Summer '21 transfer lunacy and overpayment [Archive] - Page 2

I am invisible

05-07-2021, 08:28 AM

it probably be a case of us covering part of his wages at his new club to get him off our books which i would still take. he was a good player at chelsea i thought. he is rubbish with us.
Yeah, I don’t necessarily blame anyone for identifying him as a target *at the time* - if anyone did it now then I’d question their sanity, but a year ago his reputation was still good, other big clubs were after him, he was on a free in a summer when all clubs had been hit by the pandemic, and (on paper, at least) he filled a gap in terms of experience in that area (our other options were Pepe, who was still running around like a headless chicken, and 3 kids: Saka, Martinelli and ESR, two of whom were injured). It made a certain amount of sense to bring in an experienced option for a couple of years to buy the other 4 the time they needed to develop, and I don’t think even the most vocal opponents of the move thought he’d be anywhere near this shit?

That contract, though! Who the hell thought that was a good idea after all the trouble we’ve had moving players on?

I am invisible

05-07-2021, 10:59 AM

What on earth has this club come to? Reports that Villa actually believe that Smith-Rowe think that he has a better future with Villa than with Arsenal.

With all due respect to Villa, who cares what they believe? The kid is already a key part of our first team and getting regular games, we can offer him more money, we finished higher than them in the league, London is better than Birmingham and all his family and friends are here - I'm not really seeing what's in it for him?

I'd be careful of giving this one too much oxygen - I'm sure Villa's interest is genuine, but so far all the noise seems to be coming from rags like the Mirror. Most of the journos who are close to the club seem to think that he's close to signing a new contract, so if there's anything to this it will probably be his agent trying to leverage Villa's interest to squeeze an extra £10-20k/wk out of the club.

dazthegooner

05-07-2021, 11:13 AM

London is better than Birmingham
I heard that they're going to spend Billions to upgrade Aston into a Shitehole :sarcy: My Dad was from Aston and he hated the place with a passion.

I am invisible

05-07-2021, 11:57 AM

I heard that they're going to spend Billions to upgrade Aston into a Shitehole :sarcy: My Dad was from Aston and he hated the place with a passion.

Yeah,, let's see if that happens while ESR is still a professional footballer - mostly that says to me that he'd be living in a building site for the next 10 years...

Chippy

06-07-2021, 11:34 AM

Mac76

06-07-2021, 12:28 PM

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/arsenal/transfer-talk/news/marseille-sign-matteo-guendouzi-from-arsenal-on-loan_454180.html?newsnow

I just dont get this.

If we dont want Guendouzi, why not just sell the guy??

We could put the money towards someone else. Personally, I would have him back at the club. He shows passion and commitment whenever he plays for us.

It is the same with Saliba. Just make up your mind Mikel, sell him or bring him back.

Agree with all of that, another example of our having a rookie manager more concerned with showing who's boss than making sensible decisions

Gooner23

06-07-2021, 02:54 PM

Or maybe no one else wants him so we take the only offer on the table...

None of us know what went on behind the scenes but has to be more to it than just his reaction to Maupay's challenge on Leno.

Gooner23

06-07-2021, 02:57 PM

There's lots of things that worry me about us right now. But selling Guendouzi for 10 million isn't one of them.

I am invisible

06-07-2021, 06:37 PM

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/arsenal/transfer-talk/news/marseille-sign-matteo-guendouzi-from-arsenal-on-loan_454180.html?newsnow

I just dont get this.

If we dont want Guendouzi, why not just sell the guy??

We could put the money towards someone else. Personally, I would have him back at the club. He shows passion and commitment whenever he plays for us.

It is the same with Saliba. Just make up your mind Mikel, sell him or bring him back.
It’s a loan with an obligation to buy so pretty much a sale with some creative accounting…

https://www.google.com/amp/s/theathletic.com/news/arsenal-transfers-matteo-guendouzi-marseille-confirmed/fevsnDA9doQi%3Famp%3D1

Saliba is very much just a loan - we’ve not even included an option to buy in that one so it would seem that he’s still in our plans.

I am invisible

06-07-2021, 07:40 PM

Or maybe no one else wants him so we take the only offer on the table...

None of us know what went on behind the scenes but has to be more to it than just his reaction to Maupay's challenge on Leno.
Mate, that whole thing about his reaction to Maupay’s challenge on Leno is a myth. I remember one of the match reports at the time (I think it was Arseblog?) very clearly stating that the only person in our entire cowardly team to give Maupay any shit for it… was Leno… from his stretcher! All Guendouzi did was throw a tantrum at the final whistle because he couldn’t handle losing. It wasn’t this heart-on-his-sleeve moment that it's been built up to be, where he was the only one who stood up for a fallen team mate - it was just another example of him being a petulant child.

(Edit: I don't even think his tantrum is what got him dumped from the team? As I understand it he carried on raging and gobbing off at the manager and the coaching staff after the game, and then refused to back down and apologise, despite being given numerous opportunities over the following days / weeks to do so. He basically kept himself our of the team through nothing more than pride and lack of professionalism.)

As you say, if it was just admirable fire and passion then where was the rest of Europe’s interest in this supreme talent, especially at such a bargain price? The fact is no one else went near him because they know he’s a disruptive liability who can’t be counted on. Honestly, he needs to sort this attitude of his out fast - he could still carve himself out a top career, but he's got an uphill battle ahead of him because everyone is well aware of how many fall-outs he’s had with different managers now. He really needs to watch his step at Marseille because Sampaoli isn’t going to take any of his shit and he really can’t afford for this one to go south too…

10-07-2021, 09:39 AM

https://www.arsenal.com/news/welcome-nuno-tavares-joins-us-benfica

Nuno Tavares signs

I am invisible

10-07-2021, 10:31 AM

One down.

Sambi Lokonga has supposedly had his medical too, so that one also sounds like it’s nearly over the line.

Mac76

10-07-2021, 11:06 AM

https://www.arsenal.com/news/welcome-nuno-tavares-joins-us-benfica

Nuno Tavares signs

a promising young defender - hope he likes being sent out on loan :rolleyes:

I am invisible

11-07-2021, 09:29 AM

Anyone heard anything new or interesting on the main CM signing? Sounds like Locatelli is the club’s first choice, but that feels like a long shot. Links to Neves have also been persistent. Not convinced we’re pushing hard for Bissouma - all the noise with that one seems to be coming from the fans - and I don’t think we were ever seriously after Berge. Best guess there is we *maybe* inquired as an alternative to Lokonga, but never followed it up after being told the asking price). Anyone got any guesses here? Wouldn’t be at all surprised if we went for someone that no one has mentioned yet.

Completely lost on who we might be after in attacking midfield? The rumour mill is currently stuck on Maddison and Aouar, but I’m not sure I can quite picture either of those happening (for different reasons). Very different players too. If our earlier interest in Buendia was legit then that would suggest that we’re looking at more of a wide creative / goal-scorer, but knows? There may be multiple plans in place for the shape of our attack depending on who we can get?

Haven’t heard a thing about RB - a few shots in the dark, but nothing close to credible. Hopefully we’ll start hearing more on that one once we see some concrete movement on Bellerin?

Gooner23

11-07-2021, 03:37 PM

Think we're waiting to flog a few players first before making more moves. Sounds like we're standing firm on Xhaka and Bellerin valuations, wonder how long we can realistically do that for. Glad we told Inter to do one with their loan and no purchase clause offer though. We ain't a charity.

I reckon we'll end up with Neves for CM. No idea on right back, before the summer I wanted Hakimi but had no idea he was 80 mil! The Aarons rumours have gone quiet but he'd be a decent option, albeit with the English premium.

I am invisible

11-07-2021, 06:43 PM

Good for us - I’m not having Inter pleading poverty after raking in 80m for Hakimi! Mourinho can pony up too - he loves spending money.

Yeah I guess the smart money is probably on Neves at this point. Although if Locatelli dives to get an England player sent off tonight and then scores the winning goal with a handball then obviously that one is nailed on!

Gooner23

16-07-2021, 08:19 PM

50m for White is a bit mad. This is either a genius move that pays back in the long term, or we've had our pants pulled down.

Niall_Quinn

16-07-2021, 09:14 PM

Click here to get your 'Tavares 20' shirt! (https://arsenaldirect.arsenal.com/shopbyplayer/NUNO_TAVARES_2021-22?utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=website_article&utm_campaign=nunotavares)

LOL

You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out, you put your left foot in, and you... pony up.

This player will be as good as all the other players, which is not very good at all. I am 100% confident in making this prediction after watching two decades of abject shit - every club, not just ours.

I am invisible

16-07-2021, 10:54 PM

50m for White is a bit mad. This is either a genius move that pays back in the long term, or we've had our pants pulled down.
Don’t think we have much of a leg to stand on on price - not after paying £30m for an 18yo CB who had just 13 appearances under his belt in France.

19-07-2021, 02:05 PM

https://www.arsenal.com/news/welcome-sambi-lokonga-joins-arsenal

Lokonga has signed.

Chippy

19-07-2021, 06:37 PM

https://www.arsenal.com/news/welcome-sambi-lokonga-joins-arsenal

Lokonga has signed.
Whoooooo?

I am invisible

19-07-2021, 08:28 PM

Whoooooo?
Ceballos replacement, but bigger, faster and stronger. Can play box-to-box but prefers to play as a 6.

Lot of potential, but to start with I would imagine he’ll provide cover / rotation for Partey and whoever we replace Xhaka with.

