Morning all.
As last season came to a close with Manchester City looking more and more likely to pip Arsenal to the title for a second year running, the return of Jurrien Timber was a positive time. Having suffered a horrid injury on his Premier League debut, losing him for most of the season was awful for him, his teammates and of course, Mikel Arteta.
There was a lot of buzz around his arrival, excitement too because this player wasn’t someone for a few years time, nor were his best days in the past. This guy was for the here and now and ready to make an impact on the team.
Fast forward one year and for me, it feels like his Arsenal career is starting all over again. If anyone doubted his strength and ability then I’m sure such doubts were soon forgotten after his return back in May. A stunning goal for the under 21’s, a meaty tackle or two as well and then back he was with the first team.
It’s no wonder Mikel Arteta is excited about him being available again. To use an old favourite expression from Arsene Wenger – he’s like a new signing….
He is a winner, you can see that in his body language and the way he acts that he has worked so hard. I think he is in a really good place at the moment. We are going to have to manage him now in the next few weeks because the load he has been able to do in the last few months compared to the next two weeks is very different but we are very excited about him. He has a great environment around him and hopefully that will make him a better player. He is a leader. He loves to be on show and a big presence in everything that we do. He is very vocal and extremely gifted technically. He is a great addition to the team.
I’ve read a few ideas about how he might be played in midfield this coming season, especially if Riccardo Calafiori arrives at the club but who knows these days, especially after the start of last season when Thomas Partey was deployed at right back. Could it be that Timber will slot in at right back with Ben White moving into midfield? I’d be surprised bearing in mind how good White and Bukayo play together. Or will this summer turn out to make life more simple for Mikel Arteta by signing an actual midfielder to partner Declan Rice?
I’ve no idea what Arsenal’s finances are like in relation to PSR but if the club can afford to let players leave on loan rather than selling them, one can only assume there are no great financial restraint. If the club can afford to sign another defender when there’s already eight on the books then it kind of supports such a theory.
I know we’ve all said it before but Arsenal as a club cannot afford to go into another season hoping that players will complete the same kind of playing numbers as they did last season, especially after a summer of international football. Yes we have the numbers as far as the squad goes but not necessarily the kind of quality Mikel Arteta will be confident to call upon.
This will be Mikel Arteta’s fifth full season at Arsenal as manager and his last unless he signs a new contract. Pep Guardiola is in the same situation at Manchester City so it won’t be long before the media put 2 and 2 together and make 6 so the sooner he commits to the club the better. Assuming that’s his and the clubs plan of course.
As said previously, for two seasons we’ve really challenged Man City for the league title and I’m sure like every Arsenal fan, I’m hoping it’ll be third time lucky. Chelsea and Liverpool are going into the season with new managers which no one knows how they’ll get on, Man Utd still have ten Hag in place so if he really was/is the issue at the club, little will change for them regardless of how much money they spend and Newcastle, who knows how their season will go. Aston Villa and Totts have both strengthened their squads but instead of the ever reliable Douglas Luiz in midfield, Villa now have Onana, a player previously linked to Arsenal.
As of yet, Arsenal have not signed anyone for the first team squad this summer but as Arteta said in interview in America, there’s plenty of time yet. No, I don’t count David Raya as he’s already been at the club a year. But just because other clubs have been busy, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be better.
I hope Arsenal are though. Much better..
Catch up in the comments.
Morniing Rico and all.
Timber will be like a new signing, who has been given plenty of time to get to know his team mates and understand what Arteta’s expects from his players and his game plan is.
According to reports Jesus looks fitter than he has ever looked us, but I have still hope we can bring in a striker that we can trust.
Morning Geoff. I’ve given up on the idea of a striker. A DM, winger and Calafiori seem more likely.
Afternoon everyone.
Rico, its not that I have given up the idea of a striker. Personally I would prefer, as I have pointed out various times before, Zinchenko be moved to the wings (he can perform both right and left) so he can rotate with Martinelli, Saka and Trossard, while Kiwior is kept as well to cover for Magalhaes and Calafiori. With Kiwior, Timber and Tommy we have ample cover plus Heaven if what I have read about him is correct, because he seems to be very promising. Fingers crossed we get a lower division team in the Carabeo cup at least in the first two rounds we play. It would be good to see what a defence of Timber (RB), Heaven (CB), Kiwior (CB), Tommy (LB) do even though its not a strong team.
