Who makes way?

Photo from Freepik

 

Morning all.

The Benjamin Sesko v Viktor Gyokeres debate is likely to continue until the latter has scored 20 goals by Christmas. I get the debate though, both are expensive but one is younger, taller and perhaps more versatile. If we’re to believe what’s written in the back pages, Andrea Berta wants Gyokeres where as Mikel Arteta wants Sesko. Me, I just want a player who scores goals and lots of them. The one thing, well, one of many, which the Swede has in his locker is power and strength so he won’t be bullied. He’s been known to hit the target from distance on more than one occasion and strikes a dead ball very well too. Step aside Martin Odegaard, your days of taking our free kicks could be over. To be honest, they should have been anyway a while ago and definitely after Declan Rice stunned Real Madrid with two outrageous strikes. That is of course, assuming Gyokeres is joining Arsenal.

The chitter chatter about Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman being on Chelsea’s radar will go on and on too but it doesn’t mean the west London club have a realistic chance of signing either. We know Nwaneri loves working with and learning from Arteta because he said so at the back end of the season and the people around him will tell him that Chelsea won’t treat him as well as Arsenal. Omari Hutchinson learned that.

As for Dowman, well his father put Arsenal fans mind at ease on Twitter by simply typing:

“Arsenal are our club. You know that.”

My only concern about these two players is what Arteta thinks of them. We’ve seen him discard players like Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah, as well as a long list of players coming through the academy but the two young players are different, at least I think so. Certainly Nwaneri as he proved that last season. Dowman is a talent but still very young.

With all the talk about Rodrygo, Eze, Madueke going on, speculation only at this stage, someone is likely to be wondering what’s next for them. Logic says that person might be Leandro Trossard. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been good for Arsenal but if another club offers good money for him, perhaps Arsenal would be wise to accept it. Especially as he’s out of contract next summer. Logic and football seldom go together though, especially where Arsenal are concerned.

Meanwhile, Brentford captain Christian Norgaard is widely expected to be the next player through the Arsenal doors..

Catch up in the comments…

 

49 thoughts on “Who makes way?

  1. Laura Phipps says:

    I believe 99% of Arsenal fans are now getting very bored when it comes to Gyokeres. Sporting Lisbon are not asking for more money from Arsenal. All they are asking for is 70 million euros up front + a 10 million add on instead of of 65 million euros up front & a 15 million add on! Same money! For God sake Arsenal its only 5 million more up front. They would have made more than this on their Platinum and Gold Season Ticket renewals this season. Why do Arsenal always have to negotiate like we are in a Kazbar!! AND perhaps Arsenal should be quiet about how much they are preparing to offer for Rodrygo until a deal has been done for Gyokeres. Not sensible when Sporting are watching and believe Gyokeres is just as good as Rodrygo! I believe Arteta is now resigned to not getting Sesko. Another footballer who thinks he is irreplaceable so a huge wage can be demanded. I would like to see Eze at Arsenal. I think he will be a valuable asset to the team. Lets see what else this week brings apart from Norgaard who has passed his medical and signed with an announcement due very soon.

  2. rico says:

    I don’t for one minute believe Arsenal are telling anyone how much they are paying for any player. It’s the media making stuff up.

  3. Aussie Geoff says:

    Afternoon Rico and all,
    I would be happy with either Gyokeres or Sesko as long as they want to come and not just for the money.
    Waiting for Arsenal to sign a player is like watching paint dry so boring

  4. potter says:

    Seems that Edu has entered the “”race “” for Madueke and in consequence the price is going to rise. Personally I would maintain a public interest in him and let the price rise and then let Forest decide whether they want to cough up for him .
    If Chelsea really want to sell a last minute deal could be on the cards at a lower price to keep their PSR numbers ok.

  5. Aussie Geoff says:

    Unfortunitly Rico their not the first 2 I would have signed.😁
    It didn’t take Edu long to turn on us, makes you wonder did he really leave on good grounds.

  6. allezkev says:

    Afternoon Rico, yeah, I’m warming to the Gyokeres story, it reminds me somewhat of the Ian Wright story, rejection and finally success at a more mature stage where he appreciated what he had earned…

  7. Andrew Halling says:

    Agree Kev, nice find rico, he will find success sweeter having been on the other end of rejection. Something smarmy about Sesko I feel, and Gyokeres leaving his girlfriend who was campaigning for him to stay at Sporting, speaks of his abition, football wise. While the younger, taller, Sesko was financially a better prospect, lets hope the Gyokeres gamble pays off. I switched between the pair daily, mind you it seems Arsenal did the same! Just get one in for pete’s sake

  8. rico says:

    Heinze joint Arteta’s coaching team has been confirmed..

