15 Jul 2023 18:57:41
So super excited about Rice - that's a leader& a quality signing. Speaks volumes of our ambition. He is a game changer.
So buzzed
Couldn't be less buzzed about Kai or that fact Arteta doe#nt haves clue where to play him. I can tell you ~ Stamford Bridge.
Excited about Timber& hoping White is now benched.
Let's get another decent CM and a striker. Let's assume Kai is plan B and not a lightweight plan A.
COYG - Rice is a proper proper signing
Timber has to be right back as way to short for CB and can't win a header. So hopefully he's an inverted Rightback and White is back up. Either way, sound like we have intent and ambition even if i don't like all the signings - key is Arteta does and is accountable for the now expensive squad and wage bill. Top 2 and a cup has to be the expectation. Top 2 means still competing with 2 games to go not folding with 10 to go.
Set the bar high and let's fly! COYG - buzzing about Rice. What a signing.
1.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 19:10:16
Very good signing SY and I believe Havertz might suprise a few people this season.
2.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 19:28:51
I imagine Rice for Partey and havertz for Xhaka. COYG MA out for wasting £65 mill and no idea where to play him COYG.
3.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 21:36:34
MA out for wasting 105m on Rice when Aaron Ramsey was available for free and not relying on Elneny who will surely be like a new singing now he's fit ????. Hey ho it's never hard to find something to moan about if you really want to ????.
4.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 21:37:14
What's the problem with White? He was one of the most consistent players in the PL last season.
5.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 21:51:57
Another pointless reply by someone again wish there was a block button or a boring button.
{Ed014's Note - why is someone’s opinion pointless or boring mate?
6.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 22:31:27
I agree o thought white has been a decent player for us.
7.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 22:37:15
Absolutely agree helder, white was fantastic last season in my opinion. His working with saka down that side was great. Chipping in with assists and important goals. I thought he was more influential than zinny, who we were all excited/ raving about.
8.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 22:48:28
Whites Arsenal form won him a place in the England WC squad, plus how many players played more games than White for Arsenal last season?
Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion of course but facts about White are heavily in favour of his fans while his critics struggle to find anything other than personal opinion to support their claims about him.
9.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 23:04:31
In my opinion, whites only issue was England having so many talented right backs at this point in time.
10.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 23:21:05
Hi Ramsgate, I'm not sure what happened with White and England but Southgate definitely thought him good enough to include in his finals squad. I don't know, but I'm pretty sure most neutral fans would lost as to why any Arsenal fan would have a problem with Whites contribution for the Arsenal last season.
11.) 15 Jul 2023
15 Jul 2023 23:41:34
Did we have a bad player last season?
I thought they alll did rather well
Just no pleasing some.
12.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 01:53:32
"Another pointless reply by someone again wish there was a block button or a boring button. "
Yo, VM, maybe take your own advice, yeah?
"Everyone is layed back until someone pushes your buttons and a lot of posters go out of there way to make you not welcome and push your buttons and then say it was you not them. "
13.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 02:21:32
Another pointless reply by someone again wish there was a block button or a boring button.
?
14.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 02:54:47
Which reply was he even referring to? His own? xD
I reckon Timbers in for competition at CB/ so we don't have to rely on Holding for first choice cover. Still hoping we might pull off a RB to compete with White (who maybe had a few bad games but was fairly decent? ) before the windows closed.
Surely we didn't spend 65m on Haavertz as cover? I reckon he's in for Xhaka against teams where we control possession, but I suppose it depends how he does in training / pre-season.
15.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 08:46:06
From Arteta :
"We have to see how he adapts and obviously get to know each other and build relationships, " said Arteta.
"Football is about that and time will tell where he fits in best. "
He’s not a replacement [for Xhaka]. He’s not going to be like-for-like because everybody’s going to be very different to what Granit gave us.
“It will be very different, but Kai has tremendous qualities for our way of playing. ”
I didn’t think we had 300k a week wages and 65m to spend on someone we don’t really know how he fits in but hopefully he is capable of putting in a shift, presses and bulks up a little as that’s what most of the issues seem to be.
