Some background
Apparently sitting around at home watching a lot of football has convinced many Arsenal fans they are experts at management, coaching, scouting, contract negotiations, commercial deals and, last but by no means least, the proper color of the team kit. As some of my British friends have commented, it is similar to the delusion now held by many punters that they are now experts on furniture restoration after watching the long advert on the use of French polish by Quest tv during their broadcast of the recent Emirates Cup games. It is one thing to fumble through a DIY project over a weekend, it is an infinitely greater magnitude of difference to being the football manager of a multi-million business such as Arsenal Football Club.
The profound difference between being an amateur observer versus an experienced hands-on professional manager is apparently lost on many fans especially those who have gained some notoriety as tweeters, bloggers and podcasters.
When I first interacted with Arsenal fans via blogs some 11-12 years ago, my aspiration was to become part of a community dedicated to supporting the club we loved, to be the proverbial 12th man. Back then I thought this would be the goal of every Arsenal fan given the clear Man United bias in the mainstream media and the British football establishment. I could never have been more naïve in my expectations.
Far from becoming an alternative to the increasingly corrupt mainstream media, most, not all, Arsenal bloggers are less about supporting the club and more about their ego and identification with being a winner. Nothing was more illuminating than the absolute failure of most bloggers to communicate and educate their readers that post-2005 the club and Wenger in particular were competing at a ginormous disadvantage to Abramovich’s Chelsea and the commercial giant at Old Trafford. The club would have to sacrifice investment in players to pay for its new stadium. Worse was to come with the 2008 takeover of City by the sovereign wealth fund of the UAE. It meant Arsenal had slipped from the 2nd biggest club in England financially to at least 4th place.
It was during those lean years that most bloggers, some now turned tweeters and podcasters, began to assume an air of superiority to Arsene Wenger. His so-called failure up to 2013 to add any trophies to his three PL titles including being an “Invincible” as well as five FA cups, had not only sealed his fate in their eyes but they were now empowered to choose the color of the curtains in the manager’s office for the new occupant.
Most of these bloggers-tweeters-podcasters still remain unrepentant despite Wenger proving them stratospherically wrong since 2013, when the shackles imposed by deals necessary to obtain financing the new stadium were finally eased. Three more FA cups and 20 years straight in the Champions League has seemingly embittered rather than humbled them. Somehow they think the new commercial contracts with Emirates Airlines suddenly made Arsenal equally competitive with the three money-bag clubs. But as the historically pro-Manchester United newspaper, The Guardian, was quick to point out:
“£30m a year from the Middle East airline, who have extended their shirt sponsorship by five years until the end of the 2018-19 season and secured the stadium naming rights, which were due to expire in 2021, until 2028. This marks a significant increase in revenue on the previous deal but falls short of Chevrolet’s £357m, seven-year sponsorship of Manchester United.”
Fact is Arsenal remains the 4th strongest Premier League club in financial capacity. As our blogmeister and twitter legend, the one and only @BlackburnGeorge, frequently reminds the factually and financially challenged members of the twiteratti, Arsenal’s objective expectation at the start of every PL season is to come 4th and to make a good cup run. The fact that we usually punch above our weight is due solely to the outstanding leadership of Arsene Wenger.
Despite clear demonstration by the manager that he is approaching the new season with greater resolve, having thoroughly demolished his detractors in the board room battle over his new contract, the usual gaggle of bloggers-tweeters-podcasters continue their stupid little games hoping Arsenal fans will buy into.
As an American, most cringe-worthy is the role of certain gooners across the pond, who, from at least 3,000 miles away, have decided they have the gravitas to criticize the player management strategy of the manager and his transfers (Yes, I know that’s the info you want and I am getting there). They are the perfect carricatures of Graham Greene’s “The Ugly American”. Rather than being humbled by the generosity of our British friends in giving them a platform to speak, they act arrogantly and crow noisily on subjects they have no expertise. How longer will this embarrassment continue? Will this welcoming mat always remain?
Halfway Into This Transfer Window
Unlike my compatriots who prefer to highlight their own opinions, in preparation for this blog, I spent quality time retrieving and making sense of the data from Transfermarkt from an Arsenal point of view. Before I present my findings let me remind you of some of the main characteristics of the transfer market:
- Unlike various well known stock or commodity markets, it was designed by FIFA and the big clubs to restrain trading activity to a fixed period of time and to restrict freedom of buyers and sellers. It is no supermarket shelf where Arsenal can identify and target, for example, all central midfielders available.