    I too liked the Gokyeres story, I think he’s taken a pay cut too.

  9. allezkev says:

    I think the deal for Gyokeres could be done by the end of this week…

    Is anyone else in for Sesko?
    Maybe he’s a bit overpriced?

  10. Joaquim Moreira says:

    I still don’t understand how Arsenal paid so much money for Gyorkers, a player who was “squeezed” and has physical problems and has played three of ten games.
    How much did João Pedro cost Chelsea? Two “João Pedros” would have been the solution for the whole season.

  11. potter says:

    J.M unfortunately when it comes to Arsenal it’s always a sellers market . The whole world knew that we were desperate for a striker and there were only two on the market . Both of the agents have pushed Arsenal to the limit , I would not be surprised if they colluded with each other. There are many rumours abounding that Berta is in the Gyokeres camp and Arteta is still wanting Sesko .
    There is every chance that we could fall between the two stools and end up with neither . Or Porto play hard ball and insist on their valuation and we turn back to Sesko .
    It’s as clear as mud at the moment and the chances are that we start the season at United with Havertz up front.

  12. rico says:

    Seems the Gokyeres talks are at a standstill. His club want what were not willing to pay.

    Unless Sesko is holding out for a move to the likes of Barca, Real, Bayern, just go for the player Arteta is reported to want. After all, he’s got to manage him, not Berta..

    Morning guys.

  13. rico says:

    Vlahovic is about to have his Juve contract terminated, perhaps a freebie will suit Arsenal better. 😜

    I jest of course…

  14. potter says:

    This morning’s latest rumour,
    Arsenal could’ve negotiated more to sign Benjamin Sesko

    Benjamin Sesko has been on Arsenal’s radar for over a year now.

    The Slovenia international is one of the best strikers of his age in Europe, and many in the game feel he is destined to be a superstar in the coming years.

    Mikel Arteta would’ve loved Sesko, but RB Leipzig refused to budge on their massive demands, and that led to Berta walking away from the deal.

    Arsenal’s full focus now is on signing Gyokeres, and if that deal gets over the line, their interest in Sesko will officially be over.

    However, sources at RB Leipzig, according to The Athletic, have indicated that ‘there was still room for further negotiations over both the fee and the 22-year-old’s salary’.

    It remains to be seen if Arsenal will think about returning to the negotiating table for Sesko if the terms of the deal become more favourable.

    Panic setting in maybe.

  15. rico says:

    Why not just get Sesko and forget about giving Chelsea any money for their winger.

    If Trossards demands are too much, sell him, Vieira, Nelson, Lokonga etc and sign a winger from elsewhere.

    Maybe we’re a bit too rigid with our targets.

    Also, Arsenal must have known how much Sesko would cost long before now.

  16. Carmelsson says:

    Good moaning Rico and all. ooopss sorry good morning

    If we want an alternative to the Sex/Gyo (sorry Ses/Gyo) type of player why not go for Woltemade??? a good striker who is wanted by Bayern to replace Kane in attack. He would cost less then them for sure. And is only 23 years old. 6ft 6′ tall, 17 goals in 33 matches for Stuttgart and already played 2 times for German National team.

    I banged the drum for Isak when he was still at Sporting and was told by someone that he was too lightweight for the EPL. Now it seems that our pocket is too lightweight to buy him.

    I hope we get my fave Gyokeres but if not him then Woltemade for sure.

  17. Carmelsson says:

    Rico you are right…esp about giving Chavs money. If it were for me I would never buy anyone from Chavs, Shitty and clubs which are doped by money. If we got bargains like Kepa then its ok but not pay those clubs good money when we can get the equivalent elsewhere.

    And players like Sambi and Vieira should be moved on unless they stay and not go out on loan. What’s the point in keeping them, loaning them and letting them run down their contract?

  18. rico says:

    Morning Devil.

    I just find all this negativity the club is handing to the media rather embarrassing. I know the club can’t be held responsible for what the media writes but we’re into the second week of July, pre season is days away and we’re not better off squad wise than we were at the end of the season..

