Time for some home truths

[Peter]

In 40 years, we've had Rioch for a year, Good Ebening for 18 months, and GG, AW and MA for the rest. We are so lucky to be the Arsenal.

The Times had a good article today saying that he's the only manager in the PL to have one it and he's the longest serving manager in the division. Everyone else has a new manager who'll be wanting to rebuilt. Not as completely as MA did when he came in and built an entire squad {with the exception of B and GabbyGol.} But they'll all wanna rebuild to some degree.

Hopefully most of them will get it all wrong and spunk loads of cash on players who don't work, taking a huge loss on players they've recently purchased. While we know where we are and can just get those additions we need. Kepa didn't do much but got us to a final winning a shoot-out. And Norgie didn't do much on the pitch but was apparently vital in the private team-talks in the run-in.

But all the other signings - Zubi, Vik, Noni, Easy, Hinchappy, Triphop - all played a role in us winning the league for the first time in yonks. Each and every won of them was a good value signing.

Hopefully Hinchappy and Ricky C will be happy to share the LB role. {I'd love JT and Benny Blanc to do the same on the right.} Triphop's won the league just before his 22nd birthday, a year younger than Big Tone.

If we can get three signings this summer that do as well, we'll be sorted. While hopefully all the other clubs will go through that period of signing players who aren't good enough. Sambi, Tavares, Rambo, Tomi, Jeez, Zinny, Fabio, Jorgy, Kiwior.

It was only the season after those two, with Dec, JT and Kai that we got 3 first team, title-winning players. The years before, it was only Benny Blanc and then Leo who made the grade. Big Gabby from the season before those. So hopefully, they'll all have 2-3 seasons of signing players who are transition players, not the long term solutions.

We want a summer like the Dec/Kai/JT one or last season. Everyone we buy goes straight into the starting XI or will be coming on from the bench.

We were so lucky Dec chose us over City. And we want the best players in the country to choose us not just as Dec did, because he liked the project and the Arsenal way, but in the way the best players went to LFC in the '80s and ManU under Fergie, cos it's the best manager and the most successful team.

I wonder if Big Gabby can tap up any Brazzas at the WC?

Raya arrived the same summer as Rice, Timber and Havertz That was a pretty ****ing good summer.

I think Mosquera has been a great signing. I'd like to see more of those. It's great to buy ready-made top talent but it is expensive. A signing like Mosquera shows a really solid approach and understanding of the market.

Overall, the work that Edu and Arteta did in the market was generally excellent, with a few duds here and there. Let's hope Berta and Arteta has the same kind of alignment. It is absolutely essential

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Yeah I did think about Slot. Different matter entirely. Essentially he achieved too much too quickly, before anyone at Anfield really knew if his face fitted there or not. It was easy for them to get rid of him, especially after their shopping spree.

The whole point of an experienced coach is that you don't have to give them time to build anything. People expect the finished article. But he would still be in a job at Liverpool had his second season been his first.

Mikel. on the other hand, has been plugged into an existing long-term project, with the full knowledge that, as a rookie, he will need lots of time and lots of money, which The Project was designed to provide in any case. This is his squad which he built from the ground up. He is the de facto leader of the club. Arne Slot was never that.

In 40 years, we've had Rioch for a year, Good Ebening for 18 months, and GG, AW and MA for the rest. We are so lucky to be the Arsenal.

The Times had a good article today saying that he's the only manager in the PL to have one it and he's the longest serving manager in the division. Everyone else has a new manager who'll be wanting to rebuilt. Not as completely as MA did when he came in and built an entire squad {with the exception of B and GabbyGol.} But they'll all wanna rebuild to some degree.

Hopefully most of them will get it all wrong and spunk loads of cash on players who don't work, taking a huge loss on players they've recently purchased. While we know where we are and can just get those additions we need. Kepa didn't do much but got us to a final winning a shoot-out. And Norgie didn't do much on the pitch but was apparently vital in the private team-talks in the run-in.

But all the other signings - Zubi, Vik, Noni, Easy, Hinchappy, Triphop - all played a role in us winning the league for the first time in yonks. Each and every won of them was a good value signing.

Hopefully Hinchappy and Ricky C will be happy to share the LB role. {I'd love JT and Benny Blanc to do the same on the right.} Triphop's won the league just before his 22nd birthday, a year younger than Big Tone.

If we can get three signings this summer that do as well, we'll be sorted. While hopefully all the other clubs will go through that period of signing players who aren't good enough. Sambi, Tavares, Rambo, Tomi, Jeez, Zinny, Fabio, Jorgy, Kiwior.

It was only the season after those two, with Dec, JT and Kai that we got 3 first team, title-winning players. The years before, it was only Benny Blanc and then Leo who made the grade. Big Gabby from the season before those. So hopefully, they'll all have 2-3 seasons of signing players who are transition players, not the long term solutions.

We want a summer like the Dec/Kai/JT one or last season. Everyone we buy goes straight into the starting XI or will be coming on from the bench.