- Knowledge of willing buyers and sellers is restricted. Due to restrictions on tapping up, player agents play the main role of putting buyers and sellers together. Arsenal relies heavily on agents, not Dick Law, to make initial contact and bring the parties together.
- Information is restricted. Due to the opacity of the market, third party interests whether as owners or agents are now flourishing in the grey area of the market. Due to this grey activity Arsenal reportedly refuses to do business with certain super agents.
Findings as of July 30th based on the top 100 transfers:
- £1.645 billion is the value of transfer fees worldwide mostly in Europe.
- £1.363 billion is the market value of the players acquired.
- Clubs worldwide paid a 17% premium in transfer fees vs market value.
Premier League is the biggest spender:
- £649 million in transfer fees or 39% of total fees spent.
- £415 million in market value of players acquired.
- 36% premium in transfer fees vs market value, i.e. double the worldwide premium.
In contrast to the Premier League, the Bundesliga clubs are very value conscious:
- £192 million in transfer fees.
- £188 million in market value of players acquired.
- 2% premium in transfer fees vs market value, i.e. 800% less than the worldwide premium.
Who doubts Bayern will hand it to a PL club in next year’s champion’s league?
Manchester City is the PLs biggest spender:
- £194 million in transfer fees.
- £103 million in market value of 5 players acquired.
- 47% premium in transfer fees vs market value, i.e. nearly triple the worldwide premium.
Check/Cheque Guardiola indeed!
Chelsea is no slouch:
- £119 million in transfer fees.
- £69 million in market value of 3 players acquired.
- 42% premium in transfer fees vs market value, i.e. 250% above the worldwide premium.
Manchester United have distinguished themselves as making the biggest splash in the transfer market so far. Their purchases show the same trend as City and Chelsea:
- £102 million in transfer fees.
- £61 million in market value of 2 players acquired.
- 40% premium in transfer fees vs market value, i.e. 250% above the worldwide premium.
Contrast Arsenal with the big money clubs:
- £45 million in transfer fees.
- £47 million in market value of 2 players acquired.
- -4% premium in transfer fees vs market value, i.e. 400% less than the worldwide premium.
Value wise AFC has limited downside risk to the players acquired yet they are clear degrees superior in value to the players they are nominally replacing. Lacazette’s market value is £34m vs Perez which is £12.75m. Similarly Kolasinac is valued at £12.75m versus Gibbs who is rated £8.50m.
Most importantly, Arsenal has improved the quality of players in both forward line and in defense. It is self evident that the next area for improvement is in central midfield. My confidence is based on the research I have done demonstrating, with data, the critical importance of missing Santi Cazorla during our last two failed league challenges. Additionally I did two blogs in the second half of last season quantifying deficiencies in central midfield. I am therefore convinced this is Wenger’s focus.
By the way almost all the bloggers and podcasters are now singing the same tune we wrote months ago, i.e. the need for a central midfielder acting as a secondary playmaker. Seemingly they all read this blog while pretending they don’t. As we always remind ourselves at PA, we rely on the unbiased data. It is constant, silent and unemotional but it is undeniable. By trusting the data we almost always arrive at the correct conclusions.
As usual I leave the final word to the genius, who is again playing the transfer market like a fine fiddle, i.e. to Arsene:
“I believe there are actually two ways to improve the team. First of all to improve the quality of what we do in training to improve the squad and improve the players we have, and secondly to bring more top-level players in.
“The difficulty is to bring top-level players in because you pay a huge amount of money for very normal players at the moment. As well, all the big clubs are chasing the same players and that provokes huge inflation. Maybe this will be the first time we [football clubs] pay over £200m, maybe over £300m with Neymar and around £200m with Mbappe.
“So there is a huge inflation. But we are active, we are working hard and I think we have done well with Kolasinac, we have done well with Lacazette and we are continuing to work.
“There’s the usual acceleration in the final part of August,” added Wenger, “But I think you have always to be on alert every day, because a good opportunity might turn up.
“Sometimes people you are after for a long time are not available and suddenly they become available. So you have always to be on alert. That’s what we do.”
I will do a follow-up at the end of the window.
Positively Arsenal 
Leyton Orient v Arsenal xi tonight kick off 7.45
LikeLike
As ever, a great read.
