I echo putting out the welcoming mat for Kai and Declan and even more so that Mikel has got his men where any excuses for next season issues won’t be accepted in this quarter.
I agree Timber shores up our RB/RCB with White nicely. White tends to run out of gas after 60 minutes at RB, so I can see some rotation for RB but only when Saliba needs a rest to play CB.
It’s not the numbers so much but the lack of negotiating nous that played into Sullivan and Brady’s hands as the controlled the leverage and we have Declan to blame for that. He could have stepped in earlier to seal the deal, but his loyalty was to West Ham: I hope the lad shows us the same courtesy when and if he moves on. I believe he will.
Can Declan become Mr. Arsenal? If the price is anything to go by, then yes he will, as our most expensive player. I also don’t think the pressure of his price will bother him; how Arteta tries to use him might, though. Junior and I watched him quite a bit last season and he can pivot into 8/10 when he makes his runs from our half, but he’s ungainly in his stride and not fleet of foot, as one needs to be in that position – more Xhaka like than say ESR or Trossard who both defend well when needed.
We no longer need Holding with Rice also being a CB. It’s easier to see how Rice is going to be employed at 6 but how does Kai fit into Mikel’s intricate jigsaw puzzle of plays?
I don’t see KH as an 8, but a 10 back up, yes. False 9 and 9 yes he can play, and he has enough pace to go wide left when interchanging with our attack. Kai has the requisite technical skills to be successful in the opposition’s final third, but expect Pepe’s levels of defending, as Kai doesn’t like the physicality of defending and another Ozil like cupcake.
Mikel said he has five roles for Kai, so he’s going to be busy and probably confused. Kai also needs to toughen up and add a bit of bulk to his overall muscular frame although he looks like an ectomorph to me, so very difficult for him to add muscle. Mikel loves to play his shiny new toys, so I would hate Kai to be in front of ESR, and I hope Emile has a great pre-season. ESR is better than Havertz just younger and needs regular minutes to shine.
If we get Timber then we need to address the LB cover for KT and buy Lavia as MF back up or buy similar. Vieira needs to go out on a PL/Championship loan and be judged on that next summer. All in all the window is being kind to us and CL football is a magnet to quality footballers. Will we be stronger at the end of the window? That depends on the outgoings and who else after Timber A&E bring in.
I hope lessons were learnt by Mr. Lewis/Edu and Mr. Garlick. Never negotiate without leverage and a sound strategy, and next season is already looking like it’s shaping up for Mikel & Edu.
I’d say this coming season is all or nothing for Edu & Mikel – sink or swim?
Marc, can’t you just enjoy the fact that as a club, we’re showing real ambition to improve our squad. I love a shiny new player who I think will improve our team. I recommend not making it about the current manager all of the time, as you don’t rate him and it tarnishes your potential enjoyment and excitement.
Bob
Yes I can but I can also enjoying winding you up which is very easy to do.
Its banter – I think Rice is a good signing, Havertz not so keen on the others I’ll comment on when confirmed.
Timber is pretty much confirmed- looks excellent.
The value of our squad has increased massively which should mean the serious net spend of the last few years can tail off considerably. I think we’re looking really impressive now.
No complaints with the quality of the players in this TW signing except perhaps Havertz. The out of the blue signings haven’t worked for us in the past few TWs.
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However they are the chess pieces on the pitch, on paper they look good but let’s see how they work together as a team and we will continue the banter. Arteta earns his praise or criticism by how he sets up the players, in game management, substitutions and game plan. When he had proven that he can improve over last season with 600+mill spent we continue the conversation. Until then wait and see and it will either be humble pie for us or fire and brimstone for the Arteta fan boys.
Why so binary Killroy? Why do you suggest there’s a ‘them and us’ in the fan base. I’m just interested in Arsenal doing as well as possible. I’m loyal to the team, that is all.
Binary, because many of us never wanted to see Arteta & Edu at the club, 4+ years for Edu with no experience in the European transfer marked and it showed, Arteta almost 4 years got on the job training. Displaying a horrible personality of being stubborn and arrogant plus not being able to handle big personalities not my kind of manager that I want to see at the helm of AFC.
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Therefore produce or fuck off, simple as that. He already owns the records that no one wants to see with no European football in what 25 years. The longest time in 1st place without winning the title. This is the season to show that he was worthy of the monetary backing and if he fails he needs to go, very simple.
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You can back the team all you want if the man at the helm is a bum, the the team will play like bums. That is the story of Bumteta and don’t give me that shit of 2nd place, if Liverpool would have had played to their potential, Villa would have had Emery from day one the story may have been different. This coming season will be a tell all and we will see if his contract will be renewed. Nice pressure for Bumteta to be under.
Bob here are two stats that are cringe worthy.
Since Arteta’s appointment in 2019, Arsenal have generated around £70 million through sales and spent around £600 million. That for me is the definition of a checkbook manager.
