Morning all.
Well, deadline day was disappointing as the much expected winger to replace Gabriel Martinelli never arrived. Our only attacking players with pace is down to two, Noni Madueke and 16 year old Max Dowman. Both who tend to play on the right when selected but as we have seen a number of times, Madueke can play just as well on the left as he can on the right. Yes, I am being ironic. Ismeal Kabia might have been an option but he’s already been shipped out on loan to St Mirren.
Arsenal academy signings:
- Elijah Upson – 18 year old defender
- Habeeb Ogunneye – 20 year old right back.
- Axel Donczew – 16 year old midfielder
- James Scanlon – 20 years old (in a few days) attacking midfielder.
- Igor Tyjon – 18 year old striker
- Phoenix Blayney – 15 year old goalkeeper
This time next year Andria Bartishvili will be at the club, as will twin brothers Edwin and Holger Quintero so Arsenal really are focussing on the future while the present kind of takes care of itself after 2/3 really good transfer windows as well as other signings before them.
A lot of 20 year old footballers are playing first team football these days, some are even younger like Myles Lewis-Skelly, Bukayo Saka when he made his Arsenal debut and others before him. Max Dowman has already had a taste of it, Ethan Nwaneri too and hopefully both will continue to get more minutes this season although for Ethan, those minutes will be in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund. Thankfully though, this loan deal includes a recall option.
The younger players joining this summer will almost certainly start out in the academy but you never know, if we can go on a good run in the domestic cups and draws are kind to us, one or two might get minutes in the first team.
Arsenal have said goodbye to a number of players this summer, the most disappointing for me is Gabriel Martinelli. Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira have both left and Ethan Nwaneri, as said above, has joined Dortmund on loan. Tommy Setford has also gone out on loan to Stevenage. I wish them all well. I wouldn’t bet against Martinelli returning to a European club this time next year.
Has it been a good transfer window for Arsenal? Yes but has it been great? No, I don’t think so but it could have been had we signed a left winger. One minute we seemed to be chasing Vinicius Jr, the next it’s Alvarez and then it’s no one. I fear not addressing our left side will hurt us although I hope I’m wrong. Still, if the club has money to spend, there’s always January. Defensively we are very strong, especially with the addition of Ezri Konsa and with both William Saliba to return. We are just as strong in midfield with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Bruno Guimaraes. It’s just our attacking unit which concerns me, mind you, we still have Viktor Gyokeres to make an appearance this season. I think it’s going to be a big season for him, Kai Havertz too if he’s going to play up front…
Catch up in the comments.
New post up guys.
Morning Devil, all.
Call me a cynic but I suspect the club leaked that little gem. Lol
It seems that both Potter and Obi read that as well.
For me its a crazy reason if he didnt get any minutes due to number change. Whilst I understand that the number means a lot to the player wouldnt it have been easier for Arteta to give Gyokeres the number 9 and assign Jesus another number seeing that the latter was surplus to requirements??
Good morning Rico and all
Just read on FB that the reason that VK14 did not play in the first two games was because Arsenal wanted Jesus gone so that the number 9 would be free. If Viktor got to play even a single second in the first two matches then he would have had to stay wit 14 for the rest of the season. Now that Jesus is gone and 9 is free then Viktor would take it.
Make of that what you will. The next game will tell us a lot.
Yeah I read that too Obi , seems a little too convenient and gives Arteta a way out.
Not sure if this is true, but it’s going around on the internet that the reason Gyokeres hasn’t played is that it has to do with possible number change to 9. Apparently players can’t change their numbers for the season once they have been included in the match day squad.
Well, you’re on here Potter so that’s a positive. 😂 Please let me know if you have any further problems.
Sadly it’s gone now Rico , and I can’t retrieve it. As you asked me to make a post I am putting this here hopefully it is sufficient.
Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick done an interview with a reporter from the sun which makes no sense for me. According to Garlick we only wanted to buy players that want to come and be very very very happy, so why did we keep trying to sign Julian Alvarez who clearly stated that he really wanted to go to Barcelona and no wear else, surely that would show/say that he did not want to come to us and indicate that he would not be very very very happy,
As others have said I am not willing to wright off any new player so soon in a new season, especially if they come from a different league and also take into account some of them are possible still trying to get their family settled in a new country,
Jayden Sancho, say it isn’t so Limey, he gives me Raheem Stirling vibes…
All things considered I’m fairly satisfied with the window, yes a left winger would have been nice but not any old left winger and those available were either out of reach or not good enough.
We have Eze, Madueke and maybe Scanlon who can fill the left wing space if Tzolis is being rested.
Midfield is strong, probably the strongest it’s been this century (sounds a bit dramatic I know) and defence is pretty well as strong as anyone’s in the PL and better than the majority. Timber must be close to a return, after the Interlull, so we probably pulled back from adding another full-back even if I strongly fancied Hinshelwood.
Gyokeres isn’t going anywhere and when he returns will be like a raging bull, so I’m not concerned. Odegaard, Havertz and Saka need to step up with the goalscoring.
