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.
Add in Sesko and Gyokeres to the same old news bit… Goodness only knows how I forget them. 😂
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.
It has all got very boring now!! Same old stories repeating themselves over and over again. Yawn!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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?
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..
To be honest, I’m not fussed Heinz is joining but the sentimental side of me hoped for Bergkamp or Cazorla
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.
He played for Utd Kev..l
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.
I think Rico, that he was at Man Utd and wanted to join Liverpool but Fergie blocked any move in his characteristic charming manner
England playing collapso cricket then Cicero.
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.
Ouch! Kev. 😁
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…
Smith and Brook in 14 and 42 respectively and only 478 behind.
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?
Smith and Brook now 64 and 63 respectively only 404 behind now.
Something of a fight back Smith and Brook respectively 102 and 91. Only 338 behind at lunch
That’s right Kev, I read it on Wikki, not surprised he wanted out though. 😂
https://www.arsenal.com/news/takehiro-tomiyasu-depart-arsenal
🥲
Newell’s Old Boys (Rosario) was Leonel Messi’s team…
When he was 3yo? 😝
So, Partey charged with multiple rapes.
Probably why no new contract was on serious offer, or am I getting ahead of myself??!!
Wavy, exactly what I was going to say! How it’s took 3 years though is crazy. These cases drag on for ever.
Surely evidence, in any case (not particularly this), is more valid when it’s fresh in someones’s mind, rather than distorted over time.
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.
Partey charged with Rape and sexual assault , is that why he left ?
So add him to the list and with the potential departures we are 55 million in wages better off
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. 😉
I wonder how long it will be until Partey”s name is deleted from the list of first teamers on the club website.
Probably when he gets his first match at the scrubs
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. 😝
Cicero, maybe the Crown prosecution Judge is a Gunner (fingers crossed). He just waited for his contract to wind down. haha
Smart move Arsenal, they’d have known it was him.
The CPS officer in charge of the case must be an Arsenal fan.
Great minds…
He’s literally just been removed from .com. His name was there, I refreshed the page and his name was gone..
I hate to spoil the partey campers, but he might just be innocent?
It does happen ya know… 🤔
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.
Best thing Arsenal could do now is announce a new signing…
Agree, a charge and conviction are two very different things.
I reckon they’ll save the good news for tomorrow Rico
On a Saturday though Kev?
Not saying that he is guilty but the upheaval in the club with the trial would be best avoided but I wonder if the ex director of public prosecutions has been pulling a few strings.
It’s the timing that suggests that he might.
Wouldn’t surprise me…
If I was the prosecutor I would have let him sign for Man Utd or Chavs first. Then when the contract is signed, sealed and delivered, I would have spilled the beans on the eve of the 1st game haha
I’ve read a lot of negativity about how the club has handled the Partey situation which I think is unfair. until Partey was charged today, Arsenal would have been wrong to deal with him as a guilty man. Had he been charged a year ago, it would have been a different story but he wasn’t.
Arsenal handled the situation well. Innocent until proven guilty that is the law of the UK. Even if they knew all along it would not have been wise to expose him. Because, they are not the police, they are not this nor that. They are a football club who take care of their assets.
And tbh I am more concerned about the fact that Arsenal and Tommy agreed to go their seperate ways. Maybe they know more about his injury than us.
Statement from Arsenal regarding Thomas Partey being charged today: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”
I don’t think the club needs to comment…
Exactly Rico since he is no longer a club player.
I hope Saliba gets the number 5, White gets the number 2,
Not for that reason Devil but the very fact he’s only been charged today. Until he’s found guilty, if he’s found guilty, what can they say?
Goosebumps. Rúben Neves’ farewell message to his friend Diogo Jota 🤍
“Dude, wherever you are, I know you’ll read this. We’ve never been this kind of snotty and maybe I regret it a little now, but you know what you mean to me just as much as I know what I mean to you. More than just a friend, we’re family, and we won’t stop being that just because you’ve decided to sign a contract a little further away from us! When I go to the national team, you’ll still be by my side at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane… you’ll always be there with me, as always. We’ll continue to laugh, make plans, share our lives with each other. I’ll make sure you’re always there and I’ll make sure your family never misses anything while you’re there, far away but thinking about us, waiting for us. Life brought us together and now it can’t separate us. We’ve achieved some beautiful things together, we still have a lot to achieve, I know we’ll make it. Starting today, you’ll enter into a new world field with me, and we will follow our path together, on the stage where we met. Diogoal, you are my favorite lemonade sucker!!
I love you.”
Afternoon Rico and all,
It’s a shame about Tomy as I don’t think we got to see his best, but it’s the best thing for all as we a get an injured player of our books and hopefully when fit Tomy can re kick start his career at a small club,
I don’t know anythink about the charges against Partey, except for what I have read on this site, but it could be a good thing that he will go, as I am not sure he would be able to give 100% on the field with these charges always on his mind. and the bad advertisment it could bring the club, and then the pressure put players who want or don’t want to be on the same team as him.
Good morning everyone
Al Nasr willing to offer BP73M for martinelli. While I don’t want to see him go that’s a too good a sum to miss
I assume that’s £ 73 million , but it will be seen to be an error on a few levels . Sure he has not been as prolific as we might like in front of goal but he is young .
