Morning all.
Gilles Grimandi, remember him? Of course you do. I rather liked him and if one was to try and liken him to a modern day Arsenal footballer, it would have to be Mohammed Elneny. No, not just because of the locks! Both were ‘I can play you anywhere’ kind of Arsene Wenger signings. Neither set the world alight but both handy to have in the squad. I know there will be a temptation to suggest that neither were good enough for Arsenal but let’s face it, no club can have a squad full of superstars regardless of how much we’d like them to.
The other day on here, Potter asked the question, ‘Elneny or Ceballos?’ A question I found tough to answer at the time but I think going forward, Elneny would be a more useful player for Mikel Arteta to have in his squad. Also, I don’t think Mikel Arteta should be expected to keep a player like Dani Ceballos who not only would cost the club a lot of money to sign permanently, but a player who he might not even want. After all, he’s an Unai Emery signing, or just another Spaniard Raul Sanllehi’s ‘contacts’ offered him.
So, Elneny back in Arsenal colours next season as a squad player or no, no way?
Grimandi has been quoted as telling French TV station Canal+:
“People didn’t realise the influence and the choices that Arsene made, choices which were often wise. We’re not able to read the project that’s in the hands of the directors and Sanllehi right now.
Hard to disagree with that. Certainly the second part. The first sentence is I assume, Grimandi reflecting on his time at Arsenal as a player because Arsenal and Arsene really did make some cracking signings. Post Grimandi too for 2/3 years but we know how things unfolded afterwards because some of Arsene and Arsenal’s signings are still haunting us today. But they’ll be gone soon enough, either via the transfer market or by default as their contracts run out which for Aubameyang, Ozil and Mustafi is next summer unless new contracts are signed.
Let’s take a look at Arsenal’s signings under Raul:
- Nicolas Pepe
- Gabriel Martinelli
- Dani Ceballos
- William Saliba
- Kieran Tierney
- David Luiz
- Sokratis
- Bernd Leno
- Lucas Torreira
- Stephan Lichtsteiner
- Cedric Soares (loan)
- Pablo Mari (loan)
- Denis Suarez
- Matteo Guendouzi
Apart from David Luiz, not one single player has been signed from within the English Leagues. Matters not I hear you say but I think it does because English football is like no other. Pepe is finding that out as in each game he’s been the target for rough treatment. Matteo Guendouzi goes to ground quicker than Mesut Ozil, Lucas Torreira is often on the floor more than he’s on two feet and once Gabriel establishes his place in the first team, he too will become the target for some rough stuff. I think Gabriel will stand up for himself though. Pepe might next season, not that he should because that’s why the game has officials, it’s their job to ensure FairPlay. Yes, what a joke that is.
What stands out from the list of signings Raul has brought to the club is the lack of height, strength and experience in key positions such as defence and midfield. The backbone of any top quality team.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Saliba fits in but he’s just 19 years old. Expecting him to be our main central defender is lumping a whole lot of pressure and unrealistic hope on such a young man who has never played in England before. Sokratis, Mustafi, Holding and the currently injured Mari and Chambers will be Arteta’s other options if they’re not sold before the new season kicks off. That’s not a top four central defence is it?
Then there’s the midfield. What a mix and match of misfits we have. Willock, Smith Rowe, AMN, Guendouzi, Xhaka and Torreira. Like with the list of defenders, I fully expect a few names to be gone this summer. Barring Guendouzi, our midfield lacks height and it seriously lacks strength, power and physicality. No disrespect to any of them but none fill me with great confidence defensively.
So yes, when Grimandi says it’s hard to see which direction Raul is taking the club, it’s hard to disagree. If our attacking unit next season is as it is right now, the only way it’ll be more affective in my opinion is to sure up the areas behind it. But so far, Raul has overlooked this, as did Arsene and Unai. Credit where it’s due though, at least Unai Emery wanted N’Zonzi. At least that’s how the rumours went at the time.
Basically, I think we need two key signings. (At least) A central defender and a central midfielder. Strong, tall and athletic players who will really make a difference to the first team. Not crocks, not loans, not players whose agents are buddies of Raul. Players who the squad really needs and who Mikel Arteta wants. It’s his job constantly being scrutinised so it’s only fair, right and proper that it’s he who chooses his tools. Not Raul!