Chippy

19-07-2021, 09:47 PM

Ceballos replacement, but bigger, faster and stronger. Can play box-to-box but prefers to play as a 6.

Lot of potential, but to start with I would imagine he’ll provide cover / rotation for Partey and whoever we replace Xhaka with.
So..... another one for the future, with some potential.... probably.

I am invisible

19-07-2021, 10:03 PM

So..... another one for the future, with some potential.... probably.
No, I’d say he’s pretty ready to go right now, but we’re clearly going after a second, more expensive midfield addition, so I’d just be surprised if he started ahead of whoever that ends up being and Partey.

He’s well ahead of where most 21 year olds are, though - been Anderlecht’s captain for the last year or so, and he was on the standby list for Belgium at the Euros, who are the no.1 ranked national side in the world. Glowing recommendations from Henry and Vincent Kompany.

Letters

20-07-2021, 06:09 AM

Whoooooo?

Is there an owl in here?

Chippy

20-07-2021, 08:15 AM

[QUOTE=Letters;4545258]Is there an owl in here?[

:ninja:

Bumble

20-07-2021, 12:48 PM

20-07-2021, 12:53 PM

doesn't a no6 play centre back?

At Arsenal, number 10's play cente back.

Globalgunner

20-07-2021, 02:45 PM

At Arsenal, number 10's play cente back.

Or whomever is captain at any point in time. One day our keeper will wear the fabled no 10

I am invisible

20-07-2021, 06:07 PM

doesn't a no6 play centre back?
In real life, sure, but in tactics talk 6s, 8s and 10s are always your three CM types: holding, box-to-box or CAM.

Lokonga is probably a hybrid 6-8, which is all the rage these days! He says he’s better as a 6, but I reckon he’s being eyed as Partey’s immediate understudy and long-term replacement.

Mac76

20-07-2021, 06:48 PM

In real life, sure, but in tactics talk 6s, 8s and 10s are always your three CM types: holding, box-to-box or CAM.

Lokonga is probably a hybrid 6-8, which is all the rage these days! He says he’s better as a 6, but I reckon he’s being eyed as Partey’s immediate understudy and long-term replacement.

Understudy?

So we can look forward to Partey teaching him how to blaze it over the bar from 30 yards...? :rolleyes:

Chippy

22-07-2021, 07:51 AM

I am invisible

22-07-2021, 09:35 AM

Understudy?

So we can look forward to Partey teaching him how to blaze it over the bar from 30 yards...? :rolleyes:

So true! :lol:

We are building a squad of understudies for the future.

We will all be drawing our pensions by the time we start challenging again :oldboy:

Jeez, are you guys really complaining about not having to cover Partey and Tierney with the likes of Elneny, Ceballos, Kolasinac, etc? :rolleyes:

Chippy

22-07-2021, 10:08 AM

Jeez, are you guys really complaining about not having to cover Partey and Tierney with the likes of Elneny, Ceballos, Kolasinac, etc? :rolleyes:

Its no that, but Partey is average at best, so an understudy to an average player does not bode well for me.

Also, being grumpy makes me happy! :coffee:

Letters

22-07-2021, 11:29 AM

Also, being grumpy makes me happy! :coffee:

:lol:

And :blink:

Mac76

22-07-2021, 11:36 AM

Also, being grumpy makes me happy! :coffee:

are you by any chance a black cab driver?

Mac76

22-07-2021, 12:23 PM

22-07-2021, 12:33 PM

are you by any chance a black cab driver?

I don't see how his ethnicity is important.

22-07-2021, 12:34 PM

Chippy

22-07-2021, 12:36 PM

are you by any chance a black cab driver?

:haha:

My brother is a London Cabbie. He is not as miserable as me though :)

Chippy

22-07-2021, 12:37 PM

:lol:

And :blink:

;)

Ollie the Optimist

22-07-2021, 02:01 PM

Smith Rowe has signed a new contract and will wear the number 10

Letters

22-07-2021, 02:20 PM

I don't see how his ethnicity is important.

"It's like Black Rod...you're not black are you Rod?

"Yes"

:lol:

Gooner23

22-07-2021, 02:32 PM

Smith Rowe has signed a new contract and will wear the number 10

Great news, build the team around ESR and Saka

Mac76

22-07-2021, 02:41 PM

Smith Rowe has signed a new contract and will wear the number 10

:good:

Mac76

22-07-2021, 02:46 PM

Signing players from Chelsea always seems like a good idea.

ha, good point, let's swerve...

I am invisible

23-07-2021, 08:13 AM

Its no that, but Partey is average at best, so an understudy to an average player does not bode well for me.

Also, being grumpy makes me happy! :coffee:
It’s every Englishman’s God-given right!

Partey is world class, though - you have to trust that. He just hasn’t been available that much, and when he has been we’ve rarely been able to use him properly (and I doubt he’s been fully fit at any point last year).

Xhaka’s replacement needs to be the guy who sits deep (and, ideally, not constantly dropping to cover LB, which is where Tavares comes in) and and Partey needs to be free to play box-to-box, which is his strength. If he’s out, or needs a breather, then we need someone with the same profile (Lokonga) to come in so we don’t have to keep changing shape and finding workarounds every other game. I’m sure everyone else is as sick of the constant tinkering and left field solutions as I am.

Mac76

23-07-2021, 08:22 AM

Partey is world class, though - you have to trust that.

I trust my eyes, he's sometimes a decent footballer but inconsistent, makes poor decisions and as for his shooting... :doh:

I am invisible

23-07-2021, 12:28 PM

Tammy Abraham - views?

if you'd asked me the season before last, i'd say definitely interested, but i recall he missed a few sitters last season and let's face it if you can be pushed out of the starting eleven by Werner you've got problems...

https://twitter.com/TheAthleticUK/status/1418179266672529410
Tbf they changed coach and the two of them are very different strikers - Chelsea fans seem to view Abraham as little more than a box poacher whereas Werner, for all of his finishing woes, gets more involved all over the pitch, so he might have been the better instant-fit for how Tuchel wanted to play.

I dunno… this one doesn’t really excite me, but there might be something there we could work with? As he currently is, I think we’d be buying little more than a taller Nketiah, so if there is genuine interest on our part then we must be looking at it in terms of raw attributes that we need for a specific job? He has presence and he has pace so we might be looking at doing the same work with him that we did with Laca [trying to get him more involved with build-up / hold-up play]? Gotta say, £40m sounds steep given that there’s still development work to do.

Another link with another HG player though - does make you wonder if there’s some big, post-Brexit quota change coming down the line. Feels like we’re armouring ourselves against something here…

I am invisible

23-07-2021, 12:47 PM

I trust my eyes, he's sometimes a decent footballer but inconsistent, makes poor decisions and as for his shooting... :doh:
He was exceptional at Atletico - it’s the Arsenal team he walked into that was shit.

Just give him a chance to shine. He didn’t have any preseason with us last year after signing on the last day of the window, he got injured almost straight away, and was then rushed back too soon, so I doubt he’s been fully fit at any point last year. He’s had to move country and relocate his life in the middle of a pandemic, which must have been annoying AF, and he’s walked into a club and a team in chaos.

When he has played, he’s usually had to fill in as a 6 and stay camped in front of the defence rather than play the box-to-box role that he’s best at, and he’s very often ended up as a one-man midfield as his partner has either had to drop off to cover LB or has been totally fucking useless. All of our CMs have also had to spend way to much time coming deep to take the ball off the CBs to start moves, and they’ve been left with far too much ground to cover because our paceless CBs can’t play too high without leaving themselves exposed (why someone like White is absolutely a priority signing IMO).

And, yes, his shooting is awful!

30-07-2021, 12:41 PM

Excellent news

https://theathletic.com/2741327/2021/07/30/arsenal-preparing-to-offer-granit-xhaka-new-deal-after-roma-fail-to-make-suitable-offer/?source=user-shared-article

Ollie the Optimist

30-07-2021, 12:44 PM

Don’t tell Mac :lol:

Mac76

30-07-2021, 01:00 PM

Don’t tell Mac :lol:

:ilt: :ilt: :ilt:

Chippy

30-07-2021, 02:02 PM

Excellent news

https://theathletic.com/2741327/2021/07/30/arsenal-preparing-to-offer-granit-xhaka-new-deal-after-roma-fail-to-make-suitable-offer/?source=user-shared-article

Another season to look forward to :)

30-07-2021, 03:12 PM

Ben White has signed.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/welcome-ben-white-signs-long-term-contract

Gooner23

30-07-2021, 03:12 PM

Ben White has finally signed. And just to really wind up the Saliba fan club he's been given the no. 4 shirt as well :lol:

Mac76

30-07-2021, 03:32 PM

Ben White has finally signed. And just to really wind up the Saliba fan club he's been given the no. 4 shirt as well :lol:

saliba :pal:

I am invisible

30-07-2021, 04:38 PM

Ben White has signed.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/welcome-ben-white-signs-long-term-contract
Phew! Only Arsenal can drag a done deal out for a month.

Excited about this one.

Gooner23

30-07-2021, 04:47 PM

Apparently Roma's last offer for Xhaka was 12 million euros plus some add ons. Can see why we've told them to shove it. Frustrating though, thought we were finally moving on :banghead:

I am invisible

30-07-2021, 05:02 PM

Ben White has finally signed. And just to really wind up the Saliba fan club he's been given the no. 4 shirt as well :lol:
The Cult of Saliba need to let this go - just let the kid develop in peace and get behind White and the other CBs in the meantime.

