Morning all.
Who’d have thought that Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior and Kai Havertz would have quietly made a big difference to Mikel Arteta’s first team performances. Jorginho against Liverpool and Newcastle, was superb and walked away from both with the man of the match award. Kiwior, who’d been criticised around the internet for his performances at left back, has suddenly come good. Well, he hasn’t, he’s just got used to playing in a position unfamiliar with him. He was always a very good defender. Kai Havertz, Arsenal’s Mr Marmite – he must be one of the most annoying players to go up against.
I think many Arsenal fans have gone from wondering how Arsenal would cope without Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu to, how are those same players going to get back into the team? We’re scoring more goals without our two strikers Jesus and Nketiah than we have when one or both has been in the side.
March is soon upon us and the squad is set to be stronger and deeper, in fact if all goes to plan, only Jurrien Timber will be missing and even he could make a return before the season ends. It’s unlikely one or two, maybe even more players go until the end of the season without picking up a niggle here or there but with an almost fully fit squad available to Mikel Arteta, it should in theory be easier to cope.
Ruben Neves says he was close to agreeing a deal with Arsenal back in the summer. Mind you, he says he was close to signing for Barcelona too but in the end, he joined Al Hilal.
I was close to three clubs and it didn’t happen, which saddened me and helped me make the decision to go to Al Hilal. I didn’t want to put names forward, but Barcelona was one of the hottest and it wasn’t a lie. It was close to happening, just like with Arsenal. Then there was another club outside England. It was events that piled up and then, with this golden opportunity, I had no hesitation in accepting. I was already calloused with transfers that don’t happen.
This story kind of suggests to me that Arsenal and Barcelona were interested but when it came down to the money, the cash on offer in Saudi was too good to turn down. I think he’d have been a great signing for Arsenal but if it was ever between him and Declan Rice, there was only one winner in my opinion. Still, never say never, especially as Thomas Partey is rumoured to be moving on in the summer.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal are interested in signing central defender Mikayil Faye from Barcelona. He’s a 19 year left sided centre-back currently playing for the Barca B team. Unlikely I think as it’s a right sided defender Arsenal need if anything.
Equally as unlikely, or outright stupid is Rio Ferdinand’s suggestion that Mikel Arteta would 100% leave Arsenal for Man Utd if he was ever offered the job. Maybe he would but I doubt it and in any case, why would he want to? He’s spent the last few years building his own squad. He’s totally changed Arsenal as a club both on and off the pitch. Players attitudes has to be right otherwise they’re out the door and he’s brought hope to the majority of fans. Even if we don’t win anything this season, no one can accuse him or the players of not trying. The perception I get from him is that there’s no such thing as not trying. Utd are fast becoming a bit like Chelsea in my opinion, a club which any manager with sense, would reject.
I think his comments say one thing, envy. He’s envious of what Mikel Arteta is doing at Arsenal and how the club owners have supported him from day one. Money has been spent wisely and whether we like it or not, we’ve seen a few leave which might have disappointed us but in the long run, it’s done the squad the world of good.
If we as fans want a better Arsenal squad, it’s likely to mean more “favourites” will leave this summer. Nketiah, ESR, Ramsdale, Nelson, Vieira, Partey – to name just a few. Whether it be to raise money, players needing to move on for themselves or just because they’re no longer in Arteta’s plans, some will go. Same with the under 21 players, if they’re not showing signs of becoming very very good, I think they’ll be gone too. Sentiment and success doesn’t always go together.
Catch up in the comments.
Good post Rico. Agree with you 100% that Rio Ferdinand’s claim that Arteta would be off to Utd in a flash is complete bollocks.
Pep G said that even when Arteta was at City, he’s heart was at Arsenal and he wouldn’t join in the celebrations when City were beating us for fun. He was our captain and after the last game he played for us he was blubbing like a baby. So, in your dreams, Rio!
Thanks Anthony, he’s mae himself look a bit of a chump really.