As for other issues, there are many genuine reasons for animals being killed, one would hope mercifully by professionals after the animals having lived a decent life. Of course , sadly, we know animal welfare is not always paramount, and all to many end up on our plates after all manner of suffering. But to me at least, some office bod from Iowa with a few thousand dollars to spare, killing some endangered animal in the name of a trophy, and perhaps feeling a bit more of a man than he really should (yes, I know women do it too) is pretty abhorrent on all levels, whatever the arguments.
That’s not to say much of the current outrage at this doesn’t have the clear , transparent aim of ultimately, undermining the manager via the guy that appoints him. None of this has anything to do with Wenger.
As for Stan, not for a minute suggesting he breaks any laws, but I suspect , like many of extreme wealth,he has a few business practices, ideas and investments some may find unpalatable, some say the same of the man who it is said would rival him for club ownership.
Not sure what any of this really has to do with supporting the team, certainly doesn’t diminish my support for those who wear the shirt, but perhaps I would advise Mr Wenger to talk less about these so called Arsenal values, he himself may have the highest of ethics, ideologies,and practices, but I would say some at the club do not.
Still, bring on Chelsea, and the season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry Mandy but there are no ethical values at stake here. Humans have been hunting animals for many millenia. It is in our genetic code. Just be deprived of food for a few days and see how your hunting instincts come to the fore. As a kid we use to actively hunt birds in bird shooting season. The real issue to me is only a very rich minority currently have access to legal hunting and like all other spheres of life they throw their privileges in our face. They take advantage of poor countries who are complicit in permitting the hunt of endangered species. But hunting is alive and well in the rural parts of America. I have a friend who goes to North Carolina annually to hunt deere accompanied by all the usual stereotypes. I just saw a news report recently where French farmers want the population of bears culled via hunting as they are wreaking havoc on their sheep. Where is the outrage? Just the sound of crickets.
LikeLike
Arsenal FCVerified account @Arsenal 17m17 minutes ago
Team to face @leytonorientfc: Macey, Debuchy, Bielik, Pleguezuelo, Jenkinson, Reine-Adelaide, Toral, Bramall, Nketiah, Mavididi, Akpom
LikeLike
Arsenal FCVerified account @Arsenal 33m33 minutes ago
No hanging around from #AFCU23…
Krystian Bielik volleys us into a 1-0 lead after just three minutes as the hosts failed to clear a corner
LikeLike
Arsenal FCVerified account @Arsenal 23m23 minutes ago
…and now it’s 2-0 to #AFCU23
#TheJeff scoops a pass over the hosts’ backline and @cakpom fires neatly inside the far post
LikeLike
Arsenal FCVerified account @Arsenal 52s52 seconds ago
It’s half-time now at Brisbane Road
#AFCU23 lead 3-0 – @SMavididi9 scoring our third just before the break
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shotta, might not be my thing, but using a primal instinct to hunt, and using it to control populations, protect other species, or for food, or other uses is one thing, but killing a critically endangered species in a trophy hunt, to me at least, falls into something very different. And being involved in displaying it all on a TV channel just seems to make it even worse.
But I will separate myself from the desperate voices out there using this to try to undermine our manager, as what Kroenke, Usmanov or whoever get up to in other business ventures , past or present has nothing to do with Wenger.
LikeLike
mandy is kse tv channel showing any critically endangered species being hunted, I very much doubt it, as its illegal, to me it seem many see big headlines about trophy hunting and assume its endangered species.
also talking about misleading big headlines, again the trophy hunting headlines make it seem like that is the main show on the tv channel when everything from fishing to survival shows are aired, its a channel covering many aspects of that kind of thing. As I pointed out yesterday along with the TV channel there are 17 sports magazines devoted to the same topic.
the thing being overlooked too is that with a dedicated hunting channel (and there are many more, just owned by people who are not kroenke) and 17 magazines (again many more similar mags, just not owned by kroenke), there has to be an audience/buyers of the product, probably counted in the millions, if not the tens of millions, and it and they are breaking no laws, yet “evil”, “vile”, “sub human” is just some of the terms I seen Arsenal fans use today in regards it all. But oddly no matter how many times I mentioned Fishing is a blood sport, not one of them would acknowledge this. Its almost as if they have double standards.
