Bloody hell, it took Mikel Arteta a total of five and a half season to get a CF. He inherited three – Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang but he shipped them all off to play Kai Havertz – a midfielder, Mikel Merino – another midfielder and Trossard – a winger. We finished 2nd three times in a row and I can bet a tenner we would have won at least one of them had there been a proper goal scorer upfront. With the Sesko and Gyokeres saga and the delay that was happening, I was getting sceptical that it might not happen at all, but better late than never.
Since The King left, we had the young 16 year old Walcott wearing that number for a decade, he did much better for his age and the support he had around him. Auba came and delivered some beautiful goals and games for us. Loved him except for his move to Chelsea but hey, he got a family. Nketiah was a trial and failed as it did for the ESR #10. Time will tell whether Gyokeres does justice to the number but let me be clear, I am pretty sure he will.
We are paying £64m to Sporting because the add-ons are too easy. That’s a lot of money after we have already spent some on Kepa, Zubimendi, Norgaard and a lot of money for Madueke. But I DON’T CARE. I just don’t want to see midfielders playing as a striker and I don’t want to see a sulking Havertz up top. We are bringing a striker who has got personality, presence, and intimidation in him. He has some unbelievable stats albeit in a weaker league but hey, he did pretty well in Champions League.
I have no doubt he will do great in red and white. He knows it, so he pushed for the move; his agent knows it so he is marketing himself by dropping 6m of agent fees, the club knows it because ultimately they are going to pay 60+ million GBP for him.
Cristhian is here – Welcome to Arsenal
We have signed Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia. I was always calling out the club to get a proper CF, and ignore this versatility crap everyone throws around these days. How many games have you seen Kiwior, White or Tomiyasu play at CB or which one of them were able to bench Saliba when he was going through a bad form couple season back? No one. We need competition everywhere and we need good back ups.
Mosquera has been a starter for Valencia since 2023/24 season and have played the most number of games for any player in Europe top 5 league who is under the age of 21. If you are not even 21 and you play 73 games as a CB in couple of seasons, you are a talent.
A very good signing according to me, hats off to whoever pushed for it. And we only paid £13m for him with some add-ons. Brilliant deal considering Tomiyasu is gone and we have White/Timber for RB while Calafiori/MLS fight for the LB spot.
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Right, sorry for a short one today. Days are just getting busier as I am getting old. Hope you are have a good one, wherever you are in the world. Cheers.
Some good posts boys, even Wicksy appears to be in a logical wait-and-see mode
Tony—I agree with your assessment of the window thus far, as every “top” club has been uber aggressive, minus Newcastle, who doesn’t really fit in the ahorementioned category, and us, who so far has adopted a quantity over quality approach…we need a statement of intent signing before things kick off or I fear that we will simply adopt a very similar defence-first approach to last season, which will make the VG signing and all the other monies spent seem rather nonsensical
Marc—unless we find a way to convince Klopp to forgo his post-managerial Trivago lifestyle, I don’t really have faith in our ability to pick a successor…based on our present side and the Berta hiring, what are the chances of us not choosing another overly defensive candidate…with our luck we’ll hire a poor man’s Simeone, then Saliba will demand a move the following window
KP—I think I will follow your lead regarding you know who…I hestitate to do so as the last time that happened it didn’t take long for him to revert to his previous brown-nosing self….let’s see if it’s a turning over a new leaf come to jesus moment or another wolf in sheep’s clothing catfishing expedition
I’m taking a bit of a break on the posting front until the start of the season, as I’m going to travel for 10 days or so and try to relax during this calm before the storm phase…just know this, I’ll be fucking livid if Isak actually drops into the defending champ’s lap, especially if we made no attempt whatsoever to lure him away and still spent upwards of 250+M…Cheers to one and all
KP – be careful you could get into full Manson mode.
TRVL
You know my feelings and Klopp will never manage a different club in the PL – Luis Enrique would be fantastic for us. If we don’t move soon he’ll end up at Newcastle (who are hitting the limitations of having Howe in charge – its not that they haven’t tried to sign players, the players they want at the level they want don’t want to / won’t move without a bigger name in charge), City when Pep chucks it in at City (1 or 2 seasons away) or maybe even the revolving door at Chelsea.
