Silly Season

This topic contains 99 replies, has 11 voices, and was last updated by The Oracle The Oracle 2 years, 7 months ago.

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  • #1972351

    muffler_1
    Participant
    • :

    Oh and Willock on loan to Newcastle again hehe jeez al that is left now is having the Michelin man aka Willian on the pitch in the season opener 😂

    #1973434

    stev2bath1
    Participant
    • :

    Watched the rangers game and it was ok. We dominated for ages missed a load of chances and they scored twice out of the I think 3 attempts. It was like watching an old Wenger game. Can’t read much into it as still very early. New left back looks ok on first sight very good finish apparently it’s his defensive game and positioning is his issue and this was not tested. Looks like the Ben white deal is done and lokonga. I am now buying into the Ben white hype but still think if we had 50 million for one player, a centre mid was where it was needed. I would have rather have paid 50 for Neves if I had to. No news on a No 10 or Xhaka replacement. I don’t think now we will get both. I think he will try to use what he has for the No 10 and mix ESR, Saka pepe and maybe Willian as options. In midfield if we can’t get a replacement and more money then we should just keep Xhaka. As someone said similar money for a Chelsea stiff is just not on and even worse selling him with no replacement is just asking to be sacked! I think there are going to be some mad last min deals this year so would not be surprised if ODe turns up but think the deals will go to the wire!

    #1973461
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    I think it’s pointless arguing what signings we get from now onwards.Yes,we all love to discuss but the truth is none of us are excited about it.I know for sure this club isn’t going to surprise us.Truth is the mentality of Arsenal fans has become so shite that from what I read generally people have started to consider Aouar and Maddison as dream signings.Lol.That’s how backwards our thinking has become.
    No they aren’t dream signings,Kylian and Haaland would be dream singings.
    I think the majority of the fan base has just accepted mediocrity now.That’s two seasons in a row outside the top 6,first one outside Europe altogether.We’ve permanently become a mid table club but fans don’t seem to be doing anything about it.Banter club.I just wish there was a delete option available for the club.

    As for Arteta,yes I think we were the better team against rangers and should’ve buried the game.I trust him as a coach as I’ve always said.However,I feel he lacks experience in assembling a squad and he needs real guidance.The signings we’ve been linked to are laughable.We don’t have that money, but if we do overstretch and get those signings then we’ll be stuck in limbo because we are just overpaying for them.

    I think edu and everyone beside him need the sack for things to change.

    #1973467

    stev2bath1
    Participant
    • :

    I am not sure you can absolve Arteta from all blame. He is now the Manager not just the coach and these signings are his. So if it does not work he will be part of that reason so he would also get the chop if you really want change.

    #1973506
    AndyC
    AndyC
    Participant
    • : AndyC

    Afternoon chaps, thought I would pop on and see whats been going on. Not a lot is the answer LOL

    Gotta say im liking the players we are signing.

    Ben White is a quality defender, great on the ball and pick a pass, calm on the ball as well which is exactly what we need to play out from the back. another plus is he knows English football.

    I really like this lokongo kid, captain at 18, strong, quick, good on the ball. my mates a city season ticket holder and there was rumours City were sniffing around him last year due to the glowing references Company, Henry etc were providing.

    Taveres – looks a quick and strong, havent seen enough of him to really form a real opinion but what I have seen and read is that he is great going forward needs direction coming back but thats where Arteta will step in.

    3 good signings, all young, and all building blocks for the years ahead.

    Only shame is that we don’t seem to be able to get rid of players, which im sure is a playing factor in some low ball offers. when a club knows its the only one involved its not going to bid big. especially when they know the players want out and we want rid.

    I can see us getting a few more as well. What we have signed has not been dependant on sales which is great that said I do think further additions will be on the back of sales. Bellerin, Xhaka, Nketia, Nelson all need to go.

    Personally im really happy Willock is going on loan fo the season, this will be his big test. Its all well and good doing it for 6 games at the end of season when your playing teams that are on the beach. lets see if he can replicate that form for a full season and for team that will no doubt have more hard times than good times next season. if he does do well, and Newcastle takeover goes through we can add another 10-20 mil on his value 🙂

    No doubt we need a few more, and im sure we will see them come but no doubt they will be late whilst we now focus on shifting players on.

    as for the friendlies, I couldn’t care less we if lose all of them 3-1. They are pointless and meaningless. for anyone thats played any reasonable standard of football you will understand its all about getting fitness levels up and the sharpness back. Yeah its nice to win but its not the main focus. I remember in 2003 when we lost all but 1 pre season friendly. Im not saying what happens next will happen like it did in 03/04 but it does show you how the friendly results are not important.

