Morning all.
Pre Mikel Arteta and Edu and pre the single ownership of Arsenal football club, the club was being run in a way that success was very unlikely to come our way. The move to the Emirates hampered our transfer dealings but even when the club did spend money, the gaps in the squad were clear for everyone to see. Don’t get me wrong, during that period of change, after the invincible squad broke up, Arsenal signed a number of top quality players – Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Olivier Giroud, the list really is endless. But, over time, things turned a bit sour in one way or another. Either the money on offer at another club was too tempting to turn down, the offer made for a player was too good to turn down or like Cesc Fabregas, a player just wanted to go home. Others just got too big for their own boots and perhaps thought they were too good to be performing for a man who struggled to get a grip on the English language, a guy who was too old in the tooth, an interim ex invincible player or a young guy with no Premier League managerial experience. Whereas you and I have to put a shift in regardless of whether or not we like the boss, a number of Arsenal players seemed to think it was ok to go on gardening leave without ever reaching the garden. Week in, week out, their body language was awful on a match day. You saw it, the rest of the footballing world saw it too and let’s be honest here, we all moaned about it.
Put yourself in the shoes of another footballing manager or technical director, which Arsenal player who couldn’t be bothered to give his all under any the above mentioned managers, would you think is worth paying a premium for? My answer is none! Why would any manager take a risk on a player who, based on what you or I see on a match day, would risk big money on a player who could down tools at any time depending on which way the wind blows?
The knock on effect of having lazy and/or disinterested player or players in a squad is damaging, disruptive and catching. They had to go and they have. We should be thrilled, not chewing over how much it cost to get rid of them because the cost of keeping them as far as the football and squad moral goes, would be greater.
Another bone of contention as far as Mikel Arteta goes is his man management. Well I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been privy to a training session or his one to one handling of players so how can I have an opinion on that subject? I can’t. Of course we can have an opinion but on what is that opinion based? The Daily Star, The Sun? Well how about listening to the players who do give 100% each week or join the club because they like what they hear from others already at the club. Players do talk to each other before making a decision.
Football fans can’t have it both ways in my opinion. If I’m moaning to myself about a player, the same player after each game, how can I then moan if Arsenal sell him for a low transfer fee? Or in some cases, give him away. I suppose I just accept that the club know what they’re doing far more than I do because if I was that smart, I’d be filthy rich and probably sat on a grand yacht somewhere in the Mediterranean sipping a glass of fancy champagne.
During the eleven years of Highbury House, most contributions have wanted change. Openness and even honesty. Now we’re getting in my opinion. We’re signing players for specific positions, we’re doing our transfer business earlier and we’re building for a future Arsenal as well as for the present.
I’ve no idea whether Arsenal will win the Premier League any time soon, I’ve no idea if we’ll be able to win the Europa Cup this coming season or even finish in the top four, but I’m sure as heck not going to continually knock the club as they try.
Catch up in the comments.
I absolutely love this post and am with you 100%
Thank you Willy.
https://www.football365.com/news/thomas-partey-left-out-arsenl-preseason-tour-to-united-states-duo-remain-behind
I think you and I are singing from the same hymn sheet Rico. 😉
A nice comment by ‘Naughty William’….
Cicero, my bath is too small I’m afraid, but the shower is another matter and it does save water.
How do we know the squad broke up if it was “invisible” Rico? 😉
Great article, agree with you 100%
Thanks Mehmet
I also enjoyed the post, and I’m with you 10%.
(Were you referring to the Invincibles when discussing transfers after the invisible squad broke up?)
Kev I save water by not having ice in my gin and tonic. Very green! 😉
I think so too Cicero.
10% ? That’s damning with faint praise.
Ha ha Cicero, bloomin auto correct.
That’s very civilised of you Cicero
Rico, a 10% agreement would only be damning if I were to possess the philosopher’s/sorcerer’s stone.
We have similar opinion most of the time, having an occasional disagreement won’t necessary make any of us wrong.
But I will do my best to stop listing arguments as nobody is interested in reading long comments.
I didn’t make the comment Pbarany. I ignored yours.
Top post. Bravo!
Fabrizio Romano
Lucas Torreira’s agent Bentancur: “We have reached an agreement with Valencia, Gattuso wants him. We are gonna discuss with Arsenal – Arteta wants to see him in the pre season”, tells 100% Deporte. 🔴🇺🇾 #AFC
“He had great numbers with AFC but we’ve pre agreement with Valencia”.
Thanks Yiannis.
Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.
Thomas Partey, Berd Leno, Folarin Balogun all set to travel with Arsenal for pre-season tour in the USA – club statement confirms. 🛩🇺🇸 #AFC
Balogun will leave on loan right after the tour, while Fulham will push again in the negotiations for Leno.
From AFC.com
Our squad for the 2022 USA tour:
Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale, Bernd Leno, Matt Turner, Arthur Okonkwo, Alex Runarsson
Defenders: Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares, Gabriel, Pablo Mari, Ben White, Rob Holding, William Saliba, Hector Bellerin, Cedric Soares, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Reuell Walters
Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny, Lucas Torreira, Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson
Forwards: Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus, Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka, Folarin Balogun, Marquinhos
Bravo Rico
If people agreed with most of the guff I come out with after games I’d be appointed to do Mik and Edu’s job at the same time, along with taking over from Boris shortly.
Just here to enjoy the ride the best I can.
Thanks Pete.
