Thanks.

Sky says £250k. https://www.skysports.com/share/12044560

I can’t remember feeling this excited about a contract since Özil extended his stay with us. Here’s hoping for a better outcome eh.

Looking at his performance, are you sure he's past his peak? I think he's at his peak, and could remain there for a couple more seasons, well into his 30s like Wrighty or Drogba.

No doubt his agent got him a good deal, mind you! I have to think we got a good deal too.

Yes I am. Human beings decline in pace as they get older and as he’s in his thirties he will not have the same pace now as he once did. It’s inevitable. Totally unavoidable and it’s pointless to pretend otherwise. There is no reason for thinking Aubameyang will be able to run as quickly as he could in his twenties. I would say he even looks a bit slower than when he first joined. The same goes for Theo Walcott, also 31. There’s no way he looks anything like as quick for Everton as he did when at his fastest at Arsenal.

Do you know how old Usain Bolt was when he did his fastest time for the 100m? He was actually 22, although it was only a few days away from his 23rd birthday. So Usain Bolt was at his physical peak around the age of 23. Nobody has been able to beat that world record since, and he continued to win loads of gold medals and so on after that because nobody could run as fast as him even when he was past his peak.

That’s what I meant by ‘peak’, his physical peak, particularly for pace. And Aubameyang will be past his peak for pace and will get further past it as he gets older. However, I wholeheartedly agree it’s a good signing though as I doubt we could afford to lose him, even though he’s past his physical peak in terms of pace.

That’s kind of a truism for most people though, I was in better shape at 22 than I was at 31. You can be a better footballer at 31 than 23. 400k does seem like too much for anyone, other than say a generational talent entering his peak who would be transformational to the club. 250+bonuses seems like a good deal for both parties tbh and I’m glad (in my detached football fan brain that doesn’t see all of these numbers as obscene) that he’s being rewarded for staying at a non champions league club.

Oh man, lovely video from Martinez saying goodbye to the fans. Shows the power of fans getting behind players too and not on their backs. Well worth a watch

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFK0JwsnC9f/

The amount of alcohol I was drinking at 22 meant I was physically a lot better at 30 as I started running and curbed my drinking considerably. I could have survived on 250 k per week if anyone had offered it. 250 is just okay but anywhere higher is a bit silly. I suppose if bonuses for winning the EPL or CL were included I could understand some decent bonuses. But not for making top 4 or any other cups. But he had our balls in a tough grip so what else could we do.

What a lovely video. Top man.

I think there is a lot of variation. The fact that Bolt's peak may have been 23 simply proves the point that there is considerable variation, even in a discipline like sprinting, where you also have example like Frankie Fredericks, who was still breaking 20 second for the 200 m at the age of 34.

In football you just have to look to the 33 year old Jamie Vardy's perfomance last season so see that your argument is too rigid.

I'm relieved that it isn't 400k, which is a bit obscene. Of course, so it 250k but in today's market, he is undoubtedly worth it.

400 was a stretch but considering how badly we need stability and a talisman to build around, it didn't seem an absurd number.

Spurs are pushing hard to bring Bale back, even potentially offering Alli in a swap deal. Seems strange to swap a 24 year old for a 31 year old. Bringing Bale back seems a bit posturing from Spurs, a bit similar to hiring Mourinho. Does anyone even know if Bale is any good at football any more? He's spent the last year and a half getting his handicap down

I certainly accept that there will be some variation between individuals concerning when they’ll be at the quickest. But do you seriously think that had Vardy been at Leicester rather that wherever he was in his early twenties, was it Fleetwood Town or somewhere like that, he wouldn’t be able to run quicker then than he does now? Leicester, a Premiership club, will have better training regimes for their players than a non-league outfit like Fleetwood. I think that’s a perfectly reasonable suggestion. If Vardy is now 33, I bet he won’t have the pace he did after he’d be training with Leicester for a while. I bet he doesn’t have the pace now that he had in their title season. I just think your trying to support your argument with little consideration of what happens to human bodies in their thirties.

Gaz made a good point about his drinking in his early twenties. I would make similar points about things like drug addiction and heavy smoking in one’s early twenties. If they give up whatever they abused in their twenties, they should be able to get fitter in their thirties and run quicker than then.

