course you would and that’s without a pair of rose tinted spectacles hanging off the end of your nose.
At Arsenal, a top player will get playing time, he’ll be on the centre stage, shining just as Dennis Bergkamp did, Wrighty did and Henry, Pires, Freddie, Manu, Paddy – and so so many many more and they loved it. They were happy, they enjoyed life at Arsenal. That happiness was written all over their faces on match days and was reflected in their performances. Who can ever forget the constant smile which beamed all over the face of Kolo Toure?
My point? Well if we have footballers in the squad who don’t want to play for such a magnificent club steeped in so much history then fine, go. Go and play somewhere else, earn more money and enjoy life..
But there are few football clubs better than Arsenal, certainly here in England and one day, when Kroenke and Wenger are long gone, those top footballers will sign for us, but never want to leave us..
Until that day, we just have to ride the heavy storm which I think is brewing….
Good post, Rico.
Let’s be honest-not too many fans have said Ox should be a walk up start in our 11 over the years he’s been with us, so I think it’s a little rich that suddenly everyone’s disappointed he’s “allegedly” wanting out.
He did his best work for us late last season when we went 3 at the back.
On one hand, he’s shown what he can do, but on the other, was 8-10 games really enough to suggest he should be getting a new contract?
After all, when it comes to Wenger, 8-10 games certainly aren’t enough to convince some people he’s changed, but I guess whatever suits the argument.
I’m not even remotely convinced Ox wants out but time will tell.
Alexis on the other hand-no question he wants out to whoever will pay him the most, at least, imo.
Evening rico1 & all,
I like the pending start to the footie season, it means Summer is on its way.
Nice post to btw?
Hi Gg, Scott, thanks.
It’s not always about the starting eleven though Scott, we need a squad. Players like Ox are essential imo. Look how god he was against Chelsea in the FA Cup and that’s playing out of position..
Rico, don’t get me wrong, I would hate to see Ox leave, but I’m a little surprised at fans attitude to the news he might want out.
Plenty had criticised him for not taking the next step that we all thought he was capable of until late last season.
Koeman has stated Ross Barkley has played his last game for Everton.
I’d grab him immediately!!!
The guy is too good for them!
What a bunch of hogwash/BS .. To discuss OX’s situation while conveniently forgetting that the guy has missed four seasons worth of games in his six seasons here.
Ox wants to get more cash. There isn’t a single top team that he can go to and get the playing time for the WC. Unless you consider the Orcs as a top team.
He is not going anywhere. If he does, he is easy to replace.
I believe the story he wants out Scott….
Morning Rico. I would sell anybody who doesn’t want to stay.
Crispen, do you get a kick of being so rude? You really are a odd kind of guy/gal, who seems to thrive on being rude, aggressive and a know it all…
Ignore the troll Rico.
Morning Adam. I think I would too. We need players who want to be at Arsenal, not thinking about they could be…
Crispen, most players want more cash lol
Still, he showed exactly what he can do late last season.
The question is, if he wasn’t doing the job, why wasn’t he sold, instead of letting his contract run down to the final year?
New on here good morning i still think lemar will end up at arsenal ?
What troll Adam…. 😉
Good point Scott.
🙂
Rico,
Fair enough, but I am not sure.
Maybe he wants a guarantee of playing time.
Adam meant me, Rico hahahaha
Welcome Wsg, I hope you’re right…
Good read Rico.
Once upon a time……….players from all round the world wanted to come to the Arsenal because Wenger was the manager/coach, eg the Ox, to name but on Earth! Now it would seem after years of decline players both at the club and would be targets are actively seeking to leave or worse not even arrive! Sadly the conclusion is obvious. The manager/coach has lost his pulling power and his power to motivate because he has lost his way or, rather he is stuck in his ways and his way is the only way. He has failed to move with the times both on and off the field of play.
