Morning all.
As Arsene Wenger confirmed Jack Wilshere missed out yesterday through injury, another of our walking wounded from last season, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, popped up with a superb goal in the 3-1 victory over a team which I only heard of when we signed Carlos Vela and a club which I’d long since forgotten about until Arsenal announced their pre-season friendly fixtures. The Ox, as he’s fondly referred to, needs to stay fit this season and if he can, and continues to play as well as he has so far this summer, he’s going to be key in our attacking unit. He’s already scored two goals and neither were tap ins. Two top quality strikes.
Chuba Akpom got on the score-sheet again last night, another poachers goal and it’s been a long time since we’ve had one of those. He could yet go out on loan again but I have a sneaky feeling he’ll be staying which would give us three strikers, once Arsene Wenger gets the Lacazette deal over the line. (I type in hope) Then of course, there’s Alexis who can play central and if things get really desperate, there’s Walcott or Sanogo! Ok, tongue in cheek re the latter.
Great to see Rob Holding on the score-sheet too. He seems a really nice guy and one who is clearly trying to adapt to the huge difference being at a club like Arsenal. He was interviewed after the game and almost looked shell shocked but on the pitch, it certainly doesn’t show if he is. It’ll be really interesting to see how he gets on as and when he plays in the Premier League but with my glass half full hat on, he looks like he may turn out to be a real gem.
Yes Arsenal won 3-1 but lets not kid ourselves, this was a Chivas side, or rather C.D. Guadalajara as they’re officially known, who play in a Mexican league, albeit they do tend to win it quite often but they are no Chelsea, Utd, City, Liverpool, or even West Brom!
Arsene Wenger and the squad now head to Norway to play against Viking on Friday and after that, they’ll head to Sweden on Sunday to play Manchester City. The City game will tell us a lot more about this Arsenal team.
After the game, Arsene was again bombarded with questions about transfers. The media are desperate to find out who we are going to sign before the season starts, and before the transfer window shuts. I am too as I know we all are because as much as we’ve won two out of our three friendlies, the defence still looks weak, the attack not potent enough and that needs mending fast!
But of course, Arsene doesn’t do talking about transfers, not in public but him saying we have signed anybody yet, makes me believe it won’t be long before we do. Claudio Ranieri has said Marhez has been unsettled by the constant link to Arsenal and Arsene watching Leicester play the other night won’t have helped, Sky Sports suggest we are ready to up the offer for Lacazette and lastly, the Mustafi stories rumble on.
But I think Arsene had a twinkle in his eye when the Germans name was mentioned. And no, he didn’t have his hands in his pockets at the time……
Lyon are looking to renew Lacazette’s contract. It makes me think that our interest is definitely concrete. If we signed Lacazette and Mahrez, I think that fans would stomach a Johnny Evans signing.
Why would they need to do that though, he signed a new contract last summer I read…
No idea what he is on, but there are stories going around about Aulas (Lyon) being quoted on it, so there appears to be some substance. However, I won’t hold my breath 🙂
Perhaps they want to slip in a £100m get out clause… 😉
Morning Rico and the house
I can’t see us signing a CB now we have Holding. I would like to see how he performs beside the Kosh.
Rico do you think we are really still active in the transfer window
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
AW has said……“Not all of [the international players will be back. But Ramsey will be involved, Sanchez will be involved [against Vikings].”
“The latest players coming back will not be involved, that’s Ozil, Giroud and Koscielny, they are the last ones and I don’t think they will be involved on the tour on Thursday, but all the others will.”
So, unless AW signs new players there is a big chance that the team which will face the dippers on the opening day will be…………
Cech,
Bellerin, Chambers, Holding, NAcho
Xhaka, Coquelin,
OX, Cazorla, Alexis
Theo
Personally I would prefer a midfield of Xhaka and Cazorla with Aaron in front of them and Akpom leading the attack.
Then again….there is a chance that Gabriel will have recovered and might play as well.
Wenger buying Lacazette he’d struggle to buy The Islington Gazette…..?
Morning Mg, yes, I do…
AW has also stated that Cazorla is not fully fit so there is a chance he will play only a part in the match. Either as a beginner and then subbed for Aaron or else the latter begins and Cazorla will come on around the 60 min mark.