Put yourself in the realm of hindsight and bring it up to date and ask yourselves what would you pay today for a 24 year old Robert Pires.?
We bought Martinelli as a kid and he has played in the premier league in all that time from 18 years old to 24. According to Wiki he has played 161 games and scored 40 times ) 1 in 4 ). At the same point of his career Pires was playing for Metz age 20 to 27 played 162 games and scored 43 times . ( see the similarity ?)
He then came to Arsenal age 27 and played until he was 33 with Vieira , Henry , Cole , Cesc , and Dennis himself . During this part of his career he played 189 games and upped his rate from 1 in 4 to 1 in 3 scoring 62 times.{ mainly against Spurs lol ).
Selling Martinelli as he comes into his prime for a newspaper name and probably paying more in my opinion for a player that won’t work as hard , how many times has he baled out our left back, will be a great mistake.
The case for the defence rests.
Large amounts of money often seem a better option than the player we’re selling to get it. I too am of the opinion that if Martinelli had more options ahead of him, or alongside him, he’d be more productive. He’s a player with great pace but if others around can’t keep up, we’ll never see the best of him on the wing.
I’ve no idea why he’s not been given opportunities to lead our front line..
Morning all.
73 mill is a fair price, i would think twice before makeing up my mind, yes he is good but after all if Arteta not getting the players he needs around him or a game plan to suit him it may be better off to take the money and buy a player that suits Arteta plans.
Ultimately, the club will do what they want to do and what they believe to be the best thing for the squad. We probably won’t agree with them though. 😜
My fear for this coming season is the fallout from the Partey charges. The noise from the stands was bad enough last season but the abuse will now be directed at the club instead of Partey.
Better the devil you know Geoff , and anyway I thought that Arteta was meant to be a great coach.
If he sells Martinelli he is admitting defeat . Most of those that have left have been for attitude problems and there is nothing wrong with Martinelli’s attitude , get a goal scoring coach to get him to slow down when shooting and be more clinical
. Sure take £ 73 million and get rid of a player that’s match going fans favourite , then pay Madrid more than that to get a player that they do not want for whatever reason .
As I said earlier Martinelli 161 games for 40 goals , Rodrygo for Madrid 172 games 40 goals .
seriously I can’t see the point.
Like all of the Arsenal forwards they need an attacking coach.
And I can’t see how Gabriel Heinze an ex defender fits that bill .
Firstly, I don’t want to see Martinelli leave, he is a player who whilst he misses a lot of opportunities is still a great asset to the team, a team he seems to love.
The thing is you’re not going to be offered a fee at that kind of level for a player you don’t like, a fee that can allow you to seriously upgrade the squad, it kinda remind me of Paul Merson leaving in 1997…
But we got in his place Overmars and Petit and the rest as they say is history. I don’t want him to leave but if we can bring in players who can give us that extra 10%, who can get us over the line then maybe we’ve just gotta suck it up…
Saying all that guff, I’ll still be happy if he stays.
It’s in the hands of Don Berta.
Arsenal are taking a kicking in the media for it’s handling of the Partey situation, the club need to make a statement detailing what they knew and when they knew it.
The newspapers, apparently, knew the identity of the Premiership player concerned but were instructed not to reveal it by the Press Council.
If it was wrong for the media to identify Partey, how can Arsenal be criticised for taking the same stance?
The level of self-righteous hypocrisy on the part of the media stinks
The media bashing is just wrong imo.
Partey is guilty when a court decides, not the media.
Taking three years to get to the point of charging him suggests to me that the allegations are far from 100% sure.
I know there are alleged victims in this and we should remain mindful of that but I still don’t think the club should have acted differently. Perhaps from this should come a directive from the powers in the game outlining how clubs should act in future.
Considering Partey had a great season, whatever has gone on clearly hasn’t weighed heavy on him mind.
Let’s not forget either, the CPS/Met Pol allowed Partey to continue living his life as a footballer, not just Arsenal football club.
I’m pretty sure it’s the law that a suspect cannot be named before being charged.
Potter, I’m in agreement 100% both re Arteta supposed to be a great coach and the need of an attacking coach rather than a defence minded one.
Rico, it is written in laws that state what you said…..a suspect cannot be named unless charged. And as you said further above no charges can be made unless allegations are 100% sure.
According to David Ornstein……Noni Madueke agrees personal terms with Arsenal as they consider approaching Chelsea for winger.
Arsenal have 23-year-old green light and strong relations with Chelsea but no club-to-club talks yet.
[@davidornstein]
I was sure of that Devil..
Sounds like Madueke wants to join Arsenal then, hope Chelsea don’t rip us off as they did with Havertz.
Given half a chance they will , hopefully Berta is made of sterner stuff though . We need a right winger to give Saka some respite . if he comes , so far we are collecting bench fillers , like everyone else I am waiting for the signing that makes a big difference.
Hope you are right re Berta. It cheeses me off when we help a rival build a stronger squad..
Yep, waiting for that “wow” signing, a game changer or two..
As a cricket fan I’m praying for a very wet day in Birmingham tomorrow.
Sadly our bowlers are not very good and several of our batsmen leave much to be desired.
Haven’t quite replaced Broad and Anderson have we…
Come on England…
Arteta may be a good manager, but he is more a defensive manager in my eye than a attacking style manager. however I still have delts on him taking us all the way to silverware.
New post up guys.