Morning all.
Two problems seem to have raised over the last few days. As always though, pinch and salt come to mind. although the reports coming from Sportske in Croatia about Robbie Burton appear to be true. He’s on the verge of leaving Arsenal having already travelled to Maksimir to complete his transfer to Dinamo Zagreb.
Firstly, Matteo Guendouzi has had a fallout with Mikel Arteta during the winter break Dubai and as a result, was omitted from the squad which faced Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
Secondly, Buyako Saka is high up on Liverpool’s wanted list. Sky Spirts quote him as saying:
I feel like my dream was always to be a winger, to affect games, score goals and get assists. For now I’ll do the job the manager asks me to. I’ve learned a lot about how wingers in the Premier League play against defenders and how to position myself because in his system it’s different. I get to play much higher because the winger comes inside and I get to go.
There’s a lot of space for me and it’s good for me. I’m playing sort of as a winger when we have the ball but without the ball I have to come back and work on my clearances, my heading and stuff I haven’t worked on my whole life. I feel like I’m doing OK right now.
I’d say he’s doing ok too but yes, a winger is his best position but I do think he needs to keep his feet on the ground. He’s far too young to be saying things like ‘for now’ he’ll play where he’s asked because if I was his age, I’d just be thrilled to get my chance to play at this level. His contract talks are in the hands of his representatives he said which I get but I just hope for his sake, they have his football interests at heart and not just money. A friend asked me yesterday, if a £100m offer came in for him, what would I do? Good question.
The Guendouzi story seems to have come from The Telegraph’s sports pages and therefore could so easily have been made up after him being left out of the squad at the weekend. Considering we have a Europa League fixture in a couple of days time, it might just be he’s been kept for that one. Same with Sokratis, AMN, Kolasinac etc etc. Not always is there a fire when smoke is in the air, although I wouldn’t be at all surprised if in this case, there is. The same question came my way, if a big offer came in for our young Frenchman, would I sell him? Good question.
What seems to be clear about Mikel Arteta is he favours no one. Team selection is based on what goes on in training. His post match interview said exactly that when asked why he opted to play Eddie Nketiah, same with Dani Ceballos who has been training like ‘an animal’ in order to get his chance. So much has been said/written about the Real Madrid man not getting game time but he’s been injured and like everyone else, needed to prove his fitness.
I think that between now and the end of the season, every single player really is playing for his Arsenal future. Even out three loan players if they are serious about making a permanent move in the summer. Long gone are the days of a players name meaning anything, or his previous reputation. Anyone who doesn’t put the work in, won’t play and if they don’t play, they’ll be looking for a new club in the summer. I don’t want to go down the path of berating our last two managers but life was cosy for an Arsenal player under them. Probably less so under Emery but clearly other problems were floating around. Now it’s ‘all for one and one for all’ or they’re out. In other words, the squad are at last being managed properly. There’s a plan, a direction in which we are heading and everyone needs to on the Mikel Arteta train trying to take us there.
The destination is yet unknown, but at least it looks like we’re on the right tracks…
Catch up in the comments guys.
I am not paticularly surprised at Burton’s decision to leave , he is quite a way down the pecking order and can see his chances getting smaller by the minute.
£ 800,000 is being touted so I can see the club cashing in as well . However should Guendouzi decide to up and go too we might well find ourselves needing a replacement , Both Rick and Kev may be able to say if that player is about to step forward or whether we would need to buy.
I’m not surprised either and I doubt he’ll be the last over the months to come.
Willock seems to be the most natural to replace Guendouzi if we don’t venture into the transfer market. Ceballos is another if things go well between now and May.
Good morning all.
A part of the Telegraph article on Guendouzi,
Telegraph Sport reported last week that some of the club’s players have been impressed and taken aback by Arteta’s demanding approach, with the Spaniard making it clear that the onus is on the squad to fulfil his expectations.
Arteta is not afraid to be blunt and he and his coaching staff were unimpressed with Guendouzi’s attitude and body language in Dubai, leading to their angry exchange. Despite his age, Guendouzi is known to be among the more boisterous members of the Arsenal squad.
Guendouzi was not even included on the bench for Sunday’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Newcastle United, with Dani Ceballos starting alongside Granit Xhaka at the base of the midfield. It was the first time Guendouzi had not been involved in a Premier League matchday squad this season.
Arteta said it was a tactical decision but also hinted at a disciplinary issue with Guendouzi after the match on Sunday, when the Arsenal head coach said he had selected players who were “behaving better” at the club.
Asked why Guendouzi was not in the squad, Arteta told beIN SPORTS on Sunday: “The reason is that players who, in my opinion, are training better, behaving better and are more applied to deliver on the pitch what we want, are the players that are selected”.
We don’t know the nature of Guendouzi’s poor behaviour, could it be that the word “boisterous” is significant?
Nice one, Rico! With regards to Guendouzi, not like we need another coach>player fall out is it? The Emery>Ozil saga was exhausting… so I’m hoping it’ll blow over and be forgotten about as quickly as it appeared!
I do take my hat off to Mikel though.. it’s his way or no way and the sooner our players realise that the better.