Any way as the day has gone on, more and more of the “outraged” have shown their true colors and admitted that its all about Wenger’s new contract and Stan not being a sugar daddy to Arsenal. So fake outrage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arsenal FCVerified account @Arsenal 5m5 minutes ago
And now it’s 4-0 to #AFCU23…
@carljenkinson adding our fourth goal from close range after 66 minutes
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arsenal FCVerified account @Arsenal 1m1 minute ago
With 10 minutes left to play, #AFCU23 lead 5-1
@EddieNketiah9 fired home after seeing a back heel saved by Sargeant
LikeLike
Arsenal FCVerified account @Arsenal 5m5 minutes ago
It’s all over in east London now
It ends 5-1 to #AFCU23
LikeLike
Ed, cannot say for sure, as I will not be watching the channel, but think some endangered animals can be culled under certain terms, legally, legally under licence. But it costs. Not sure of the terms of these. I remember that dentist who killed Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe, the animal was something of a celebrity and tourist attraction, they screwed up there somewhat. Think the dentist went free back to the U.S, got a lot of grief, but local hunters were at least taken into custody, believed they claimed they thought they were hunting another, perhaps less famous lion under some kind of licence.
Agree on the fake outrage, anything to get at Wenger, and the man they blame for him being at the club.
LikeLike
just seen this comment about using Debuchy in the first team at the start of the season at CB
” I mean would he really be any worse than Mertesacker?”
did the last 6 years not happen, did the FA Cup final not happen last May.
LikeLiked by 2 people
well mandy that sounds like its legal, and so the issue is that the tv channel shows it, sounds like some would rather ignore that it goes on, and what annoys them is that here it is for all to see, a legal cull.
sounds very similar to the attitude towards slaughter houses and chicken farms, they know its happening but don’t offend their sensitivity, that would never do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Arsène Wenger arranged a meeting with Lucas Pérez and his agent Rodrigo Lovelle, in order to apologise in person for his no.9 shirt being given to Lacazette (Radio Marca Coruña.)
LikeLike
Charlton want to take Stephy Mavididi on loan again, even for six months
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a sensible and well-considered article this is. The opposite to the absolute rubbish consumed daily by most fans. The constant anti-arsenal agenda drip fed by the press inevitably causes even passionate and loyal fans to question their own club. I do not blame them – but I do blame the media for their relentless pursuit of AW.
LikeLiked by 3 people
so Barcelona have admitted that Neymar has asked to be allowed join PSG, and that Barca have demanded his full €220M buyout clause be lodged in full.
Barcelona have tried to get La Liga to block the transfer. Using FFP as an excuse to stop or at the very least delay the transfer till after the window is shut.
Barcelona are also refusing to pay Neymar a loyalty bonus he was due on 31st of July, something over £20M.
it is reported that between loyalty bonus and fees from the transfer, Neymar’s father who is his agent will get over £50M if the deal goes through.
Barcelona have given Neymar permission to miss training till after all this is sorted out. It seems Neymar this morning after he told Barca his wish to leave, then told his team mates he was joining PSG.
I wonder if this move might set off a transfer merry go round. Barca will have to replace him with a big name player, and PSG might have a star man they no longer want or need – DiMaria or Draxler seem most likely. Its said Barca want liverpool’s coutinho and if they get him then lfc will be in the market for a replacement. Some reports that Barca are now in for Mbappe.
but one thing is for sure, if this £200M transfer goes through then its going to have a massive effect on prices all the way down the scale. Madness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eds
A player/slave owned by the Qatari government via his South American handlers is going to be transferred between two clubs bankrolled by Qatar?
Blimey. There’s a surprise that I could never have anticipated! Almost like Gazprom-upon-Fulham or the specialist in signing players signed up to special agents selling and resigning the same players again and again!
Who could have imagined such a thing!
I’m shocked. Shocked and befuddled.
And some try to tell you/us that politics as sport don’t mix?
Did I ever mention why it is the psychotic adherents (the people that own our media) to a discredited and literally bankrupt philosophy of debt peonage consistently and observably hate the Arsenal (blue bloods, factory origins and all the other reasons why even a Tottenham fan like John Gregory describes AFC as “representing the best in in English football”)?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Don’t worry. We know is who to blame for all of this. All together now, on the cathartic count of three:
Vengarrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh………….
