Morning all.
Yesterday evening The Athletic reported that Arsenal have signed highly-rated striker Mika Biereth from Fulham. Apparently he turned down the offer of a new contract because he wanted a move across London. One for the academy I’m sure, but in the years to come, who knows. He’s 18 years old.
Other younger Arsenal players faced Millwall yesterday afternoon in a friendly. Millwall are no Inter Milan I know but at this stage of the season, getting players match fit matters most. Arsenal won the match 4-1 with goals from Calum Chambers, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Folarin Balogun.
In total, twenty Arsenal players had minutes on the pitch, even Reiss Nelson, AMN and Eddie Nketiah. No Joe Willock or Hector Bellerin though which is odd. Perhaps as Potter said yesterday, both are players who tested positive for Covid.
Arsenal starting XI: Okonkwo, Chambers, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Partey, Elneny, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Aubameyang.
Substitutes: Hein (for Okonkwo 46), Lokonga (for Elneny 46), Lacazette (for Nketiah 46), Cedric (for Mari 60), Tavares (for Tierney 60), Balogun (for Aubameyang 71), Maitland-Niles (for Partey 71), Nelson (for Smith Rowe 71), Willian (for Pepe 71).
I thought the players looked sharp, working hard in and out of possession, certainly keen to win the ball back. We looked more positive going forward, attacking with more purpose. Alexandre Lacazette and Nelson didn’t perform as if they were on the list to depart either. Nuno Tavares and Sambi Lokonga played like they been part of the team for a long time and Thomas Partey looks like he’s ready to show Arsenal fans the real him. Callum Chambers at right back just seems to get better. Folarin Balogun doesn’t seem a stranger in the team either but then I might have mentioned once or twice that I like him…..
Of course the League fixtures will present a more difficult challenge than Millwall but even so, I thought yesterday’s performance looked promising. The two fixtures against Chelsea and Toots will tell us a lot more. By then, Bukayo Saka should be back, Bernd Leno, Joe Willock and Hector Bellerin too. Arsenal might have finally signed Ben White before then too.
Do Arsenal need to make further signings this summer, finances permitting? Yes. A simple yes is my answer. We definitely need a goalkeeper. A creative midfielder too.
Bernardo Silva is a new name linked to Arsenal. Reports on social media suggest Man City are looking to sell him in order to balance their books should both Grealish and Kane join them. The fee would be similar to what Leicester City are reportedly asking for James Maddison.
So, today’s question. Maddison, Silva or a n other….
See you in the comments.
We need Madison
Good morning Rico.
I expressed my view of Maddison a few days ago, nothing special.
As to Bernardo Silva, he’ll be 27 next month and his fee will be in the region of £65 million and his current wage is £150,000 per week. Looks like another player looking for a boost to his pension pot.
So in answer to your headline question, Rico, Ill pass on both.
Morning Rico and All
Rico did you go out shopping.
I tried to get onto the Arsenal web site and and it would not open up, does this mean we are sighing a player right now.
I did read this morning that Ben White is undergoing a medical this weekend ahead of his £50 million move to Arsenal.
Geoff, your difficulty logging in is probably due to a combination of Covid-19 Brexit and global warming. 😉
Cool and overcast in Norfolk this morning with storms forecast for later today.
Not a bad little article, No misleading headlines followed by a re hashed totally fake regurgitated, no substantiated story whatsoever. Like Football London always seem to do…! Keep up the good work !
The video clip reminded me of a local match,
only a hand full of people clapping,
players sitting on fold up chairs and some guy sitting on a ride on lawnmower.
and poor Pepe looks like he brought his boot from the same shop as the refs.
Cicero or The Victorian government taking more of our privileges away.
Silva is 26 yrs old , Maddison is 24. Both are already on obscene salaries , Silva slightly more , both will want an increase. Both will cost £ 60 million plus and carry a salary over 4 years of £30 million plus.
Maddison is English , Silva Portugese , both are too rich for my blood .
Which brings us to A.N..Other of whom we know nothing .
Arsenal’s academy has been bolstered by the signing of highly-rated striker Mika Biereth, who had previously been at Fulham, report James McNicholas and Peter Rutzler.
While the 18-year-old had been offered a professional contract at Craven Cottage, he has turned it down, instead choosing to join Arsenal.
Last season, Biereth helped fire Fulham’s Under-18s to the Premier League National Final, where they ultimately came up short against Manchester City. He was top scorer in the Under-18s Premier League South — with a record of 21 goals in 21 games — and collected 13 assists along the way.
