Morning all.
Arsenal new arrivals might not be coming thick and fast but the rumours are, with the latest being Kieran Tierney to Manchester City. Absolutely no way should Arsenal consider taking City’s dirty money, was my first thought but then, why not came creeping into my mind. Arsenal could pretty much sign Lisandro Martinez and Arron Hickey with the money, give or take a few million. Two players who between them, can play anywhere across the defensive back line and central midfield. That’s the problem with all the rumours flying around though, it’s all too easy to let the mind wander as it works out the ‘perfect scenario” for Arsenal before reality hits home. The story about Tierney is probably a load of old tosh. As are many others doing the rounds.
Arsenal have been linked with so many players this summer, yet so far, only Marquinhos has been confirmed and no one knows yet whether he’ll be part of the first squad for the season. He’s young and for the future but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s not for the present too.
What we do know is that on Friday 5th August, Mikel Arteta and his players will be going to Crystal Palace to face a team who battered us 3-0 just a couple of months ago. It was the first of three defeats on the trot which pretty much ended our hope of finishing in the top four. Last season, we opened the new season with a London derby too. Injuries, Covid and a depleted squad showed very little fight against Brentford and left with nothing. It wasn’t until September 11th when Arsenal had points on the board. Mind you, we did have to play Man City and Chelsea in the other two league fixtures.
This coming season, we don’t face a club from the top four until October 1st when Totts travel to The Emirates. Arsenal have to be ready to take advantage of what I think is a kinder fixture schedule than last season. By that I mean there is no Liverpool, Man City or Chelsea. Every game is hard I know, but those three are harder.
This summer transfer window is crucial for Arsenal, although I’m sure every fan thinks that about the club he/she supports but for Mikel Arteta, only finishing 4th instead of 5th or winning the Europa Cup, will be an improvement on the 2021/22 season. Winning one of the two domestic cups would be great but finishing the season with Champions League football in the bag, surely has to be a must after what will be Arteta’s third full season at the club. Especially if we get to the 1st of September with another £150 odd million having been spent during this transfer window. That amount of money being spent is feasible in my opinion because we have players to sell too. Pepe, Leno, Torreira, Bellerin, Mari and Xhaka perhaps. Nelson, AMN and Ballard could be sold too if Mikel Arteta doesn’t see them as part of his plan. And Runasson of course, his sale should seriously boost the transfer kitty.
Seriously though, I’m hoping that most of our transfer business is wrapped up long before the opening day of the new season, certainly any deals for players who’ll make the first team a better team. Arteta and his team have to be prepared for the first game and not just for a few spells throughout the season. Yes the squad is young and Arteta is in his first job as a manager but, when do the excuses stop being excuses? This coming season, the next?
What are your expectations for the coming season?
Transfer news:
Omar Rekik and Mika Biereth are close to securing loan moves to the Eredivisie next season. Rekik is expected to join Sparta Rotterdam, whilst Biereth is set for RKC Waalwijk. The plan is for the striker to spend a year in the Netherlands ahead of a potential loan in England in 2023-24. That’s according to The Athletic.
In Sky Sports Paper Talk:
Manchester United have joined the race to sign Ajax defender and Arsenal target Lisandro Martinez, according to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf.
Arsenal have been hedging their bets over signing Gabriel Jesus by also making an offer for former Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata, according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb.
Manchester United and Arsenal have both shown interest in bringing Tammy Abraham back to the Premier League, according to the Daily Mail.
Thats your lot for today..
Good morning Rico.
If we can squeeze silly money out of City why not take and let them have Tierney? But, we have to have his replacement signed up before letting him go.
I’d prefer to delay voicing my expectations until after the transfer window closes.
Morning Cicero. Get off the fence. Lol
Even if Man City were interested in taking Keiran Tierney I’m not sure we’d get anywhere close to the £50m being hawked about in the media and a percentage of that fee would go to Glasgow Celtic anyway. I guess including Tierney in a deal for Jesus would lessen the fee considerably and allow Edu to spend that dough elsewhere.
A year ago Arsenal ran out of funds after a busy summer and we missed out on Tammy Abraham which now looks a poor decision. Arsenal also went the transfer distance in order to try and get some business done affordably, it cost us 3 points at Brentford arguably.
