Morning all.
I stumbled across an article in The Athletic this morning which included an interview with our old goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. I always find it quite interesting to read what our ex players have to say after they’ve long left. Any bitterness they might have had at the time of departure has probably gone and it’s more likely that simple truth will be shared.
One often hears players say that “this was my boyhood club” when they move clubs but I’ve always tended to take such comments with a pinch of salt. After all, they are hardly likely to say they grew up hating that club are they? In the case of Szczesny, he really was and still is a big Arsenal fan.
I suffered a lot (during) the Champions League final. But to win the Premier League after 22 years… It’s a big relief because I’ve waited for it for a very long time and I’m very happy they built a project of probably one of the best clubs in Europe.
When I was there, we had one season when we were on top of the league for a very long time, and we lost in the end. I felt we were the best team in the league. But we were a very young, inexperienced team, and in the end, when it mattered, we fell short. It still hurts because it’s the one trophy that I haven’t won in professional football that I would have loved to win… winning the Premier League with Arsenal. It’s still bugging me from the inside, but as a fan I’m very happy about what happened this year.
Arsenal is a place where I made my dream come true. Emotionally, it’s the maximum that I believe anybody can achieve: playing for the club of your dreams. I’ve achieved the dream. It’s the peak of your career. It’s a beautiful story, although I only won three trophies with Arsenal: two FA Cups and a Community Shield.
It will probably always be the most beautiful part of my career. The one filled with the most passion. It was also the start of my career. I was very hungry, very determined to show people that I belong at that level.
The nearly season he talks about was 2013/14 of course. Top of the league table at Christmas, 4th at the end of May. Don’t look at the clubs transfer dealings for that campaign as it’ll give you nightmares. Yaya Sanogo arrived first, Mesut Ozil arrived last and in the January, Kim Kallstrom joined on loan. Thank goodness the days of those kind of deals, two of them anyway, are long over.
As for Szczesny, he came out of retirement when Barcelona came calling in October 2024 and he’s still plugging away there now although he’s second choice these days behind Joan Garcia.
A few final words from the once Polish number 1:
It’s taken a long time to be able to play with almost no emotions on the pitch. I played for a club (Arsenal) at a very young age that I also supported as a fan, and that just took a lot out of me. Every time we won games, I cheered as a player but also as a fan — and when we lost, I was sad as a fan as well as a player. It was just a lot of emotions to deal with, and then you have to prepare for the next game in three days, and you’re kind of not ready for it.
When I left the team, I found out that the best thing for me to perform at the best level is to be completely emotionally out of the game.
Maybe it’s not always best to play for the club you love…
Catch up in the comments.
Jesus does look a bit chunky. lol
Morning all.
New post up.
Thanks Potter, an interesting watch. I thought Jesus looked a bit bulky.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y83985KFpnQ
The commentary leaves a lot to be desired .
Ezri Konsa interested in a move to Arsenal according to caught offside.
I watched it initially on a Spanish channel called E3, but then found one doing an English commentary, Perry Groves is great, he really pushes back against the hater narrative.
Ibrahim looked good, Meslier looked good, O’Neill was lively, you could see the benefits of elite coaching to our U21’s and we’re Costa Brava champions, hooray. 🥳
Only managed to see the last five minutes on YouTube. ☹️
Found the second half on https://freesportslik.shop/?post=1785576665. Might be similar for Betis. Only saw the second half and it finished with the kids getting their 20 minutes but 4 – 1 a reasonable run out.
And on YouTube free now!
Its just come back on
I’m in Somerset and have a good feed via the club app. The team looks good, very tidy, and a scoring debut for our Greek lad.
You’d think the link from Spain would work.
Hi Rick, great to see you. Thanks for the update.
Winning 2 nill Havertz Tzolis
Can’t even get a stream on DAZN Spanish tv
Same here Andrew. Cheesed off having paid to watch.
Evening all. Settled down with iPad to watch PPV and can’t even get into App for £10 paid for the friendlies. Anyone else buy these? Working anywhere? Even Arsenal.com gone crazy with every page down
Arsenal.com has crashed. Typical!
Arsenal: Arrizabalaga, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Havertz, Dowman, Tzolis, Gyokeres.
