I think we can beat City at the Emirates if we have our best 11 available. Considering we were unlucky not to draw with 10 men at the Emirates last year, I think we've gone another level (as evidenced by the table).paulm
Weve got a tough run when we return. West Ham at home then Brighton away not so much, but after that it's Newcastle, Spurs and ManU. Then a smoother ride until April, when we get another run of tricky ones. Also yet to have that postponed Man City game re-scheduled, which will throw a spanner in the works somewhere. It's a little quirk that we haven't played them yet, those games are going to be pretty huge now.
So happy for Saka with two great goals this morning. Going from missing the decisive penalty in the last game at the last tournament to 2 goals and MOM in the first game at the World Cup. Think his first was the loudest I've ever celebrated an England goal. Haven't been many England goals from Arsenal players in my time, and certainly not in the tournaments. Last I can remember is I think Walcott coming off the bench at Euro 2012 and scoring almost straight away. Before that Sol got one at WC 2002 (not to mention two famous disallowed ones in quarter finals in 98 and 04, not our player in 98 of course). Hopefully not another 10 years until the next one!
If he keeps this form up in this tournament it'll be interesting to see if Madrid come in with big money for him. Not that I want him to go, but he's got the talent to be the next British Galatico.
Hopefully his head is screwed on right (and it seems it is) and he stays with us no matter what. He gets starts under Arteta, we play a great style that suits him and gets the ball at his feet a lot, we can pay well now which was always the issue we had keeping players like him in previous seasons, and now hopefully we can secure champions league status and challenge for titles. All the boxes are ticked, there's not much more he can get elsewhere unless he's really intent on a different sort of challenge. Same criteria applies to Martinelli. And now he's being picked for Brazil so that box is ticked for him as well.
I guess as long as the new contract remains unsigned and he's got all his mates in the national team showing him all their medals and CL finals appearances etc then it remains in doubt. The longer the contract takes to be agreed, the more likely Man City etc will come knocking. If we can hold onto things this season and not give it all up again that will go a long way to keeping people.
Edit: I do think he's Arsenal through and through and will probably sign though. I imagine the reason it's not agreed yet is because he'll have been advised that a potential starring show at the World Cup (which is already off to a great start) showing himself on the world stage to be one of the best young players in the world will massively increase the amount he can ask for as the big clubs will all be offering it. Would have been in his best interests not to agree something before the World Cup. The club will have to pay the going rate for the star player at a CL club.
Has anyone else noticed that we have five ex or current goalkeepers at the World Cup Wojciech Szczęsny Mat Ryan Emi Martinez Aaron Ramsdale Matt Turner
Stoked to see Martinez starting for Argentina. He had such a long apprenticeship with us, took him a long time to become a proper first teamer, but he was dedicated to becoming a world class goalkeeper and now he's starting for Argentina. Good on him, must be very satisfying to have made it to that level.
Also just realised that Asano who scored the amazing winner for Japan was the guy Wenger signed who then never played for us. Work permit issues I think.
I guess as long as the new contract remains unsigned and he's got all his mates in the national team showing him all their medals and CL finals appearances etc then it remains in doubt. The longer the contract takes to be agreed, the more likely Man City etc will come knocking. If we can hold onto things this season and not give it all up again that will go a long way to keeping people.
Edit: I do think he's Arsenal through and through and will probably sign though. I imagine the reason it's not agreed yet is because he'll have been advised that a potential starring show at the World Cup (which is already off to a great start) showing himself on the world stage to be one of the best young players in the world will massively increase the amount he can ask for as the big clubs will all be offering it. Would have been in his best interests not to agree something before the World Cup. The club will have to pay the going rate for the star player at a CL club.
Yes, I agree. If he's planning on re-signing anyway then a starring role at the world cup boosts his chances of getting higher wages, so a good decision for him whether he's planning on staying or going. You would think Arsenal would give him the big wages he wants, considering he came through the academy and will therefore never cost us a transfer fee, which would be enormous now given his age and already-proven ability.
The thing you have to remember is Edu has talked openly about selling some of our stars on occasion to ensure we are sustainable. They’ll always be tempted. I don’t want it to happen - one club legend would be a refreshing change. But the clubs not 100% protected from having to sell - unlike those funded by nation states.
The thing you have to remember is Edu has talked openly about selling some of our stars on occasion to ensure we are sustainable. They’ll always be tempted. I don’t want it to happen - one club legend would be a refreshing change. But the clubs not 100% protected from having to sell - unlike those funded by nation states.
