Fixtures Sunday April 28th - Tottenham Hotspur - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - 2:00 Pm

Kick-Off

       Injuries                 Steve Gleiber



Get the Latest Post Go to the Bottom of Page It is currently Sun Apr 28, 2024 4:54 pm

All times are UTC


  


Reply to topic

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 36 guests

 
Post #350881  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:27 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:02 pm
Posts: 18427

long time gooner wrote:
Gaz from Oz wrote:
Is it okay to now be worried about our failure to significantly improve the squad or is it still plenty of time to the start of the season and Arteta has it under control. I still expect another attacking midfielder but it’s starting to be tight on time to get them playing with the team.

Given that it seems to take about 3 weeks from a player being spoken of us ‘definitely coming’ to their actual arrival I hold out no hope.

So far this transfer window has been immensely disappointing and offers little hope for the season to come. More of the same looks to be the order of the day.


Would you agree the signings we have made are promising though ? I think so. Just not enough.

We are like a faulty version of software that constantly needs to be patched and no sooner has one thing been fixed something else crops up.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350882  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:45 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:02 pm
Posts: 18427

Newcastle happy to offer 22 for willock

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/20 ... ted-leave/

Will probably have to sell him to fund a back up keeper


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350883  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:51 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:45 am
Posts: 25814

TOP GUN wrote:
long time gooner wrote:
Given that it seems to take about 3 weeks from a player being spoken of us ‘definitely coming’ to their actual arrival I hold out no hope.

So far this transfer window has been immensely disappointing and offers little hope for the season to come. More of the same looks to be the order of the day.


Would you agree the signings we have made are promising though ? I think so. Just not enough.

We are like a faulty version of software that constantly needs to be patched and no sooner has one thing been fixed something else crops up.

I would agree. They are fine in themselves but serve to highlight just how far away we are from being competitive again.

_________________
I believe in our team, I believe in our quality and I am convinced that I am right. (Arsene Wenger Dec 08)


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350884  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:07 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

TOP GUN wrote:
Newcastle happy to offer 22 for willock

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/20 ... ted-leave/

Will probably have to sell him to fund a back up keeper

I find it crazy to think Arsenal are looking to spend significant money on a back up GK. Go and find another loan or a GK with not long on his contract. We need an experienced pro who can step in and do a job. A loan would be ideal because it means we can shelve the issue for another 12 months.

If we decide £22m for Willock is enough - I think we should be pushing for more then all that money should be invested back in to a central midfielder.

Given how much playing time Nketiah, AMN and Nelson will get we need to find willing buyers for all of them and ship them on. We should be able to generate £35m from those 3 I reckon, that can buy you a very good attacking midfielder (Aoaur available for £25m) or put a chunk of it towards a competent right back.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350885  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:08 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:45 am
Posts: 25814

Yay! Some good news. Hopefully it’s not AFC being unduly optimistic. https://newsjust24all.com/partey-injury ... jJimdfhcKY

_________________
I believe in our team, I believe in our quality and I am convinced that I am right. (Arsene Wenger Dec 08)


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350886  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:10 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

Former England U18's manager Kevin Betsy is appointed as Arsenal's new U23 manager. It has been rumoured for some time. I don't know anything about him but it seems those that do consider this a very good appointment.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350887  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:19 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2018 5:27 pm
Posts: 11163

TOP GUN wrote:
You can debate the fine details of it all and attribute blame if your frustrated which is understandable but I doubt our fortunes will turn around until a new owner arrives.

That I do agree with you about. Sadly I don’t expect Stan (as the sole owner of KSE) to sell anytime soon. Indeed, my own guess is that our next owner will be Josh, who I’m assuming he’ll leave KSE to in his will. Or perhaps he’ll leaves it to his wife Ann and she’ll let Josh run things.

Some may think things will improve then. I’m not so sure. The only thing Josh, as far as I can see, may be better at than Stan is saying the right thing publicly. His announcements are often more positive about building the club to compete at the highest levels again.

Myself, I see Josh’s comments as little more than verbal diarrhoea. They are always qualified by his father aiming for exactly the same thing, and what a great job the Kroenke family is doing as owners. Understandably too, as Josh isn’t going to say his father’s a rubbish owner and things will change when Stan snuffs it.