Time for a change. Who ever arrives as new coach will have his or her own methods and the players will either embrace the new style or be forced to move on. C’est la vie! If Ox and Alexis are pissed off, who can blame them. Wenger has piss B allied about with young Alex and has not supported Alexis in the the has failed to deal with the under performing players and insisted on playing his ‘personal’ favourites at the expense of in form or even better equipped players, to the detriment of the team. Alexis’ service, especially from midfield has been shocking, simple passes don’t find their mark due to lack of the right weighting of pass or an inability to kick the ball in the right direction. At this level that is a shocking lack of ability. Who is to blame? The coach for picking picking the same old inadequate players time and time again. Wenger never seems to learn. And he’s far too old now to change his philosophy or style, especially as his way worked so successfully 20 odd years ago. Maybe he thinks his methods will be acceptable again soon just like flared trousers keep coming back into fashion every so often!
Yes, we have plenty of ‘Apple bringers’ to sell on but I fear we won’t find many top top players who will want to come and play for us and our old past it coach whose only real success just recently has been to humiliate some extremely able players at the expense of some very inadequate players. Eg Perez, Elneny, Campbell, etc etc. With them in mind it’s not surprising that he is finding it difficult to find new players. I suspect that if he cannot fill the holes of the leaving players he won’t let the dross go.
Same old same old. ………..emphasis on the OLD!
Morning all. What a grey day.
Didn’t Fred say something about Ox the other day Scott? That was enough to convince me…
Anyway, time will tell but if he’s desperate to get out of the club, then so be it. As long as someone better comes in eh…
Wavy, so we MIGHT lose Ox, yet we did get Lacazette, and Wenger has lost his attraction?
Which player has the bigger profile in world
Football?
Look at who we’ve brought in the last few years.
Alexis, Ozil, Xhaka, Mustafi, Cech etc etc etc
Who’s left or wants out?
Alexis, who, imo, is chasing the cash and has never extended a contract anyway.
Even that’s only a maybe.
The facts far outweigh the possibilities and that kills off the theory that Arsene has lost his pulling power.
Before the suggestion pops up that it was money that atttacted those players, and not Wenger, well, I’ll say it works both ways.
I still feel we need a centre back maybe , i see seri has been linked too good player a lot stronger then his size suggests ?
Thanks Wavy. I don’t know, Wenger seems to still have a bit of pulling power imo, it’s just we don’t pay the kind of money or spend the kind of money on players as the likes of City etc and today’s footballer, well most, appear to put money ahead of everything else..
Still on Alexis,
I’ve never seen an a Arsenal player turn the ball over directly to the opposition anywhere near as much as Alexis does!!!!!
He does it every game, and he does it often.
The fact he abuses his teammates for making a single error after he’s made half a dozen is what swayed me to thinking he’s selfish, and has a terrible attitude but then, he runs a lot, waves his arms around and yells so obviously he’s passionate and a winner 🙂
What is it I’m missing, or am I seeing something most aren’t?
I really don’t know, but I really don’t get the love affair people have with him.
Wsg, I’d love us to get Virgl, the Saints guy. Especially if Chambers if off..
Chasing the money keeps Wenger employed too Scott…
Rico, it keeps nearly everyone in football employed 🙂
I know Scott, but most footballers actually do something to earn their money… 😉
Excellent post rico
I see my old mate Cornwall frequents your site? Top bloke with a very healthy sex obsession which I and an assortment of Psychiatrists greatly admire. Herb too? Good old Herb and i agree about everything except anything Arsenal or Wenger related.
My feeling is Sanchez will leave and Ox will stay.Sanchez reminds me of this girl I once dated, she even looked liked him. She had detached personality traits. These sort of women and professional footballers are a bit fly by night, talking to other men and football clubs behind your back. The only way these women or players stay with you is if they have limited options, i.e. they look like Sanchez experimenting with ladies clothing or play like Glen Helder. Sanchez has options so will leave.
The Ox strikes me as a bit naive and i feel deep down he lacks confidence. In an attempt to find the security they seek they feel they have to jump ship or experiment in hard core drugs or worse, sign for Stoke. Chamberlain needs a bit of reassuring so if he gets that he will stay.
Of course, i may be talking crap and they will both play for who ever offers them the most money?
Afternoon All…
Afternoon Rico, it’s strange but Theo constantly gets criticised, I’m as bad as anyone on that score, but still scores an acceptable amount of goals and could be very useful coming off of the bench this season alongside Giroud if we’re chasing a game and AW wants to switch to a flat back four.