I get it - we all wanted to believe the “next Varane” hype, esp. at a time when we desperately needed a good CB to come in and save us, but the reality is he’s just a highly-rated prospect that Raul massively overpaid for (again) and he should never have had the pressure of that price tag heaped on him.

Fwiw, I still think there’ll be a place for him here - for one thing he’ll count as home-grown by the time this current loan ends, and that sounds like it could be a big tick for him - but for now getting regular minutes under his belt is going to be far more beneficial to him than sitting on our bench as 4th choice CB. Final test for him now is to see if he can maintain form and fitness across more than half a season.

I am invisible

30-07-2021, 05:03 PM

Apparently Roma's last offer for Xhaka was 12 million euros plus some add ons. Can see why we've told them to shove it. Frustrating though, thought we were finally moving on :banghead:
Yeah, Roma can go fuck themselves for 12m - Edu needs to get on the phone and start sounding out other options.

Globalgunner

30-07-2021, 05:09 PM

Nobody else seems remotely interested in Xhaka. I hear we are now planning to offer him a new contract...at an increased level no doubt because that what we always do. A year from now we wont be able to give Xhaka away for free

I am invisible

30-07-2021, 05:24 PM

Honestly, I’d be surprised if Xhaka signs any extension. My take on it is he was ready to storm out in a huff in Dec 19 and was even prepared to drop as far as Hertha Berlin to get out - I think what happened then is that Arteta talked him down from the ledge with the promise of getting him a better move in the summer if he gave him 6 good months, and then the pandemic hit and we all ended up stuck with each other for another year as the market collapsed.

At this point I don’t think there’s any part of Xhaka that is remotely interested in signing an extension, and I’m sure he’s quite aware that the main reason he’d be offered one would be to protect his value if we can’t sell this summer. He wants an easy out so it’s really not in his interest.

Mac76

30-07-2021, 06:07 PM

Apparently Roma's last offer for Xhaka was 12 million euros plus some add ons. Can see why we've told them to shove it. Frustrating though, thought we were finally moving on :banghead:

I'd pay them 12m euros to take the f****r off our hands tbh

dazthegooner

30-07-2021, 06:13 PM

I'd pay them 12m euros to take the f****r off our hands tbh

Wouldn't go that far but would take the 12m and run laughing :)

Mac76

30-07-2021, 06:19 PM

Wouldn't go that far but would take the 12m and run laughing :)

Totally, let's just clear him out and then it paves the way for more recruiting

Marc Overmars

30-07-2021, 07:44 PM

City have bid 100m for Grealish. :lol:

After the fun of the Euros, I forgot how stupid football is and that it’s all starting again in a couple of weeks.

I am invisible

31-07-2021, 07:07 AM

Totally, let's just clear him out and then it paves the way for more recruiting
Agreed. I still think this has to happen this summer - the player clearly wants out, we won’t get a better offer next summer (with or without an extension) and we need to free up non-HG spots in the squad before we can add any more foreign players. I still think this will happen, but it’s starting to look like it’ll be a late deal now, which really isn’t helpful.

I wonder if this might now force our hand with other sales, e.g. redouble efforts to move Torreira on (for the non-HG spot), and Willock and AMN for the money and wages? Seems clear that we can’t rely solely on Roma coming up with a suitable offer and need contingencies.

Also need to call it on Locatelli now - we’ve given it plenty of time and it’s not going anywhere. Pull the offer and move on.

I am invisible

31-07-2021, 07:08 AM

Ffs, we’ve just signed a £50m player and all we’ve done is talk about Xhaka an a teenager we have on loan!

dazthegooner

31-07-2021, 07:32 AM

Locatelli won't be coming here he wants to move to Juventus (though they are still pursuing with the plan for a European super league so champions league football hopefully will be taken away from them) so we have to forget about him.

I am invisible

31-07-2021, 10:53 AM

Links to Guimarães sound far more likely - think that one could be doable if our interest is genuine.

Mac76

31-07-2021, 11:20 AM

Ffs, we’ve just signed a £50m player and all we’ve done is talk about Xhaka an a teenager we have on loan!

I'll make my mind up on White when i see him play, don't really know much about him

As for Xhaka, getting rid of him will be of just as much benefit as signing a new player if not more, without him slowing play down and giving away FKs all over the place we'll be much better, as we were when he got put at LB

dazthegooner

31-07-2021, 12:58 PM

People keep going on about how well he plays for the Swiss but international football is a lot slower (even slower with Southgate) so he looks more accomplished he's too slow for the premiership.

Globalgunner

31-07-2021, 02:23 PM

People keep going on about how well he plays for the Swiss but international football is a lot slower (even slower with Southgate) so he looks more accomplished he's too slow for the premiership.

International football is also less tactical. Xhaka looks good when given space and time to be a quarterback receiving the ball under no pressure and delivering it to the front. He thrives on that. In the PL, there will be none of that. Soon as you put someone on him, stop him playing, he will lose it and double his customary single yellow card. All he will then be good for is recycling the ball between himself and the CB`s. Cant run, cant tackle, cant dribble, occasionally shoots well. Thanks Wenger

I am invisible

31-07-2021, 03:01 PM

I'll make my mind up on White when i see him play, don't really know much about him

As for Xhaka, getting rid of him will be of just as much benefit as signing a new player if not more, without him slowing play down and giving away FKs all over the place we'll be much better, as we were when he got put at LB
This is quite a good write up on White if you’re interested…

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12350025/ben-white-to-arsenal-brighton-defender-can-add-a-new-dimension-for-mikel-artetas-side

Honestly, I think just having an agile CB pairing with the recovery pace to play high is going to solve a raft of midfield and attacking problems for us.

Agree about moving Xhaka on - his time here is done. If we believe Sassuolo’s president, and we’ve tabled a 40m bid for Locatelli, then you’d hope that means the money for his replacement is already there, and holding out for a higher fee is just about principle. Ultimately I think the Xhaka camp will win this one, though - it’s never a good idea to keep an unhappy player at a club, and (assuming he has no interest in a contract extension) then there’s no value in keeping him another year.

I am invisible

31-07-2021, 03:34 PM

International football is also less tactical. Xhaka looks good when given space and time to be a quarterback receiving the ball under no pressure and delivering it to the front. He thrives on that. In the PL, there will be none of that. Soon as you put someone on him, stop him playing, he will lose it and double his customary single yellow card. All he will then be good for is recycling the ball between himself and the CB`s. Cant run, cant tackle, cant dribble, occasionally shoots well. Thanks Wenger
:good:

The problem with Xhaka isn’t the type of player he is or even his lack of physical pace - it’s his lack of agility and the amount of time he needs to pick out the perfect pass. He seems to need an age to line it up on his strongest foot and pick out his man, and if a pass isn’t on by the time he’s done that then he doesn’t have the ability to take the ball for a walk and go past a man to find a better angle - as you say, he’ll just turn and roll it back the CBs. It also gets him in no end of problems because he can’t evade a press - he’s very easily pressured and forced into errors.

I’ve seen a lot of concern over targeting players like Neves as his replacement purely because they’re a very similar profile of midfielder, but for me there’s some crucial differences there that would make it an upgrade. If you watch comps of the two of them, Xhaka’s long passing might be incredibly accurate, but it’s also very often played to a static player after the opposition have had ample chance to regroup - Neves, on the other hand plays those long passes much faster, and very often hits them at space instead of to feet so the target player has to attack it at speed. It’s riskier, and results in a lower passing accuracy, but it’s also far more dangerous and we need more of that.

(Not necessarily saying that Neves is the guy we should go after, btw - just that we shouldn’t discount that type of player just because Xhaka has a couple of catastrophic flaws that make him a timing tomb bomb).

Mac76

31-07-2021, 04:31 PM

agreed Neves isn't perfect but defiinitely a big upgrade on Xhaka

McNamara That Ghost...

07-08-2021, 02:23 PM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58130354

Lukaku back to Chelsea. £97 million. :blink:

07-08-2021, 02:35 PM

Sell a player then buy him back for 5 times as much.

Mad.

dazthegooner

07-08-2021, 02:40 PM

Wasn't he shit when he was there last?

I am invisible

07-08-2021, 03:45 PM

Whaaaaat?

I am invisible

07-08-2021, 04:32 PM

Would count as HG for Chelsea - forgot about that. Does anyone else think there’s some kind of quota change coming down the line that we haven’t heard about yet? Or maybe it’s just English clubs future-proofing for post-Brexit transfers? Grealish, Lukaku, Sancho, White, maybe Kane, maybe Maddison, etc all going for / rumoured to be going for big fees - definitely seems to be a big push to grab the best available HG talent this summer…

Globalgunner

07-08-2021, 06:23 PM

Roman certainly hasnt lost his enthusiasm for throwing money at the problem. I admire his tenacity even though I resent his profligacy. This for a man who cant even enter the stadium to watch his own team play. The only thing this means is that Haaland isnt coming to Chelsea. Even they couldnt get away with that much overspending. Only United could buy the Norwegian now especially if the flog Pogba

Mac76

07-08-2021, 08:43 PM

So they've got Werner AND Lumpkaku - they must be going for the record number of sitters missed in a season

What a comedy :lol:

Chippy

07-08-2021, 11:11 PM

So they've got Werner AND Lumpkaku - they must be going for the record number of sitters missed in a season

What a comedy :lol:

Sorry, I thought this was an Arsenal forum?

Mac76

08-08-2021, 09:16 AM

Sorry, I thought this was an Arsenal forum?