Subs: Meslier, Ranson, Clarke, Ogunnaike, Salmon, Copley, Julienne, Vieira, Nelson, Agustien, Ibrahim, Kabia, O’Neill, Harriman-Annous, Jesus.
Norgaard to Everton is doing the rounds.
£7 million, medical next week.
From The Athletic.
Smoke and mirrors, nacht und nebel.
What we’re hearing about Arsenal’s interest in Vinicius Junior and his Real Madrid contract
By Mario Cortegana, James McNicholas and David Ornstein
Vinicius Junior’s future at Real Madrid remains up in the air.
A year and a half after the Spanish club and the Brazilian’s agents opened talks over renewing his contract, which expires in 2027, no agreement has been reached.
Several suitors are keeping a close eye on the situation, with The Athletic revealing last week that Arsenal are exploring a move. Arsenal’s owners have also given approval to the idea of moving forward with a deal. Vinicius Jr is Arsenal’s top target to strengthen their attack. A move to Arsenal appeals to the Brazil international if he does not renew his contract with Madrid. Should the attacker decide he wants to join Arsenal, an agreement on personal terms is expected.
“Mikel Arteta loves him,” a person with knowledge of the Arsenal manager’s outlook says. “If he doesn’t renew, we will be there.”
The financial differences between Madrid and Vinicius Jr remain significant, with the sides scheduled to hold conversations next week to bring the matter to a head. The 26-year-old is due back in training by then. The days ahead will be crucial to determining the outcome.
Three options remain open: extend with Madrid, wait until next summer to depart as a free agent or join Arsenal now.
Here, after speaking to multiple sources familiar with the process — all of whom remain anonymous to protect relationships — The Athletic explains the state of play on Vinicius Jr.
When Madrid and Vinicius Jr began discussing a contract renewal, few people would have thought that it would become a saga.
Having joined the club in 2018 from Flamengo for €45million (£40m; $53m at the time), Vinicius Jr agreed fresh terms in 2022. That extension, until 2027, was carried out smoothly but also gave some indication of what the future might hold.
The club presented him with different financial offers depending on the contract length, with less money if he signed until 2027 instead of 2028 (as his compatriots Eder Militao and Rodrygo did that same summer) or 2029.
At the time, Vinicius Jr and his inner circle were confident that his outstanding season – in which he scored the decisive goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool – was just the beginning of his establishment as an elite player. Based on that, they favoured a shorter renewal so they could renegotiate improved terms sooner.
His salary has risen over time, so with the fulfilment of various bonuses — such as winning FIFA’s The Best award in 2024 — Vinicius Jr earns around €18m net per season.
In January 2025, Madrid general manager Jose Angel Sanchez and chief scout Juni Calafat met with Vinicius Jr, two of his agents and his father — who holds a percentage of his rights — at Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex to discuss the player’s contract.
They proposed an offer worth around €20m net per season, which Vinicius Jr’s side rejected. They put forward a counter-offer in the following weeks, but the club rejected it.
In April 2025, Madrid suggested that the renewal was very advanced, with several Spanish media outlets reporting that an agreement was close. However, Vinicius Jr’s entourage categorically denied it.
The Athletic revealed that the Brazilian was asking for a package of close to, but not quite, €30million, comprising a base salary, performance-related bonuses and — something unprecedented in Madrid’s history — a renewal bonus.
Sources say the renewal bonus has been the main point of contention between the parties.
Faced with Madrid’s argument that they cannot exceed the wage cap any further, sources close to Vinicius Jr’s camp say they see a renewal bonus as the only way to increase his earnings. Underlying this is the comparison with team-mate Kylian Mbappe, whose salary is very similar. However, Mbappe earns much more from the signing bonus he received after joining as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.
Madrid have always been opposed to accepting Vinicius Jr’s request, thinking that it would create a dangerous ‘knock-on effect’ within the squad in future renewals. Vinicius Jr is open to lowering his demands if it helps reach an agreement with Madrid.
But Arsenal have capitalised on this tug-of-war over his contract to put themselves in a strong position for a deal.
Aware of the gap between both sides after a lack of progress between Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr, and of how this has been affecting the player, sources with knowledge of the situation say Arsenal have been making moves behind the scenes for months.
