Triple change at Arsenal.

Morning all.

The Athletic and the BBC have supplied the bulk of today’s post.

The more reliable of the two sources report that former Real Madrid defender Gabriel Heinze is joining Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff. He’s moves from Newell’s Old Boys where he’s been head coach.

I’d not heard of that football club before and to be honest, the name sounds more like a beer from a local distillery. What I wouldn’t have done though if I was Heinze is sit in front of a board showing his clubs abbreviations within the badge. Not that he had a choice I guess….

The BBC report that Takehiro Tomiyasu is leaving Arsenal as both he and the club agreed to terminate his contract. Tomi has been plagued with injuries since joining the club in the summer of 2021 and last season alone, he played just six minutes of football.

I feel sad about Tomi just as I used to with Tomas Rosicky because both were/are excellent footballers robbed of a long career at the top of the game. Hopefully, the Japanese international defender can use this coming season to recover fully, get himself 100% fit and find himself a new club. He’d have been leaving Arsenal this time next year in any case.

As for Heinze, well, I was hoping an attacking coach would arrive at the club this summer, not another coach who as a player, concentrated on defending.

In other Arsenal news, U21 coach Mehmet Ali has left to join Brentford. I’m not surprised he’s left really, not after his team/squad finished eighth place in the league. Ten wins in twenty league games is not very good is it?

As for the rest of what’s filling the Arsenal headlines, well it’s pretty much the same as it’s been all week. Eze, Zubimendi, Norgaard, Mosquera, Rodrygo (no thanks) and Madueke are on the Arsenal agenda apparently but as yet, only Kepa has arrived.

Arsenal’s pre-season will begins with a training camp in Spain before they head to Singapore on July 19 for their tour of Asia according to the Independent.

Arsenal’s pre-season fixtures:

All kick-off times BST

July 23: AC Milan – Singapore National Stadium, Singapore, 12:30pm

July 27: Newcastle United – Singapore National Stadium, Singapore, 12:30pm

July 31: Tottenham Hotspur – Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong, 12:30pm

I hope our new signings arrive in time for the training camp in Spain…..

Catch up in the comments guys.

 

 

 

46 thoughts on “Triple change at Arsenal.

  1. Limey says:

    Nice one Rico,that’s interesting,very sad about Tomiyasu.
    I think freshening up the coaching regularly is a smart thing to do.
    I’ve not been on the Internet that much,I’ve been reading old Highbury House posts,I see Rico has moved. You have my sympathy there,having gone through it a few years ago,it has to be one of the most stressful things you can do. My 86 year old Mum fell and broke her hip on the 3rd of May,so I’ve been busy with her. She is much better now and getting on well.
    So I haven’t followed even 1 minute of the club world championship – like most gooners probably.
    Not much happening in the Arsenal world,I keep seeing that Martinelli will be sold,he needs to be replaced by two I reckon,we were short last year anyway. Maybe Eze and another,I’d sum up our business so far as a little less conversation a little more action please.

  2. Laura Phipps says:

    It has all got very boring now!! Same old stories repeating themselves over and over again. Yawn!

  3. rico says:

    Thanks Limey, it is stressful but also exciting.

    Sorry to hear about your mum, but glad she’s much better now.

    I agree re the coaching side of things and refreshing it, just didn’t for one minute expect it to be Heinze.

    I read a £75 million offer from Saudi was heading our way for Martinelli which if true, would be crazy to turn down.

  4. rico says:

    Exactly Laura, with any negative story squeezed in which can be.

    All I hope is that whoever is coming in is in before the training in Spain.

  5. rico says:

    Another change:

    Arsenal’s head of recruitment James Ellis is set to be promoted to the role of technical director.

    The Athletic previously reported that new sporting director Andrea Berta is looking to expand the group working around him following the departure of predecessor Jason Ayto.

    Ellis, who joined the north London club from Fulham in the summer of 2021, is now set to take on more responsibility alongside the Italian.

    Arsenal were in talks with Matteo Tognozzi, formerly of Juventus and Granada, over the role but that is not now expected to result in an appointment.

  6. rico says:

    Nico Williams signs new TEN-YEAR contract at Athletic Club

    The forward said of his new deal: “When it comes to making decisions, for me, the most important thing is to listen to your heart.

    I am where I want to be, with my people, this is my home. Aupa Athletic!”

    Phew, he’s not coming to Arsenal then. lol

  7. allezkev says:

    Morning one and all, terrible news regarding Tomiyasu, very very sad, I’m sure the club thought long and hard before this decision, it’s not that long ago that Bayern were being linked with Tomi.

