Morning all.
This is Arsenal’s statement on Laurent Koscielny.
Laurent Koscielny is leaving us to join Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.
The centre back has made 353 appearances for us since signing from Lorient in 2010. He was part of our Emirates FA Cup-winning squads in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Laurent, who started his career in the French second division at Guingamp in 2004, has played 51 matches for France and was entering the final year of his current contract with us. We decided to sanction his move to Bordeaux once we agreed acceptable transfer terms.
We thank Laurent for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future.
Seems like the parting was a bitter one and I’m not surprised at all. Laurent Koscielny made a huge mistake the day he refused to go on our pre-season tour. That’s not the way a captain should behave. Compare the way he left Arsenal to the way Vincent Kompany left Man City, there’s only one man with class and he doesn’t come from France. Fabregas really cheesed me off with the way he forced his move back home and Koscielny is no better. Good riddance I say.
Ian Wright has had his say on the move and the video of Koscielny which shows him removing his Arsenal shirt to reveal a Bordeaux one underneath. The video was released before his move had been made official.
“This hurts. The level of disrespect. You should be ashamed for the way you’ve left the club after 9 years! Got what you wanted and still trying to have a dig. Hope it’s worth it in the long run.”
Anyway, he’s history, he’s another crock whose wages are off our books so it’s one more positive move by the club this summer.
We’re down to two, two days or rather one and a half as it’s a 5pm deadline tomorrow and for the first time in ages, I’m going to miss all the excitement. How will I survive? With a bit of luck I’ll be home by 4pm, just in time to see Sky Sports break the news about Mustafi going to Monaco. Wishful thinking perhaps.
Sky Sports recon we’re interested in Coutinho but so are the Toots and they’re tipped as favourites for his signature. They’re signing Dybala too according to the same source. For us it’s about defenders with Rugani and Upamecano still being mentioned. NN had a few headlines yesterday evening suggesting Arsenal had agreed personal terms with Rugani but both they and Juventus are haggling over a fee. The Daily Mail though reckon if we add Emile Smith Rowe into our offer for Upamecano, we’ll get the defender deal done. Would you be happy if we did?
Finally, and it’s a biggie, Mesut Ozil might be leaving. The Mail are one of many reporting a potential move to DC United. The American Soccer club are losing Wayne Rooney as he’s agreed a move to Derby County so my guess is they need a big name to replace him and Mesut Ozil is certainly that.
Thank goodness this transfer window saga will soon be over..
Have a good Wednesday guys, see you in the comments..
Thanks Rico,
yes losing Smith-Rowe would be worth it in my opinion,a shame but we are desperate.
Funny enough I never blamed Cesc for wanting to go back to his boyhood club.He had been sensational for us,the fee was a joke though,the club should have been tougher and made Barcelona pay his true worth,about treble what they paid.He was on a long contract too, hopefully those days are over
The story about Ozil is exciting,wow that would be something..
Morning Cicero, all.
Limey. I didn’t begrudge Cesc leaving, just the way he went about it. The same with Kos. I get a return to France would be nice for him at this stage in his life but be a man, a captain and not throw his toys out of the bag..
Smith-Rowe should go on a season loan to RB Leipzig regardless if we weren’t going for one of their players as it’d be the best opportunity to accelerate his development.
If it has the bonus effect of securing the CB we do direly need to sign then we definitely should use that card!
With Nelson and Martinelli, we have enough youngsters options for the season anyway.
WTF was that?
Asking a question is ain’t exactly journalism…
I was expecting some kind of analysis or a few pros and cons, but that is just cheap.
Pbarany. This site isn’t journalism, just as many others aren’t. It’s the transfer window, I’m simply telling readers what’s out there in the newspapers. The idea is to provoke a discussion about what’s being said.
If you have a problem with that, go and read the Metro, or get a job with NewsNow as they are as pedantic as you. In fact do you work for NN I wonder…,.
Wages for Ozil though Cicero. Rooney earned £80k a week at DC according to the media. That would be a huge drop for Ozil if that the kind of money he’d be offered.
Good morning Rico, I’m relieved to read that Koscielny has been sold, the chance that he may have been selected to play in our first team, had he stayed, filled me with dread. He hasn’t been fully fit for the last couple of seasons and was always liable to a red card or a footballing blooper, His manner of leaving shows a distinct lack of class on his part. As you say, good riddance.
The Ozil to D.C. United story could have legs, but not until January. Rooney has signed for Derby but will in stay Washington until the end of the regular season, only then will their be a place for our Mesut.