Madrid’s anticipated signing of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzigis seen as good news by sources close to Arsenal, as they believe Vinicius Jr might view it as a move to ensure they are covered if he departs. However, Diomande’s transfer is still unresolved, which could impact a move for Vinicius Jr.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with the Vinicius Jr camp. Key figures at Arsenal have also conveyed to his representatives that he would be the star of a solid project: a team led by Arteta that won last season’s Premier League and only lost the Champions League final on penalties to PSG.
Arsenal want to strengthen the squad this summer with a midfielder (they are closing in on a deal for Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes), a centre-back to cover William Saliba over the coming months due to his back injury, and a left-winger – in addition to the €40m signing of Christos Tzolis.
Madrid proposed a €20m annual salary to Vinicius Jr, and Arsenal are willing to make an exception to their usual salary structure for a player like Vinicius Jr. A sign-on bonus and image rights could also help from a financial standpoint. When it comes to a transfer fee, Madrid are at risk of losing Vinicius Jr for nothing next summer, when his contract expires, a scenario some at the Spanish club fear. He would also be due a significant loyalty bonus next season. Arsenal hope to take advantage of Vinicius Jr’s contract situation to negotiate a reduced fee.
Arsenal’s owners have approved the anticipated figures for a deal. While the numbers are daunting, Arsenal hope their expenditure would be offset by a significant commercial windfall. Vinicius Jr is a marketing powerhouse, and it is felt his arrival would elevate Arsenal’s brand to new heights. Arsenal think he can be the face of the club and possibly the Premier League — his arrival would arguably be the biggest-ever transfer into the division.
But this is primarily a football-driven pursuit. Arsenal know that there are very few players who can genuinely add a new dimension to their title-winning team — and they count Vinicius Jr among that number.
The club has carried out intensive work on the mission to sign Vinicius Jr, and that continues. Arsenal are well aware this does not guarantee a successful outcome — a deal of this size and ambition will be difficult to pull off.
But Arsenal being in the conversation as a plausible destination for Vinicius Jr is a notable development. To even be at the table is indicative of how far the club has come. Arsenal recognise that if they can land the player, it would be their most high-profile signing since Mesut Ozil in 2013. Arsenal are operating under the impression that Vinicius Jr would be open to joining.
A sign of Arsenal’s determination would be that they are not actively pushing for Bradley Barcola, whom they have shown interest in, with Liverpool instead set to make an opening offer for the France international.
People with knowledge of the situation say there are key figures at Madrid who favour selling Vinicius Jr this summer to prevent him from leaving as a free agent in 2027. The final decision will rest with president Florentino Perez, who has always been Vinicius Jr’s biggest supporter, alongside Calafat. Manager Jose Mourinho likes the player and has been in touch with him but will understand any decision taken by the club.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the situation, sources with knowledge of Arsenal’s position say they remain optimistic about the potential capture if Vinicius Jr does not renew his contract with Madrid.
Mario Cortegana – Real Madrid
£300k a week, that’s staggering.
I’ve just read an article in the Athletic which kind of suggests that the money a player of his standing would earn the club means we could afford him. I guess shirt sales would go through the roof.
His image rights are worth about300k a week . Real have been taking 50% so a rough calculation somewhere between 100k and 150.. As you say Damn agents and greed.
Me neither really Geoff but if reports are to be believed, we’ve agreed it.
As do I Potter, same as many others who work in such a way these days. Darn agents..
How much would his wages drop I wonder with 100% image rights.
I am only interested if we can afford him but the hold up in Madrid seems to about his image rights which far outweigh his wages Madrid want a cut but we have said he can have 100 % which means he doesn’t require such high wages .
I still think that he is using us as a stalking horse but if Real don’t cave he might head this way..
Rico, I can’t see us paying Vinicius that much not matter how good he is,
Am I the only one not fussed about Vinicius? £450k wages a week I read.
Sounds like we are getting close to signing Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes for around 70-80 million ponds
Would be nice Cicero but I can’t see them having the neck to do it or they will set penalties only bought into effect if there are further transgressions.. with of course a donation to club funds.
Potter, I’m not talking about retrospective points
deductions, I’m talking about deductions for the upcoming season/ seasons.
