Morning all.
The challenge to win the Premier League crown next season looks like it’s getting tougher by the day as other clubs strengthen their squads. City have snapped up one or two, Liverpool just the one, the same as Utd but as said a few days ago, Everton are really going big this summer and have already spent just short of £100 million on new recruits. So much so, if I was Wenger, I wouldn’t be selling Olivier Giroud to them that’s for sure. Trying to fit them all in might take time, just as it might take a few of the overseas players to get used to the English game but one thing I am certain of is that Ronald Koeman will make a better job of it than a certain Frenchman we all love… Well, like, no, love to dislike and trust me, I do! His stubbornness and total refusal to change over the last ten or so seasons both in terms of our football and transfers has turned my respect for him into something very different. There’s other reasons too but if I start, I’ll never finish and I have a pile of ironing to get through today……
There’s little Arsenal news at the moment which is no great surprise. The players are beginning to return to the club for pre-season training which is had to believe really as it seems like only yesterday they were winning the FA Cup. We won’t see Alexis or Mustafi for a while though as both need a rest after their Confederations Cup exploits. Also returning of course are those that were out on loan although just how many are in the managers plans for next season remains to be seen.
Wojciech Szczesny, Jack Wilshere, Chuba Akpom, Joel Campbell, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson. That’s just the ‘first team’ players whose careers need sorting out, added to them there’s a good few of the academy players who either need to find a new club on loan, or a new club full stop.
Jon Toral is one, a player who arrived at the same time as Hector Bellerin but sadly for him their Arsenal careers have taken a very different path. Bellerin had one chance and he took it, Toral is yet to get that one real opportunity and with so many midfielders at the club, it’s going to be difficult for him. Injuries haven’t helped him but on loan, more often than not, he’s earned very good reviews. At 22 years old, his time has to be now. If he’s given a new contract, he really has to show he’s got what it takes to be as good, no, better than Hector Bellerin and with Santi Cazorla probably missing much if not all of the new campaign following another setback, Aaron Ramsey seldom matching his one golden season, Mohammed Elneny seemingly the latest player out of favour and with so many fixtures heading our way, he may just find himself in with a chance. If he does, I hope he takes it…
As for the rest, well I can see Chambers and Wilshere staying put but the others, well I’m far from convinced they’ll be in the plans of Arsene Wenger. Mind you, I don’t think Toral is either which would be a shame but just like Fran Merida, I think he came, never got a real chance, then left…..
It’ll be interesting to see which younger players go on our pre-season tour of Australia and Asia because that’s going to be their chance to impress.
Cazorla said in May: “[Arsenal] were very good to me, they renewed me before my operation, the manager talked to me and gave me peace of mind.
“It’s been a difficult season, since I have not played since November. I’ve been through surgery eight times.
“I had the last one yesterday, and hopefully everything will go well.
“Since November I have had complications. There was bacteria in the operating room and I suffered an infection in a bone. The scar did not close and I had a skin graft.”
🙁
Morning rico. Thanks for the Cazorla update, I hadn’t read anything re him for quite a while. TBH, at his age, he will never get back to EPL level will he?
Our other precious little goonette, wheelchair, will no doubt go through most of the season injured meaning he can’t be sold or sent out on loan. Dead wood which needs pruning.
I will be disappointed if Giroud leaves. He can still do a job at this level and if not with us, then for another club. I just don’t want to see him scoring against our little uns in defence.
All the transfer gossip hasn’t really materialised into actual signings for any really, except Everton. There is even talk of Rooney going back there. They will be up there battling for top four this year.
Will we?
Hahaha……..” I’ll never finish and I have a pile of ironing to get through today……”………………………..you must have this mental strength stuff Arsene keeps talking about !…………………Great stuff Rico !
I think our large squad (if you include the players coming back from loan ) is heavily weighted with “dead wood” and needs trimming, get them off the pay roll to help fund Alexis and Ozil`s wages and replace with youth hoping for the break through…………..Reece Nelson, Nketiah, Nwakali etc`.
Some, like you say Toral, have been around for years now and at 22 hasn`t made it, Wilshere will always be injury prone………..sad really, as a great talent !……………Also sad that Arsene is too loyal , but with the wrong players !……..we dont need to go over Perez and Elnenny again as it`s totally confusing .