Every Arsenal fan I know likes Tierney whilst at the same time bemoaning his injury record so I reckon most would accept selling him if he was adequately replaced and it got us Jesus.
Regarding Rekik and Biereth, has Arsenal ever done a successful and productive loan deal with a Dutch club, I don’t think so, I mean are Dutch clubs going to promote our young players ahead of their own when their whole model is built around developing their own players to sell?
Tierney leaving would be a surprise. Agent stirring the pot I guess.
I think we’ll end up fighting for 3rd or 4th with Spurs. Chelsea will dip, United are regrouping and Villa and Newcastle will push for Europe. Man City & Liverpool are still a long way in front, although that changes if Van Dyke gets an injury.
We need that centre forward though…
My expectations this season is top four Rico, but who knows really as this is going to be a convoluted season split in two with a World Cup in the middle bringing with it all kinds of fitness and form issues.
Interesting point I heard made on a blog yesterday is that of the six opening fixtures we’re musing about as being a good start to next season we actually lost 5 of those correspondingly last season!
Don’t have nightmares.
Another stunning post Rico btw. 😉
Morning Kev, thanks.
If there’s any truth to the Tierney story, I think Arsenal are in a lose lose situation. Sell and there’ll be moans and groans, keep and the same if/when he gets injured.
Hi Pete, what about Newcastle? Too soon for a top four challenge? I reckon they’ll be up there but hoping Utd, Toots and Chelsea struggle.
Top 4 for me too Kev, anything less will be disappointing. Unless we win the Europa Cup.
Morning Rico
IMO Newcastle will push for Europe, but might come up short. They will have a dip and Eddie Howe will be sacked and reappear at another team later in the season. How about Bournemouth?
Early doors and total nonsense:
Liverpool
Man City
Arsenal
Spurs
Man Utd
Chelsea
Aston Villa
The 3 promoted clubs will struggle. Brentford will have a tough season along with Leeds, Wolves and maybe Everton again.
We could see a number of teams go bust next season because the numbers just don’t add up. Look at the mess at Derby for what is coming down the road.
Morning Rico and all
In regards to Tierney on his day he is a good player however I would sell him, to many injuries for my liking
Pete, I too think Howe will be replaced at some stage. It’s like City when Hughes was manager, it wasn’t long before the bigger named managers came in.
Depends on what the owners expectations are I guess but I doubt it’s Europa.
Hi Geoff, perhaps with a proper alternative, rest and rotation will benefit Tierney.
Rico If we have to give him more rest time and rotation then is it still worth keeping him. Maybe like you said some deal involving a swap for Jesus could be a win win for both clubs,
Good afternoon Rico and everyone
Fine post….my expectation for the coming season? if we get a finisher and the rest of the team dont miss easy chances we will finish top two. I will not say win the league but last season the difference was that we lost chances in many games. had we taken those chances the story would have been vastly different.
Afternoon Devil, thanks. 2nd? I’ve just choked on my lunch. 😂
Who knows Geoff, I don’t think there’s any truth to the story though.
Ah yes many choked on their lunch when AW said that his team can go a season unbeaten….but then choked on a humble pie later on 😊😊😊
The Jesus rumours continue to spread, now it’s a straight fight between Arsenal and the Spuds for his signature. Whilst there is a tenuous link between him and Arteta, from the latter’s time at City, that is probably trumped by Spurs being able to offer him Champions League football over our more modest Europa League.
Either way I hope Arteta/Edu don’t get caught up in a bidding war, anything over £30 million should be a no no in my opinion.
The fact is DG, Arsenal didn’t go unbeaten throughout a season. The record was 49 games unbeaten between May 2003 and October 2004.
There was a season between those dates Cic
There were parts of two seasons between those dates, but we did not go a whole season unbeaten.
Huge difference between then and now Devil.
We did Cicero, 2003/04
Cicero, seriously??? 2003/04 we went a whole season unbeaten.
What have you been drinking today?
Premier League 2003-04 Table
Arsenal P38 W26 D12 L0 GF73 GA26 GD47 PTS90
I think it was a League season unbeaten.
The Raphinia rumours just wont go away, can we really be serious about him or is it another diversion while we sign another surprise?
Cicero, why do you think Arsenal is the only team with the Gold EPL trophy? It was because they went a season undefeated. And after they lost, didn’t they go something like 17W 2L 1D in the next 20 games in all competition? It amazing that team got JOBBED for the CL.