In Aubameyang’s case I would assume the training and indeed dietary regime at Dortmund will be at a similar sort of level to Arsenal’s. I’ve also heard nothing about him abusing any substance in his early twenties. If my assumptions with those factors are correct, Aubameyang not only won’t have the pace he did at his physical peak, there is only one direction his pace will go over the next three years. Downhill.

Ash did make a very good point about experience, though I don’t recall him using the word ‘experience’. I assumed that was the point he was making. Experience of what to do when can improve players’ performance. From this, a player of 31 could well make better decisions about what to do with the ball when in possession than he did at 21, even if he can’t run as fast. But that wasn’t what I meant by ‘peak’. I was talking about physical peak and from that pace, and Aubameyang’s speed will inevitably decline over the course of his three year contract.

Aubameyang signing is great news, simply because replacing his goals would have been a nightmare, at least in the short term. We may have had to take a gamble on the lad Edouard at Celtic or someone like that.

Vardy still seems to be at the peak of his powers and I think these days players receive much better medical treatment etc and can prolong their careers well into their thirties, barring any significant injuries.

That said, we cannot rely on Aubameyang's goals. We need to get goals from elsewhere and share the burden around the team. We've been lucky in that Aubameyang seems a remarkable athlete who rarely misses games but that may not go on forever.

You would assume that Aubameyang was given guarantees about signings before he signed his deal so I hope we see a couple more topclass players come in. However, with Kroenke in charge who knows, we might have to make do and mend again.

As we are I think we might flirt with 4th place but ultimately fall short. With a couple of classy signings we could genuinely compete for 3rd or 4th.

Morning socrates. A few others have said that he would have received assurances about future signings being made. I wish I was convinced as the rest of you. Surely the club can’t guarantee named signings. How can they promise they’ll sign, say Partey? Another club, and maybe a bigger one, could come in for him and offer him more money. My guess is that all Arsenal could do is assure him that they hope or intend strengthening the team across whatever positions. But that’s not a promise they will.

Joining in the happy chorus for Aubameyang extending his contract!

You’re looking well though, and keeping up the smart attire even in the house

Martinez sold,

Candlelit vigil at 5pm today folks with everyone playing their part. Feels like the loss of a family member

Looks like the Martinez fee is £20m plus add ons. I'd have liked higher but in a covid market and for a GK who has more games for the U23 than the first team it is a very good price considering what Martinez would have been worth only 4 months ago.
I think it is a good deal for Villa as well, his limited first 11 exposure is their biggest risk.

I can't think of many clubs selling their reserve GK for £20m+

Yeah, I doubt they can say we will be signing X player. Probably more we'll have X money and will be using it to strengthen the team, or potentially not even as specific as that, it might be Aubameyang has just been convinced by Arteta's plans and ambition for the team. Beating Liverpool twice, City and Chelsea to win the FA Cup can't have done any harm in having him believe in those ambitions.
Martinez, Torreira and Kolasinac or Balogun or Sokratis will pay for Partey

Question for the esteemed forum. I was discussing music recently with other Americans and British music came up. There was a trend (maybe still is) of something called 'mockney'. As you may already know, non Londoners non east enders, working class putting on an cockney accent.

It was said that some bands or singers did that. I love this song but we couldn't decide is this was an example of a 'mockney' accent. The guy is a Brummie if I'm not mistaken.

Cengiz Under close to signing for Leicester from Roma for £25m. This guy was wanted by a lot of big clubs not so long ago. Fee of up to £40m mentioned.

Spurs signing left-back Reguilon from Real Madrid for £25m and having to put a buy back clause for Madrid in the deal. Reguilon was voted the best left back in Spain last year. Spurs also trying to get Gareth Bale back from Madrid. Madrid want him gone but his £650k a week wages are a problem! Madrid could pay 50% of those wages and let Bale leave on loan, and possibly take Dele Alli on loan the other way.

Potentially two good moves for Spurs, but then they still have Mourinho as manager so its ok

Chuba Akpom is about to sign for Middlesbrough, Arsenal have a 40% sell on clause which could bring in £1-1.5m depending on the final fee. Every little helps! Put in in the drawer marked New Central Midfielder

Are you a Tesco shopper Rich?