Sure, it’s been said here recently that Arsenal spend a lot of money on new players. Compared to most we do. But Arsenal should do because it’s one of the richest clubs in Europe through its own resources. The size of its worldwide fan base, and from that filling a very big stadium with people willing to pay high ticket prices, its commercial potential, sponsorship revenues, television income and so on. Added to which the Kroenke family is one of the wealthiest owners in football.

Bloody right we should spend a lot of money on players. That’s why I get frustrated when people say Arsenal don’t have the money to compete at the highest level again. It almost sounds like an excuse. With the club’s own resources and the owner’s wealth, Arsenal should have the funds to challenge at the very top of European football. It’s just Kroenke doesn’t let it.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350888  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:29 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:02 pm
Posts: 18427

Bernard wrote:
TOP GUN wrote:
You can debate the fine details of it all and attribute blame if your frustrated which is understandable but I doubt our fortunes will turn around until a new owner arrives.

That I do agree with you about. Sadly I don’t expect Stan (as the sole owner of KSE) to sell anytime soon. Indeed, my own guess is that our next owner will be Josh, who I’m assuming he’ll leave KSE to in his will. Or perhaps he’ll leaves it to his wife Ann and she’ll let Josh run things.

Some may think things will improve then. I’m not so sure. The only thing Josh, as far as I can see, may be better at than Stan is saying the right thing publicly. His announcements are often more positive about building the club to compete at the highest levels again.

Myself, I see Josh’s comments as little more than verbal diarrhoea. They are always qualified by his father aiming for exactly the same thing, and what a great job the Kroenke family is doing as owners. Understandably too, as Josh isn’t going to say his father’s a rubbish owner and things will change when Stan snuffs it.

Sure, it’s been said here recently that Arsenal spend a lot of money on new players. Compared to most we do. But Arsenal should do because it’s one of the richest clubs in Europe through its own resources. The size of its worldwide fan base, and from that filling a very big stadium with people willing to pay high ticket prices, its commercial potential, sponsorship revenues, television income and so on. Added to which the Kroenke family is one of the wealthiest owners in football.

Bloody right we should spend a lot of money on players. That’s why I get frustrated when people say Arsenal don’t have the money to compete at the highest level again. It almost sounds like an excuse for being careful. With the club’s own resources and the owner’s wealth, Arsenal should have the funds to challenge at the very top of European football. It’s just Kroenke doesn’t let it.


Really good post Bernard

if your mates support a different club tell them how much you pay for your season ticket and their eyes fall back into their heads I guarantee you. Now tell me Arsenal shouldnt be able to acquire the best players.

We also change our kit every season now fleecing the fans with kids like myself with exorbitant costs on an annual basis.

Baby josh when not eating crayons can at least pretend he cares about the club whilst making mistake after mistake. Would it hurt him to say look Dad we make 70 million in share profits each year but can we chuck the club that 70 to invest this year as they are totally screwed.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350889  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:11 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

I think the last few weeks of the window will be a hive of scrambled activity. Lots of clubs in Europe are up to their necks in debt because of covid and desperately need to sell someone. They will want the best possible price and the english clubs vying to buy them will want to knock that down - because it seems only english clubs have any money. The end of the window is always a case of who blinks first but this season more than any because there is a much greater need for so many clubs to balance the books.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350890  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:59 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

Few reports saying we have offered Leicester a player plus cash deal for James Maddison. Player supposedly AMN. Leicester have a terrific record of getting top whack for their players and replacing them much more cheaply - or already having that replacement in their squad.

Going back over the big Leicester sales, Kante, Mahrez, Maguire, Chilwell - they've all been a success. (Drinkwater is the outlier) I wouldn't be against the move if the price is sensible and that would mean AMN price in any deal being a minimum £20m.

It does seem like there are similar players available for less on the continent but Arsenal look like their looking at home grown players and premier league experience. Both are useful to have.

One thing Maddison would do is increase the quantity and quality of shots on target from us from that 18-30 yards range - where we are pretty awful


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350891  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:23 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:36 pm
Posts: 3704

long time gooner wrote:

Where’s Gabriel?


I think he got injured in the preparation for the Brazil Olympic squad. The club are being quite quiet about him which is worrying. He’s the obvious best partner for White we have.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350892  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 4:52 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

Xhaka set to sign a new contract with us until 2025, I think he had 2 years left on his current deal so effectively adds 2 more years.