Have we signed Mbappe for £125M yet ?
Overcast, but will brighten up later here !
Pleasure Meerkat.. lol
I can see them challenging for more than just top 4 at the rate Koeman is going. As Kev said last night, an ambitious manager, an ambitious part owner… (Usmanovs mate)…
You read it then Lc…. 😉
Toral has had his own share of injuries too which I think has hampered his chances, but he’s to be pretty good. Give some of the guys a run on tour and see how they fair I say… After all, we don’t want to tire out our precious delicate first teamers… lol
Bacteria in the operating room, wtf did Arsenal go for the operation, wherever it was the club should sue them for compensation…
That’s Santi’s season finished and maybe his Arsenal career, what a fcuking tragedy for one of the best Arsenal players in recent years.
I’m seriously pissed off by that news!
No point in naming Santi in the squad of 25 then, as Wenger routinely and wastefully did with Diaby. Use his place up with someone who can play if needed, Wenger can always reconsider in January.
Morning Rico
Morning All
Job prick trying to have a pop at Arsene
Jobless prick even
Morning Kev. That very thought went through my mind too… Disgraceful, especially at the level expected for a pro sportsperson to be having surgery..
toral has been star at every club he has been loaned to star of year at brum should be picked instead of iwobi midfield with a ferocious shot and scores goals whitch we are crying out for pickhim wenger and if you will see that he is good as bellerin
Your school broken up for summer already Ralph?
Rico, you would think that Arsenal would use a top private hospital – used to be the London Independent in Stepney, close to the Royal London, so what’s the excuse?
Not impressed at all, Rico we’ve had far too many of these long running sagas and nothing seems to change…
Look at Freddie Ljungberg, he had to go the US before it was discovered that he’d been misdiagnosed in the U.K…
May as well use the NHS as these private hospitals are pants…
Him and Samper were the stars of the young barca weren’t they Mick. I’d love to see him play pre-season.
I’d ditch Cazorla, bugger sentiment. It went out the door the day agents became a part of the footie landscape. Ox can go too?
Good post rico?
Shame about Total, he had a great season at Birmingham but last season at Glasgow Rangers he didn’t seem to progress…
Wonder if Wenger will take Toral to Australia for preseason Rico?
Some are good Kev… 😉
On a serious note, you are right. How a private place can have a bacterial infection in it’s theatre beggars belief, especially these days…
But it’s funny, as not all take MRSA swabs before admission.
Gg, how can they, no club will sign him now he’s injured….
Kev, think he was doing well at Rangers until he suffered injury. I hope he goes down under with a few others…
Rico
Well The Club won’t have to fork out wasted wages on him. Cut Cazorla lose I say.
It’s pretty obvious no one can match the spending power of the Mighty Arse this transfer window. And it feels Gr8 ?
Le the other clubs eat cake?
………just hope ol’Froggy spends it well?
I doubt they can simply terminate Sant’s contract. After all, they renewed it whilst he was injured and it’s hardly his fault there was a bacteria in the hospital..
Why, rico Hectors contract extension means nothing to Barca?
I don’t care about Santi’s health as much as I do about The Arsenal winning the League. I say ditch him!
Isn’t Toral’s mother English ? If JW and Walcott Gibbs go we might need an Englishman to balance the numbers.
No matter who we buys, Arsene should not sell Girould, not to Everton or to any other club at all.He brings a whole new dimension to our game when brought in. I can remember how many very crucial goals he scored for us last season. Apart from Sanchez who is not even sure of staying, how many scorers do we have?Danny is injury prone and not prolific, Perez is neither here nor there, and it will take Lacazzette at least three to four months to get used to the Premier league .Or is it Walcoott that will score the goals for us next season.So Wenger must keep Girould at all cost.
You all bang on about what needs to be done for The Arsenal to win things, then cave in over a Spanish crock, or a one season wonder like the Ox.
Not mention the Ox.
You kidding Gg??
Different situation Gg re the contracts..
She is re Toral’s Mum..
As for Alexis, keep him, don’t sell him because @ the end of the season The Arse will be back in the CL, will most likely have won the PL so he won’t need to go on a free. He will want to stay by then.
