Ruthlessness makes you money

Ambarish

How about predictions? We all know what we need but will the club choose another path to possible glory.

They have stuck with El B and success in the form of finishing 2nd twice has come along at a time when our main competitors (other than City and Liverpool) have been in disarray. An improving Chelsea, Spurs & Man U could affect our final position and then what will happen to El B? Will Emery prove it was a mistake to sack him and finish above AFC?

Norg

As I posted on the previous piece:

That same team managed to pick up 27 points from the matches against City, Liverpool, ManU, Chelsea, Spud’s, Newcastle and Villa, including 6 points against ManU and 4 points against each of Liverpool, City, Chelsea and the Spud’s.

The chances of repeating that again are slim the chances without an additional striker are beyond remote.

We lost both matches against Villa and one against Newcastle so whilst there’s obvious room for improvement there the chances of going through another season and lost losing or dropping more points in matches against City, Liverpool, Chelsea or ManU is unlikely considering how poor three of them were last season.

This coming season is going to be tough and unless we see some positive moves in the transfer market we could find ourselves struggling for top 4.

Nice to see the win this morning. Didn’t see the game but 17-year-old Nwaneri impressed with a goal and an assist I believe. I wanted him to have minutes last season so we can only hope he gets promoted.

I think Marc said Williams is a winger which made sense where his starting position is out wide on the left. Is this shades of Pepe? He was best on the left but El B had him hugging the right touchline with now space to love or RB to offer movement.

I agree with Marc why do we need another LW?

Then I tired to think like El B and maybe the following:

Nico is going to be an Henry-esque leftsided striker.
Perhaps dropped back to midfield to play 8 CAM?
False 9?
LW?
Saka rotation?

Could be any really, couldn’t it/

Where then, does Havertz & Jesus fit in around Nico?

Any win against manure is good for me, so happy chappy tonight.

Next up Pool.

Looks like 3 of our starters have arrived back early from their holidays and recovery.

Call me a cynic if you want, but especially shouldn’t our starters be getting as long as possible to rest before the season starts, and they play almost 60 games again?

Havertz, big and young Gabs returned today who will get time against Pool Thursday I would imagine.

Reality check the TW shuts in 32 days and we kick off our season on August 17 against Wolves.

Marc, are you going to the Emirates Cup games? El B’s new formation should be in place by then if not all the pieces. Be interesting to gauge the preseason mood….

Hi Tony

No won’t be bothering – it gets to the stage where it feels like I’m throwing good money after bad.

We’ve now got less than 3 weeks until we kick off and outside of making Raya permanent we’ve done fuck all to address the issues we have. What’s even worse is because of Arteta’s fucked up approach to things there are positions we don’t even know if they need filling – left back being a prime example.

I expected the Euro’s to have a knock on effect but I also expected us to have a plan beyond a defender.

Agreed Marc. I scan the net in hope, but we’ve been here too many times before. Don’t blame you re the cup.

I remember you liked cooking where I love watching food being cooked, and the challenges from Masterchef Australia. I don’t know why Australia, as opposed to other countries? Maybe it’s the judges. Anyway, I’ve watched every episode of every season and learnt so much.

Still, hopeless at cooking, though. A very cool Thai woman won this season, called Nat.

https://www.tiktok.com/@masterchefau/video/7391808516186459409

A worthy winner where I talked to a mate who is the OD for the Carlton hotel, BKK to get her over. The have a Michelin guide Chinese restaurant, which is popular. He’s going to suggest to the GM, so you never know.

Some amazing chefs have come from that program. The talent is off the charts.

Kroenke

You do realise that your sarcastic little snipes against decent right wing people are about to bite you in the arse.

Be honest what do you think of Rachel Thieves (Professional Granny Killers) actions today?

Morning all.
We sold ESR fort £27m who should be at least double that because his ceiling hasn’t been tested yet.

Welcome Riccardo Calafiori to The Arsenal; I hope your career with us is long and elite as is suggested you have potential for.

A couple of show reels for the uninitiated like me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o8ggh8Dhzo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phlaz7ArxPw

Box to box surging runs all very like Paddy V of old, is probably why El B bought Calafiori. Makes sense as he wants to free Rice up for 8 and false 9. Here we go again.

Riccardo is Rice-esque when you look closer, so another El B utility, multi positional player, but can he master any one position to elite PL level? Rice was also made to look average in the Euros a far cry from our captain fantastic last season.