True though it wasn't me that started posting about Lumpkaku - blame Maccy for that :sulk:

Chippy

08-08-2021, 10:49 AM

True though it wasn't me that started posting about Lumpkaku - blame Maccy for that :sulk:

Indeed! McGhost out!

I am invisible

08-08-2021, 10:57 AM

Back to Arsenal business…

…

…

:tumbleweed:

Globalgunner

08-08-2021, 11:49 AM

Back to Arsenal business…

…

…

:tumbleweed:

Xhaka is staying:whacky::whacky::whacky::yippee::yippee::yi ppee::yippee:

I am invisible

08-08-2021, 12:35 PM

Xhaka is staying:whacky::whacky::whacky::yippee::yippee::yi ppee::yippee:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=roRQ2mNwMMQ

I am invisible

08-08-2021, 12:37 PM

Lautaro Martinez going to spurs, so we can forget that one.

Just how fucked are Inter and Italy?

dazthegooner

08-08-2021, 01:07 PM

I am invisible

08-08-2021, 02:09 PM

Well it says £60m Inter were after at least £72 and have just sold Lukaku for £100m so think it's just Sky Hotspurs dreaming again (though the spuds are in the inter-toto-rumblelows-Crown-paints international European cup) so it could sway him.
Also sold Hakimi for 70 odd mil - fire sale at Inter!

Not overly worried about spuffs getting him, tbh - very good player, but I doubt he’ll score and assist more for them than Kane, so it won’t move them forward.

Chippy

08-08-2021, 04:27 PM

Also sold Hakimi for 70 odd mil - fire sale at Inter!

Not overly worried about spuffs getting him, tbh - very good player, but I doubt he’ll score and assist more for them than Kane, so it won’t move them forward.
The Scum seem to be splashing out a bit though :fury:

I am invisible

08-08-2021, 04:40 PM

The Scum seem to be splashing out a bit though :fury:
We all thought that about Villa until we found out they were selling Grealish. Let’s see what happens with Kane before we start looking enviously over our shoulders…

Chippy

08-08-2021, 05:16 PM

We all thought that about Villa until we found out they were selling Grealish. Let’s see what happens with Kane before we start looking enviously over our shoulders…

If Kane stays, they will be very good, unfortunately.

I am invisible

08-08-2021, 06:06 PM

If Kane stays, they will be very good, unfortunately.
Sure, but I just don’t see them splurging 60-70m on a new striker if Kane and Son are both still there? Lot of money just to pad out their bench because they won’t play all of them at once. Not to mention they’d have a very unhappy Kane in the camp all season.

Mac76

08-08-2021, 06:07 PM

Xhaka is staying

:ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt:

I am invisible

08-08-2021, 06:11 PM

Conflicting reports on Martinez to spurs now - agent denying it and the player apparently wants to stay at Inter. Whatever - bored of it already.

I am invisible

08-08-2021, 06:13 PM

Sounds like Willock could be off then - shame, but if we’ve suddenly sanctioned that move then hopefully it’s because something has moved on one of our targets and we need the money and the space in the squad?

Marc Overmars

08-08-2021, 08:03 PM

25m for Willock :wave:

dazthegooner

08-08-2021, 09:08 PM

Well if this is the case I hope the money will be used on someone new BEFORE the season starts.

Ralpheroo72

08-08-2021, 11:24 PM

Money has already been used for Xhaka's contract

Mac76

09-08-2021, 07:55 AM

Money has already been used for Xhaka's contract

:ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt: :ilt:

dazthegooner

09-08-2021, 08:00 AM

What Xhaka was given an extra £20m over four years? :unsure: I don't think they did he's on enough as it is, if anything he should have taken a pay cut (yeah I know wishful thinking) :(

Marc Overmars

09-08-2021, 01:56 PM

Lukaku having his Chelsea medical. 97m. How much has he commanded in transfer fees throughout his career now? :wacko:

Wonder if he’ll finally be accepted in this country as a word class striker. Get the feeling he’s coming back to prove a point.

I am invisible

09-08-2021, 03:21 PM

I am invisible

10-08-2021, 11:15 AM

dazthegooner

10-08-2021, 06:17 PM

Nah he's just shit.

I am invisible

10-08-2021, 07:15 PM

Nah he's just shit.
Even just that acknowledgement from the manager would be something.

I am invisible

11-08-2021, 06:23 AM

Seriously, where’s the goalkeeper signing? I can understand / forgive anything else that hasn’t happened, but this feels like we’re dicing with death now!

Mac76

11-08-2021, 07:22 AM

Globalgunner

11-08-2021, 07:52 AM

Don't know if it means anything, but apparently Willian trained with the rest of the players on Sunday morning and was left out of the squad completely for the spurs game. No mention of illness or injury or imminent moves away - just not picked.

Give the guy a break. He is obviously pregnant. Baby due any moment. We wont see him back till January at the earliest

I am invisible

11-08-2021, 10:25 AM

Give the guy a break. He is obviously pregnant. Baby due any moment. We wont see him back till January at the earliest

I bet he's planning on comeing back already pregnant with the next one.

I am invisible

11-08-2021, 10:39 AM

Arteta and Edu have had a disastrous transfer window and shown they're just not up to it

On one note though, it doesn't look like we've actually signed this new contract with Xhaka yet - is there any hope this is a clumsy bluff to force Roma's hand? :pray:

A new contract makes zero sense and for me the season's basically over before it's started with him in the side

Transfers are on Edu - he's made it clear that he's the man you go through for all recruitment and contract matters. Arteta might help draw up the list of targets, but his responsibility is training the players, tactics and team selections.

I get the frustration - I want someone to rage at too because it feels like we're woefully unprepared for this season to start - but tbf I'm not sure how much you can really blame any of the current management team for how the window has gone? They've had their hands well and truly tied by previous regimes who have saddled us with a squad full of overpaid shit and, surprisingly, there's no market out there for them in a pandemic-devastated Europe. Our owners won't put their hands in their pockets and we have to free up space in the squad before we can add to it - that leaves us with very little room to manoeuvre. I think / hope we'll see some things start to happen as we get closer to the end of the window, but I'm starting to brace myself for maybe having to lose some of the players who we'd probably prefer to keep in order to land our key targets (not our best players, but not the unwanted crap either - I'm starting to look at in-betweeners like Willock, Holding, etc).

Unfortunately, I don't think we can just let Xhaka go for nothing - it looks like his replacement is going to need to be (at least partly) funded by his sale, so Roma's offer of a rubber band and a paperclip is no good to us. Unless someone comes in and meets the asking price that we need to achieve in order to fund his replacement he's more valuable to us as a player.

Much as I wanted him to move on (for symbolic reasons as much as anything else), he really is the least of my midfield worries. The fact is he was our best midfielder last year - that may be a sad fact, but it is still a fact - and him and Partey were actually a decent pairing on those rare occasions that Partey was available. Sure, we could raise the ceiling of our midfield by upgrading him, but the more pressing issue for me is that we desperately need to raise our floor. We can't roll into another season where the next available options are players like Elneny and Ceballos - that's what has really killed us. Looking on the positive side, Ceballos is gone, Lokonga looks the absolute business already, and there's been talk of keeping Azeez around the first team this year - personally, I'd rather make another CM signing and send Azeez out on loan for a full year of first team football, but anything that pushes Elneny further away from the starting XI is an improvement for me (love him, but he really is nothing more than an extra body on the pitch).

11-08-2021, 01:27 PM

https://twitter.com/ChrisWheatley_/status/1425442040360407043

I like him. Seems expensive though.

Letters

11-08-2021, 01:50 PM

These valuations are all just meaningless these days.

Mac76

11-08-2021, 02:33 PM

Transfers are on Edu - he's made it clear that he's the man you go through for all recruitment and contract matters. Arteta might help draw up the list of targets, but his responsibility is training the players, tactics and team selections.

I get the frustration - I want someone to rage at too because it feels like we're woefully unprepared for this season to start - but tbf I'm not sure how much you can really blame any of the current management team for how the window has gone? They've had their hands well and truly tied by previous regimes who have saddled us with a squad full of overpaid shit and, surprisingly, there's no market out there for them in a pandemic-devastated Europe. Our owners won't put their hands in their pockets and we have to free up space in the squad before we can add to it - that leaves us with very little room to manoeuvre. I think / hope we'll see some things start to happen as we get closer to the end of the window, but I'm starting to brace myself for maybe having to lose some of the players who we'd probably prefer to keep in order to land our key targets (not our best players, but not the unwanted crap either - I'm starting to look at in-betweeners like Willock, Holding, etc).

Unfortunately, I don't think we can just let Xhaka go for nothing - it looks like his replacement is going to need to be (at least partly) funded by his sale, so Roma's offer of a rubber band and a paperclip is no good to us. Unless someone comes in and meets the asking price that we need to achieve in order to fund his replacement he's more valuable to us as a player.

Much as I wanted him to move on (for symbolic reasons as much as anything else), he really is the least of my midfield worries. The fact is he was our best midfielder last year - that may be a sad fact, but it is still a fact - and him and Partey were actually a decent pairing on those rare occasions that Partey was available. Sure, we could raise the ceiling of our midfield by upgrading him, but the more pressing issue for me is that we desperately need to raise our floor. We can't roll into another season where the next available options are players like Elneny and Ceballos - that's what has really killed us. Looking on the positive side, Ceballos is gone, Lokonga looks the absolute business already, and there's been talk of keeping Azeez around the first team this year - personally, I'd rather make another CM signing and send Azeez out on loan for a full year of first team football, but anything that pushes Elneny further away from the starting XI is an improvement for me (love him, but he really is nothing more than an extra body on the pitch).