Hi rico, I’m gnarleygeorge9’s cousin lateralthinkinggeorge10 filling in for him while he’s away concentrating on a Richmond premiership.
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – I can’t see Wilshere staying, not on the wages he’s pulling in. If we get a decent offer for him, we should take it. I doubt we will ever get a full season out of him. If we keep him he will just be blocking the progression of a younger player. The same goes for Walcott.
I think we need to sell Campbell, Coquelin or Elneny, Debuchy, Gibbs and Jenkinson. I’d keep Chambers unless we can’t extend his contract and\or get him a loan at a good team, maybe back to Sotton. This should be Merteacke’rs final season and Koscielny isn’t getting any younger. Two great players for Chambers to study with and learn from.
Also, it’s great to hear that Jens ‘The Mad Monk’ could be returning as a goalkeeper coach.
The latest quotes from Giroud indicate he wants to stay anf fight for his place. That’s fine with me.
Chairman Gallant – I’d sell Ollie, if we sign a younger, stronger and quicker big guy like Lukaku…. 🙂 But I get what you mean, he does give us something different but does he really suit the style of football AW tries to play? I’d say no…
Morning Cg. Wilshere is a Wenger favourite imo, so that’s why I reckon he’ll stay..
Sell Elneny? I didn’t expect that, I really like him so hope he stays put. Coquelin can go though imo..
Olly has to stay for two reasons………1) He is our plan B and his goal per minute ratio is as good as most !………………………………….2) He is solely responsible for all female gooners attending the Ems and all I have to do is sit topless with garlic rubbed into my nipples exposing the six pack and speak with a french accent to pull !……………………….lets face it he knocks Poldark for six !…………………………..calm down Rico and count to ten ! hahahaha
Former Arsenal flop Yaya Sanogo is on the verge of signing for Toulouse, according to reports in France………………..If he signs for them, then they are bound too lose…………see !, speaking with a french accent makes me tell crap french jokes !…………….too lose !………get it ?…………sacre bleu !
Rico – From what little I’ve read about Kolasinac, he’s not shy about getting forward and is capable of putting in a good cross to drop onto Le Quiff’s head, Something that Gibbs hasn’t been good at and Monreal has been so so at. The team generally don’t play to Giroud’s strengths.
Poldark over Ollie every day of the wekk Lc. Ollie is an ugly bugger imo….
With so many international tournaments this summer with our players involved and therefore given an extended break, we could be short of defenders in Australia and China…
Mustafi, Paulinho, Bellerin, Chambers and Holding look likely to miss out on the trip.
So we could see Debuchy, Jenkinson and Gibbs on the plane, as well as Sheaf, Bramhall, Bielik and Pleguezuelo.
Either that or Wenger will go back to a back-four?
Cg, I get that and that’s down to Wenger surely? Surely, if Wenger doesn’t want balls whipped into the box for a target man, then why have one..? Or is it just a simple case of us having players who can’t cross for toffee?
This league is all about pace going forward though and lets be honest, that’s when we are at our best. Pace, width, movement. Ollie isn’t going to fit into that system, but I do get in certain matches he has a role to play. I still think he could go though because to carry on playing for France, he needs regular football and I don’t think he’ll get it next season… Not at Arsenal.
Wouldn’t mind seeing Eddie on the plane either Kev. Campbell maybe too, and Perez hopefully…
Should be an interesting squad Rico.
Don’t think we can read too much into it as the trip is a PR exercise.
Seeing Lacazette in an Arsenal shirt will be good.
Thank Dennis for this site then Rico as it`s OK to disagree on the Olly/Poldark issues………………..
😆
You could put up a poll though to see who comes out on top ! 🙂
Porthgwarra beach where Demelza peeped on him !…………………..it has two tunnels carved through the rock to get access too !.
http://d2buyft38glmwk.cloudfront.net/media/__sized/images/galleries/poldark-s1-locations-feature/POLDARK-EP-4-SHOW-scale-690×390.jpg
OK !………………last one of Rico !…………….
🙂
http://kiwiinkernow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Poldark-swimming-at-Porthgwarra.jpg
Rico – Giroud is a great option against the teams that park the bus and play not to lose the game rather than win it. Unfortunately, we don’t have too many players who can put in a good cross. Giroud is also good at bringing his teammates into the play.
