Arsenal FC | 2022/23 Season

[Amjid Javed]

They need new fans. Those who cannot appreciate the progress Arsenal have made this season from top 4 contenders to title contenders do not deserve to support this club.

No one cares about progress we are the 3rd biggest club in England, people remember titles won. Once Arteta is sacked he will be remembered for being a specialist in failure as Mourinho once famously used that phrase.

All this trust the process nonsense is just their so the club can use its pathetic low standards to justify failure and dress it up as "progress"

 

[topspin]

I skipped this game because I knew Arsenal would win this with ease because there was nothing to play for.

I'm not happy for Xhaka to see him finish off his Arsenal in style because he's perhaps the biggest reason why we bottled it.

The draw at Liverpool was the turning point for us. We were 2-0 up and he started a fight with TAA and that woke up Anfield and in turn the Liverpool team. That allowed them to get back into the game when we should've buried them.

I agree with AJ, had we won that game, we would've probably won the title.

It's a shame because Xhaka was making a Hafeez like resurgence at the back end of his career. However he isn't Arsenal's Hafeez for one reason. The difference is Hafeez actually made up for some his bottling in big tournaments by smashing a terrific half century in the 2017 CT final against India.

Xhaka wants to leave because he knows deep down he's responsible for our collapse.

Last season he had the nerve to call out his team mates after we lost heavily against Newcastle at St James Park so good riddance!

 

[topspin]

Also the treatment of Tierney has been nothing short of disgraceful.

How is he being benched for Kiwior?

Arteta clearly playing politics and giving him a hint to leave the club.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Also the treatment of Tierney has been nothing short of disgraceful.

How is he being benched for Kiwior?

Arteta clearly playing politics and giving him a hint to leave the club.

Treatment of Tierney and ESR has been disgraceful. Both players should look to go to Newcastle, Villa or Brighton.

Then you have the persistence with mediocre players like holding, xhaka, zinchencho. New contracts for Eddie and Nelson after a few good games.

The whole squad management from a defensive point of view is a shambles. So now we are looking at another RB, because Tomiyasu is a liability fitness wise.

Looks like kiwor will now be back up to Zinchenko, so I can't see Arsenal improving defensively next season.

43 goals conceded for a team finishing 2nd isn't good enough.

Now it's over to Edu the clown to see if he can do his job for once and get primary targets.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I skipped this game because I knew Arsenal would win this with ease because there was nothing to play for.

I'm not happy for Xhaka to see him finish off his Arsenal in style because he's perhaps the biggest reason why we bottled it.

The draw at Liverpool was the turning point for us. We were 2-0 up and he started a fight with TAA and that woke up Anfield and in turn the Liverpool team. That allowed them to get back into the game when we should've buried them.

I agree with AJ, had we won that game, we would've probably won the title.

It's a shame because Xhaka was making a Hafeez like resurgence at the back end of his career. However he isn't Arsenal's Hafeez for one reason. The difference is Hafeez actually made up for some his bottling in big tournaments by smashing a terrific half century in the 2017 CT final against India.

Xhaka wants to leave because he knows deep down he's responsible for our collapse.

Last season he had the nerve to call out his team mates after we lost heavily against Newcastle at St James Park so good riddance!

Brilliantly put post, we signed xhaka (transfer, wages, Agent fee) for 2M less then Kante (joined 10th place Chelsea from leicester). These sort of pathetic transfer decisions is why the club was stuck playing europa league for so long. Mediocre players like xhaka, elneny etc.. Time to move on from trash and get a proper midfield that can win trophies. The club needs to sign caciedo, rice and maddison. Let's see how ambitious the kronkes really are with CL money

 

[Mamoon]

Arsenal have lost 12 PL games in a row vs City, so the examples you gave about this happens in football are meaningless.

The record is the cricketing equivalent of Pakistan getting hammered in Australia every tour.

Zero wins, zero draws and all your clinging to is that Arsenal had more possession at the Emirates, is their a trophy parade for that at end of season?

I told you start of season Arsenal had a mental block vs City, and you rolled out the excuses that this was a new team, new mentality etc.. end results City gave Arsenal a lesson in both games tactically. Arteta learnt nothing off Pep apart from putting cones out and handing out bibs.

How many other teams in PL do you think have lost their last 12 PL games vs City?

The fact you have a new excise every time we lose to City, shows you have same mental block as well.

My point was a simple one Brentford tactically found a way in both games to cope with Man city. Arteta did a saqlain and just prayed for the best, such coaches always get exposed eventually

This mental block stuff means nothing when there is a significant change in personnel. You can say that Liverpool has a mental block against Madrid because more or less the same set of players have been competing with each other over the last few years, but the Arsenal teams that lost 12 consecutive matches to City and the current Arsenal team are very different.

Arsenal have found it very difficult over the years to beat City compared to other teams because Arsenal’s weaknesses have been very easy to exploit for a team like City.

They don’t give the ball away and press like animals. Arsenal haven’t had the players to compete with such tactics. The last time Arsenal beat City was when Cazorla produced a masterclass performance at the Etihad. City midfielders couldn’t cope with him.

Since then, Arsenal haven’t had the players to dominate the midfield and keep the ball. This season, Arsenal have improved considerably on this front and they produced their best performance against City (home match) since the win at Etihad years back.

Yes they lost but the performance was very good and it had nothing to do with any mental block. The 4-1 thrashing at Etihad wasn’t a mental block either, they were up against a superior team that were playing at their best level.

Arsenal have had a terrible record at Anfield but they drew this season. You are looking too much into this mental block stuff. It doesn’t mean anything.

When City were sold in 2008, they finished 9th in the previous season and had a “mental block” against most sides. Yet, that so-called “mental block” went away when they bought better players.

The Manchester Derby was one of the most one-sided derbies of the 2000s but City were able to turn things around almost immediately after 2008. Looks like the so-called “mental block” didn’t mean anything.

Arsenal have closed the gap massively with City. A quick look at the PL table will tell you that. Yes they lost both games this season as well but overall performance is a bigger indicator of relative strength than H2H.

If H2H is all that matters than Brentford is better than City.

 

[Mamoon]

No one cares about progress we are the 3rd biggest club in England, people remember titles won. Once Arteta is sacked he will be remembered for being a specialist in failure as Mourinho once famously used that phrase.

All this trust the process nonsense is just their so the club can use its pathetic low standards to justify failure and dress it up as "progress"

“Once Arteta is sacked” )

Keep dreaming. He is not going anywhere. He has been brilliant and the only reason why Arsenal challenged for the title this season.

He has turned things around, revived the club and brought the fans together. As someone beautifully put:

“Arsene built the Emirates and Arteta turned on the lights”

From celebrating top 4 to being disappointed with not winning the title. Arteta has transformed the mentality of the club.

There is no doubt that by the time the Arteta era is over, and it is going to last for many years, he will have at least two league titles under his belt.

 

[Mamoon]

Also the treatment of Tierney has been nothing short of disgraceful.

How is he being benched for Kiwior?

Arteta clearly playing politics and giving him a hint to leave the club.

There was nothing disgraceful about his treatment. If you are not in the manager’s plans you are not in the plans. This is football.

Was it disgraceful for Pep to kick out a club legend like Hart or the way he banished Cancelo this season? No it wasn’t.

Tierney is a good old school left back but he doesn’t fit into Arteta’s style of football. Zinchenko does.

There are plenty of PL clubs where Tierney would be a starter and if he is not content on the bench at Arsenal, he can leave.

He was benched for Kiwior because unless he has a last minute change of heart, he will ask to be sold and obviously Arteta knows this.

Kiwior is a utility player and he will fill in on the left next season if needed. Having such utility players give the team a lot of flexibility. This is the same reason Arteta wants Cancelo. Having a top level full-back who is equally comfortable on both sides will be a huge asset for this Arsenal side.

If Arteta is able to sign Cancelo, Arsenal will have the following options in defense assuming that Tierney and Holding will be sold.

CB: Saliba, Gabriel, White, Iwior
LB: Zinchenko, Cancelo, Iwior, Tomiyasu
RB: Cancelo, White, Tomiyasu

That is excellent quality and depth for Arsenal to compete on four fronts next season. If Tomiyasu leaves (unlikely), Arteta will probably sign another defender. However, even if he doesn’t, there are enough options even if Tomiyasu leaves.

Having versatile defenders is extremely important and I’m glad that he gave Iwior a chance on the left to see how he would fare.