We were so lucky Dec chose us over City. And we want the best players in the country to choose us not just as Dec did, because he liked the project and the Arsenal way, but in the way the best players went to LFC in the '80s and ManU under Fergie, cos it's the best manager and the most successful team.

I wonder if Big Gabby can tap up any Brazzas at the WC?

[redgunamo]

In 40 years, we've had Rioch for a year, Good Ebening for 18 months, and GG, AW and MA for the rest. We are so lucky to be the Arsenal.

The Times had a good article today saying that he's the only manager in the PL to have one it and he's the longest serving manager in the division. Everyone else has a new manager who'll be wanting to rebuilt. Not as completely as MA did when he came in and built an entire squad {with the exception of B and GabbyGol.} But they'll all wanna rebuild to some degree.

Hopefully most of them will get it all wrong and spunk loads of cash on players who don't work, taking a huge loss on players they've recently purchased. While we know where we are and can just get those additions we need. Kepa didn't do much but got us to a final winning a shoot-out. And Norgie didn't do much on the pitch but was apparently vital in the private team-talks in the run-in.

But all the other signings - Zubi, Vik, Noni, Easy, Hinchappy, Triphop - all played a role in us winning the league for the first time in yonks. Each and every won of them was a good value signing.

Hopefully Hinchappy and Ricky C will be happy to share the LB role. {I'd love JT and Benny Blanc to do the same on the right.} Triphop's won the league just before his 22nd birthday, a year younger than Big Tone.

If we can get three signings this summer that do as well, we'll be sorted. While hopefully all the other clubs will go through that period of signing players who aren't good enough. Sambi, Tavares, Rambo, Tomi, Jeez, Zinny, Fabio, Jorgy, Kiwior.

It was only the season after those two, with Dec, JT and Kai that we got 3 first team, title-winning players. The years before, it was only Benny Blanc and then Leo who made the grade. Big Gabby from the season before those. So hopefully, they'll all have 2-3 seasons of signing players who are transition players, not the long term solutions.

We want a summer like the Dec/Kai/JT one or last season. Everyone we buy goes straight into the starting XI or will be coming on from the bench.

We were so lucky Dec chose us over City. And we want the best players in the country to choose us not just as Dec did, because he liked the project and the Arsenal way, but in the way the best players went to LFC in the '80s and ManU under Fergie, cos it's the best manager and the most successful team.

I wonder if Big Gabby can tap up any Brazzas at the WC?

Wow. That about being the only remaining winner of the Premier League is incredible, a staggering testament to the project the Arsenal have built.

Probably pretty rare in world football as well, to only have one former winner and him being the current champion.

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

I demand 3 titles on the bounce at least and our first CL as a minimum. Settling for anything less is spineless defeatism.

[7sisters]

I demand 3 titles on the bounce at least and our first CL as a minimum. Settling for anything less is spineless defeatism.

You?ll not be surprised that for me, the jury is still out over Berta, if indeed he?s responsible for shelling out such vast sums on midrange talent.
Where we?ve profited this season is from having decent depth on the bench; in previous years we?ve had to rely on a sprinkling of kids from the U21?s and being compromised over injuries.
On an individual level and with hindsight, it seems we spaffed large sums of money away on players whose value today is no where near the outlay but that?s probably something to do with market prices, clever agents and desperation on our part to get a deal over the line.

[Peter]

You?ll not be surprised that for me, the jury is still out over Berta, if indeed he?s responsible for shelling out such vast sums on midrange talent.
Where we?ve profited this season is from having decent depth on the bench; in previous years we?ve had to rely on a sprinkling of kids from the U21?s and being compromised over injuries.
On an individual level and with hindsight, it seems we spaffed large sums of money away on players whose value today is no where near the outlay but that?s probably something to do with market prices, clever agents and desperation on our part to get a deal over the line.

Of course the jury is still out. He's only had one window so far.

But the key for me isnt whether he is any good. It is whether he and Arteta are on the same page. That alignment is essential.

We don't need good players. We need the right players.

[7sisters]

Of course the jury is still out. He's only had one window so far.

But the key for me isnt whether he is any good. It is whether he and Arteta are on the same page. That alignment is essential.

We don't need good players. We need the right players.

It?s also about how he handles the players moving in the opposite direction. The club have been incredibly poor at managing the credit side of the balance sheet. I?m not expecting him to work miracles but it would be a bonus to receive some sort of return on players like Vieira, Jesus, Trossard, Kiwior etc, as opposed to some derisory, write off amount.

[Peter]

It?s also about how he handles the players moving in the opposite direction. The club have been incredibly poor at managing the credit side of the balance sheet. I?m not expecting him to work miracles but it would be a bonus to receive some sort of return on players like Vieira, Jesus, Trossard, Kiwior etc, as opposed to some derisory, write off amount.

Selling on is always going to be a problem for a club like us. If you sign players who are not good enough then you are paying them more than they are worth. And often wages that very few clubs are willing/able to match.