Where as Oxlade-Chamberlain gets an easy ride, hardly ever scores, doesn’t dominate too many games and is always likely to get injured.
He’s been most effective for us as a wing-back yet sees himself as the new Steven Gerrard…
I dunno, Rico.
Not too many players have won 3 FA cups in 4 years 🙂
WSG, I’m not sure about Lemar now, Monaco have a shed load of cash and don’t need to sell.
We might have to wait another year for him and pay a lot more to boot.
Vvd will be expensive
Morning all. Hiya rico, I agree with your points re players wanting away, also I too would like Virgil van Dijk, but I think Kloppy has first dibs on him.
We will only get Lamar it seems, if Neymar joins PSG. Is he really tired of playing second fiddle to Messi?
We may have more success in Matic, if Conte is reluctant to sell to Napoleon. He’d be a good solid midfielder for us, IMO.
I’d love to really know what happened with Lucas Perez. It all seems so bitter, and we are letting him go for peanuts. Something must have happened there with him and Wenger.
We may as well accept Wenger is here for some time, and just hope that we either do well, or are very poor. Anywhere in the middle and he stays, along with the usual excuses.
We don’t have any real superstars, but have a fairly good, attractive playing side. That won’t be enough against the big guns this year, IMO.?
A bad start and the likes of Ox, Theo, Ozil, will suddenly be injured, (along with Welbeck) lol, blimey I’d forgotten about him. LVG done well to palm him off on us.
Can we get another season out of Cech? Not good enough for Chelski two years ago, but apparantly deemed good enough for le prof and us.
Lemar? Instead of Mbappe. Bale has ruled Arsenal out, for obvious reasons.
Always we get the bridesmaids, but never the.bride.
Sanchez? He’s gone as far as I’m concerned. Good riddance. Let him play in the shadow of Aquerro at Citeh. He is a journeyman mercenary, and as Scott says, he never ever extends a contract, preferring pastures new, and more money.
The season draws near, and it’s a mix of anticipation, and dread for me. Still the fat lady ain’t singing yet, so le prof may have something up his sleeve.
Thanks Terry. I think you and Lc went to the same ‘sense of humour school’ – I suspect it’s closed down by now 😉
Morning Kev. Well said, I just worry that so many of the squad players will leave and we’ll be left with a few holes in the squad. Spot on re Walcott. If he wasn’t so lacklustre at times, he wouldn’t be so heavily criticised imo. Same as Ozil.
Meerkat, I saw tonight Pep isn’t really happy with Aguero’s work off the ball, so a swap would be perfect!!!
Touche Scott…
Hi Meerkat. We could have a good chance of getting him after Liverpool cheesed off Saints with tapping the player up. I suspect Southampton would rather sell to us than them…..
I still think lemar will happen the Monaco guy saying they want him to stay is the same thing aulas said about lacazette ?
I know what you mean about the squad Rico, tbh I’d be inclined to keep Perez, tell him he’s starting in all the cup games, tell him to knuckle down and stop the moaning, especially as I think it’s his agent whose the main troublemaker and has been behind all the agitation, no doubt sensing another quick commission if he can get Lucas an early move back to Spain.
And Wenger says about Alexis Wsg..
I too would keep Lucas Kev, really like the way he plays, but Wenger would have to grovel I think…
Him not going on tour suggests he’s off though..
Maybe Wenger insisted Perez only spoke to him in French! And he’s given up the English course, the one where he has to learn all the foul oaths first and then the phrases that denigrate the ref and his ability to run a game! Then he wouldn’t learn how to kick the player when having no chance of getting the ball, and finally, the ultimate nail in his own coffin, Perex would not obey Wenger’s instructions of how to play Wengerball! That is, 7 strides forward and then 23 back!?
Hi all, good post and thought provoking!
Sanchez will not be at the club at the end of the window in my opinion but i cannot make my mind up about the Ox. Perez, although has shown glimpses of what he can do, i wouldnt be too concerned if he went. I’d much rather us keep Giroud and Perez leaves than the other way around.