As for pace, yes I agree. That is where Lacazette should show his skills.
It could be Kev. I’mm looking forward to watching some of the youngsters…
Which is the long beach Lc, where Master George wanders off to?
July 17, Arsenal play Western Sydney Wanderers, 11am kick-off, U.K. time.
July 19 Arsenal play Bayern Munich, in Shanghai after a long flight, no acclimatation, 49 hours later, 12.20 kick-off, UK time.
Shad Forsyth is gonna be busy!
Cg, i did admit he has some qualities…. 😉
Rico – This article gives a good analysis of Giroud’s strengths & weaknesses and what he adds/gives to the team;
https://www.footballfancast.com/opinion-2/analysis/olivier-giroud-not-a-great-goal-scorer-but-a-scorer-of-great-and-crucial-goals
🙂 Kev, very busy. Good job he now has a helper….
Cg, thanks.. I prefer my eyes though… lol
Lacazette is at Arsenal for his medical apparently…
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/alexandre-lacazette-has-long-been-destined-for-arsenal-and-he-is-the-a-list-striker-that-they-and-a7822556.html
Rico – As for Coquelin or Elneny, if Arsene is serious about Carvalho, one of them has to go. My preference is for Coquelin to be sold. He has never been the same player since he lost his partner in the backfield Cazorla and it seems like we might not see Santi play this season.
I think the Carvalho ship has long sailed Cg. That guy from Leipig (spelling) who the Dippers want might be a better option, or the German we’ve been linked too whose name escapes me…
Thinking about the quack we are using.He didn’t go to Eton with half of our board members?
I`ve only watched the programme a couple of times and got bored with it, Rico, so dont know that scene !
Quite a few beaches used so could be one of these !.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/nbVFGmB7lFVmJJKpjrCQV/poldarks-cornwall-locations
Afternooon all!
Looks like Lacazette is coming our way then, having his medical now apparently. So, just Mbappe to sign, Sanchez/Ozil to extend, deadwood to be shipped out and maybe another signing to help (Lemar id like) and we are good to go……
I like reading the comments with Ornstein getting all the credit ! hahaha
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/882239511081738240
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/882248213012590592
Thanks Lc. It’s a lovely beach from the looks of it…
Holywell Bay Lc, thought it looked familiar – been there many a time…
Hope you brought the sun with you on your many excursions, unlike Wavy who only brings Sherwood mist………..and outlaws ! 🙂
Well, I won’t be bringing outlaws, that’s for sure….
I dont know, Rico, I have the mother in law in an annexe next door !……………………….at least out laws are wanted !
🙂
That medical must be done by now……………….when do we see him in the shirt ?………………………got to be tomorrow atleast hasn`t it ?
Could be tonight I guess, then onto the next…. lol
Very true, mine aren’t too bad though Lc, well, not really ish….
How about the in-laws? They may well rain on your parade.?
So Laxative is nearly ours it would seem. Just has to pass his medical……what if he fails???
Sunny intervals here. Off to the local to celebrate the loss of another of our former colonies tonight! Lots of fatty meat with cheese all over it and pelican pie. God knows what the bill will be! Such a choice of haut cuisine!
Calm down Wavy, he’s passed his medical. ?
rico……..I think the German mid fielder your looking for is Leon Goretzka. He is a huge upgrade to Xhaka.
Xhaka is the least of our midfield problems.Plenty to replace before him.
That’s him Vcc, I thought him and Xhaka would work well together…
Agree Potter, we need someone to do what the little man can do…
I actually think we’ll see a much improved Xhaka this coming season…
Apparently Oxlade-Chamberlains people are a nightmare to negotiate with, so maybe Wenger is looking for a straight replacement for Ox before moving him on…
I hope your right Rico……regarding Xhaka.
Does he have the same people as Walcott I wonder Kev…?
I thought he got better in the second half of the season Vcc. Once he got used to the referees sending him off and of course the English game…
So many poor players in our squad, so it seems.
Damn, Wengers done well to keep us in and around top 4 🙂 🙂
Please guys, we don’t need massive changes.
