Exactly, he seems raw but as you say, all the physical attributes to suit the prem.
We spend £31m plus signing on fee for Willian and he’ll be worth nothing when his contract is up. Soumare would likely cost something similar in transfer fee and then maybe another £10m in wages for a similar 3 year deal. But in theory he should improve during that time not decline like Willian and would likely still be worth what we paid in 3 years time.

In some respects we’ve done some very good business and got some good young players signed up to long term deals but we’re also doing quick fix transfers that are actually quite high risk. Needs to be a clear change of strategy in the summer

Leicester also well in the race for Edouard from Celtic. 23, good goalscoring record, not an extortionate fee. No guarantee of success but it’s an entirely sensible transfer.

We could also look at Patson Daka, 22, scored over 30 goals for Salzburg this season, taking over from Haaland, could be £20-25m.Always a risk because you never now if someone can step up but strikers in the prem or other top leagues at that age and with a similar goal scoring record are £50m+

Willian is Brazilian, Edu is Brazilian ... connection?

https://arseblog.news/2021/05/arteta-th ... s-back-me/

Very strong words from Arteta. A veil warning to some disagreeable (with him) players within the squad?

Looks like Arteta is throwing the players under a bus with his 'the squad needs changing'proclamation.
Sincerely hope he knows what he is doing because some of those players will be inclined to think *%^@ him and down tools.
Is he actually not going to take some responsibility for this shitshow.
His boring possession side to side football.
His poor in game management. The fact the players look like they are playing with the shackles on.
His treatment of certain players.
These are all down to him.
Yes the players need to look at themselves too but I hate this tactic from Arteta.
Making it look like it's all on the players.
Hope he knows what he is doing.
Because if he gets his signings in the summer and we are still *%^@ he will have no where to hide..

Tonight will tell us who is playing for the shirt and who is playing for a paycheck. There is nothing to play for in terms of league position or cups. So, I think this is a good indicator of where the players who are starting are in terms of commitment.

Regarding sacking Arteta. Do we really want to sack Arteta and 'settle'? There should be a defined and exact list of managers we consider 1. an improvement in managerial and tactical ability and 2. will not use us as a way station till a bigger club comes along.

Keep Arteta until such a manager is on board.

Chelsea is on our schedule and while I'd like to beat them, they have more to play for than we do. They are fighting it out for 3rd with Leicester. (C'mon Foxes). However, they may also want to preserve players for the CL. We'll have to see. Can't see them taking it easy for a major London derby.

I think we'll finish 9th. Our international players may not want to get hurt as well. Again, the rest of the season may determine what bit of housecleaning may have to be done. I'd love to see Martinelli start as well as other younger players who haven't been given a chance but Arteta knows his job is on the line so he'll likely field his best XI or close to it.

“The squad needs changing,” Arteta told Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s clash with West Brom.

“There were already a lot of changes in December, something that has not been done in years, but it tells us where we were. Things are going to have to change and the owners are going to back it up.”

It’s no secret that the Premier League has become more competitive since Arsenal last qualified for the Champions League under Arsene Wenger. On and off the pitch, the gap on ‘smaller’ clubs has closed and there’s a fear the decline under the Kroenke ownership is terminal.

“Time is catching up right now,” said Arteta. “It’s a trend, it’s years now that this has been happening. If the distance and the margins with the rest become too big, then it’s almost impossible to do it.


Absolutely nailed on.

No question. I wouldn't be surprised if next season there is a gap between the big four and a large mob of clubs scrapping for Europa league places, and a relatively short tail of genuinely relegation teams. There might be one or two (Leicester, Spurs? ) that hang onto the top four but I think that will be the basic shape that emerges. I can't see the big four floundering around like the big four have all done at various point this season.

Clubs that want to break into that elite club are going to have to do something exceptional, most likely with the check-book. Whether Arteta is the man for the job is separate issue. However, really I doubt changing the manager is going to get us back into the top four. I would certainly support giving him until the end of the year.

Tough to know who to cheery for in the West Ham vs Everton game. I want them both to finish above clubs around them I dislike. But if I had to choose, I'll say West Ham. A fantastic year for them. If the world is fair and just, Moyes should get manager of the year. Just edging Areta....just

Side note, great to see Fabianski carve out a decent PL career for himself.

I saw someone wonder what effect having a full stadium will have on Arteta's insistence to shout every pass and movement of players from the touchline. Right now they can hear him and seem frozen in what they might naturally do vs doing what Arteta says - it has seemed to certainly stiffle any fluidity in the attacking third. Might a full stadium drown Arteta out, or maybe he gives up and the players are forced to rely far more on their instincts

One thing I think happens in several sports is that coaches yell, talk, instruct, throughout a game partially to release energy, frustration, and if you are not out there yourself, you create a few mechanisms to try and alter it.

Anyone who has coached a youth team will know that. My brother coaches a soccer team and I had to coach his 'B' team once about 15 years ago, when I visited him and they had a tournament. The other parent had an emergency. I found myself just talking to the referee, the players, etc, partially out of frustration their not doing what needs to be done to be effective and partially because I just couldn't sit there still and out of nervousness was constantly talking to them, encouraging them, whatever I could do to get those 9 year olds to play properly.

I don't think most of the players know what Pep or Klopp is saying. My guess is they tune them out, except the players on that side of the pitch and even then they only listen when they deem the manager really needs to stress something.

It won't be just Arteta. They will all have to get used to loud stadiums where they can't be heard.

2 goals and no wins in our last 6 at home.

Martinelli up front today. Willian starts. Saka probably left back. And the joy of Elneny and Ceballos in central midfield in what must be one of the most underwhelming partnerships of the last 25 years

Ceballos plays, Willian plays, Saka full back?

1Leno
21Chambers
16Holding
6Gabriel
7Saka
25Elneny
8Ceballos
19Pépé
32Smith Rowe
12Willian
35Martinelli

Substitutes
2Bellerín
3Tierney
9Lacazette
11Ødegaard
13Rúnarsson
14Aubameyang
17Cédric Soares
18Partey
30Nketiah

No Aubameyang or Lacazette in startup

They’re being rested for the Europa League fina........ oh, wait.

Here’s a good stat. Kroenke‘a ranch at 800 square miles is bigger than NYC and LA combined...

That's put the kaibosh on it . Fat Sam never beaten Arsenal away. This never comes up every game and the opposition have wiped out all the nevers to date#
.

3 days ago I said no more this season. I’ve had enough. And yet here I am once again.

40 x 20 miles!!

Wow.

ditto but I also cancelled my red membership saving £29.00 a year.

I have been reflecting on whether or not to renew silver membership for my family. And Covid adds another dimension.

Super. Opening 12 minutes. All defending.

Ref's a clown too. Martinelli shoved in the back ref clear view gives nothing.

Two bits of commentary so far
‘....a pedestrian start from arsenal’
‘...arsenal balloon a shot over the bar’

I really struggle to see a team in the league who shoot so wildly over the bar so often

Saka looking a class above.

That was a penalty?

I thought that he went straight through him.

No appeals why so ever though

Feels likes we’ll lose this today. Devoid of any confidence or motivation.

a bit more of the ball would help too.............

Saka to Smith Rowe 1-0

Nice move, Smith-Rowe 1-0.

Willian Saka Emile Smith Rowe

Hale End 1-0 West Brom

Saka has been our most dangerous player, from left back.

Can’t watch on Sky Go for some reason. Anyone with any links?

Whoosh. Pépé.

Pépé special

Pépé 2-0 wonderful strike!

BT are showing it, not Sky John.

Stunning