You end in a situation where the clubs that could afford them dont want them and the clubs that want them cant afford them. It is no surprise that some of our biggest sales were academy players (Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Nketiah) who were still on relatively low wages.

Funnily though, the status of champions can add value to your sales. So we will see. Jesus has to go, purely because of the wages. We cant have bit part player on 200 grand a week.

[7sisters]

Selling on is always going to be a problem for a club like us. If you sign players who are not good enough then you are paying them more than they are worth. And often wages that very few clubs are willing/able to match.

You end in a situation where the clubs that could afford them dont want them and the clubs that want them cant afford them. It is no surprise that some of our biggest sales were academy players (Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Nketiah) who were still on relatively low wages.

Funnily though, the status of champions can add value to your sales. So we will see. Jesus has to go, purely because of the wages. We cant have bit part player on 200 grand a week.

I suppose it?s always going to work against you when looking to buy. The likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford, cherry picking players from mid table French sides for ?15m, suddenly being touted at ?50m when Arsenal start sniffing around.

[Rich]

Selling on is always going to be a problem for a club like us. If you sign players who are not good enough then you are paying them more than they are worth. And often wages that very few clubs are willing/able to match.

You end in a situation where the clubs that could afford them dont want them and the clubs that want them cant afford them. It is no surprise that some of our biggest sales were academy players (Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Nketiah) who were still on relatively low wages.

Funnily though, the status of champions can add value to your sales. So we will see. Jesus has to go, purely because of the wages. We cant have bit part player on 200 grand a week.

Martinelli, Trossard, Nwaneri, White & maybe Gyokeres to be sold. Mosquera may end up going if White's injury is long term.

Monga (seems this is done already)
ST - Alvarez (think we have a chance as Athletico really don't want to sell to Barca). If not then Kroupi from AFCB.

LW - Not really sure. A few options out there.

MF 8 - Bouaddi would be my choice but Tonali and Alex Scott both options too.

RB - Livramento I have on **reasonably** reliable authority is very advanced.

[Peter]

Martinelli, Trossard, Nwaneri, White & maybe Gyokeres to be sold. Mosquera may end up going if White's injury is long term.

Monga (seems this is done already)
ST - Alvarez (think we have a chance as Athletico really don't want to sell to Barca). If not then Kroupi from AFCB.

LW - Not really sure. A few options out there.

MF 8 - Bouaddi would be my choice but Tonali and Alex Scott both options too.

RB - Livramento I have on **reasonably** reliable authority is very advanced.

I've heard a few people touting the Livramento rumour. Mosquera isnt going anywhere. He's had a great first season.

We dont really know what will happen as we haven't seen too much of Berta yet. World Cup tends to make for a slightly awkward summer of transfers.

We'll see. I doubt we will spend too heavily as we spent an awful lot last season. But I guess we earned a fair bit as well.

[Rich]

I've heard a few people touting the Livramento rumour. Mosquera isnt going anywhere. He's had a great first season.

We dont really know what will happen as we haven't seen too much of Berta yet. World Cup tends to make for a slightly awkward summer of transfers.

We'll see. I doubt we will spend too heavily as we spent an awful lot last season. But I guess we earned a fair bit as well.

We will spend more than we did last summer. NET spend maybe not as we will definitely make some big sales too.

Mosquera will go if we get an offer of 50m or more and can't sell White. Can put a buyback clause in.

[redgunamo]

I've heard a few people touting the Livramento rumour. Mosquera isnt going anywhere. He's had a great first season.

We dont really know what will happen as we haven't seen too much of Berta yet. World Cup tends to make for a slightly awkward summer of transfers.

We'll see. I doubt we will spend too heavily as we spent an awful lot last season. But I guess we earned a fair bit as well.

No way we're selling any player after just one season, in any case.

[redgunamo]

It?s also about how he handles the players moving in the opposite direction. The club have been incredibly poor at managing the credit side of the balance sheet. I?m not expecting him to work miracles but it would be a bonus to receive some sort of return on players like Vieira, Jesus, Trossard, Kiwior etc, as opposed to some derisory, write off amount.

The old Net Spend MacGuffin.
Nobody cares about that. It's sunk costs, the money's gone.

We'll deal with it.

[redgunamo]

Selling on is always going to be a problem for a club like us. If you sign players who are not good enough then you are paying them more than they are worth. And often wages that very few clubs are willing/able to match.

You end in a situation where the clubs that could afford them dont want them and the clubs that want them cant afford them. It is no surprise that some of our biggest sales were academy players (Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Nketiah) who were still on relatively low wages.

Funnily though, the status of champions can add value to your sales. So we will see. Jesus has to go, purely because of the wages. We cant have bit part player on 200 grand a week.

That might work. The strong feeling here, somewhat surprisingly, is that Arteta must be something of a genius manager to have won the Premier League with our players, our squad and our football.

But then, the people saying that didn't actually watch us play very often