There’s still time for a bit of business, sadly that might include the departure of Nketiah to either Bristol or Leeds….but only on loan.
Morning Rico and all.
As for the Smith-Rowe thing? It depends on whether the club see Upamecano as a game changer for us. Perhaps a loan might be a good compromise? If not then it’s a difficult call but I haven’t seen enough of him to really know just how good he is/will be.
Of all the defenders we are linked with and looking at I am much surprised we have not considered Nathan Ake!!!
That guy is very good and has premier league experience.
We might be Kafuna, just because the press haven’t written it doesn’t mean we haven’t looked at him. Personally, I think he’d do well for us, Dunk too.
His grammar suggests that he is from NN.
Ha ha Adam.
Dayot Upamecano is not as good as his partner, the taller Ibrahima Konaté who is unbeatable in the air and better on ground and plays along side him. To sell Ernie would be like commiting Hari-Kari. Are we trying to self destruct? Better to get either Konaté or Rugani (if only for his stunning partner, phew). We need a tall mobile CB.
If we can get a loan deal for Upa for a loan deal for ESR then that would be good, but not sure I want us to sell ESR yet, he looked so good before he went out on loan,& got injured & the fact that Leipez want him back says a lot. Could see him as a Ramsey replacement in a couple of years. Don’t let that Guy upset you RICO, you articles are always reasoned , sensible & Informative . I I like reading them
Thanks Sohara, idiots like him won’t. I only let him on so his ridiculous comment could be aired.
I’m with you on ESR, too soon to be selling but I think the Mail suggest a loan which I think would be good for him.
“Asking a question is ain’t exactly journalism…” and what precisely does that jumble of words mean?
Exactly Cicero. What a chump that bloke is.
So Jenkinson is gone.. another one bites the dust.
I see Glen Mcgrath predicts the Aussies will win the Ashes 5-0
Jenks gets a video on his goodbye from Arsenal. More than Kos got. 😆
Sky Sports – Everton have offered £30m for Iwobi.
Morning all.
Pigeon is more an optimist then me, Limey hahahaha
Jenks has had something very few current day footballers get-the chance to play for their beloved club.
Money turns heads, but this guy was Arsenal through and through.
A good player who’s had his chance and couldn’t quite cut it but still, what an experience.
I wish we had more like him.
I won’t let one stupid act ruin a 9 season spell at the club for Kozzer.
He’s been very good for us and wanted to go home.
He handled things poorly, no question but he hasn’t said he’s left for trophies, and definitely don’t go for money.
ESR-sell him and include a buy back clause of a decent amount, so Leipzig get their man, we get ours and if the lad fires up and is worthy, we have the option of getting him back.
I see Danny Welbeck linked with a move to Watford.
Ha ha Scott,it’s gonna be 4-1 you know it.
Lol Limey.
I’m hopeful, but not overly confident, though we did win the test we probably would’ve written off so it’s a solid start.
I think the Jenks sale might bite us in the bum. Until Bellerin returns to full fitness we don’t have a reliable right back in the squad. AMN is not a full back. Nor are Chambers and, while we still have him, nor is Mustafi.
Thirty million for Iwobi sounds like good business to me. He’s not a winger and we are well stocked with mid-fielders. Put the thirty million into the Rugani kitty, you know it makes sense.
Selecting Anderson for the first test was a big mistake, Root had only the bowler’s word that he was fit to play and that was patently wrong.
Are batsmen’s runners no longer allowed? Anderson should have used one in the England first innings, Woakes would have been able to add a few more runs without worrying about Anderson’s injury. Same in the second innings too.
A white wash it wont be, Jofra Archer will see to that and Rashid will replace Moheen Ali at Lords.
You guys seen Jenks message to the club and fans?
What a classy guy he is…
The Iwobi offer has been rejected.
Anderson had been playing for Lancashire I believe Cicero, and proved fit. No mistake selecting him imo. I think Ali’s days are number though. He doesn’t even bat well anymore.
Jofra in and a different spinner. One who can bat a bit would be ideal.
What’s the big deal with Kozzer turning his back on us, he’s been doing it for seasons now, I’d say it was his trademark, add to that the cock up’s in cup finals, own goals and constant ducking of out headers, he was a true number 6, up there with Big Tone, I’m sure he’ll shine in the lower leagues lol.
Didn’t Koscielny make some derogatory remarks about France winning the 2018 World Cup?