Arsenal are assembling a collection of young centre-forwards with varying styles. Folarin Balogun has been promoted to the first team, while the academy ranks include Nikolaj Moller, Khayon Edwards and new arrival from Chelsea Amani Richards.
Swedish forward Moller, 19, will spend next season on loan with Viktoria Koln in the third tier of German football, which could open up opportunities for Biereth with Arsenal’s Under-23 side.
Morning all.
Neither!
Silva is more of a winger than play maker and Maddison is available for a reason and it’s not that L city are short of cash! He’s upset the white toothed manager, and words have been swapped, not nice words either. ( I think it stemmed over a party, Covid, an internal suspension that followed a period of isolation and a change of results during his absence, they started winning again!!) There’s only one way his career is going to go presently. Another ‘bad boy’ we do not need!
We’ve cleared out all the ‘bad apples’ we don’t need to pick up another one in my opinion
Happy Sunday to you all
Most definitely Maddison, he’s far more creative in my humble opinion, whilst also being home grown, if we can upgrade on our problems positions with homegrown players we wouldn’t have the problems of last season with Sokratis and Ozil not getting squad numbers. Furthermore when Willock and AMN went on loan we had to promote u23 players to fill their slots. Definitely why English Tax exists, and why im fine with it.
Morning Gooners and Ricolinho
Bernado Silva is a great player and he looks fantastic in the Man City team, but then both me and Scott would look fantastic in the City team.
James Maddison is a great player and he’s English, but £60m, I just think that there’s better value out in the market for £60m and a lower salary.
I’d rather get Bissouma and stick with what we have, both Saka and Smith Rowe can share the creative midfielder role and maybe even Willian.
If Locatelli is available for £34m then there simply has to be better value out there than £60m for Silva and/or Maddison. Let’s see where the Martin Odegaard situation is in a few weeks. 😉
Hi Rico,
Another nice one. Between Madisson and Silva? The recruitment strategy looks focused on ages 21 to 24. If that is true, then Silva will be out of it. Yes, we have to get in players with resale value too.
But can we splurge the amount talked about?
Also Bisouma and Locatelli are not the alternatives to a no 10. They are DMs. Though we need a no 10 and another experienced DM aside Lokonga.
Morning Kev, read the post did you? 😂
Morning Geoff, Cicero, blow, just morning everyone. Shame the ‘anon’ contributors don’t leave a name.
I’d rather Bissouma but I suspect the ACON is the only thing putting us off. Would I be surprised to see him at Arsenal by the end of the window? No.
I am good though 😉
Maddison, let us build a young team with a British core Make Tierney captain and carry on from there.
Watching our Aussie lads v Spain in the Olympics.
Spain are like Argentina the other night.
Either falling down in a screaming heap, or bitching to the Ref for failing to blow a free kick for their team mate falling down in a heap.
How do these players actually learn football amongst the training sessions learning how to cheat?
This is the 3rd game I’ve seen at the Olympics, and I don’t know the officials, don’t know how they’re selected but you could sack any 3 refs in the PL and bring these the 3 I’ve seen straight in because they’re actually ignoring the cries of bloody murder-it’s great to see.
Spain/Argentina-their arrogance is pathetic.
We beat the Argies and are 0-0 at half time where a draw will be enough to guarantee progression.
You want footballers who play the right way?
Bugger Sth America and the Continent.
White to be announced tomorrow.
Hi Daniel, thanks. I think Arteta hinted towards needing a bit of experience this summer as well as younger, more energetic players. I really like the look of the two new guys though.
I’d rather us sign Houssem Aouar. 23 years old looks to have a better game through the middle and comes in at 25m. Plus ultimately will be a far better player than both Maddison and Silva. If both clubs thought they were any good they would keep them. I know City has to sell to buy and the same with Leicester but a no go on both for me
His name has popped up again this summer, Toots and Liverpool were rumoured to be in for Aouar too.
I think that Kev has the Maddison situation about right , he’s fallen out with Rodgers but unlike Guendouzi the club are not prepared at the moment to take a hit to get rid.
Before I thought about lashing out the cash in any number of millions I would rather hear the view of Kev and Rick about whether Azeez or Taylor Hart are ready to take the Saka type step even if only to give ESR a break in early cup rounds.
Apologies Wavy , it was your comment about Maddison and Rodgers I saw.
Taylor Hart certainly looks strong enough to make the move up, Azeez too imo but as far as whether their ready or not, like you Potter, Rick/Kev would certainly know better than most as they watch the under 23’s I believe.