3-4 players will do and get rid of the deadwood, which, imo, is nowhere near as big a list as most tend to think.
We know Wenger won’t buy more than 3-4 anyway, as history shows that’s almost never the case.
I don’t think anyone has said we need massive changes Scott, just a few big players for the first team and offload a number…
If Wenger does sign four players, a few will need to go in any case as we need to balance the squad and the wages surely? Also, the home grown rule will need to be observed…
rico, it’s all or nothing this summer, this time next year we have the World Cup to look forward to and as Mr Wegner likes to remind us it very difficult to sign players during tournaments.
As previously stated he’s done well to keep us in the top six, long may it continue.
Oh and btw I’m in London next week to talk with my source, I’ll let you all know the low down on Lacazette lol.
Ah yes Micko, the old WC excuse which is exactly what it is, WC! Funny how other clubs don’t find it a problem…
Mind you, if it all goes belly up this summer and next season, perhaps he won’t see another summer transfer window…
Prof has courted the lad for three seasons and has finally hooked him on the rebound.
The lad wanted to go to Atletico but their transfer ban put paid to that ambition; he said that he would only go to a club playing in the Champion’s League. Now he says the Gooners are the greatest. Needs must.
I bet he’s going to tell us it’s that’s his boyhood dream to play for the Arsenal under Le Prof has been realised and he will kiss the badge at his unveiling.
The boy, well he’s 26, looks a good buy:
* The highest chance conversion rate in Europe’s top five leagues last season (38.9%).
* His record of 28 league goals more than the combined tally of Arsenals Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez.
* Lacazette’s goalscoring record puts him among the very best in Europe. Only Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Robert Lewandowski have scored more goals in a major European league over the past three seasons. Lacazette is above Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Aguero, Kane and everyone else too.
* There is more to Lacazette’s game than goals, he’s not just a penalty-box poacher but capable of several roles. He has the pace which Giroud lacks so he can run in behind.
* He has played as a wide forward on left and right and a support striker.
* He is willing to get involved in the build-up play too.
* He can unlock packed defences and mount speedy counter-attacks to finish off.
Arsenal have been waiting for a forward who can do it all, have they now got him?
Sanchez: “I’ve made up my mind”
But does anyone still want you?
Will Prof sell you to Pep?
Will you stay now Lacazette has joined?
So many questions LOL.
I still reckon Alexis will stay, especially if Arsenal sign a few more goodies… with Mad Jens coming in, the expectations of the team might rise somewhat. Can’t see him being on the coaching staff without having a big voice….
I’m offski. Night guys…
Who in their right mind wouldn’t want Alexis to stay….there’s some quare folk out there !
Nite Gooners.
If Sanchez doesn’t want to be an Arsenal player, and refuses to sign a new contract, I wouldn’t want him to stay. He should be proud to wear the shirt, and if he’s not, then he can fck offsky.
I must be one of those queer folk then, who has lost their marbles.
I’ll keep Sanchez at all cost even if it means loosing him for free next season, I can’t bear another Manutd style coup….we sold rvp to them and they won the league. Keeping a player like Sanchez is high priority……..welcome laxative, your only rule model in the Arsenal team is Sanchez.Play like him and you’ll be loved by every Arsenal fan.
How nice would it be if Sanchez stayed for at least one more season. Then we could see I’m, Lacazette an Ozil perform together. Which might persuade Sanchez to stay longer.
Him.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWJl5tYFnRM/….this us a very funny video about Arsene.
Morning Rico and all. M’Bappe next? 🙂
Morning Adam, Vcc, Bondex and all..
What a lovely sunny morning it is…
Mbappe would be a great signing. 🙂
Morning all .
If below is true (and who`s going to argue with Ornstein !) ……………….then we may have a long wait for another purchase as……………….how long so far have we been trying to sort out their contracts ?
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/882280395361980416
Beautifull day and off early down gym then off to Cockington for a picnic…………………..so I`d better get my passport out as we`re going over the border into Devon………………..fcuking inbred country !…………………………yes I know !…………………………pot/kettle ! hahaha
It doesn’t rain in Devon!
Morning all. A bit overcast here, again but, it is warm.
Baking here Wavy with bright blue skies…
Happy days….
New post up.