Dennis Saurez gave interview saying that he was not even 50% fit after 16 days at Arsenal.
One game sticks in my head, I think it was Man City away we were 2-3 down with 15 mins to go.
Ozil was on the bench ( i thought he was coming on @ halftime but stayed on the bench(this was shortly after the claim was made that Ozil can’t play away because of the physicality by the manager) I was thinking at the time Poor away fans who traveled as it was clear we were going to get beat but the fans had nothing to cheer, (cant remember too many chances being created or any pleasing football) at that moment with 15mins to go he brought on Saurez who had been in the country 5 days, ahead of Ozil. I knew something was up then but this really confirms it.
Not only had Denis Saurez not acclimatised to a new country , different way of playing , food, culture, language etc, the guy by his own admission was less than 50% fit.
I think that was the day i decided that this manager had his own interests and not the team or the fans interest at heart.
He played Saurez just to make a power statement and it has had a detrimental affect on team morale.
Look at the start of the season, everyone was bubbling looking forward to the season, people putting themselves forward to be captain, people saying they want to follow in legends footsteps, to how we finished the season low on morale and without a Scooby Doo.
I want the manager gone because i seen more conflict with the team than working to harmonise the team and make them a coherent unit.
Victory through harmony it certainly has not been.
Rant over
Gee.
Positively Arsenal 
This is being reported to be our Squad to face Boreham Wood on Saturday
Arthur Okonkwo
Karl Hein
Dominic Thompson
Zech Medley
Mark McGuinness
Zak Swanson
Harrison Clarke
Joseph Olowu
Mazeed Ogungbo
Matthew Smith
Sam Greenwood
Ben Cottrell
Nathan Tormey
Xavier Amaechi
Folarin Balogun
Tyreepce John-Jules
James Olayinka
Trae Coyle
Robbie Burton
Matthew Dennis
LikeLike
Not sure who is in charge of building the squad, I suspect a Brazilian chap still involved with his national team in the Copa America, but cannot be sure these days!
An attack on the values, maybe. Not quite sure what the values completely encompass, I hope the club are keeping up their excellent Arsenal foundation and community work, I think they are. I hope they continue supporting the increasingly popular women’s game, as I suspect they are. Also , to me at least, feels like Freddie’s elevation is a bit of a develop youth or else warning to Emery, but cannot be certain, though I hope developing youth will be a very core value.
But can see how a few characters around the club may make some worry about maintaining traditional club values. Then, there is Ramsey. Danny. Ozil. And in another fashion, Gazidis??
Values or not, we are certainly going through a very awkward transition
LikeLike
just about 5 weeks left of the transfer window, good Job Raul has said we would do our business early
LikeLike
All 8 of our pre-season games are on premier sports I believe. So that’s me shelling out a tenner today to feed the habit!
LikeLike
Considering I don’t know jack about what club is up to behind scenes my mood has been pretty up and down- from reasonable to deep down in oh oh, bollocks and shite.
I always enter preseason nursing hopes some master plan is in place, and that the evidence will arrive early (because impatient), and that hasn’t happened so far.
The only concrete thing we have is whether or not anyone has joined.
Aside from that it is whether to believe anything, a single thing, from the press?
LikeLike
I’m influenced by press reports and, even less forgivably, certain twitter talk. I try not to believe any single piece of information (but no doubt fail on that often) but it’s more the general picture that gets into my head as likely containing some truth.
That combines with no arrivals to make me feel pretty glum. Not helped by ******* City doing their City thing, securing near perfect fits and serenely paying what it takes for young players right on the cusp of, well, the last level, or a place where it is near impossible to buy without the very highest fees.
By design or not that is their modus operandi now, though I’m sure they could relax it if they had a chance at Mbappe or the like.
LikeLike
Since the arrival of Pep Guardiola on July 1st 2016, Manchester City have spent €696.9m.
LikeLike
Well its Match Day, reports suggest that despite today’s game v Boreham wood being listed as a first team game, it will be our U23s with Steve Bould in charge and not Emery.
We are 5 weeks from the start of the BPL season, transfer window shuts before it this time round, well for buys anyway, we can still sell to clubs whose window is still open.