It’s would be nice to fill Arsenal with English players but what happens if half of them get select to play for England
Doesn’t matter Geoff, in fact it’d be great…
happens if half of them get select to play for England
They could teach Southgate a thing or two about attacking whilst he could make them more defensively aware.
Rico and Potter In that case then if I have to pick Madison as his English,
so does that mean we need to find a English born coach.
😂 Potter
No, we don’t need an English coach Geoff.
There are 2 players with different characteristics. Very different. It depends on the collective. Technically, Silva is superior; in physical terms, Madison is better.
Xhaka, by the said values, is “free”.
We lack players in various positions, starting with a goalkeeper. I understand what is said about Laca. I have the impression that his main flaw is in terms of physical endurance, although it seems to me that half of the faults he suffers are not marked. I prefer Lac to Auba. I’m following the market and analyze when the games “hurt”.
Potter……….I forgive you😊
Ben Sheaf has joined Coventry City on a permanent deal. No mention of transfer fee.
I thought big things were expected of Sheaf. Clearly not.
Evening Rico and the house
Good post Rico but neither of them fo me, I would rather see AMN and Reiss
given more of a chance
You asked about Azeez and Kido Hart here is my thoughts.
Both boys have just finished Scholer Cntracts and have started fulltme trainig for the first time
Last season both missed games with injurys and i don’t think they were fully fit at the end of the season I think I would be wrong to say they were ready to step up and I would like to see them play in the U23’s league, The Pappa John trophy and maybe in the Carabao cup.
As we are not in Europe this year we enter the Carabao on the 25 Aug between a home game with Chelsea and the away game wih Man City.
If the draw is good for us I Think we could put them in the squde
I think Potter is spot on with his comments about the Millwall game and keeping our home breed boys for the first half of the season,
.
Doing that could save us a lot of mony in the future.
I see the Master Chef was in good form at Chelsmford today Rico
92 not out in a total of just over 200 for 1
Form is Temporay Clas is forever
Evening Rick, thanks re KTH and Azeez, I wasn’t aware both had injuries last season. Agree re the League Cup, FA Cup too if we get a nice draw.
Chelmsford, master chef? Cookie?
Can you Check your Emails pllease Rico
Yes Cookie Watched some of his innings(online)
Seemed like he has never been away.
Ben Sheaf left about a month ago Rico anothe one we messed up.
I was surprised to hear he’d gone Rick.
Will do..
It’s your headlines Rico, you ask such great questions that I just jump right in and answer them.
But you’ve put me on the spot so I’ll go and have a read of the post right this minute… 😄
Rico, that post was amazing, one of your best… 😁
Interesting point about the League Cup tie right in between Chelsea and City, I wonder if that game will come too early for the return of Saka and Martinelli..?
A home draw vs a League 2 team and yeah, play the kids, give Taylor Hart his debut and start Azeez.
Hiya Kev,
I’d give Saka and Martinelli a damn good break.
They need it, and will be better for it imo.
Good Morning Rico and everyone
I am with Scott with regards certain players like Saka, Martinelli, Gabriel. They need a good break. I feel that by the time the season begins we will have a good enough squad which will be different than the one we had last season. We will have players who will buy and will adapt to Arteta’s philosophy and playing style. Plus re-introducing them gradually and easing them in will be ‘like having new signings even though the window will be closed.
What is certain in the League cup 2nd round is that we will not face any of the top sides. Those who are in Europe will not be drawn against us. Hopefully we will get an opponent which will allow Arteta to do what Kev suggested….begin Azeez, Give Taylor Hart his debut and maybe another player as well.
Nicely done Kev. 😆
Morning Devil, all.
White medical on Wednesday according to Sky Sports.
Fingers crossed all goes well with White’s medical. But as I said in my previous comment….I hope he will be eased in gradually. Granted, he did not play in the Euro, but he was there training. So he needs to get used to the team.
I feel that whilst Arteta will give his players the aim of winning every match, I am realistic enough to know and realize that its not possible. However Arsenal need to win games like Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Everton, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Southampton, Watford, West Ham United, Wolvers. Yes I know that there are no easy games, but the above teams are a must for Arsenal to win. The other teams, Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool, City, Man, Utd, Man City, Tottenham can be won but they can go either way. If Arsenal win their games against the first mentioned group it will give us a total of 78 points. LAst year we lost against the likes of Burnley but managed to win against the CL winners at home and away. We took 4 points from United. So its not a question of we are not capable. Many points were lost against the first batch. Something which needs to be avoided at all costs.