As far as all the hype around the window goes and who is going to take our title away blah blah blah.
Well I wouldn’t swap this Arsenal squad with anyone else’s.
Didn’t you say something similar last season Jm? Apart from the World Cup bit. Lol
In any case, I think the squad is too short for the demands of the competitions, especially if we want to contend for everything (or even just some things).
There are several players who are still feeeling the effects of the World Cup and that will impact Arsenal’s performance.
So many matches, a packed schedule, injuries, suspensions, muscle fatigue, lack of fitness, illness… it’s no surprise we will be looking for someone in the January transfer window.
Let’s hope so..
that said, I think the ideia would be to find a replacement for Martinelli (he didn’t want to go, right?).
Unlike in England, the transfer window in the UAE closes later.
It could be like with Balogun – they might say he failled the medical examens…
Well, there is no getting any new players now…
I see Obi has gone off on loan. I guess the Man Utd grass wasn’t greener…
I was being polite Cicero 😜
Antics in the WC? People used to get arrested for that Rico. 😉
We need a presence in the box, someone to draw defenders to him without that the opposition can put two defenders on each side as the did to Tzolis on our left and Saka on the other side. Neither Eze or Havertz have the ability or appetite to play the central role.
He’s Argentinian, that was enough for me after the WC antics.
tbh I didnt want Alvarez to come. Was never excited about him especially considering his height. And after he made his feelings clear about Barca I was dreading the fact that Arsenal might sign him. Thank God we didnt. Especially for that money. His preferred position is CF. At 1.70 metres would he have been better than Gyokeres in the EPL against low block defences?? I doubt it.
Evening Devil, people just speculate, it’s natural as there’s so much stuff out there in the media, much of which contradicts the other. Only those on the inside of the club knows what goes on. Personally, whatever happened with Alvarez, I don’t really care as I’m glad he’s not at Arsenal.
Im glad Gyokeres is though..
Good evening Rico and all
Good read Rico. But I still don’t get why so many are comparing the fact that we did not get a marquee forward signing to other clubs getting theirs. Would Barcola have improved us and taken us up another level? Morgan Rogers I like but was his head swayed by footballing matters or financial ones?? As was pointed out, Vinicius would have been nice but were we used by his agent or he really considered it?? I highly doubt he considered us. He simply used us.
With regards the Gyokeres situation there are lots of comments on the Net of this or that reason. That he and Arteta fell out because he offered himself to Barca, that Arteta never wanted him but Berta did. Adding fuel to the fire that he hasnt played hasnt helped either.
But what if Arteta and the coaches are doing with Gyokeres the same thing they did with MLS?? Anyone remembers last season when in the first 2/3 of the season MLS hardly had a look in?? Speculation was rife that he was being frozen out, but behind the scenes Arteta and his coaches were working on him as a DM. Maybe Gyokeres is being coached about his role in the team?? As you pointed out in the comments yesterday I think, maybe Gyokeres will get to play in the CL where the low block is not played enough as much as in the EPL.
Different perspectives and opinions I feel. We only see it from the outside. Gyokeres did not leave. He stayed. And if Alvarez told Arteta that he didnt want to come to Arsenal, then I doubt that the club waited for him to change his mind. We all know that Arteta chucks people out if their heart is not with Arsenal. Does anyone honestly believe that if Alvarez told him he wants Barca, Arteta would have allowed the club to continue trying to get Alvarez?? I highly doubt it.
Hi Dennis, I too rate Calafiori, an exciting player going forward. I really hope he can stay fit this season. I think we are really lucky to have two top notch left backs.
It’s always been the same re Barca and Real. The temperature is better in Spain and the league not so demanding. 😜
Hi Rico, that’s a good shout re-Califiori, I rate him, and he is a genuine goal threat when marauding forward.
I agree with the point Potter made about our attractiveness to either Vini Jnr or Alvarez.
Both were ‘pipe-dreàm’ fantasy signings.
Leaving Real Madrid for Arsenal is a considerable step down in terms of both clubs stature on the global stage. Remember 2013, when Real signed Bale and sold us Ozil. They won the CL, we were nowhere near, but won the FA cup. Quite a chasm.
Alvarez didn’t want to come to Arsenal or England, and made it clear he only wanted Barca.
Elliott Anderson’s transfer to City elevated Morgan Rogers transfer value.
If Arsenal had been more decisive before Anderson’s move, a deal could have been struck for £80+m. We had an opportunity to match Chelsea’s offer, and walked away.
Arsenal spent far too long chasing these two and after two somewhat underwhelming summer windows we still can’t identify gettable ceiling-raisers to improve and sharpen our attacking force.
Surely as champions we can relax and offer entertaining football?
Rice will probably drop back to cover when Calafiori gets forward, or MLS.
If Calafiori is going work the left wing we will need Hincapie at full back or Rice will have to cover the back three.
