Morning all.
Vinai Venkatesham, the club’s CEO has confirmed he will leave next summer after 14 years with the club.
This was a tough decision, but it is time to pursue another challenge. Now is not the time for goodbyes as I remain focused until my last day and supporting a seamless transition.
Josh Kroenke said:
Change and succession is something the club is well prepared for. The Board remains committed to our strategy and will address leadership change as we continue to drive the club forward.
I didn’t see that one coming but it is what it is. Rotation doesn’t just take place on the pitch.Strange timing for his announcement but I guess it gives everyone at the club, including Vinai, time to move forwards. For Arsenal, that means finding a replacement, if he/she has not been found already. Fail to prepare and all that stuff.
Wow, that’s a lot of money spent on making a club successful on the pitch. I’m not sure if the figures given by TransferMarket includes the money each manager has overseen the selling of players but I doubt it as their spending includes all clubs they’ve managed at. Mikel Arteta has a long way to go before catching up with Klopp, let alone Guardiola. Lol
Sticking with the transfer theme, top footballing agents involved in transfer deals across the Premier League have named the worst Premier League transfers of the summer in The Athletic and funny enough, Kai Havertz is deemed one of the worst, followed closely by Moises Caicedo.
Isn’t it stupid that after just four games of football, this discussion is even taking place? It’s true that neither player has hit the ground running for their new club but the season is about ten months and not one. If we the Arsenal fans, the Havertz critics I mean, are still disappointed in him come December/January then fine, but for now, all we can do is hope what Mikel Arteta sees in him, soon becomes evident on the pitch. Sadly for him though, he’s an easy target right now, not helped at all by his awful air shot when it looked easier to score than miss. If it hadn’t been for his three pretty dismal seasons at Chelsea, I’d be thinking he needs time to adjust to a new league, however.. Personally, I don’t think he’s going to be an Arsenal success story but I don’t mind being proved wrong.
At the opposite end of the scale, Declan Rice has walked into Arsenal and played like he’s been at the club for years so him being voted Arsenal’s player of the month for August comes as no surprise at all to me. He started September well too with his goal against Utd an added bonus. Rice has also nominated for the Best FIFA Men’s Player at the 2023 Awards.
Poor old Jurrien Timber had the worst start possible to his Arsenal career and David Raya is yet to be seen in his new Arsenal kit. Still, that is likely to change by the end of this month with the EFL Cup fixture against Brentford not far off. The only other way I can see him making an earlier appearance is if Aaron Ramsdale picks up an injury.
Talking of injuries, Bukayo Saka is reported to be carrying one. True or not I don’t know but I’m sure as heck not going to believe a rumour in the media over Arsenal’s medical team. There’s no way in my opinion, Mikel Arteta would permit Saka to go away with England if he knew he wasn’t 100% fit.
Lastly, both Ben White and Martin Odegaard are reported to be in advanced talks over a new Arsenal contract. In my opinion, both will soon put pen to paper, after all, they seem pretty settled and happy. Who doesn’t seem happy at Arsenal right now?
Catch up in the comments..
On the surface things should look good at the Arsenal and players should be happy to be where they are .That of course is the nice way of looking at it but always there is an exception or two . Already we have seen reports of Arteta having to have private talks with Trossard and Smith – Rowe , the first wants starts and the second just wants to get on the grass.. Thomas Partey is said to be looking at an early exit because he feels that Havertz has shoved him to one side and if rumour is to be believed the club is ambivolent about whether to sell or not.
That means that if true Havertz is not about to spend too much time on the bench and the others can see their opportunities curtailed somewhat.
Still it’s all conjecture but having spent time in a few dressing rooms , what seems sweetness and light on the surface is not always what is going on in the background . It’s the managerial balancing act, lets hope that we don’t end up sacking the juggler.
Thanks Rico.
Good luck to Vinai, people move jobs all the time I suppose, often good for all concerned.
With the games we have coming up surely the time for rotation is now.
Maybe Eddie in for Jesus, anyone for Havertz (only kidding)
I read that Partey could leave in January to replace Pogba at Juve. I think it’s good that players aren’t happy sitting on the bench but, it must be even tougher when/if they believe they’re better than who is being selected despite poor performances.
Ha ha Limey. True though…
I don’t like the idea that the club’s CEO has announced that he is leaving, but not until next summer. That means the club will be operating with a lame duck at the helm for about nine or ten months. Josh who, presumably, signed of on the deal should think again. Call him in, thank him, shake his hand, give him a bunch of flowers and send him on his way. Or could it be that Josh has let it be known that he will be more hands on in future so Venai has jumped before he is pushed.
Partey out for 7 weeks with a groin injury.
Back just in time for the January transfer window then. The ACON too…
At least he won’t be playing right back.
😂
Would prefer him to Havertz next to Rice though.
Balogun shining today in Monaco against Lorient: he scored Monaco’s 2nd goal and now an invalidated goal. Entered in the 69th minute.
Come on Arsenal!
Havertz may be tired after the international break, or possibly got back late due to French farmers blocking roads or even French air traffic controllers working from home, so Arteta can rest him and give ESR a game.
Maybe Havertz is tired after the international break, or he got back late due to French farmers blocking roads or French air traffic controllers working from home, so Arteta can give him a rest and let ESR have a game. We can only hope. 😉
Afternoon Rico and all.
ESR not starting again, I wonder if he has any regrets about staying
Rays, White, Saliba Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Vieria Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Raya not Rays.
Hi guys, new post up.