It’s Raul’s job to get the deals done. It’s his job to tell the owners how much the club needs to spend on x, y and z too. If he doesn’t ask, he’ll never get. I’m sure Josh Kroenke and co want their club to be a successful one but they probably haven’t a clue about English football or what/who Mikel Arteta needs in order to try and make Arsenal great again.
Raul needs to be the man to tell them.
See you in the comments guys.
Hello Rico.. Super post 👍
Wasn’t overly keen on Grimandi 😄 and bringing Mo back is a no no. For me, it’d be as bad as bringing Iwobi back! But if the powers that be go for it, I’ll have to like it or lump it!!
Transfer Checker have said we’ve offered a year long extension to Luiz 😳 Whether he accepts or not remains to be seen, as he wanted 2…The PL deadline for contract extensions is tomorrow, for the paperwork to be submitted so they can carry on playing this season.. decisions to be made then!
Waiting for news to emerge of Leno doing his ACL.. be amazed if he hasn’t! So many of our players have suffered this injury, it’s mental.
Raul, as you so rightly say, has to step up… it’s no laughing matter… step up or go… as right now, he doesn’t seem any better than Ivan… and he was bloody useless!
A question for you, Rico, will 40 points be enough? Really can’t believe I’m asking that 😔
Morning Sue, all.
I’ve kind of gone on from Adam’s comment yesterday. This really is a crucial time for the club purely because they’ll never have a better time to spend and really get value for money with the market prices expected to be reduced.
I wonder if the younger players should go out on loan, apart from Saka and Gabriel that is and get some experience for a season, especially if Mikel feels they’re not ready to be regular first team players. Sign some experience to help get confidence back and make us competitive next season. By that, competing for the top four. The squad we have is a mashup I reckon.
Luiz staying on? Well that would be a surprise
40 points. Reflects where this squad is I guess and how far backwards we’ve gone. Just hope Mikel is ready and able for the challenge.
Rico,
We’ve needed a big, strong DM for years and a top CB as well.
In no way am I criticising your post for mentioning it, but the club for failing to address the obvious for so long.
Saliba could well sort one of these issues out.
I think if we slotted Vieira or Petit straight into our best 11 right now, we’d be a lot more competitive.
Morning all.
Also, Rico, did you see Ornstein said we had a positive result, which resulted in 3 players pulled from training… could this be why Martinelli hasn’t featured??
You’re right Rico, one hell of a mashup 👍
Absolutely agree Scott and we’ve been writing that for years too.
For me at the moment THE MOST important signing that they can make is getting Saka signed up. I read today that Liverpool want him for £20 million now. & I think the club will sell him if he doesn’t sign or he goes on a free next year . It is criminal how we get ourselves into this position. I feel sure the reason that Aubu is not playing as well is that he doesn’t want to get injured which will affect a sell this year . Saza should have been tied up MONTHS ago if not last year , now is value is rising & although he is Arsenal through & through , what young man would not want to play for Liverpool with a decent wage . We have to keep him FIRST PRIORITY for me
I didn’t know that Sue. Surely if we had a positive Covid test, they’d all be in self isolation?
Martinelli was in the squad for City. Could it be Cedric and Papa perhaps.
Whoever it was came into close contact with 2 other members of the squad…but I’ve just seen it said they all played a part in the City game… hmm interesting….
Good day all.
I hope you haven’t been personally affected by the terrible events in Reading Rico.
I’m not convinced by Raul. He seems to think that Arsenal is a retirement home for over-the-hill defenders. Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Luiz and one grossly over-priced winger Pepe. whose goals for Arsenal don’t amount to much more than a single handful.
Mixed messages going around.
I heard a rumour a week or so back that Ozil and Sokratis tested positive.
Heard today that the players were at the games but didn’t play, then read they did so who knows???
What happened with the clubs pledge that they’d not allow players contracts to run down??
We lost Ramsey, we have a few players headed to their last year.
In saying that, players and their agents play the game is disgracefully, imo.
Hi Rico and All I still believe Luiz will be with us for 1 more year after all if Aubameyang leaves who would be captain.
We’ve all been saying the same Sohara. Apparently he was close to agreeing a deal before lockdown. According to Ornstein anyway.
Afternoon Rico and All
To get beat by a kiss-me-quick outfit like that,
twice home and away,is relegation land.
Micky has it all to do with this lot can’t help
repeating it,again and again.
These two defeats and the manner with
which we lost,has thrown a few doubts up,
about Micky to me.