Jesus is not going to Spurs. Period. If you believe that, you probably believe every clickbait you read.
The link between him and Arteta is much more than Cicero describes. The deal is done and he’s coming to Arsenal with his pace, dribbling, pressing, and goal creation.
Who said he was Nigel? Also, where on AFC.com does it say Jesus has signed for Arsenal? Or are you just believing all the click bait you read?
Morning all.
Kev, I can’t see it either. I’d have thought he’s the last kind of player we need, if the stories about his attitude are factual.
Good Morning Rico and all
I don’t believe much in the Raphinha rumours. Its all a smokescreen imo. The Jesus rumours I believe because of his past with Arteta and from personal experience, yes, some players do move because of the coach. And I dont think that Jesus is th Auba/Ozil level with regards attitude. I dont think that Arteta, having gone through the shenanigans that Ozil and Auba created, plus his disciplinary methods especially with Guendouzi, I doubt he will bring another who rocks the boat. We all have seen how he treated them. Even Pepe whose attitude was good but his output was underwhelming.
So no, I dont think that Jesus will give us any trouble.
Morning Devil.
It might be that because of Arteta’s time at City, we’re being linked to Jesus. Who really knows until anything is confirmed.
I thought of that as well Rico. But now I think that Jesus will want to join forces with Mohammed (elneny) so that we can conquer the world.
So the coming of the Messiah is nigh.
Please stay away from Raphinia. If Guendouzi, Auba and Ozil were problems for Arteta, then it is highly that he will get the same result with him. He’s a hot head like Xhaka and doesn’t like to be subbed. His football talent is not worth the headache, he’s not that good.
Why would anyone pay 75m for Raphinia? I rather pay 21m for Sterling.
Sterling is £60 odd million isn’t he?
I wonder if we are going to announce the signings of the US players when we are in the USA for a practice match so Kroenke can have his photo opportunity
Spurs have finally got their hands on a trophy but Kane will not get a medal…….WHL has just got the award for best playing surface in the EPL
A commemorative DVD will hit the shops soon 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Rico @ 9:00am. The Athletic had it at 21m, on Sunday, because Sterling has 1 year left and wants to leave, and City dont want him to walk. I think ESPN/ Sun had it at 45m.
Obi, given a choice who would you prefer Jesus or Sterling?
‘morning all my mistake, I looked up “The Invincibles” and the site only mentioned the unbeaten run.
Man. U. are trying to hi-jack Arsenal’s move for Lisandro Martinez. I’m with Obi on Raphina, a good footballer but potentially a disruptive influence in the dressing room.
Obi, the same paper quote £55 million today. Jesus too.
I thought that season would be etched on your brain Cicero. 😂
Are we trying to re-write history? I was present at a number of the games in the 2003/2004 league season and I can confirm we were not defeated.
I’m hoping that was tongue in cheek, or the the Elgin’s need checking.
I don’t get the hype on Lisandro Martinez and Raphinha.
We have no chance to sign the latter. If Barcelona wants someone, they will sign him. (Which doesn’t make much sense as they have Dembele – who wants to stay and also among Barcelona’s best players along with Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Fati – as well as an option to buy Traore, whom would cost a lot less than Raphinha, but it should be their problem.) The guy is a popular item on the market, and besides Barcelona’s interest he really should come to the Emirates as he would surely play second fiddle behind Saka.
For the same reason I must agree with Nigel: Jesus to Spurs is not insane, it’s retarded. There is no sign of Kane leaving, and joining Tottenham to be Kane’s understudy would be a suicide to Jesus’ international aspirations. Probably even the gossip is false, not even agents are that stupid. Only the usual day in the rumor mill: if there is nothing tangible you can report, make up something to antagonize Arsenal and Spurs fans.
And we shouldn’t really go all out on Lisandro Martinez. He is crazy short for a center back. And no, he is not a left back. He played 12 games in his entire (176 matches) career as LB, 4 of them didn’t last more than a half. He is not like Tomiyasu, who can play both CB (96) and full back (65). Martinez is less of a LB than White is a RB, as Ben played 14 games on the flank, 13 of them were full 90 minutes. Rob Holding played 23 games as full back (in Bolton) for crying out loud, and nobody considers him a viable alternative on the flank.
