Morning all.
Pinch punch and all that jazz, or white rabbits. It’s the 1st August and the new football season is just eight days away. Ten for Arsenal as our season kicks off on the Sunday. A week today, the summer transfer window of 2019 slams shut. So far, Raul and co have snapped up three players but only two will play a part in our new campaign as the third won’t arrive until next year. Pepe is expected to be confirmed imminently, The Independent newspaper report others will follow. Khedira, Tierney and possibly Rugani too. If they’re right, I think we’ll head into the season with the strongest squad we’ve had in a long time, especially with Willock, Eddie, Nelson and Martinez stepping up too. Admittedly, our back line still looks short of a commanding centre back but perhaps Rugani, if he arrives, will be that player. Or someone else Raul and co bring to the club.
Mustafi is rumoured to be leaving, Koscielny too and with Bielik linked to a permanent move to Derby, we could be seriously depleted in the centre of defence. Sokratis, Chambers and Medley could be Emery’s options for the trip to Newcastle. We’re struggling at right back too. Jenkinson and AMN could be the options available. The return of Bellerin and Holding can’t come quick enough but can’t be rushed either as another long term injury to either would be a disaster for all concerned. Similar with Mavropanos who is also injured.
Still, anything could happen over the next week.
Arsenal drew with Angers last night but this time, Another good workout for the players, another goal for Nelson. I didn’t see the game so can’t comment on it. Barcelona are our final pre season opponents on Sunday and then that’s it, we start all over again.
One thing I found interesting from Unai Emery’s post match press conference was his reply when being asked about Pepe and Aubemeyang and whether or not they can work together. Here’s his response.
Yes first because he is left footed. We have a left footer in Bukayo, a young player who has a big future for us. For example on the winger one left-footed player can play on one side or the other. It can give us different options.
Forget the reference to Pepe a minute but what he said about Bukayo Saka and it sounds to me like he’s staying put and will play for the first team. Excellent if he is as he’s a real talent I think. He might be just 17 years old but he looks strong. Physically I mean. He’s certainly not built like the 17 year old who get off the school bus near me.. lol
From having little to no pace and width for a long time, it looks like we’ll finally have it in abundance. We’ve sat back and admired the way Liverpool attack at speed with Salah, Mane, Firmino, or City with Sterling, Sane and Aguero or the Toots even with Kane and Moura but now, finally, we might just be matching them. Bettering them even because we’ll have four speedsters if Pepe arrives. Pepe, Aubameyang, Nelson and Zaka. Our attacking unit, with a fired up Ozil, pre winter of course and Cebellos, could be something very special. Eddie, Martinelli and Lacazette must be rubbing their hands together at the thought.
Defence… Who needs one? Lol.
Just hope there’s no sting in the tail between now and next Thursday. Like Arsenal accepting an offer for Aubameyang or Lacazette. Certainly not one less than £100 million and definitely not at 4pm on deadline day either. That would be a real kick in the teeth.
The Ashes kicks off today. Should be a good contest over the next few weeks. As long as there’s no cheating of course…..
Have a good Thursday guys, let’s hope it’s Pepe Day…
Good morning Rico, three signings done and dusted with a week still to go. No more Wenger style trolley dashes under our new regime.
The Rugani/Kedhira story is an odd one. Arsenal want the Juventus centre back on a two year loan and are willing to take Kedhira off their hands as part of the deal. The German central mid-fielder is thirty-two and on reportedly “massive wages”. I suppose that if we get him on a free transfer a two or three year contract will be a reasonable bit of business.
I’m greatly looking forward to the test series, it could have us on the edge of our seats for a month or so.
What do you think Scott?
Morning Cicero, all.
Khedira was at The Emirates last weekend and since then, 2+2 has made 22. Not sure why there’s a delay on Pepe if he’s had his medical and photo shoot as pictures would suggest. Maybe more than one… lol
Morning all.
Cicero, no other cricket matters-it’s all about the Ashes 🙂
Let’s hope it’s a cracking series.
White rabbits? Not heard of that one before Rico, it’s usually a pinch and a punch from where I come from, an odd tradition if you think about it, probably has something to do with the plague or some other historically cheerful event…
Anyway, I saw very brief highlights of the Angers game, the French team were very lively and quite physical, so it was a good workout.
I didn’t know about the pens, so I missed them… 😐
Willock, Nketiah and Nelson all did well, again, a big season for our three graduates from the academy and as you so rightly say Rico, Saka will be in there as well.
Watching some of our senior serial underachievers is really boring to me, what does Mkhitarayan for example, bring to our team really? I’m sick of seeing him do a couple of really good things, then quickly fade away, popping up now and again to surrender cheap possession with a sloppy pass or three. He brings zero to the team and is just gently seeing out his inflated pay cheque.