Willian was 100% their doing and if Xhaka gets a new contract then that is too

Don't forget we made Arteta Manager with a capital M so of course he has a lot to do with it

Gooner23

12-08-2021, 08:52 AM

I am invisible

12-08-2021, 10:23 AM

Willian was 100% their doing and if Xhaka gets a new contract then that is too

Don't forget we made Arteta Manager with a capital M so of course he has a lot to do with it
Agree about Willian - they have to own that one and, tbf, it does look like they are: he’s basically been benched since Boxing Day 2020, and now he’s not even making the squad for friendlies, which is encouraging. Our targets this summer have also looked very different, and far more data-driven, so hopefully that’s another sign of lessons having been learned (or maybe just a sign that we actually have a scouting and analysis department to identify targets this summer).

Not sure I agree on Xhaka, though. We’ve genuinely tried all summer to move him on, but there’s only been one interested club and they were only prepared to offer half of what was already a hugely reduced asking price for one of our starting CMs.

The talk of a contract extension doesn’t actually bother me too much - from what I’ve read, it’s only an extra year (the second year is just an option), and it wouldn’t be on that much more than he’s on now. If the only offer we have is Roma’s then his sale is borderline worthless to us this summer, so all we’re really doing here is ensuring that he’s not going to be down to his final year going into next summer - if he rolls into next summer with one year left then I guarantee he’s not going anywhere until his contract ends in 2023. He’ll hold out for the free, as will any interested clubs.

I am invisible

12-08-2021, 10:33 AM

The Xhaka situation isn’t ideal, and it’s not how I wanted this summer to go, but at this point CM is far less of an issue for me than GK, a 10, RB and CF.

Xhaka + a fit Partey is decent.

Xhaka + Elneny is crap.

Xhaka + Ceballos was crap.

Elneny + Ceballos was just terrifying.

If Xhaka is staying put then there’s a lot of improvements to be made just by avoiding those duff pairings as much as possible. A fitter Thomas Partey (who has a full preseason under his belt) will be a massive help there, as will the addition of Lokonga and Ceballos’s return to Madrid - if we can also promote someone like Azeez, or maybe make another more modest ‘prospect’ signing, then that all helps push Elneny further down the pecking order. God love him, but he really is nothing more than an extra body…

dazthegooner

12-08-2021, 10:41 AM

If need be I would push Elneny down the stairs... :blink:

I am invisible

12-08-2021, 01:22 PM

If need be I would push Elneny down the stairs... :blink:
You know… it’s hard to hate the guy on a personal level - he’s just a bit of a non-event as a player. I guess he’s a good guy to have around the training ground and a good role model for the younger players in terms of personality, humility and professionalism - if we can’t find a buyer for him then I don’t mind letting him see out his final year to help us transition Azeez into the first team.

But there’s no way he should ever be getting as many games as he got last year - 1 or 2, tops, if we’re all out of other options - and there should be no efforts made to retain him. Just let him quietly bow out with as much dignity as possible.

Mac76

12-08-2021, 02:25 PM

I'd play Elneny over Xhaka any day of the week, he's tidy, gives the ball away much less, doesn't get sent off, isn't a c**t etc

Bumble

12-08-2021, 08:14 PM

If we want to sign ramsdale why cant the player moan and throw his toys around like most would.

Ralpheroo72

12-08-2021, 10:35 PM

Sounds like the Ramsdale deal has broken down as Sheffield hold out for 30 million, which we aren't prepared to pay.

Bit of a shambles really that we go into our first league game without a proper back up keeper.

Everything is on Edu and Arteta, they seem to be making it up as they go along. Other teams go out and pay what is asked. The money for Ramsdale is ridiculous, surely there are better options elsewhere???

Gooner23

13-08-2021, 10:49 AM

Ødegaard rumours picking up steam..

I am invisible

13-08-2021, 04:43 PM

I'd play Elneny over Xhaka any day of the week, he's tidy, gives the ball away much less, doesn't get sent off, isn't a c**t etc
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12380678/arsenal-issue-three-year-stadium-ban-to-season-ticket-holder-for-inciting-violence-against-granit-xhaka

Mac, this you?

Letters

13-08-2021, 04:45 PM

:lol:

Gooner23

14-08-2021, 07:57 AM

Have we spent 50 million on a CB that can't head the ball?

Xhaka Can’t

14-08-2021, 08:02 AM

Good luck trying to give me a 3 year ban

Mac76

14-08-2021, 08:05 AM

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12380678/arsenal-issue-three-year-stadium-ban-to-season-ticket-holder-for-inciting-violence-against-granit-xhaka

Mac, this you?

Damn, caught red-handed :lol:

Chippy

14-08-2021, 10:28 AM

Have we spent 50 million on a CB that can't head the ball?

£50m for a 5'3 centre back who cannot head or run. What a fucking shambles.

I am invisible

15-08-2021, 08:54 AM

Ødegaard didn’t even make the bench for Real yesterday so it looks like something might be shifting there. Even old man Bale got some minutes!

Niall_Quinn

15-08-2021, 09:12 PM

Bumble

17-08-2021, 07:40 PM

Mac76

17-08-2021, 08:47 PM

Odegaard looks on verge of being signed... at least that gives us another attacking option. not someone who i think will take us to the next level but at least someone who would stop us going backwards... literally.

Maybe although there were signs towards the end of last season that he'd been Arteta-ised and was being less attack-minded

I am invisible

17-08-2021, 10:02 PM

Odegaard looks on verge of being signed... at least that givesk us another attacking option. not someone who i think will take us to the next level but at least someone who would stop us going backwards... literally.
Good. Get it done ASAP.

Chippy

17-08-2021, 10:08 PM

Good. Get it done ASAP.

Really?? Yet ANOTHER ordinary player.

Niall_Quinn

17-08-2021, 10:10 PM

Really?? Yet ANOTHER ordinary player.

Every player ends up being ordinary in this squad. But there are a few who would do well elsewhere. By modern standards - which are very low.

I am invisible

18-08-2021, 06:18 AM

Really?? Yet ANOTHER ordinary player.
Fair enough, that’s your opinion and I gee that there was a split on what kind of player we wanted here. I liked what I saw of him, though.

Considering he’d barely played any football in the 6 months prior to his loan, and the fact that he was moving to the toughest league in the world, in the middle of the season, and to a new country in the middle of a pandemic (and to an absolute shambles of a team), I think he settled and started contributing pretty bloody quickly? (Oh, and he had that injury right in the middle of his loan too, which set him back just as he was finding his stride). Might be wrong, but I think we’ve only scratched the surface of what he can do?

Shouldn’t need much time to settle and adapt to the league / manager / team mates this time, and I’m looking forward to having him fully focussed and committed, and not thinking of Madrid.

I am invisible

18-08-2021, 06:21 AM

€35m - good price if true.

What’s the opposite of LANS?

Mac76

18-08-2021, 08:06 AM

€35m - good price if true.

What’s the opposite of LANS?

SNAL?

I am invisible

18-08-2021, 08:17 AM

SNAL?
Ooh, I like that!

I am invisible

18-08-2021, 10:08 AM

This week, Ramsdale is… on again!

Honestly, at this point I just think we need to get it done - I don’t even care about how much we get done for. The more I see of Leno the more he scares me - the guy just radiates panic and it bleeds out into everyone around him.

@Mac76 - what’s the opposite of Emi? Ime? Zenitram? That’s what Leno is.

Marc Overmars

18-08-2021, 11:52 AM

Letters

18-08-2021, 12:13 PM

I thought Odegaard looked very good at times last season, think we should keep him if we can.

I am invisible

18-08-2021, 02:29 PM

Not sure about Odegaard personally but it doesn’t look like we’ll be signing anyone else in this position so just get him in.

Think these number 10, creative/between the lines type of players are a bit dated. Would prefer someone a bit more dynamic with tangible end product. He will struggle to make a serious impact in a team where most of the play is just geared towards the wide areas and getting crosses/cutbacks in.
I get the feeling the club are banking on Saka and ESR developing into that kind of player - they’re already there with the dynamic running and ball-carrying but, yeah, we need to start seeing consistent end product now.

Agree that Ødegaard is unlikely to come in and instantly start winning games single-handedly for us, but he’ll at least add much needed variety to our creative options as a passer who can unlock a defence, and he’ll add an extra body to allow us to rest and rotate those other two. (Hopefully having a 10 in there will also stop our 9 from having to keep dropping off to do the job leaving us with no one in the middle when the ball comes in!)

Chippy

18-08-2021, 02:53 PM

I get the feeling the club are banking on Saka and ESR developing into that kind of player - they’re already there with the dynamic running and ball-carrying but, yeah, we need to start seeing consistent end product now.

Agree that Ødegaard is unlikely to come in and instantly start winning games single-handedly for us, but he’ll at least add much needed variety to our creative options as a passer who can unlock a defence, and he’ll add an extra body to allow us to rest and rotate those other two. (Hopefully having a 10 in there will also stop our 9 from having to keep dropping off to do the job leaving us with no one in the middle when the ball comes in!)

We actually need a striker.....Auba kept us in the top half of the table last season.

I am invisible

18-08-2021, 03:36 PM

We actually need a striker.....Auba kept us in the top half of the table last season.
Agreed. But in the meantime actually playing Auba as a striker would help.

Also Lacazette is actually one of the most clinical strikers around once he gets in the box - the problem is he’s always stuck in midfield linking play so he’s not there half the time.