As for being livid if Isak ends up at Liverpool – I think its going to happen.
https://youtu.be/7ePR1PKI8n4?si=Yi62meV2sdHt0g7f
Almunia and Others
This is an interesting trip down memory lane. We’ve talked before about that wonderful period in the late 70s when the Arsenal was dominated by lads from Ireland and that sparkling but nerve jangling win over Manure in the 5 minute final. They’ve all aged pretty well by the looks of it. I remember watching that game with my brother – a CFC fan still to this day – and him wanting us to win while almost thinking he should swap allegiance to Arsenal. Forest and latterly Villa were forces back then and there was a feeling we were getting back to early 70s levels. Great time to be a Gooner.
NORG
Charles or the much-maligned Marion?😄
Marc
That sort of religious bollockry is always just under the surface, especially when it comes to the utter voodoo one needs when considering our prospects under Stubborn el Bastardo. Relentless drama in spite of usually playing dire, uninspiring football. I feel like a volcano about to blow when he starts that motherfucking gesticulation routine on the sidelines. I can’t believe we’re 6 years into his reign of terror. I just hope the players studiously ignore his team talks, jdp and other pseudo strategic cant.
Vieira – Have a great trip mate. You’ve been a stalwart on here during the dog days of summer and your oeuvre is unrivalled. Be great to know where you’re going if you feel like sharing it.
I cannot believe we’re about to embark on another season where our entire collective mood is to be held hostage by such a misanthropic little twat. I think we can all agree the squad has strengthened and that we now genuinely have 2 strong XIs. But imagined how higher the excitement levels would be with a proven manager with experience and heft.
Here goes…
Samuel L in those kids’ grubby little flat with a bemused JT drinking their sprite (‘that sure is a tasty beverage’) and showing off his ease with scripture was a great scene in a brilliant film.
KP – FA Cup 79 – I was season ticket holder and had tickets for the final. I had got married a couple of weeks before the final but final day was the wedding day for my best man – he had been married in Sweden and this day was his ceremony in England – I was his best man. I gave away my ticket to another friend and missed what is considered to be the best FA Cup final ever. We are still friends after 60 years.
Nice story NORG.
I know we’re biased but we’re lucky to have been on the winning side in the most exciting cup final AND the best conclusion to a league campaign there’ll ever be (88/89).
At least we’ve got those.
The following year we were in the final again – my wife had the highlight that year – I had asked her to collect my semi final tickets from the box office in Avenall Road – mistakenly she went through the front door of the main entrance to the east stand. There was nobody about and she was staring at was the magnificent entrance hallway. Soon a smartly dressed Irishman appeared and asked if he could help – she remarked about the entrance hall. Terry N then asked if she would like to see the rest of the building – she got the tour including the board room and even the changing rooms (empty at the time). In the evening we were at the pub with friends (all Gooners) when she recalled her visit. We all sat opened mouthed.
NORG
An even better anecdote. TN doesn’t occupy any top spots in my pantheon of Arsenal managers but he was cool personified.
KP
My firm favourite is GG. Again another smartly turned out manager. My wife and I bumped into him a few times in Abetone, an Italian restaurant in Winchmore Hill.
Love reminiscing about football,even the pre GG 80’s. But it’s always bittersweet because it reminds me of the times when supporting Arsenal was a joy which inevitably leads to thoughts about the current regime and the apathy that they ‘inspire ‘. I can’t ever remember a time when our fan base was split pre Wenger. He has a lot to answer for in hindsight. The last decade of his reign saw a chasm open up between those who supported him over the club and vice versa. The cult of the manager emerged and under Arteta has spread like a poison. I think there are Arsenal supporters both online and in the real world that I now detest more than those utd and Liverpool fans who taunted us for decades. How did it come to this? More importantly, can the damage ever be undone? We have become the most disliked,delusional fanbase in English football and that takes some doing. You lads know I’m not talking about you but it’s very hard to take any pleasure from the club now. It is unfortunately necessary to step away from it all. Lads that I’ve engaged about Arsenal all my life I now ignore because I know they support Arteta and no good can come from a conversation. That’s sad. We were always brought up with the rule that you never talk about religion or politics in the pub. But Arsenal? Christ it’s a shocking state of affairs. No other club worships their managers like this. Is this Wenger’s real legacy?