    #1973508
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    stev – No he’s not.No one knows how much of a role Arteta actually has in transfers.
    He’s still the coach IMO.Because he could be sacked in six months, maybe a year.Then what are we going to do?You think the club is solely signing players on his say so even though he could be gone sooner rather than later.
    Football has evolved, the days of a SAF and wenger having full power at the club are gone.

    Now it’s a different, much coordinated effort.However,I think the most responsibility in transfers lies with the technical/sporting director.

    Edu it is for us.He needs the sack.

    Not saying Arteta has no say at all,ofcourse he will okay the transfers but to presume this club are buying players solely on his say so is just not true.

    #1973560

    muffler_1
    Participant
    • :

    No TSO we are saying that the signings are by Arteta and Edu together not one or the other.

    So in my mind they will share blame or the success If that happens.

    Arteta is not like Emery was a coach so Im sure the Zaha vs Pepe is not happening again.

    Edu and Arteta has agreed on the targets Im sure with A B and C plans depending on what can be done. Edu however is responsible for getting the deals done and at that he is not very good as he seems to pay whatever the other club wants

    #1973585

    stev2bath1
    Participant
    • :

    I did not say its solely on his say so because its not but as you know he is manager not a coach and lets put it this way they wont be signing anyone unless he agrees it. Which was not the case with Emery! Hence if they work he gets the credit but if they flop he will get as much grief as Edu. I have never really understood why EDU gets pelters? He has done more good than bad. His positive signings have been Martineli, Cedric who is what he is supposed to be back up right back, Odegard on loan , Balagun signing when he was supposed to be definitely leaving , and got rid of a lot of deadwood on loans or sold. His only negative was Willian and that was an Arteta request which he should have overridden. I may have missed something but to me he has done a good job so far and I like the signings, this season so far.

    #1973607
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    Well,as we all agree it’s a coordinated effort.I was just trying to make a point that the technical/sporting director has more of a say in my view.

    #1973781

    stev2bath1
    Participant
    • :

    Lokonga signing is positive I hope it works out and if not we wont lose to much money if any. I don’t know much about him but its a worry that his highlights reel on Youtube is very underwhelming. Now before I get slaughtered its not the be all and not what I use to judge him but my worry is these typically make players look like worldies as obviously that’s the plan. Even our players that we know are average look outstanding in there highlights reel. His just look very average and show nothing that shows any particular great attribute apart from short one twos in the centre of the pitch.

    #1973886
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    Andy – Disagree with most of your views.

    Don’t get me wrong,I welcome the signings that we’ve made.I just think it’s not the profile of players we need at the moment.But more importantly,I think it’s terrible business that has been conducted at our end.

    Ben white,He obviously seems talented.But 50m for someone who can’t even start ahead of stones is steep.He’s had one good season for Brighton.We’re paying for potential and nothing else.It’s a nonsensical transfer.The fact that he’s so young worries me and now we lack experience in out defence.Again he may as well have footballing ability but that price tag is just too steep.I worry for our defence.

    Lokonga,A captain at such a young age.Impressive.But again Overpaying for Him.Either way selling guendozi for less than what we’re paying for Lokonga is laughable.IT’S Piss poor business.

    Taveres,Been impressed in his first game but I again a bad deal.
    Listen,just look at deals all round Europe that are going on.There are clubs getting good targets for loan with buy options.Why did this club feel the need to outright purchase these players?I mean I’m they were not even that in demand.

    Lastly,You forget we finished eight.Replacing players won’t do shit.We need to add Genuine Quality.Add not replace will help us.

    #1977039

    stev2bath1
    Participant
    • :

    Just watched the Watford Friendly. Cant really see anything new in the team. We look like we are going to set up as last year with mostly the same players. Auba down the middle is still not really working, Laca looks much better and the team seems better with him there. Partey is looking fit and on form and Pepe looks really sharp. The new guys both look OK although Nuno needs some work before he will be ready and Sambi looks like a good Partey understudy. Eddie is looking sharp and a bit stronger and the amount he is playing in these friendlies makes me think we may not actually sell him. All in all its always hard to see in friendlies how good we really are. Very good result a couple of very good goals, The first and the last. Saying all that we have to take into account Watford also played yesterday hence they looked shagged near the end and thats when we over ran them.