With regards a striker, as has been pointed out many times, we already scored a record amount of goals, alhtough if we manage to get at least 10-15 more it would be awesome. So personally I would prefer someone who can rotate with Havertz as a CF who can work for the team as well as score goals. Someone on Facebook said that Auba would have been awesome as a CF with this team. I doubt that as he plays for himself not the team. We need another one like Havertz. Yes Jesus can do a job and its been said he is fitter etc. But he needs to up his scoring to be first choice. Otherwise it will be Kai up front.
I got this quote from Facebook……..Leyton Orient Manager Richie Wellens after his side played Arsenal in a friendly last week: “Typically, Ødegaard, you have to see his reactions, his body language, his concentration, and the way he directs the team on the field. Not to mention his talent. His abilities too.
“We would like to thank Arsenal for inviting us to play and fielding a strong squad.”
Devil, Jesus has never been a scorer of lots of goals. He’s a winger at best imo. I’m just going to wait and see what’s what when the transfer window closes..
Leicester City open talks with Arsenal for Reiss Nelson. Loan deal with obligation to buy, in talks over financial terms with Arsenal. Leicester, confident they can persuade Nelson if the clubs come to terms as he previously worked with Steve Cooper.
Arsenal are ‘determined’ to keep Gabriel Jesus beyond the end of this summer’s transfer window.
That’s because the Brazil international is said to have returned to pre-season ‘fitter than ever’, and he has held face-to-face talks with Arteta and Edu.
The report reveals that ‘concerns over the forward’s fitness were addressed head-on in these talks, resulting in a renewed focus and commitment’ from Jesus.
Jesus, branded as a ‘really dangerous’ player by Harry Kane in an interview on TNT Sports, played in Arsenal’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Leyton Orient and scored a goal.
Jesus was spotted training with Neymar, and those sessions seem to have paid off now as he really does look in incredible shape.
Arsenal and Atlético Madrid have sent their proposal to Mikel Merino & both clubs are preparing an offer to Real Sociedad for the player. Now, According to Diario Vasco, Mikel Merino has now decided that Arsenal’s proposal is the one which is most attractive.
His decision is based on both the financial and sporting side of the proposal with Atlético Madrid being knocked back in the process.
However, it is also said that The Redwhites won’t back down in Mikel Merino race. As Diego Simeone is a huge fan of the Spaniard and is keen on signing the midfielder.
Leyton Orient seem a good club for us to loan players to, it’s an area that Arsenal need to sharpen up on because I think we still make some mistakes in where we send our youngsters.
If Edu can finalise Califiori and Merino then that’ll be a decent window for me. Gyorkores is doing the rounds on NewsNow again but I wouldn’t go there, Portugal has not been a good market for Arsenal and I honestly think we should avoid it.
Riess nelson to Leicester city on loan then buy could be a good out come for all, I guess the question is how much does Arteta value Riess at.
is Kiwior staying apparently there are a couple of team interested in him.
I saw that too re Nelson. Having just been promoted, you’d think they could afford to buy Nelson.
Agree Kev, seems there’s respect between both clubs.
It depends on the value that those interested parties put of Kiwior because Arsenal don’t need to sell. We can wait until deadline day Impatient Geoff, to get what he’s worth and who knows, maybe an EPL club will make an offer?
I don’t mind loaning Nelson or Nketiah but it has to come with an obligation to buy in 12 months time plus a decent loan fee (deposit).
Smith Rowe needs to be a standard transfer here and now, but if he stays then that’s fine.
Also, I suppose we can’t moan about these kind of loan deals because we’ve brought players in on loan before making them permanent. Odegaard and Raya spring to mind..
Our finances look pretty good.£175 million as PL runner up, £79 million from CL, various sponsorships including shirts about £50 million so very healthy .
I have met Timber and his girlfriend and he is very articulate young man and until three months ago was learning Spanish . We can’t judge him as yet but in my opinion LB is a very weak area probably number one priority.. Not sure I like players to be asked to play in a number of positions,but that’s just my opinion.
With greatest respect Zinchenko is not a winger either side . If he plays there he will be slowing the attack to bring the ball inside to where he is comfortable . His distribution playing across the pitch has caught us out more than once and his misplaced passes have cost us goals.
He is an attack minded midfield player that fights Odegaard , ESR , Vieira and possibly Nanwheri for a place and in my mind is third in that list.