I agree with you about Saka being far too young to say “for now”….I hope he stays grounded (& with us for that matter!) After selling Ox to that lot, I hope that’s the last bit of business we do with them!
Wish Burton all the best… quite surprised at that.
That’s how it should be re the alleged comments in the Telegraph..
Thanks Sue, I think it’ll be a case of behave or be sold. As you say, last thing we need is a bit of a troublemaker. Luiz should have a word.. lol
Haha, yes, Rico!!
Just saw on Sky that Son has a broken arm and will be out for a number of weeks…. oooh with him and Kane out, be nice if they started dropping some points!
The Manc win last night means we’re only 7 points behind Chelsea now… things are heating up!!
That’s not nice for Son Sue. Poor chap.
I must admit, I’m not writing off a top six finish yet, or a EL final.
Ironic to hear Chelsea fans squealing about bad decisions,players scoring who should have been sent off,what goes around comes around.
Afternoon Rico.
Afternoon Limey, it sure does. Not that it helps us…
First class Post, again, Rico, thank you. 😁
The alleged problem Arteta has been having with Guendouzi, is not uncommon among many other young footballers, I would suggest.
When they receive huge pay packets, especially compared to others of their age group, and also make the first team squad, they probably feel they have ‘made it’ and act accordingly.
However, history tells us, that those who do not listen to their manager as regards their attitude or application, don’t get those mega pay packets for much longer.
I rate Guen, so I hope he is getting the message loud and clear.
Thanks RA.
Burton has left then..
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to see
Liverpool lose away. 🔔🔔🔔🔔
Simeone is a fantastic manager.
Drove home tonight listening to scousers whinging and moaning about referees,diving Spaniards and dodgy decisions.
Most entertaining drive for ages.
Potter, they’re the best “victims” on the planet!!
Wankers.
Klopp may have the PGMOL in his pocket, but in europe it’s a different story, I’m so glad that they lost and I’m delighted that they’re whinging, I love to listen to whinging scousers…
I wonder if Ainsley Maitland Niles is going to tread the same path taken by Giroud, Walcott and Iwobi in that the manager has to raise some funds for his transfer kitty and AMN is the next cab off of the rank, especially if Soares signs on permanently next summer?
I can’t see AMN getting a game in midfield anytime soon, that’s why Robbie Burton cut his losses and moved to the Balkans, so where does AMN fit in and has Arteta decided that AMN is actually surplus to his requirements anyway?
Interesting question, Kev.
I’d prefer to see us keep him, to be honest.
Right now, Guendouzi is the prime candidate if we want to generate cash.
He’s very commercial, and hardly flavour of the month but then that can change pretty quickly.
Exactly Scott, if Guendouzi shapes up I think he’ll be straight back into the squad but with AMN you get this ‘I don’t wanna play right back’ rubbish that’ll go down like a lead balloon to someone like Arteta, he’s not interested in players who aren’t buying into his new mentality, his new regime.
It’s not that I dislike AMN, I think he has a lot of talent, but at the same time he come across to me as a bit of a whimp, but that’s just me, I know that Adam continually raves about him…
He’s no RB, Kev, but did a job and to be fair,
was improving immensely since Arteta arrived but now Hector is back so…….
He may well be squeezed out but I think he’s good enough to play for us long term.
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Good point, Rico hahahahaha
Having problems Scott.
I figured it was something like that.
All sorted?
I hope Arteta and Guendouzi can sort any problems out if not Arteta has to sell him to prove a point or we will have other players Follow Guendouzi and be back at the Emery stage very quickly . as for Sake I read a story that he said he his concentrating on playing and leaving all the contract talks to his manager and parents to sort out but he does want to stay as he like Arteta
Hi Geoff,,
Arteta will never be Emery, and thank goodness for that 🙂
He’s too mentally strong to allow things like that to simmer along.
Morning all.
I’m an Atletico Madrid fan this morning… just love seeing that smile wiped from Klopp’s face! Aww their poor fans were so hard done by – I guess they’ll have to go car jacking to cheer themselves up 🤣
With a bit of luck, dirty Diego will finish them off at Anfield. No favours from the officials in Europe, Jurgen… it’s just in the PL you have that luxury!
Now for Leipzig to do a number on the spuds tonight and what a week it will have been!
Kev wasn’t it AMN’s mother that fronted up to Mick McCarthy at Ipswich because of the way he was being played. Smacks of a sense of entitlement to me .
The last time I saw Scousers as disappointed as that was when they came across an unjackable car with wheels nuts that were impossible to unlock!
The last time I saw a Scouser was, well it was before that game.
The bastards amazingly vanish after a loss 🙂
Le Coq 🤣🤣🤣🤣
It’s amazing that Scott isn’t it?? You can’t stop them harping on (& on & on) then after a loss…. silence….. all gone awol…. ain’t it lush though?!!
I wouldn’t laugh too much guys.
Atletico beat us with ten men and knocked us out of the EL, Liverpool lost just 1-0 with a home tie to come….
#justsaying.