    #1977045
    AndyC
    AndyC
    Participant
    • : AndyC

    and that is absolutely fine TSO 🙂 you can have the opposite opinion, doesn’t make either of us right or wrong. just see situations differently, there is no facts on anything here just our personal opinions.

    im always glass half full though so inevitably I always lean to positive side of situations and I don’t take up the negative stance on things that are non factual.

    Stev, i have this set up to watch later, there still time for things to change and im not usually convinced they will but this window just feels different. I can see 3 if not 4 more going and another 3 coming in. more have to go than need to come in as we had/have an abundance of players we don’t want.

    #1978649

    stev2bath1
    Participant
    • :

    Chelsea game was some positives and same old negatives. Struggled to play out from the back and just kept making mistakes which gave away stupid chances and now Partey Injured. He has great injury record before he comes to us then bang he is now injury prone and he seems to be one of those who cant play close to there potential unless they are 100% fit. We are looking like we are going to be exactly what we were last season our best starting 11 will not change so there will be no improvement unless we get better performances out of those players. Auba another blank and missed two sitters, at least he had two chances! Positives: Lokonga looked solid, White looked OK, and we created lots of chances including a Goal that should have stood as clearly over the line. Arteta still has some work to do tactically as we did get caught one on one at the back a few times as we seem to be trying to play a bit of a higher line. Hopefully two weeks work with the team should sort that out. Side notes Nketia has looked excellent this pre season he seems to have bulked up a bit and seems a lot stronger on the ball and very sharp. Good goal from Xhaka and a very Xhaka performance. Came on, worldy through ball of off the outside of his foot and a couple of excellent long range passes but then also caught on the ball a couple of times. It was also great the crowd gave him a positive reception!

    #1978741
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    A loss to Chelsea at Home.Just a preview of things to come.
    I thought our performance wasn’t that bad but the top 4/5 teams are going to walk all over us.In our pre-season I’ve noticed a lot of defensive errors and goals conceded.Yes not that relevant in pre season but I still feel we’re not going to have that good season keeping clean sheets.

    We played attacking football which I will always endorse.Auba getting a lot of stick but I back him.I think people underestimate the job to get into good positions always to create chances for yourself.He did it plenty of times just the end product Is lacking which I’m sure will return to him sooner rather than later.

    Willock’s disallowed goal should’ve stood.might not be fair to him but I still feel we should cash in on him.I mean the performances he’s given in the past one and a half year have been exceptional and it’s beyond my understanding why we can’t cash in on him.
    Some people like to live in denial but If we had better people in the relevant positions he’d have been sold for 25-30m.And we could’ve used that amount to fund Maddison’s move.

    Apparently,we’ve enquired about Martinez.Great player but currently no go for me.Very similar to Auba and unless we can get rid of him and get a decent amount signings Martinez is just senseless.

    Our top priority should still be Maddison.Proven player who’s just fantastic to watch.However I seriously hope we don’t overpay for him because again with good negotiators he shouldn’t cost more than 50-55m.

    He has some downsides.Hip injury,didnt get selected for the National team, falling our with Brendan Rodgers.Use all of that as leverage to get an unreasonable price of 70m down because paying that much would be overpaying again.
    But again make no mistake,Absolute quality player.

    #1979322

    stev2bath1
    Participant
    • :

    From all the signings and speculation the only thing I can see is we are going to keep the 4213 formation and we are now probably going to have the same first 11 team as last year. We don’t seem close to anyone who is actually likely to be a first team player except Maddison but I personally don’t think its realistic. I don’t think we will now get anyone who will be an automatic 1st choice and we have spent 75 million and improved the squad but not the 1st 11. Ben white who will be the only change to our a 1st 11, I am not convinced yet he will be a massive upgrade on Luiz. The transfer market as a whole is a shocker and you can see all the teams there have been hardly any buys and even less sales. I don’t blame the club, every one has the same issues we have, and a positive is the club have found and spent £75 million without making any sales. It all feels a bit flat but my little bit of excitement and hope for next season is purely based on the hope that the young lads step up again and are even better this year. My worry is, I just don’t see that we will be any different.

