Willock's also gotten a bit taller. He walked out next to Mhki who is 1.78m and was taller than him - not the small little lad he looked last season. I'm also impressed with Nketiah's strength he's developed, definitely deserves Welbeck's spot for me.
(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread (Part 3)
When you look at output Pepe equalled Auba on goals and had double the assists. His minutes per goal involvement and equal to PEA and less than half the same time for Iwobi/Ozil/Zaha.
If he can replicate form close to this in the EPL and Auba mirrored last season we'd be absolutely flying, with arguably one of the best attacks in the EPL.
| Pepe | Aubameyang | Iwobi | Ozil | Mkhitaryan | Zaha | |
| Goals | 22 | 22 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| Minutes per goal | 151 | 124 | 657 | 348 | 274 | 304 |
| Assists | 11 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Mins per goal involvement | 101 | 101 | 219 | 249 | 164 | 203 |
| Chances created per 90 mins | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Dribbles attempted per 90 mins | 5.8 | 1.9 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 7.4 |
He did score 11 pens, but looking at the highlights he won most of those himself. My only worry is that if you look at his dribbling, it's not the close control dribbles of Hazard or even Iwobi but a more kick and run style - that suits a team that has a lot of space in Ligue 1, but will it suit the EPL where defences are deep and stay tight more often than not?
Good observation Valeo. One would hope he can adapt his game but does highlight that 'dribbling' can be fairly broadly interpreted for the stats.
So this windows about to get interesting with Monaco in for Mustafi and Renne in for Koscielny. It’ll definitely require one more incoming CB to make possible. If we see those two exit, Pepe, Tierney, and a CB come in this would turn out to be one of our best windows in a long time.
Arseblog is also fairly confident we’ll some other outgoings - just whether it’s loans vs perms. Mhikitaryan & Elneny seems most likely candidates for me given they won’t be pricing themselves out of a move away unlike Ozil!
Mkhi surely goes with Pepe coming in, but I think the issue of pricing yourself out of a move could exist with him too, given he’s on some of the highest wages in our squad. China looks like the best option, but if there is no interest, or he doesn’t want to go there, then we have a problem. It could be that Nelson goes out on loan again and Mkhi remains.
The Monaco offer for Mustafi looks too good to be true. Hope our management can keep a straight face until it’s signed!
Looks like we’re getting 10m for Bielek from Derby County, that’s not bad. I wonder why he’s not considered up to it, but if they’ve made the decision, then it seems like a decent fee.
Looks like we’ll sign a CB before the window shuts, whether it’s on loan or otherwise. So I think we’ll go into the season with Sokratis, Holding, Chambers and a new signing, plus Monreal. Not the worst, but still a lot of room for improvement. We really need Holding and Chambers to play well and stay fit. Sokratis will be fine, Monreal will be ok for the 5th choice, although I saw some pretty bad decisions from him at times in pre-season to be fair…
10m for Bielek is decent, though you'd expect more in this market it's just nice that we're selling players for actual money.
The fact that no prem club has gone for him should tell you enough about his current ability to perform at the level required. Could he get better later? Sure, but he's not there yet, and we need funds in to potentially get someone who is. It's the same way I feel about Chambers - I think we should sell him for 20-25m and be done with it; a bit hard when we're trying to offload two other CB's though.
I don't think Mkhi will go. His wages are far too high for anyone else to bite and there's been no rumours around him. I also think he's still a useful player for us; he's inconsistent, but I'd still trust him over Nelson etc.
I think the Monaco in for Mustafi stuff is absolute bullshark, but then that's what I thought about Pepe.
Pepe all done and dusted from the leaked photos, very nice suprise really. Bit concerned about us not being linked to a CB thou
We've been linked to a loan deal for Rugani out of Juventus.
Worst case scenario, Gary Cahill is available on a free. I'm not really keen but he's still be an upgrade on Mustafi.
The Arsenal v Angers game is currently on Sky Sport 57. I am absolutely loving the new yellow away shirt. I notice it is quite loose fitting as well. Not like the usual tight fitting shirts that Puma produced.
Raul's done an absolute madness here.
Record signing. Happy days lads.
Tierney next? Sounds like it's close.
Now get that CB.