If so, can Riccardo hit he ground running or take a season to get used to the pace and physicality of the PL: the show reels offer much lower league levels to the PL of both.

I still say Eze would have been a much more needed and wise tactical buy. I’m not wild about Merino either compared to Eze.

Marc
Starmer & Reeves are in full spin mode – Campbell must be back in the building. Anybody with sense would know the situation is dire but the reasons are covid & Putin. Sunak is not a leader but understood the nation needed to support and now those who received support are so gullible they voted for somebody with zero charm. Luckily one of my old pig sties is full of logs (about 5 years worth). Others are not so lucky.

Well ESR has gone for £34M (including add ons) but Marseilles are expecting to pay about the same for Eddie. AFC want £45M Marseilles have offered in the region of 30million euros.

Marc

Not much. But 20 billion (the amount of debt hidden by your mates of course) times more effective than other recent Chancellors, such as Jeremy Cunt (so-called by the BBC twice), Kamikaze Kwarteng (that one must have hurt Marc…) and we’re all in the together Little Georgie Osbong. You need to wait about 50 years to start slagging off labour people, not least because of the enduring shitshow your cunty tory mates left behind. I’m no Labour supporter as you know but for fuck’s sake let’s have some perspective. How’s your boy Trump looking against America’s B team of capitalists?

Hi NORG

See my reply to Marc. Sorry mate, but much too soon… Better to keep your powder dry for a while. The UK economy is in an utter fucking mess and only one party can be blamed for that. 😂

Serious question…

Do you lads receive official tory party speaking notes direct from HQ, or do you get the UNOFFICIAL ones? IE from the BBC, ITV (not channel 4), GB News and the other purveyors of printed arse wipe such as the Times, Pretoriagraph, Daily Heil and the Express?

Putin and Covid wrecked our economy. Really? Austerity, right wing Brexit, systemic corruption and Liz Truss had fuck all to with it I suppose.

Meanwhile in other news over to the Arsenal desk who are telling me there is no news, so as you were then……..lol

KP

So many issues – we can start by blaming the Victorians (and before) for developing industry ahead of most other nations. On the whole the British are lazy bastards and there lies the problem. All parties are guilty of sweeping matters under the carpet – they take the easy route because nobody questions anything. Why do infrastructure projects cost 3 times as much as they do in Germany or France? How long do they last before needing to be repaired and why do the contractors receive no penalty? The whole lot is a mess. Are you still off to foreign shores?

Pretty much the same where ever you look. Same names in the hat.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfers-merino-williams-calafiori-33354250

Kroenke

Keep lying to yourself.

If you think that the pandemic and the Ukraine war had no effect on the global economy then you need to see a doctor.

Tony

The fee for Calafiori is being reported as around £40 million – that means we’ve got defenders in the squad (assuming Zinchenko and Tierney are leaving) who cost / market value of White £50 million, Timber £40 million, Saliba £80 million (easily), Gabs £50 million plus back ups.

My hatred of Arteta makes me biased I know that but I can’t see the fans accepting a £40 odd million defender sitting on the bench week in week out (doesn’t have to be the same player) whilst we don’t have the money for a striker.

The only logical alternative is playing 3 CB and wingbacks – which means Arteta is trying to copy Pep again (inverted full back previously which didn’t work) and will have a CB step into CM. It will also curtail Rice playing as a box to box CM which might not go down well with the player.

It just doesn’t feel like a balanced team and it certainly doesn’t feel like a PL winning team.

Marc
Totally agree. We are going to be right sided attack centric again with no striker who can boss the box. What I’d give for a Drogba 2.0. Havertz isn’t even Drogba light. Jesus is easy to keep off balance.

Plenty of Merino noise who is 28 so looking for his last big pay day in a 5 year deal with high wages of around what? £200K a week+++? Market value suggests 50m Euros. Untested in the PL and begs the questions is he really better than ESR?

I don’t know much about a player, but I only heard his name from the Euros and we know how unreliable Euro & World cup football form can turn out in the PL. I don’t think TRVL is much of a fan if memory selves me well.

Manure are looking at a £2b stadium 100K seater with a 100 tonne circular screen suspended centrally. I don’t know how that figures in FFP in terms of where the money came from? The stadium will add an unfair advantage to smaller clubs for revenue.