If we could have a central midfield of Partey, new CM, Xhaka, Lokonga, Azeez I’d be happy with that.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350893  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 5:50 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:51 pm
Posts: 3574

Kroenke's LA Rams kick off pre season Aug 21 at SoFi Stadium in LA. This is what he's focussed on.


Attachments:



_________________
Be careful who you call your friends. I'd rather have four quarters than one hundred pennies.
 Profile  
 
 
Post #350894  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 5:53 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:52 pm
Posts: 18760

Rich wrote:
Xhaka set to sign a new contract with us until 2025...

Top Gun hears the news.


Attachments:


_________________
"Young and caught up in life, we seldom watched the skies.”
 Profile  
 
 
Post #350895  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:04 pm 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:02 pm
Posts: 18427

old man of hoy wrote:
Rich wrote:
Xhaka set to sign a new contract with us until 2025...

Top Gun hears the news.

:laughing7:

Honestly it partially makes sense to me. I’ve read it’s a 12 month extension with another 12 month option for the club so it seems it’s more about preserving a transfer value for next summer and motivating him for the new season. It’s kind of a win win for all parties.

Doesn’t change my opinion though that you’ll never win a premier league title with a midfielder that immobile and one footed in the centre of your pitch.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350896  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 7:48 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

Looking at Maddison's numbers and stats he solves a big problem for us in terms of creating chances and scoring goals. I don't like the potential price but a midfield 3 behind the main striker from the collection of Saka/Partey/Emile Smith Rowe/Maddison/Martinelli is very strong


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350897  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:16 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:58 am
Posts: 34139

Any wage and roster issues with regards to failures Chelsea has is entirely brought on by them. For years when Roman came on, they knowingly overpaid for any promising young player in metro London in part I assume so that no other rival can have them. No sympathy. Eff them. They went about things the wrong way and any 'pain' that has come from it, is just.

As for us, we need a committee to look at our past contract structures and figure out what we are doing wrong and who is doing it. And act accordingly. Some things you can't help. You roll the dice sometimes (Willian). Sometimes a player has a stormer of a season, a break out season and you reward them with a fat contract (Smith Rowe). Everyone expects SR to come good and get better, but there is that chance he doesn't and we'd "stuck" with him. In the here and now, pretty much all contracts can be justified...till they no longer are.

_________________
"Never relegated, Never Will Be" :)


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350898  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:54 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

Zed wrote:
Kroenke's LA Rams kick off pre season Aug 21 at SoFi Stadium in LA. This is what he's focussed on.

Naming rights for The Rams stadium is $30m a year. Emirates pay us $4m a year for our stadium


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350899  Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:57 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

AmericanGooner wrote:
You roll the dice sometimes (Willian). Sometimes a player has a stormer of a season, a break out season and you reward them with a fat contract (Smith Rowe). Everyone expects SR to come good and get better, but there is that chance he doesn't and we'd "stuck" with him. In the here and now, pretty much all contracts can be justified...till they no longer are.

You would never be ‘stuck’ with a 21 year old English player on a long contract. They are too high a commodity. It’s the sort of thing we need to be factoring in when signing any player or contract renewal. Asking the question ‘what if the worst happens’ or ‘what is the sales plan’


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350900  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:33 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:55 pm
Posts: 11512
Location: Singapore

Gaz from Oz wrote:
Just watched a 30 minute program on the undefeated season. I feel like weeping about our current team.


:22cry: why did you have to bring this up? I was going to enjoy my day, now it's ruined! :42laughter:

_________________
Onwards and Upwards!


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350901  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:42 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:04 am
Posts: 7393
Location: Townsville Australia

gooner7 wrote:
Gaz from Oz wrote:
Just watched a 30 minute program on the undefeated season. I feel like weeping about our current team.


:22cry: why did you have to bring this up? I was going to enjoy my day, now it's ruined! :42laughter:

I don't think that there is any players in our current squad who would even make the extended squad we had that year. The football was breath taking. What was interesting was Sol Campbell talking about how most of the squad would stay and practice even after the official training had finished. The end of the Wenger era was distressing but that year - OMG. It is like when you see some of the great pieces of art or classic buildings of the world. It brings tears to your eyes.