Killroy, as I understand it, the value of our squad is now second only to City’s. Is it a problem for you that KSE have decided to invest in Arsenal in a way that is transformational? Four years ago, we barely had a player coveted by any of our rivals, now we are awash with them. But your angle is ‘cheque book manager’.
You seem so filled with hate for the manager that the context of why this spending took place and where it has got us is secondary to hurling insults at the club’s coach who has had the audacity to convince both the owners and the incoming players to believe in what he’s doing. Is he just a great salesman or is it possible he knows what needs to happen for us to be competitive? I know some people are convinced that he is beneath contempt.
Bob
You really just can’t see it – if our squad is that good then Arteta must succeed or be replaced.
Failure is not acceptable but you always move the goal posts or refuse to set minimum standards because there’s always an excuse for Arteta.
No more, he’s been in charge more than long enough and spent a staggering amount of money.
Of course I see it Marc. This squad needs to be successful, if not I agree Arteta should go, no argument there!
the second greatest 6 words I’ve read since May 26, 2016, “Xhaka on verge of Leverkusen move”…the only sweeter words should come in the coming days, fingers and toes crossed, when his move is officially announced…kids, don’t let anyone ever tell you that your dreams can’t come true
looks like Steve Round is on his way out as MA’s assistant, he’s been with the club since Arteta’s arrival…of course shit happens, but the timing seems a little odd…that said, here’s a quote from an interview with Round this past April, “I’m there to support the manager, to challenge the manager’s thinking and to share my knowledge as best I can”…can anyone see what specific part of this quote might have been most problematic when it came to his supposedly “mutually” agreed upon exodus?? I was going to provide you with a clue, but I would suspect that won’t be necessary
Official, confirmed. Granit Xhaka leaves Arsenal and joins Bayer Leverkusen on permanent deal. 🔴⚫️ #Bundesliga
€25m fee, five year contract.
Xabi Alonso, crucial factor to make it happen.
– Fab
Killroy-absolutely astonishing numbers, which doesn’t even properly reflect the opportunity costs associated with their mishandling of Guendo, AMN, Auba, Lucas, Mavro, Leno, Laca, Pepe, Willian and Emi (among others)
as for our future prospects, things appear to be heading in a positive direction on several fronts:
(1) we just might have more depth on the backend than we’ve had in a couple decades
(2) we made the most substantial investment ever in an area of the pitch which has been oft-times overlooked
(3) we’re in the process of making a concerted push to reclaim our seat at the PL parent’s table, after an extended and largely self-imposed absence
(4) we’ve even tried to get some real business done early in the window, albeit it hasn’t always been conducted in a overly flattering fashion
as I’ve stated on numerous occasions, having seminal players in key positions is pertinent to our success until our manager in training proves himself when it matters most
What TRVL doesn’t know is Arteta’s going to resign Xhaka in Jan for £75 million.
The club won’t need to announce the signing in the media TRVL howls of agony will do the job.
Marc-don’t even put that only at Arsenal bonkers sort of shit out into the universe as it just might happen…have a good one
I going to get you a signed shirt!
Marc-you better make sure it’s made from flame retardant material or your gift might have an exceedingly short existence…instead you could send something of similar worth to me, like a stool sample in a paper bag with a bow on it
I’m certainly not a religious man, at least not in a traditional sense, but it appears as if the good Lord has blessed me on this fine day, the 6th of July, 2023, which btw just became an annual day of celebration in my household, as I just saw Xhaka in another kit, shaking hands with a clearly delusional Bayer exec, to confirm his long overdue exit…best wishes to one and all on Saint Slotherton Day…btw one celebrates this occasion by walking sideways around your respective neighbourhood giving the bird to anyone you see along the way
Bob
“You seem so filled with hate for the manager that the context of why this spending took place and where it has got us…”
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It almost looks like you post here to wind individuals up and don’t look at the reality of his player management and squad building. In December it will be 4 years and as TRVL listed so far he has several players mismanaged or their valuation destroyed. Plus in addition his error prone purchases in the last few TWs plus the crucial omission in the 2022 Jan TW when he didn’t get Bruno G. that was a rookie mistake and it is felt to this day only to try covering it by a 100+mill layout. That was amateur hour at its best because Bruno G. and Newcastle destroyed us and cost us CL for the 2022/23 season.
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As far as convincing owners, Arteta is just one of the better con artists. KSE was like a fish out of water after Gazidis and Wenger left. They had the warning example of what not to do after SAF left United. But sure enough what the fuck does KSE know about competent football directors or managers, zilch, nought, niente. Thus the problematic appointment of Emery plus Edu also a rookie in European football and we saw on full display what happens when newbs and no interest owners are in charge of a historic and world class club, supreme hurt for the supporters for 5 years.
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This season will pull the curtain away from the leadership at Arsenal and we will see what they can accomplish after this mega outlay for players. However, I am sure of one thing, the Arteta fanboys plus the Arteta Knows Best supporters will find excuse after excuse if the project goes south.
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To all of them applies Jack Nicholson’s famous quote from A Few Good Men “You can’t handle the truth!”
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