Morning all.
It’s World Cup semi-final day, round one. I’m not fussed who wins this one really, especially as there are no Arsenal players in either side. Who’d have thought that though as just a few years ago, the French team was filled with Arsenal players. Koscielny would have been there had he not suffered a nasty injury just before the end of last season and Ollie, well he jumped ship to the West side of London. He’s not having a great time in Russia really as I think he’s yet to get his name on the score-sheet. Tomorrow is the important match when England take on Croatia in what could be a cracking match if both teams are on form…
Mustafi is wanted by Juventus apparently and if true, Arsenal have a decision to make. The first thing I thought was why would a club like Juventus with a manager as good as Allegri is, want a defender who many of us believe is pretty average? I might be wrong yet but I think there’s a really good defender in him somewhere and I thought the same about Gabriel but for both, a move to Arsenal seemed to knock them back a step or two. Same with Debuchy who has since proved that moving away from North London can help a defenders career. Gabriel did well last season after moving to Valencia helping his team to 4th in La Liga. Funny enough, Valencia was the club from which Arsenal signed Shkodran Mustafi from.
Allegri must have some faith in Mustafi and believe that he and his coaching team will find it easy to bring out the best in him. Half of that battle of course would to be part of an organised and disciplined defensive unit which as we know, Juventus have but Arsenal haven’t for a while. Emery and his new coaching staff might just be thinking something similar and as he builds his new midfield and defence which he’s clearly doing, throw in some plan, organisation and discipline and who knows, Mustafi might just look something like a top class defender. He’ll never be lightening quick, but if he can learn to read the game better, he’ll be half way there. Our pre-season is tough imo, we’re up against quality sides so the German will have plenty of time to prove his worth, to prove he can and will improve with better coaching.
Sell him, or keep him? Over to you.
Finally, good luck to Jack Wilshere who has now been confirmed as a West Ham player. I really hope he can stay injury free and enjoy the rest of his career on the pitch instead of off it. Who knows, in two years time Gareth Southgate will be calling upon his services for England again…
Yes, sell him and fast please.
Sell him and invest in a lefty pacey left winger, Mustafi goes to ground too much and not quick enough and in fact very similar to Sokratis he also likes to bollock people when needing to worry about his own responsibilities
……..Good morning all. Rico, I think that good defender inside Mustafi has had every opportunity to show itself, it’s now time to move him on. If Juventus come up with a reasonable offer then to sell him is a no-brainer.
Morning Cicero, all.
I’d keep him.. 🙂
Rico, I disagree with you but I won’t do a Boris and walk out on you. 😁
Hi All….
Mustafi was a German International before he got to Arsenal, a season after he wasn’t anymore. Gabriel was a beast before he got to Arsenal. Imho, Holding was the best defender in the championship until he got to Arsenal. Chambers is much better defender when he plays with his country than club. Bielik was an excellent young defender until he got to Arsenal, our coaches ruined Miguel, Vermaelen, etc, etc,etc… these guys all had a common factor, playing for Arsenal under AW.
Let’s see how Mustafi will be under new coaching and tactics. He just didn’t forget to play football overnight. Being a good defender is not all about pace.
Agree with Obi , too many defenders went backwards under Wenger, lets see what he can do in an organised defence.
As for Giroud having a bad world cup , he may not be scoring but Mbappe is and it just shows what happens when there are two up front .
Great topic agenda Rico, thank you.
Looks like Koscielny is out until Christmas. So Mustafi will have to step up this season, being our most experienced CB.
AW didn’t practise defending at all. His philosophy was if they score three we will score four. That was alright when we had a proper team of men and quality. We have very little of the afore mentioned anymore.
Unlike AW, I’m hoping and praying the new manager will let Steve Bould and the rest of the staff work on our defence, as well as all round ability.
I agree with Obi. Holding and Chambers were quality young defenders when they came to Arsenal, only to be ruined by our previous manager. Fingers crossed they can fulfil their promise,and become top CB’ under Emery.
Our biggest problem is how to get rid of Granit Xhaka. He can’t tackle, he can’t run, has no positional sense, he is a complete liability, and needs to be shipped out immediately, if any one will take him.
I would love us to buy Steven N’Zonzi. Just the type of player needed, but with Xhaka on our books its highly unlikely.
My views entirely guys, Bellerin is another example, Kolasinac too. Oxlade-Chamberlain also looked like his game was improving before getting injured and I’d put money on Wilshere doing the same at West Ham.
Cicero, I’m glad he’s gone though… lol
Thanks Vcc.
Could the same not be the case for Xhaka? Emery seems to have seen enough to warrant his new contract, either that or the club are just making sure that when he does go he goes for a fee.
Rico, Kolasinac was inexplicably. The guy was doing so good that AW decided to bench him so he can lose confidence……
Obi, the sad thing is there’s been so many. One that still irks me is Merida. Better than Fabregas they said in Spain, however..