I have to make the most of it, Rico, it doesn’t happen very often!! 😁
I’m keeping quiet Sue. I think it’s called keeping ones powder dry… 😂
I do however hope that this defeat injects a bit of doubt into their players and they lose this weekend… lol
😆 nice one!
I hope so too, but back to the PL officiating, we all know what that means!! Plus they’re playing West Ham at home……. 🤞
Rico, I can scream all day on social media, as they’re all in hiding anyway hahahah
Sue, they’re a different breed 🙂
Hi Scott, how did your greyhound get on?
Afternoon All, that’s right Potter, I think Ainsley keeps him Mum at arms length now, but she sounds like a powerful woman…
Hi Cicero,
4th in the big final-missed the start and that was that lol
She Is racing again tomorrow night so all systems go.
Someone mention powerful women? 😂
They’re everywhere Rico… 😁
Hi Rico,
I have not been able to get on today — “Forbidden access to server” was the message — and only when clicking on HH.
Did anyone else have this problem?
I’ve just listened to Ian Wright on Desert Island Discs – he comes over as down to earth, emotional,raw.. great stuff.
They are Kev. 😜
Hi RA, I’m having login problems too..
Olympiakos Piraeus shouldn’t be taken lightly, they’re having a League season like Liverpool, unbeaten in 24 games having conceded only 9 goals.
They also have a Portuguese manager so they’ll not be averse to the dark arts especially at home and if we have a weak referee…
I think they got a few average results in the Champions League, losing to Bayern and Tottenham, before dropping into the Europa, but Arsenal aren’t Bayern.
Arsenal have played in Piraeus before without setting the world alight so maybe a score draw would represent a good nights work?
09 Dec 2015 Olympiakos v Arsenal W 0-3 UEFA Champions League
29 Sep 2015 Arsenal v Olympiakos L 2-3 UEFA Champions League
04 Dec 2012 Olympiakos v Arsenal L 2-1 UEFA Champions League
03 Oct 2012 Arsenal v Olympiakos W 3-1 UEFA Champions League
06 Dec 2011 Olympiakos v Arsenal L 3-1 UEFA Champions League
28 Sep 2011 Arsenal v Olympiakos W 2-1 UEFA Champions League
09 Dec 2009 Olympiakos v Arsenal L 1-0 UEFA Champions League
29 Sep 2009 Arsenal v Olympiakos W 2-0 UEFA Champions League
Well the above shows that I know bugger all because Arsenal have won in Piraeus, the last time we visited Greece I think?
Mind you we did lose at home, but 8 games and no draws with quite a few goals…
Ozil out – personal reasons.
Torreira – Ill… if recovers in time will fly out… saw on the website.
According to newsnow Ozil`s wife is expecting a baby soon .
Hope Arteta takes the EL seriously and plays his strongest team tomorrow night as I want another trophy to give us fans another memory.
Life is full of memories that can be put into two pots………the good ones and the bad ones!
Good ones : All the trophies we have won and all the games we have won. Every St Totteringham Day. Every time Spuds lose. When your children are born. When the Grandchildren are born. A son and daughters wedding. Passing your driving test. Buying a brand new car. The Mother in Law passing away………………
Bad Ones : Arsenal Losing. Arsenal drawing . Losing a final. No St Totteringhams Day. Spuds winning. Spuds drawing. The existense of Spuds. Death of Loved ones. Life threatening illnesses. Shit Job. Life sentence of Marriage…………….
Now that I`ve cheered you all up ! hahaha
Woke up this morning feeling good and gave the Wife a wake up call by singing a few songs like …………”I will always love you”……………”Because you`re gorgeous and I`ll do anything for you”……………to which the wife replied…………” You`re in the bathroom singing to the mirror again aren`t you!”
Better luck next time Scott.
From BBC Sport.
Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla says returning to Emirates Stadium to say goodbye to the club’s fans is “something which is left in my career.”
Cazorla, 35, left the Gunners after six years in 2018 following two years out with a serious ankle injury.
But he has made an amazing recovery at Villarreal and has even fought his way back into the Spain team.
“It was frustrating to not be able to say goodbye to a club who treated me so well,” he told BBC Sport.
“It is something left in my career to say goodbye properly. I am eternally grateful to the club and the fans for the way they continue to treat me.”
Reports have suggested that the Gunners are looking into the possibility of Cazorla returning for a farewell in some capacity, but the midfielder says he has no plans to join up with former team-mate Mikel Arteta in a coaching role…….Arteta deserves to the boss,” Cazorla said. “He was always a leader in the dressing room. It was the right decision to put him in as manager; it made sense and he has everything you need for the job.
“I hope he takes Arsenal up the table.”
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Hi Redders, how are things with you? How’s the F***d? Orsey.
Bit quiete so how about an interesting fact about Methane gas …………1) Scientists say that…… Squirrels, Rats and wait for it …..Beavers emit more Methane Gas than humans !……2) Scientists say there is life on Mars, because they have found large pockets of Methane on that Planet !………and there was me thinking that it was more likely to be found emitting from Uranus !.
Thank you, RB Leipzig 😁
Morning all.
New post up now.