 

[Rana]

5 points the difference

If only we got that final goal v Liverpool (away)

3 points v SH and 3 points v West Ham (away)

The title was in the bag

 

[Amjid Javed]

5 points the difference

If only we got that final goal v Liverpool (away)

3 points v SH and 3 points v West Ham (away)

The title was in the bag

Not as simple as that, City rested players for last 2 games and weren't bothered whether they won or lost.

Arsenal went 3+ games without a win twice this season and that cost them the league. Also conceding 43 goals for a team finishing 2nd was disgraceful.

 

[Amjid Javed]

This mental block stuff means nothing when there is a significant change in personnel. You can say that Liverpool has a mental block against Madrid because more or less the same set of players have been competing with each other over the last few years, but the Arsenal teams that lost 12 consecutive matches to City and the current Arsenal team are very different.

Arsenal have found it very difficult over the years to beat City compared to other teams because Arsenal’s weaknesses have been very easy to exploit for a team like City.

They don’t give the ball away and press like animals. Arsenal haven’t had the players to compete with such tactics. The last time Arsenal beat City was when Cazorla produced a masterclass performance at the Etihad. City midfielders couldn’t cope with him.

Since then, Arsenal haven’t had the players to dominate the midfield and keep the ball. This season, Arsenal have improved considerably on this front and they produced their best performance against City (home match) since the win at Etihad years back.

Yes they lost but the performance was very good and it had nothing to do with any mental block. The 4-1 thrashing at Etihad wasn’t a mental block either, they were up against a superior team that were playing at their best level.

Arsenal have had a terrible record at Anfield but they drew this season. You are looking too much into this mental block stuff. It doesn’t mean anything.

When City were sold in 2008, they finished 9th in the previous season and had a “mental block” against most sides. Yet, that so-called “mental block” went away when they bought better players.

The Manchester Derby was one of the most one-sided derbies of the 2000s but City were able to turn things around almost immediately after 2008. Looks like the so-called “mental block” didn’t mean anything.

Arsenal have closed the gap massively with City. A quick look at the PL table will tell you that. Yes they lost both games this season as well but overall performance is a bigger indicator of relative strength than H2H.

If H2H is all that matters than Brentford is better than City.

No team realistically is going to have the players to regularly dominant the midfield in games vs man city, so that's just another lame excuse. Plenty of teams of found ways crystal palace, Spurs, Brentford, liverpool etc.. have found ways to beat City in last 6 seasons.

Have these sides dominated the ball? No they haven't, but what they have done is tactically adjust to defend well and then expose City defensively.

You say Arsenal weakness are easy to exploit by Man city, so why is Arteta still playing in same fashion vs City. You keep harping on about how Arteta is tactically brilliant, yet he keeps being exposed in these games because he has no plan B.

Not once has he tried to be pragmatic or try something tactically different, no guarantees it would work but fact he is so predictable makes it easy for City to take Arsenal apart. It will be same next season unless he changes that.

Pep changed his tactics in both games vs arsenal and showed them respect and won, Arteta showed no game plan at all.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Brighton have signed what looks like caciedo replacement, so Arsenal need to go and sign caciedo now, no penny pinching.

Arsenal need both Caicedo and rice if they want to improve

 

[Mamoon]

No team realistically is going to have the players to regularly dominant the midfield in games vs man city, so that's just another lame excuse. Plenty of teams of found ways crystal palace, Spurs, Brentford, liverpool etc.. have found ways to beat City in last 6 seasons.

Have these sides dominated the ball? No they haven't, but what they have done is tactically adjust to defend well and then expose City defensively.

You say Arsenal weakness are easy to exploit by Man city, so why is Arteta still playing in same fashion vs City. You keep harping on about how Arteta is tactically brilliant, yet he keeps being exposed in these games because he has no plan B.

Not once has he tried to be pragmatic or try something tactically different, no guarantees it would work but fact he is so predictable makes it easy for City to take Arsenal apart. It will be same next season unless he changes that.

Pep changed his tactics in both games vs arsenal and showed them respect and won, Arteta showed no game plan at all.

Same reason why Liverpool have been getting smashed by Madrid for years and Klopp hasn’t had a plan B and figured out how to beat them while bottom half Spanish teams have been able to get results.

Sometimes, things don’t work out. Arteta needs to be judged on the overall progress Arsenal have made on his watch - from top 4 contender to title contender - not by his H2H record against Man City.

There is no prize for beating City. Arsenal don’t need to beat them to win the league.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Same reason why Liverpool have been getting smashed by Madrid for years and Klopp hasn’t had a plan B and figured out how to beat them while bottom half Spanish teams have been able to get results.

Sometimes, things don’t work out. Arteta needs to be judged on the overall progress Arsenal have made on his watch - from top 4 contender to title contender - not by his H2H record against Man City.

There is no prize for beating City. Arsenal don’t need to beat them to win the league.

Well if Arteta has no plan B, then stop hyping him up as some sort of tactical genius.

If you think Arsenal don't need to beat City to win the league your being very delusional to say the least.

 

[Firebat]

Declan Rice has spoken with Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel as the Bundesliga champions step up their pursuit of the West Ham and England midfielder.

Sky in Germany's transfer reporter Florian Plettenberg says Rice remains at the top of their wanted list as they look to add a central midfielder to their squad.

===================================

Looks like Arsenal could get sucked into a bidding war with Bayern...

 

[Amjid Javed]

Declan Rice has spoken with Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel as the Bundesliga champions step up their pursuit of the West Ham and England midfielder.

Sky in Germany's transfer reporter Florian Plettenberg says Rice remains at the top of their wanted list as they look to add a central midfielder to their squad.

===================================

Looks like Arsenal could get sucked into a bidding war with Bayern...

Looks like Bayern will sign him whilst Edu is busy having bbqs. Won't be a shock

 

[Firebat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55357;&#57000; Arsenal have no intention of letting Emile Smith Rowe depart this summer. 22yo contracted until 2026 + important part of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AFC</a> plans. After injury-hit campaign, hope is he shines at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U21EURO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U21EURO</a> & in pre-season before big 23/24. W/ <a href="https://twitter.com/ArtdeRoche?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArtdeRoche</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthleticFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthleticFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/sRSk7zzE6E">https://t.co/sRSk7zzE6E</a></p>— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1663526949887655936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[topspin]

Brilliantly put post, we signed xhaka (transfer, wages, Agent fee) for 2M less then Kante (joined 10th place Chelsea from leicester). These sort of pathetic transfer decisions is why the club was stuck playing europa league for so long. Mediocre players like xhaka, elneny etc.. Time to move on from trash and get a proper midfield that can win trophies. The club needs to sign caciedo, rice and maddison. Let's see how ambitious the kronkes really are with CL money

Great opportunity to buy all 3 but you can trust Edu to fumble. He needs to be fired.

This is the right time to pounce on Maddison. So many teams will be after him and we need someone who will push Odegaard away from his comfort zone and keep him honest.

I don't think Bayern will sign Rice. Arsenal will pay him £300k per week. I don't see Bayern offering him those kind of wages.

Caicedo and Maddison will be harder to acquire because Rice has his heart set to Arsenal.

 

[topspin]

There was nothing disgraceful about his treatment. If you are not in the manager’s plans you are not in the plans. This is football.

Was it disgraceful for Pep to kick out a club legend like Hart or the way he banished Cancelo this season? No it wasn’t.

Tierney is a good old school left back but he doesn’t fit into Arteta’s style of football. Zinchenko does.

There are plenty of PL clubs where Tierney would be a starter and if he is not content on the bench at Arsenal, he can leave.

He was benched for Kiwior because unless he has a last minute change of heart, he will ask to be sold and obviously Arteta knows this.

Kiwior is a utility player and he will fill in on the left next season if needed. Having such utility players give the team a lot of flexibility. This is the same reason Arteta wants Cancelo. Having a top level full-back who is equally comfortable on both sides will be a huge asset for this Arsenal side.

If Arteta is able to sign Cancelo, Arsenal will have the following options in defense assuming that Tierney and Holding will be sold.

CB: Saliba, Gabriel, White, Iwior
LB: Zinchenko, Cancelo, Iwior, Tomiyasu
RB: Cancelo, White, Tomiyasu

That is excellent quality and depth for Arsenal to compete on four fronts next season. If Tomiyasu leaves (unlikely), Arteta will probably sign another defender. However, even if he doesn’t, there are enough options even if Tomiyasu leaves.

Having versatile defenders is extremely important and I’m glad that he gave Iwior a chance on the left to see how he would fare.

What you have to remember is wherever you play in the backline you're defender by position and you should also be a defender by skill.

Forget Zinchenko's incompetent defending for a second, he doesn't even play at the back for Ukraine, so what on earth is Arteta doing playing him at LB?