It’s a shame that the club have been powerless to move on more of the usual suspects, we’re stuck with them in the short term, it’s just a case of Emery trying to tease a bit more out of them, our youngsters and our new signings give me hope for the new season and by the turn of the year, fingers crossed, most of the usual suspects might just have been marginalised and be on the bench or in the cup team.
Must be a country thing Kev, what with all the rabbits about…
Yes, the old hangers on are ruining it really..
I agree with Kev about Miki, I wish we could sell him his waged are too high for buyers though I think. I was very disappointed with Medley last night, I had hoped he would come on this season, but he showed last night he is NO WHERE ear the first team. He is young so I think should go on loan. Chambers was good again, very solid . I didn’t know much about Thompson before last night but he was really good, and one of the best of the youngsters , he shows real promise. The good news is that Martinelli shows great promise, he really is all over the pitch I think he may prove to be a real bargain
I absolutely agree Scott, the white ball crash, bang wallop is exciting for those with the attention span of a goldfish but for real cricket aficionados (not fans) the test matches are the pinnacle of the game.
Agree re Medley. From the little I saw of him he looked slow and a long way off being ready for the first team. I got that one wrong that’s for sure, or it certainly seems that way.
The retaliation to the “pinch, punch first day of the month, is “a pinch and a kick for being so quick” Always caused mayhem in the playground at my primary school in the late forties. 😉
I think every format in cricket has its place. It’s certainly not all about the Ashes for me..
I forgot to mention AMN who was brilliant, he really is going to be immense for us in the coming years
Ah, a pinch and a kick for being so quick, I remember it and the bruises very well Cicero…
Rico and Sohara, defending is an art that is learnt slowly and usually on the back of mistakes.
Some like Mustafi never learn, but Medley is only 19, he’s been used as a stand in left back and hung out to dry alongside Mustafi and Co, he could do with an intelligent old head like Mertesaker to play and learn alongside, but we don’t have any like him atm…
I’m not sure that we can afford to loan him out with the Koscielny, Mustafi, Mavropanos uncertainty hanging over us, I’d imagine that he’ll get a fair bit of action in the League Cup and Europa Cup if Koz and Mustafi leave. Mavropanos has, it seems, inherited the mantel bequeathed to him by Abou Diaby…
Morning all and Rico. Happy new month.
Scott, the most dangerous Aussie is slow arm Siddle. He will do more damage than a little when the time for him to bowl comes. Imo.
Newbies seem to be doing okay which is good. Medley was not so good the last time he played, I think he was filling in at left back. At least I didn’t think so. He seemed a bit slow and ponderous, didn’t watch last night’s game so I can’t really comment but, I’m not that surprised at his reported lack of star dust. Still he’s still young and has a long way to go…..I mean look at Mustaffi, he still hasn’t learned how to defend and he’s nearly 29! But, he’s still learning his trade or at least he needs to!
As for the other youngsters they seem to be progressing very nicely. I’m pleased to see that UE is giving them a go. I’m sure he’s not been too disappointed.
Not long to go before we play the toon. Let’s hope it’s a merry outcome for us. I just wonder who will be picked to start the match, will it be mostly the ‘old guard’ or will youth have its head??
Sunny intervals here. Could do with a few rain free days. The garden is close to drowning at present.
I totally agree with you Kev that Medley is only young, and he was hung out to dry as you say last night , but he was in fact awful last night kept giving the ball away in dangerous area’s in my opinion , no where near ready for the first team. If you think a loan would not be a good idea, then he could be used in the cups. he is tall and when I have seen him before he looked a good prospect, but not last night
It’s got to have something to do with bio mechanics, not that know anything about it, it just sounds good and make me feel like I’m as smart as Adam… 😉
You know guys, how the body works under stress etc (I think)…
What I don’t understand is why, for example, that a guy like Mustafi can leap around, charge into situations like a lunatic, slide tackles and all sorts of challenges but never pulls a muscle – even when we’re really hoping that he will.
But then we see that Mavropanos, by comparison, routinely pulls a groin even by simply pulling on his shorts, I just don’t get it?
I see your point Sohara, but it’s not that I don’t think that Medley couldn’t do with a loan it’s just that I’m not sure that we can afford to let him leave yet, well not until Emery has decided what to do with Koscielny and Mustafi, my guess is he wants Koscielny to stay for one more year and to sell Mustafi and sign another centre back.
I wouldn’t loan him out either Kev, especially if both Kos and Mustafi go and I appreciate what you’re saying about Medley but throw him into the PL right now and he could be destroyed before he starts. Mentally I mean. We saw what happened with Senderos. Mavropanos is struggling too imo.