  19. rico says:

    It’s not about giving them money for me Devil, it’s about how much for who we get. Also, were we interested in their winger before the transfer window? If not, why now if it’s just a case of him “being available” because imo, if it’s the latter, it doesn’t make us look very good.

  20. rico says:

    David Ornstein
    @David_Ornstein
    ·
    Jul 8
    🚨 Arsenal have completed signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford. Price for 31yo midfielder £10m + up to £2m bonuses. Medical / personal terms done. Announcement due this week. Viewed as good deal for #AFC, #BrentfordFC & Denmark int’l
    @TheAthleticFC

  21. Carmelsson says:

    Norgaard is a squad player Rico. And its a deal that I tend to be ok with. Jorginho managed to calm down the midfield and gave good service. The problem will always lie in whether Arteta rotates or not. Norgaard should play a good amount of games if he rotates with Zubi and Rice. Odegaard should be rotated with Nwaneri.

    I dont mind those players, they are very important. However, Arteta has to rotate and use them.

    Whatever people say about Nono I still can;t get my head around to signing him. He would not be better than Martinelli. We should be looking to upgrade.

  22. kelsey says:

    Morning All
    The rumour mill is suggesting Arteta favours Sesko and Barta Gyökeres.

    Madueke agreed terms but we haven’t bid and they want £50 million, crazy.How does that leave Martineeli
    Now Eze I like with PL experience but they want cash and a player in exchange who I believe is Nwaneri
    I hope Kepa gets a real chance so we don’t have a Ramsdale/Raya scenario again.

  23. allezkev says:

    I don’t myself see any negativity surrounding Arsenal at this time and that’s either because I’m hopelessly positive or I don’t do X or FB or watch those cnuts on Sky Sports. Take a tip from me, give SSN a swerve for a week or two, you’ll benefit greatly with a boost to your mental health, or whatever woke’ism is in vogue.

    I sometimes click on short vids of SSN when I’m perusing YouTube, I’m usually on one of their scummy videos for about two minutes before those smarmy wankers start irritating me and then I switch off. I hate the lot of them, they are the worst of people, the absolute scum of the earth and I will not engage with them.

    Zubimendi, Norgaard, Kepa have all been smart pieces of business, Gyokeres will be a smart piece of business as will anything else we do this summer, in the 54 days we have left in this window…

  24. allezkev says:

    Oh dear Rico, it’s emotional self-harming, it really doesn’t do you any good.

    Look Rico, make a nice of tea, get yourself a couple of digestives and sit in the garden, SSN and all those tossers will still be there in a weeks time. Paint your fence panels, there ya go – sorted! 😁

  25. potter says:

    The Gunners may have to start considering other options at some stage, and with Benjamin Sesko looking too pricey, fresh links have emerged involving Juventus frontman Dusan Vlahovic. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Vlahovic has not only been told he can leave the Italian club after failing to agree a new contract, but he could be offered the chance to leave for free.

    The Old Lady are desperate to get the striker’s wages off their books, and Vlahovic would reportedly be in favour of a move to Arsenal should he get the chance. Juventus paid £67million for the striker back in 2022, so it would certainly be a radical move for them to cancel his contract.

    Might not be as funny as you think . Maybe Berta’s Italian connection could be vital.

    In some ways it would serve Leipzig and Sporting right for their negotiation tactics.

  26. rico says:

    Arsenal in talks with Chelsea over Madueke deal

    Latest from Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth and Kaveh Solhekol:

    Arsenal are now in talks with Chelsea over a deal for Noni Madueke.

    It was thought talks would start following the Club World Cup. However, initial contact has now been made.

    Madueke is understood to be open to the move.

    Personal are terms not expected to be an issue if a deal can be agreed.

  27. potter says:

    Still cementing and doing fences , all these football interruptions get left to last . I saw your comment and just expanded on it.

  28. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Sporting and Benfica are always the same: they always try to inflate the prices of players when they are normally worth 50% of what they ask for (and if they don’t have serious injuries).

  29. Cicero says:

    Good morning all.

    It seems we are serious about Madueke, but he will cost £50 million. The only way that price could be reduced is to offer a player as well. I don’t think Chelsea will be interested in any of Zinchenko, Vieira, Nelson, Lokonga or Jesus.

    Problems with the Gyokeres deal too. Internal doubts about overall value and terms.

    Back to Sesko perhaps?

  30. rico says:

    Morning Cicero, all.

    I’m baffled by the Madueke interest when we’ve not secured a striker. I’m beginning to think we aren’t signing one.

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