Our way around not having an out and out winger on the left could be Calafiori. Not him playing on the wings but overlapping Eze as his did on Sunday. He has a wicked cross on him and shot which we’ve seen before.
Time will tell Merlin, but I hope he does. He’s such a gifted player but sometimes he lacks a bit of fight imo.
Tzolis will be fine I think, but like many players who come from other overseas clubs, the PL can need adjusting to.
Rico, Eze is an intelligent player and with one season under his belt, he knew his defensive duties and putting in a shift to track back now.
Fingers crossed and no more howlers from him on defensive duties.
I am not writing Tzolis off after 2 league games. If he can handle Man City at Community Shield game, he should fare better against Chelski.
Could do a lot worse for a season..
For doing the dirty on Chelsea Limey? 😜
So Monaco are now my favourite European team! I’m reading that Arsenal are interested in Sancho as a free agent,I’m not sure if there’s any truth in that.
Eze will have to improve his defensive duties Merlin because he knows what happens if he doesn’t. Arteta even mentioned his Villa disaster from last season when talking about our game against them last week.
Moring all.
Last season, we scored 71 league goals, conceded 27 goals and won the title.
And that was with Saka, Havertz, Merino and Jesus having lengthy injury layoff.
ArtetaBall is basically the entire team scored.
Confident this season we should score more than 71 goals and should concede less than 27 goals, plus more than 19 clean sheets?
Last season, we were 15W 2D 2L at home. C’mon, we should do better than that and remain unbeaten at home.
I give 7 out of 10 for Transfer Window:
#1 – We strengthen Midfield with Bruno, plus MLS is a bonus.
#2 – Konsa will strengthen Defence.
#3 – Fingers crossed – Dowman breakout season?
#4 – James Scanlon looks like a backup LW to Tzolis and Eze. Tyjon may surprise us.
#5 – Eze should be more in tune with ArtetaBall now and improves his defensive attributes with more pressing upfront and tracking back like Odegaard.
Have you read somewhere it might Jm?
Funny that Chelsea didn’t get their midfielder after selling Fernandez to City. Balogun changing his mind about Everton was amusing too..
Me too Potter, me too..
It’s possible that Martinelli’s transfer might be called off…
or else one of the goalkeeper could play on the left flank.
If all reports are true that Arteta really wanted Alvarez, it makes look like there was no plan B if we miss out.
Very true , I promised myself that I would not get over attached to players as I have seen many come and go , but this one has really got to me.
We could have just triggered his extra year, kept him and then think again next summer.
Arsenal had about £100 million surplus on the new SSR and SCR financial systems but the fruitless £130 million Alvarez chase would have triggered a problem.
So it could be argued that Arteta’s pet project forced the sale and as he didn’t get him , we are weaker as a result
Morning Geoff, I don’t think there’s been a fallout re Martinelli but he was just seen as the most saleable asset without selling MLS or Nwaneri.
It doesn’t make sense Potter and thank you.
The only position we have strengthened really is midfield which is now very strong. Saliba must be expected to be out for a long time otherwise I’m sure we would have made do.
Morning Rico and all, it’s a shame that Martinelli has left, but as I said a couple of weeks back my gut feel was that something is amiss between him and Arteta, and I felt that he would be sold, I’m just hoping that the reason why we didn’t buy another striker to help Gyokeres is that Arteta plains to bring one in mid-season to help with any injured or tired forwards for the second half.
I will give this transfer 7 out of 10 mainly due to no one coming in to replace Martinelli
Welcome back Rico from yesterday’s shut down which was probably cathartic as spleens were being vented throughout the internet.
It seems to be part of the club’s dna to win the league and then weaken , Konsa came because of Saliba’s condition otherwise that would not have happened.
Bertie Mee did it , then after the 1998 double we did again .2004 /5 after the invincibles Cole , Vieira and Henry left to pay for stadium and then following our F.A Cup winning streak in the mid 2010′ s we let RVP . Sanchez go and never really replaced them.
It appears that we learned nothing and have done it again leaving our left side of attack seriously weakened and this for money which most analysts say we did not need..
I fear that this might catch up with us and chasing pipe dreams of Vini jnr and Alvarez just smacks of arrogance in my book.
We may have won the league in England but to Spanish speaking players the draw of Real Madrid and Barcelona is ten times more powerful and anyone not blinded by pomposity would have realised early on that we were being used.
But no we hung on in the belief that were attractive to the end of the window and left ourselves with nowhere to turn.
He certainly gave everything each week. I think he’ll be back in Europe at the first opportunity. We have a very good squad though, but then so do a few other clubs after this summer. It’s going to be tough to defend our title.
I agree that of all the departures, Martinelli is the one that will hurt the most. One Premier goal, but in Europe a different story. Also he worked his socks off. The only consolation is he will earn big bucks. Maybe Mickel will change the shape? Maybe Mickel Marino can help out or Noni, whatever the balance will not be quite right. It can only be money and balancing the books that could have provoked the sale. Best of luck Gabi. We will miss your energy, honesty and blistering pace.