In both cases I think Ødegaard helps. It frees up ESR to play left or right attack (which I think will suit his all-action running style better than playing as a traditional 10), and it means there’s no need for either striker to keep dropping to link play.

18-08-2021, 05:40 PM

Ornstein reporting that Ramsdale is pretty much done.

We've spent a lot of money this transfer window.

Chippy

18-08-2021, 07:03 PM

Ornstein reporting that Ramsdale is pretty much done.

We've spent a lot of money this transfer window.

Yep! Not quite Wenger "Top, top signings" unfortunately. Hey ho.

LDG

18-08-2021, 08:19 PM

We actually need a striker.....Auba kept us in the top half of the table last season.

Auba was shit last season.

He kept nobody in the top half of nothing.

He has the touch of a rapist, can’t pass, and is past his best. Get rid

Marc Overmars

18-08-2021, 09:03 PM

Spending 30m on Ramsdale a year after flogging Martinez. :lol:

This club is weird.

Niall_Quinn

18-08-2021, 09:52 PM

Auba was shit last season.

He kept nobody in the top half of nothing.

He has the touch of a rapist, can’t pass, and is past his best. Get rid

Got a good contract when it counted though - which is what really matters.

Chippy

19-08-2021, 11:35 AM

I get the feeling the club are banking on Saka and ESR developing into that kind of player - they’re already there with the dynamic running and ball-carrying but, yeah, we need to start seeing consistent end product now.

Agree that Ødegaard is unlikely to come in and instantly start winning games single-handedly for us, but he’ll at least add much needed variety to our creative options as a passer who can unlock a defence, and he’ll add an extra body to allow us to rest and rotate those other two. (Hopefully having a 10 in there will also stop our 9 from having to keep dropping off to do the job leaving us with no one in the middle when the ball comes in!)

https://www.sportbible.com/football/arsenal-ruthlessly-trolled-over-odegaard-and-ramsdale-transfers-20210819

I agree with this tbh :(

dazthegooner

19-08-2021, 11:45 AM

Jamie O'Hara? The *cough* player surprised he has time to write with all the medals he won :blink:

Mac76

19-08-2021, 12:12 PM

Literally... who?

Marc Overmars

19-08-2021, 12:15 PM

I mean, he's a cunt but probably right.

As an Arsenal fan it's become increasingly difficult to really give a shit anymore what people think about us because, well, it's hard to argue against it.

19-08-2021, 12:48 PM

https://www.sportbible.com/football/arsenal-ruthlessly-trolled-over-odegaard-and-ramsdale-transfers-20210819

I agree with this tbh :(

Why? It's Talksport. They're just trolls to drive clicks and calls.

If you agree with them you're almost certainly wrong.

I am invisible

19-08-2021, 01:13 PM

You know, they may or may not turn out to be right (and even then it might be a problem with the manager more than the signings), but it's hard to take them seriously when you know they'd have the same opinion whoever we'd signed.

19-08-2021, 01:50 PM

Presented without comment.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11890/12384977/robert-lewandowski-bayern-munich-striker-wants-new-challenge

I am invisible

19-08-2021, 02:16 PM

PSG will of course be all over that.

I am invisible

19-08-2021, 02:18 PM

https://www.sportbible.com/football/arsenal-ruthlessly-trolled-over-odegaard-and-ramsdale-transfers-20210819

I agree with this tbh :(

Fair enough, mate - you can't help how you feel. I have no issue with people who follow and love the club having their doubts and concerns.

Chippy

19-08-2021, 09:57 PM

Fair enough, mate - you can't help how you feel. I have no issue with people who follow and love the club having their doubts and concerns.

:hug:

20-08-2021, 07:11 AM

Odegaard is official

Mac76

20-08-2021, 07:15 AM

Decent signing i guess but with Arteta in charge it won't make much difference

As for the Ramsdale thing, if it happens we really are a joke club having sold Martinez for less

dazthegooner

20-08-2021, 07:15 AM

Arteta press conference soon.

Letters

20-08-2021, 08:25 AM

Odegaard is official

Surprised he's agreed to slum it with us but good signing, I reckon. He looked good last year.

I am invisible

20-08-2021, 08:27 AM

Arteta press conference soon.

Let's hope it's a little more upbeat than last week! Shit almighty that sucked the energy out of the room!

I am invisible

20-08-2021, 08:28 AM

Surprised he's agreed to slum it with us but good signing, I reckon. He looked good last year.

Yeah, I think there's loads more to come from this guy. First time in about 6 years that his future has been settled and clear.

20-08-2021, 10:14 AM

Surprised he's agreed to slum it with us but good signing, I reckon. He looked good last year.

It is a good signing, good price I think.

He can't play against Chelsea because of Brexit.

I am invisible

20-08-2021, 04:30 PM

…As for the Ramsdale thing, if it happens we really are a joke club having sold Martinez for less
The decision-makers at this club really need to have a word with themselves after this, but I guess now that Emi’s gone (and long gone at that) the only question that really matters is “is Leno / Ramsdale better than Leno / Runarsson”?

As a player I can’t say I have any strong opinion of him one way or another - not really paid enough attention - but obviously I wish him all the best and hope he does well. Haven’t done any kind of deep dive on his strengths and weaknesses yet, one thing I will say is that 23 is very young for a keeper, and he’s already got a lot of senior, PL experience under his belt at that age. Also, I don’t think this is the kind of fee you pay for a backup - I would guess we’re looking at phasing Leno out over the next 6-12 months.

Mac76

20-08-2021, 04:33 PM

Also, I don’t think this is the kind of fee you pay for a backup - I would guess we’re looking at phasing Leno out over the next 6-12 months.

Definitely, Leno wants to go by all accounts, he probably hates the way Arteta's tactics show up his weaknesses

I am invisible

20-08-2021, 05:40 PM

:hug:
I try and always look at these things in two ways…

1) Have we signed the players that I wanted us to sign?

2) What are we trying to do? / What’s the thinking or strategy behind the players that we’ve actually signed?

Tbh, the answer to the first one is usually a no. It sometimes happens, but I can forgive it when it doesn’t - everyone sees the game and our needs differently and, when you do the math, the odds of the club not only agreeing with my thinking but then going out and buying any of the handful of players on my list are really, really long.

What I can’t forgive is when I look back on our business and I can’t see any kind of logic or reason to it whatsoever - that’s where I really start to panic.

And that’s where I’m kind of ok with the signings we’ve made so far, regardless of whether the players were my preferred choices or not - for the first time in about a decade there at least seems to be some thought behind what we’re doing. There’s a very clear age profile there, the new signings are on manageable wages, and we’re actually filling areas of need: we needed a playmaker / 10; we needed another keeper; we needed better cover for Tierney; we needed cover for Partey and more athleticism in our midfield options; we needed a ball-playing CB to replace Luiz. We haven’t been able to get everything done, but what we have done is a welcome departure from the days of Wenger stockpiling the exact same AM and Raul signing an overpriced right winger when the coach wanted a left winger and a 30m teenage CB who stayed at the club we signed him from, etc. I don’t know where it’s going yet, but at least there seems to be some logic there…

I am invisible

20-08-2021, 05:42 PM

Definitely, Leno wants to go by all accounts, he probably hates the way Arteta's tactics show up his weaknesses
The sooner he’s out of the starting XI the better. The guy just radiates panic like Mustafi used to, and it infects everyone near him - he’s like the anti-Emi!

20-08-2021, 05:44 PM

Ramsdale confirmed

dazthegooner

20-08-2021, 05:46 PM

Well that could happen sooner rather than later Ramsdale has now signed and I cannot see us paying £24m+ add ons for a number 2 and reports say that Arteta wanted him.

Bumble

20-08-2021, 06:10 PM

Well that could happen sooner rather than later Ramsdale has now signed and I cannot see us paying £24m+ add ons for a number 2 and reports say that Arteta wanted him.

yeah no way he is being signed as a number 2. it was difficult with Emi as essentially he had half a season of senior football and someone offers 20m, what are you meant to do when your first choice is Leno. He wanted to play regular1st team football and we didnt offer that.

I am invisible

20-08-2021, 06:26 PM

yeah no way he is being signed as a number 2. it was difficult with Emi as essentially he had half a season of senior football and someone offers 20m, what are you meant to do when your first choice is Leno. He wanted to play regular1st team football and we didnt offer that.
I would guess it mostly came down to needing to fund the move for Partey - at the time the only sizeable offers we had on the table were for Emi and Ainsley and of the two I guess we felt that we could better afford to lose one of our two decent keepers. Obviously looking back at Partey’s injuries, Ainsley’s rejection of the fullback role and Leno’s decent into PTSD, we couldn’t have got that decision more wrong if we’d tried!

Oh well, it’s done now, and none of it is Ramsdale’s fault - he’s just the one we’re bringing in to try to fix things.

I am invisible

20-08-2021, 06:28 PM

Whenever you cringe at the price, just remember Kepa cost £72m

Letters

20-08-2021, 07:04 PM

The sooner he’s out of the starting XI the better. The guy just radiates panic like Mustafi used to, and it infects everyone near him - he’s like the anti-Emi!

I don’t entirely agree, I don’t think he was the problem last year.
This playing it out from the back stuff is nonsense. We aren’t good enough to do it well and concede so much pressure from it.

Mac76

20-08-2021, 09:32 PM

I don’t entirely agree, I don’t think he was the problem last year.
This playing it out from the back stuff is nonsense. We aren’t good enough to do it well and concede so much pressure from it.