Never a plus anywhere if we lose…..All Neg.
No matter what anybody says,his the manager
full stop.
We done the hard part 1.Nil up,then what Micky.
We then as a team thought game over,
cats whiskers and all that rubbish.
Same old lot,it reminded me of when Freddie
took over.
Honeymoon looks over for Micky now,he has to
instill some pride into his next eleven starters,
that will be on the training ground,he has to
make his mind up on whos who with this lot.
Its easy to see whos putting it in from the side
the players know whats what.
At the moment with this lot,I can’t even think of
the first player that I would pencil in to start for
the next game,
Not sure Micky knows either.
Renew the contract with Luiz? Is there a chance to sell it the following week, that is, to any place in this world?
I have two proposals to make:
a) for the English League: that the referees come from a European country, other than the British Isles.
b) For the Arsenal board (?) that constantly present various statistics on the site: that make a survey of the number of players injured per Arsenal game from 15 years to the present, and that indicate the long-term injured players “(mostly caused by opponents’ actions without being duly penalized). Ex: Eduardo, Ramsey, Diaby, RVP, Rosicky, Cazorla, Sagna, Leno, etc, etc.
JM, our boys get kicked off the park week in, week out and have done for years.
Why more isn’t made of it is something I don’t get.
The Arsenal way over the past few years seems stuck between trying to appease the very vocal fans who scream on YouTube “ We care, do you?” and trying to emulate some mid table Spanish outfit full of players who can keep the ball up for hours on end but with little appetite for the sting of battle. Where is the plan? Are the powers at the club trying to Iuck themselves Into a situation and let providence take over or, as seems the narrative generally, are they completely hamstrung with an owner who is notoriously tight or perhaps they are terrified of infringing VAR. The evidence is hardly compelling either way.
Arsenal have a completely untested manager who most agree is a very nice bloke and in charge, there’s an ex-Barcelona man with a reputation for being friendly with all those awful agents, the ones that Arsene never liked dealing with. They have a jovial Brazilian ex-player as technical director though what that actually means is as clear as mud. I ask again, where and what is the plan? Where are we going with this never-ending descent into zero-identity football while those around us are actually trying to build something and making us look like a rudderless ship, bouncing up and down on a PL sea?
We play and there are lots and lots of bad points plus a few good ones. Mikel says all the right things and we nod in sage agreement. We play again and get done by a horrible team who are well below average. Mikel says the result is unacceptable and we all agree. He’s a nice guy right? We have to give him time don’t we? After all, there must be a plan. A plan to sort the defence once and for all. A defence suited to the PL that features no nonsense players who aren’t going to take shit from worms like Maupay or whatever his name is. And the flaky, weak and generally awful, temperamentally-fragile midfield? What’s going on there? It is, in my opinion one of the worst I have ever seen at Arsenal. The strikers? Well, they look like they’re out of the door already. Liverpool are sniffing round Saka like gas-meter thieves and who knows what’s happened to Martinelli? Auba and Laca are yesterday’s news. Ozil is an open wound.
The Arsenal way is to shrug and hope that it all comes good in the end. Struggle through to the end of this most horrible season and then, after some long, drawn out, protracted transfer bullshit, go again next season and set sail on a sea of uncertainty and just hope that our fading faith in the structure at the club (because they’re all good blokes) finally begins to work.
FFS Arsenal, get it together. Replace the flakes with some hard-nosed professionals on and off the pitch. We don’t need to like them or be their mates. But we need to start winning because we are losing all sense of identity, not only to the outside world but even to our own fans and unless whatever remains of the board actually want to play home games in front of a stadium of tourists, they had better decide where we are going, budget for it and make the decisions that so few of us believe they are capable of.
Afternoon Rico and the house.
Great comments Adam spot on
The Dozy one will face no further action and can play against Soton
Thats if Mkal picks him.
Thanks to VAR
I’m amazed at that – with regards to Guendouzi – thought he’d receive a punishment of some sort, although maybe that’s incoming from MA!!
Thanks Rick. As you probably gathered, I am well cheesed off with what’s happening at our club right now. 😫
Afternoon Rico and all
I’ll try and keep it brief! Saturday’s game reminded me a great deal of the only time I’ve been to the Emirates recently, v Wolves. It was a tedious game, dull, unimaginative mundane and above all slow. We took the lead, looked comfortable, 1-0 to the Arsenal, until Wolves equalised, then it was scary, back to the wall stuf, panic clearances, missed tackles, outbursts of temper etc. I left the game feeling totally let down by my ‘special team’.
