Morning all.
It seems Unai Emery has now sorted his backroom team out. Jens Lehmann has departed but Steve Bould remains in the same role he’s been in for a number of years. Big news this I think because not only does he keep an Arsenal man in, but Bould is the guy many of us believe was prevented from doing his defensive duties on the training pitch under Arsene Wenger. How the team defend over the next few weeks and months will finally prove us to be right or wrong.
The team in full is:
First Team Assistant Head Coach, Juan Carlos Carcedo; First Team Assistant Head Coach, Steve Bould; First Team Coach, Pablo Villanueva; Director of High Performance, Darren Burgess; Strength and Conditioning Coach, Julen Masach; Goalkeeping Coach, Javi Garcia; Goalkeeping Coach, Sal Bibbo and Data/Video Analyst, Victor Manas
Signing number two is done and dusted and if Bernd Leno fulfills the potential he’s shown on many occasion then we might just have nabbed a good one. I know he doesn’t arrive with a reputation somewhere similar to Jan Oblak at Real Madrid but we’ll just have to wait and see what he’s like now he’s got a new challenge ahead.
“For me it’s a dream to play for Arsenal.
“I was excited and proud, because Arsenal is such a big club all over the world. In Germany, Arsenal are so famous and when I heard it, I was a little bit nervous but at that moment it was clear for me: I wanted to sign for Arsenal.
“I’ll try to help the team to come back to the Champions League and to win some trophies. Arsenal belong in the Champions League.
“Now it’s a new chapter for the club. I spoke to Unai Emery and he said that he believes I’m a good goalkeeper, and that he wanted me to join.”
Refreshing to hear I thought and no messing. We wanted him, he couldn’t refuse.
Sometimes a move can be the making of a player and we of all fans should know that. So many of Arsene Wenger’s early signings were struggling where they were before raising their game so many levels to thrive at Arsenal. Not many keepers I know but maybe we’ll get lucky this time. At least the goalkeeping coaches are different now. Cech, Ospina or even both could be on their way out I’d imagine.
World Cup fixtures for today:
Uruguay v Saudi Arabia, Portugal v Morocco, Iran v Spain.
Mohamed Elneny could soon be out of the World Cup after Egypt suffered defeat again yesterday. They now need a big victory in their final match against Saudi Arabia and hope that Uruguay suffer hefty defeats both tonight and in their final fixture, something I can’t really see happening.
Well I guess if Egypt go out, Elneny will be off on his holiday to enjoy a bit of a break before pre season begins which isn’t actually that far off. Our fixtures this summer are good ones with some tough ones lined up too.
One player who won’t be part of the pre season, or any further football for Arsenal is Jack Wilshere. Yesterday evening he confirmed he’s leaving the club after seventeen years and in a statement on his Instagram page, he said:
I felt that I was ultimately left with little choice but to make the decision that I have due to purely footballing reasons. Such was my desire to stay that I had in fact recently agreed to sign a financially reduced contract in order to commit my future to the club
.”My intention throughout these discussions has always been to remain an Arsenal player. I have been on the books at Arsenal for 17 years and have always felt part of the fabric of the club.
”Following my meeting with the new manager I was made aware that although the reduced contract offer remained, it was made clear to me that my playing time would be significantly reduced should I decide to stay. I am sure everyone can understand that at this point in my life and career I need to be playing first-team football and following my meeting with Mr Emery I came away feeling that it would be very difficult for me to do so at Arsenal.
”Given this, I feel I have no option but to pursue other opportunities in order to progress my career on the pitch.”
I’m not surprised really but it’s just a great shame that during his years with the club, he’s only played under one manager. Maybe a different one with different better coaching staff around him, he’d have learned a different way to play, a way that would have seen him avoid so many injuries, a way which would have made his less vulnerable to the footballing bullies out there. He may have improved vastly too but he still can as he’s relatively young. I really hope he takes a big step in his career now and takes Juventus up on their offer if there really is one. Max Allegri could be great for him. Also, it’ll be strange to see him at another Premier League club, sad even as he’s the only real Mr Arsenal we had left at the club. Wherever he goes though, I wish him well and hope his injuries are a thing of the past.
