Morning all.
The media are spinning the story that William Saliba could leave Arsenal this summer. He’s reluctant to sign a new contract – yes, I read something about that on NN. Right now he’s in America with the rest of the squad and having read his interview on the official website, it seems he’s going nowhere, for now at least.
I had a good season last season. We finished second in the table and I had some good moments and learned a lot, and I hope this season will be better than that. I was very proud [to win the Young Player of the Year award] because the league has a lot of good young players, so it’s good for me but I want more. When I was on loan I watched every single [Arsenal] game because when I was there some players weren’t. I watched the games to see how they played, so when I was back it would be easier to play with those I hadn’t met before.
It’s important that the fans are behind you, and I like it very much. I can’t wait to give back to them. My plan is to fight and work with the team, win as much as possible, and grow more. It feels good to be back and starting pre-season. I’m so excited to continue training and playing in the friendly games. It’s important to be here with the fans, as well as my teammates. I hope we’ll enjoy some good training and games which is important before the start of the season.
I’ll be surprised if he watched every Arsenal game last season though. I didn’t. Lol
Arsenal’s first fixture in the USA kicks off a midnight tonight so I won’t be watching this one either. That’s the problem with pre-season when Arsenal travel to a country like America but seeing as we’re owned by an American, it’s inevitable really. The players have been mixing up their training, spending time in the gym as well as on the training pitches, meeting fans and signing shirts. There are lots of photos on the official Arsenal website but this is the one which caught my eye.
Four legs beat two in my world although it’s good to see Jack Wilshere meeting his namesake.
The big news this morning comes from Twitter:
Arsenal and Manchester City have now reached verbal agreement in principle for Oleksandr Zinchenko, fee around £30m. Personal terms are still discussed. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
Salary and length of contract, in negotiation – key step to complete the agreement. pic.twitter.com/QJYrwdqJH1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2022
Kieran Tierney must be feeling the pressure after reading that because he’s going to have a fight on his hands to keep is place in the team I think because Oleksandr Zinchenko won’t be moving to Arsenal with the view of sitting on the bench. He could stay at Man City and do that for a reported £60,000 a week. But that’s what we need isn’t it, a battle for a place in the team. That’s what the Saliba will do too, he’ll put pressure on both Gabriel and Ben White and hopefully they’ll respond by upping their game.
Fabrizio Romano has also tweeted an update on Bukayo Saka’s contract negotiations.
Bukayo Saka’s contract extension has always been priority for Arsenal, talks are still ongoing with his agent in order to reach full agreement on long term deal. #AFC Saka’s happy with Arsenal project, discussing on salary details.
Just sign it Bukayo!
Have a great weekend guys..
Morning Rico and all
Lets hope Saka signs soon but I recon he maybe waiting to see if any offers from Man city come in first before signing,
Like the photo Rico shame it wasn’t a current player.
Morning Geoff, all.
I can’t see Saka waiting for City, he’s an Arsenal boy. In the future perhaps but not right now and if we start winning things, why would he want out anyway.
Hutchinson gone, compensation or a swap for Levi Colwill is the chat on the wires.
Have a good day everyone, off to the Smoke.
Oh , Morning Rico and everyone.
Morning Kev, stay cool in the smoke. Lol
G’day Rico and all.
I do hope Saka is going to sign his new contract, it would be a disaster both on and off the pitch if he didn’t.
I’m gradually coming round to the idea of Zinchenko, experienced and a multi positional/multi purpose player. Left back, attacking and defensive midfielder, a very useful utility player.
Afternoon Rico. Good news about Zinchenko, but I think we’ll see him on the left side of midfield unless Tierney is injured. It’s his preferred position and where he plays for his country.
Excellent player.
Don’t know much about Zinchenko but knowing that he and Arteta were at Man c together give me some hope that he is going to improve us this season
Having sold Sterling to Chelsea, Man City will see Saka as the perfect replacement. Would Kroenke turn down a multi million pound offer?
Zinchenko is on a plane to the USA as part of City’s touring squad as I write. Are Arsenal Stateside atm too? Seems a strange one if he’s about to sign.
Afternoon Cicero, Adam.
I’m glad he might be joining us too, would be a really positive signing I think.
For what it’s worth, I think Saka will sign, why go to City when City are coming to us. 😆
CB, Arsenal are already in the US.
America is quite a big place , Arsenal are in Baltimore and City are in Houston which is the equivalent of going from London to Newcastle and back twice.. Not exactly on each others doorsteps and I doubt that Mikel and Pep will be meeting up for a coffee.
Jesus and Saka score in two nil win against Everton in pre-season friendly.
You are delusional if you think that Saka is not going to extend with Arsenal. A waste of worry.
Waiting for offers from Man City? Silly.
If Zinchenko is in The USA it makes sense, a quick flight from 1 state to another then a quick medical followed by paper work signed and then announced in front of the American Arsenal fans.
Tufnel you say it’s silly that Saka waiting for Man c offer, then why has he not signed yet and remember money talks. players and clubs are no longer loyal to each other it only takes 1 bad / good season and all could change.
Jesus looks like he has settled in well. another game another goal, Saka looks ready, now looking forward to the start of the season
Just watched 4 minutes of the highlights on .com Not much to glean from them
, From the little shown we appear to be in front of Everton in preparation . Two well taken goals with Jesus , Saka and Martinelli up front .
Hopefully other videos will appear showing a little to get a better opinion.
Geoff, don’t forget the club are dealing with an agent in all this and look what a saga his last contract was. I’m pretty sure he’ll stay for a while yet.
Potter, I thought about watching the whole game on .com. For a second. Lol
New post up now