Said to be ready in 6 years.

Will make the Spuds toilet bowl look shabby and well let’s not compare our leaky roof Emirates now. Still, we do look down on Craven Cottage and Selhurst Park.

The only downside I see in that investment is that in six years clubs should be streaming their own games for PPV. Doesn’t matter how many fans you have in the stadium then.

Manure’s stadium will no doubt be tech laden.

Marc
They clearly did but you’re the one lying to yourself by trying to exclude Tory mismanagement, fanatical Brexit and fraud from the equation.

I get it. You lost politically. So have I (and always do, at least until Marxism dominates the world economic order!) Just suck it up – like Arteta, at least you (just) finished second this time.

You earlier used the term ‘decent right wing people’. An oxymoron if ever I heard one. Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, Orban and Bolsonaro. Truss, Bojo, Farage, Gove and Rees-Mogg more closely to home.

I’m sure once they’ve got their feet under the table, you’ll start to like this so-called version of the labour party. They’re red tie wearing versions of John Major and Geoffrey Howe, economically speaking at least. You’ll love it and swiftly realise that Kwarteng and Truss were swivelled eyed nut jobs. Good luck comrade!

From The Chronicles of a Gooner’s scouting report. A balanced look at Merino I thought with a suggestion of Merino being a more mobile Xhaka 2.0 for our left 8. Merino is 6’2″ and left footed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic4eEaEwFI4

See what you guys think?

KP

in this mornings SCMP
It’s now okay to not be okay about getting rich in China – but this could become a problem.

The recent financial woes it seems are being aimed at the mega rich in China.

In 30 years time it could be a massive political change is required for man kind to survive. The planet is currently fighting back because mans greed is fuelling its destruction.

Now wheres my placard – the end is nigh.

KP, Marc
Interestingly, if my memory serves me well the situation inherited by Cameron & Clegg in 2010 was equally as bad if not worse. They are all as bad as each other.

Meanwhile back at the ranch Tonto, disguised as a peanut was being assaulted.

Will Eddie still be wearing an AFC shirt next season or will he disappear in a final day dash.

We still have too many players that need to be sent through the exit door and none are likely to reach their guide price.

Hi NORG

I think the levels of debt this time are far more significant and the outlook more pessimistic, although public finances weren’t great in 2010 I agree. I think the difference between the end of Blair-Brown on the one hand and this latest SNAFU on the other is that labour accrued debt by at least investing in public infrastructure. Truss/Kwarteng plunged us into an even bigger hole by announcing they were going to borrow to fund tax cuts thus spooking markets and making our borrowing impossibly high. So at least the first blow out left us with improved schools, roads and public amenities (as well as a costly illegal war of course). Marc’s mates on the other hand left most of us with nothing.

Thank fuck there are some apparent adults back in Downing Street pulling the strings albeit ones that are addicted to sucking up to big business, banks and the relentless pursuit of growth as an end in itself. I just missed Rachel Mogodon Reeves at the Embassy y in Washington in the early 2000s. I doubt in any case we’d have become firm friends. Diligent but robotic – the antithesis of yours truly.

Keir Starmer will soon be appearing in the east stand with the Kroenkes at which point I (and doubtless Marc) will have serious lumps of sick in our throats.

Eddie to Marseille sounds good for all concerned.

KP
Prudent Brown (as Blair often referred to him) was from from Prudent. Campbell did such a good spin job that everybody believed him.

A big part of the ‘black hole’ is the latest pay round for teachers, nurses etc. They all knew it was coming but there is nothing like sticking a knife in and then twisting it.

Imagine sitting next to Starmer at a boring game – I would be asleep in no time. Kroenke could have fun and sit Starmer next to Corbyn. I would love to be sitting behind the pair with a recording device.

I spoke to my friend today whose wife works for OM. The arrival of Eddie is not an inspiring purchase according to Laurent. If he is not scoring the crowd will be on his back.

some El B quotes on our TW:

The Spanish coach insisted he is “really happy” with the players currently at his disposal.

“We don’t expect to do anything like it (£100+m). That’s the reality,” Arteta said while on pre-season tour in the United Stated.

“We have to wait and see the movements in the market. We have already identified the things that we can improve”.

“We had the meetings in February, March, April. So if we can, we will strengthen the team. So far I’m really happy with what we have.”

The signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna on Monday marked the club’s first new signing. Arsenal struck a deal around £40million for the defender, lifting Arsenal’s total spend on defenders (11) during Arteta’s tenure to roughly £240million.

What is El B happy with that can win the PL this season because I’m not seeing it?

Something Marc highlighted the futile of when we need an 8 and striker.

Can someone explain why we have to wait for market movements unless it’s to see to buy? Surely, we identify the player we need and then buy him or not. If not move on to plan B.

Do we even have plans from these monthly meetings El B talks about?

“Real Sociedad continues to fight to keep Arsenal target Mikel Merino after his stunning form at Euro 2024”

the above comments speaks to the delusional nature of Arteta’s batshit minions…facts be damned, especially if they get in the way of whatever flavour of the day narrative they’re slinging, as he only saw the pitch at the Euros as a late-game sub, minus a nothing burger match when all the 2nds were deployed…while were at it, we might as well totally disregard his pedestrian passing stats or the fact that he’s more of an 8 than a 6, yet we want him to provide defensive cover for Rice, who conversely is much more of a 6 than an 8…now if he were available for 25M on a 2 year term, with a resonable wage, he might be deemed a savvy cover piece, but the fact that he will likely cost us 2X that figure, with a minimum 4 year term and assurances to boot, makes him another prime MA reach with long-term consequences…to make matters worse, the whole thing reminds me of Arteta’s Emirates origin story, as Wenger wanted Jagielka not him, much like how MA wanted Zubimendi not Merino…when oh when will we stop all the mental midget shoehorning and just pursue those who are among the very best at our respective positions of need???

Ornstein notes, “The Ligue 1 side’s new offer is worth nearing €20million — similar in value to their previous approach but closer to the formula Arsenal want.”

Oh dear, “nearing” 20M doesn’t even meet the halfway mark of MA’s ludicrous valuation of this overpaid, benchwarming half-poacher…as such, either he’s staying here, where his value will continue to plummet or he’s on his way to Ligue 1 for a fraction of our asking price, which will further expose our fraudulent asset management practices

“Arteta appears to be eyeing upgrades in his engine room as he prepares to battle Manchester City”
(in reference to the signing of Calafiori and the possible acquisition of Merino)

methinks someone needs to remind our little defender-happy skipper that we didn’t come up short as a result of our defensive frailties, but largely due to the fact that we didn’t have the requisite guile or finishing qualities in the final third when it mattered most…as I’ve stated before, I like Cala’s up-side, if played in the proper position and the tactics are right, but neither of these individuals represents a bona fide upgrade over either Timber or Partey, especially at LB or in the 8-hole

Cheers to everyone for their efforts, as it made for some good reading upon my return from NYC

Five things that will definitely happen this season.

We’ll qualify for the CL but not win the title

We’ll reach the last 8 of this CL

Early exits in Carabao and FA Cup

Smith Roe will look like Messi at CP, Fulham or Brighton and Win PLPOTY (which sounds like scatalogical heaven).

Marc will become a card carrying member of the Labour Party becoming one of Starmer’s match day ‘fwends’ (aaah lovely) as they share heartwarming tales about capitalism in the west stand…. I used to go to Highbury in a group occasionally containing Starmer so I have previous.

Roe? Rowe!

He’s a footballer, not a fish egg. Doh!

Great stuff TRVL missed your dulcet tones here. Head scratching seems to be our usual TW feelings and emotions.

Always the question, why?

Merino being summed up as Xhaka 2.0 with more mobility makes me wonder why we’re selling ESR. Is Merino better? Will Merino be MOTM in any games?

30 days to go for the TW and 17 days to kill off, sorry I mean kick off.

El B is reportedly happy with the players he has, so why then is he selling ESR and buying Merino?

KP
I’m not convinced we’ll get a CL birth, I could see us 5th or 6th. Ratcliffe is not going to keep TH if the wheels come off early. Slott seems to be happy and the club with him. Expect Spuds, Villa, Palace, Fulham, Brighton, Newcastle and Bournemouth to be improved and tough to take points from their home games.

City, Pool, Manure and Chavs will be better also. Can we take points from them home and away? With no 20+ PL goal striker I doubt it. With no 8 CAM I can’t see it. We will be too one dimensional down the right and occasional flurry down the left. Centrally, very lightweight.

I think with Marc that this season too many sides will be getting back to business again. The last 3 years most have had many long dips during seasons. I don’t see that happening this season.