Devil, good re Arron, let’s hope Wenger plays him in Ozil’s position, as he did for Wales and shone…
🙂 Lee.
I would love that too Rico. Aaron can rotate with Ozil for certain games.
Imo I would also love to see a midfield trio of Xhaka, Coquelin and Cazorla. Three hard grafters who can get stuck in as well. And they all protect the back fou
Ideally AW should buy Lacazette, Mahrez and Shkodran. (I doubt that AW will do so).
that would give us strength in depth and strength on the field.
IMO, Holding’s presence and his partnership with Chambers will put paid to AW getting another CB as has been pointed out above.
If AW got the above three then Theo would be sold while Per would be released at the end of the season. Chambers and/or Jenks will be loaned while Campbell would be sold as well.
Oh and bdw….Leicester had a very good game against PSG. The latter only won 4-0 after tearing Leicester’s defence and midfield to shreds. Kante’s presence was SORELY missed.
Our midfield looks strong Devil, Wenger finally has a lot of options. Not sure what’ll happen with Wilshere though, if he’s ever fit…
Leicester will be seeded for he CL draws. The three teams which will be drawn against them will be rubbing their hands in glee. Imagine LCFC drawing one of the Madrid teams, the Italian runner up and a strong team from any other country.
I doubt if next season they will make it to the top ten in the EPL.
Any bets here that they will be relegated???
Our midfield is so strong that I believe it rivals any team in the world….inc Barca and Bayern’s.
its how he uses them which is the problem.
Xhaka, Cazorla, Coquelin, Elneny for the DM and B2B
Ozil and Aaron for the hole.
I hope AW plays partnerships…..that is Xhaka, Cazorla and Ozil for certain games while Coquelin, Elneny and Aaron for others. Gives the opposition something to think about.
The wings are good too…..Alexis, OX, Iwobi with Campbell. However if Mahrez comes in Campbell will go imo. OX must push himself whether Mahrez comes or not. This year he must try to stay injury free and concentrate.
I just hope that even if Lacezette comes Akpom must be kept.
I prefer Akpom to be kept and Theo sold……Akpom can learn from Ollie and Lacazette and he is still 21 years old. Theo is 27 and he will not learn.
I doubt they’ll get relegated…
Hi all. As I said last week. The more Holding, Akpom and Ox do well, the more Uncle Scrooge’s wallet will remain shut. Seem to remember Ox scoring a blinder in the Charity Shield last year before his usual injury plagued season!
Best just see what happens I guess Devil. If by some miracle we get Mahrez, Mustafi and Lacazette, the new season could be quite interesting, however…….
Hi Bob, and there was me feeling quite positive and then your comment brought me back to reality… lol
Sadly, you’re probably not far wrong…..
Arsenal have rejected a loan bid from West Ham for Gibbs according to the Evening Standard..
afternoon all!
So, nothing new. I’m going for holidays tomorrow and return in two weeks. Probably nothing happens except, hope we win the 1st League.game. will be not bad. Last two/three days are normally, the busy transfers days,
this has got me LMAO…..
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/534359/Joe-Hart-Arsenal-transfer-news
Morning All:
With all due respect, I think a lot is being made out of Aaron playing in the #10 role during the Euros. If you watched the entire games, he made most impact running from the wings and cutting across, for example watched his run on the Robinson-Kanu goal. I think that fact that he was given the freedom to roam was more important than where he started. He reminded me of how Everton used Barkley at the beginning of last season.
obi you are right…..but in Aarons case its a free role not a DB10 role.
Have a good holiday JM.
Doesn’t Ozil have a ‘free role’ – he pops up everywhere….
Yes Rico. He has a free role. However Ozil does not do the running like Aaron does. Ozil wants others to do the runs for him and if you notice during the games he is more central left than everywhere. Aaron on the other hand expects others to run but he also makes runs himself and shoots and attempts more than Ozil. Aaron was everywhere during the Welsh games. He can assist and can also score more.
What Ozil has in his locker which Aaron still lacks is his vision of the game plus his natural technical ability which is a freak of nature when compared to anyone else. Aaron has them but not on the same level as Ozil. That is why its important to rotate them……Ollie seems to prefer Aaron near him instead of Ozil and Alexis.
