So what are our expectations as fans this season?

Good season:
Back in the top 4

Great season:
Comfortably in the top 4 - much closer to City/Liverpool.....and a domestic trophy

Amazing season:
3rd quite close to City/Liverpool + Europa League win

Anything beyond that would probably be classed as a tad unrealistic.

In terms of points tallies I'd like us to be above 75 points, that gets comfortable top 4 I think.

Edu: “When the player is 26-plus, big salary & he’s not performing? He’s killing you, that kind of player, because you don’t have a valuation to sell the player - Arsenal, London, beautiful, everything is fantastic - and has a good salary. How do you move this player?”

Nicolas Pépé [writes in his diary]: 'Interesting words from Mr Edu. I wonder about whom he is speaking?'

It's CL football again for the season as the top goal. And in the intermediate future, to be consistently in the CL again.

For me, the only thing that would compensate for lack of CL football is either the FA or Europa cup.

Borderline compensation: League cup or that Europa thingy that Mourinho won.

Some sweeteners? Beating sperz at least once and not losing in the other. 'Only' one or two losses tops collectively to City, Liverpool. And don't lose to Chelsea, draw both games at worse.

I also think last seasons up and down season, helped build some 'character' into the squad. I think the addition of Jesus is more than just his skill. He came from a club that were winners and comes in with not just a winning attitude but with some knowledge of what it takes to win.

He also will raise the level around him.

For some of you old geezers who have given up all hope.

Italian ultra-millionaire fashion designer Roberto Cavalli 80-year-old with his 22-year-old girlfriend.
This shows us that true love has no ages or obstacles and that when one loves unselfishly nothing is impossible

I wonder what first attracted her to the multi-millionaire Mr Cavalli

I just don’t get how this is possible. Ignoring the physical side and the many questions it brings in my mind (I’m assuming he needs pills) how can they not drive each other up the wall.

She must have to wear blindfold on each time.

Arsenal Manager Mikel Guardiola

Yet still can't see what attracted a 26 year old Anna Nicole Smith to the 89 year old wheelchair bound oil tycoon, J. Herbert Marshall, II.

RIP Paul Sorvino, Goodfellas actor dies at 83.

I don't subscribe to the Athletic but I was able to read the article by James McNicholas when he speaks to Edu. Highly recommend it if you can get to read it. I can't post a link unfortunately.

I can't help thinking there are better looking 22 year olds to be a sugar daddy to. However, at his age...well..better left unsaid.

Finally got around to watching the Chelsea game, and like most Arsenal fans I was well impressed with what we showed. The first half in particular was brilliant, our pressing gave Chelsea absolutely no space to do what they wanted to do, our passing was quick, crisp and direct and we caused them a lot of trouble. It's just pre-season of course, and we're a little further ahead in our schedule than they are, but with just two weeks left until the league starts that's what you want to see from the team. There's a sense of cohesion and togetherness at Arsenal that Chelsea currently look like they're lacking.

Some great individual performances that I won't go into, but the most encouraging thing for me is that we started without our two starting full backs but didn't miss a beat. Saliba is genuine competition for Gabriel and White (as opposed to Holding who is merely a decent back-up) and I wouldn't be surprised to see him cement a starting spot this season. He gives us the option to put White at RB with Tomiyasu out without losing our defensive solidity. Zinchenko had just one training session with the team I think, but looked like he's been playing at Arsenal for years and just slotted right in. Last season we were way too susceptible to injuries, and we've come a long way to rectify that. Partey looks like the player we'd struggle to replace the most, but even with him out I think a midfield two of Xhaka and Zinchenko is still quality.

Very much looking forward to the start of the season. The team looks ready and raring to go.

As encouraging as the match was from an Arsenal perspective, it paints a much grimmer picture when looking at it from a Chelsea perspective. They looked disjointed and lethargic, and some of the post-match comments from Tuchel was just bizarre.





First of all, his second comment seems to ignore the fact that they've just signed one of the best goalscoring wingers of the last decade. Second, I'm really not sure how going this harshly into the players after a pre-season game is supposed to build confidence and cohesion. I'm sure they'll sign more players and get in better shape before the season starts, but there isn't much time left and us Arsenal fans know all too well what can happen to a team that doesn't start the season in the right way.

This is pretty much where I'm at as well. Top 4 is definitely the target, and we should be among the top favorites to win the Europa League, but nothing should be completely set in stone with regards to league finish. It's important that sacking the manager isn't just used as a punishment for a manager failing to reach a certain target, it's a drastic measure that should only be used if it's determined the team won't be moving forward with the current set-up.

Starting from 0 under a new manager could of course be an injection that the team would need, but with such a young and close-knit squad that all seem to enjoy playing under Arteta it could also be quite devastating.

Must admit, as things stand I think we have a decent chance of finishing above Chelsea in the table. Sure, lots can happen to make me change my mind but I really don’t see them as certain of third, if the top two will be City and Liverpool?

Okay, they’ve signed Sterling and Koulibaly. Maybe Koulibaly will be an adequate replacement for Rudiger? But I’ll be surprised if he’s as good as Rudiger, who my Chelsea supporting friends tell me was their best central defender since Terry.

Also, Azpilicueta and Alonso are apparently desperate to get away, as is Werner though I don’t think the latter would be as big a loss. I simply don’t see Chelsea being as out of our reach as some might do. Or Tottenham and Manchester United’s reach either.

