Morning all.
The Arsenal before and after the Coronavirus break looks quite different. I don’t mean with the social distancing, lack of supporters, or the new hair styles are players are wearing but the players themselves. Before the break in this season.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was allegedly in the naughty corner, yet now he’s looking serious playing in midfield. He, Joe Willock and Matteo Guendouzi will not only be battling against each other, but Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira too. Dani Ceballos and Mesut Ozil might be our creative players but so far this season, neither have done much. Or rather, enough.
Kieran Tierney was nowhere to be seen and yet here he is now, back and looking fit and strong. Big things were expected of him after he’d made the move south but having endured a injury riddled beginning to his Arsenal career, it’s now his time. Without this forced break, we wouldn’t have seen him again this season. Imagine how he must feel. Buzzing I’m sure.
Similarly, Sead Kolasinac hasn’t had the best of seasons as far as injuries go yet now he’s looking as strong as ever. I like his buzz cut. He looks meaner. Mikel Arteta has two left-backs at his disposal for the first time since he took over from Unai Emery. He must feel like Christmas has arrived early.
The knock-on effect to that is now he suddenly has to think about the left side of our attacking unit. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli? He must feel like he’s back at Man City with so much talent at his disposal. Saka was excellent going forward with defensive duties being his prime concern, now he should be ready to cause a few right backs serious problems. Starting with Kyle Walker perhaps? Let’s see how many times our youngster is fouled from now on.
Let’s not forget the right hand side either because another player who has been in and out through injury is Reiss Nelson. Watch out Pepe is all I’ll say.
We know Eddie Nketiah is already putting pressure on Alexandre Lacazette and that’ll battle will only get stronger. Good because that’s what the team needs.
Cedric Soares expected return took a bit of a setback it seems. He could be seen training in a face mask last week on the official website which was thanks to a ball smacking him straight in the face but recent photos show him training without his protection. Forget all the will he or won’t he stay beyond this loan period, we just need him ready to put Hector Bellerin under pressure for the next ten games or so.
For too many years, Arsenal have had a squad blighted by injuries. Why is the million dollar question no one seems to able to answer but what this forced break has done is give our injured extra recovery time. It’s giving Mikel Arteta a real opportunity to see what/who he has and how they fit into his plans. Where his squad needs tweaking. How his players react to the pressure of not only having a squad mate after his place in the team, but how all as a group rise to this two month challenge which lay ahead.
39 days. 10 Premier League fixtures.
Plus, we have the FA Cup to fight for. A competition which will dedicate the Final to Heads Up, a partnership between Heads Together and The FA which ‘harnesses the influence and popularity of football to change the conversation on mental health’ – Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Hector Bellerin joined HRH The Duke of Cambridge on a Zoom call to announce the news, with the showpiece event provisionally scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 1.
There’s more about that on Arsenal’s official website. I just hope Arsenal FC are at Wembley on Finals day.
My Saturday waffle is done. Stay safe guys.
Morning Rico, thanks for the post.
Yes, we have a very promising squad full of home made players, many who could be major players and valuable players for us over the next few years. We have a few more waiting in the wings to get their chance as well, it’s probably why I’m not that keen to see the club throw millions at the team until we see what Arteta can do with what he already has.
Lampard has done a pretty good job at Chelsea and has brought through some excellent young players into their squad, Chelsea are still above us and will probably finish above us so it shows what can be done with young own players if you give them a chance.
Spending big money guarantees nothing, just look at Nicholas Pepe, a £72m record signing who could finish his inaugural season behind Reiss Nelson on the right flank?
That’s why I’m so pleased that we signed John Jules on a long contract, he had quite a few foreign clubs after him so it was a great piece of business by the club.
In the old days a manager would convince a player to stay at a club, his ideas and his vision for what he wanted to do would either convince the player or not. Neither the player or the club had negotiators it was simply a case of whether the player trusted the manager.
Of course this has all changed in modern times the player has agents, lawyers, family all getting in on the act and the club have executives, lawyers, contracts people, it’s big business.
But I wonder if Arteta can swing it? If the club allow him to get involved with negotiations, to let him speak to Aubameyang and Saka, to convince them?
The grass isn’t always greener, just ask Aaron Ramsey…
Morning Kev, all.
If anyone can sell Arsenal to Saka and Aubameyang, I think Arteta can. He’s worked with one of the best.
Agree re Lampard, at least for now anyway. His challenge will be dealing with his new signings imo, what will he do with the youngsters then? Pressure will be on him to win things I’d imagine.
I wish Arsenal would be a bit more informative about contracts etc. I’d not heard that about John-Jules until you mentioned it yesterday.
For the first time in years, I’m looking forward to watching how Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal pans out.
Aaron Ramsey this season has played in all competitions: 24 matches, in which he started only 12 of them, a total of 1,097 minutes.
He’s had numerous injury issues, which we as Arsenal fans will be very familiar with but he still scored 4 goals, which is pretty good going in Italy and made 1 assist.
Juventus are obviously trying to cut costs post Wuhan virus, but who is going to take on Ramsey’s salary at approx £20m pa and also pay a transfer fee? Ramsey is the Coutinho/Ozil of Juventus and that’ll mean them probably loaning out Aaron and still picking up a percentage of his wages?
Ramsey’s wages are probably made up by his signing on fee, spread out over the 4 (?) years of his contract with the Old Lady of Turin.
A bit of me wouldn’t mind seeing Arsenal take Ramsey back on loan for next season, if Juventus pick up say 40% of his wages, it’s a nice thought as he’d guarantee us quite a few goals and in big games.
Then I think of his injuries and it’s not such a great idea anymore…
I got the info Rico from Charles Watt from an interview he did with John Jules, even if you look on Transfermarket you can’t get the info, I don’t know why?