So, with Sunday much the same scenario, dull, slow, boring football, no penetration, no imagination, just one or two flashes of individual skill and dynamism, vis, Pepe and Saka. Dull and poor though we we’re, the team never looked to be really challenged. They had a few chances to go further ahead or latterly just ahead! And then, you could see it coming, Maupassant scored an unlikely and imo, completely undeserved winner.
We now find ourselves carping and complaining about all things Arsenal even the medical staff! I can only echo and agree wholeheartedly with Adam’s comments, every element of the club is in turmoil. There just doesn’t seem to be any plan, any objective, and strategy either short or long term, unless I’m missing something?
I look at the players and they are all technically very skilful, good close control, some great dribbling skills, they can all pass to each other, mostly, they all have an excellent first touch, but their awareness of where a team mate is or rather should be is woefully lacking. Running off the ball, give and goes even wall passes, rare to non existent. And to cap it all or maybe as a result of their lack of movement, the ‘team’ are ponderous when it comes to speedy devastating football. WHY. Where has all the fluidity gone to? Has it been coached out of them? Are they frightened to give the ball away? Is it because they know they’re not good enough to win it back, or scared of being kicked? God alone knows!
One thing is for certain, unless they start playing proper football and actually playing to their real abilities, all of them, we are in for a very poor season next year in which the word relegation will be thrust at the Arsenal continuously through the post Covid season. And may well result in the unthinkable!
I’m not liking these rumours about Joe Hart..
How can a 18 academy player who is getting regular team football at a club like Arsenal. Still not have signed a new deal it is f*****g embarrassing it not like he needs to leave to get game time is it. Surely he must realise that if he goes to a team like Liverpool
He will be permanently be on the bench or loaned out. In fact it wouldn’t surprise me if the parasitic scum that run our club would sell and loan him back. Because they have f**k all ambition. It is a disgrace how this scumbag owner treats our club. Hand off approach more total f*****g neglect.
Sorry, it was Saturday’s game
And Maupay not Maupassant (he was at least a half decent author, despite being french!)
Doulble delight today!……………the post and Adams form! 😆
I`m sure Mikel is the man for the job, anyone would struggle with the hirearchy at Arsenal.
What worries me is I am going to have to pull out all the stops to make sure my new Grandson is a Gooner, I mean, anyone who had one when Arsene first arrived had it easy, no brainwashing, no bribing, effing easy!……………………………….how times have changed, I`m going to have to buy more than just red and white baby grows!……………….he will demand to be breast fed by page 3 girls `til he reaches emotional maturity (which I think is about 43 years old.)…………will want to be on Love Island showing off his genetic inherited 6 pack by 11!……………
Saw this online –
Arteta’s PL record when Xhaka completes 90 minutes:
•9 games
•0 defeats
•4 clean sheets
•90 minutes per goal conceded
Arteta’s PL record when Xhaka fails to complete 90 minutes:
•3 games
•3 defeats
•0 clean sheets
•34 minutes per goal conceded
Like it or not, he’s key
Afternoon Fred, Rick, Wavy and all.
Adam, we said similar but you just put it so much better.. 😆
Sue, I think we’d have got something against City had Mari and Xhaka not been injured.
What are the Joe Hart rumours?
Ah, Iv’e seen the Joe Hart rumour in the Express. It seems Arteta “could” “consider” a loan move for the ex England ‘ keeper, as back-up for Emi Martinez. Who, incidentally, is wanted by promotion hopefuls Leeds United.
Rico.. 👍
We’re considering a move for him, Cicero… he’s 33 and will be a free agent at the end of the month… needless to say, I’m not at all surprised! 😳
Evening rico, House.
Adam, so apart from that ….. all’s ok? 😃😃😃
Evening Andrew. It’s perfect mate. 😀
Evening Andrew.
Joe Hart?? ☹️
I’m shocked we haven’t gone for Heurelho Gomes 😂😂 He’s 39 – ideal 😂
To be fair, Hart would only be a backup to Martinez I guess, Macey too perhaps.
Morning all.
The fact is that unless Stan suddenly chips in, our shoestring budget approach remains and so guys like Hart will always be a possibility.