    #1979324
    The Oracle
    The Oracle
    Participant
    • :

    We’ve signed one First Team player in White, the other 2 are 2nd rate squad players who we will be looking to offload in a few years, no doubt at a loss. We are still saddled with Kolasinac, Torreira and Bellerin, Guendouzi has only gone on loan because no one was interested. We still have Elneny who will be partnering Xhaka because Partey is injured again. All this talk about top rated midfield players and strikers is hot hair, it’s bullshit. We are no better off than last year, stuck with the dross that has dragged us down to mid table also fans and on top of that they give the immobile donkey a new contract with more money. A week ago he was slagging the club off and boasting about how he couldn’t wait to get to the Italian League. Expect another very poor season under the trainee Pep.

    #1979400
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    Stev – What don’t you think is realistic?Trust me I know the kronkes are at the helm and they’re as cunning as there ever can be.But There is Money to spend this summer.Get that through your head.I don’t know how.I don’t know whether the Kronkes are financing via loan or digging into their own pockets (The former seems more likelier considering they’ve never dug into their own pockets) but there is money.

    We’ve also enquired about Latuatro Martinez.As stupid as I think this club is I don’t think they’re that stupid knowing he’s not going to cost below 60-70m.
    Again my first preference is certainly Maddison.A player like this is available and we don’t manage to sign him even though our interest is genuine would be the most Arsenal thing ever.
    So please stop with this second rate mentality, there is no money to spend.If this mentality spreads then it will become a commotion and the Kronkes will just be like these Arsenal fans will take whatever we give them.I mean they could literally take a leak standing on the roof of the emirates and Arsenal fans wouldn’t do anything.
    We need to let them know they’ve crossed all Limits there are the way they’ve run this club.

    My two cents on the remaining transfer window –
    Get Ramsey Back.Our Midfield is injury prone and we certainly will need him added to the fact he’s a goalscoring midfielder.
    He would cost nothing, just his wages would be an expense but ofcourse we should’n’t go over 200k for him.

    Sign Onana.He’s one of the best keepers in Europe.Could have the same Impact as Mendy did for Chelsea.A player like that is available for just 5m and instead we ant to sign another Keeper for 30m?Bamboozling.

    Sign another experienced defender.I’m telling you right now, cannot rely on white.
    However,it’s Arteta’s signing that.Not going to deny.So it doesn’t work out and I’m going to hold Arteta solely responsible considering he even let saliba go who had similar traits.

    In other news,we just can’t seem to move players on can we.Thank Edu for that..Absolutely clueless person.
    Fun fact,In his time here he’s only sold one player, the others have been loans or termination of contracts.

    Willock,Nketiah and AMN.If they were Chelsea players they’d already have been sold for a min 25m each.That is lower limit.

    #1979631

    stev2bath1
    Participant
    • :

    TSO they don’t listen to any fans let alone me so don’t think my so called second rate mentality effects them in any way. I know its been said before but you should Stop comparing us to Chelsea its Chalk and Cheese and even they have issues. Drinkwater is just one example still there and they even played him in friendlies. Our clubs are run totally differently.
    I agree on your signings I personally would take back Ramsey if he were free and took less wages which may be the case as Juve want him off the wage bill. Although not seen any reports linking us to him. He is injury prone but he can play 10 or 8 and we don’t need him every week. Onana is a no brainer but don’t think we will sign another defender nor do we need one. Chambers can play the odd game there if need be and we have other priorities. I am happy with the Brazilians on the other side.

    #1979729
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    Don’t take it too personally,The mentality I’m referring to is not specifically meant of you.I’m referring to the average fan mentality, and it’s one of the reasons why we’re in this position.

    I think fans need to start drawing lines between what’s acceptable and what’s not.
    Finishing outside CL spots for four season in a row is not acceptable.In the same time we’ve had 3 different managers.So it’s certainly not to do with the managers we’re in this position.
    Yet,the fans seem to do nothing about it.Instead,all I hear is I need to accept that our clubs are run differently.No,it’s not only the fact that Our owners don’t put in money, but they don’t even have 5% of football knowledge to know how terribly it’s being run on a day to day basis.

    I’m just curious, if we ever get relegated.Will fans still just accept it.Saying it is what it is,The owners will never leave and just accept that our club is being run different from others.If that’s the case then our true ambitions are proved there and it is to be nowhere near the top of the table.And maybe fans don’t deserve success because we’re unwilling to fight for the club as a whole?Wouldn’t you agree.

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