So far we have signed an 18 year old forward from the 4th tier of Brazilian football, and another 18 year old goalie for the U23’s, there is lots and lots of talk in the media about AFC bids for this one and that one, but if we want any new player to get a good preseason with us we surely have to have them signed in time to go on our USA tour, its first game is in 10 days time.
Time Wenger stopped dithering and just spent some fucking money, what you mean it aint Wenger.
LikeLike
I think it is now abundantly clear what Wenger was up against for all those years with signing players, issues with money, wages to keep within FFP and more importantly,owners guidelines, not being really able to make a mistake with them on signing, because in effect, he was stuck with them. Plus, the possibility of Gazidis and maybe the stat DNA boys yapping around encouraging him to make signings he may not have wanted when money was available.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Martinelli, Saka and Smith Rowe involved with first-team as pre-season starts
by jeorge bird
Some members of the Arsenal first-team squad have returned for pre-season, with seven youngsters joining them.
New signing Gabriel Martinelli was involved with Unai Emery’s squad, but his short-term future hasn’t been decided yet.
Meanwhile, winger Bukayo Saka, who was withdrawn from the U23 squad to face Boreham Wood, was also involved.
Goalkeeper Matt Macey also formed part of the group despite struggling on loan at Plymouth Argyle last season. Fellow shot-stopper Deyan Iliev also trained.
Emile Smith Rowe, Ben Sheaf and Kelechi Nwakali also trained with the first-team.
Regarding first-team players, Mesut Ozil, Emiliano Martinez, Skhodran Mustafi, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Laurent Koscielny, Bernd Leno, Carl Jenkinson, Sead Kolasinac, Calum Chambers and Nacho Monreal were all present. Rob Holding, who is recovering from injury, also trained.
LikeLike
LikeLike
LikeLike
LikeLike
Arsenal Academy
Verified account @ArsenalAcademy
15m15 minutes ago
📝 Confirmation of Arsenal XI’s substitutes this afternoon…
BENCH: Hillson, Dennis, Azeez, Olowu, Clarke, Amaechi, Cottrell, John-Jules, Greenwood, Alebiosu, Ogungbo, Matthews
LikeLike
Oh dear, Two nil down already
LikeLike
and gobshites chanting, kroenke out, for attention
LikeLike
3-3 with 10 minutes left, Smith and John-Jules x2 with our goals
LikeLike
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes it looks like AFC’S gone to the gobshite dogs. Ed’s 1030am and Mandys 10.55 am summing up the club at the moment.
I cant believe the gobs were doing that at the Borehamwood game ffs…not enough counter voices at AFC (like us) or in politiks at then moment. Everywhere seems like an episode of Gotham. Great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
well mills going on what I could hear on the stream there did seem to be AFC fans trying to drown out the attention seekers with proper supporting chants, but of course it will be the attention seekers that will get the headlines, I’ve already seen one blog big them up, sadly negatively sells
LikeLike
At least thats good to know there are some other voices Ed.But youre right about the headlines.
Ed is your show coming back on again?
LikeLike
nay mills I just don’t have the time for it at the moment,
LikeLike
Shame, it was a mighty fine show. But hope it can be done sometime in the future– but without interrupting things in your life.
LikeLike
mills there is a heavy metal show on the station since I stopped but its a bit too heavy for me, I rather a mix of rock to metal, not metal and heavier stuff.
LikeLike
Iwobi scored the winner to put Nigeria into the ACN Quarter Finals
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reports in France are that Koscielny has asked to be released from his contract so he can sign for Bordeaux for free, also that we have agreed a deal for William Saliba, for £26M and he stays with St Etitenne for the season on loan. This one does not quit fit with the nonsense the AST and their friends in the media have been spouting about AFC only have a £40M transfer budget.
LikeLike
This match winning goal for Iwobi could be that big goal. The goal in the final *faints in horror at the memory* was a better finish for me but for all the obvious reasons this goal will hopefully be a bigger boost to his confidence/finishing.
LikeLike
What final fins? Last final we played was our excellent success against Chelsea a few years back. Banned smiley face?
Delighted he got that goal yesterday. South Africa caused big shock knocking out Egypt later on so Nigeria’s path to semis looks easier now on paper at least.
