Before going into the ruthlessness discussion, lets see what the league allows in terms of who you can register and who can play for a club.
Premier League allows you to submit a 25 player squad, which shouldn’t have more than 17 players not fitting the home grown criteria. A homegrown player is one who has, by the age of 21 years, been registered with a club in England or Wales for three seasons at least. We had 11 players who qualified as homegrown in the first half team we submitted to Premier League.
James Hillson (GK in case you are wondering)
Gabriel Martinelli
Reiss Nelson
Eddie Nketiah
Aaron Ramsdale
David Raya
Declan Rice
Bukayo Saka
William Saliba
Emile Smith Rowe
Ben White
That’s 3 more than the required criteria. I was under the impression that we would need to replace ESR, Nketiah and Nelson if they leave but I was wrong. We are in surplus, and it makes more sense to me now that we are adamant in selling the likes of ESR. We get the money, we buy a player from other league and he improves us massively. It’s only the money we need to worry about.
Arteta loves his buys. We are only selling the academy products, where we show the transfer fees as 100% profit. It gives us the leverage to spend more.
Coming back to ‘ruthlessness’, how is it going to help?
We can all agree that Nketiah can’t make into the playing XI of a title winning team. He is the only ‘true’ CF we have, and yet he falls behind the likes of Trossard (a winger), Gabriel Jesus (a winger), Trossard (a winger, again), Havertz (played in midfield most of the time). He scored 4 goals in 5 consecutive games at one point but those were more of a highlights than glimpse. We know by now, we need an upgrade on him. It’s rumoured that we are asking for 50 m euros for him from Merseille, I doubt they are going to pay that much but anything above 30m is a good business.
ESR – one of my favorites from the recent batch; always saw in him the glimpse of Wilshere but he had more injury records in common than performance. I am still baffled we are selling him and think we can make him deputize / compete Odegaard. But if I think it logically, he has been mostly injured in last 2 season. He had a great run in 2021-22 season where he scored 10 goals and assisted 2 in 33 games he played. He has never been the same since, mostly injured. As much as I love him, we can’t afford to have passengers in the team. A 3 month injury can be expected in the most physically demanding sport, but not being available for 3/4th of the season, in 2 consecutive seasons is not going to help. We have stuck with broken players in the past, we have lost their value and we have regretted it later. Lets get that money and move on.
Nelson – again an emotional attachment from the Arsenal fanbase. He is one of our own, gave us some moments of brilliance but can’t really make into the playing XI. 20 million and we should thank him for his service.
I doubt Mikel is bringing three players. We will promote from academy. We will groom them for a year or two, in games where we can afford to. Nwaneri is going to get a lot of chances this season. We will announce our squad not long now and we can discuss it more, but I see it as an opportunity to get some academy players in the mix, give them game time when we are 3-0 up against the likes of Bournemouth or Forrest and let them be seen on the camera. If they turn out to be Saka, we thank the gods. If not, we sell ’em for 15-20m and move on.
Mikel learnt from Pep. Pep does fuck all in grooming a player. Pep doesn’t believe in waiting for a year to see a player develop. He spends 50m+ on back ups. This premier league rule limits this madness, and forces us to keep our academy running. It’s really a win-win situation because you either get a brilliant player or some extra money for the other 17 players who are pre-dominantly going to start each Premier League game. I wished we did it by choice (Wenger era) but we are doing it by force.
![New season, new look [meta]](https://i0.wp.com/londonisred.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Arsenal.jpg?fit=75%2C45&ssl=1){kind=small}
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