Sue, Mikel likes a xhaka and that’s clear to see.
With those stats is also understandable.
Funny, burn Arteta played for us,
He was often criticised by fans, yet our win/loss record was so much better when he played, it was ridiculous.
Meanwhile, everyone loved Jack, but the stats showed we won a hell of a lot more games without him.l around that time.
Hi Scott… yes, you’re right, I do find it rather underwhelming though, but it shouldn’t really come as a surprise with Stan at the helm!!
I’m a sucker for a stat and was quite surprised by Xhaka’s… if I’m honest, I’ve never really seen him as that influential… the stats say otherwise.. so hurry back 🤣
Sue,
We do tend to see the more glamorous stuff, and can easily miss the grafting that players do.
Yes, that’s one very telling stat, though.
It can’t be denied or ignored.
👍 Scott, right again (hey there’s a pattern here 😆) maybe it’s often overlooked as he’s more often than not associated with wreckless lunges or being slow..but he’s always played well for Switzerland… Arsene liked him as did Unai..so surely they all can’t be wrong!
He’s done well to come back, as I honestly thought he was finished…
We all did, Sue, but Mikel has shown confidence in the guy, and to an extent, it’s been rewarded.
Same with Mustafi.
Morning Scott, all.
I know it’s often been said than Stan is tight but until this summer transfer window coming, under the FFP rules he’s not permitted to invest his own money and I’m not 100% sure thats changed, I think that’s often overlooked.
If the club spent £300 million on players, how can they be paid? They can’t imo, not until the current wage bill is significantly reduced.
I truly believe we are financially fooked until Ozil, Auba, Mikki, Kolasinac, Lacazette and perhaps Luiz have gone because they are the high earners.
Didn’t Raul say we’re a Europa League club paying Champions League wages?
Well, we’re now a top ten club paying Champions League wages.
Morning Rico,
Yes that’s all true, but I guess he has his chance right now to show us all if he will some or not.
No need for a half billion spend, but let’s go and spend 60-80 million on the best DM we can find!
Do that as a show of intent early tomorrow n the window and maybe some of our guys who seem to be a little half hearted atm will believe the club wants to succeed and sort their own deals out.
None of this waiting around for the best price, haggling down to the last million.
Remember when we signed Podolski early in the piece?
Word has it even RVP had second thoughts about going and while I can’t say that’s true, you can see players in that position suddenly becoming more interested in staying.
Early in the window, not early tomorrow!!
Bloody phone 🙂
I’m just trying to cobble something together about the subject Scott. 😂
Have fun hahahahaa
Morning Rico and all. Money and player acquisition is obviously important but when you lose Alexis, Henrik, Jack and Ramsey plus others essentially for very, very little and then spend £35 million on Mustafi and £350k a week on Mesut, you don’t need to be a financial genius to see how deep the problems are. We’ve spent money but wasted a lot of it. Unfortunately, for too many years we haven’t had a board or manager with the vision to make much of it either. It’s early days for Mikel but I already doubt his motivational skills and with every poor result I predict his words will begin to sound more hollow. Many Arsenal people I know reckon it’s happening now.
Morning Rico and All
Hi Adam….I thought that when watching that warm up game against
Brentford and his actions against Brighton.
Hope I’m 100% wrong..I want Micky to work.
Morning Fred. I think every Arsenal fan is desperate for it to work out for him. Perhaps he’s not getting enough help from above?
Whatever the case, something is clearly not right.
Morning guys.
Limited choices to use atm due to injuries/illness.
I’ll be interested to see who he’d play if everyone was available.
Even more interesting will be to compare the squad in 12 months time to now.
I’ll bet it’s vastly different, and the results will be as well.
Morning Adam, Fred.
Adam, I wondered that about Mikel and the players response to him. I wonder though if a lot is to do with the lockdown. I know of a lot of people who have been seriously effected by being restricted. That and perhaps the concern about the virus at the club.
New post up now.
It does go on a bit… lol
This is piss poor times for Arsenal no matter who the manager is or would be. There is no one out there who could instantly change our club, it will take time.
Can anyone honestly tell me which other manager/coach would do better without the mega millions invested!
From the outset of Arteta`s tenure(which has not been a full one due to Coronavirus) my opinion was he needed years to make us competitors and that would be with money invested, with no money invested how long?……………………..correct me if I`m wrong, but when in our history have we had so many loan signings?………….