I’m not saying this because of our win the other day. All I’ve seen of the game is the goals.

Now I’ve said all that, Chelsea will no doubt go and win the league by ten points (imagine a smiley here).

I'm trying really hard not to get carried away with the positive vibes surrounding Arsenal at the moment, it's only pre-season and all that...but yeah, I think third place is up for grabs. Sterling is a great addition for them, but I'm not sure they've gotten stronger at all since last season. They certainly aren't as settled as they seemed to be at this time last year.

I dunno Bernard, I can't see us ever beating Chelsea any time soon.

I have a funny feeling that Martinelli is going to have a breakout season. Add that to Ødegaard, Jesus, Saka, ESM with huge potential, a very convincing back 5, and hopefully one more midfielder, together with hunger and cohesion throughout the squad, and it feels very good.

All in all, I can't see us finishing worse than 9th

I'm not only going to 'touch wood' to avoid jinxing us with my optimism ... I'm going to go and cut some and make a nice fire, because it is bloody freezing here

Hutchinson was apparently sold to Chelsea for. Small fee but with a sell on clause.

Kasper Schmeichel looking like he might be going to Nice, that’s a surprise. Inevitable rumours that Leicester are then in for Leno. Would be good if we can get a bidding war going. You never have the upper hand if there’s only 1 club interested.

Or part of a deal for Tielemans?

I am excited to see the English women's team in the final. I was (and continue to be) a bigger fan of the US women's team than the men's team. They play better football. And since I am fully committed for a couple decades now to an English football team, it feels 'natural' to cheer for the women's team. I also want to see women's football get bigger and hopefully my nieces, your daughters or granddaughers or other young women can build a fruitful career, athletically and financially in it if they have requisite skills to suceed.

I am not as big as I used to be on the men's team except for Arsenal players. Won't go into why...it wouldn't go over well on here.

Had read a fair few snippets of the Edu interview. It’s hard to not like what he’s trying to do and the way he talks about football and Arsenal.

There is one story he tells where he went to Dortmund to talk to a player and he wanted to tell him about us and what we liked in him, how he fits in the team and wanted to hear his thoughts and ambitions and all the player (and agent probably) wanted to do was get straight in to talking about ‘how much money’, Edu got up and said no thanks not for us.

He also talks about the need to pay players off to just get them out and be able to clean the squad. Short term pain for longer term gain.

I’m fully on board with the philosophy the club has implemented since Arteta came in. But very soon it will be time to start delivering on the ‘process’

I wonder how much Edu will appear in the Amazon documentary

Got an email the other day inviting me to a free viewing of it in Finsbury Park for being one of the season ticket holders who went to every home game last season. It’s on 3rd August. Put my name down for it.

He’s spoken very well recently I think. It’s clear when he speaks he’s a football man and to have him conducting business is an advantage. The behind the scenes videos of him showing the new players round London colney are very telling.

I thought he was another Sanellhi type but seems far from it. That period seems mental now, execs detached from the manager signing players he has to put up with and doesn’t want. I have to say I do have a decent amount of sympathy for Emery now really. Never stood a chance.

Wonder who the dortmund player was.

Seems Aaron Ramsey's contract has been terminated. I'd take him back in a heartbeat. He's 'only' 31. If he wanted to come back and be willing to work on a reduced salary and come off the bench, play in cup ties where we need the starters to have a break in midfield, I'd do it gladly. He's one of my favorites and I was sad to see him go.

https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11095/12476234/transfer-centre-live-ramseys-juve-contract-terminated-ronaldo-latest

I've seen a few people online say they've had that invite.

I can't wait for it. There will be some cringe moments where other fans will laugh at us - just as there was in the City and Spurs documentaries but my gut feeling is Arteta is going to come across really well. Passionate, clear, respected, visionary and a leader. All his faults will come down to his inexperience in the job.

I understand the sentiment. An excellent player who I really liked but he should have achieved much much more in his career which was wrecked by injuries. I wouldn’t have him back unless it was in a coaching capacity.

Didn’t work out at all for him at Rangers. He is our past, not our present nor future.

Also thank goodness we didn’t offer him a mental deal to keep him. We definitely could have done with him but another 250k contract problem that we would have had to pay off.

In the end he prioritised money over his career. Made a fortune because he left Arsenal on a free and sat on the bench instead. He would probably be our team captain if he had stayed. Read he might end up at forest which would be weird but about his level.

Hey ltg, I completely agree with you he is not who we would build our future on, but if he came at cutrate, bargain basement price in terms of wages (we wouldn't have to pay a transfer fee), you're saying you wouldnt' take the chance with him off the bench?

I also think he'd be great for the young players in training and the dressing room.

Understood. This is for both you and ltg. If he came at very reduced wages, pretty much, I mean very, very low, why not? Any specific reason other than money? Do you think he's simply not good enough?

I wouldn’t take a chance with him on the pitch. It would mean that he would be playing instead of a member of the enlarged and motivated squad that are going in Arteta’s direction. Totally the wrong message to give. Shades of Willian really.

This line up

Arsenal: Turner, Cédric, Walters (Awe 46), Holding, Tavares (Souza 76), Elneny, Lokonga, Maitland-Niles (Patino 85), Marquinhos, Nelson (Sagoe Jr 90), Nketiah.

lost 1-2 in the behind doors friendly today against Brentford.

New all or nothing trailer. Have to say I love this pep talk. Arteta does have something about him.

https://youtu.be/13dSuAfhEds