Hopefully we still get another decent CM and striker - shame if we don’t
I’m just not a White fan and think we can improve there - not a bad player but feel we can improve there and I don’t like his attitude towards football.
We didn’t have any bad players but we certainly need to improve so something needs to change or we will not compete again and drop down the league.
Fullbacks, CM and a proper striker was my list.
If our player can’t challenge a City player for a position then we have challenges….
{Ed014's Note - I agree that the Havertz was somewhat left field if he’s not seen as a fit to replace Xhaka and if not, who is.
Will Declan fill that role and Partey remain as DM.
You say fullbacks, are you not happy with Tommy, Alex and Kieran.
Also you make it sound like we’re not actually that good, who in truth really gave us a tough game from the top 6 outside of City and Liverpool for half a game.
We scored a record number of goals last year, that means more than our teams with Henry leading the line.
16.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 09:16:05
Ed it will be interesting to see what players leave
I like the look of our squad now
On Kai, There has to been some thoughts into his signing. I have a mate in Germany and he says he’s a top player if he’s played in the right position, which he says is left midfield. We’ve only ever seen him playing all over the place except LM. He’s a gooner now let’s get behind him.
Sy, I still think we will bring in a top forward and MF, just be patient for once.
{Ed014's Note - oh I’m not against Havertz and even some of the Chelsea guys didn’t want him to leave as felt he wasn’t played in his favoured position.
Xhaka was our left sided mid which makes Arteta’s comments seem somewhat odd mate, that’s my thoughts.
Like you I don’t think we’re done yet either.
17.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 09:52:40
For me last season was the best season we've had for a very long time and this window is by far the best and most ambitious window, possibly ever.
People are entitled to be as negative as they choose to be I guess, but it is a choice they are choosing for themselves as the factual evidence all points to reasons Arsenal fans should be feeling extremely positive and happy right now.
18.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 10:23:39
John I think last season effected people in different way’s
I was on a downer and I don’t know why. I think social media had a huge impact on me
You’re right we had an amazing season but some people like to nit pick because it makes them happy
They moan about the kroenkes and edu but what great owners we have, they have always put their money up for the club
Roll in next season, I can’t wait to get started sgain.
19.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 11:08:25
Hi Mark, football is an emotional hobby and our emotions can and sometimes do get the better of us all sometimes mate. But once things calm down a bit and our emotional minds make way for our rational minds to return we can all see things more clearly for what they really are. You are 100% right about the owners always being prepared to invest big in the team in order to make us competitive. Things are extremely good right now at The Arsenal and in my opinion any Arsenal fans who are negative are deliberately choosing to be so.
As Abraham Lincoln once said " most people are about as happy as they themselves make up their minds they are going to be "
20.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 12:59:06
Eg, we had a great season and not saying we were poor. Sorry to all Gooners if that’s what my post sounds like. Truth is we did 100% better than I had hoped but we ultimately failed and we’re far from really competing when we played City or for the last 5 games of the season. So if we are to ultimately win a cup or league then we need to really improve and look critically at the team or we will keep on coming second. What’s the point in that Sport is all about winning. That’s where my posts are coming from. Every year City improve so as we were a long way off their team, squad and performances so we need to look at where we can improve. Tierney isn’t liked - Zin was a City outcast - would our fullbacks challenge City fullbacks. Not sure who you support but Liverpool aren’t the yardstick. City are and if we put some cups on the shelf.
What’s the point in spanking 105m on Rice if we don’t make similar investments in other areas of the pitch?
I’m hoping Kai is our new DB10 - I don’t want him to fail. But we were not lng moaning about our wage bill and we make Kai our highest paid player?