When Aaron was ramming them in….who provided most of the assists for him??? I think it was Ollie more than Ozil.
I feel that AW is dragging his feet over transfers for the simple reason that he wants to buy them as late as possible so that other managers will not have ample time to strengthen their squads.
Imagine AW gets MAhrez, Shkodran and Lacazette. That would mean Pep and Jose throwing their toys out of the pram to get other players.
I hope I am right in this. but its a thought as well.
3 goals all scored by English players, when was the last time that happened ?
Hi Kev.
A long time ago I think.
I would love Akpom to stay and become a very good fox in the box.
Afternoon Kev, far too long…
Work rate..
check this out.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11570612/Arsenal-players-how-do-they-rank-by-work-rate.html
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Its H/T in Durban in the U19’s final group game and a goal by Nelson has given them a 1-0 lead. If the score stays the same they will be in Semi final.
Lazy Sanchez Fred…. 😉
Afternoon Rick..
What competition are they playing in?
Devil @2:00 you are so on the mark. Is analysis like that that sets apart HH from others. People who actually watch the game, understand the game and are objective.
Surely not??!! 🙂
Twitter:
Emanuele Giulianelli @EmaGiulianelli
Mustafi, Arsenal and Valencia are still €5mln far away for the fee. #afc
2:01 PM – 31 Jul 2016 · Milan, Lombardy, Italy
I think most on here watch the games, understand the game and are objective Obi. 🙂
Many have played the game at a reasonably high level too…..
Amazing really Rico
But to be fair his running
stands out either attacking
or getting back.
Ramsey for me runs blind
he sort of breaks his neck
to get in the box and most of the time
the ball is somewhere else.
What drives me mad about Ramsey
He just can’t get it in his head.
I Nil up 5 minutes to play,
you know the rest.
It’s hard to know where wenger will play him
a lot of clubs are looking to see if he
will fit in with wengers plans.
In saying that he is a very good player
when given a free roll.
Afternoon Rico
Afternoon Coach
Wilshere injured again, hmm, that’s worrying and it should definately worry Wenger as he’s already without Welbeck, Jenkinson and Mertesaker…
Two weeks to go, two more friendlies with countless training sessions in between, plenty of scope for us to lose a few more players.☹️
5m Euros apart that’s that finished then!! Maybe Arsene could pay the difference out of his vast Arsenal amassed fortune, either that or get Brudder Adam to help out?
If Arsene Wenger can bring in two more players, preferably a strlker and hopefully a winger like Mahrez, then we are good to go.I think Holding is, or will be a top, top defender.That was a transfer coup Wenger did with Bolton getting him so cheaply.This upcoming season would be tough, no doubt but surely Arsenal would be in the thick of things.
Couldn’t agree more Fred. All those stats prove is how far a player runs but it’s what they do with the ball which matters most…
It’s hard to guess where Wenger will play a few of them….. lol
Kev, I suspect Wenger will just move a few into different positions to cover. Chambers or Holding at right-back, Gabriel or Holding central defence and Walcott as the striker…. 😉
5mil Euros should be peanuts to Arsenal, surely. I thought you, Adam, Wath and Kev could all chip in if the club can’t find the money Lee…. 😉
Thanks Obi. That is a lovely compliment. That was nice of you.
But we have others here who can do the same analysis. We have lots who watch games. And unlike me, lots here watch the game live…..I am far away from the Ems. And even if I lived near the Ems, I would not go to games, but rather go and watch the young ones from the U21 downwards. I would not loose a game I can assure you.
had I been the manager I would have bought Holding from Bolton, but would have given them 2 or three players on loan or sold them a couple with the option to buy back like RM do. Bolton would have gained players, the latter would have gained experience while Arsenal would benefit from players in the future.
Then its done for Shkodran I feel. 5mill will not be a deterrent as I am sure AFC and Valencia will agree in the end.
So if he comes then it will be…..
Bellerin, Shkodran, Gabriel, NAcho
Chambers, Holding,Kos, Gibbs
Jenks will be loaned, Per is out, Debuchy will be sold.
I don’t think Chambers will go on loan because Kos will get injured more plus he can also play at RB.