At least we’ll know in 6 weeks with a few games played.

Last 8 CL I could see it’s around that time the wheels start to come off with our consistency. If we get last 4 our PL games will suffer where rotation becomes less.

Early exits from the tin pot cups? Yup I concur with you. Again any longer runs will cause more rotation headaches.

We have a very tough last 12 run in games including Pool and Manure both away I think.

We can hope for much better, KP. How much good it will do us is another thing.

We might win the Emirates cup I rate us 50/50 to win that lol.

L’pool at 0630 tomorrow morning for me, so a much better time for your guys I would imagine.

Any idea who is showing/streaming the game?

https://www.google.com/search?q=the+beautiful+game&client=safari&sca_esv=ac57164e41e9010e&sca_upv=1&channel=iphone_bm&source=hp&ei=WMioZrz0LJro1e8PotXDgAc&oq=the+beauti&gs_lp=EhFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocCIKdGhlIGJlYXV0aSoCCAAyBxAAGIAEGBMyBxAAGIAEGBMyBxAAGIAEGBMyBxAAGIAEGBMyBxAAGIAEGBMyBxAAGIAEGBMyBxAAGIAEGBMyBxAAGIAEGBNIoTZQnglY6CpwAngAkAEAmAFyoAGLB6oBAzguMrgBAcgBAPgBAZgCDKACkQioAhXCAgcQKRiABBgTwgIGECkYFhgewgICECnCAgoQKRiABBjUAhgNwgIQEC4YAxjlAhjqAhiMAxiPAcICEBAAGAMY5QIY6gIYjAMYjwHCAgUQKRiABMICBxApGIAEGA2YAyCSBwM2LjagB8wo&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp

Nice football movie

Hi Tony
I hope all is well with you.

I think we’ll have enough for top 4 this year. There are some terrific players in our squad these days. The missing link is a top quality manager and motivator which is where we’re really missing out. And a proven goalscorer who can magic something out of nothing when we need it. Not all of our traditional rivals will massively improve – I still think Chelsea and Manure are susceptible, Spurs will always be Spurs, and what’s to say Villa will get better? All that said, Arteta holds us back from being a great team. Second (again) or third…

KP
Were you thinking of Erica with your typo. Play her as a 9 and she could use her chest.

KP
You’re right about the squad having real talent; I’ve said for 3 seasons now we have the squad to win the PL, but it’s El B who has to make it happen.

That’s where it goes wrong for me. Is 2nd or 3rd again going to be the new trophy? CL each season, so Stan and son are happy.

The Wenger status quo is once more in situ. The books are balanced financially each season, and Stan and Josh wait silently for the super league happy with El B if he maintains CL.

A song to sum El B up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr-SNCtoyPk

The song title that is

This from the Mirror on Viktor Gyokeres:

“Sporting have a €100m (£86million) release clause in Gyokeres’ contract that the Gunners could trigger to secure the striker this summer. However fresh claims suggest they are ready to put in an initial offer of £55million to test the waters.

Should an offer be accepted, Arsenal could have the perfect trick up their sleeve to convince him to join them. With Cedric Soares leaving the club following the expiration of his contract, the No.17 shirt has become available.

And offering him that shirt could act as a real sweetener given his previous liking for the number. The 26-year-old currently wears the number nine for Sporting but has consistently had the No.17 on his back for his country and also when he played for Coventry City.”

Show reels Scouted and last season highlights for Sporting Lisbon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_Fsjo4HjXg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfdEkQ246ME

I’l wait to see.

KP—-who knows what might become of ESR if given starter minutes, but the fact that Fulham has paid a club record fee does give me cause for pause…ultimately his health will determine his future success

Tony—the reasons why MA appears to be opting for Merino over ESR is twofold, (1) he’s given assurances to Rice about going forward, which wouldn’t work with the more direct and less defensively sound ESR, and (2) ESR doesn’t really fit our still largely sideways tactical model…maybe MA’s going full-Moysey and Merino and Rice are going to take turns getting forward…nothing like mimicking one of the most offensively stunted managers in the last half decade…what’s next? are we going to bring in Sleepy Roy as an offensive consultant, now that his CP gig is done and dusted…regardless, Merino is not a viable deep-lying pivot, which likely means we’re going to keep deploying an inverted backer and continue to be right-side dependent outfit