Shall I tell you the reason why? It's because Pep did it as an experiment and Arteta the fool took it at face value without drawing his own conclusions for himself.

As for Kiwior, he's so substandard, I very much doubt he'll last at Arsenal beyond next season. He's physically and mentally weak. Another signing that smells like Tavares, Lakonga and Fabio Vieira.

For him to start ahead of Tierney shows to me it's personal as Arteta has gone out of his way to humiliate him. I knew Zinchenko was one of the three golden boys at Arsenal, alongside Odegaard and Xhaka, but wow I didn't expect him to take things this far!

I've been defending Arteta for a long time but unfortunately I think I'm losing hope in him now and it wouldn't surprise me if we see an Emery like end for him come the beginning of next season.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Great opportunity to buy all 3 but you can trust Edu to fumble. He needs to be fired.

This is the right time to pounce on Maddison. So many teams will be after him and we need someone who will push Odegaard away from his comfort zone and keep him honest.

I don't think Bayern will sign Rice. Arsenal will pay him £300k per week. I don't see Bayern offering him those kind of wages.

Caicedo and Maddison will be harder to acquire because Rice has his heart set to Arsenal.

Maddision now with Leicester being relegated will cost around 40-45M which is a bargain for a PL proven player and would add more quality going forward.

I think if edu does his usual low balling offers to west ham, we may not end up with rice and then getting caciedo may get even more difficult.

Also looks like saliba may not sign a new contract. So we will be back to square one with a mediocre back line.

 

[Mamoon]

What you have to remember is wherever you play in the backline you're defender by position and you should also be a defender by skill.

Forget Zinchenko's incompetent defending for a second, he doesn't even play at the back for Ukraine, so what on earth is Arteta doing playing him at LB?

Shall I tell you the reason why? It's because Pep did it as an experiment and Arteta the fool took it at face value without drawing his own conclusions for himself.

As for Kiwior, he's so substandard, I very much doubt he'll last at Arsenal beyond next season. He's physically and mentally weak. Another signing that smells like Tavares, Lakonga and Fabio Vieira.

For him to start ahead of Tierney shows to me it's personal as Arteta has gone out of his way to humiliate him. I knew Zinchenko was one of the three golden boys at Arsenal, alongside Odegaard and Xhaka, but wow I didn't expect him to take things this far!

I've been defending Arteta for a long time but unfortunately I think I'm losing hope in him now and it wouldn't surprise me if we see an Emery like end for him come the beginning of next season.

If Klopp agreed with you, he wouldn’t have played TAA as RB over the years and would have most probably not won the league and the UCL.

When he was asked about why he persists with TAA in spite of his defensive lapses, he said that you have to look at the overall package. TAA is not a quality defenders but what he brings to Liverpool overall makes him irreplaceable and a key factor behind their success in the Klopp era.

Same goes for Zinchenko. He is not a great defender by any means but his technique, vision and passing range makes him a huge asset for this Arsenal team and he is crucial to how Arteta wants his team to set up.

He makes Arsenal’s attacks much more potent and incisive. The team plays with such fluidity. He was one of the key factors behind Arsenal’s dominance until Feb and his loss of form (and Saliba’s injury) were the key factors in Arsenal’s slump at the end of the season.

If Tierney played ahead of him all season, Arsenal would have had a lot less points. In spite of being a better 1:1 defender, he brings very little to the team compared to Zinchenko and this is why he is on the bench.

As far as Iwior is concerned, he is more than decent for a backup. His performances this season especially against Newcastle clearly show that he is an upgrade on Holding.

You cannot have top players sitting on the bench so you have to settle for a downgrade. Iwior is good enough to be a backup.

Tierney is not a club legend. Why should he get a farewell when he wants to leave and doesn’t have the heart to fight for his spot? One season on the bench and he started crying.

 

[MenInG]

That's according to Italian publication Calciomercato, who claim that the Gunners are one of the numerous suitors seeking to pry Wilfried Gnonto from Championship-bound Leeds United.

Amongst the suitors are Manchester City, who will also battle with plenty of Italian clubs who want to bring the electric wide man back to his homeland, although the north London outfit are noted as following him particularly closely.

With a price tag expected to reach as high as €40m (£35m), the Whites will likely still be frustrated to see their brightest prospect exit Elland Road. However, their loss could be Mikel Arteta's gain, with another skilful young winger for him to mould in Bukayo Saka's image.

How good is Wilfried Gnonto?
Given it is just his first full year in England, the 19-year-old has acclimated to the power and pace of the Premier League with relative ease. This is likely aided by his own physical assets, which have seen the 5 foot 5 powerhouse feature 24 times in the league and a further four times in domestic cup competitions.

Whilst eight goal contributions across those 28 appearances might not be the most eye-catching, he is a teenager who offers much more than just statistics.

His ability to beat a man is thrilling to watch, with his lightning-quick feet making viewers feel like he is always capable of the spectacular - talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor lauded such quality back in March, noting:

"He’s a top player. He might not be on Raphinha’s level just yet, as he’s only 19 – but he’s got that directness, that scary pace.

“He could do better with his final ball or with his finishing – but that will only get better and better in the future. I can see him being at that Raphinha level in the next couple of seasons."

Meanwhile, Football Insider pundit Tam McManus supplemented this by branding him a "pocket rocket" too, and when compared to other wingers across Europe he ranks in the top 16% for progressive carries per 90 to emphasise this superiority with possession.

Given the Gunners have been in for the 26-year-old Brazilian in the past, who notched 11 goals last season in the league, this could mark a fine investment into an asset who could easily surpass the Barcelona man.

Watching Saka occupy the right flank with a similar dynamism, adding many more goals and assists to his name, placing them in the same squad under the tutelage of Arteta could help elevate them both to new levels.

The England international recorded 14 goals and 11 assists in the league this season, but just two years earlier, when he was a teenager himself, he only managed nine goal contributions. The pathway for Gnonto's progression is therefore clear.

Arsenal's transformative manager could work his magic on an exciting winger once again, and in doing so form one of the division's most petrifying wide combinations.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/foo...p&cvid=077fb9b214674effb840a3e37b8012df&ei=16

 

[MenInG]

West Ham's England midfielder Declan Rice would prefer to stay in the Premier League this summer as he prepares to snub a move to Bayern Munich, with Arsenal and Manchester United most keen on the 24-year-old

 

[Amjid Javed]

West Ham's England midfielder Declan Rice would prefer to stay in the Premier League this summer as he prepares to snub a move to Bayern Munich, with Arsenal and Manchester United most keen on the 24-year-old

Bayern and man united won't haggle over 5 or 10M when it comes to Rice, they will put the money down. Edu won't get away with silly low ball offers or haggling, we will see if this clown can get big transfers done for once.

Arsenal could easily lose rice and Caicedo quickly at start of this window.

 

[Firebat]

Newcastle United believe they are in pole position to sign Kieran Tierney from Arsenal this summer. (The Sun)

 

[Amjid Javed]

What you have to remember is wherever you play in the backline you're defender by position and you should also be a defender by skill.

Forget Zinchenko's incompetent defending for a second, he doesn't even play at the back for Ukraine, so what on earth is Arteta doing playing him at LB?

Shall I tell you the reason why? It's because Pep did it as an experiment and Arteta the fool took it at face value without drawing his own conclusions for himself.

As for Kiwior, he's so substandard, I very much doubt he'll last at Arsenal beyond next season. He's physically and mentally weak. Another signing that smells like Tavares, Lakonga and Fabio Vieira.

For him to start ahead of Tierney shows to me it's personal as Arteta has gone out of his way to humiliate him. I knew Zinchenko was one of the three golden boys at Arsenal, alongside Odegaard and Xhaka, but wow I didn't expect him to take things this far!

I've been defending Arteta for a long time but unfortunately I think I'm losing hope in him now and it wouldn't surprise me if we see an Emery like end for him come the beginning of next season.

Pep come out after the FA Cup final yesterday and said he picks his defenders to defend. He also said that'd their primary job. All the experimenting he did earlier in season stop. What he has is 5 really good defenders he can depend on. They haven't conceded more then 1 goal in last 30 games or so.

In turn Arteta has this fascination with inverted full backs, left and right footed CBs etc.. and reality is as a unit they team has conceded to many goals. You take saliba out of Arsenal defence and rest are average at best.

Players like Zinchenko, Kiwior etc.. Will be exposed in PL and CL next season and I can't see team improving defensively.

Yes Arteta will see his end just like Emery did. Arsenal's pathetic cup performances and league form of regular not winning for 3 games in a row at business end of season won't be tolerated next season.

The so called process is done now and no more excuses from 1 trick pony manager.

