Morning all.
When Sky Sports get involved in a transfer story, there’s often a little more truth in it than rubbish written in the tabloids and that’s exactly what the German outlet has done. Sky Germany report that while no concrete offer has been made, Arsenal are in talks with Valencia in hope of signing their defender Shkodran Mustafi. The German international, who was deemed not good enough by Everton early in his career, has a reported 50 million Euros get out clause but Valencia are struggling financially and would probably accept a lesser amount. Music to Arsenal’s ears no doubt!
The defender debate will no doubt continue until either the transfer window closes, or Arsenal sign one but I suspect the way we defend will rumble on over the next few months, years if Arsene signs a contract extension. But at least now we appear to have a much better midfield, one which should in theory, offer much more protection to the back five.
Another debate which will rumble on is the way we play going forward and again last night, or rather early this morning, Theo Walcott showed he has very little to offer during the victory over the MLS All-Stars. Campbell from the penalty spot and Akpom late in the game, spared Arsenal’s blushes against a bunch of ageing stars…
After the match, Arsene gave us all a little bit of hope that he’s going to get a striker in before this summer bargain hunt is over. Admitting he lacks an experienced player up front, he said he’ll look outside of the club to solve the issue.
Mind boggling though eh, how long ago was it since Arsenal made an offer for Jamie Vardy? And yet here we are, well into pre-season, yet still nothing. I’m sure Jamie Vardy wasn’t the only name on his list of players who could bolster our attacking unit but as always, it’s taking the club an age to get someone through the door. As we’ve all said at some time or another, Arsenal are a super wealthy club but when it comes to spending money, rather than earning money, they are tight as a ducks doo daa and scrimp wherever and whenever they can. Not that spending big always guarantees success of course, it’s just sometimes, a club has to go that extra mile to get the right player.
Saying that, if Wissam Ben Yedder is as good as many Arsenal fans suggest, he’d be a real steal for around £8 million. (that figure is according to transfer market).
Come on Arsenal, get a defender and striker at least, and soon. We can’t face Liverpool on the opening day of the season with the players we have available and expect to have a chance of winning…..
Thinking about it, when did we last win the opening game of a new season at the Emirates?
Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Good post Rico boss.
What is a duck’s doo da???
Backside….
And how do you know its tight Rico?? 😛
Because even the eggs are blue
you have a royal duck then Rico. I knew you were associated with blue blood.
Do you have a magical harp as well???
😉
Who do you think AW will get??? If he buys anyone that is.
Last night told us what we already knew. Theo is not a central forward. He doesn’t make the runs near the box and is not instinctive. I would say that if he had still been on we would not have got the winner as he would not have anticipated the cross.I really can’t see the point in keeping him as his career has gone downhill. What we might get for him though? Can’t see a top team wanting him, if he can’t do it for us then he is unlikely to do it for them.
I don’t Devil….
Certainly not for mega money re Walcott. Even though he’s English…
I’m English! But I’m sure I’m not worth much, on the open market!
How much have we invested in TW14? Because that’s what we should ask for, plus £1. Then everybody will be happy! I still think that there’s a good player trying to emerge from the Walcott body. It’s just that Wenger doesn’t know where to look or how to develop it, so poor old Theo is bugger**!
Sadly I think we should cash him out!
Morning all. Another dry day in prospect.
Just watching last nights game, nice to see a few players taking shots from distant for a change, ok, they didn’t go in last night but on another day, who knows…
OC looked pretty good…
Wavy, if Theo had any sense, he’d have moved on a while ago….
Why would he if he’s on £140k pw???
To improve as a footballer – however, as you say, £140K a week probably means he isn’t fussed…
That wage, for what Theo has produced, is positively obscene.
As long as that waste of internal organs has a hole in his arse he’ll never be a (top) footballer!
It sure is…
He’s one of those players who has been coasting for years.
So many are allowed to at Arsenal… A more ruthless manager in place and we’d highly likely see a very different looking squad…
Hi all
Reports now suggesting that we are not in for Mahrez. What is so frustrating is that Arsene doesn’t seem interested in buying better than we have. How much longer can he keep faith in failures like Walnut who lack the hunger or ability to improve. Everyone knows the Ox will be injured by the end of August. Everyone knows Giroud will never get any faster and yet we trundle on making do putting square pegs in round holes to save a couple of quid. The other thing that the club don’t seem bothered about is the lift that we get when an exciting signing is made. As good as I think Xhaka is, he is not the type if player to excite. Especially when Riley’s specially selected ref (Mike Dean?) sends him off against the Dippers!
Hi Bob, where did you read about no Mahrez? I read yesterday he was expected to sign within 48 hours… 😉
Hi Rico. Probably the same place that said it was a done deal. Online.Anyway with Holding having a blinder and Akpom scoring the winner all Scrooges Christmas’ havd come at once. He will feel the CB and striker problems are solved!