Ha ha ha and the sandpaper comes out as Warner is out lbw, seems that Broad is on it today.
I’ll wait until close of play before I start digging out Scott…. 😉
Morning Wavy, his lack of speed wouldn’t be a problem if he read the game well but that takes time and he’s got plenty of that on his side.
Yeah, I get that Rico and I agree, just pick his games carefully, he lacks pace for sure, but the best defenders aren’t always the quickest on their feet, it’s between their ears where it counts.
Mustafi for example…
Broad is on a mission, Steve Smith is under intense pressure – it’s brilliant… 😁
We agree there Kev.
I’m not knocking Medley by the way, I really want him to thrive and become a great defender for us.
So is the crowd Kev. Love it. Can’t stand Smith so hope he goes real soon.
Good to see an Arsenal goalkeeper save a penalty.Leno looked better the more he played last year.
Leno and Martinez could be our strongest two keepers for some time.
Bloody hell,
Broad is the biggest grub around-apart from Warner lol
Of course, his edge last series that went 6 feet where he stood his ground was “sportsmanlike” but then, you lot have short memories lol
Smith will stand up.
Agree Limey.
Oh dear Scott, you feeling the pressure already? It’s only day one. 😂
Spin before lunch on the first day? Could be a mistake.
Would you believe we can’t even watch the cricket here?
Incredible!!
Rico,
Pressure?
Sorry, I didn’t make the touring squad so no pressure being felt here lol
Just in case the bush telegraph has packed up Scott 108 for 5. .🏏
Just get Smith out then not much left. One out all out.
Solid start hahahaha
But then, our bowlers are better than Ireland’s, so we are going ok 🙂
Broad with two wickets in three balls 112-7
I forgot Siddle, he could stick around. He’s been excellent for Essex this year. If they can somehow get to 200 then it could be game on.
Really disappointed with Siddle being called up. Essex just overhauled Somerset with 6 straight wins and with four games left, after the bishbashbosh month, lose part of our golden two, Harmer and Siddle.
Back to football…. was this transfer freedom going to happen anyway, or did the fans letter strike the touch paper?
At last!
I certainly didn’t see us beating our transfer record this summer.
Have we got enough firepower to counterbalance our dodgy defence now?
Excellent news re Pepe, what a super player we’ve just signed..
Liked your Post, Rico, and I smiled, because it made me realise, if I needed it, that I was not the only one to wonder when the hell Arsenal were going to announce Pepe’s signing. 🤪
Now I have started to wonder when they will announce the signing of Tierney — it is so long since we have had a chance to dream with some expectation of it happening. That luxurious feeling is very rare as a Gooner.
I have done my bit now, so it is up to someone else to ‘wonder’ about the top class CB that we still need — just get to it — it will probably work — how about you doing the wondering for us Kev — it has to be a young-ish CB, tall, and able to run faster than the proverbial snail — we have enough slow coaches (and players) in the squad already! 🙃
With Tierney and if Rugani and Khedira rumours become reality, then I honestly believe we make top four and possibly better this season.
It’s a good time to be a goner.
gooner
I thought Medley made Mustafi look like Franz Beckenbaur !
Good RA, thanks. Lol
Could be a busy last few days of the TW yet..
Morning all.
Normally, I’d be gloating about the efforts of Steve Smith but the announcement of Pépé
far outweighs that joy!!!!
Massive mews!!!!!
The guy could be an out and out superstar for us!!!
Five wickets for Broad including that of Smith, don’t you just love him Scott? 😉
Cicero,
Talented player, absolute grub of a human being, the smug prick, but still, Smith carted your lads around the park.
Gotta love that 🙂
Great series ahead.
England need a fit Archer to bounce a few under Smiths hooter in the next test…
Nicholas Pepe, are you going to be an Arsenal legend?
Can’t see what Broad has ever done wrong really, apart from not walking on the one occasion. Even so, that’s not cheating, that’s all part of the game and there are many players who refuse to walk even though they know they’ve nicked it. Including Aussies Scott. That’s why there are umpires, it’s their decision to make.
Cheating I condemn, what Broad did was just a lack of sportsmanship.
After all, footballers wouldn’t commit a tackle and just walk off the pitch because they caught the guy would they?
Rico, Broad is a smug prick.
I’ll stand by that, and that’s why I detest him.
I condemn any cheat and again, our lads got what they deserved.
Shame the rest of the world doesn’t penalise cheats harshly enough, imo.
If they did, I reckon we’d see less of it and I can’t wait to see what happens to the next cricketer done for ball tampering, because a precedent has been set.
These things should be led in the ICB and FIFA (diving) but they’re not.