 

[topspin]

If Klopp agreed with you, he wouldn’t have played TAA as RB over the years and would have most probably not won the league and the UCL.

When he was asked about why he persists with TAA in spite of his defensive lapses, he said that you have to look at the overall package. TAA is not a quality defenders but what he brings to Liverpool overall makes him irreplaceable and a key factor behind their success in the Klopp era.

Same goes for Zinchenko. He is not a great defender by any means but his technique, vision and passing range makes him a huge asset for this Arsenal team and he is crucial to how Arteta wants his team to set up.

He makes Arsenal’s attacks much more potent and incisive. The team plays with such fluidity. He was one of the key factors behind Arsenal’s dominance until Feb and his loss of form (and Saliba’s injury) were the key factors in Arsenal’s slump at the end of the season.

If Tierney played ahead of him all season, Arsenal would have had a lot less points. In spite of being a better 1:1 defender, he brings very little to the team compared to Zinchenko and this is why he is on the bench.

As far as Iwior is concerned, he is more than decent for a backup. His performances this season especially against Newcastle clearly show that he is an upgrade on Holding.

You cannot have top players sitting on the bench so you have to settle for a downgrade. Iwior is good enough to be a backup.

Tierney is not a club legend. Why should he get a farewell when he wants to leave and doesn’t have the heart to fight for his spot? One season on the bench and he started crying.

But Zinchenko is nowhere near as good as TAA when it comes to going forward and linking up with midfielders/attacking players. In this regard, TAA has far more to offer in his game.

TAA's defending isn't good but at least he has serious pace and is much stronger than Zinchenko to help him compete against wingers. Zinchenko is an easy player for any half decent winger to go up against because not only is he a poor defender, he has no pace nor does have the physical attributes to hold off and outmuscle players.

The only thing similar about these two is their height. They're both 5 foot 9.

TAA produced a total of 11 goal contributions in the 22/23 seasons with 2 goals and 9 assists.

Zinchenko lagged behind by some way as he only managed 3 goal contributions during the same period.

If TAA was a LB, I could understand Arteta favouring him over Tierney, but Zinchenko literally brings nothing to the team as a LB because he's a natural CAM.

 

[topspin]

Pep come out after the FA Cup final yesterday and said he picks his defenders to defend. He also said that'd their primary job. All the experimenting he did earlier in season stop. What he has is 5 really good defenders he can depend on. They haven't conceded more then 1 goal in last 30 games or so.

In turn Arteta has this fascination with inverted full backs, left and right footed CBs etc.. and reality is as a unit they team has conceded to many goals. You take saliba out of Arsenal defence and rest are average at best.

Players like Zinchenko, Kiwior etc.. Will be exposed in PL and CL next season and I can't see team improving defensively.

Yes Arteta will see his end just like Emery did. Arsenal's pathetic cup performances and league form of regular not winning for 3 games in a row at business end of season won't be tolerated next season.

The so called process is done now and no more excuses from 1 trick pony manager.

Exactly it just goes to show that Zinchenko's role at LB for City was all but an experiment from Pep. He then figured he wasn't good enough so his game time decreased and then ended up getting sold.

Arteta took Pep's experiment at face value when he should've made his own assessment of his credentials as a LB first.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Exactly it just goes to show that Zinchenko's role at LB for City was all but an experiment from Pep. He then figured he wasn't good enough so his game time decreased and then ended up getting sold.

Arteta took Pep's experiment at face value when he should've made his own assessment of his credentials as a LB first.

Arteta is just copying everything's he's seen Pep do, it's like copying someone's exam answers without doing any revision.

Then when Arsenal play man city, Pep just changes his tactics to which Arteta has no answer for.

You can his fan boys like mamoon and few others calling Arteta a tactical genius yet at 1st time of any sort of change he's not seen before he's made to look like a novice.

In regards to Zinchenko he's one very operated footballer and should be no where near any back 4.

 

[Amjid Javed]

But Zinchenko is nowhere near as good as TAA when it comes to going forward and linking up with midfielders/attacking players. In this regard, TAA has far more to offer in his game.

TAA's defending isn't good but at least he has serious pace and is much stronger than Zinchenko to help him compete against wingers. Zinchenko is an easy player for any half decent winger to go up against because not only is he a poor defender, he has no pace nor does have the physical attributes to hold off and outmuscle players.

The only thing similar about these two is their height. They're both 5 foot 9.

TAA produced a total of 11 goal contributions in the 22/23 seasons with 2 goals and 9 assists.

Zinchenko lagged behind by some way as he only managed 3 goal contributions during the same period.

If TAA was a LB, I could understand Arteta favouring him over Tierney, but Zinchenko literally brings nothing to the team as a LB because he's a natural CAM.

Spot on Analysis, as non existent as TAA is defensively, he provides goals and Assists.

Zinchenko on other hand probably has more Assists for opposition then he does for Arsenal last season

 

[topspin]

Arteta is just copying everything's he's seen Pep do, it's like copying someone's exam answers without doing any revision.

Then when Arsenal play man city, Pep just changes his tactics to which Arteta has no answer for.

You can his fan boys like mamoon and few others calling Arteta a tactical genius yet at 1st time of any sort of change he's not seen before he's made to look like a novice.

In regards to Zinchenko he's one very operated footballer and should be no where near any back 4.

Arteta got schooled very badly by Pep. It's not a good sign because unlike us other big six sides like Spurs, Man U and Liverpool have at least managed to beat City once during this season.

 

[topspin]

Spot on Analysis, as non existent as TAA is defensively, he provides goals and Assists.

Zinchenko on other hand probably has more Assists for opposition then he does for Arsenal last season

Brutal but the truth.

There's nothing going for Zinchenko as a LB. I can't believe a knowledgeable football fan like Mamoon really believes he's an asset as a full back.

If Pep was coaching Arsenal, there's no way he'd play him ahead of Tierney unless he felt the need to experiment for just a few games.

 

[Firebat]

Arteta got schooled very badly by Pep. It's not a good sign because unlike us other big six sides like Spurs, Man U and Liverpool have at least managed to beat City once during this season.

And Arsenal finished 24, 9 and 17 points above those teams respectively. What is that a sign of?

Brutal but the truth.

There's nothing going for Zinchenko as a LB. I can't believe a knowledgeable football fan like Mamoon really believes he's an asset as a full back.

If Pep was coaching Arsenal, there's no way he'd play him ahead of Tierney unless he felt the need to experiment for just a few games.

Come on man, Pep was literally the guy that made Zinchenko into a full-back when he arrived as a midfielder and gave him 128 caps in that position. He started him LB in a UCL semi final and final. He subbed him on at HT in the final game of the season last year while they were losing the title-deciding game.

In fact, I can barely think of any traditional Tierney-style overlapping left-back that has played for Pep's City except maybe Mendy. Delph, Zinchenko, Laporte, Ake, Akanji, Cancelo and whoever else have played there, none are in the mould of Tierney. He started Bernardo Silva at LB at the Emirates a few months ago!

Don't you guys ever get tired of bashing the guy who has delivered Arsenal's most successful league season since the Invincibles 20 years ago? Note: I'm not advocating for a parade, before I am straw-manned by the usual suspects.

 

[Amjid Javed]

And Arsenal finished 24, 9 and 17 points above those teams respectively. What is that a sign of?



Come on man, Pep was literally the guy that made Zinchenko into a full-back when he arrived as a midfielder and gave him 128 caps in that position. He started him LB in a UCL semi final and final. He subbed him on at HT in the final game of the season last year while they were losing the title-deciding game.

In fact, I can barely think of any traditional Tierney-style overlapping left-back that has played for Pep's City except maybe Mendy. Delph, Zinchenko, Laporte, Ake, Akanji, Cancelo and whoever else have played there, none are in the mould of Tierney. He started Bernardo Silva at LB at the Emirates a few months ago!

Don't you guys ever get tired of bashing the guy who has delivered Arsenal's most successful league season since the Invincibles 20 years ago? Note: I'm not advocating for a parade, before I am straw-manned by the usual suspects.

The club bottled title due to Artetas incompetence, lack of plan B, poor squad management and I'm game management.

No club can afford to go 3 games without a win at back end of a season and expect to do well in a top 4 race or title race. Good managers are able to change things round after dropping points in a game. Yet Arteta stubbornly just keeps doing dame things just hoping and praying for best. Bottling top 4 and title race is on the manager. As are all the pathetic cup exits.

Arteta gives Eddie a new contract but then when Jesus was out of form at end of season, doesn't make a change. Why give Eddie a new contract (not that he should have been given one in 1st place)

Same for saka, stories are coming our now he's been playing with an achillies Injury since the international break, yet arteta flogged him like a dead horse, why not play someone else, if ur offering Nelson a new contract, why weren't you playing him?