Ha ha, probably…
Well I guess as he spoke about signing a striker after the game, we have hope he does. To not sign one would be a massive mistake, same at the back. Holding looked good but Chambers looked very average…
‘Here you have it mates……out of the horse’s mouth.
http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/29/arsenal-boss-arsene-wenger-surprised-how-well-rob-holding-adapted-against-mls-all-stars-6037151/
Both French strikers scored a similar amount of goals in Ligue 1 but about 32 mil difference in price I think we all know what’s happening there….. especially considering neither have been included in the French squad Lacazette and Ben Yedder will be the options… same sort of player as well… watching last seasons skills and goals I thought Yedder looked the better player and playing in a much poorer side
Think you’re right Steven, he’ll go for the cheaper option… But if he’s good, then that’s all what matters…
Its not that he is cheaper in the sense that he is cheap Rico. Ben Yedder is in the final year of his contract. Had he been at PSG, LYON or a good team with around three years on his contract left he would fetch the same fee that Lacazette has.
He’s still cheaper Devil, regardless of his contract issues… But I’m not one who judges a player on how much he costs, all that matters is he’s good….
Scott said the same about Holding Rico. And he saw the whole game unlike me…..I saw only extended highlights. Yes he may cost just around £2mill but he is a good player who knows how to read the game.
That is why I do not consider Yedder as the cheaper option in the sense that he is a cheap or poor player. From the clips I saw of him on youtube he has two good feet, knows how to attack the channels and is tactically astute. Plus he has speed.
The cost of Holding doesn’t bother me either Devil, it’s his lack of experience at the level he’ll need to be. Holding impressed me too I have to say but playing in a friendly against an MLS side is quite different to playing in the PL imo.
We’ll soon see how he adapts from the Championship to the Pl and CL etc…
Same if we sign Yedder, one should only judge him after he’s played a few games, until then, we can’t really say if he’d be a hit in England…
I agree Rico. on all counts.
But the same goes to LAcazette who might cost 40mill and Shkodran who might cost 23 million.
We need to judge them after a few games in the EPL to see if they cut the mustard.
Afternoon One and All…
Afternoon Rico…
Thank God it’s Friday…
I’ve not seen any of the game, in fact I forgot all about it and I forgot to go to Adams…
And to think that he went to all the trouble of arranging a belly dancer and cooking some pesto infused penne especially for me…
I can only hope that he can forgive me. ☹️
Do you think that you could have a word on my behalf… ?
Afternoon Kev. I posted highlights on yesterday’s post of the game.
I saw extended highlights……there were positive and negative situations.
Exactly Devil, that’s just what I am saying.
Afternoon Kev, you didn’t miss much… 😉
On TW his decision making is so poor that you wonder what did he learn in those 10 yrs; last nite it was glaring especially on the breakaway with Campbell after the penalty- total hero ball. Rico @ 12:15, that Elneny long shot was a thing of beauty and what a save by the keeper, encouraging to see I hope they keep it for the season.
Whichever striker we get ( IF ) it is imperative that we play to their strengths and hopefully get them an early goal to boost their confidence. Only the very top players overcome an early drought like Bergkamp and Henry 8 games each I think.
I saw that one Obi, why oh why couldn’t he get more on his shot. He should have buried it…
The save was very good – I thought that was hitting the back of the net – such a powerful shot too..
Xhaka had a belter saved too…
Agree Potter, and don’t do what he did to Chamakh once Giroud returns….
Mr Allezkev. You are forgiven. 🙂
The cold pasta will be incorporated with eggs into a Frittata.
Rico @ 3:47, I saw the Xhaka one and even Ox’s was encouraging.
Imho, regardless of price, Ben Yedder overall footballing skills are better than Lacazette’s hands down. His touches, foot work and control in the box is WC quality. Someone said earlier this week, “a young Suarez”, which is funny because every time I saw him I compared him to Santi playing as a CF or a faster Eduardo.”
Let’s hope AW goes for him then Obi and in any case, Lyon seem determined to keep Lacazette…
You gotta feel for poor old Arsene as he is distressed at the transfer fees being asked.
🙂 Adam…
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/694768/Arsenal-transfer-news-Mauro-Icardi-boycott
Bol, Adam @4;55. And even if you gave him the players for free he might debate about the cab fares from the airport………….Given the amount of money in the game now, EPL should have an NBA/ NFL model that a “minimum amount of funds should be spent for players and salaries”. This increases overall competitiveness and also insures that owners are not just pocketing the proceeds.
I read Klopp might quit if the league turns out to be the club who spends the most wins…..
Mmmm…
I thought similar, how much has he spent?
I’m off guys, have a good evening…
Night all…
Didn’t Bayern do that every year in the Bundesliga?
And are still doing it today…
Morning all.
Grey and miserable one too…. Where’s the summer gone..?
Morning Rico. I see Everton want £75 million for Lukaku and will probably get £65 million. You can almost see the frown on Arsene’s face as football moves further and further along the road of complete detachment.
Morning Adam. The price for players now is obscene isn’t it? What has Lukaku done to prove he’s worth so much?
Very little as far as I can see Rico apart from a patch of good games last season under windbag Martinez. But men like the PP and Conte are only interested in enhancing their reputations and if that means inflating the market through spending vast amounts then what do they care?
At the moment the PL is walking the path once trod by Grand Prix racing and look what happened to that.
But, what choice does a club like Arsenal have other than to pay up and charge suitable amounts for our own players?
Very true Adam. As we know, AW missed his chance last summer when the prices weren’t quite so ridiculous, now he’s going to have to pay up or lose out..
We have a few who could be sold don’t we? 😉
New post is up now..
Like the look of Mavididi hope he doesn’t hit the glass ceiling of no adult football.