I've not watched him but I'm officially excited for the season now which I've not felt for years. Coming around to the idea of Ceballos too, even though I'm still not happy with the temporary nature of it. Desperately hope we improve the defence so this is not all for nothing, but feel like we might be exciting to watch again. Might even get the home shirt! Really like it and I figure not by not buying it I only make myself miss out.
Perhaps this is the impact of having an actual football man in Raul running things.
The activity in the transfer market has certainly stopped the "wecaredoyou" campaign in its tracks.
Perhaps it worked? I guess we'll never know but to be honest it feels as if this has been the plan all along, and Sanellhi and co were playing a sneaky but very effective game with the 40m budget talk.
And I don't buy all this rubbish about payment instalments being this unusual tactic that we have employed. As far as I'm aware, staggering payments is the normal thing that most clubs do?
The comments from Emery on Koscielny are interesting. Sounds like he is still holding out hope of convincing him to hang around for the season? That would be a good result if he could do it, but I don't think it's really that feasible. Feels like Koscielny has incinerated that bridge.
Most businesses stagger big payments; football clubs are no different.
re: Kos comments; think Emery was a bit misquoted, especially in the headlines. He said we "need players like him", not necessarily we need Kos to stay. Edu has also met with Rennes to negotiate his transfer.
holy shark. We signed someone with very little fudgeing around. Amazing.
I wouldn't be surprised if Emery is trying to convince him. If you're in Emery's position where you're not the cause for Koscielny's issues and you know you have problems in defence you'd be trying your best to talk him into staying for one last season to make your job easier.
But you're right, I think he's gone.
With Tierney coming in I hope we'll see the end of Kolasinac too.
Plenty of rumours about Mustafi too. The one thing that concerns me about losing Mustafi & Koscielny is we're left with only one senior CB. Even if you bring in a Rugani on loan or other arrangement he's not much further along than Holding.
Bielek & Asano sales have been confirmed today. Still think we've missed a trick with Bielek but time will tell.
I wouldn't be surprised if Emery is trying to convince him. If you're in Emery's position where you're not the cause for Koscielny's issues and you know you have problems in defence you'd be trying your best to talk him into staying for one last season to make your job easier.
But you're right, I think he's gone.
With Tierney coming in I hope we'll see the end of Kolasinac too.
Plenty of rumours about Mustafi too. The one thing that concerns me about losing Mustafi & Koscielny is we're left with only one senior CB. Even if you bring in a Rugani on loan or other arrangement he's not much further along than Holding.
Bielek & Asano sales have been confirmed today. Still think we've missed a trick with Bielek but time will tell.
I don't quite get the issue some people have with Kolasinac. For starters he cost Arsenal nothing, isn't a big earner and while can be positionally suspect, is fast, strong and dangerous as a wing-back. I imagine playing alongside two competent CB's (which may or may not happen), he'd be better LB cover than most other teams in the EPL have.
Sounds like Tierney can't even kick a ball without feeling pain. I think he's too high risk.
I wouldn't be surprised if Emery is trying to convince him. If you're in Emery's position where you're not the cause for Koscielny's issues and you know you have problems in defence you'd be trying your best to talk him into staying for one last season to make your job easier.
But you're right, I think he's gone.
With Tierney coming in I hope we'll see the end of Kolasinac too.
Plenty of rumours about Mustafi too. The one thing that concerns me about losing Mustafi & Koscielny is we're left with only one senior CB. Even if you bring in a Rugani on loan or other arrangement he's not much further along than Holding.
Bielek & Asano sales have been confirmed today. Still think we've missed a trick with Bielek but time will tell.
I don't quite get the issue some people have with Kolasinac. For starters he cost Arsenal nothing, isn't a big earner and while can be positionally suspect, is fast, strong and dangerous as a wing-back. I imagine playing alongside two competent CB's (which may or may not happen), he'd be better LB cover than most other teams in the EPL have.
He can't defend, that's the problem. In a back 4, he's sharke.
When he gets into attacking positions, he's terrible at taking advantage.
Sounds like Tierney can't even kick a ball without feeling pain. I think he's too high risk.
Sounds like another Rosicky waiting to happen.
Last hit out of the season, lost 2-1 to Barcelona.