_________________
If this policy does not deliver then I would say we have to change it.
AW 150810


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350902  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:02 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:42 pm
Posts: 5701

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer ... -1.4638212

We are going to be subjected to another season of this pointless nonsense.

_________________
"If you do not believe you can do it then you have no chance at all"


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350903  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:26 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:42 pm
Posts: 5701

Gaz from Oz wrote:
gooner7 wrote:

:22cry: why did you have to bring this up? I was going to enjoy my day, now it's ruined! :42laughter:

I don't think that there is any players in our current squad who would even make the extended squad we had that year. The football was breath taking. What was interesting was Sol Campbell talking about how most of the squad would stay and practice even after the official training had finished. The end of the Wenger era was distressing but that year - OMG. It is like when you see some of the great pieces of art or classic buildings of the world. It brings tears to your eyes.


I believe we have Bergkamp to thank for that. The Romford Pele said the squad couldn't believe he would stay after training and practise. It became a regular thing under Wenger.

_________________
"If you do not believe you can do it then you have no chance at all"


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350904  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:23 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:04 am
Posts: 7393
Location: Townsville Australia

Gunfire wrote:
Gaz from Oz wrote:
I don't think that there is any players in our current squad who would even make the extended squad we had that year. The football was breath taking. What was interesting was Sol Campbell talking about how most of the squad would stay and practice even after the official training had finished. The end of the Wenger era was distressing but that year - OMG. It is like when you see some of the great pieces of art or classic buildings of the world. It brings tears to your eyes.


I believe we have Bergkamp to thank for that. The Romford Pele said the squad couldn't believe he would stay after training and practise. It became a regular thing under Wenger.

I wonder how many of the current squad turn up on time, train giving 100% and then stay to additional training.

_________________
If this policy does not deliver then I would say we have to change it.
AW 150810


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350905  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:42 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:30 pm
Posts: 8156

Gaz from Oz wrote:
Gunfire wrote:

I believe we have Bergkamp to thank for that. The Romford Pele said the squad couldn't believe he would stay after training and practise. It became a regular thing under Wenger.

I wonder how many of the current squad turn up on time, train giving 100% and then stay to additional training.

I would say most, if not all of them. Players are in better physical shape than they were 20 years ago. You can't be in that physical condition without putting in the commitment in training.

_________________
"I just kept going pretty lively. Them killers wasn't too healthy company."


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350906  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:31 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

City are about to wrap up Grealish for maybe £100m. If they get Kane for north of £100m as well it seems pretty impossible anyone will stop them.
Kane, Jesus, Grealish, Mahrez, Foden, Sterling, Silva, Gundogun, Torres, De Bruyne, Rodri, Fernadinho. 12 players for 6 positions in the team


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350907  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:21 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm
Posts: 26792

So where do we stand as a squad compared to how we finished last season.

White 'should' be an upgrade on Luiz. Definitely a long term upgrade, has more pace, similar or better range of passing and dribbling and hopefully less propensity to shoot the team in the foot

Lokonga I think is an upgrade on Ceballos. Much better profile for our midfield and the league

Tavares is an upgrade on Kolasinac.

We lost Ryan and currently have no back up GK worth the shirt
We lost Ødegaard and currently haven't bought anyone in to replace him

Currently we've also gained back AMN and Willock to the squad from their loans.

Overall the squad is stronger but not as much of a change as it needs to be and not enough in my view to take us any higher than 6th


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350908  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:34 am 
Offline

Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:21 pm
Posts: 16415
Location: Stockholm

Rich wrote:
City are about to wrap up Grealish for maybe £100m. If they get Kane for north of £100m as well it seems pretty impossible anyone will stop them.
Kane, Jesus, Grealish, Mahrez, Foden, Sterling, Silva, Gundogun, Torres, De Bruyne, Rodri, Fernadinho. 12 players for 6 positions in the team

Liverpool have their work cut out for them for sure. Still happier to see Grealish and Kane go to City than any other team - they would benefit Chelsea and Man Utd a lot more in my opinion.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350909  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:51 am 
Offline

Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:52 pm
Posts: 13487

We are not finishing in the top 4 for a long time. The money being spent by clubs ahead of us is astronomical and we can’t offload our deadwood. We are a top 8 side and that’s where we’re staying until we join the craziness of what is becoming a football freak show. Yes, Kroenke could bankroll signings but what’s the point? We’re selling Saka within the next 24 months, I guarantee it.