So Martinez cannot be a backup to Tierney. He could be a back-up for Gabriel, in case he leaves, injured or needs a deputy, as Lisandro is indeed left-footed. But despite his passing and tackling skills, a 175 cm CB would be a ticking bomb in the PL.
I know nada about Martinez. Raphina I know more. My friend watched him at Leeds for a few seasons and said he is a great player. Head and shoulders above the rest there.
Raphina to Barcelona has been on the cards for months. But they can’t afford a transfer fee, cos they are broke. Along with trying to sign Lewandowski and pay Aubameyang’s promised wage increase (he is paid less than at Arsenal) a lot of it doesn’t add up.
He plays the same position as Saka so it’s a non-starter for me.
I’m of the same opinion re Barca, who they want and who they get are not always the same these days. Shame eh…
Not to mention a special set of mugs and green coasters.
Not sure if any on here have been to Barcelona, so here’s my tuppence:
– I’ve been to the Camp Nou twice (once to see Arsenal) it’s a functional stadium. More like a multi-storey car park than a football stadium
– There’s no atmosphere at the games there. More noise comes from people eating at half time
– A huge proportion of the crowd at games are tourists
– The city is a wonderful place and the football ground is part of the tourist trail
– The club is the standard bearer of Catalonia, so is virtually a national team
– The football club get preferential treatment from the regional government, allowing huge tax breaks for the players on outrageous salaries, while a lot of people in the city struggle to get by day to day
Not the type of football club we are familair with in the UK
According to the Athletic (that’s as reliable as it gets during the transfer window madness) Arsenal are serious about Martinez and see him as a left-back and serious about Raphinia. No mention of Scamacca anymore or Abraham.
Don’t have nightmares. 😄
I’ve been once Pete, went with a family of Barca fans. It was rowdy, busy and a fantastic atmosphere. Mind you, it was about 30 years ago. 😂
😂 Kev. Are you busy?
Devil @10:12, I prefer Sterling as I view him as a better player than Jesus. But for Arsenal because there are Saka and Martenelli, given the choice, I will go with Jesus. But keep in mind that Jesus had 13 goals in about 33 games for City this season, but about 8 goals came in 3 games, and he had never been a prolific scorer at City. At least Sterling has had 20, 18 and 17 goals seasons.
Devil, who do you prefer as a player and also for Arsenal needs?
It’s the same the whole world over , depends who they are playing . A game against Valladolid or Elche will be flat but Real , Atletico or a European night and the cules are rocking.
@Potter/Rico
I was sitting right behind the goal, bottom tier, Camp Nou with the Barcelona fans for the Arsenal game. I got a ticket from a tout quite easily. This was 1999. Two very good teams.
The only thing that got the Barcelona fans animated was Davor Suker coming off the bench. He was at Madrid previous to coming to Arsenal.
A very entertaining time spent in the centre of Barcelona for the few days around the game.
Vieira signed….
All I learned on the night Pete was what’s Catalan for “the referee’s a w****r” 😅 I haven’t a clue who they played though.
That’s the second most important language lesson, Rico, right after “My place or your place?” 🙂
It will be interesting to see how Veiria copes with the pace and physicality of the Premiership. He said in his interview with the club’s PR department that “as for what I need to work on, I’d say the physical side of my game”.
Good luck with that Fabio!
Ha ha Pbarany
He’ll be fine I’m sure Cicero, a few weeks in the gym will have him sorted.
I guess l’àrbitre és un idiota is the nice way of putting it. pallador is possibly more accurate.
No wonder I forgot it Potter. Lol
I prefer Sterling. 1) English. 2) we are going to have many Brazilians 3) I think he is more suited to 433 4) he will get on better with Saka and Martinelli.
Busy’ish Rico, the traffic was horrendous but everyone seemed to accept the situation.
I’ll get my thinking cap on and do some scribbling in the next few days. 🙂
The links to Hickey have gone very quiet, but I’m sure that Edu is still watching that scenario and maybe a few more weeks need to go by before those interested continental clubs realise that Torrieira, Bellerin, Mari, Leno and Pepe aren’t going to be freebies.
Watch this space!
Welcome Vieira mark 2 now to show him were the gym is.
Thanks Kev. I guess people working from home to avoid the problems.
New post up now