Morning all.
Mustering up something about Arsenal is a bit tricky now. The domestic season is all but over with Liverpool expected to be crowned lucky winners of the Premier League title this weekend when in all likelihood, they will batter a dreadful Totts team. The media are desperate to make the race for top five as exciting as they can which is amusing really. Or really amusing.
The relegation battle isn’t at all exciting, or close really as for a while now it’s been obvious which clubs would end up in the Championship. We have to play Southampton on the final day of the season so I hope we’re not desperate for three points on that day because our opponents will have nothing to lose and it’ll be party time for their fans.
For Arsenal, it’s all about the Champions League and the PSG fixture on Tuesday night. Then it’ll be the return leg in France, hoping beyond hope that we’re still in with a chance of making the final. I watched a lot of their game against Aston Villa and if we can match the tempo Villa showed in the second half but for the entirety of our home fixture, then we’ll have a good chance.
I can’t wait for Tuesday to be here although not for one minute am I wishing my life away but I’m just excited as well as hopeful because this group of players deserve to be where they are. It’s easy for us to nitpick every mistake the players/team make but imagine being in their shoes. If as fans we’re excited, they must be going through a rollercoaster of emotions, knowing at any one moment, an injury could strike, ruling them out of what is for many, the biggest game of their footballing career to date.
Not even Thomas Partey has won the Champions League although his old club Atletico Madrid came close in 2016. Talking of our midfielder’s future, David Ornstein is quoted as saying:
It’s something Thomas Partey is very keen on himself. He’s happy at Arsenal, his family are enjoying living in London, and as I understand it, he would be open to a new two-year contract, or a one-year contract with an option to extend by 12 months. He would like to have improved terms as well.
A year ago, I’d have been one of many Arsenal fans I’m sure who were thinking it was time to cut ties with the player. His body was frail, he was hardly ever available and even when he was, he soon broke down again. This season was about not if he’d break down but when and yet he’s had the best season of his life in an Arsenal shirt and he’s been fit throughout the campaign. Arsenal should in my opinion, do all they can to get him to stay, even if it is just for one more season. His experience and ability is invaluable.
Yes Arsenal could easily go and sign a couple of midfielders to replace him and the outgoing Jorginho but if they need settling in time, Arsenal cannot afford that time, especially if any such signing is made towards the end of the transfer window when pre-season training is almost over.
What “improved terms” means will probably be the deciding factor for both parties. No pun intended.
I imagine the contracts/sales of Leandro Trossard, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu will be on Andrea Berta‘s agenda as all three expire in the summer of 2026 but more importantly, it’s the future of William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli which need addressing as all four will be out of contract in the summer of 2027. 2027 might seem a while away yet but the last thing the club need is any of them going into the final year of contract because the vultures will come circling.
I know contracts mean little these days but at least they guarantee a transfer fee should a players head be turned.
Thank goodness Jakub Kiwior is tied down until 2028 because since the day he replaced the injured Gabriel, he’s been brilliant.
Anyway, as far as Premier League football goes this weekend, I’ll be hoping for away wins all round…
Catch up in the comments.
‘morning Rico, I’d be wary of offering Partey a new contract with “better terms”. We’ve been here before, Auba, Mesut et all, come to mind. With
With Arsenal, seemingly, getting closer to signing Zubimendi, the pressure to retain Partey is somewhat eased.
I’ve been pondering on the Saliba situation and I know I was very critical of his two recent changers, but on reflection maybe too critical, he has after all been superb for the whole of a very difficult season, much of it without the strength and solidity of Gabriel beside him. Sorry William, mea culpa. 😕
Morning Cicero, agree re better terms but the odd fiver each week wouldn’t be so bad. 😂
He does strike me as having a different mindset to those you refer to..
Has the Zubimendi story come from a recent Ornstein update or just the previous rumour resurfaced?
Seems like Cunha is set to join Utd.
As Partey is out of contract this summer Rico/Cicero then he is probably due a signing on fee (as is his agent) so his basic may remain the same it’s just the added on fee that’ll give him an increase. It’s normal I suppose, Thomas can take on the Jorginho role for a couple of years, but I do understand the reservations of many due to his chequered fitness history.
Depending on who we sign we may have to accept an unpopular departure of Smith Rowe proportions to balance the books?
Tomiyasu and Jesus are not set to be fit before the summer transfer window closes so we’ll need to find space for them? Tavares will leave but both Lokonga and Nelson will return to continue recovery from injuries, although we’ll hopefully find a buyer for Vieira?
There is a mountain of work to do regarding contract renewals before we can even think about signing anyone. Big job for Berta!