Morning all.
Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares have left the club. Both deals are loans but I think we can assume neither will be returning. It’s always a shame when transfers don’t work out but that’s football, sometimes what you see elsewhere doesn’t turn out to be what you get. Out of the two, Lokonga showed the most promise early in his Arsenal career but I guess he didn’t have it in him to push on. Or Mikel Arteta didn’t think he had what it takes for his team. Either way, it matters not now.
The players are back in training, at least those who were not involved in international football this summer are. In just nine days time, the squad will be in the USA where they’ll face Bournemouth in the first pre-season fixture.
Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe are three of the players involved in training, two of whom are expected to move elsewhere before the transfer window closes. According to reports, Arsenal have turned down two bids for Smith Rowe, both around the £30 million mark so either Arsenal are holding out for a higher fee, or he’s staying put. My heart hopes it’s the latter but my head says, if he’s not going to play a big part in this coming season, let him go. If that’s what he wants of course.
Reports in The Telegraph suggest it’s Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino who Arsenal want to sign this summer. Declan Rice needs a midfield partner, he has done since the day he walked through the Arsenal gates nearly a year ago. Thomas Partey and Jorginho are very good players in their own right but neither are likely to be regular starters this coming season. Age and injury alone suggests that. Merino is into his final year of contract, he’s rumoured to be valued around £20 million but both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are interested in him too. Both Mikel’s are from the Basque region of Spain, both played for Real Sociedad so surely it’s written in the stars. A bit like when Arsene was destined for Arsenal. Ok, I’m joking of course but Merino was linked to Arsenal towards the end of last season and if he really is the player Arteta wants, I’m sure negotiations would have taken place long before the Euros kicked off. Let’s hope Merino says yes to Arsenal.
For England fans, news that Gareth Southgate has stood down will no doubt spark mixed feelings. I’m glad because the country needs a change. Hoof ball and old has beens isn’t the way to win big tournaments and hopefully, whoever comes in next will be a bit more imaginative with the group of talented players England currently has.
England manager Gareth Southgate announcing his exit: (Sky Sports)
As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager. I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.
I could not have had anyone better alongside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation, and has been immense.
I think Ben White might disagree about Steve Holland if reports about their bust up are true but for the player, perhaps he’ll now welcome a call up for his country.
Catch up in the comments.
It was inevitable that he would go and thankfully he is taking Holland with him. Not just because of his supposed treatment of White but because his coaching methods are out of date.
I am not sorry to see either player leave , both came looked useful but Lokonga proved a bit like Vieira to be lightweight and Tavares definitely had something about him but never settled into specific position . He was played as a full back but showed some aptitude to play further forward. But as you say not everything works out and it is better to let them go now .
ESR ? who knows the truth , not me. I watched him as a young player and he reminded me in many ways of Paul Merson , good at breaking into the box with an eye for goal. Certainly his progress has stalled but if Arteta feels it can be redeveloped he would be more useful than Nketiah and Nelson .
If we get our Italian defender and the Spanish Merino just tempt City for Alvarez and I would be a happy bunny.
I’m not sorry to see either player go too, it’s a shame though as once more we won’t recoup much of the money paid for them. I’m surprised Kompany didn’t want Lokonga at Bayern, after all, wasn’t it he who raved about him?
Alvarez would be a great signing I think…
Apparently Southgate had made up his mind to leave before the tournament,can’t say I’m sorry. The word is he wants to manage in the Premier league -I hope it happens,6 winnable points for Arsenal right there.
Graham Potter is the favourite,all of the contenders are good coaches.
My own preference is an English coach,if they do go foreign I would go for Thomas Tuchel,good man manager,good coach,probably won’t happen,apparently Pochettino is well thought of at the FA.
I thought I read that the Tavares loan includes an obligation to buy,I could be wrong!
It does Limey.
Potter or Lampard would be my choice. Potter would almost certainly bring White back into the squad.
Afternoon Rico and all.
if reports are correct that we received an offer of 30 mill for ESR I’m surprised we didn’t take it,
Afternoon Geoff, I’m not.
Not sure about Lampard but that better be Graham Potter because I dont want the job although I could handle the money .
