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.

Arsenal are still interested in Raya the GK from Brentford despite seemingly close to the Icelandic chap for £1.5m. Arsenal lodged a £10m bid, brentford rejected it but may accept if they can keep him on loan for this season.

If he is a genuine target then it would be good to secure him for £10m, loan him back to Brentford and delay the £10m payment until next year. His age (25) and homegrown status are big factors as is the fact we have the ex Brentford GK coach.

Really? I never knew you held that opinion. Please tell us more, mentioning in detail the American sporting teams in which he has a financial interest.

I imagine these are the types of videos Rich watches while I'm watching Netflix. (meant as a compliment)

Spurs were 10 minutes from elimination in Bulgaria in the first qualifying round of Europa. Plovdiv had two men sent off and spurs have scored 2. I think it’s good that they stay in, keep the fixture congestion for them. Jose was forced to field a first 11 side tonight through fear of elimination....and they’ve just about to squeak through

This is far from the plan. In response to you too Socrates , Partey has been our principal focus all summer in terms of absolute priority.( scouted for ages by our now dismantled network ) He was in fact the first move. He is key in the way Arteta plans to play his 433. Our current 343 with wing backs has proven its tests against the big sides. Arteta needs the personnel to play 433. The key in this formation is the midfield 3. It should consist of 2 central midfielders and 1 offensive midfielder. This is where it gets detailed. The combination of Xhaka and Ceballos has everything but lacking stature/ power/ energy/athleticism to cover ground and dominate a midfield. This is where our interest in Partey rests. Xhaka is first of the trio. Arteta likes his ability to create the tempo and dictate from deep. Then he needs to be paired with an energetic player who can cover ground and intercept to win balls in transition. This is Partey. ( only Niles fits that role currently , but he lacks the sheer ability to own that role. ) Then the last option of the midfield trio is the offensive / ball carrier / assist provider who can feed the front 3. This is Aouar. ( Arteta scouted 9 ( oppo research )and personal spoke to when at City)

We are going for Aouar now because we are weary of other interests and need to move quicker. Lyon need to sell to reinvest. Time is of essence here. We know their valuation and they rebuffed an offer including Douzi. Player and agent are happy to deal. Clubs need to agree.

Partey situation is an open secret. Club does not want to sell. They will be obliged only if the release clause is paid. As per Spanish the system, you pay the player and he buys it off from his club. Club wants to extend his deal but he is ready to wait for Arsenal. Personal terms are clear and been communicated to Arsenal. From Arsenal's angle he is still a key need , the problem now is getting funds together from our coffers and player sales. Mind you we have not been able to shift players due to transfer fees...the issue has been wages. They are too high for the buying clubs. Edu even mentioned this stressing about clubs calling and offering loan options etc. I know nothing about Arsenal's finance kitty , but I am sure Partey is still going on even if Aouar is secured. It is safe to say this will go down to the wire. Edu and co have managed to get very tight personal agreements with players before agreeing with clubs. ( Gabriel gave his word and held it for months despite better offers from United / Napoli etc ) Hope this one sticks too.

Feels like a jigsaw puzzle being carefully assembled. And not too many pieces missing now either.

Hmm. Lincoln or Liverpool vs Leicester or Arsenal.

Mega tough draws for the early stages.

Whaaaaat? Reckon we'd be OK against Lincoln though. Fingers crossed...

I'd like to hear whether he thinks Stan Kreonke is emotionally invested like us fans and understands English football, or if he just sees the club as an investment and will therefore remain distant and disinterested.

If it were the former then you’d know about it. It would be obvious to all.

Actions speak louder than words. Or, in this case, inaction.

But are we actually a badly run club at the moment, or are demonstrating a willingness to invest in players and let MA build something without too much flak from the bean counters?

And if so, what evidence is there that this is despite rather than because of Kreonke?

Does it matter that he doesn't froth at the mouth and emote? Does it have to be obvious?

I haven't been paying attention so I am just asking ...

Like everyone on this forum, I'd give my right arm to win the CL. The only thing that would taint it would be that Kroenke would be the owner at the time.
The crazy thing when all is said and done, and we make a resurgence he could claim to have more trophies than possibly any other owner or at the very least say he is among the top.

I hope had Mustafi been healthy, he'd be gone. There is always the January window.

I think I speak for most if not all on here, give it a rest will you.

God I hope so much that we give Mustafi a new contract. The reaction of Mr Iamanobsessive would be absolutely hilarious.

How long has he got left on his current contract?

Both of you! Stop ruining my jokes! I was just doubling up in a less funny way what McQuilkie said!!

Indeed, well certainly on paper if we can get 1/2 top class central mids in we'll have a pretty well balanced and talented squad. The next steps are to get that squad back in the top 4, then challenging for the title. We're realistically a few years away from the later even with our most optimistic spectacles on - by which time we will have needed to plan for the next succession and turnover in the squad.