Rio is on a wind up after the treatment he got from the Arsenal fans on the plane to Porto .
I think players may leave at the end of the season but we need to be careful about distabillising the squad .I can see 4 of your 6 going and I wonder if Elneny will go or maybe turn his thoughts to coaching.
He is definitely popular in the dressing room and seems to be happy at the club .
I didn’t include Elneny and Cedric because they’re both out of contract but yep, they are likely to be gone. We need to raise funds though which is why I think sales will continue. Plus, we need stronger players off the bench, more who’ll make a difference and keep the tempo up. ESR did that on Sunday, but Nelson and Nketiah didn’t really bust a gut to show why they should get more time on the pitch.
As many of us have said though, the homegrown rule might have a bearing on who goes.
I watched a programme about Santi the other day, he said he’d always be there if Arsenal need him…
Morning Rico and all,
Funny that you mention Santi, I was only reading a while back that Santi said he would like to take up a small roll in coaching, which got me thinking I wonder if he would like to coach the young kids at Arsenal and bring his son in a player, if he has turned half as good as his dad he could be worth keeping an eye on.
Hi Geoff. He’s a bit young yet. Lol
He looked good when he dribbled a ball fron the halfway line a scored into the North Bank goal a few years back at the end of the season . Mind you the ball nearly came up to his knees.
look up you tube wonderkid-Enzo Cazorla
Hi Ric0
I mostly agree with you, but I think it’s unlikely that all of Nketiah, ESR, Ramsdale, and Nelson can leave, as the ‘Home grown’ rule is still in operation. Who would replace them? Toney perhaps, but where are the rest coming from?
Brian
Enzo is at the club where it all started for Santi I think. The programme I watched the other day showed him training.
Hi Brian, I didn’t mean all of them leaving, they are just options if the club need to fund new signings. We’ll need to make space in the squad too. We can’t keep buying without selling and/or freeing up squad spaces.
Man City playing a very strong team in the FA cup,apart from Ederson probably stronger than most league games.
6 -2 bet Haaland was pissed over Kovatic
Santi’s son would have to be around 12 / 13 years old now.
Potter to be fair to Little Santi the ball was almost up to Santi’s knees😊
‘It’s hard to say, but I think it’s time to say goodbye’: Aaron Ramsdale writes an emotional farewell message to Arsenal fans as he prepares to join the rival club in the summer.
Can’t say I am surprised ! Good luck to him , I hope he gets the England slot when Pickford gets relegated.
If we look at any new defenders it will only be because we may sell Kiwior at a profit. Mainly because he is too good a CB to never play his best position. Big clubs in Europe want him, though not the biggest spenders like Bayern or Madrid.. more the Milans and Dormund, for example.
With the injured returning he goes back to 3rd on the depth chart for LB, 4th when Timber is back. Still sitting behind Gabriel who would play ahead of almost any CB in the world right now. I hope Kiwior can at least win a big trophy or two with us before he moves on, eventually.
What a great shame re Aaron Ramsdale. I think the club has made a big mistake with him. Just as they did with Emi Martinez although I can’t stand the latter now…
Kiwior is going nowhere imo. We have him, White, Tomi, Zinchenko and Timber. Tomi can play CB a he does for Japan and so can both White and Timber..
Striker and CDM this summer I think.
So our game against Chelsea due on the 16th of March,will now be rescheduled because Chelsea will be in the FA Cup quarter finals that weekend.
Will mean another long gap between fixtures,Sky will probably try to make it a Thursday night near the end of the season !
I would not blame Ramsdale for leaving, however according to the report I read, Arsenal are considering buying Raya and loaning Ramsdale out for one season to let him get more game time them bring him back.
I would have no problem with sending Ramsdale out on loan, so long as it’s not to a Premiership side, or a clause preventing him playing against us in any competition is included in the contract.
With a bit of luck, if Ramsdale is to go, an overseas club will come in for him. Unlikely though I know.
New post up.