Trouble is, options are limited if he’s to be an Englishman. Theres always Stevie G I guess. 😂
Eddie Howe
Graham Potter for me, you can always rely on a Potter, as they say at Potter Heigham.
Eddie Howe is a good fit but I reckon he’ll stay at Newcastle, it’s a pretty good gig.
Potter did a decent job at Brighton with limited resources, his time at Chelsea was mental but I think that has more to do with Chelsea themselves.
Good afternoon Rico and all
Ahhh, Potter for England. I think the FA should talk to Dumbledore. He will surely give them good advice about Potter’s ability with magic required by the England team. The national team surely needs someone who can confound the opposition from displaying their skills. Maybe a confundus charm or pietrification would work with the opposition. The English team needs flyers, especially in attack. Maybe they will teach them how to be faster with brooms. lol
Joking aside. I simply hope for one thing. That the FA get a proper coach. Someone who is not selected by name or just because he is English. Someone like Ferguson was for United, Wenger and Arteta for Arsenal. Someone who has a personality and allows the players to express themselves on the field. Yamal is allowed to do that. Hoiw many of the England team were allowed that luxury?? Wonder Fart, who used to play for the spuddies, criticized Rice for costing 100M because he was passing sideways and backwards, neglecting the fact that Rice was playing in a different setup than he plays in at Arsenal.
I was open mouthed with what Kelsey said on the previous post with regards ESR. If the latter was taking night life experiences when he was instructed by Arteta not to, than its his fault. He knows the rules. He knows that Arteta does not take kindly to breaking them. So if ESR did go to night clubbing life then he only has himself to blame and serves him right.
Afternoon Devil, like Kev alluded to, Potter did well at Brighton with a small budget and squad. They played entertaining football imo without abandoning defensive duties. Plus, they used to beat us.. 😜
I dont know if anyone here knows this rarely spoken rule with regards Fifa and Uefa…..every player who has played 25 games or more for the national team automatically has a UEFA A coaching licence. And any player who has won the WC and/or Euro championship is awarded a Pro Licence and can manage anywhere in the world. So technically Yamal, at 17 years of age can already coach anywhere in the world even national teams.
I doubt if he would accept the England job right now though, lol
BDW….Cristiano was already coaching a national team, long before he won the Euro. And he has never attended a single lesson of coaching. Amazing stuff.
I agree with Kev Rico with regards Potter of Brighton. But at Brighton he had players of his choice from all over the world. He had Trossard, White before he came to us etc. With the England team will he afforded that luxury? What happens if Potter decides to drop Kane, not select him and do without him all the way? Will he have pressure from the FA?
That is what worries me with the English FA. England has an outstanding, skillful group. But what goes on in the background?? From the top brass???
How many referees were chosen from the EPL in the last three tournaments?
These are questions which when answered reflect a lot on what goes on in the English camp and that reflects on the football field.
Will Potter or whoever it is have the balls to impose his style and get the players to do what he wants and the FA to keep its mouth shut??
Ideally, England should be slugging it out at the top all the time against the likes of Argentina, Spain, Italy, Germany and Brazil.
We wait, see and hope.
I am 56 years old now, and have never had the pleasure of seeing England lift a trophy. Pa saw the WC in 1966 but he always wished for another England success.
Not Lampard, not Gerrard, definitely not Rooney, they are all tainted by past England failures. Eddie Howe would need to take a big drop in pay, Potter has been unemployed for yonks and would leap at the chance.
Did somebody say Southgate should take Kane with him? I commend the motion to The House. 😉
Taylor and Oliver were at the Euros Devil so two isn’t bad although I don’t know how that compares with other European nations.
I think the England squad is far more talented than any squad he had at Brighton. Whoever the next manager is, he has to have the freedom to select who he wishes as I’m sure he would. If he’s strong enough anyway.
And I second that idea Cicero.
Kane will be 32, nearly 33 by the time the World Cup comes around so even less fit than he was at the Euros.
Assuming England qualifies of course..
I found this on Facebook……..