21.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 11:17:26
I agree Ed the Havertz deal was a little weird for me too. His languid style and body language at Chelsea, especially last season when their lack of dynamic leadership was really highlighted in testing times, often left me looking at him at their Ozil when we were in a similar mode a couple years back. To put it simply he’s the type of player you loved to see get picked every week for a rival because you didn’t fear him. Now, as is the want with our fan base, he’s lauded as misunderstood and has been misrepresented by his ex club and ex coaches with no other basis for these conclusions other than the fact the fans pushing this narrative are desperate for it to be the case so they can be the first to trot out an ‘I told you so’ or reshare an old Twitter thread they shared in June 2023 stating so.
Reality is, he is a big risk. We don’t need another Ozil. Arteta has spent 3 years ushering these types out the door in favour of mentally strong characters who will throw their shoulder to the wheel when the going gets tough based on their dedication to the values Arteta himself feels and has promoted towards the club as a whole.
I’m open to the player becoming a success but it’s more because I trust Arteta than the player after what I seen from him. For anybody who’s played the game at any level it’s worth considering this, that when your team is struggling, whether through 90 mins, through a poor run of games or throughout a season, there is always opportunity’s to stand up and be counted. Even as an amateur Sunday morning player when 3-0 down at home one teammate making a lung busting run to track back and put in a last ditch tackle in the 89th minute can energise an observer or teammates. Havertz is a professional, earning massive money playing for a world wide recognised team that have won the premier prize in European football twice in the last decade. I didn’t see the drive in him last season to stand up and be counted as an individual with standards and character that I think Arteta is looking for.
I think you need look no further than the attitude and application of Declan Rice for an equally under performing side who were actually flirting with relegation for most of the season to see the point I’m making here.
I’ll reiterate, he’s a risk, but that doesn’t mean it won’t pay off. But where all this praise is coming from for him I cannot phathom because we played them twice last year and the same people praising him would not have noticed he played against us, let alone be open to drafting him into our side at the expense of any one of ours.
As for Ben Whyte. There was consistency for half the season, but since February there were some very worrying performances. You can’t overlook this and Arteta didn’t go out and buy Timber for nothing. Whyte will not be in the team at RB ahead of Timber and at CB when played there showed worrying signs of a lack of understanding of danger positionally and also got rag dolled a few times against the Toneys of this world so this is a pivotal season for him imo.
Rice is going to be a game changer, on field and off. Mentality monster, even listening to his introductory interview you could be forgiven for thinking he had been a boyhood fan of our club in how he addresses the fans and desire to achieve. His influence in the dressing room will take us to new levels and his signing will tell other top tier players we are a desirable club to want to come to again. You can’t underplay how big a deal this guys signing was.
Come October nobody will want to play this Arsenal side, including CL opposition.
{Ed014's Note - nice post mate and agree on all of it, another little concern with White is his recovery pace, something Timber is not short of.
22.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 14:40:00
Yeah Ed I watched every game last season so I can’t pinpoint the exact ones but there were at least two games we played where, compared with his early season form, it actually looked like he was suffering from mental and physical exhaustion in two first halves he was that slow and sluggish closing down and engaging. I thought he must be ill and that Arteta had given him the benefit of doubt but it kinda became a theme towards the end I mean by the time the Brighton game came he was just destroyed. Looked like a lad playing with Vertigo by the end!
It’s a curious one because he is athletic and quick, not afraid of a tackle and he’s committed but there was something seriously amiss from February til seasons end.
Makes you wonder sometimes with this generation of player who actually minds themselves sleep wise etc before games and who’s up all night playing fortnight or gambling online etc …. I used to look at Ozil and Aubameyang in the tunnel pregame sometimes and wonder how many hours sleep these dudes had the night before because they looked something out of a Tim Burton movie ?.
{Ed014's Note - it was noticeable how different he was the 2nd half of the season, the link up between him and Saka had pretty much disappeared.
I thought those two looked like that all the time! ?
23.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 15:06:28
Will Timber and Saiba not be our new CD partnership? I'm thinking and hoping they will be as by all accounts Timbers ball distribution is outstanding.
{Ed014's Note - no idea mate but would personally like to see what he can do at RB so we’d have options with him and Zinchenko on both sides of Saliba and Gabriel.
24.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 16:15:48
Hahahhah good point Ed could be their general demeanour ??.