No wonder the mentality of our team has been so shit with a bloke like him leading the team…
Just had a look of NoNewsNow and it’s the usual rubbish, click bait stealing from click bait and loads of Football.London bollocks. I didn’t click on any of it, the headlines, such as they are, are so transparent.
Ozil to DC United, I will take him to Heathrow myself.
The Yanks love a big timer, he’d be a rip roaring PR success and the pace of football is right up his street. He could play in the MLS until he’s 40…
I’ve not seen Upamecano play, but everyone I’ve spoken to rates him as one of the best around and although I really rate Smith Rowe I would trade him to solve a gaping wound in our team…
Afternoon Rico and all plus a very early Micko. Hope you’re well mate.
Best wishes and many thanks to Jenks. He did what we would all like to do. Play for ‘our’ club. The contrast with Kos couldn’t be more marked. What a disappointing and petulant way to say goodbye.
What are your feelings about the game at Newcastle then Adam, are you positive or hopeful?
All good in the hood Adam, fair play to the club for getting the deal done so quickly I say, gives us plenty of time to go out and get a couple of signings of our own now !!!
I’m always hopeful Kev. I work on the basis that if I lower my expectations perhaps the disappointment won’t hurt as much.😃
No change there then Adam? 😁
I think it’ll be very much like our previous season, with Pepe getting us off of our seats and our defence giving us nightmares.
Afternoon Micko, I’ve missed your humour. Lol I shan’t miss him either..
Afternoon Adam. Jenks puts Koscielny to shame. At least he loved the club and tried. What an experience though, as he said.
Afternoon Rico, do you reckon that Raul and Co will pull a rabbit out of a hat before the close of business tomorrow?
rico, he’s so yesterday, as Del Boy would say “Bonjour Laurent”
Didn’t we sign Chamakh the same summer, us Gooners have been well and truly spoilt down the years lol.
Afternoon Kev. I do.
He so is Micko.
All the best to Danny Welbeck on joining Watford too. He always did it right and was horribly unlucky with injuries.
Well said Adam.
David Luiz?? Surely not Arsenal..
Adam, a whole hearted player and to think he won’t even have to move house, the milky bars are on him !
rico, David Luiz, we’d be better off playing Russian roulette every other week, much less painful.
Afternoon all.
Transfers eh? Who’d want ’em??
Good luck to Welbz and Jenks. Both very unlucky with injuries and set backs. Danny especially, was looking really good last season until his unfortunate ankle injury.
Kozzer! Where shall we begin? He was, like many others a ‘Wenger boy’. I suspect the new coach and his hands on videos etc etc upset the Lol lol applecart. Equally I think he was persuaded to remain last year with the promise of a ‘free’ this summer. Probably, due to the financial impoverishment that has been so widely shared around the football family. Raul et al insisted on a fee Rennes withdrew, Kozzer threw his toys out of the pram and the rest of the ‘dealings’ were completed in the public domain. Not ideal! In any event things behind the scenes clearly pissed old Laurent off, big style and his behaviour was, actually reprehensible, but as Newton once said, “every motion/ action has an equal and opposite reaction”.and our former captain showed his disloyalty and contempt for the club that had nurtured him for nine long years, and then spurned him. One more year and he could have had a testimonial! C’est la vie!
I gather Rugani is ‘off’ so, we have 24 hours to find a worthwhile stop gap CB. I wouldn’t put money on finding anyone who may be better than the old boy whose just gone home! (And taken his ball with him!)
Warm and windy is here today.
Rico, I just loved your put-down on pbarany. “Cheap”? What an asinine comment!
Can David Luiz play in a back four?
A back four with no def/mid in front of it?
I guess that we might soon find out…
I always liked Danny, a good team man, reliable and hard working, we missed him big time last season, good luck to him – I bet he scores against us…
Afternoon guys, just read some of the chatty comments (why I like HH) and wondered why £30m was not accepted? Because Everton are starting to get some decent players in there (Iwobi not included imo as he never realised his potential) and personally I reckon that’s what he would be worth – what do I know about over-inflated players prices except that that ARE?
LOVE to see Özil disappear to the States in January.
I’m with you there Micko.
I don’t know Wavy, DD can spring a few surprises..
Andrew, I doubt he did. Lol
Jeez Luiz….
Dominic Thompson apparently sold to Brentford subject to medical…
By Simon Stone and David Ornstein
Everton have had a £30m bid for Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi rejected.
The Toffees are expected to return with an improved bid for 23-year-old Nigeria international – but it is likely to have to exceed £40m to be accepted.