_________________
There's a man who's been out sailing in a decade full of dreams


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350910  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:59 am 
Offline

Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:52 pm
Posts: 13487

To paraphrase, the gap is getting bigger and it feels like the current top four are pulling away far quicker than we can close the gap.

_________________
There's a man who's been out sailing in a decade full of dreams


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350911  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:02 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:21 pm
Posts: 16415
Location: Stockholm

Darren wrote:
We are not finishing in the top 4 for a long time. The money being spent by clubs ahead of us is astronomical and we can’t offload our deadwood. We are a top 8 side and that’s where we’re staying until we join the craziness of what is becoming a football freak show. Yes, Kroenke could bankroll signings but what’s the point? We’re selling Saka within the next 24 months, I guarantee it.

Challenging for the league is a long way off, but I don't think top four is as set in stone as it's being made out to be.

Looking at the teams ahead of us, City and Liverpool are obviously miles away. It'll be extremely hard to compete with Chelsea now too, but their somewhat flukey CL win aside, they haven't looked world class under Tuchel yet. Man Utd took advantage of a disastrous Liverpool season to end up 2nd, they need to improve a lot if they want to be close to Liverpool and City again.

Then we have West Ham and Leicester who let's face it are punching above their weight. Tottenham have been trending downards for a while now, and I'm not sure they'll be able to stop that trend even with the money they'll get for Kane.

We need to improve a lot, there's no doubt about that, and I'm far from convinced the signings we've made this summer is enough, or that Arteta is the guy to do it. But I definitely see the top tier of the league - bar City, Liverpool, and maybe Chelsea - as more of an open field than most.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350912  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:09 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:52 pm
Posts: 13487

I hope you’re right Haz, but I think Utd, Chelsea, City and Liverpool are ahead of us. I think we’re EL at best.

Btw, I’m currently in your homeland. Heading back to Stockholm today from Gävle. Staying in Gamla Stan for a couple of nights, was in Södermalm over the weekend. First time to Sweden. I think it’s a great place.

_________________
There's a man who's been out sailing in a decade full of dreams


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350913  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:16 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2018 5:27 pm
Posts: 11163

Darren wrote:
We’re selling Saka within the next 24 months, I guarantee it.

Saka’s current contract expires in 2024, so in three years time. Arsenal will not want to lose him on a free then, considering his financial value. So sadly I don’t think what you said there is impossible.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350914  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:17 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:21 pm
Posts: 16415
Location: Stockholm

Darren wrote:
I hope you’re right Haz, but I think Utd, Chelsea, City and Liverpool are ahead of us. I think we’re EL at best.

Btw, I’m currently in your homeland. Heading back to Stockholm today from Gävle. Staying in Gamla Stan for a couple of nights, was in Södermalm over the weekend. First time to Sweden. I think it’s a great place.

Yeah, they're definitely ahead of us, and I'm not really saying we'll challenge for top 4 this season because I don't think we will. But I watched a lot of Man Utd games last season, and they never really looked that impressive. They have some great attacking players who consistently bailed them out, and they're very good at getting wins against lesser teams (something we need to do a lot better), but they don't look like a title contender to me. There's definitely a good opportunity to move up the table if we make the right improvements.

Stockholm is great in the summer. Weather was a bit better two weeks ago, but you definitely picked the right time of year to visit.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350915  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 1:21 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:45 am
Posts: 25814

Darren wrote:
We are not finishing in the top 4 for a long time. The money being spent by clubs ahead of us is astronomical and we can’t offload our deadwood. We are a top 8 side and that’s where we’re staying until we join the craziness of what is becoming a football freak show. Yes, Kroenke could bankroll signings but what’s the point? We’re selling Saka within the next 24 months, I guarantee it.

Well that’s cheered me up (not).

If only it wasn’t true.

_________________
I believe in our team, I believe in our quality and I am convinced that I am right. (Arsene Wenger Dec 08)


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350916  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 1:25 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:45 am
Posts: 25814

Rich wrote:
So where do we stand as a squad compared to how we finished last season.