Wouldn’t our players be better off going on loan to a club in the Championship or even better, a PL side as long as they’ll get playing time…?
CG – we need an experienced defender too imo.
Jenks is still injured I think Devil..
but when he returns he can be loaned to get time. He can still be loaned to championship or lower I think. So he can be loaned to get his fitness back plus game time.
That is why I think AFC would do no harm in buying a club in the Spanish segunda or Italian seconda divisione……..to groom their young ones and send the injured players there to get match fit.
plus time in Italy will do them the world of good.
Rico its the Durban U19 International Cup which we won last year.
We have just managed to win 2-1 today and will play in the S/F on thurs.
We dominated the game but almost threw it away just like the first game by making late subs .
In the 82nd min Gracia scored og to make it 1-1 but from kick off went straight
up to score through Mougas.
I gather there is a lot going on behind closed doors and some new players have arrived in the Academy.
Today a goal Keeper named Thorm Jonkerman was in Goal and a young Chilein named Allende was also in the team. They are not as yet part if the academy and I have no idea where they come from.
Transfer window might be shut by then Devil..
Thanks Rick.
Thom Jonkerman is a dutch keeper. He is around 6ft 3.
Allende came courtesy of Alexis. I have read that he spotted him playing and recommended him to Arsene.
Allende from chile captain of Under/17-18.
on trial.
I version of Alexis tough little git.
Rico…..isn’t the loan system to a lower division still possible even after it has shut??? I seem to think that lower league clubs can still get players on loan.
I might be mistaken though.
So one blog says that Shkodran has arrived in London and will be AFC for 25mill
Another says that Evans will come for 15mill
Hmmmmmm. Seems AW is preparing a team for the EPL, a team for the CL and a team for the FA/LC.
LOLLLLLLLL
So it seems……….
Shkodran…..25 mill
Evans………..15 mill
Icardi…………50 mill
Lacazette…..35 mill
Mahrez……..39 mill
AW is playing Soccer Manager on the internet it seems.
Rico/ Devil @ 2:46/ 3:09, the comment is not an attempt to have a go at anyone. I just thought that the points were spot on. Generally you have knowledgeable and serious visitors here. But having said that, in the past, I have read things here that makes me wonder if the observer watched the entire game or just the highlights – such comments on a give away, questioning Ozil, Santi, Kos, Campbell abilities, having a go at Chambers or Coq when situation was not their fault, etc, etc…..
Btw, the work rate stats is skewed. It compares EVERY 90 mins not 90 mins a game or minutes per game. That matters because for an example, Sanchez hardly get sub so natural he will get tired and his work rate decreases as the game goes on. Compared that to a player who plays for 60 mins/ game with his 90 mins complied over 2 games, hes much fresher.
Ozil back in training after cutting short his holiday.
Does it mean he is afraid of Aaron and feels his place is under threat???
I would really like it if AW gets Shkodran to bolster the defence.
But I would really love it more if both Holding and Chambers cement their spot as AFC 1st choice CB’s.
Big Sam would shit and pee in his pants with glee. I doubt if he can still manage to cream himself with all that bubble gum he chews.
Nico Lombaerts joins the list of those mentioned as potential players.
Yaaawwwwwwnnnnn
During the game last night, the announcer said that Ozil was there signing autographs……
If AW gets Mahrez I hope he does not revert to type…..playing square pegs in round holes.
I just hope he plays players in their right positions.
BDW…..Kanu is 40 today.
Obi, I didn’t take it that way – hence my little smiley… 😉
I saw pictures of Ozil at the match, good to see him there with him team-mates, and looking extremely happy too.
He must be off…. 😉
Oh Ok. I am totally ignorant when it comes to this emoji stuff…………… Maybe and just maybe AW will get/ keep all of the players because change of tactics is to follow, like playing 2 up front now that you have Xhaka and Coq, since Giroud is much better with a partner.
I would put either Alexis or Aaron up front with Ollie. Both seem to hit it off with Ollie. But for that to happen Ozil has to be benched.