Iwobi playing as central attacking midfielder/ 10-ish since late on in first game, after experiment with Obi mikel there failed.
.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Been a bit touch and go so far to be honest, one good pass for every not so good one, periods of low involvement in game, but in part lots depends as a ten on how rest of team is playing, and a lot of his better work has been when games have opened up a bit as a result of score/time on clock.
Also worth noting that he and team have looked better when they have had two very fast, very tricky players on wing- Musa and Chukwueze. The stress that places on a defence is generally good for the player in 10 role.
Hopefully that goal and the extra game/s it has bought will make all the difference and turn it into a real confidence booster
LikeLike
Bould – Our on-the-ball work was superb
Aidan Small 07 Jul 2019
Bould
Steve Bould returned to the touchline on Saturday, guiding an Arsenal XI to a 3-3 draw with Boreham Wood.
It was a frustrating first half as the National League side showed their experience – but our youngsters stepped up in the second 45 to score twice and salvage a draw.
We spoke to Bould after the final whistle and this is what he said:
on how he’s settled into his new role at the club…
I’m really enjoying being back out on the grass and coaching, so I’m really happy.
on the performance…
The first half was difficult for us physically and losing a goal so early on in the way we did was frustrating, but I half expected it. That’s the experience these kids don’t get very often so it’s a massive learning curve for them and I was delighted with the way we played in the second half. Our work on the ball was superb so I’m delighted.
on facing senior opposition…
Some of the lads are only 17 and they’re really good players. We’ve got some good players coming through and there’s an awful long way to go, but that’s the joy of the job I’ve got. I really enjoy working with them so I’m looking forward to helping some good players come through.
on what pleased him most about the performance…
I think the fact that they stood up to a very physical side. Boreham Wood did well last season at their level so it’s a learning curve for them. Most of these lads have rarely encountered adults on the pitch so it’s a completely different outlook for them in terms of any game that they’ve played. I think the boys will learn something from this.
on what’s next in pre-season…
We need to get fit, maintain that fitness and keep playing football because we have a style at the club that they need to adhere to. They’ve got to enjoy their football too.
on what he wants to achieve this season…
The only interest I have is development and I mean that. That’s not necessarily winning games, it’s about players learning the next step, the next level and improving themselves tactically, technically, mentally and physically. The question after that is whether they can go and grab themselves a career – and hopefully we can have one or two come through our system and play for us. But if we don’t, we try to produce well-mannered and respectful men who can go and get a good career in football.
Copyright 2019 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.
LikeLike
Ed, you watch u23’s yesterday then?
Less said about first half the better but some decent stuff second half.
Was bit surprised by how well Alfie Matthews did, as I had made assumptions lack of u18 involvement last year reflected likely ability.
Thought a few in there were really off it 1st half and there’s a handful I don’t see getting near first team level (natural I guess in any given youth group), including one some have suggested could be close, should be given chances etc.
LikeLike
Real drag these days that it seems number of better prospects are always being linked with moves away, reluctant to sign up. Amaechi and John-Jules in this case. Vontae Campbell gone; Musah likely as well.
Without knowing details, I don’t see any fault on our part. We promote to u18 and u23 quickly on talent; our record is good among top clubs giving players first team chances; 3 at present in 1st team picture who have come through and had lots of opportunity. Track record of those leaving us isn’t great so far.
Sancho example looms large, maybe, and then there is whatever agents are up to. Think Amaechi and TJJ both with guy who was immensely pleased/proud/etc to have taken Marcus Mcguane to Barca B.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bit iffy this, maybe, but anyone else dislike the players rolling up legs on shorts business?
Bemuses me why they think it’s a good look, especially as seemed to originate from most ‘look at me’ player in history, Ronaldo, with Sanchez following quickly.
Maybe getting old or being a curmudgeon, but it just seems a daft ego thing, and can’t help negatively judging players who do it a little. I took it as bad sign yesterday one of most promising youngsters who reportedly won’t sign new deal was at it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What success Rich?
According to Billy The Big Blagger the recent third (?) most successful period for Arsenal football club in their post war history was a “shambles”, “a period of decline” requiring a “catalyst for change” and other such high quality PR/Sports Communications worthy of Phil Neville himself*
Sounds mental when one actually spells out the shite that these cunning linguists have been peddling: but there it is!