We led with a great finish from Auba, assisted by Ozil.
Equaliser was a horrendous own-goal from AMN, he'd apparently had a good game up to that point. Miscommunication with Leno and passed it into his own net.
Last minute Suarez goal after a ball over the top, Mustafi didn't pick him up. Mustafi had only been subbed on 3 minutes earlier. Unfortunate decision to bring him on really, decreasing his value further......
AMN worries me. He has a real lack of concentration that we mistook for calmness. I don't think he has the mentality to succeed at this level.
Suarez goal was Chambers fault imo - he was too slow to get to him. Mustafi held the line fine.
I can't believe how far apart our two CB's were when the ball came in.
AMN did have a good game, watched the full 90. But you're right Valeo, his ability to switch off is decent, although I do wonder if he heard Leno's shout at all.
Willock looked good in midfield, with Emery pulling Nelson for Guendouzi and pushing Ozil out wide to enable a Xhaka, Guendouzi, Willock midfield diamond.
Mhikitaryan looks even worse than usual. Even in the build up to our goal he gets dispossessed and fortunately the ball falls to an Arsenal player. Ozil's actually looking like he could contribute.
The most interesting side of the Barcelona game was what I'd describe as our intelligent pressing and suicidal passing. Our intelligent pressing saw us sit off Barca very compact, but the moment we sniffed an opportunity we rushed them. It was super effective as it kept our shape and forced a number of turn overs that lead to counters. Our suicidal passing was actually unrelated to the OG, but are desire to play out from the back. We reguarly turned the ball over on our own box and just managed to recover, but when it came off we built some great results.
Willock has had a very impressive pre-season. Looks like he's really in the running to start against Newcastle.
The smart odds seem to be on Xhaka to be our captain for the season.
We know he has issues but ultimately he is well respected in the team and is a natural leader, and he never hides. I'm ok with this decision.
I think Ozil is a bit flaky to be our captain, and Monreal looks to me like he's fading in his ability. He may start against Newcastle but I wouldn't be surprised if Kolasinac and eventually Tierney both push ahead of him in the pecking order this season. Monreal really does look like a specialist left sided CB in a back 3 now. Not that useful for much else. To be fair Kolasinac is really just a wingback for a back 3 too. So if we play that formation, they both play, if we play a back 4, then hopefully Tierney is the pick (if we sign him).
Rumours last night that we had a bid rejected for Dayot Upamecano, a 21 yo french CB at RB Leipzig.
Also apparently in talks to sell Jenkinson to Nottingham Forest.
I want to keep him.
For no other reason than I just want to keep him. I love having him, even if he doesn't play a single minute.
Kos off to Bordeaux. What a sad end to his AFC career (the how, not the what).
I really thought we'd keep Jenko around to see his contract out given we've loaned our best RB prospect and Bellerin's out until October but a move to Forest is probably what he needs. I think the best thing the club can do for him is give him a season ticket and a chance for him to be farewelled properly by the fans.
Nketiah looks set to go out on loan. I think it's a smart move given he's looked stronger and handy through pre-season, but with Pepe and Martinelli in he might struggle for minutes.
The Upamecano rumours are interesting. Never seen the guy play but seems to be getting rave reviews about size and speed. Two things we could certainly do with at the back, especially with Kosc leaving who was arguably our fastest CB.
Kos off to Bordeaux. What a sad end to his AFC career (the how, not the what).
Good riddance. He's shown himself up to be a right cod.
Kos off to Bordeaux. What a sad end to his AFC career (the how, not the what).
Good riddance. He's shown himself up to be a right cod.
Yeah he's royally fudgeed the club. Had he played out his contract it gave us cover for Rob and the ability to move Mustafi on. Sadly he's ruined his legacy. What is it with our club captains leaving in piss poor circumstances? Kosc, RVP, Fabregas.
Thankfully Mertsacker did it well, retired, and now helps run the place.
Thoroughly disagree and I reckon after the real story comes out people who have lambasted him are going to look like idiots, including the club. Ornstein has mentioned there was a lot more to the story. Kos ran until he broke down for us. We turn on our players far too easily.