Spanish football over the last 20 years on the international stage 🇪🇸
– The national team has won “3 Euros and 1 World Cup”
– Real Madrid has won “6 Champions League titles – 5 Club World Cups and 4 European Super Cups”
– Barcelona has won “4 Champions League titles, 3 Club World Cups and 3 European Super Cups”
– Atlético Madrid has won “3 Europa League titles and 3 European Super Cups”
– Sevilla has won “7 Europa League titles and 1 European Super Cup”
Spanish football on the international stage has managed to achieve 43 titles in just the last 20 years. This is a system worthy of respect and appreciation and should be studied by countries that want to advance in football.
Whatever the reasons which may have helped them win so much, no one can deny that they are skillful and they got style.
A’noon Rico
Backing up Kelsey I have heard the rumours regarding ESR’s nightclub visits and liking for the kebabs. If Fulham get close to £40m he will be gone.
I expect interest in Nketiah will hot up now the Euros have ended. If Palace or West Ham offer £40m he too will move.
Will we regret their moving? Time will tell, although I haven’t heard many moans about Balogun moving to Monaco of late.
Afternoon Pete.
You’re right re Balogun, his move hasn’t been a great success story yet. I think Eddie and Reiss will go but I’m still not convinced Arteta will let Smith Rowe go. Apparently the club has been in talks with him (poss rubbish) so maybe he’s in the last chance saloon.
To me the biggest issue the next manager has to sort out is Harry Kane,he was clearly unfit/injured at the Euros but is considered undroppable and no player should have that sort of power I’m not saying he should never be in a squad again,but he is no longer the main man,someone needs to tell him that,something tells me he won’t realise that on his own! Also captain should be Bellingham,if he isn’t ready then Rice.
Southgate admitted Kane was unfit after the final which whilst no surprise, is shocking really. How can a manager keep picking a player when he’s not fit when fitter, more in form players are waiting in the wings?
One of a number of reasons I’m glad Southgate has stood down.
I’m glad Southgate has stood down.
Did he jump or was he pushed ?
He felt the wind of change, or perhaps what he felt was the approaching kick up the arse.
The FA wanted him to stay according to reports but I think he knew his ideas aren’t very modern.
Hats off to him if he realized that his ideas weren’t any modern or avant garde. Shame on the FA if they didnt realize it sooner and instead kept dragging their feet
hmmm….would it surprise you if the new England manager is JK?
Cant see Klippety doing it unless the F.A break the bank
Devil , I havent had the time to look it up but I wonder what percentage of players in La Liga are Spanish as opposed to English in the Premier .
As Klopp stated only a few weeks ago that he was taking at least a year off from football, I would say the chances of him accepting the job are zero to none.
48 teams in the next World Cup spread over 16 venues in Canada,America and Mexico and at this moment I can’t see one outstanding candidate or one Englishman who would want the job.All the English players who have been club managers have failed and why would Eddie howe leave a lucrative job at newcastle .
Kane won’t be around by 2026 so it’s a very difficult choice .
More concerned about our 3 matches in America starting in 10 days which I believe is mainly a marketing exercise for the club by Kroenke as many first teamers won’t travel and hopefully a few will get a rest then the mini Emirates Cup, it’s just too much football
The prerequisite for the next England manager must be experience of International team management. That alone rules out virtually all of the bookie’s favourites. Southgate had at least some of that experience having managed the England U21s. The only English manager to satisfy the requirement is Lee Carsley, the present U21 manager.
Carsley is unique in that he is already familiar with, and working with, the players who will be candidates for the World Cup squad in 2026. That is, of course, if we qualify. 😉
For sure Kelsey but it’s the same for other clubs going to the US or other countries. It’s all about spreading the brand and reaching out to fans who may otherwise never see Arsenal play live.
I suppose we shouldn’t complain because it brings in more money for players.
Lee Carsley it is then Cicero 🤣
Seems noticeably quiet on the charges Man City are due answer.
Later this year apparently Geoff for their charges but not seen anything about their case against the FA/PL
Good to see Arteta integrating a sizeable chunk of the better U21’s into the senior squad for training with the US tour in mind and the fact that Mikel is going to need a few of them over there.
The line-up vs Bournemouth should make for interesting viewing.
It’ll be interesting to see which ones travel Kev.
New post up