*how do you think he keeps getting these gigs despite being crap at everything he turns his hand to? being Riley’s good friend certainly helps, save for in Englands trophy cabinet.
LikeLike
rich I think Matthews lack of playing time for the U18’s last season was down to injury problems, not ability.
LikeLike
Fins.
Neville made bit of a dick of himself yesterday by talking before game about how important it was, then calling it a joke game afterwards when they lost. Learned at teat of another fellow who wasn’t (required to be) consistent in his utterances I guess.
Followed Southgate’s lead, if remember right, by picking faves for 3rd/4th game and not giving a chance to those who hadn’t played much in tournament.
Supposing Leah Williamson is best young centre back in country (don’t know of other contenders her age) seems distinctly unintelligent not to let her play when already out of tournament, as much for preparation for future as anything else
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ed
Yeah, I’d guess that’s case with matthews. Normally get to hear about them and didn’t with him but maybe he had a number of niggling issues or something.
On that, hoping whatever troubled Smith-Rowe for most of last season is in past. Posted ‘staying positive…’, with peace sign, the other day so that made me twitchy.
Think he’s such a good prospect who mostly did well with glimpses last year. Find talk of adding him to Zaha deal and like disconcerting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
if it was only a loan to palace that would be great but we can’t be letting our best youths leave on permanent deals
LikeLike
so the Copa is over so if rumors are to be believed that means Edu will be announced as Arsenal’s Director of Football this week, and all our transfers can be done, ha ha ha.
on transfers reports say Aston Villa are signing Tyrone Mings from Bournemouth, for a fee of over £25M, Mings is 26 and has a grand total of 17 BPL games, and he played 57 Championship games before that for Ipswich and also 15 Championship games for Aston Villa on loan last season, so what sort of fee, if we were to sell him, would Calum Chambers fetch, Chambers has played 125 BPL games and 18 games in Europe, he is 24 and was Fulham’s player of the year last season.
LikeLike
@ eduardo792 – “if we were to sell him, would Calum Chambers fetch, ”
He would probably be worth 50-60million in current market but given out recent transfer history we would probably sell him for 8mil or wait for him to run his contract down and swap him for Shawcross
LikeLiked by 1 person
Riley has confirmed some of the major details of Prem/England only VAR then.
Collina baulked the other day at suggestion we would do it differently here on checking keepers stay on line, so can’t imagine they are ok with the much bigger differences there will be.
Everything seems designed for them to give much the same decisions as always but with, scarily, extra powers.
Very high threshold for changing anything ref does on pitch, handball the same as always, no pitch side reviews; very possibly telling refs not to keep flag down * on anything close for offsides.
*Tyler revealed during u21 Euros that linesmen were instructed in our trials not to follow this, and to flag as normal, because ‘too hard to change habits of a lifetime’
LikeLike
(Sorry, gotta break comments up these days or they don’t show.)
So they will be able to do nothing on vast majority of occasions a replay shows there is a case for changing decision, as threshold will be so high for ‘clear and obvious’ error, but also have grounds to step in any time, as there won’t be too much fuss from press/commentators etc any time that policy is reversed. Lovely. No pitch-side reviews essential to the relative smooth running of that.
LikeLike
For example, that Sissoko headbutt late last year, nit a true trying to break your nose headbutt, but stronger than most on the field, and nowadays a red anytime ref sees it properly.
With proper VAR, honestly done, a ref, Friend that time, would have to go and look at it again if he made that bad call, and really be under pressure if he wanted to still make the wrong call. No pitchside review, high overturn threshold, voila, can keep such a call relatively easily. Comms might grumble a bit, lucky boy, etc. No big deal though. Unless, say, they let an Arsenal player get away with it, which, of course, won’t happen.
LikeLike
“given out recent transfer history we would probably sell him for 8mil or wait for him to run his contract down and swap him for Shawcross”
Or send him out on loan for no reason when he was the club’s in form CB at the end of 17/18 (not difficult with Koz out!) whilst bringing in the semi-retired Stephen on relatively high wages (for a useless WUM, some mild comedy for sure but I watch football for the football myself and last season even Jenks was the better footballer then SL…fuck my football boots…!)