Maybe because of all the shit stirring online, on click bait sites and on social media, the club keep that info in house, I mean Bellerin has a contract until 2023 but that doesn’t stop them stirring the pot endlessly. And we all know what some of our ‘social media fans’ are like (I guess I’m one of them 😉) look at some of the idiotic reactions to Arsenal losing basically a testimonial to Brentford?
Don’t think we can afford another injury riddled player Kev. We have enough of our own although I’m hoping next season will be different.
I saw Kev.
Interestingly, both Toots and Utd lost friendly fixtures too, Chelsea did as well I think.
Good morning Rico, Kev.
From my last comment on yesterday’s post, Money aside the grass isn’t always greener, “make your bed and lie in it”, also comes to mind.
Juventus would have to pay 90% of his wages before I would even consider taking him on loan.
Morning Cicero, I didn’t want to be the one to say that. 😆
Fools rush in Rico…..😉
Ha ha Cicero.
Sorry, but anyone thinking we wouldn’t have been better with Ramsey this season is kidding themselves.
Morning all.
Ah, the Chairman of the Antipodean Aaron Ramsey Kiss His Feet, I‘m Not Worthy, Fan Club has finally surfaced…. 😄
Not if he was injured most of the time Scott. Lol
😝 Kev
Kev, tell me I’m wrong though.
How often did we have very little creativity coming from our midfield?
I’m still amazed Juventus signed him on they’re stacked in the midfield, especially on the ridiculous wage, but why would we sign him now?
Even if Juve pay half his wage, the balance is the amount we could’ve kept him for so how stupid would we look?
I blame Arsene 🙂 🙂
Ramsey is often injured.
However, for me there is an issue: Juventus play much more with him on the pitchd than without him. He plays ahead, putting a lot of pressure on the defenders, which allows Dyabala and / or Ronaldo to play more freely and more offensive football.
The else, is that it requires a defensive restructuring. But for Juventus, that’s not a big problem …
Juventus certainly didn’t think long and hard before giving Ramsey the deal they did. They’re pretty much stuck with him imo, unless he takes a massive pay cut.
Hi Rico.. he didn’t even make their squad last night – injured again?! Not just us dishing out extortionate wages then!! If they do sell him, reckon he’ll come back to the UK?
Nice post, btw… and a very nice picture 😍 I’ve missed Kolasinac!! Speaking of hunks, over in Turkey right now, Podolski (ooh la la) is up against El neny…
Had a nice day, Rico?
Hi Sue, busy messing around with my sourdough before taking it out the oven a short while ago so yes thanks, a good day. How about you?
Kolasinac seems to be one of the current marmite players. I rather like him. Re Ramsey, very few clubs could afford him I’d imagine.
Elneny is losing the battle between himself and the Pod…
And Podolski assisted 😉
Sourdough, hey?! Ooh I bet it’s yummy!
Work and Tesco, Rico, so busy!
I’ll tell you what Scott, if Ramsey had stayed fit towards the end of last season, I think that Arsenal would have finished in the top four…
Tesco’s have the big stores over your way don’t they Sue? We have an enormous one the other side of Newbs but I’m not keen..
I love sourdough, my favourite bread. A faff to make but worth it in the end. I’m biased though. 😆
Yes there are a couple, Rico.. I opt for the smaller.of the 2 though, if I went to Abingdon I’d be gone all day 😄 can’t stand food shopping!!
Mmm you can’t beat homemade bread… I bet you have it down to a fine art 😉
Abingdon eh, I used to shop there myself Sue. Well, I nipped there for doughnuts and a tiger loaf a good few years ago now.
Nope, I’m still trying to master bread baking. It’s edible and that’s about it. 😆
I bet it’s just fine! 😁
Podolski won then… loving how there’s loads of games on now! Soccer Saturday and MOTD next week – sorted 👍
Two months of nothing but football. Clashes with other good programs too though… ☹️
I just don’t see any point at all in going backwards so Ramsey is a no, for me.
Podolski still playing then?
One of my favourites!!
Hope you’re all staying safe and well.
Seems things are erupting a little over there, or is it media hype?
2 months of football – pure heaven!! Throw a few dart tournaments in also and I’ll be as happy as Larry!! At least there’s catch up, Rico… btw, was disappointed with Killing Eve, what did you think?
Omg, Rico, the fox was just in my garden.. I took some photos.. bit dark and blurry, but you can see her…. 😊
Scott.. yes Lukas plays for Antalyaspor. One of my favourites too!!
Napoli through to face Juve in the final. Ospina had a mare and let Eriksen score directly from a corner, but redeemed himself with their equaliser! 👋 Sanchez and Lukaku 😝
I guess if we look at some of the players we’ve sold in the last couple of years Scott, I can’t think of one who has gone on to set the world alight = Alexis, Walcott, Oxlade Chamberlain, Iwobi, Wilshere, Giroud (very lucky boy for France), Ramsey, Koscielny, Monreal, maybe Serge Gnabry but he left about 3 years ago.
Sue, I stopped watching Killing Eve after about the 4th episode, it’s really stupid now, it’s run out of steam for sure.
Late night I know Rico and All
But this ramsey issue is a Micky no no in my opinion,I love The Leek
and I know he loves The Arse but afluent team has to hold position
thats why Gordon is not what we need at the moment.
https://mobile.twitter.com/TransferChecker/status/1271931741318582274
No chance of us signing him…. 🥺
Kev.. I agree!!
frednerk.. the leek, the arse, Gordon… 👍 love it!
I agree, Kev, and we couldn’t really keep
Gnabry as he wanted out.
Nah, no going backwards or sideways for mine.
Morning guys.
New post up now