It is something I have wondered about where Liverpool go soon, their front 3 are all 29, just signed a 29 year old Thiago, van dijk, henderson and a few other dependables are nudging that age bracket. For them it means they're all at their peak, but as we know with the invincibles it can slip away very quickly if you haven't got the replacements and quality lined up.

For our team and looking 5 years on from now I'd hope we still have a good core of Leno, Gabriel, Saliba, Tierney, Saka, Martinelli, AMN, Pépé. And assuming they stay, the likes of Bellerin, Xhaka take on the 30 year old veteran positions and the cycle turns over again

Until 30.06.2021

I wouldn't worry about it, Ash. Some people just aren't natural-born comedians like we are.

AG is generally about 6 months behind the curve and reliably wrong ... so I was wondering if there is some hope re Kroenke ...

Ah. Whoosh. Straight over my head wasn’t it?

I will try harder.

It will be interesting who we start out with in central defense and who we end up with as starters at seasons end. Assuming everyone healthy.

Read Tim Sherwood poo pooing signings and players, but not unexpected from a sperz man. If we make no more signings, we should be a top 6 club again. We get the two signings in the midfield we want and we are knocking on top 4 for this season.

We may not get there this season but I would expect it next season. One never knows what will happen with injuries, who the competition buys, their injuries or not, break out players, etc.

Look as Luiz is going to be Gabriel's mentor in terms of getting adjusted. Willian as well socially but Luiz in terms of playing the position in the league. What to look for. The differences between the EPL and ligue un.
Probably will play Mustafi's video and say 'Do the opposite'

I'm sure gooners are expecting 3 points tomorrow and anything less is unacceptable. Just the vibe I see among forums. I am trying to manage my expectations but it is difficult not to be optimistic if not excited about this season. The Liverpool match is too early to say either way. Our first big test but we shouldn't make anything out of a win if we get it or a loss, unless either is a scoreline way out of the norm.

Sherwood was an Arsenal fan growing up

Talk of Chambers attracting interest from Fulham and Leeds. With the signings of Gabriel and Saliba and Holding being stopped going out on loan you'd have to think Chambers is surplus to requirements. Would have hoped we could generate close to £15m for him.

Lots of teams supposedly in for Torreira, hopefully someone makes a bid!

Kolasinac also generating interest from Germany and Sokratis was supposed to be close to Napoli.

I feel like all this could run right to the last week or day of the window. If we got Chambers £15m, Torreira £25m, Kolasinac £10m, Sokratis £5m, Balugon £5m and add it to the £20m for Martinez there is a £80m pot of money. But if all that only happens in the last days of the window it makes it difficult for us to get the players in we want, especially as the clubs we buy from will want replacements. All very complicated but exciting.

Yeah and Kane was on our books and O'Leary played the most games ever for us and both of them aren't Arsenal fans. I hear ya, but no one would mistake him for a gooner today. Seems a matter 'that was then, this is now'.

I've seen him take subtle (and not so subtle) shots at us for a while. He's played for the scum and managed them. He's no longer a gooner.

A lot of 'ifs' in Rich's post about sales of players but the players mentioned have solid interests in them. However, teams know we are trying to raise funds and on a time constraint so expect some haggling and tough negotiating on a couple players.
That said, for the price banded about, they should sell eventually in the window.

Lockdown number 2 coming folks, remember to stock up on crisps and lager.

Great time to get rid of public health England, government are doing an amazing job

You may find this interesting from 2015.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football ... od-5750893

The person who said this is not an Arsenal fan.
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/1494115/d ... -sherwood/

...and its one of many shots I've read over the years. You'd never know he grew up a fan hearing his Arsenal related commentary since I've been a fan. lol

With 'fans' like this, who needs enemies. I've yet to find an independent pundit who hasn't spoken of us improving and being better and saying Aubameyang signing is crucial to our success, etc.

You’re correct Rich. Sherwood supported Arsenal as a kid. Both clubs are so close together with their local fans living in the same areas that it’s inevitable Arsenal fans as kids will end up playing for Tottenham, and vice versa. It’s inevitable that Tottenham fans as kids will end up playing for Arsenal, at whatever level. Surely what is Arsenal’s most famous ever goal, the injury time title winner at Anfield in 1989, was scored by a Tottenham fan. Michael Thomas has never hidden the fact he supported Tottenham as a kid.

What Sherwood says in the interview I’ve given the link to is perfectly reasonable.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hitc.c ... don/%3Famp

Not sure I understand your post?

The loan deal is a canny move for the scum. Injury record aside he's a top quality player. I didn't think he would make it at RM. Thought he'd fail miserably initially and proved me wrong. The honeymoon is obviously over but he's a great player. The shirt sales alone will be a big boost. Gotta be a big buzz going around the club.

I'm hoping Mourinho reverts to recent type and mucks it all up.