Honestly, the more I think about this, the more it seems like the wrong time to sell Martinez. £20m for a 28-year old with only 15 Premier League games under his belt looks good on paper, but I think we all know Martinez is probably better than that - but right now I don't think we'd find anyone who would pay more. Unless he forces his way out, or any potential signing hinges on getting money for him, it's probably just better to keep him around, and try to sign him up to a new contract. If he continues playing like he did at the end of last season, we can probably sell him or Leno for£40m+ next summer.

Wether selling him or not is a bad decision hinges around if we can sell other players and reinforce our midfield. If we do that but sell him anyway then it’s without a doubt a bad decision.

If selling him meant we were able to bring in midfield players who are quick and comfortable and slick on the ball I would reluctantly do that as you can’t play 2 keepers at once and we have to improve our midfield.

Interesting listening to this weeks Tuesday club. They were singing the praises of Cédric soares saying he looks a good full back and his crossing is excellent. Found the Comments interesting as in the games I have watched he didn’t really impress me as much as that.

To me he looks pretty decent. I think he will do well and be a valuable squad player who’ll get plenty of game time .

Agree with this, but 'only' £20m wouldn't feel like enough when we know we have to replace him as well.
Teams like Villa trying to sign him will probably rightly argue £20m is a lot for a GK with only 15 top flight games.

That was kinda my thoughts. Decent looking back up right back. Davies was raving about him though

I have no problem with Cédric as a squad player on a free transfer. I think a 4 year deal was a bit long but then you will over pay on wages, signing on fee and length of contract for free transfers. We'd have probably liked to only give Willian a 2 year deal as well but he wouldnt have signed for us on those terms.

Where I would be concerned is if Bellerin leaves and we have AMN and Cédric as our only right backs. AMN has come on so much since the restart but in a wing back role not as a right back. I understand that Bellerin is someone the club can generate money from but it would seem a risky move, I would lose Martinez before I lose Bellerin.

Didn't Arteta say Soares is the best full back we have in the final third? I found those comments interesting, if Bellerin leaves I can see Soares playing quite a few games this season.

Very good news. He's going to be paid an absolute tonne of money but we really couldn't afford to do anything else. He's not showing any signs of stopping scoring, looks in top condition, rarely misses a game. He is our captain and talisman. If we want to get back in the champions league Aubameyang leads us there, he is the fear factor for opponents.

Arsenal 3rd kit launched. Dark blue almost tie-dye with pale orange adidas stripes badge and sponsors. Looks nice. Great launch video as well, lots of emotion, talking about the Arsenal family, images of players, fans, legends - very good. The adidas kits and the promotion have just felt like they have more oomph to them than the puma ones, puma were just phoning it in at the end.

Just a reminder of why we got Salbia and Gabriel

Lovely shade of blue....

What kind of creep would search for a video that shows just about every mistake (and I don’t consider all of them mistakes) a player they’ve taken a dislike to.has made? A sad, lonely individual going nowhere in his life would be my guess. Why not search for a video showing all the great tackles, fine passes, and goal saving interventions he’s made?

Lille have turned down a bid [€35m add ons] from Newcastle for the French midfielder Boubacary Soumaré

It's utterly ridiculous Bernard.

And he can't spell Saliba.

I've blocked him, and suggest you do the same.

The level of inanity in my life has decreased substantially since I did it.

Thanks, I know it’s good advice that you give there.

Quite enjoyed that video myself, the benny hill music sets it off nicely. My god he loves to needlessly jump in with his feet.

Not that the shirt isn't nice but I immediately thought of Chelsea when I saw it. It's a nice shirt nonetheless.

Soumare is our Partey plan B i think. I have a feeling we have a plan C as well.

Napoli's 71 year old owner has tested positive. Wish him well but goes without saying that's not a great age (as if any age is) to get it.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54101969

2020/21 away kits rankings.

My eyes must be failing me. it took a 2nd look to see its a pink trim not white. Nice touch Arsenal.

Yo Bern

Did you register for the ballot?

Anyone else?

The suspense just keeps on giving....

https://metro-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/ ... 3249579%2F

Yes I did. Be interesting to see how many are allowed in.

We’ve agreed to sell Martinez to Villa apparently according to Twitter.

Straight swap for Grealish?

Hello Darren. How’s Slashed Seat Affair doing?

It'll be a shame to see him go but as long as the fee is right it is the right thing to do. We have bigger priorities and need to be pragmatic about the strength of the squad. No point having £25m player on the bench all season if by selling him it means we bring in a central mid at Partey/Aouar level who starts every game.

I see it as our GK options are a 9/10 at the moment, but central midfield is a 5/10. If selling martinez means GK options drop to a 8/10 and central midfield can jump to a 7-8/10 then it is the right thing to do.

Not many top sides have a back up GK as good or worth as much as Martinez. He's at his peak value right now. I'f we'd sold him last summer for £5m no one would have said much

Funny old game innit. A BHA player pushes Leno which ends up increasing Martinez’ value by 10 million quid and Guandouzi getting the cold shoulder

Long gone mate. As George Harrison once said “All things must pass”.

This is true. I've seen a lot of talk about keeping Martinez because it's good to have competition in the squad, but I'm genuinely struggling to think of a single great team I've ever seen that didn't have a clear cut first choice keeper that was under no threat of getting dropped unless he performed extraordinarily bad.

Ideally we wouldn't have to make this decision right now and could wait to see if Martinez continues to perform, but I guess it's just a difficult summer, where some tough decisions have to be made.

Isn’t it a pity ......to continue the George Harrison reference !
I hope it was fun along the way.

Good times to look back on I would think

https://youtu.be/shj0Ap7OgJo


Slashed Seat Affair's debut video for their song “Dislocated” has been played nationwide in all branches of Topshop & on hairstylist Toni & Guy's in-house music ...

Hi Darren,

I am really disappointed by the decision to sell Martinez, especially for £15m + add-ons. If we spend £10m+ on a back-up keeper then what have we achieved.

I think Martinez is the better all round keeper on current form and I feel more assured with him between the sticks than Leno, especially on crosses and playing out from the back. That isn't to say Leno is not a top keeper, it's fine margins.

Villa have got a bargain who potentially may keep them in the PL.

Hello everyone. Been a while and happy to be here again. Glad to see some familiar handles.

Name from the past. Hello again, how are things?

All is well Bernard. Hope same there.Cool to see LTG , Socrates , Darren etc still on here

What are you saying? Time to clear out the deadwood..

Congrats to MA promoted to first team manager from head coach.