Players have to fight for their place . As for buying with Timber , Califiori and Merino I think that will be it ,and after this window I think the January one may spark a few departures if players do not get on the pitch
Kind of disagree re Timber, he may not have played much competitive football for us but he looks the real deal to me.. Really looking forward to seeing more of him this season..
Zinchenko isn’t a winger or a left back. 😂
Sky Sports
Riccardo Calafiori: Arsenal reach agreement in principle with Bologna for Italy international defender
Riccardo Calafiori is set for an Arsenal medical and could join up with the Gunners’ pre-season training camp in the United States; the Italian defender is set to join in a £42m deal from Bologna; Calafiori will sign a long-term contract with the north London club
The Athletic
Manchester City’s elite development squad analyst Darren Rogerson is leaving the club to join Arsenal’s first team.
Rogerson is due to start working with Mikel Arteta’s squad in the first few months of the upcoming Premier League season.
He has been at City for three years following spells at the academies of Sheffield United, Rangers and Derby County.
Having spent a year working in the academy he was promoted to Under-18s performance analyst before working with the elite development squad — the level below Pep Guardiola’s first team.
Rogerson is highly thought of inside City and is said to have been particularly impressive in developing relationships with the players.
He will join Ben Chadwick, Arsenal’s head of analysis, who also joined from City after holding the same position in the Under-23s.
David Ornstein is saying the same re Calafiori…
David Ornstein is also saying Fulham are closing in on a £35m deal for Smith Rowe. I guess we’ll know for sure if ESR doesn’t feature vs Bournemouth later this morning.
Reiss Nelson to Leicester is progressing, I wonder if West Ham will come back to the table?
Good morning
1-1 so far.
We went ahead with a very good goal by Vieira.
Hein made a couple of good saves. Heaven is playing well at the back. Lewis Skelly at let back and Nwaneri in the middle.
First half 1-0 to us. After the break they got an equalizer.
Regardless of the result, there will be a penalty shootout between Arsenal & Bournemouth after the match tonight.
Nwaneri has given a very good performance today. He seemed to work well with Odegaard.
Penalties now
Hein saves the 2nd penalty
We win penalty shoot out 5-4
Hein saved two penalties. I like this lad. And I wish he stays as back up keeper if Arsenal don’t get another one in if Ramsdale leaves. If he goes on loan then I hope he goes to a good club who play him regularly.
In my opinion, the MOTM should go to either Nwaneri or Hein today. Both were outstanding and did a great job notwithstanding their age and inexperience. Nwaner will surely get a good number of games as a starter and another number as sub. With regards Hein I hope he comes of age and gets regular game time whether at Arsenal or on loan.
2nd penalty save
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Well someone tell me why we are loaning Hein out and going for this kid at Wolves .?
So ESR didn’t feature and I did say months ago he had burnt his bridges with Arteta and looks like Fulham will secure him at £35 million.I wish him well.
ESR was among the subs but did not feature at all.
With regards Dan Bentley he is not kid Kelsey, he is 31 years old. Like you I am a bit confused why are we loaning Hein and trying to buy a 31 YO keeper. However if he is loaned out it may be that Hein matures much more if he plays regularly than if he stays as 2nd keeper. If Ramsdale couldn’t get a match past the 5 or 6 he played I dont expect Hein to do so as well.
ATM I am a bit unsure with regards the following about Ramsdale.
Last seson he played a total of 11 games, 6 of which were in the league. he played just once for England giving him a grand total of 12 games in all season.
Currently he is away on a holiday. It is every player’s right to have 4-5 weeks off for regeneration after a long hard season.
This is where I get confused. Had he been a regular and played around 40 games or so I would have accepted it had he gone on holiday. However with him not playing that much is there anyone who thinks that he should be playing his ass off trying to wrestle the number one position back?? even if he goes he still shows a top class attitude if he goes back to training.
I know that he trained hard every day, that family is there as well and he needs to spend time with them and also let his body regenerate.
Dont get me wrong I simply like Aaron Ramsdale and it still irks me that he is no longer number one, although I feel that Raya edges him slightly, however, I keep on thinking that had I personally been in his place I would be working hard to regain my place or at least show more committment so that I would be ready wherever I play
Devilgunner apologies he is 31 which makes it more confusing as one must expect Ramsdale to leave and he is on £120k basis a week.
Might be simple Devil, he knows he’s going and just waiting for the move. I wouldn’t be rushing back to play for the club after what’s happened with him.
New post up..