Then the whole saliba situation 4 years at the club, been out on loan 3 years (artetas decision) he now has less than 1 Yr on his contract and is rightly asking for a big contract, which arteta and edu are stalling on. So we could now lose star defender for not much of a fee and will cost a lot more to replace him, which means money set a side for strengthening midfield will have to be wasted on a new CB, RB etc...

High level incompetence from both Arteta and edu and this is why the squad will keep having holes in it, add to that the lack of accountability and lowering of standards at club, this is why they will remain bottle jobs

 

[MenInG]

Arsenal have made a surprise offer to Manchester City superstar Ilkay Gundogan.

According to Sport, the Gunners have put a two-year contract offer on the table for Gundogan.

As it stands Arsenal are considered outsiders for the 32-year-old, with Barcelona, AC Milan and clubs in Saudi Arabia also interested.

Gundogan’s contract expires at the end of the month and, while there is still a slim chance he could extend with City, a free transfer move away appears likely.

Barcelona have been in talks with Gundogan for some time and it is believed they are the player’s preference.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/foo...p&cvid=9e498daae2634b7fbacffeb8f8ba2b7a&ei=22

 

[Amjid Javed]

Arsenal have made a surprise offer to Manchester City superstar Ilkay Gundogan.

According to Sport, the Gunners have put a two-year contract offer on the table for Gundogan.

As it stands Arsenal are considered outsiders for the 32-year-old, with Barcelona, AC Milan and clubs in Saudi Arabia also interested.

Gundogan’s contract expires at the end of the month and, while there is still a slim chance he could extend with City, a free transfer move away appears likely.

Barcelona have been in talks with Gundogan for some time and it is believed they are the player’s preference.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/foo...p&cvid=9e498daae2634b7fbacffeb8f8ba2b7a&ei=22

Would be a good signing - proven match winner

 

[MenInG]

Talks between Arsenal and 22-year-old France defender William Saliba's representatives regarding a new contract are progressing positively

 

[topspin]

Looks like Chelsea will snap up Caicedo.

There's no way we should be losing out to them on any of the targets we're looking to acquire.

 

[Rana]

Looks like Chelsea will snap up Caicedo.

There's no way we should be losing out to them on any of the targets we're looking to acquire.

It comes down to business credibility

Guys like Mourinho made Chelsea a much bigger attraction for players in Europe. Arsenal will need 2 more seasons of serious transfer business before they become a more viable option ahead of the likes of United, City, Chelsea and Liverpool

 

[topspin]

It comes down to business credibility

Guys like Mourinho made Chelsea a much bigger attraction for players in Europe. Arsenal will need 2 more seasons of serious transfer business before they become a more viable option ahead of the likes of United, City, Chelsea and Liverpool

In the PL, I would say the only club that is more attractive for a player is Man City. The problem is we have Edu who is the worst person to have when it comes to transfer dealings.

Arsenal is certainly the most attractive club in London.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Looks like Chelsea will snap up Caicedo.

There's no way we should be losing out to them on any of the targets we're looking to acquire.

Liverpool have signed macalister for 35M, same amount that Arsenal wasted on fabio vieira.

Edu has zero talent ID, and he will mess up both caciedo and Rice deals.

Kronkes have as expected said that Arsenal have to be self sustaining which means they ain't going to show any ambition or sign big. Unless edus track record of selling players for any sort of money improves Arsenal will go backwards next season.

I knew the kronkes were revert back to type as soon as CL was made.

But you will get usual fan boys immy69, mamoon, firebat with their cheer leader outfits on saying trust process again next season.

 

[Amjid Javed]

It comes down to business credibility

Guys like Mourinho made Chelsea a much bigger attraction for players in Europe. Arsenal will need 2 more seasons of serious transfer business before they become a more viable option ahead of the likes of United, City, Chelsea and Liverpool

It comes down to money. We've seen players like kante in past go from Leicester (champions) to 10th place Chelsea.

Caciedo is from a big family in Ecuador and is the main provider for his family money wise. Chelsea will pay a bigger fee and wages for him. The earnings he will get will set him up for life, so he will be a Chelsea player.

Arsenal didn't want to put a 3rd bid in for caciedo in january because they didn't want to "ruin their relationship with brighton" *

Same Brighton who made Arsenal pay over 50M for white. Same Brighton who are now in Europe, don't need to sell and will bump price from 70m to 100m

Another disaster class from Arsenal because they don't know how to act like a big club.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Another reason why Arsenal need to sort their midfield out quickly and get 2 new midfielders in for next season is.

1) squad depth
2) the Afcons will be on in January so more the likely no Partey / elneny for a month, we saw how edu and Arteta made a dogs dinner of that 2 seasons ago. Arsenal have no excuses for poor exits next season in January.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Tomiyasu will miss 1st two months at least of next season, he's spent more time injured then he's played. Liability fitness wise and needs to be sold.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar, together with director of football Richard Garlick and vice chairman Tim Lewis, are under increasing pressure to ensure priority signings arrive at the club ahead of the start of next season.

FootballTransfers has learned that key Arsenal directors are in the spotlight after major transfer funds - to the tune of around £200 million - were made available to them by the owners.

----

This is what's being reported online. Let's see if club shows accountability if edu through clown fails at his job again

 

[Amjid Javed]

West Ham United chairman David Sullivan confirms Declan Rice will leave the club this summer: 'We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. It's not something we want to happen, we offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago, he turned it down. You can't keep a player who doesn't want to be there.'

---

Over to edu the clown to do his job before someone hijacks the transfer.

 

[Firebat]

Arsenal will step up their £92m pursuit of Declan Rice in the hope the West Ham and England midfielder, 24, can join in time for the start of pre-season. (Telegraph)

 

[Firebat]

Arsenal are weighing up a swap transfer for Galatasaray right-back Sacha Boey but face competition from a Premier League rival (The Sun).

Both Inter and AC Milan are keeping tabs on Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who appears set to leave the London club this summer after impressing on loan with Reims (Daily Mail).

Rangers have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Arsenal defender Auston Trusty, according to reports (Scottish Sun).

 

[MenInG]

Martin Odegaard has won our men’s Player of the Season award for the 2022/23 campaign.

Our skipper came out on top of the voting, amassing 55 per cent of all submissions from our supporters to win the illustrious award for the first time.

Bukayo Saka came second, while Gabriel Martinelli finished in third spot.

Martin finished as joint top-scorer alongside that duo after netting 15 times in the Premier League - an impressive haul given that the only central midfielder to score as many in a season for us in the competition’s history is Cesc Fabregas in 2009/10.

He also laid on seven assists for his teammates in all competitions, taking him to 22 goal involvements for the campaign.

Having been handed possession of the armband at the start of the campaign, the Norwegian was instrumental throughout. He scored twice against Bournemouth in August to send us top of the table for the first time, which would be the first of nine goals he netted away from home, the most by one of our midfielders in a single Premier League season.

Another brace against Wolves took him up to five before the World Cup break, and in January he memorably netted a superb strike from range to help us on our way to our first victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Martin hit a rich vein of goalscoring form towards the end of the campaign, as he hit he net five times in five games including another pair to help us beat Chelsea in April, allowing him to surpass his best-ever tally of his career.

Individual accolades have also come his way, having been named the Premier League Player of the Month for November/December, and was he nominated for the division’s Player and Young Player of the Year awards.

He was crowned Football London Player of the Season in March, and received our Player of the Month prize in April, the same month that saw him complete a century of games for the club since his arrival back in January 2021.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/martin-odegaard-named-202223-player-season

 

[Rana]

Arsenal in for Chiesa apparently?

Gun striker

 

[Firebat]

Bayern Munich's top midfield transfer target is West Ham's Rice but there have been no recent developments and Arsenal are favourites to sign him. (Sky Sport Germany)

Talks between Arsenal and Joao Cancelo over a potential move are progressing positively and Manchester City want £45m for the Portugal full-back, 29. (FootballTransfers)

 

[Mamoon]

It comes down to money. We've seen players like kante in past go from Leicester (champions) to 10th place Chelsea.

Caciedo is from a big family in Ecuador and is the main provider for his family money wise. Chelsea will pay a bigger fee and wages for him. The earnings he will get will set him up for life, so he will be a Chelsea player.

Arsenal didn't want to put a 3rd bid in for caciedo in january because they didn't want to "ruin their relationship with brighton" *

Same Brighton who made Arsenal pay over 50M for white. Same Brighton who are now in Europe, don't need to sell and will bump price from 70m to 100m

Another disaster class from Arsenal because they don't know how to act like a big club.