I really thought we'd keep Jenko around to see his contract out given we've loaned our best RB prospect and Bellerin's out until October but a move to Forest is probably what he needs. I think the best thing the club can do for him is give him a season ticket and a chance for him to be farewelled properly by the fans.
Nketiah looks set to go out on loan. I think it's a smart move given he's looked stronger and handy through pre-season, but with Pepe and Martinelli in he might struggle for minutes.
The Upamecano rumours are interesting. Never seen the guy play but seems to be getting rave reviews about size and speed. Two things we could certainly do with at the back, especially with Kosc leaving who was arguably our fastest CB.
Jenko isn't good enough and never has been - lovely seeing him get a run but it's time to move on.
It's going to have to be an incredible set of events to justify it. I'm talking John Terry fudgeing your wife level scandal.
If the club made a 'gentlemans agreement' to let him leave and he threw his toys out I'm not sure I'm going to side with him.
He may have served the club well, but Arsenal/Wenger plucked him from obscurity and made him into the player he is today. The clubs backed him through some pretty brutal injuries, including offering him a contract extension during this time.
As the club captain refusing to go on a pre-season tour in July when the window in France closes end of August is just pathetic, and is similar to the behaviour he exhibited here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45858356
Since his injury he's been bitter and angry and has lashed out at the France team and now Arsenal.
As Tim Stillman put it never has a player come out against Arsenal and won the fans over, can't see it happening here either.
He's officially out the door at the same time as links with Coutinho is being talked up again, apparently we're one of 2 clubs after him but not in pole position.
If somehow Raul brings in Coutinho, a CB, and Tierney in the next 72 hours the bloke deserves a bronze statue out front of the Emirates.
If somehow Raul brings in Coutinho, a CB, and Tierney in the next 72 hours the bloke deserves a bronze statue out front of the Emirates.
Coutinho link is weird. Are we finally going to play Wenger's dream 4-2-3-1 where the 1 is the defender?
I've never believed then Coutinho rumours and still don't... Tierney and a CB are surely the priorities for us. With Tierney picking up a niggle I'd be ok if we iced that until January, since we have Monreal and Kolasinac.
I see the talk now is that Spurs are having a crack at Coutinho. It does seem he wants to go back to Liverpool but they're not interested. Big risk if that's the case, similar to Dybala and ManU. I'd be very wary if the player does not have the desire...
As for Koscielny, as Wenger always said, a professional does his best until the final day of his contract, end of story. Gentlemen shentlemen as far as I'm concerned. He signed a contract until the end of this season, he should be prepared to see it out. He has actually screwed us big time here as CB is clearly our weakest area on the pitch, and he was the best one we had.
Like brumbys said, it would take a hell of a story to come out to make this acceptable on any level.
Have you seen his video of being debuted for the new club where he takes off the old arsenal kit for the new kit? Fudge the cod.@surge why 2 CB's? We have Chambers, Sokratis, and Holding in place with Mavropanos awkwardly loitering on the physio table. 1 x CB makes it 4 solid starters with Saliba coming in next season, Unsure why you'd stretch to 4?
Yes I want Sokratis, Chambers, Holding and a new signing as our main 4. With Monreal as the 5th choice back-up. I am ok with that.
Then next season Saliba comes in, and we assess who leaves, which will be based on their performance through this season. It may be that Sokratis goes as he's getting older, or Chambers fails to prove himself and is sold.
Personally I feel that Holding is top quality and is locked in as a long term player.
Maybe this coutinho thing could actually have legs? I never believed it but just been online, and the talk is loud right now. Rumours from some of the more reputable sources I follow that we are actually trying to get this done.
Some usually pretty decent outlets are reporting this quite solidly. Also talk that we're trying to tie up the Rugani loan after getting rejected for the french fella at Leipzig.
The only argument I've seen for Coutinho is to curry favour with Kia Joorabchian. Makes a lot of sense to me.
Any relationship with Kia Joorabchian means that sometimes you have to eat his sharke in order to get access to his better players (and he has good links to China to sell off your unwanted goods). I'll let you decide which pile Philippe Coutinho fits into...
References the Pato to Chelsea loan, with Chelsea then being able to offload a bunch of players to China for lots of $$ through Kia.
What a dirty game eh... Sanellhi better be keeping his nose clean in all of this