Torreira confirmed…
No11
Afternoon rico, all
What a satisfying closed season. Last five years have been nothing but frustration, so it’s great to address most areas we have needed to. And early. Just need Ramsey contract sorted now and with Aubameyang and Micky bedded in, should be a decent team.
Rico, that’s terrific news, Torreira will be a very good addition to the team when he joins up with the squad in early August.
The fact that Torreira has been handed the number eleven shirt indicates to me that he is likely to be a regular starter rather than a bench warmer.
Don’t get your hopes up Rico, Boris will be back!
Afternoon Andrew, it’s all certainly looking more positive than we’ve felt for ages. Just shows what Arsenal can do in a summer.
Ha ha Cicero, I doubt it…
Ronaldo deal to Juventus is done. Incredible really..
The culture is definitely changing because Guendouzi was wanted by several big teams, although he played in the 2nd division, but wanted Arsenal after conversation with Emery. Apparently, his talent is not the issue but attitude.
Evening all and thanks Rico.
Under a new manmager all the players need to be given a fresh chance to see if they can play to Dicks philosophy !…………………………..even Mustafi who after last seasons Keystone Cop defending should have been paid to join Juve` where he could have polished Ronaldo`s Statue !
Ronaldo to Juventus for €112 million on a four year contract is ludicrous, the player is thirty-three years old he’ll be thirty-seven before his contact expires. Still, I suppose the shirt sales will go some way to helping pay the transfer fee.
Not just Mustafi though Lc, Kos at times was awful too. As was Bellerin. You’ve got to have a unit working well together, not just four/five players just hashing at it..
Cicero, I get Menshealth and Fitness emails and on one of them it said that Ronaldo has been one of the fittest men in the world from all sports for years and that tests have proven that at 33 years old he has the fitness of a 23 year old !………………………..he works harder than anyone out there both on diet and fitness, he could probably go on until 40 !
An old one brought up to date…………………….
🙂
https://twitter.com/TheFootballRep/status/1016638916290666496
That may be true Le Coq, but as players age recovery time, from both injury and game time, becomes extended. €112 million plus four years wages is a lot to lay out for a player of his age.
I may be wrong, Cicero, but he doesn`t or hasn`t picked up many injuries and I think it`s all down to how he looks after himself !
Other news ?
https://twitter.com/ArsenalFC_fl/status/1016722136969424897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1016722136969424897&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.football.london%2Farsenal-fc%2Ftransfer-news%2Fmatteo-guendouzi-arsenal-transfer-news-14891997
Ospina linked with a move to Boca Juniors £6m
I’m thoroughly enjoying the France v Belgium game, there are some terrific talents on view, Mbape is leaving scorch marks on the grass, Hazard, Pogba and both ‘keepers are all contributing to the entertainment.
I know we have just signed Lichtenstein, but the French right back ,
Sorry about that, hit the comment key too soon
……but he French right back looks a terrific prospect tall, pacy and can tackle. Can we swap him for Bellerin?
Their only let down is Giroud 😜😜
Ahhh Stephan Lichtenstein, 103 years old with 34 caps……..or is it the other way around !
As for Mbappe, didn’t we nearly sign him a couple of years back.
To be fair Rico, Giroud is working his socks off for the team. He’s certainly been more effective than Lukaku.
Shame Mbappe, Greizmann, Pogba, Kante and Lloris didn`t get sent off in the last couple of seconds !
Rico, I’ll answer your headline question with another question, can Juventus afford Mustafi after spending €112 million on Ronaldo?
Le Coq, your getting a little ahead of yourself, there’s the little matter of tomorrow’s match to consider before even daring to think of Sunday’s game. 😉
The way the tournament has opened up I will class it as a bad one if we cant beat Croatia, Cicero.
At the beginning people/pundits etc were saying it would be a good one if we get to Q/Finals, but with all the favs falling by the wayside it would and playing a team ranked well below us I cant except anything but reaching the WC Final…………………………….France on the other hand are in a different league to Croatia and would be a hard final, but a one off, so anything can happen !……………………yes the semi is a one off, but we must consider ourselves favourites !…………………………………………………..the kiss of death ! hahahaha
Le Coq my expectations have been far exceeded, yet Tunisia apart we haven’t looked altogether comfortable in any game.
It’s difficult to ignore the ridiculous levels of adulation being broadcast by the media but in reality our strike force has been fairly underwhelming.
That said, I do think we are in with a good chance of beating Croatia, unless the ref continues his apparent habit of red carding English players.
It would certainly be quite something to reach the World Cup Final where France await.
Morning guys. New post up now.
It’s sponsored so not my opinions..
Rumor has it that we are asking for Dybala as part of an exchange deal. With CR7 coming in, Juve have to sell to balance the books. Ambitious but that there would be a solid statement for this season.
Enock, wouldn’t that be the icing on the cake..
I thought you’d struggle Adam. 😜
New post up now.