The “Catalyst for change!” In action. Ten years to plan a Handover programme and this the fruit of their labour? Someone’s avin’ a larf! At the expense of the Arsenal fans (those gullible enough to snort up the gibberish).
LikeLike
agreed finsburyp.
Now the youngsters who made their 1st teams debuts 2 yrs ago but were sent away from the club instead of further integration have now been given 1st team numbers.
I have no faith that Unai will play them as Youth players tend to need more time to gain experience and be allowed to make mistakes so they can learn from them and grow but we are a results at all cost team now so i see a Jose situation in his 2nd\3rd season at Man Utd.
If the players buy into Unai we may have a decent season and pick up a cup trophy. If they don’t its gonna be real shit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s gonna be real shit, mark my words.
LikeLike
We are delighted to announce our new first-year scholars for the 2019/2020 season.
This next stage of development will see the players train at London Colney for a two-year period, where they will work with our coaches and support staff, all under the leadership of our Academy Manager Per Mertesacker.
Per has given us a brief overview of the players in our new group. Per said: “After seeing for myself and talking to our coaches, here’s a very quick overview of our new first-year scholars.
Alex Kirk
Alex is a product of our Academy and a player who has been with us for a while now. He is a central defender with a calm attitude, which we have noticed helps him in 1v1 defensive situations.
Catalin Cirjan
Catalin is a Romanian midfielder who recently joined us from Viitorul Domnesti, a local club in his home country. Catalin is a skilful player with speed and precision.
Daniel Oyegoke
Daniel is a right full back who joined us from Barnet two years ago. He is currently an England Under-16 international. He is a player who shows composure on the ball.
Jason Sraha
Jason recently joined us from Chelsea. He is a left-footed centre back with a calm and composed attitude in and out of possession.
Kido Taylor-Hart
Kido is a product of our Academy at Hale End. He is an attacking midfielder and an England under-17 international. Kido has quick combination play around the box and good dribbling skills.
Levi Laing
Levi joined us from Brentford three years ago. He is a versatile defender, who is currently involved with England Under16s. He can play at right back, centre back and also as a holding midfield player.
Luke Plange
Luke is a product of our Academy. Luke is a central striker with outstanding finishing qualities.
Mazeed Ogungbo
Mazeed is another product of our Academy. He is a left-sided defender and Republic of Ireland under-16 international. He played a key part in our under-18s squad last season and is a reliable leader on and off the pitch.
Miguel Azeez
Miguel is a product of our Hale End Academy. He is a central midfielder and an England under-17 international. He is a driven midfielder who brings consistent passing range both in open play and from set plays.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji
Nathan is another graduate from our Academy. He is a forward who presents a threat to opposition defences playing in wide positions and also centrally.
Ovie Ejeheri
Ovie is a goalkeeper with consistency in his handling and timing. He suffered a long-term injury last season, but has shown an excellent attitude and commitment to recover and regain his fitness ready for this coming season. Olvie is also a product from the Arsenal Academy.
Hubert Graczyk
Hubert joined us at under-15 level. He is a goalkeeper who has played for both England and Poland at youth levels. He has excellent distribution with his feet to start attacks.”
Per finished by saying: “We welcome all our new first-year scholars. Some have already been with us for a long time through our academy and others have joined us more recently. This is the next step in their journey. It will be hard work for them and we will be with them every step of the way. Our aim is to make them better people and better footballers. We want to develop Strong Young Gunners, who rise to the challenge on and off the pitch. We are looking forward to their continued development with us.”
Copyright 2019 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.
LikeLike
its no surprise that mike riley and the pgmol are ignoring the way VAR is used elsewhere as they have clearly been ignoring the actual rules of the game for years, and have no desire to change their “game management”, they are a fucking disgrace
LikeLike
the list of first year scholars have been confirmed, but no word yet on Yunus Musah, he is training alone at the moment, he has not signed for anyone else, I’m told that its very much like the situation with Joe Willock a couple of years ago, he is looking for certain guarantees such as pro deal when he turns 17, like has been agreed with Miguel Azeez, before he will commit to signing scholarship with afc
LikeLike
Willock, Nketiah and Nelson are now officially part of the first team squad
LikeLike