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ed, not too keen on Mavididi going to Charlton
Can get over the fact their manager made the mistake of playing him more than he should over a short period (3 full games in a week or something) leading to nasty injury. He admitted and apologised for it.
My concern is that I’ve still not seen it cleared up what went on with Robinson and Ali. I read about Robinson, and a couple of former Spurs players, who had some sort of financial interest in Ali before his move to Spurs. Dodgy.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4133890/Dele-Alli-s-agent-hit-2m-tax-bill.html
Don’t like idea of a talent as bright as Mavididi working with someone who potentially abused his position to influence a young player for his own gain, especially if we haven’t got him to sign a long-term contract, which is often the case with players his age who go on loan (Hayden for instance)
LikeLike
Also Ed, might be on same page with Neymar transfer.
A lot of our fans seem delighted with it, but I think only in terms of what helps and hinders us, and though there’s a chance it could help us sign someone in a big shake up, there’s surely a better chance it could cause us some trouble.
Barca could well move for someone we were in for, or even one of our players; Barca could sign someone from a club who then go after one of our targets…then there’s that unwelcome impact on prices!
It could be interesting/ mad times for sure. I’ll save any laughing till the window closes though
LikeLiked by 3 people
have to laugh at an Arsenal blog who for years has whinged and bitched about Arsenal not spending enough now claiming Neymar transfer shows greed has killed football. Fully expect that within a few days the same blog will be advising Arsenal to sign at least 2 or 3 more big money players or we won’t be able to challenge for titles.
LikeLike
Zech Medley has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal, the 17 year old was released by Chelsea last year, and after a successful trial at Arsenal he signed for our academy side. Normally a CB, he did play and score as a left winger in one youth game last season.
LikeLike
Koscielnly available for Community Shield on Sunday, FA do not regard it as a competitive fixture so LK suspended for first two league games
LikeLike
Kos and Moses can play then. Bit of a stupid ruling that, as game is considered pre-season, reds and no doubt yellows don’t count in the game.
I remember Chelsea being absolute twats and stamping on ankles about three times first 20 mins two years ago. Free shots basically, in a fiery game which bore no relation to a pre-season friendly
LikeLike
https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/images/775014702_SM_5540_E4D96481B4AE99159166D1FFAEFC0487.jpg?itok=Cuvko4mp
LikeLiked by 1 person
rich any sending off on sunday will lead to a suspension
LikeLike
Emmi Martinez has gone on a season long loan to Getafe, the lad says its so he can improve enough to be our No.1 when he returns next season
Leaves us with Cech and Ospina as main choice and with Matt Macey as third choice, we might see a veteran keeper signed so as to have an experienced back up, dare I say the rumors of Rob Green might be true.
LikeLike
tomorrow is photo call day for the Arsenal squad, also on tomorrow is an open training session at the Emirates Stadium
LikeLike
Emi Martinez may have joined Getafe on loan, but that does not mean he has given up on his goal of becoming our No 1 goalkeeper.
The former Argentina youth international has been making steady progress since joining us from Independiente in 2010, and is now more determined than ever to become our first-choice stopper when he returns from his season-long spell in Spain.
“I’ve always wanted to improve,” Martinez told Arsenal Player. “It’s never enough for me. My kicking is good but I want to have the perfection of a goalkeeper, even on crosses. I know I’m good on crosses but I still do 50 crosses in training.
“Gerry [Peyton] says, ‘Last one’, and I will do three more. I look what I can do and what I can improve with the other goalkeepers. I’m always trying to improve myself. If you want to play for Arsenal or be at the top level for many years, that’s what you need to do.
“It’s in my blood to train hard. When you’re not in the squad and you have to train the day after, sometimes it’s hard because you want to be involved in the team and you want to play. I always tell myself, ‘The chance will come and I won’t let it run’. That’s what keeps me going and motivated all the time.
“I came from nothing and I’m at Arsenal now, one of the biggest clubs in the world, but I’m never satisfied. I was third choice fighting for second spot, so maybe the season after I will fight for No 1. You always need to give more at Arsenal. It’s never enough and that’s what I try to do.”
Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/i-just-want-improve-its-never-enough-me#KcObBabHd4jpzG0U.99
LikeLiked by 2 people
reported Arsenal target Jadon Sancho of Man City, has seemingly gone on strike. he has not trained with city academy for a week and has informed them he is not going back. He sees no future at city with big money signings blocking his path.