Seems to be quite a bit of interest in Kolasinac from Germany and Roma. £10m seems to be the price which I'd be very happy with. Ive also seen reports saying the player wants to 'stay and fight for his place'. Which when you consider his place is behind Tierney, AMN, Saka at left back or left wing back, and also behind Gabriel, Mari, Tierney, Holding for the left centre back role, it really means I want to stay and pick up my nice big wage.

I'd hope Arteta is just clear that Kolasinac is way down the list for his two preferred positions and he simply won't get any game time this season. If he wants to play regular football then we'll happily let him seal a transfer.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54180786




I’m heartbroken for the Spuds here. Plovdiv sounds made up!

Yes tough one Eric. No one has ever suffered such deprivations before. I bet in those old mining towns in the UK the old fellas are starting a fund me page. Imagine going down in a pit 6 days a week with your life in danger for a pittance compared to what Eric is paid. Harden up Eric.

I wonder if the International Labour Organisation has been informed of this scandalous violation of the rights and dignity of the working man down at the Lane? Surely they would act? Or are they too busy faffing around with trifles like child labour and human trafficking?

Gosh, I've forgotten we have (had) Akpom in our ranks. Another Wenger project going away.

I think he is just keen on staying in London with his pal Özil. Picking up a good wage without having to play helps too. I was concerned with a report (hope not true) that Arteta is considering to keep him in the squad. Kola used to do it for us with his marauding runs and quick forward plays. But he has reverted to an Ozil-like, slow and contemplative style.

There may very well be support on these pages to make this a project to assist our neighbours. I will look up the UN numbers and try and get a plan together.

The absolute hilarious part of it is that they were swinging from the rafters before the F A Cup final and then the result put them deep in it.

Deal for the Icelandic goalkeeper done, according to RMC who are usually very reliable with the French league. Very cheap backup to Leno, it's clear we're going to focus our money on midfield signings.

Correct. As club captain his relationship with M.A. is very close and he contributes to oppo research and match strategy. He was not necessarily guaranteed top signings , but rather a 3 year plan to get the club to where it belongs. The plan involves taking the risk now( instead of waiting to spend only after a probable top 4 finish ) and spending the money to strengthen the squad , work on the pitch and challenging. I am sure the strong finish last season , 2 trophies and the way we have recruited so far was enough.

We also have personal terms agreed with Aouar for a contract till 2025 about 2 weeks ago. Agent and player are happy. Club and player camp agreed it is time to move on provided the buying club and Lyon agree. Now both Arsenal and Lyon have to agree a fee.

Every trophy we have won since Stan took over was in spite of him not because of him.

My guess is Aubameyang has seen the club transform since Arteta took over. He's comfortable, well loved and liked, and we look on the cusp of winning things. He knows what it feels like to lift a trophy in an Arsenal kit and sees more to come.
Rather than risk going somewhere and possibly not being able to fit in and do well, he has a big club already where he is central to the attack. And I hope he sees himself as ending his career a club legend.

You wonder what games he will start? league cup? FA cup? Europa? That is still a lot of games and given he is a No. 2 for Dijon this year you'd have to question if he's ready. It is a risk if Leno breaks down. Hopefully he turns out to be mustard for us

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gareth- ... eler/39381

That is an awful lot of injuries for Bale, especially considering how few games he plays.

Not sure who has watched the Spurs documentary on amazon, typically it is all about Jose, he is a showman, has charisma and the camera is always on him. However, I thought his conversation with Danny Rose (if you've seen it) was interesting, Rose more than held his own and in the end Jose seemed a bit sheepish.
Also the one guy who comes across very staged, almost David Brent like is Daniel Levy. There is just something about him in it all. Fawning at Mourinho's every move, seemingly unable to connect or have respect from the players, and always a bit awkward in how he talks to people. No doubt he's a successful businessman but there is something odd about him in the documentary

Hi Leon,

That's interesting.

Are we looking at Partey as well or has that ship sailed, or is it one or the other (if any).

My fear is that Arteta may think he doesn't need Partey since Elneny is playing well. I'm not saying Elneny is a bad player, but Partey seems obviously much better. Elneny as back up, for cups or whatever.