You're right in the sense that Arteta insisted on tactics that hia players couldn't deliver, but that's his whole problem - he's trying to apply a Man City philosophy to a team that can't deliver it...

I am invisible

22-08-2021, 09:08 AM

I don’t entirely agree, I don’t think he was the problem last year.
This playing it out from the back stuff is nonsense. We aren’t good enough to do it well and concede so much pressure from it.
This is always going to be something that splits fans down the middle. My view on passing out from the back is that it’s how all of the top sides in the game play, so we need to get good at it if we ever want to call ourselves a top side ever again. I think there’s a definite logic to what you’re saying when the season is well under way - if the players just aren’t getting it by a certain cut-off point then you need to default to something more pragmatic - but that all ends for me as soon as the window opens and there’s a chance to upgrade.

The idea of constraining the way we play and our ambitions to suit the limitations of our players just feels wrong to me. Surely it should be the other way round and we should be recruiting players to match a more ambitious way playing? We’ve been working around player limitations for years with guys like Xhaka in midfield, and no one tolerates that, so why should GK and CB get a free pass? If they can’t play the way we want to play then we need to try and upgrade at the first chance we get. Harsh on Leno, perhaps, because he hasn’t suddenly become bad at everything he was doing well before - his job description has just become more complex and he’s struggling with the extra demands.

If we were talking about someone like Nketiah up front, for example, I guarantee there’d be very little sympathy for the argument that ‘he’s
a poacher and no good at hold-up play so we should abandon how we want to play to suit him’ - no one would blame him for being the wrong profile of striker, but ultimately we would still expect the right profile of player brought in as first choice.

We were playing some lovely stuff out from the back with Emi between the sticks, and that was with much the same players (or worse players) in front of him, so it is possible. I don’t even think it’s a technical issue - most keepers are actually pretty good with their feet these days, and we’re only talking about making relatively simple passes. It’s purely a composure issue: Emi was cool as a cucumber and made good decisions under pressure; Leno’s style is more jumpy and frantic - it makes him a fantastic, reflex shot-stopper, but unfortunately it also makes him the goal-keeping Mustafi when he has the ball at his feet and he’s being pressed.

Mac76

22-08-2021, 10:15 AM

I am invisible

22-08-2021, 11:25 AM

That was why Arteta was so dumb to let Martinez go when he clearly was better at fitting in with the way Arteta wants to play :doh:

Mr Non-Negotiable was far to loyal to Leno, making him blind to his faults, and we paid the price
It’s a sickener, it really is. Emi was the absolute perfect keeper for us - literally radiated calm and reassurance, and the entire defence seemed to feed off it.

Oh well, it’s done now and there’s no going back. I guess all we can do now is hope that Ramsdale ticks the same boxes and can become that same kind of presence for us at the back over the next couple of years…

Bumble

22-08-2021, 03:14 PM

I am invisible

22-08-2021, 03:52 PM

We shouldnt forget that martinez only played half a season. So 20m offet comes in when your first choice was still doing well seems a no brainrr. I think alot of hindsight is going on here. Leno has declined since then and not it looks a bad bit of business. At the time it made sense.
I understand why they did - we needed money for Partey, and it was a choice between selling Emi or selling Ainsley to raise funds. Given that we had two strong keepers at the time I can see why they went the way they did. It’s just a bit sickening to look back on it now, given how last season went, with Partey absent for most of it and Ainsley deciding he didn’t want to play RB any more - literally couldn’t have turned out any worse!

I am invisible

23-08-2021, 08:11 PM

https://arseblog.news/2021/08/willian-linked-with-corinthians-move/

Please, just go.

Mac76

23-08-2021, 09:31 PM

https://arseblog.news/2021/08/willian-linked-with-corinthians-move/

Please, just go.

Knowing us we'll reject any offer as not being enough money... :rolleyes:

Gooner23

24-08-2021, 12:17 PM

Torreira, Kolasinac and Willian all on their way out. Hopefully more to follow..

dazthegooner

24-08-2021, 12:43 PM

But on the plus side Xhaka has signed a new contract

Bumble

24-08-2021, 01:18 PM

Torreira, Kolasinac and Willian all on their way out. Hopefully more to follow..

they have all been on there way out all summer... still havent left and i expect in Willian case it will cost us alot to get rid of him on a "free"

I am invisible

24-08-2021, 02:18 PM

Torreira, Kolasinac and Willian all on their way out. Hopefully more to follow..

Maybe Nketiah to Palace.

Would be good to get 2 or 3 of our fucking crap RBs off the wage bill.

Chippy

24-08-2021, 03:03 PM

Maybe Nketiah to Palace.

Would be good to get 2 or 3 of our fucking crap RBs off the wage bill.

Maybe Conte is now influencing the clearout? :pray:

Bumble

24-08-2021, 05:05 PM

Maybe Nketiah to Palace.

Would be good to get 2 or 3 of our fucking crap RBs off the wage bill.

the question is which right back to keep. the centre back trained one or the one who wants to play central midfield.

Mac76

24-08-2021, 05:20 PM

keep Chambo, the rest can go

Bumble

24-08-2021, 06:03 PM

keep Chambo, the rest can go

probably could do with another though, i like the idea of Trippier if he was a bit cheaper... can take a free kick as well which would be nice plus adds experience to the back four

I am invisible

24-08-2021, 06:11 PM

the question is which right back to keep. the centre back trained one or the one who wants to play central midfield.
Whoever’s on the lowest wages - everyone else can go.

Chippy

24-08-2021, 07:56 PM

Whoever’s on the lowest wages - everyone else can go.

Also, is it just my view, or is Pablo Mari complete shite?

I am invisible

24-08-2021, 08:25 PM

Also, is it just my view, or is Pablo Mari complete shite?
Oh my god, what has happened to him over the summer?! I mean he was never brilliant, but at least he looked like an OK ish, solid ish 4th choice last year - he doesn’t even look like a league one CB at the moment!

Mac76

24-08-2021, 09:36 PM

probably could do with another though, i like the idea of Trippier if he was a bit cheaper... can take a free kick as well which would be nice plus adds experience to the back four

Some ex-spud c***? No thanks

I am invisible

25-08-2021, 08:25 AM

Wouldn't have been my first choice, purely because of his age and wages, but I'd welcome Trippier with open arms right now. Desperately need to get that right side functioning.

Any other names doing the rounds?

Chippy

25-08-2021, 09:13 AM

dazthegooner

25-08-2021, 09:25 AM

People forget (well maybe they haven't) but Sol Campbell was a 'former' spud.

I am invisible

25-08-2021, 09:54 AM

Arsenal is a step up for any spuff - it's not like the early retirement that ex-chelsea players come here looking for after years of success. Also they won't have to play in a toilet bowl.

Mac76

25-08-2021, 12:33 PM

People forget (well maybe they haven't) but Sol Campbell was a 'former' spud.

no not forgotten but he was a rare case of someone who played for spuds who wasn't a c***

Mac76

25-08-2021, 12:34 PM

Amen to that, brother!

We need all the help that we can get! Ex-Spud or not.

i guess if it really annoys spuds fans for him to play for us there's a case for it...

selassie

27-08-2021, 01:35 PM

keep Chambo, the rest can go

The fact we are going into the season with him as first choice shows you how far we have fallen. He wouldn't get in any other top 10 PL's team IMO, would struggle to make the bench at any of the top 7 clubs.

Gooner23

27-08-2021, 01:43 PM

Bumble

27-08-2021, 01:54 PM

Ronaldo available? might be a little expensive and not sure he would be too interested in not playing in the CL.

selassie

27-08-2021, 01:55 PM

The right back situation is an absolute mess for sure.

And with only a few days to go now looks like it wont be resolved. Would probably need at least 2 of the 4 current ones (Bellerin & AMN) to leave and its all gone very quiet on that front.

Similar to the striker situation, except I think we can make do with Auba and Laca for a season and then look to bring in a striker next summer.

Yep, I am disappointed we haven't sorted it out, shocked.

Central Midfield is still a big question mark for me, we spent 50million in the wrong position IMO, think we could have used Saliba back there this season. Obviously the rebuild is big but I can't help but think we have spent millions and not truly improved many areas of the squad.

dazthegooner

27-08-2021, 01:56 PM

Well cannot see AMN being sold in this window so if we can't get a new right back we'll have to just tell him put up or shut up he won't be played in midfield whilst we have two 'world class' players in Xhaka and Elmney in front of him :haha:

Marc Overmars

27-08-2021, 03:36 PM

Ronaldo available? might be a little expensive and not sure he would be too interested in not playing in the CL.

He’s going back to United.

Marc Overmars

27-08-2021, 03:57 PM

And it’s official.

Bonkers.

Chippy

27-08-2021, 04:09 PM

Yep, I am disappointed we haven't sorted it out, shocked.

Central Midfield is still a big question mark for me, we spent 50million in the wrong position IMO, think we could have used Saliba back there this season. Obviously the rebuild is big but I can't help but think we have spent millions and not truly improved many areas of the squad.

This.
We have spent our budget on positions we didn't have to.
People keep banging on about Conte, he wouldn't touch us with a barge pole. He wanted £200m budget at the Spuds, we've got fuck all money left.

Not sure if our club will ever recover.

Globalgunner

27-08-2021, 05:09 PM

This.
We have spent our budget on positions we didn't have to.
People keep banging on about Conte, he wouldn't touch us with a barge pole. He wanted £200m budget at the Spuds, we've got fuck all money left.