That’s been Arsenal’s Achillies heel for some time , We have had mind set that certain games were easy and the team didn’t turn up until late in the game . Sometimes we scrambled a draw when the other two points would have made the difference at the end
I’m sure Arteta, together with advice from the medical team, will know when to bring players back into the team. If they don’t, they shouldn’t be in the job really. We’re fortunate we have cover to allow them what they need.
I’d imagine White can’t wait to get started…
Agree, no team in this league is easy anymore.
Morning Rico and all
It would be nice to give some of our top players a bit more of a break but if it was up to me I would play a strong team against Brentford and Chelsea and try to get a few goals under our belt then rest players like Saka against Man city
Morning Geoff, only those who’ve been on international duty in the summer, the rest should be fit and raring to go.
Arsenal are interested in bringing Matchoi Djalo to the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to The Sun.
The British tabloid are reporting this morning that the teenage winger is available for £1 million, and that Arsenal are considering making a bid.
If we do, finally, sign Ben White we will be well stocked with central defenders all of a similar age group. Rob Holding 25, Pablo Mari 27, Gabriel 23 and Ben White 23. They can between them provide a solid defensive base for several years to come. We need never again, well four to five years at least, be reliant on aging and injury prone defenders. Even when injuries, suspensions and international call ups occur we will have cover from the likes of Tierney and Chambers who can both play the central defender role.
Meanwhile, the academy can work on producing the next crop to eventually take over.
Signing a dedicated right back to alternate with, or back-up, Chambers should now be a priority for the current transfer window.
I believe we are shortly to be in a better defensive situation than at any time since the demise of George Graham’s famous five and will have, finally, obliterated the memory of Wenger’s failure to recognise the importance of defending.
Still waiting to see how Arteta is going to sort out the keeper situation
Matchoi Djalo is Portuguese, I wonder what JM thinks of him.
Rico agree only those on international duties I forgot to mention that part
I don’t think we need a right back, not if White signs as we’d have him, Chambers and Cedric.
Personally I would feel better if we get Aarons and sell Cedric.
Bdw……have you lot noticed that Sambi Lokonga has the same amount of syllables as Santi Cazorla? I wouldn’t be surprised if the chant will be heard once more with Sambi this to.
Ooooohhhhh Sambiiiii Lokoooongaa
Rico, White will play at CB only.he will not play as RB.
The problem is selling Cedric. I would suggest buying Aarons and loaning Cedric to Norwich for a season.
Horses for Courses Rico.
Cedric is quite obviously way down the pecking order and out of favour, He’s behind Bellerin and Chambers, who isn’t a recognised right back and Bellerin may soon be on his way out the door. We have doubled down at left back. Now we need to complete the hand with, perhaps, Max Aarons from Norwich City. Cedric on loan, or sold, to The Canaries makes sense.
Afternoon Rico and the House
Kev I have just seen the fixture list for the u23s for next season
Boy have the club got a tough start to the season.
I hink the FA don’t like us.
See you later my Great granddautghers have just arrived.
You don’t know that for sure Devil. White played at right back at lot for Brighton.
Afternoon Rick, have fun.
Cicero, that’s certainly how it seems re Cedric but until the season begins and the transfer window closes, I don’t think we can assume anything.
Nikolaj Moller has joined FC Viktoria Koln on loan..
Yes I know Rico. And even as DM.
But I feel that Arteta has bought him to be a CB
The Calum Chambers debate is an interesting one, he’s played centre back on loan and he’s played centre midfield on loan and did a decent job in both positions, but Arsene Wenger paid a big fee for him from Southampton and signed him as a right back. He was at Southampton at the same time as Luke Shaw and both were rated the best young English full backs around.
Wenger used him as a right back when he first arrived at Arsenal and barring a skinning at Swansea he was alright, unfortunately Wenger failed to coach him back to form following his Swansea nightmare and a mixture of injuries and loans have seen his Arsenal career stall.
That Swansea match also saw a lot of the fan base lose confidence in him and despite different Arsenal managers using him he’s been a strong candidate for a transfer out, according to us fans, for a long time.
But he’s a lot older now than he was at Swansea and a lot more experienced and I agree with Rico and like to see Arteta give Chambers and Soares the chance to nail down the right back spot. Arsenal still have a lot of work to do acrossthe squad and I’d prefer to see our funds directed at another attacking mid, a defensive mid, a goalkeeper and another striker before we look at right back.