As in all cases though, his departure leaves space for another to fill. Ainsley Maitland-Niles could be that player, another guy who has Arsenal running through his veins having been at the club since he was six years old and has recently signed a new long term contract which suggests he’s a player Emery rates quite highly.
Football is what it is though, players come and go through what appears to be a forever revolving door, it’s just at Arsenal, we’ve not really been used to it. Players have come, stayed, especially the not so good ones and because of it, those good ones eventually go. Looking around the top clubs, most of the quality players are bought in from elsewhere with very few who have come through the youth system. By that I mean proper homegrown players and not those plucked from some other clubs academy.
Arsenal though seem to have a glut of talent coming through and imo, if they continue to work hard and improve, they’ll get their chance. Hopefully their dream too and that’s playing for the club they grew up with, not with the first one who tempts them away any which way they can.
As I’ve said before, this is a whole new Arsenal from top to bottom and for once I reckon if the players at the club are good enough, they’ll get their chance regardless of what name is on the back of their shirt. No favourites, no favours, just their football being the reason for their selection. It’s up to all of them to prove they should be ones on the teamsheet, no one else.
I’ve gone on a bit. Oops….
Arsenal’s move for Lucas Torreira has been completed.
That is according to the Sampdoria present, who says a £26m deal has been agreed with the Gunners.
“Torreira is currently away at the World Cup and the transfer will be completed upon his return.”
“Torreira has left for €30million. I bought him from Pescara when no one believed. We bet and we won, paying just €3million.”
The money that comes in is used to keep the club going.
………
Good morning Rico.
Well it seems Unai Emery has completed his Herculean labours and cleaned the Augean stables. Let’s all hope that the comfort zone has been demolished as well.
…..more good news!
Is this really Arsenal where it’s all happening?
Morning Cicero, it sure looks like it..
Morning all and thank you Rico for going on a bit ! 😀
Yes Torreira is almost confirmed by Ornstein. 🙂
Feel gutted that Jack is going 🙁 and hope he proves Dick wrong with a great career elsewhere.
Morning Rico. I wonder when the ‘big’ signings will arrive? 🙂
Aint a small country like Lichtenstein bigger enough ?
🙂
It’s all very unlike Arsenal, or the Arsenal we’ve had for the previous 10 years.
Getting all our business done early is a bit unsettling….
God knows what I’m going to do on deadline day, poor Jim White will be devastated…
Adam, I think we are about done as far as new signings are concerned. The main priorities appear to have been addressed. New first choice ‘keeper in. Right back reinforcement in. Central defence bolstered. If, as seems likely, Lucas Torreira joins that’s central midfield strengthened.
Jack Wilshere’s departure has been covered by the new contract for Maitland-Niles, there is also a new contract on the table for Ramsey who will be relatively easy to replace should he decide to quit.
Up front Lacazette, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Aubameyang, Welbeck and Iwobi looks a formidable array of talent.
All in all I reckon we will have a pretty solid squad come the start of the new season.
Dont forget Eddie, Cicero !
🙂
I don’t think he will start many Premiership games Le Coq but there will be opportunities in the cups and maybe the Europa League.
Hi Adam, Martial perhaps.. 😉
Lc I get the feeling you’re not a fan of Emery, or are you grieving for Arsene Wenger still? 😉
Cicero, I reckon there’s one, maybe two to come yet and departures..
I was hoping to see something of our nearly signed holding midfielder Lucas Torreira in the Uruguay v Saudi match but he’s on the bench. Perhaps, then, a stunning twenty minute sub appearance.
An immediate turnoff for me, Phil, know nothing, boring, dull, totally anti anything Arsenal, Neville in the commentary box.
Rico I’ll be very surprised if we sign anyone else, other than Torreira, but there will be some departures, maybe Mustafi and Ramsey.