Ditto, it’s what we do isn’t it but it’s easy when for us, their are no consequences or questions to answer. Nor do we know what goes on in so many other areas.
Despite what Football 365 said earlier today, Thomas Partey is on the flight to USA, which confirms that he is not the player accused of rape.
All of which goes to prove that there is an awful lot of bollocks out there, take all of it with a substantial pinch of salt.
Well that’s chapter and verse Rico ,You really have outdone yourself today.
That’s a clear and concise summing up reflecting all the comments that have been made over the years .
The travelling party might put the Thomas rumours to bed or knowing our twitter warriors probably not.
If Balogun is to get a loan deal then another forward preferably over 6.foot is needed. I still expect a few more to leave but not until they are replaced because that squad is fairly balanced and to lose one or two means that new players will have to come in.
The fact that Patino and Hutchinson have not gone suggests that Arteta doesn’t see them as ready yet and they may well be off on loan deals but if Torriera can be convinced to stay then a proper foil for central midfield is there. If not then another is needed.
This year could be very interesting and like you I am not in the business of making predictions , but to push the boat out , for the first time in many years ,I am hopeful.
I’m sure there’ll be a sports outlet somewhere who suggests Arsenal have done a deal with the USA Cicero.
Hopefully though, it is as we see it.
In a good way I hope Potter. Lol
Agree re Balogun and the team/squad needs if he goes on loan. The other option I guess would be Pepe as CF as and when needed but I’d have thought that ship has sailed.
I’m hopeful too but will feel pretty disappointed if by the time the transfer window closes, our midfield is the same as last season. Defensively I mean.
I think that your church has the same hymn sheet as my local one.( The dog at Ludham Bridge ) good food excellent real ales and closed on Mondays
Excellent read. A very well expressed piece. Thank you.
On a lighter note, Ozil has been cancelled! 2 years early. Sadly, when you’ve lost it, you’ve lost it! And Ozil lost it a good while ago. In his pomp he was a world class footballer, we had glimpses but only very occasionally. What a waste!
Looks like his off to join his best man Erdogan at Basaksehir ( I think )
Funny enough Potter, the best pub near to me is closed on a Monday and it only accepts cash..
Thanks Wavy.
Great shame re Ozil because he was one heck of a gifted footballer. His talent was given to the wrong player.
The Premier League club whose player has been arrested on suspicion of rape has told The Athletic it is not suspending him.
The footballer was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of rape and then re-arrested for allegedly committing two more attacks on a different woman. He denies the allegations.
Despite Mason Greenwood being suspended by his club, Manchester United, after he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault and another club suspending a player after he was arrested on suspicion of committing child sex offences, this club, who like the player we cannot name for legal reasons, is not taking the same step.
Yves Bissouma, then of Brighton and now of Tottenham, was not suspended by his club when he was arrested alongside a man in his 40s under suspicion of sexual assault in Brighton last October.
He has since been cleared of the allegation.
Benjamin Mendy, of Manchester City, who has denied nine sexual offences against six women, played for his club until he was charged by police.
The player, who is in his late twenties but cannot be named for legal reasons, was first arrested in north London on suspicion of rape and taken into custody. He was subsequently released on bail.
The player’s club said in a statement to The Athletic: “We are aware of the allegations which are currently the subject of a police investigation.
“We have confirmed that the player denies the allegations and is on police bail pending the outcome of their enquiries. There have been no charges laid and the player can fulfil his professional commitments including permitted travel.
“We take our commitments and responsibilities seriously and have followed our safeguarding policies and procedures.
“We will keep this matter under close consideration and will review further if circumstances change.”
The club’s decision not to suspend the player in question comes while Greenwood remains suspended by United following his arrest on suspicion of rape, assault and threats to kill.
Greenwood was originally arrested on January 30 on suspicion of rape and assault. He was further arrested for sexual assault and threats to kill two days later. He remains on bail following a hearing in June.
A third Premier League club suspended a player last season after he was arrested on suspicion of committing child sex offences. He has since left the club.
Good read but I’m not one of the band wagoners. Feels like Scott is back telling people what their opinion should be.
Arteta cannot be all bad and has done what we all said was needed but in the same breath was afforded the Lea way to perform poorly as well as backed with big money and backing to get rid of the expensive bad apples.
We talk of Pep spending a billion in 5 years, Arteta must be halfway after 3.
This season should be his decider and I’m hoping he makes the grade, we already suffered through his learning curve and he needs to show what he can manouvre when they park the bus or bully us or our beloved red card every 3rd game.
I’m certainly not trying to tell anyone what to think or change their opinion Brad, just suggesting that unless we know the facts relating to players and transfers, how can we have a true opinion on what is said or done?
Personally, I think the football the team actually plays has been pretty grim at times, awful at others, with some good bits in between. On the pitch, I think there’s enormous room for improvement but off it, I just think the club are trying to do things better.
I’m not sure it’s really fair trying to draw a career comparison between Pep and Arteta especially as Guardiola has never had a gig like Arsenal with all the neurotic players Mikel had to deal with or a pandemic to negotiate. Pep has also had a bottomless pit of finance and despite what KSE has spent over the last couple of years I’m pretty sure it doesn’t come close to what City has spent, or United or Chelsea?
Abramovitch wrote off anything between £100 and £150m in losses every year he was in charge at the Bridge.
Great post Rico,
Top comments as always Willy and Kev! Feeling very positive about the immediate future.
Thanks Nigel.
New post up now