{Ed014's Note - I think it was mate, they’d cornered the spaced out where the feck am I look to a tee!
25.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 16:24:22
Timber Saliba Gabriel Zin - solid defence
Rice, Lavia and Ode - midfield
Saka, Jesus and Trossard / Martinelli
That’s a decent 11.
26.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 16:39:33
Hi Ed014 mate, I'm a White fan so I'm going White Timber Saiba Zin, I like the idea of two classy CBs who are comfortable on the ball. Gab is decent enough but I always feel he has a mistake in losing the ball or clumsy challenge leading to a pen in him. Don't get me wrong, if he plays he plays but I'd love to see Timber and Saliba become the best CB pairing in European football, that really would bode well especially with Dec minus Ant in front of them.
{Ed014's Note - I’ve got to be honest, I’m a big fan of 90% of our players and just not such a big fan of the other 10%.
White was brilliant first half of the season but then seemed to drop off somewhat second half, his attacking threat seemed to disappear.
I like the Saliba/Gabby partnership and we have to remember for CB’s they’re both still young and learning and both big commanding lads.
I like the thought of Timber at right back, good defensively, speed and good with the ball, so two quality full backs and look how Liverpool faired with two.
But it’s Mr Arteta who has that lovely headache and hopefully more around the pitch so I’ll leave it with him.
27.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 17:13:51
I'm with you in leaving in to MA Ed014 mate, whatever he does I'm with him and the players he picks 100%, 100% of the time.
{Ed014's Note - absolutely mate, I like to be an armchair manager but don’t we all and it’s nice to think we would know best but I’m the first to admit I haven’t got a clue! ?
28.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 17:18:39
I actually thought Gabriel was older than 25, lots of time on his side still before he even hits his prime.
{Ed014's Note - exactly mate, Zinchenko and Tierney are our oldest defenders at 26.
29.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 17:48:37
That's incredible Ed014 mate, I definitely thought Tierney was older, my eldest Grandson is 25 today and it's difficult for me to think of him and Gabriel being the same age and him actually being older than Rice, I think it's probably time I started letting him go over the playground on his own and stay up and watch Eastenders.
{Ed014's Note - ?? yes that would be nice for him mate!
30.) 16 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 20:21:34
Arteta certainly given himself some selection headaches for sure now especially with Timber and Kai. Just not sure where Kai is going to fit in maybe in rotation with Odegaard but £65mill is a lot for a 2nd choice AM. Don't think you can play him in standard CM role in say a flat 4-4-2 he is too lightweight and don't think he is really going to oust the wide players we have either. Think best would be to be used a false 9 striker in some games moving Jesus out wide maybe he would be better in that role than say Trossard is not sure. I do think Jesus gets physically dominated against some CB's as a central striker so maybe that would work.
If nothing else if gives us more opportunity to rest players at the right times. I do hope it works out well for us and Kai like you say we don't won't another Ozil on our hands do we.
As for Timer I see more firstly as RB over White and move White back to CBRM cover but where does that leave Tommy. Maybe Arteta will start using Tommy as a LB option if Tierney leaves. I still don't like Zincko defensivly as a standard LB so be open to trying that certainly in the games were we don't dominate possession.
Yeah really exciting by Rice he is a captain in the making and give us a whole new dynamic and energy in midfield. £105 million is a lot yes but he is coming into best prime years now with us so i think long term will pay that that fee back in kind.
31.) 17 Jul 2023
16 Jul 2023 23:55:58
Ed14 the comment I’m on about wasn’t an opinion it was just a sarcastic reply that a certain member always does and are pointless and has a dig.
I’d never say anyone’s personal opinions are boring or pointless, everyone has a right to the own, I’m the same as a few I think white is garbage and I hope timber starts ahead of him.
{Ed014's Note - ok mate, thanks for explaining ??
32.) 18 Jul 2023
18 Jul 2023 16:40:36
No worries Ed, I thought I’d explain as a few members threw there toys out of the pram about my comment haha.
{Ed014's Note - ??