Having written all that if indeed a quality right back becomes available, like the youngster at Chelsea for example at a good price then yeah, go for it.
That’s how I feel Kev. Other areas are more crucial this summer if Arsenal have the money. Left back was different I think as we only had Tierney, although Bukayo can play there but when he does, we lose his attacking talent. If by chance AMN stays, he’s another option for right-back.
Tbh Rico, I think we’ve gone as far as we can with AMN, he needs a move but we need to get the maximum compensation we can get for him, whatever that is.
I think Rico, when White signs it may possibly go a bit quiet on the transfer front, unless that is Chelsea get Haaland etc, triggering the sale of Abraham.
Other than that we might have a bit of a stand off as other clubs wait for Arsenal to crack and give our players away, I really hope we stay strong!
Roma, Inter Milan, Newcastle, a.n.other all looking to shaft us over the fees they expect to get away with and let’s not forget Senor Torrieira looking for Arsenal to write off £26m.
I can’t see him staying Kev, just an option if he does.
Wouldn’t be surprised if transfers went quiet after White either. There’s only so much money the club can spend I think and most clubs are broke.
I read Atletico are interested in Lacazette. Again…
apparently Tottenham and Wolves both interested in Ramsey if he does come back to the premier league I recon he would be better off at Wolves.
As much as I don’t want him to go a recon Lacazette will go in the next week or two
Yes Rico, I wonder what kind of bid Atletico will make for Lacazette, £7m or £8m?
It’s rather ironic isn’t it Geoff, Juventus were so full of themselves, right smart arses they were when they signed Ramsey on a Bosman, but his salary of £400,000 per week has had them laughing on the other side of their bolognese sauce. He’s cost them an absolute fortune and has been totally unsuited to Italian football, how we’ve all laughed…
It was a stupid move for all except except Ramsey’s agent……
Kev, definitely not the £50m we paid for him. Lol
I’d still rather it was Aubameyang leaving, but his ridiculous contract has scuppered that. I read yesterday that Utd are deeply regretting the £375k a week deal they gave de Gea. I’m hoping Arteta, Edu etc have learned from their errors.
I dunno Scott, Ramsey did ok out of it financially..
The name Albert Stuivenberg may not be familiar to Arsenal fans, maybe not that well known in his home country The Netherlands, either. However, he has quit his job as assistant coach of Wales to work full-time at Arsenal under Arteta.
You can’t have too many coaches…..can you?
‘morning all.
Cicero, he’s Arteta’s assistant manager who used to work with Wales too. He’s been at Arsenal since Arteta took over so he’s not new..
New post up now
And for his football?????
Waiting for Arsenal to crack under pressure to sell seems to be the norm in every transfer window . We have been run terribly over a number of years since the board screwed us over getting David Dein out of the club.
We have gained a reputation for buying high and selling lowand to compound matters have now set a precedent of paying players to go. No wonder agents love us.We are a win win for them.
This is why I am firmly in the bringing players through our own system and getting out of the high contract transfer market as much as possible .
When I became sales manager of a company the first thing I did was look at how things were done and worked out how to stop the mistakes that were being made .
Arsenal need to do that .
I understand that we don’t have an oven ready full squad crop coming through and that we need supplementing but I am not really in favour of paying fortunes to other clubs , players and agents and continuing the merry go round..I would rather look back at the 2016 Toulon tournament won by England the centre back partnership Rob Holding and Calum Chambers .now 5 years later we are still not developing it and splurging £50 million plus for another player.
Good morning Rico and all
I loved reading your last comment Potter. Especially the bit about Holding and Chambers. But to be fair Chambers is playing RB and doing a good job. I don’t mind spending money on White especially if he turns out to be a good investment.
I simply hope that Arteta and the club dig down their heels with regards the selling of dead wood.
And make wise decisions the future, not ones which harm the club financially
Morning Devil.
What baffles me is £50m for White whilst we have Saliba on the books. Seems to me that Arteta wants his own signings and Saliba, after a season with fans and probably more money around next summer, he’ll be sold.
That is my feeling as well Rico. I think he will be sold. I feel that there might be something behind the scenes with regards his tactical nous and also with regards his attitude and mentality.
Devil, I think it’s simple than than. I think Arteta wants his own players and not those just signed because they were available.
You know Rico, funnily enough that is a feeling I had during the later AW years. I had that feeling that certain players were not bought on merit or because they will improve the team, but just for the sake that they were available.