4-4-1-1
Bellerin, Gabriel, Kos, Gibbs
Ox, Coquelin, Xhaka,Iwobi
Alexis
Ollie
Or Aaron instead of Alexis
Leicester have agreed a deal for Kaputska, is he a right winger I wonder…. 😉
You’ve got to get with the emoji stuff Obi…. 😉
But I sure hope Wenger has a few different tactics up his sleeve because if we play like we did last season, it’s going to be a long a tiresome one….
Devil, who last season supplied the most assists for Giroud?
Ozil Rico. But then most of Aaron’s goals were assisted by Ollie
How many goals did Ramsey score last season Devil?
Last season Aaron score 6 while Ozil scored 8
The season before Aaron got 10 while Ozil got 5
And during Ozil’s first season Aaron got 16 while Ozil got 7
Just remember that Ozil gets to play in the second striker role while Aaron is the B2B or on the right.
Kapustka can play in the hole or on the right Rico. He is technically gifted and very good.
I am amazed that AW did not go for him.
Nothing to brag about then Devil, not on the goals scored table.
A Mahrez replacement perhaps…. Lol 2+2 = 10
Just heard from a very
reliable Sauce(Brown of coarse)
That wenger is trying to
get Lacazette on……The HP.
Red is more reliable…. Lol
Catch tomorrow guys..
Night all.
Did you mean..Ketch Up rico
Evening All,
The game against Vikings FK is on ITV 4(7.15 pm) and Arsenal .com on friday.
The game against Man C is on ITV (5.45 pm ) and arsenal.com on Sunday.
Micko- I thought you would enjoy it… 😉
http://www.vogue.com/13462489/bill-clinton-balloons-dnc-gif/
They say AW is not buying a striker because he read we hit the woodwork more times than any other team in the Premier League, on 20 occasions last season if those goals had gone in we would have won the title by 4 points…
if those shoots* against wood work even…
For 4 seasons now we have conceded 31.2% of our goals in the 15 minutes leading up to half time. Last season was worst with 34% coming in that period highest in top 4 leagues… for UCL teams I must add…
Hopefully Xhaka can help with this…31% of the goals we conceded last season came from outside the box – the highest proportion in the Premier League. Goes to show we are better at defending but CDM position is still weak tactically; plus no goalkeeper conceded more goals from outside the box than Petr Cech our highest in 8 years…
tsgh, if only Arsene was on helium I can honestly say I would take him more seriously.
As for the 31 % stat, just a thought, how about Kozzer manning up & not turning his back on the ball in make or break games , Cech would have won the Golden Glove hands down imo.
Szczesney had plenty saying he was shocking from long range.
Funny how people look for things, even funnier how they see them, hey Ginge 🙂
PS, I was as guilty as anyone on the long range thing with Szczesny 🙂
Or Merts ducking out the way of a shot???
🙂 Fred…
Or how about Merts feet leaving the ground on the odd occasion, he might actually head a few balls away from danger….
Morning Scott, Lee and all..
Morning All
Last time BFG left the ground
was with Lufthansa. Rico
🙂 Fred.. Doesn’t he have his own private jet?
Who Kev or Brudder Adam? Most definitely, I think they’re kept at Stansted Airport Rico….. don’t tell anyone though!
At least our backs now have a solid wall in front of them.
Morning all
Hey Scott… you are right re Scez
Morning all..
I won’t tell a soul Lee…
Morning Rico and all. Will it be Lacazzette or Icardi?
I know nothing about either myself.
Gazzette or Barcardi……hmmm!
Morning Adam… not sure we will get Icardi as the moment as Juve’ needs to make a deal on Pogba; and Naples will move for Icardi because of the old Maradona…
Our summer deals are never strategic imho… we are always in a chain and unfortunately we are always the weakest link…
Good news is AW and AUlas have made peace so there is a chance we can make a dea…
Morning Adam. Maybe it’ll be both… 😉
deal*
Allegedly Icardi’s wife prefers Italy…from NN and goals.com if they are to be believed..
Rico. Our cup might runneth over. 🙂
Morning TS. You mean the old Argentinian link through Maradonna to Naples? Lot of black money down there. 🙂
Or, it may not Adam. 😉
Adam- as you have guessed… black money, white powders and brown envelopes or is it suit cases or off shore accounts these days? lol
City have signed Sane…
New post up now.