Not sure if our club will ever recover.

We had 200m at the start of this window but our braniacs have squandered most of it on a short CB and giving Xhaka an improved deal, retaining El Neny and various other dumb decisions. I still would have preferred Zidane. Just imagine having that lean dapper fellow on our sidelines. The push we would get from that alone would be worth 80m in shirt sales. Id probably buy all 3 with his name on the back. The president of Rwanda would also be back in our happy camp too

Bumble

27-08-2021, 05:19 PM

We had 200m at the start of this window but our braniacs have squandered most of it on a short CB and giving Xhaka an improved deal, retaining El Neny and various other dumb decisions. I still would have preferred Zidane. Just imagine having that lean dapper fellow on our sidelines. The push we would get from that alone would be worth 80m in shirt sales. Id probably buy all 3 with his name on the back. The president of Rwanda would also be back in our happy camp too

Not sure why Zidane the manager would necessarily have an impact. He has only managed at Madrid. Madrid have high class players. i doubt he would have the same effect at Arsenal.

Bumble

27-08-2021, 05:20 PM

And it’s official.

Bonkers.

£12.8m sounds a steal for a still quality player goal scorer for 2 years

Globalgunner

27-08-2021, 05:27 PM

Not sure why Zidane the manager would necessarily have an impact. He has only managed at Madrid. Madrid have high class players. i doubt he would have the same effect at Arsenal.
Zidane was the manager of the B team at Madrid before he became head coach. What are you saying?. Good coaches are less effective than coaches with no experience? or that Arsenal can only work with average coaches now due to some congenital condition within the club. In all walks of life having actually done the job before should be a requirement. It usually is in most managerial interviews. Who but Arsenal would think a complete novice is the best candidate for anything but an intern vacancy. Maybe having a good head of hair is what impresses our hierarchy. Certainly seems that way based on our last 2 appointments. If thats the case. Zidane wont get a look in

I am invisible

27-08-2021, 06:24 PM

I guess if anyone’s going to be stupid enough to invest hundreds of millions in a long-term youth strategy, and then immediately hire Zidane or Conte to burn it down, it’s the Kroenkes…

Mac76

27-08-2021, 08:34 PM

I guess if anyone’s going to be stupid enough to invest hundreds of millions in a long-term youth strategy, and then immediately hire Zidane or Conte to burn it down, it’s the Kroenkes…

hiring someone who knows what they're doing will get the best out of those youth players

personally i'm not such a fan of Zidane but would take Conte for sure

I am invisible

27-08-2021, 09:41 PM

hiring someone who knows what they're doing will get the best out of those youth players

personally i'm not such a fan of Zidane but would take Conte for sure
We’d all have taken Conte, but working with kids isn’t his MO and we’re committed to this now. Start thinking of names with a track record of development would be my advice - it’ll make the disappointment easier when it comes.

Mac76

29-08-2021, 11:39 AM

some good news finally - btw this serves as another humiliation for Arteta and Edu who so wanted him at Arsenal

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1431814144324423682

Mac76

29-08-2021, 11:42 AM

Bumble

29-08-2021, 01:09 PM

i wonder if there's any chance we could revive that Xhaka sale, though having offered him a new contract i guess that would be too much of a u-turn for Arteta and Edu to cope with - another example of extreme incompetence

they would have the say it was to protect his value although if we are going to get rid his value probably down 10m anyway. Xhaka isnt the only reason for our failures but getting rid would sort of signal and end of an era so we could rebuild without him hanging over us

Bumble

30-08-2021, 02:15 PM

AMN everton want him but we don't want to let him go or play him. What fun.

I am invisible

30-08-2021, 02:27 PM

If he goes there to play RB I officially give up trying to understand footballers.

selassie

30-08-2021, 03:17 PM

AMN everton want him but we don't want to let him go or play him. What fun.

Classic Arsenal under Arteta and Edu, clueless. AMN is no worse than any of the options we currently have at RB. Irrespective of that, the more worrying thing is that literally no clubs want to buy any of our players....every deal or proposed one is "Loan with Option"

Mac76

30-08-2021, 03:57 PM

Classic Arsenal under Arteta and Edu, clueless. AMN is no worse than any of the options we currently have at RB. Irrespective of that, the more worrying thing is that literally no clubs want to buy any of our players....every deal or proposed one is "Loan with Option"

so we take it and hopefully he'll do well under a manager who can actually get the best out of players

if i was him i'd want out - all of that bunch of young non-first team players like Nelson must want out, Willock was very lucky

Bumble

30-08-2021, 06:18 PM

Bumble

30-08-2021, 08:26 PM

Willian has left by mutual consent... 1 down about 1 million to go

Niall_Quinn

30-08-2021, 08:49 PM

I do feel for AMN he wants to play regularly. We dont want to play him in midfield or at right back. So no wonder he is frustrated. Could he be any worse than xhaka in midfield. Might add mobility and covering.

We do lack a goalscoring midfielder, lingaard or someone like that. always scores goals.

AMN is good midfielder and potentially a great one. I hope he can get out of the club and go somewhere that will allow him to progress.

Gooner23

30-08-2021, 09:09 PM

I am invisible

31-08-2021, 07:43 AM

So we tried to play hard ball with Palace over Nketiah, but they've moved on and signed Edouard.

We're now left with a player who knows he's not wanted, won't get much, if any, game time this season and will walk out on a free next summer.

Shambles.
The whole “we need to be ruthless” speech at the start of the summer was unbelievably naive - the moment something like that leaves your lips there can’t be any question about following through with it. Those deals already have to be done in advance and they need to happen as soon as the window opens, otherwise you end up exactly where we are now: rolling into the season with half a squad of players who know that they’re neither needed nor wanted and, surprise! None of them give a F about playing for you when you need them to.

Gooner23

31-08-2021, 08:07 AM

The whole “we need to be ruthless” speech at the start of the summer was unbelievably naive - the moment something like that leaves your lips there can’t be any question about following through with it. Those deals already have to be done in advance and they need to happen as soon as the window opens, otherwise you end up exactly where we are now: rolling into the season with half a squad of players who know that they’re neither needed nor wanted and, surprise! None of them give a F about playing for you when you need them to.

There are some situations where I have had sympathy with Arteta & Edu on (who actually is calling the shots here?), but the list of bizarre / poor decisions is rapidly out growing those.

Gooner23

31-08-2021, 08:12 AM

Looks like the only thing happening today is a possible loan move for Hector back to Spain. Blocking AMN's move to Everton suggests there will be no more signings. What a shit show.

dazthegooner

31-08-2021, 08:19 AM

AMN imo is probably one of the best options we have right now either in midfield better option than Xhaka when available (he'd at least be able to play 90 minutes) also he could just bite the bullet and accept that he is wanted at right back he won't be going in this window (unless something drastic happens).

I am invisible

31-08-2021, 08:24 AM

There are some situations where I have had sympathy with Arteta & Edu on (who actually is calling the shots here?), but the list of bizarre / poor decisions is rapidly out growing those.
Yeah, that’s about where I’m at - I’ve tried to be fair when I see a difference between an excuse and a legitimate reason, but it’s getting harder and harder to see any kind of plan or thinking behind anything we’re doing. Sure, it’s tough out there right now and they’ve been saddled with a lot of shit from previous regimes, but they’ve also had a lot of time to look at the situation and plan for it - it was a high bar, but they took on the challenge knowing there was no room for failure, and this summer has been a failure.

(And that’s not a slight on the players we’ve brought in btw, but we needed at least 2 or 3 more starters and 7-8 more outs for this summer to have been a success.)

I am invisible

31-08-2021, 08:33 AM

Looks like the only thing happening today is a possible loan move for Hector back to Spain. Blocking AMN's move to Everton suggests there will be no more signings. What a shit show.
Agreed - nothing is happening today. What we have now is what we have until at least January…

31-08-2021, 09:44 AM

Apaprently in for some Japanese fella from Bologna.
Right back.

Any good? Who knows?

Will it matter? Probably not.

Hotel? Trivago.

Ollie the Optimist

31-08-2021, 10:07 AM

According to John Cross (so take with big pinch of salt) Arteta will not sell Maitlend Niles but has banished him to reserves so he no longer trains with the first team.

What is the point of refusing to sell a player if you aren’t going to play him anyway? Just another case, like with Ozil, where Arteta tries to act billy big bollocks to the complete detriment of the club

dazthegooner

31-08-2021, 10:48 AM

Don't know about acting the billy big bollocks but he does 'Talk' bollocks.

I am invisible

31-08-2021, 11:12 AM

Apaprently in for some Japanese fella from Bologna.
Right back.

Any good? Who know?

Will it matter? Probably not.

Hotel? Trivago.
Not a clue - all I know is spurs were in for him earlier in the window.

Sounds like another RB / CB.

Mac76

31-08-2021, 12:11 PM

Ollie the Optimist

31-08-2021, 12:34 PM

Totally true, trying to wave his dick around

Refusing to let AMN go is pathetic, same with Nketiah, alao Nelson, they're ruining these guys' careers

I just dont know what Arteta thinks he will achieve here. Some of the players just then leave on a free when we could have got money for them. They obviously cause problems for squad morale if he doesnt want them and its not exactly a ringing endorsement for new players to join us if they think thats what hte manager will do to them.

Again, pinch of salt here, but according to newspaper reports, we could have generated 80m in transfer fees for some players like AMN, Nketiah, Xhaka but we have rejected that. Now most will leave for free & Arteta wont even play them. It’s just lunacy