Yeah, it’s got to be GG. Wenger might’ve been in the discussion if he’d packed up after the 8-2 debacle but he went on and on and on and copiously and enthusiastically shit the bed.
Hi Almunia
Hope you enjoyed that before and after clip. I disliked Frank Stapleton for leaving us for Manure but christ he’s a much more handsome geezer these days than before. It’s not often age does that to people. Is he a public-ish figure in Ireland these days? Spot on about what Arteta had done by continuing to divide the fanbase, post Wenger. Our fanbase is ridiculous (but not like Spurs’s) especially compared to a club like Liverpool who these days are the gold standard when it comes to unity.
I think we’re good for top 4 this season but coming top looks well beyond us again. Guardian’s prediction is second. Yawn. I’m irrationality hoping against hope that we win something important but Arteta’s presence is a hindrance not a help in that regard.
Hope you’re having a good summer mate.
Almunia, KP
I have not visited the Emirates for years and have no intention of doing so until El B is removed. Over the past few years I have been fortunate to visit friends abroad and have joined them in supporting their teams.
A friend lives in Marseilles and his wife (Ukrainian) now works for the club – she was the PA to the Monaco owner but walked out of her job the day Putin walked into Ukraine. I visit them most Autumns and take in a game – the atmosphere at the OM Velodrome is electric. Last autumn I visited a business contact in Bergamo – she is a season ticket holder and the worst game played at their stadium last season was against us – still the atmosphere made up for it.
After 2008 was the turning point in Wengers fortunes – some could see he was a spent force and some players could see he would not help with their futures.
Hey KP,
Yep,had a great summer,couple of weeks to go still before we’re back at it again but the return of football usually eases the pain! Frank has disappeared from public view in Ireland, as has chippy, the national broadcaster has followed world media trends in the selection of pundits,I won’t go into it but you know what I mean!
Some of those players have aged well alright and in fairness most of them probably hadn’t achieved financial security by the time they had retired. British and Irish players the lot,was a huge benefit to the international teams,we’re at the other end of the spectrum now! Hope the summer went well for you.
Norg,
You’ve had some great experiences, I’d imagine Marseille was amazing. I feel the same about the Emirates,not going back til Arteta goes. Its a pity but also something to look forward to. Bought family tickets for the home world cup qualifiers for Ireland, that’ll have to do til then.
BTW,congrats to the Indian cricket supporters here,some win today. Two brilliant teams,sport as it should be. Roll on the ashes.
Kroenke
I think 2nd will be a stetch this coming season – City won’t repeat last season and Liverpool have added some very good players I can see shootout between the two of them.
For us it’ll down to who else does what – Newcastle are struggling to recruit, Chelsea should be better, Villa will be Villa and around top 4 – 6 and ManU can’t be as bad as last season.
For us the question is how will Arteta select the team once everyone is settled – will he try and shoehorn Havertz in or will he try and rotate players. You never know with Captain Fuckwit.
To change the mood a little, here’s a video clip starring William Saliba
https://youtube.com/shorts/SS-YRD7eiuE?si=_yzE6ZBDy7LmPp1C
Gotcha…I bet you all thought there’d be some ad-hoc wanking going on. I’m glad he seems to have cleaned up his act (although this one is just as boring as the original). Great centre back but never going to follow in Truffaut’s footsteps as a great French ‘auteur’.
Marc
I think that’s accurate. I sense there’s a growing groundswell of opinion among Gooners that if we still don’t win something big, he’s got to go.
I always enjoy reading your thoughts on the mood in the ground when you’re there. We’re going to know pretty quickly this season how well we’re doing given the starting fixtures.
Perhaps Christmas will come early. Will the Kroenke’s sit on their hands or grow a pair and send El B through the revolving door.
Kroenkephobe
That is what it’s all about these days. Selling shirts, tickets for tourists, tours and more tat.
More tat the better because the cunts will buy it.
Even the fucking dog has his
own merchandise range.
More players+more shirts +more tours = more money.
Its a fucking circus. And that’s is why this moronic cunt is in charge and will remain so unless he completely butchers it up.
As for actually winning the cunting league title or playing brilliant attacking football, you can fuck right off.
We have Kai Havertz instead in our 7th kit to flog you instead.
All cunts, the fucking lot of them.