I never liked the idea of us going for gerrard no. It would only be a stepping stone for him to end up in Liverpool and we are bigger than that.

Coutinho will do well for them. Too good a player

Saka’s current deal expires in 2024. Why would he even consider signing a deal tying himself to Arsenal for longer even if it says if we don’t get into the Champions League in the next two years we’ll sell him for £100m. In two years time (which I’m taking 2024 to be), can’t he leave the club on a free transfer?

Win win for both parties. He gets vastly more wages and Arsenal ensure they get a fee if he’s sold for some time

He’d get a massive pay rise at Arsenal until 2024, and then becomes available for £100m if we don’t get into the Champions League by then. But think of the signing on fee he’d get from a new club in 2024 if he goes there on what I presume would be a free transfer? I’m sure it would more than make up for Saka earning his current salary at Arsenal until 30th June 2024.

I can’t see any win for Saka in signing a new deal like that at Arsenal.

You could say that about any player though ? Why did Özil and aubameyang sign new deals? Because obviously they were better than they could get elsewhere.

The club can include loyalty bonuses and all sorts sometimes payable up front, backdate pay increases it’s all made up. Remember aubameyang? All kinds of ridiculous bonuses and clauses. Or failing that pay the kid 300k a week. I doubt many clubs would wanna touch that.

If the player wants to go at all costs it’s irrelevant but if he’s open to seeing how it pans out but is reluctant and on the fence it may be a better option than letting him run down his contract. It’s basically the Grealish scenario at villa.

I bet plenty of the richest clubs would be willing to pay him £300k a week.

Myself, I think it could come down to whether we get into the top four this season. Or next at the latest. Then I would hope he’d consider signing a new deal. If we don’t, what you say about it being better to sell him than running down his contract might come into play.

Thing is though Bernard he can easily command a 200k wage right now and he’s earning 30k in reality. That must grate.

A 2 year extension and massive rise makes sense. He’s only 20 and to leave Hatfield and go up north would feel a little premature. I think only sterling really departed in a high profile transfer at this stage in his career. He has plenty of time.

However I think if we can’t get in the top 4 next season then we have bigger problems than saka. Very hard to sell the vision of the club when it will have been adrift from the top for so long at that point. To build a winning team it takes a cycle of 3-4 years and we will have our best players leaving after 2 solid seasons. I’m not sure how you break that cycle apart from the Newcastle model where a new owner came in and unloaded so much cash on new signings the squad is built with such depth it can compete.

I think half our problems are economic. Feels to me like the Arsenal managers job for the time being is a bit futile.

Miss Priti has clearly inherited her compassion and empathy from a distant relative - Vlad the Impaler

Had no idea who she is, so I googled her. Very stern looking woman. She seems the type that in her private life, she wearns a German police uniform and has her submissive male refer to her as Frau Mistress or he gets a few across the arsenal.

Big game tonight, chance to lay down a real marker.

You just know we will find some way to cock-it up though.

That’s the spirit.

Evening Soc
I bet the Wolves fans are seeing it the same way. At least the first part

Cédric. *%^@

The same applies nowadays if someone trespasses on your land and your dog bites them, regardless of whether there is proper fence, warning sign etc. Evidently even a 'beware of the dog' sign is a not a good idea, because it shows you are aware that your dog is capable of biting, and so makes you liable for any harm your dog does to an intruding human or cat!

Most dogs that live with cats quickly learn what is what. Our dachshund fancied himself as a catter when he was young, but has learned to pretend he hasn't noticed and has urgent business elsewhere if a cat appears on the scene. But I think true hunters like greyhounds are a different kettle of fish.

I don’t like seeing Emile Smith Rowe continuously on the bench.
Got to be a way we can fit him in.
Apart from that and Tomiyasu missing it’s a good team.
Come on Arsenal!!!!

Saka, Ødegaard or martinelli.

Which one are you dropping ? It’s simple enough.

He’s involved in most games at some stage anyway

Strong starting eleven. Let's get this done now.

It is my fear as well. Fingers crossed.

Surprised its not a yellow for White.

I'm not seeing top 4 form quite yet.

Agreed. We’ve seen reds for those.

Look a little rusty out there, a few too many passes not hit quite right. Hopefully wears off as the game goes on

Better

Been coming

Gabriel! We've been playing much better the last five minutes

Gabriel the goal poacher

Get in.

Come on Arsenal! Let's get the 3 points.

The quick free kick may have saved Xhaka a booking a few minutes before the goal.
Great run by Martinelli prior as well. A bit more awareness he might have gotten a Henry-esque run at goal.

Anyway, we need to build on the goal. Their GK threw himself at Lacazette who got to the ball first anyway.

Cédric is playing well.

Was just thinking the same.

Me as well. Very tidy on the ball

…..aaaand the cards have begun……

TV didn’t make much of that but you’ve seen handballs given for those.

Wolves looking pretty dangerous. Let's see it through to half time.

Brilliant from Saka there.

This has been a good half, fighting for everything

Dollop

So what minute is he getting sent off in today ?

Our central midfield are on a yellow for the most part.