You couldn’t have come up with a more nonsense example even if you tried

One season didn’t make Leicester a more attractive option than a super club like Chelsea. The Leicester owners, players and fans all knew it was a one-off and they will not compete with the traditional big clubs in the long-run.

Nevertheless, Arsenal, Chelsea, United and Liverpool are more or less equally attractive options. It all comes down to monetary factor unless you have a special affinity for any of these clubs.

Caicedo is a fantastic player but as I have been saying from day one, anyone who thinks Arsenal will sign BOTH Rice and Caicedo is delusional beyond measure. There is absolutely zero chance of that happening.

It is just media talk nothing else. Caicedo is basically Arsenal’s backup plan if the Rice deal falls through. It has been obvious since months that Edu and Arteta are setting the wheels in motion to make Rice their big money, marquee signing this summer.

However, if Arsenal miss out on Rice and Caicedo both, there is no doubt that Edu will have to cop the blame for it.

 

[Mamoon]

Arsenal in for Chiesa apparently?

Gun striker

He is a winger not a striker and a really good one, but he won’t be a guaranteed starter at Arsenal and he will have plenty of suitors. Unlikely to happen.

 

[Rana]

He is a winger not a striker and a really good one, but he won’t be a guaranteed starter at Arsenal and he will have plenty of suitors. Unlikely to happen.

I thought he played CF for Italy in the Euro Cup? He’s definitely better than Jesus

 

[Mamoon]

I thought he played CF for Italy in the Euro Cup? He’s definitely better than Jesus

He is a traditional winger, not a wide forward. A top player nonetheless.

I agree that Jesus needs to be upgraded on. He will never be a potent striker and Arsenal need someone who can score 25+ league goals. Jesus will never be that guy.

I hope Arteta can convince Balogun to stay and fight for his place. He might be the natural goal scorer Arsenal have lacked since Van Persie. If he is sold Arsenal might end up regretting it in a few years.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Arsenal have reached agreement with William Saliba over new 4yr contract. 22yo had 12mnths on existing deal but fresh terms will tie him down until at least 2027, amid strong interest from PL + abroad. Now on to paperwork stage

Source: David ornstein

 

[Amjid Javed]

You couldn’t have come up with a more nonsense example even if you tried

One season didn’t make Leicester a more attractive option than a super club like Chelsea. The Leicester owners, players and fans all knew it was a one-off and they will not compete with the traditional big clubs in the long-run.

Nevertheless, Arsenal, Chelsea, United and Liverpool are more or less equally attractive options. It all comes down to monetary factor unless you have a special affinity for any of these clubs.

Caicedo is a fantastic player but as I have been saying from day one, anyone who thinks Arsenal will sign BOTH Rice and Caicedo is delusional beyond measure. There is absolutely zero chance of that happening.

It is just media talk nothing else. Caicedo is basically Arsenal’s backup plan if the Rice deal falls through. It has been obvious since months that Edu and Arteta are setting the wheels in motion to make Rice their big money, marquee signing this summer.

However, if Arsenal miss out on Rice and Caicedo both, there is no doubt that Edu will have to cop the blame for it.

Just Rice or caciedo ain't going to elevate Arsenal to winning league or improving the pathetic performances in the cups.

With xhaka leaving, just replacing him only, means the lack of depth in midfield ain't being addressed.

The club has CL football now and people like you deluded enough to "trust the process" think this club has ambition. It doesn't, arsenal need both rice and Caicedo.

City will only get stronger, Liverpool are already addressing their midfield issues and will be city's main challengers next season.

The kronkes lack of ambition will mean another trophyless season next season

 

[MenInG]

William Saliba has agreed in principle a new four-year contract with Arsenal, running to 2027.

The French centre-back's existing deal was due to end in 2024, but he is now set to add another three years onto his stay in north London.

Arsenal are now formalising paperwork ahead of an official announcement of his extended stay.

Saliba first signed for the Gunners for a fee of around £27m in 2019 and after a year back on loan with former club Saint-Etienne was then handed the number four shirt - but did not make his first-team debut until August 2022.

The 22-year-old spent 18 months back in France across two further loan spells at Nice and Marseille before finally making his Arsenal bow against Crystal Palace last year, and instantly became a key member of Mikel Arteta's squad.

The defender was instrumental en route to Arsenal's highest points tally since 2004 (84), scoring twice in 27 Premier League appearances for the club.

Speaking last month, Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher said Saliba's injury which ruled him out for much of the second half of Arsenal's season didn't cost them the league title - but that they would have got far closer to winning it with him.

He said: "I don't think him being there for the full season would have meant that Arsenal would have gone on and won the title.

"I'm sure they would have been a lot closer, but there are still things he needs to improve on, to get to the level I'm talking about, of other central defenders who have gone on to win titles.

"I'm not saying he wouldn't have made a huge difference in the second half of the season. He would have, because he's better than Rob Holding, he's better than Kiwior, there's no doubt."

Follow all the latest across Sky Sports
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.

Our Good Morning Transfers show will be returning to Sky Sports News in the summer, airing Monday to Friday throughout the window, rounding up the latest transfer news with analysis and extended interviews.

 

[Amjid Javed]

William Saliba has agreed in principle a new four-year contract with Arsenal, running to 2027.

The French centre-back's existing deal was due to end in 2024, but he is now set to add another three years onto his stay in north London.

Arsenal are now formalising paperwork ahead of an official announcement of his extended stay.

Saliba first signed for the Gunners for a fee of around £27m in 2019 and after a year back on loan with former club Saint-Etienne was then handed the number four shirt - but did not make his first-team debut until August 2022.

The 22-year-old spent 18 months back in France across two further loan spells at Nice and Marseille before finally making his Arsenal bow against Crystal Palace last year, and instantly became a key member of Mikel Arteta's squad.

The defender was instrumental en route to Arsenal's highest points tally since 2004 (84), scoring twice in 27 Premier League appearances for the club.

Speaking last month, Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher said Saliba's injury which ruled him out for much of the second half of Arsenal's season didn't cost them the league title - but that they would have got far closer to winning it with him.

He said: "I don't think him being there for the full season would have meant that Arsenal would have gone on and won the title.

"I'm sure they would have been a lot closer, but there are still things he needs to improve on, to get to the level I'm talking about, of other central defenders who have gone on to win titles.

"I'm not saying he wouldn't have made a huge difference in the second half of the season. He would have, because he's better than Rob Holding, he's better than Kiwior, there's no doubt."

Follow all the latest across Sky Sports
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.

Our Good Morning Transfers show will be returning to Sky Sports News in the summer, airing Monday to Friday throughout the window, rounding up the latest transfer news with analysis and extended interviews.

World class CB in the making, so good that club have payed him a contract his talent deserves.

 

[MenInG]

According to the latest reports, Joao Cancelo has been told his Manchester City career is over as Arsenal ramp up their interest in the full-back.

Cancelo played a vital role in Man City winning the league title in 2021–22, but things have since turned sour.

The Portuguese full-back spent the second half of the season on loan with Bayern Munich after a falling out behind the scenes.

Pep Guardiola is seemingly keen to cut his ties with the 29-year-old who is now free to look for a new club.

Football Insider have reported that Cancelo has been told his ‘Man City career is over’ following a fall out with Guardiola.

This will surely come as good news to Arsenal as they have been trying to negotiate a deal for the defender.

Mikel Arteta wants to add another full-back to his squad and Cancelo would tick plenty of boxes for the Gunners.

The 29-year-old will already be familiar with the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus in the Arsenal dressing room.

As he can also play on the left or right-hand side, he would be of use to a side like Arsenal who are looking for depth on each side.

Dharmesh Sheth recently revealed that while Arsenal are keen on the defender, they are yet to come to an agreement with City over his valuation.

“Arsenal also in the market to strengthen in defence and at full-back. It’s another Man City player they are interested in – Joao Cancelo,” Sheth told Sky Sports.

“Bayern Munich didn’t take up the option to buy him on a permanent basis. He’s still got two years left on his contract [with Man City] so he won’t come cheap.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/foo...p&cvid=5c05cb82be764e6191f6df1db2609817&ei=14

 

[Kroll]

What a season, what a thread! Hugely entertaining with the bonkers predictions and meltdowns. Alas we won't be seeing the unday and tamaatars being lobbed. [MENTION=149166]Technics 1210[/MENTION]

Hopefully, we will see a resurgent Liverpool and finish back in the top four, perhaps even mount a title challenge. Come on you Reds!