If Man City offer 100 million before a contract is signed I'm not convinced Kroenke allow us to say no.
Watching Serbia vs Switzerland, Xhaka being Xhaka at the end LOL that guy, honestly, you knew he was going to kick something off when the ball rolled out and he was tight with the other player Every single time
I thought it was spectacular from Xhaka. Timed it to perfection with the Serbian's falling for the wind ups just as the game slipped away all but guaranteeing a win for the Swiss. The difference as Arseblog's noted this morning is that he now can wind people up without losing the plot himself.paulm
Watching Serbia vs Switzerland, Xhaka being Xhaka at the end LOL that guy, honestly, you knew he was going to kick something off when the ball rolled out and he was tight with the other player Every single time
Fully agreed. Watching the Swiss the other night I really enjoyed Breel Embolo. He’s been a bit nomadic at club level but does really well for Switzerland. Whoever we get in ideally they’re over 1.8m and can offer a different approach play than Jesus/Nketiah.
What’s fascinating is how different recruitment is now vs 12 months ago. Coming in now you can be the player to get the team over the line for a title & a cup run vs a rescue mission for trying to get the club back into Europe.
Geez that Jude Bellingham is quite the player isn't he. That would be a dream signing for our midfield. Unlikely given the probable price and big clubs coming in for him, but one can dream.
So we are down to Saka, Ramsdale, Martinelli, Saliba, and possibly Xhaka left at the World Cup. Only Xhaka and Saka seem to be in the starting 11 of these teams too so would hope Ramsdale, Martinelli, Saliba come back without needing much of a rest.
Aside from Jesus injury we seem to be doing OK touch wood.
Xhaka and Partey coming home uninjured was probably the most important thing for us, phew. Jesus is a blow but hopefully won't be out long. Need Nketiah to step up now. I wonder if Martinelli might get some time at striker now, with Smith-Rowe back from injury after the break.
Jesus knee surgery confirmed. With no timeframe given, we probably won't see him again this season. Guess we were never getting through this mid-season WC without losing at least one key player. It's a huge blow to the rest of the season. Know he's not been prolific with goals but his all round game has totally transformed us. Without him it's essentially last season's attack and we all know how that film ends. It's on Amazon if anyone needs a reminder (still haven't been able to force myself to watch the last episode BTW).
I'm sure we'll be in the market - we can't afford not to be. I'd even be up for a short term loan for someone like Giroud who could do a job. Wouldn't give you pressing intensity but you can imagine the service guys like Saka could give him, and his link up play would unleash Saka/Martinelli running off him.
The final episode is definitely worth a watch, goes through the whole saga very quickly compared to how drawn out those last couple of weeks were.
Its also worth the watch to show you how p*ssed off Arteta was, and how unacceptable the performance against Newcastle was in the dressing room. Gave me confidence that the team has learned from that and are better for having gone through it.
I'm confident we can cope without Jesus. The team has come a long way since last season and it's not down to one guy. He has been an important piece of it but I feel we can deal with this. Martinelli is a much better player than he was last season, so is Odegaard, and countless others. Our general play is far superior to even our best form last season. I would argue that Jesus' main impact has been one of attitude and desire across the pitch, which will not disappear from the team when he's absent from the eleven.
3-0 win over Lyon in a friendly. Strongish team still, without our world cup players. Good to see things continuing to tick over. I really hope we can grab a win in that first game back, crucial for us to maintain this winning mentality. One more friendly against Milan I before they come back I believe.
Just seen the highlights. Weirdly there is a penalty shootout after each game for a bonus point even if not a draw. We won the shootout 2-1 with Hein making 4 saves. Some pretty average penalties from both sides. The final one from Lyon was hilarious. Apparently the Lyon striker was poor too.....
I reckon Depay could be a good option for us. Has played in the PL, isn’t a guaranteed starter at Barcelona with Lewandowski signed, and contract is up in June. Given the way they profited off the Auba situation it would be nice to reverse the trend.
Don’t think his work rate is high enough is it? Haven’t watched him much so not sure. Gakpo on the other hand. He has been outstanding at the wc. He’s probably off to manure but we should make a go for him anyway.
Gakpo would be better long term, especially as a conversion from winger to striker. I just don’t know how we make it work financially in January compared to Depay. We really just need an experienced body for minimum 6 months to get us over the line - that’s it.