Lemar, i really want to happy but cant see it, maybe thats years of wanting players and not seeing the deals materialise.
Ha ha Wavy.
Thanks Bondex. I’m the other way around if we had to choose one. Perez for me…
This transfer window more than any in previous years has demonstrated that Arsenal needs DoF and AW refused to hire one or work with one.
I think the problem is not who’s leaving but who we get to come in….. if AW waits to the last minute to let these players go, he will not find adequate replacement. As Wavy said, why keep a player that doesn’t want to play for you?
Gee, we are acting as though if Sanchez, Ox et al. are Dennis, Henry, Viera, Pires. We knew when the season ended they didn’t want to stay, let them go and find suitable replacement quickly.
Btw Scott the view that Sanchez never extended is unfair. He went from his boyhood club to Udinese then to River on loan and Barce bought him for
37m euro who sold him to Arsenal. So when did he get a chance to extend a contract?
Good comment Obi.
Hi Ya Stretch. Nice to see you’ve seen the light and come over to the best Arsenal Forum out there. Welcome……
Wenger OUT…. hahahahahahahahahah
Evening Rico and the House
Goals by Akpom Mavididi and Toral have put the U23 team 3up at H/T in the game at Boring Wood.
Arsene and IG are there to open new pitch and are watching a very good performanc by some players playing for their future.
Obi,
The comment that he’s never extended isn’t unfair at all-it’s the truth.
It is a two way street, in that he wanted out or the club did, but whatever the reason, he’s never extended.
What makes any of us think he will suddenly do so with us?
Seems his track record will be kept intact.
Evening Rick, good to see you back.. pleased the under 23’s are going well. A strong team out?
Rico I have not been away. I may not have post but I have been reading you.
The last 3 months have been very hard with a unwanted visiter glad to see the back of it.
(I think you will understand.)
Tonights team is MaceyDebuchy Bielik Pleguezuelo Jenkinson Jeff Toral Bramall Eddy
Mavidid iAkpom
Its now 4-0 Mavididi tthe scorer
Rick, glad your unwanted guest has departed…lol
Pretty strong team then, surprised Gibbs didn’t get a run out..
Finished 4-0 very good team performance
Akpom outstanding Toral Maididi Eddy and Jenkinson good.
A lot for Arsene to think about.
Night Rico
Good to hear Rick. Night to you…
Thanks for the report, Rick.
It was all great to see some of these kids In the flesh recently, and we definitely have plenty of talented lads coming through.
Terry’s Hairpiece & Le Cornwall are mates 🙂
Goals against Boreham wood on Newsnow Sky sports video 0.02’Mavididi looks like he knows how to finish.
Scott @ 8:45, He had 3 years left with Udinese and they cashed in 26m up front plus 11m in installment from Barce. He signed a 5 year deal with Barce and they sold him with 2 years left after they under used him for half of the season to Arsenal. Arsenal is the only team he has had a chance to re-up with. And in truth if I was Sanchez I wouldn’t re-up with Arsenal either because it seems like the same crap under AW, just a different season.
Scott, have followed Sanchez since River, and he remains one of my favorite. I agree with you about his antics and petulant behavior but I have said before it comes with the territory.
Rick, great to see you back, I did wonder if you was ok, glad to see that you are.
Mavididi, 2 goals, shame he didn’t go on the Tour, maybe he wasn’t fit enough to go?
But he seems to have something…
Hopefully we will have a look this weekend.
Morning all.
Obi, whatever the reasons he’s moved, the fact is he has not shown any loyalty to a club yet.
He may well change, but if he leaves us, the situation is maintained.
Messi is South American, but is not petulant, selfish or a diver.
Those are personal choices or issues, imo, not a cultural like thing.
Anyway, I really hope he extends and does everything to change my opinion of him, because when on song, the guy is just a superb footballer, and I’d rather he play for us than against us.
More of the same under Wenger-maybe, but if some of our better players did show loyalty and stayed, we’d be better off.
Too many players look for excuses to use when they leave a club, but really, they just follow the money.
If a club chooses to sell a player for the money, how can they extend a contract?
We of all fans should know that by the amount of players we sold when money was tight….
New post up now.