Hahaha Rico…………Arsene who ?
Although exciting times a head I feel “Dick” is promising a lot and he needs to get off to a flyer with most (at present) of the same squad Wenger had, so he`d better be something better of a coach than Wenger………..yes, I know , not hard !……hahaha
The signings are nothing to get excited about imo and although I`d love to see how good this Torreira player is, should we be more interested in the player (whoever it is) who is keeping him out of the Uraguay team ?
😉
There needs to be an enormous change playing stye/tactics etc if we are to play an exciting style of football as of Mansour City, Liverpool and I hate saying this………………….Spuds !……………………..are the players capable of the change after years of Wenger ?………………….they are professionals and lets be honest they did play some energetic pressing games on the odd occasion……….the 3-0 against Manshafter and others ?…………………so it`s possible and “Dick” has said he likes to press so lets see, but dont be surprised if it goes pear shaped as the bigger (financial) clubs will not be laying down for us.
Uranus have the lead…………….Suarez !
Oops Uraguay ! hahaha…………………………you do often wonder which planet I`m from ………………
🙂
Planet Kernow Le Coq? They all talk funny down there. ?
Torreiera (14) is on.
Torreira with almost an assist !……………………………..his shot was going to the corner flag but hit Cavani and nearly deflected in !……………………………………note to Torreira………………let Xhaka do the shooting from midfield !
🙂
Look funny aswell, Cicero, probably down to their close family bonds…………..
Always wanted Cavani, great player who works his socks off aswell !
Lovely piece Rico. Like many Gooners. I am super excited for this new era. Watching our time being disciplined and tactical will be beautiful. I will wholeheartedly support Emery and Board to push us towards Top clubs
Lc, but don’t you think there will be big changes both in training and on match day? I certainly do. What promises though has Emery made? I haven’t heard any really other than his aim is to improve the football and get us back 8nto the Champions League.
Cicero, I reckon Ramsey will stay and sign a new contract. Mustafi to stay to imo, until n3xt summer at least.
Thanks A117..
Evening Rico. Who will be our new captain do you think?
Evening Adam, I’ve no idea really. Perhaps Xhaka as he’s done it before…
Unai Emery strikes me as a very disciplined sort of guy, I just can’t see him mouthing off about how he’s going to transform Arsenal Football Club into a World Beater overnight.
Top four is a sensible target, for him to make promises even of that is making him a hostage to fortune, he’ll do his best but can’t guarantee success.
Adam, Lichtsteiner for my money he’s done it for club and country.
That’s all he’s said though Cicero. Even we are not as naive to think we’ll be winning the league this coming season. He’ll need a season at least to get settled I’d have thought..
Rico, I think in his first interviews he said we would be challenging for everything !……………………..exactly what we want to hear, but on the flip side he is basically putting his head on the block if he doesn`t deliver !……………………..maybe he was caught up in the excitement as I would have been happy if he just said we must be in CL.
Once again we have some advantage with( apart from Chavs )all our rivals in CL, so both us and Chavs should be in the running for top 4……………………..it may make me sound negative but I`m bracing myself incase it all goes sideways. Last season with 5 rivals in CL it should have been our year even more so than the Leicester anomoly year, but we all know what happened and with years of expectations and inevitable disappointment (apart from my favourite FA Cups) I`m not overly confident, excited, but not confident.
As I`ve said recently, them first two games could make or break “Dick” before he`s virtually started, as with one of your posts both Chavs and CFG have more players involved in WC, so we cant keep messing up these opportunities when all the planets line up to help us, we will soon find out if “Dick” is the dogs doodahs or not and he`s coming with a lot of hype not just from the media, but our CEO and board so lets hope it`s not a big fall from the pedestal thats being created for him……………………………………………….I still would have prefered Arteta !……hahaha
Cicero, “Dick” siad in an interview he wants to make us not just the best in the EPL, but the world !……………………if only he knew what a tight fisted bastard Kroenke is with £0 investment in the team, he would know that is an impossible task !…………………………this world no way, Uranus ?………..maybe !