 

[MenInG]

Arsenal are close to agreeing a £100m deal to sign West Ham's 24-year-old England midfielder Declan Rice. (Guardian)

 

[Firebat]

Arsenal have no plans to reintegrate £72m club-record signing Nicolas Pepe in their squad and want to offload the 28-year-old Ivory Coast forward this summer. (Telegraph)

 

[Amjid Javed]

Arsenal are close to agreeing a £100m deal to sign West Ham's 24-year-old England midfielder Declan Rice. (Guardian)

Don't be shocked if Man united hijack deal once their takeover is confirmed, whilst Edu drags out yet another transfer

Aaour, vlahavoic, raphina, Mudryk, im sure rice can be added to the list soon as well.

 

[Rana]

Don't be shocked if Man united hijack deal once their takeover is confirmed, whilst Edu drags out yet another transfer

Aaour, vlahavoic, raphina, Mudryk, im sure rice can be added to the list soon as well.

Mate I recon this will be done

Good start to the window

 

[Amjid Javed]

Arteta and Edu after another Chelsea reject in Havertz, both these clowns need to be sacked if they make this signing. Utter garbage player.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Mate I recon this will be done

Good start to the window

We will see Edu has messed up to many big transfers before.

 

[Amjid Javed]

So being in the CL will allow Arsenal yo attract "world class players" and players to take them to next level.

Arsenal interested in Havertz and castagne

Can't wait to hear immy69, mamoon and firebat defending pathetic signings like this.

 

[KingKhanWC]

So being in the CL will allow Arsenal yo attract "world class players" and players to take them to next level.

Arsenal interested in Havertz and castagne

Can't wait to hear immy69, mamoon and firebat defending pathetic signings like this.

Arteta has spent around £500 million. He has only won the FA cup but this was Emery;s team.

He is now wanting to spend £90 million on Rice and how much on Havertz and Castagne? His spending will take him near £700 million. Sure some have gone but this is a huge amount.

If Arteta fails to win any major trophies next season, will he be gone?

 

[Mamoon]

So being in the CL will allow Arsenal yo attract "world class players" and players to take them to next level.

Arsenal interested in Havertz and castagne

Can't wait to hear immy69, mamoon and firebat defending pathetic signings like this.

Havertz is a top player, he has been misused at Chelsea who have often tried to play him as a striker when he is clearly an AM, a position he has rarely been used at by Chelsea.

He was fantastic at Leverkusen and is still very young. Arteta can unlock his potential.

Besides, you have missed the key point here but that is normal for you. Signing a player like Havertz without losing any of your main attackers means you are adding proper depth and will be able to afford better rotation next season.

You cannot really be relying on Vieira (not good enough) and ESR (fitness issues) when you are fighting on multiple fronts. Havertz would be a massive boost to the squad depth because he is not replacing Saka or Odegaard but providing additional options, so I’m not sure why you are moaning.

You also called Jorginho a trash signing but he proved to be one of Arsenal’s best players in the second half of the season. He was a good signing because you would rather have him provide cover than Elneny just like you would rather Havertz come off the bench than Vieira.

The only issue here is that Arsenal will not spend £75m on a squad player. Let’s see how this develops, Chelsea might lower their ask because they are desperate to sell quite a few players this summer.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Arteta has spent around £500 million. He has only won the FA cup but this was Emery;s team.

He is now wanting to spend £90 million on Rice and how much on Havertz and Castagne? His spending will take him near £700 million. Sure some have gone but this is a huge amount.

If Arteta fails to win any major trophies next season, will he be gone?

Should be gone already, 3.5 seasons in charge to just make CL once, add to that all the embarrassing cup exits.

Arteta fan boys will use the excuse look at how much City, Chelsea and United have spent. Arsenal won't finish in Top 2 next season, and will end season trophyless again.

The club has zero accountability to how poorly squad has been built.

Arsenal will do exactly what Liverpool did when they bottled league under Rogers and will fall away until club sees sense and sacks manager.

 

[Mamoon]

Arteta has spent around £500 million. He has only won the FA cup but this was Emery;s team.

He is now wanting to spend £90 million on Rice and how much on Havertz and Castagne? His spending will take him near £700 million. Sure some have gone but this is a huge amount.

If Arteta fails to win any major trophies next season, will he be gone?

Arteta had to redo the entire squad. The Arsenal team that he took over in December 2019 and the one playing today are almost completely different except a couple of players. You cannot do that without spending money.

He has spent less money than Pep has in the same period even though Pep already had an established, champion team in 2019. Arteta has done a tremendous job and he deserves so much respect.

You have to give the board credit for sticking with him unlike the impatient and ignorant fans who wanted him sacked last season.

As far as expectations for next season are concerned, Arsenal have to challenge for title again and stay above Liverpool, United, Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs. If these teams finish ahead of Arsenal then Arteta should be held accountable because that would mean the team is going backwards.

They also need to make an impact in UCL, make the QFs, beat a major side etc. Show that Arsenal belong at this level now.

Domestic cups don’t matter when you are not fighting for the title. Arsenal won 4-5 FA Cups between 2014 and 2020 but it didn’t mean much because apart from 2015-16, they never challenged for the title.

Delusional United fans are jumping up and down claiming that they had a better season than Arsenal because they finished third and won a cup but the reality is that if Ten Hag reproduces the exact same season next year, he will be in trouble.

Clubs like Arsenal, United, Chelsea and Liverpool have to challenge for the title every year. Anything less than that is not good enough and domestic cups will not compensate a lack of title challenge.

Arteta is the only reason Arsenal have challenged for the title this season. He built and developed this team. Arsenal would still be limping for a top four finish with some other manager at the helm.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Havertz is a top player, he has been misused at Chelsea who have often tried to play him as a striker when he is clearly an AM, a position he has rarely been used at by Chelsea.

He was fantastic at Leverkusen and is still very young. Arteta can unlock his potential.

Besides, you have missed the key point here but that is normal for you. Signing a player like Havertz without losing any of your main attackers means you are adding proper depth and will be able to afford better rotation next season.

You cannot really be relying on Vieira (not good enough) and ESR (fitness issues) when you are fighting on multiple fronts. Havertz would be a massive boost to the squad depth because he is not replacing Saka or Odegaard but providing additional options, so I’m not sure why you are moaning.

You also called Jorginho a trash signing but he proved to be one of Arsenal’s best players in the second half of the season. He was a good signing because you would rather have him provide cover than Elneny just like you would rather Havertz come off the bench than Vieira.

The only issue here is that Arsenal will not spend £75m on a squad player. Let’s see how this develops, Chelsea might lower their ask because they are desperate to sell quite a few players this summer.

Havertz is utter trash, most Chelsea fans are laughing that Arsenal will sign yet another dud.

3 seasons
Games 27 goals 4
Games 29 goals 8
Games 35 goals 7

That is a garbage record in PL, his finishing is mediocre, he's poor in air and zero physicality. He would offer nothing off the bench, saying he's better then trash like Vieira is hilarious. Comparing a **** against another ****.

Jorginho had a few good games. He was supposedly signed for experienced and then was never used by Arteta when it was really needed

Players like havetz and castagne don't improve Arsenal's 1st team, nor do they improve depth for cups etc..

Arsenal will be humiliated in cups next season, CL will be an embassement - Arteta has already be exposed by olympiakos, villareal and sporting Lisbon. Even the smaller teams in CL will be praying Arsenal are in their group so they can embarrass them.

Arsenal need players to elevate them to next level to compete in all competitions, instead edu and arteta continue to show they can't build a squad to compete on all 4 fronts.

Liverpool will finish above Arsenal with ease next season now that they are proactively fixing their midfield

 

[Mamoon]

Havertz is utter trash, most Chelsea fans are laughing that Arsenal will sign yet another dud.

3 seasons
Games 27 goals 4
Games 29 goals 8
Games 35 goals 7

That is a garbage record in PL, his finishing is mediocre, he's poor in air and zero physicality. He would offer nothing off the bench, saying he's better then trash like Vieira is hilarious. Comparing a **** against another ****.

Jorginho had a few good games. He was supposedly signed for experienced and then was never used by Arteta when it was really needed

Players like havetz and castagne don't improve Arsenal's 1st team, nor do they improve depth for cups etc..

Arsenal will be humiliated in cups next season, CL will be an embassement - Arteta has already be exposed by olympiakos, villareal and sporting Lisbon. Even the smaller teams in CL will be praying Arsenal are in their group so they can embarrass them.

Arsenal need players to elevate them to next level to compete in all competitions, instead edu and arteta continue to show they can't build a squad to compete on all 4 fronts.