White 'should' be an upgrade on Luiz. Definitely a long term upgrade, has more pace, similar or better range of passing and dribbling and hopefully less propensity to shoot the team in the foot

Lokonga I think is an upgrade on Ceballos. Much better profile for our midfield and the league

Tavares is an upgrade on Kolasinac.

We lost Ryan and currently have no back up GK worth the shirt
We lost Ødegaard and currently haven't bought anyone in to replace him

Currently we've also gained back AMN and Willock to the squad from their loans.

Overall the squad is stronger but not as much of a change as it needs to be and not enough in my view to take us any higher than 6th

Willock could be off.

https://newsjust24all.com/newcastle-agr ... L2wp_WOC9s

_________________
I believe in our team, I believe in our quality and I am convinced that I am right. (Arsene Wenger Dec 08)


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350917  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:04 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:29 pm
Posts: 5016

long time gooner wrote:
Rich wrote:
So where do we stand as a squad compared to how we finished last season.

White 'should' be an upgrade on Luiz. Definitely a long term upgrade, has more pace, similar or better range of passing and dribbling and hopefully less propensity to shoot the team in the foot

Lokonga I think is an upgrade on Ceballos. Much better profile for our midfield and the league

Tavares is an upgrade on Kolasinac.

We lost Ryan and currently have no back up GK worth the shirt
We lost Ødegaard and currently haven't bought anyone in to replace him

Currently we've also gained back AMN and Willock to the squad from their loans.

Overall the squad is stronger but not as much of a change as it needs to be and not enough in my view to take us any higher than 6th

Willock could be off.

https://newsjust24all.com/newcastle-agr ... L2wp_WOC9s

Making a big mistake if we sell Wilock.
He has gone out on loan and shown he can cut it.
Natural next step is to give the boy a chance to see if he can replicate it for us
Not like we have an abundance of goalscoring midfielders!
Just dont understand Arteta.
Most managers would be chomping at the bit to get the kid back , integrate him into the squad and give him minutes. Let's see that elite coaching in practice he is supposedly so good at.
No Arteta happy to sell him.
Depressing.
At least give him a chance to show what he can do.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350918  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:11 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:29 pm
Posts: 5016

Darren wrote:
To paraphrase, the gap is getting bigger and it feels like the current top four are pulling away far quicker than we can close the gap.

Darren
I hear what you are saying but for the last 2 seasons Leicester would comfortably have finished top 4 if they hadn't bottled it in the run in.
It's possible to compete if you are properly run.
Not like we haven't been shelling the cash recently.
72 on Pépé.
Ridiculous 'free' purchase of Willian.
50 on White.
We have been managed atrociously.
If Leicester can do it why cant we??


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350919  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:20 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:33 pm
Posts: 1374

david.d wrote:
Darren wrote:
To paraphrase, the gap is getting bigger and it feels like the current top four are pulling away far quicker than we can close the gap.

Darren
I hear what you are saying but for the last 2 seasons Leicester would comfortably have finished top 4 if they hadn't bottled it in the run in.
It's possible to compete if you are properly run.
Not like we haven't been shelling the cash recently.
72 on Pépé.
Ridiculous 'free' purchase of Willian.
50 on White.
We have been managed atrociously.
If Leicester can do it why cant we??

David you answered your own question. "It's possible to compete if you are properly run". Arsenal hasn't been, for years. And it's left the club where it is now.


 Profile  
 
 
Post #350920  Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 4:05 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:58 am
Posts: 34139

Is it likely we'll be top 4 this season? Not very. Is it likely in the next few years? Hmm...depends on a variety of things but most importantly I think is Mikel's ability to have success with his grand design. Could we use better players? Sure, but I think we have just enough quality to do well if we play with the right tactics. West Ham anyone?

Would we have let in fewer goals had we played Saliba? Who knows. We may not even have had to spend 50 million quid on Ben White if the planets aligned and we played him and he did well. There are a lot of 'what ifs'.
This could be a make or break season for Mikel.

_________________
"Never relegated, Never Will Be" :)


 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
     [ 390308 posts ] 
Go to page Previous  1 ... 8770, 8771, 8772, 8773, 8774, 8775, 8776 ... 9758  Next

All times are UTC

Gooners Online - Click to see what Everyones Doing

Colour Key:  Visited Profile    Members Profile      Admin

Get Latest Post

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 36 guests


Search for:

Go to Top

Powered by php BB © 1993 - 2018