He is a massive talent, but I’m not sure Arsenal will be in for him if he is the sort to go on strike. I remember all those years ago when the DeBoar twins went on strike at Ajax after Arsenal bid for them, but when Ajax agreed to sell them Arsene Wenger pulled out as he disagreed with their behavior towards their club.
LikeLike
Danny Welbeck @WelBeast 3h3 hours ago
MSN lasted for 4 years and during those 4 years, Real Madrid won 3 UEFA Champions league titles and Cristiano won the Ballon d’Or 3 times.
LikeLike
Apparently not, Ed.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2187607/Branislav-Ivanovic-serve-ban-red-card-Community-Shield.html
‘However, a change in FA ruling in August 2009 means that red cards in pre-season fixtures do not result in suspensions from competitive games.
As the rule change covered all non-competitive pre-season fixtures, including the Community Shield, it means Ivanovic will be free to play at the DW Stadium.’
Stupid, if you ask me. Bad enough to give a free pass for friendlier friendlies but for this game it seems totally stupid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
M ? Best footballer I’ve ever seen bar none – 11-1: years of excellence
S ? Lunatic – and not in a nice way – but top five goal scorers I’ve ever seen – 6 seasons of excellence
N ? The worlds most potentially ‘best’ player – seasons of excellence = 0
Good luck to PSG – you’ll need it
LikeLiked by 3 people
Arsenal today announced their 8th ticket price freeze in 12 years, the greedy bastards
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see that the superstar leading South American striker who helped his nation win the recent Copa Americas etc. has returned to training at the club he said he was staying at at the end of last season.
But I’m guessing all the Experts and Twitterati are braying about the journey of a mule?
Speaking of which City have put down the lame Mangala, let’s hope he doesn’t turn up in anyone’s kebab. If so I hope it’s not a kebab as expensive as signing a footballer like Alexis Sanchez (City’s fee for that agent’s mule may have been a fraction lower then the s.american superstar).
LikeLiked by 2 people
AFC are such a shambles eh?
LikeLike
Obviously the Abu Dhabi mob have no ambition
LikeLiked by 3 people
Fake Sheikhs (I think they were shepheards or pearl divers before they went into buisniness with the Anglo-Persian Oil Corp) or scions of Walmart – a fascinating debate for some I’m sure, especially the frustrated football agents out there…
LikeLike
…wait!
I take it all back.
A Fake Sheikh getting bored in Malaga proffered up one tasty morsel for AFC, one that we have all enjoyed: the blessed Cazorla. And, well, the desire to cycle humoungous amounts of Wonga through broke back barca led to Sanchez being replaced by the S.American striker who hasn’t led his nation to glory (did you see what i did there?), and, well, Arsene Vulture would be one hungry bird at this moment, and football fans who follow the Arsenal would’ve not enjoyed themselves these past few years as much as they have.
My personal thanks then to the Fake Sheikhs.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Stephy Mavadidi is being linked with a season long loan move to Preston North End
LikeLike
I’m faked outraged at Arsenal loaning our World Class goalkeeper Emmi Martinez to Getafe for the season.
What possible good could it do, The lad will be 25 years old in a few weeks time so is in his prime, and he has amassed the grand total of 52 first team games, what more could he need to be our first choice keeper, by the way 6 of those games were in the BPL, again I ask what more could he need, what can he learn from a season as first choice with a La Liga team. Wenger has lots the plot, imagine relying on Cech and Ospina. Kroenke out. Gazidis out, Wenger out, Akers out
LikeLike
Gabriel back in training, and Alexis is back in full training.
LikeLike
Charles WattsVerified account @charles_watts 14m14 minutes ago
So headlines from this session – Alexis in full training, Gabriel back (but not with the group). Ozil only in light training – No Ramsey.
LikeLike
Finsbury at 11;35am – Don’t forget the peerless Nacho Monreal was part of the liquidation sale at Malaga. Almost everyone has forgotten his predecessor, the shambolic Andre Santos (as well as the French dude who initially went to QPR). Nightmares.
LikeLiked by 2 people
As an attacker Santos was good, he scored a goal at the Bridge in a 5-3 win which was very pleasing.
As a defender however ……..
LikeLiked by 4 people
Santos was good, he scored a goal at the Hawthorns massive goal
LikeLiked by 2 people
As a defender…
Ahh! Not so much
LikeLiked by 4 people