Morning all.
The opening weekend threw up some interesting results. Arsenal kicked things off on Friday night with victory at Crystal Palace then in the lunchtime game on Saturday, Fulham drew with Liverpool. Totts beat Southampton, no shock there really but Bournemouth beating Aston Villa was. Then yesterday, Brighton defeated Man Utd at Old Trafford before City beat West Ham away from home. Having not watched any football this weekend other than our own game, I can’t comment on any of the games but by all accounts, those in the media that is, Man Utd are in a mess. If Arsenal were trying to sign Marko Arnautovic, I think we’d all be spitting feathers.
Micah Richards summed it up:
What has happened to Manchester United, seriously? I’m not going to stick the boot in. Arnautovic was a quality player, but he’s 33 playing in Italy.
Why not stick the boot in, Utd do as their ex players seem to have an opinion on every club when really, they should be looking at what’s going on at their own.
Comparisons between Utd and Arsenal will always be made because both clubs had to deal with such a big change when long term managers left, leaving behind an ageing and unbalanced squad. Arsenal learned quickly that things needed to change, those in charge of transfers needed to change and instead of going for the quick fix, a plan was needed. Tough as it was to accept ‘the process’ because at times the football was awful, as were some of the decisions the club were making, once the owners invested, the direction Arsenal were going in became more clear. Utd however seemed to have made one error after another. Yet they should really be ahead of us with their plan because Fergie left Utd before Arsene Wenger left Arsenal. Chelsea, regardless of all the money they’ve spent over the years, have regressed in my opinion and I’ve a feeling that Liverpool will find life more of a struggle this season too. Perhaps that’s wishful thinking but we’ll see.
One thing which has changed very little is the officials as they’re still awful. Inconsistent and do I dare suggest, biased? I bet your bottom dollar that had it been an Arsenal player all over the Brighton defence as Utd were for their goal, it wouldn’t have stood. I bet if Granit Xhaka had made some of the challenges Utd did, he’d have been off for an early shower. When does Riley go? Not soon enough in my opinion.
Transfer news, Arsenal are being heavily linked with Moussa Diaby. Newcastle Utd are reported to be interested too but if the 23 year old Frenchman wants to be playing in Europe this season, then Arsenal are the only club of the two who can offer him that.
What I think would be ideal for Arsenal is if Bayern Leverkusen would take Nicolas Pepe as part of a deal, if this rumour is true. It’d be a win win for both clubs really. Diaby certainly fits the profile of the type of player Mikel Arteta seems to favour.
The Express though, along with many other newspapers, report that Pedro Neto could be the winger Arsenal want to sign. Whether or not Wolves would sell one of their stand out players is another story but money talks.
If Arsenal sign a winger and midfielder before the end of the month this really will have been a fantastic summer transfer window.
Three more weeks of this transfer window to go yet so plenty of time. Even for Arsenal. Lol
See you in the comments.
The ‘Xhaka tax’ it’s been accurately named. Not my favourite Arsenal player, but if he gets a yellow for diving on Friday then Eze and Zaha should get the same. In fact Zaha should have Tom Daley commentating on his diving performances…
Good positive start to the season.
About manchester players making a horrible foul, you summed it well. Especially Scott McTominay. His tackles are mistimed and he went for the leg than the ball. It should have been a red if the referees and the people controlling VAR made the right decision.
Morning Pete, all.
The inconsistency is staggering, so obvious to everyone. The selective decision making is as bad as the reporting/coverage of it..l
Morning Rico. I think that you are right about the crappy officials and the Riley effect. Unfortunately of course.
Considering that Potter has lost his 3 best players in the past year yet he still comes up with the goods. Superb against Man U yesterday where Sgt Major Ten Haag is busy issuing fines for wrongly tied shoelaces.
Tierney was utterly sickening yesterday. A piss-poor refereeing performance that favoured the home team totally. Just like that twat Taylor in our game.
Morning Adam. I can’t believe we’ve been saying the same things for as many years as we have. How can a game which so so much money involved, put up with the officiating as it is, is beyond me.
Nega, McTominay is a ghastly player who gets away with far too much. He’s worse than Xhaka imo.
I see that Alexis sanchez has now joined Marseilles , That’s him , Guendouzi , Tavares and I wonder as the new manager seems to have already lost the dressing room when they appoint Wenger .
Classic example of the inconsistency was las season when Harry Kane launched a 2 footed studs showing “tackle” on an Aston Villa player. Result confirmed by VAR a yellow card; anyone else would have been shown a straight red.
Is Wenger going to Marseille then? I thought his days in management were long over.
Spot on DC.
Good afternoon Rico and all.
A shudder runs through me whenever I read the name Diaby, the injuries that lad suffered were unbelievable and wrecked what should have been a top class career.
I’m sure we’ll be linked with a host of players between now and the end of the month but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Tavares had a very good game. It was as though it wasn’t the same player.
The officiating is so poor in the EPL and in football in general. Imho, the only explanation is the gambling/ betting outfits and their influences on the game, because the referes are seeing the same things we are seeing. They can’t be that blind, especially with VAR.
It’s hard not to conclude that corruption is alive and well in the pgmol. Every week there’s another stand out controversy and the silence from their officials is deafening.
Gervinho, Pepe, Moussa Diaby, there’s a pattern developing, tbh I only saw the first couple of minutes of that vid Rico and I thought, na…
Neto is experienced in the Prem, settled in England and would fit in with our Portuguese speakers so if it’s not Gakpo then why not Neto, although I have to admit I’m more of an Aldi man myself…
Afternoon Rico et al
I’ve been saying for quite a long time that some of the Premier league ref decisions need to be looked at closer. Did anything come of the Xhaka card investigation at Leeds (doubt it).
Paul Tierney’s display at Spurs v Arsenal last season had corruptions writ large on it. The dodgy decisions are disguised with a throw away reference to the incompetence of the refs. I’m certain there is more to it.
Was chatting to a Wolves fan on holiday. He was worried that his team weren’t spending. The same seems to be the case at Leicester. Are the owners losing interest or concerned about the money being wasted?
Wolves were always a mystery. The Chinese owners and the Portuguese agent. Neither seem to be spending much time in the Black country these days. Coady off to Everton, Neto linked with a move.
I think both teams will be in big trouble very soon.
Football clubs have been living beyond their income for some time trying to keep up with the artificially funded clubs and wages have gone out of proportion.It was only a matter of time before it caught up and now Covid and a season of no income is shoving it over the edge.
Afternoon Cicero, guys.
Neto seems a better option to me too Kev, for the reasons you suggest.
As for Riley and his muppets, what I really think of them cannot be printed.
Torreira leaves Arsenal for Turkey
Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has joined Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray in a permanent transfer.
The Uruguay international made 89 appearances after joining the Gunners from Sampdoria in July 2018 and won the FA Cup in 2020.
A club statement read: “Everyone at Arsenal thanks Lucas for his contribution during his time with us. We wish Lucas and his family the best of health and happiness in their new chapter with Galatasaray.”
Just Bellerin , Mari, Pepe and a couple more to sort then.
Yep, at least were raking the money in. 😂
I Thought Wenger was only going there for motivation speech, Bellerin could be hard to move on due to his age and wages
Funnily enough Pete I was talking to a Leicester fan yesterday and it was exactly what the Wolves fan said to you, he also thought that Leicester could struggle this season, it seems that many of the owners are tightening up
‘morning all.
.Football London are suggesting that The Kroenkes have okayed a £60 million offer for Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby.
Arsenal youngster Brooke Norton-Cuffy has signed a new deal with the club this summer.
Morning all.
New post up now
Excellent news Cicero..