    Exceptional defender, excellent attitude, perfect for the group and so versatile so replacing him won’t be easy. I for one will miss our sardonic Japanese international, a very street wise defender who obviously learnt a lot about defending in Italy.

  8. allezkev says:

    Not bothered about Nico Williams one iota, looks as if he’s waiting on Barcelona in 12 months time?

    Rumours that Crystal Palace might look to take an Arsenal player in part-exchange, sort of, in any Eze deal Arsenal can agree. Lokonga was previously on loan there when Vieira was in charge so he’s a possibility, interesting that Vieira, now at Genoa, has been linked to our underwhelming Belgian recently?

    Nelson, a possibility, and Fabio Vieira, unlikely, have also been linked to the Eagles.

    Martinelli for €75m if true is hard to turn down. Makes a change from having to pay-off players and basically give them away, thanks to the high level Arteta has us operating at now. Personally I’d rather keep him but such is life!

  9. allezkev says:

    Don’t know anything about Mr.57 varieties but he was one hell of a good player. Not sure if he’s had an amazing time managing in Argentina but some guys are more cut out to be coaches rather than be the man to delegate everything so hopefully a new voice with new ideas and some of that Argentinian street-wisdom might just give us that extra 10% we need to get over the line?

    Didn’t he play for Liverpool as well?

  10. rico says:

    You and me both Kev, loved him as a player and never heard anything about him in the media. Just brings back memories of Rosicky for me..

  11. Cicero says:

    What a start by England! Root caught swishing down the leg side and Captain Stokes out caught behind first ball. What a pair of plonkers.

  12. allezkev says:

    That’s so true Rico, it’s heartbreaking when you lose one of your favourites and Tomi was one of those. I think we had a contract with him until 2026 plus an option up to 2027. I’ve got a feeling that he’ll make a good coach one day.

  13. Cicero says:

    We’d be crazy to accept the Saudi offer for Martinelli until we have completed the signing of a superior replacement and I don’t mean Eze.

  14. allezkev says:

    Limey, sounds as if you’ve got your hands full, I last moved in 2016, never again – and there was no chain so it was simples but it’s just stress incorporated.

    Sorry to hear about your Mum, glad she’s improving…

  15. allezkev says:

    I was banking Cicero, on a strong rearguard by Joe who unlike our unreliable flappy No.3 is a man for a crisis.

    Looks as if Pope and Crawley are doing their darnedest to get Bethel into the team. A recall for Jimmy Anderson perhaps?

  16. Wavy says:

    So, Partey charged with multiple rapes.
    Probably why no new contract was on serious offer, or am I getting ahead of myself??!!

  17. andrewh1313 says:

    Surely evidence, in any case (not particularly this), is more valid when it’s fresh in someones’s mind, rather than distorted over time.

  18. Carmelsson says:

    Good afternoon Lady and Gentlemen

    As you all pointed out above……… Thomas Partey, officially charged with rape by the Metropolitan Police Service.
    “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police Service to charge a man after a file of evidence was submitted by detectives.
    “The Met has issued a charge and requisition to Thomas Partey, 32 (13/06/1992), of Hertfordshire, in connection with the following offences: Five counts of rape, One count of sexual assault.”
    Offences alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022

    And as was pointed out above, maybe that’s why Arsenal didn’t push the boat for a better contract. Sometimes we think that the club don’t do all when push comes to shove, however, I feel that the club knew all along.

    I just wonder why did it all come to light after his contract ended.

  19. potter says:

    So add him to the list and with the potential departures we are 55 million in wages better off

  20. Cicero says:

    I imagine that is entirely coincidental, D G. The Crown Prosecution Service is far too honest and professional to be swayed by thoughts of upsetting a Premiership football club. As an example of the crystal clear thinking at the C P S one only has to look at a previous head of the organisation, Sir Kier Starmer our current Prime Minister. 😉

  21. rico says:

    Bloomin heck, he was the “suspect” then. Ridiculous for it to take so long though but at least we got to have one good season from him. 😝

  22. rico says:

    Smart move Arsenal, they’d have known it was him.

    The CPS officer in charge of the case must be an Arsenal fan.

  23. allezkev says:

    Great recovery by alias Smith and Brook, Smudge is fast becoming my favourite England player, stoic, reliable, technically proficient, doesn’t hop about in the crease, stays calm under pressure, all the things missing from Ollie Pope.

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