Iwobi is not agitating to leave but is willing to move if a deal is agreed.
£40m is a good price, we needed to get better at selling players and maximising their value, whatever we may think personally, seems a good deal…
The Dominic Thompson one is a strange one, hopefully sell on clauses and buy back clause included in the nominal fee….
Eddie off to Leeds apparently. On loan.
Phew…..
You gave me a fright Rico, but yeah, Leeds is a good gig, he’ll do well up there…
😂 Kev
EMERY: WE’LL TRY TO SIGN ANOTHER DEFENDER
Arsenal boss Unai Emery says the club want to sign a central defender before the window closes on Thursday.
“If we can on the last day, we will try to sign another centre back, but one who has the capacity to help us,” Emery told Sky Sports News.
“We have a lot of defensive players. Maybe, it is different when Laurent Koscielny tells us he wanted to leave.
“We are finding the possibility to add another centre back, but only if he can help us in our performance. We are working on that.
“I’m happy with our defensive players. We are working in the last minute, we are also taking the possibility that we can add some more players who can help us with good performance.
“We tried to sign some important, expensive players for our defence. But when we can’t do that, the second line players don’t really convince us to sign them.”
https://www.juvefc.com/daniele-rugani-to-join-arsenal/
Celtic have accepted a £25 million bid from Arsenal for Tierney. The player is travelling to London to finalise personal terms and to undergo a medical.
Sky Sports
We’ve agreed a deal for Tierney with Celtic and Luiz to Arsenal looking likely…
He won’t pass it if he’s injured 😜
If we do get Rugani as well as Tierney we can be well pleased with this particular transfer window. There is still the possibility of Ozil leaving for Washington in January which will reduce our wage bill by a considerable amount.
Not sure we will though if Luiz is coming.
Even so, it’s been a very good TW I think, defender aside..
Rico, I suspect that the medical will depend on the prognosis concerning his present rehab situation following the double hernia operation he underwent recently. If the medics are satisfied that there are no other underlying problems and the rehab is progressing well there is no real reason not to sign the player. Perhaps both he and Bellerin will be ready to play in a month or so.
Ruiz and Torreira in front of Bellerin, Rugani, Sokratis and Tierney should go some way to reducing our goals against stat.
I was jesting Cicero.
Rugani and Luiz would make the Luiz signing bearable.
If we do get Luis Rico perhaps your bete noir, Granit Xhaka will will be deemed surplus to requirements and put on the market.
Don’t wanna mock our scouting system but if we do end up signing David Luiz we might as well run outta the tunnel to the tune of Benny Hill every home game…………
Keep it real, nite Gooners.
Signing David Luiz makes no sense, even if the report I’ve seen saying we can get him for £8m is true,we may as well have got Cahill.Im not a fan of over the hill players,even less Chelsea rejects.
I’ll post this comment before refreshing and reading through the overnight comments.
Please tell me nobody here is endorsing the move for Luiz!!
Kozzer is copping all the abuse under the sun and much of it deserved for forcing a move away from the club.
Now, people are excited that Luiz is doing the same damn thing in trying to get to us???
Unbelievable.
Now to check back 🙂
Scott the difference is Koscielny wanted to leave Arsenal, Luiz wants join Arsenal. Koscielny has obviously lost his marbles while Luiz has found his. 😉
Looking like Tierney and Luiz possibly.
Hahahahahaha Cicero, well played lol
Cicero. Don’t want either really…
So if we do sign Tierney, it’s possible that he won’t be fit until mid October, but Holding and Bellerin will be fit at around the same time and that’s 75% of a fecking good back four…
Sign Luiz and Emery might go into the new season playing 3 at the back?
As far as selling Mustafi or anyone else, we can still sell abroad until the end of the month, so get the players in and then worry about moving some on…
Wake up to find the David Luis thing wasn’t just a nightmare,it’s real,many sources saying it’s likely.
This must be a sign Emery intends to play 3 centre backs,can’t see Ozil or even Xhaka fitting into that system, maybe wishful thinking though!
Something unexpected often happens on deadline day..
Nine hours and counting!
Morning all.
Signing David Luiz isn’t brilliant news but think about it. He’s quick, feisty, experienced, crafty, horrid, tall, cheap and did I say nasty?
We’ve Holding, Chambers, Medley, Saliba for the next 6-8 years if they work out.
Maybe signing Luiz for a short term solution isn’t so daft.
New post up now