Lc, but every manager would say they hope to challenge for everything, he’s not said we’ll win everything though. Wenger said for 22 years that we’d challenge for everything, so did Pep, but neither won everything. Klopp and Poch too.
I just felt that with all this ‘Dick’ stuff, you had little time for the guy before he’s even be given a chance. Most Arsenal fans seem really upbeat about the club and our future, whereas you seem to feel otherwise.. Not criticising, just find it strange when for so long we’ve been waiting for this..
I don’t see any stand-out captains yet myself.
Needs to be someone with a bit about them I reckon.
Well that was a scrappy old match, the highlight for me was Isco gently removing a little bird from the pitch to safety on the sideline…
Night guys.
Amicus bonus noctis. ?
Morning all.
I take your point Rico and it probably looks that way, but with Arsenal my pessimistic traits come out from years of disappointment.
Only time will tell if my thoughts that we didn`t get a “Pep” style manager and that our transfer dealings look a bit damp squib with no exciting marquee signing are justfied as it will be results that matter.
Although it may not seem it, I cant wait for season to start, but then again thats the same every year and I thought before last season started that we were in the driving seat, but we know what happened……………hopefully Dick can change that.
Although I think we`re doomed ! hahaha
Thing is Lc, Emery might turn out to be the ‘Pep’ kind of manager we have been craving for but then again, he might flop, none of us know. The biggest positive for me is that the Wenger chain has finally been broken and the ‘board’ are in control now, not the manager. He’ll be accountable for what happens on the pitch and if it goes badly wrong, they can do something about it.
I know we are not signing the big names, or haven’t done so far but that never really bothers me. All I care about is what the players we do have and who Emery now signs can do. I know you laugh at the Leicester season, but if nothing else, it proved that regardless of what name is on a players back, getting the best out of them is key.
Morning Rico and all. I think you’re right there. The club has taken a step into the unknown but Emery is an experienced manager who has done very well at his previous clubs. PSG are a strange case where, we hear, the players and particularly the prancing show pony Neymar, tend to get their way. Arsenal represents a challenge and a great opportunity for him and his team. I remain optimistic (until things go downhill) but I reckon he’ll get time and consideration from the board and the fans.
Things do feel different though now that the mind-numbing predictability of Arsene’s close season are a thing of the past. But, Unai is trying to bring some stability through defence and midfield by the look of it and that can’t be bad.
Morning Adam, that’s how I see it too and our signings would pretty much confirm that. He’s clearly going for experience in the defensive department because that’s been our problem for years. I like the look of this young defender we’re supposed to be signing too, he looks a solid player. Caglar Soyuncu.
First job is get the players in to get competitive.That appears to be happening.What happens after that will be the acid test.If the old hands tide us over whilst the young ones develop then that’s the job he has been given. Top four will be a bonus but it needs to be a realistic target.
All good points Rico.
I`m just a pessismist who expects the quadraple !……………………..an oxymoron if ever there was one ! hahaha
Beautifull day again and the great thing about this dry spell is the grass doesn`t grow as quick, so less mowing !……………although the horses keep coming down from the top field and pooping on the sand school !…………………….plenty of free manure if anyone wants it ! 🙂
Agree Potter. I’m not sure we’ve ever had so many younger players fighting for a chance. All have shown the potential but the next step is a big one and unlike when Arsene Wenger went to playing youth, Emery seems to be surrounding them with older and really mature, experienced players. Can only be positive imo.
Lc, you, we have to be realistic though. As I think many have said, his aim I’d imagine is to get us back into the Champions League first and foremost and if he does that, mission accomplished for the first season. From there it’s about building.
As Adam and others have said, steadying the defence is an absolute must and that appears to be being done with the players he’s signing. No frills, spills etc, just solid defenders who have something about them, which we seriously lack.
I’m seriously optimistic for the season ahead, and the transfer window hasn’t even shut yet… lol
There’s a new post up now.