Liverpool will finish above Arsenal with ease next season now that they are proactively fixing their midfield

Again, no point in quoting his numbers when he has been misused by Chelsea and besides, he is not a goal scorer. He will not get 20+ goals a season but he is a very talented offensive midfielder with very good technique, vision, passing and dribbling.

When you have Odegaard, Saka, Trossard on the books, signing Havertz in addition to those options is brilliant.

Havertz helped Chelsea win the UCL, he was one of the most highly rated young players in Germany before Chelsea stalled his development and he was being looked at by Madrid before their attention diverted to Mbappe, and you think he is at the same level as Fabio Vieira.

I don’t know if I should laugh or cry at such ignorance.

Yes Liverpool will finish above Arsenal “with ease” because Arsenal have lost their key players to other teams and Declan Rice will be doing the dishes at Colney.

If Liverpool finish above Arsenal fair play to them and Arteta should be held accountable, but your wish to see Liverpool finish above Arsenal might not come true because Arsenal are already better than Liverpool now and are only getting stronger in this window with the acquisition of Rice and I’m sure there will be additional signings as well.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Arteta had to redo the entire squad. The Arsenal team that he took over in December 2019 and the one playing today are almost completely different except a couple of players. You cannot do that without spending money.

He has spent less money than Pep has in the same period even though Pep already had an established, champion team in 2019. Arteta has done a tremendous job and he deserves so much respect.

You have to give the board credit for sticking with him unlike the impatient and ignorant fans who wanted him sacked last season.

As far as expectations for next season are concerned, Arsenal have to challenge for title again and stay above Liverpool, United, Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs. If these teams finish ahead of Arsenal then Arteta should be held accountable because that would mean the team is going backwards.

They also need to make an impact in UCL, make the QFs, beat a major side etc. Show that Arsenal belong at this level now.

Domestic cups don’t matter when you are not fighting for the title. Arsenal won 4-5 FA Cups between 2014 and 2020 but it didn’t mean much because apart from 2015-16, they never challenged for the title.

Delusional United fans are jumping up and down claiming that they had a better season than Arsenal because they finished third and won a cup but the reality is that if Ten Hag reproduces the exact same season next year, he will be in trouble.

Clubs like Arsenal, United, Chelsea and Liverpool have to challenge for the title every year. Anything less than that is not good enough and domestic cups will not compensate a lack of title challenge.

Arteta is the only reason Arsenal have challenged for the title this season. He built and developed this team. Arsenal would still be limping for a top four finish with some other manager at the helm.

All new managers should be given time to build their own team. Klopp was asked in his first presser and he replied he will win the league within 4 years, keeping his word.

How long would Arteta need to for PL glory?

Arteta has been on a shopping spree, he has bought so many players around 20-30 million, many who are rejects of other teams. It seems he is just buying for the sake of buying. Does he bring in players to fit a system of play and if so what is this system? Ive watched a number of games this season and cant figure out his playing style, while LFC and City are clear to see.

So if Arsenal finish below City, LFC and Utd, will Arteta be sacked?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Should be gone already, 3.5 seasons in charge to just make CL once, add to that all the embarrassing cup exits.

Arteta fan boys will use the excuse look at how much City, Chelsea and United have spent. Arsenal won't finish in Top 2 next season, and will end season trophyless again.

The club has zero accountability to how poorly squad has been built.

Arsenal will do exactly what Liverpool did when they bottled league under Rogers and will fall away until club sees sense and sacks manager.

Under Rogers LFC performed way above their level. We had an ok team but was still closer to the title than Arsenal this season.

Klopp and Pep both won the league in this time. You may want him gone now but realistically what does Arteta need to achieve to stop losing his job? The league title, top 4 or a good run in the CL?

 

[Mamoon]

Under Rogers LFC performed way above their level. We had an ok team but was still closer to the title than Arsenal this season.

Klopp and Pep both won the league in this time. You may want him gone now but realistically what does Arteta need to achieve to stop losing his job? The league title, top 4 or a good run in the CL?

Rogers was also competing with a pre-Pep City that weren’t the juggernaut they are today. Not really a fair comparison.

That Liverpool team was good but not balanced because it was extremely reliant on Suarez who at that time was the third best player in the world.

 

[Mamoon]

All new managers should be given time to build their own team. Klopp was asked in his first presser and he replied he will win the league within 4 years, keeping his word.

How long would Arteta need to for PL glory?

Arteta has been on a shopping spree, he has bought so many players around 20-30 million, many who are rejects of other teams. It seems he is just buying for the sake of buying. Does he bring in players to fit a system of play and if so what is this system? Ive watched a number of games this season and cant figure out his playing style, while LFC and City are clear to see.

So if Arsenal finish below City, LFC and Utd, will Arteta be sacked?

Arteta has made some brilliant signings and they have propelled Arsenal to a title challenge this season.

For example, Odegaard and Ramsdale. Odegaard is easily worth 90 million today and he was signed for only 30 million while Ramsdale was picked off a relegated side and is now one of the most valuable keepers in the world.

Ramsdale
Odegaard
Gabriel
White
Zinchenko
Partey
Jesus

All of these are Arteta signings and they have propelled Arsenal forward so your analysis that he signs players for the sake of it has no basis.

The only “rejects” of other clubs are Zinchenko and Jesus, but many clubs would benefit from signing City’s bench players because they have so much quality on the bench and he was able to use his rapport with Pep and City to sign them.

Arsenal is heading in the right direction but ultimately you have to win the league. That is the end goal otherwise Arteta’s reign at Arsenal would be no different than Poch’s tenure at Spurs.

If Arteta fails to finish in the top two next season then yes he will be in trouble just like Klopp will be in trouble if Liverpool fail to challenge for the title next season as well.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Again, no point in quoting his numbers when he has been misused by Chelsea and besides, he is not a goal scorer. He will not get 20+ goals a season but he is a very talented offensive midfielder with very good technique, vision, passing and dribbling.

When you have Odegaard, Saka, Trossard on the books, signing Havertz in addition to those options is brilliant.

Havertz helped Chelsea win the UCL, he was one of the most highly rated young players in Germany before Chelsea stalled his development and he was being looked at by Madrid before their attention diverted to Mbappe, and you think he is at the same level as Fabio Vieira.

I don’t know if I should laugh or cry at such ignorance.

Yes Liverpool will finish above Arsenal “with ease” because Arsenal have lost their key players to other teams and Declan Rice will be doing the dishes at Colney.

If Liverpool finish above Arsenal fair play to them and Arteta should be held accountable, but your wish to see Liverpool finish above Arsenal might not come true because Arsenal are already better than Liverpool now and are only getting stronger in this window with the acquisition of Rice and I’m sure there will be additional signings as well.

Havertz helped Chelsea win the CL? you mean he scored the winner in the final and has dinned out on that for 3 seasons, he's done nothing in his career other then that at Chelsea. Plenty of mediocre players have scored a winning goal in a final and then done nothing rest of the spell at a club, doesn't make them proven.

I never said he was same level as Vieira what utter nonsense. I replied to your comment when you said havertz would be a better option then Vieira off the bench.

Same Vieira that you were hyping up as next bernado Silva at start of last season.

I simple Said Vieira is garbage and your using him as a yard stick of quality to say havertz is better. Both players are garbage.
Your the one making hilarious crap comparisons. It's like comparing Rob holding to Harry maguire and saying holding is better as though that's some sort of medal of honour.

Arsenal getting stronger in window? Based on your usual wild opinions with zero substance. Your making our as though havertz will elevate Arsenal to closing the gap to City

Your already rolling out the excuse the FA Cup and league Cup aren't important.

Then you sat getting to CL 1/4 finals and challenging for title is going to equate to success.

So your basically saying another trophyless season (which would be 4th in a row) would be acceptable.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Under Rogers LFC performed way above their level. We had an ok team but was still closer to the title than Arsenal this season.

Klopp and Pep both won the league in this time. You may want him gone now but realistically what does Arteta need to achieve to stop losing his job? The league title, top 4 or a good run in the CL?

Has to win the title next season, simple as that. All his fan boys mamoon, immy69, firebat, MIG all want to do bhangra over so called progress. Arteta was one who took Arsenal to 8th place finishes so to these fans with standards in the gutter finishing higher looks like progress.

After 4.5 years in charge (end of this season coming) if you haven't win league, then time to move on. Arteta should go manage Rangers as that's only league he can go to and try and win the league.

Rogers only played 1 way and was tactically found out, bottled league with Liverpool. Bottled top 4 with leicester. Then also won FA Cup.

Arteta is just the Spanish Rogers with sake mediocre achievements. Just because he use to put the cones out at man city and hand the bibs out, he's rated by some fans boys as some sort of world class manager.