David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
·
29m
🚨 Vinicius Junior future entering crucial stage – talks in coming days over extension at Real Madrid, free exit 2027 or join Arsenal now. #AFC all in & 26yo winger attracted by opportunity if no #RMFC renewal. W/ @MarioCortegana
I bet if it was Arsenal, the book would be winging its way towards the club.
Morning all.
You could see how terribly worried Man City were when they spent £100m on Anderson!
I reckon that they are trying to find a way of making it look like they are being punished without actually doing much to inhibit them . We all know that a fine will be water off a ducks back , but retrospective points deductions mean little and title removal even less .
I think the FA are testing the water, waiting to see how the £10 million slap on the wrist for Chelsea goes down with the media and football supporters generally, before announcing any sanctions on City.
Any points deduction or demotions must be announced before the new season kicks off.
The way Man city court case is going it could take another 2 years
Afternoon Rico and all.
Potter, One ex Australian soccer player, feels that Infantino has brought the game into disrepute over his new direction and the way he caved in to Trump and has put money well before the game
Can see it coming a mile off Kev
Well done the Football Association, that virtuous organisation looking after the soul of the game, that’ll teach those Chavs a lesson they won’t easily forget in a hurry.
Now to teach Man City a lesson, a fine suspended for 10 years should do the trick…
RIP Franco Baresi,there’s something special about a one club man,plus he played in an era when the Italian league and the national team were the best.
I had to laugh at a SS headline this morning which read, “Chelsea want two new defenders – they already have ten…”
Ditto Cicero.
I’ve just watched the “how we became champions” on afc.com.
Not in the direction of The Emirates I hope Rico.
Just read Mudryk is free to make his Chelsea return. My guess is he’ll be moved on.
Plus it was during Roman’s era rather than today’s owner.
Wonder if we’ll ever hear the result of the 115. Farcical imo.
Got away with it then , F.A hiding behind the they confessed argument to give them a fine equivalent to a months wage bill .
Wonder how the formula will work out for 115’s punishment , should it ever happen .
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/13568791/chelsea-handed-lb10m-fine-and-suspended-transfer-ban-after-admitting-fa-rule-breaches-dating-back-to-roman-abramovich-era
Or they get relegated Stuart..
Tongue in cheek re Nusa?
They are all desperate to get shopped and into their accommodation Potter. I used to do an online shop and have it delivered to where I was staying.
I think so too, he’s still got a few years left at the top of his game.
Message from Oslo :-I think he’s not stable enough at the top level we need.
RIP the great Franco Baresi. What a player he was.
Thanks Rico. Nice words from our old boy. I mentioned in an earlier post how much I enjoyed reading Martin Keown’s autobiography. He reflects on the processes of being raised at Arsenal, sold by Arsenal, purchased back by Arsenal, then retiring at Arsenal. He gives a very candid account of the rollercoaster of emotions which accompanied his journey.
Surely Infantino can’t survive this. It’s as big a debacle as the Superleague was.
Poor old Newcastle. The Saudi money was always tainted. Let’s hope the deep roots of that grand old club can sustain them through what looks like being a trying season.
Apparently, a £77m deal has been agreed with Newcastle for Bruno..
Good settle up and move on . I will ask the Norway supporters club what they think of Nusa
The tourists are in, shopping took ages.
Tell me about it , I am sure that as soon as they get off of their boats they put their brains in their shopping bags and mill all over the road and forget that there are cars coming . And then they wander around in groups of half a dozen blocking all the aisles and then get to the check out and send someone to find the thing that they forgot.
Standard practice for Lathams superstore ( everything you never needed or never wanted ) and a pint of milk.
If that’s true, £77 million is a bargain. Let’s get it signed and sealed before Chelsea try to gazump us.
Antonio Nusa being linked to us. Norwegian international winger who plays for RB Leipzig.
Apparently, a £77m deal has been agreed with Newcastle for Bruno.
I don’t know if either of you subscribe to The Athletic but the interview is really good. Imo anyway. Lol
I think he vapes these days instead of smoking… 😂
Morning Cicero, Potter.
The tourists are in, shopping took ages. 😂
I always thought that he played with an extra passion his reaction when we scored was always way more than a fist pump .
All quiet on the window today , everyone talking about Infantino.
Good morning Rico.
Looking back can always be a sobering experience, but putting on a pair of rose tinted spectacles is perhaps the best way to do it. 😉it