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Arsenal FC | 2025/26 Season
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aboveandbeyond
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Congratz Gooners. This really is a statement signing.
Better to be objective than blindly praising a player.
If the bar is that odegaard is simply a decent to good player, sure- good performance on that level but it was poor for someone reported to be world class- that he is not- maybe he needs to alter his game, as a no 10- maybe he won't ever get there but as a no 8, could be better but Arsenal really need that playmaker
topspin
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Fair comments.
I’m judging Odegaard from a different lens. I’m basing it on his last season so perhaps my standards for him are lower.
aboveandbeyond
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Agree. There has to be a balance. No one said Odegaard was world class or brilliant. On that particular day, he was the best player of a average bunch and deserved credit. Yet, he was still singled out as the Ugly Duckling.
ads101
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Eze is really good. But Rodrygo would have been fantastic but than again Eze probably provides better cover too. But ah well you can’t complain if he goes through it would have been an incredible window overall. Only thing annoying is that it’s so late, I hope games aren’t lost and adjusting the system like in 2023/24 season.
Agree. There has to be a balance. No one said Odegaard was world class or brilliant. On that particular day, he was the best player of a average bunch and deserved credit. Yet, he was still singled out as the Ugly Duckling.
I still think it is fair to say that more should be expected from an Arsenal skipper and the supposed playmaker, some of his decision making in the final pass was shocking, might have been early season blues and he picks it up but one play that stood out for me (+ summed up his afternoon): Gyokeres made an excellent run across 2 centre halves and dragged both out of position, Rice timed a superb run into space and would have been in had Odegaard played him in BUT he chose to pass to Gyokeres wide on the flank, terrible error in judgement!
On the plus side- he showed excellent stamina and running/dedication but he isn't Mo Farah and should focus in being the no 10!!
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How Arsenal silently hijacked Spurs’ Eberechi Eze transfer well before anyone knew
Just hours before Arsenal clinched a deal for Eberechi Eze, in an even crueller twist, Tottenham Hotspur finally put in the offer they felt would be acceptable to Crystal Palace. There had been a verbal agreement. Spurs just never got a proper answer. The reason was soon to become clear.
After days of difficult and painstaking negotiations between Daniel Levy and Steve Parish, Arsenal had appeared to steal in within a matter of mere hours. That has already seen this move cast as the mother of all transfer hijackings, especially with how it is another North London derby victory.
Except, it wasn’t really a hijacking at all. The Independent can now reveal that Arsenal had actually struck the principles of an agreement with Palace as early as the morning of Sunday 10 August. They managed to keep it extraordinarily quiet, as illustrated by how it was only after Wednesday evening’s sensations that multiple sources were willing to talk about it.
There was also the fact that, in those nine days, it didn’t look like Arsenal would follow through on that agreement. The word put out was that they wanted to sell before any other purchase, and that they preferred a left winger. Interest in Eze was repeatedly played down. There had been a lot of mixed messages, which fit with the whole summer as regards Arsenal and the Palace star.
Levy might certainly feel he’s had mixed messages now. The situation has led to some surprising sympathy for the Spurs chairman within the game - if also considerable schadenfreude. Their own negotiations for Eze had encountered repeated difficulties, as first reported by The Independent on Saturday night. The problems actually preceded that. Talks almost collapsed the Thursday before, and there were constant hold-ups over issues like add-ons and how much was being paid up front. At the second when one issue was solved, another would arise.
One description over the last few days was that “the deal is both almost done and constantly at the point of collapse”. There is now a belief, especially within Spurs, that Palace were stalling. They were waiting for Arsenal to come back, since competition would mean getting a better price.
It nevertheless looked so remote by Saturday that Eze himself had accepted Arsenal wasn’t going to happen. He even spoke to Parish to try and get a Spurs move sorted, as Levy and the Palace chairman met on Monday morning. Eze was genuinely excited about joining Tottenham. It just wasn’t the one he really wanted. His dream was a move to Arsenal.
That suddenly looked like it would become a reality on Wednesday morning. Arsenal finally acted on that deal. That shift will be linked to Kai Havertz’s injury but there is actually hope the German's absence won't be that long, maybe less than three months. The Havertz news just accelerated everything. Arsenal wanted to make sure they didn’t miss out.
Parish and Arsenal executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis have a closer relationship than Parish and Levy, even if they often bicker. They WhatsApp a lot about regulations and other in-game issues. That helped by Wednesday’s acceleration of talks, especially since they had that Sunday 10 August agreement.
Another advantage was that Arsenal have more players they can offer that Palace need. It is possible a deal is next done for Jakub Kiwior, given how Oliver Glasner’s side need a centre-half on that side. Any such sale would still be a separate transfer.
Arsenal, for their part, still had to pay more than the initial agreement. That was to ensure it actually got done over Spurs. Whereas Arsenal’s previous structure had been for £50m plus £10m in add-ons, this is for £60m and £7.5m in add-ons – pretty much exactly Eze’s release clause, which expired for this window on Thursday. It is understood to have been superior to Spurs’ final offer.
Parish played that part masterfully. He got the best possible deal for his club, which was the best-case scenario if you’re forced to lose one of the club’s greatest legends. Eze did just deliver the first major trophy in the club’s history. Queens Park Rangers will also be celebrating, since they stand to receive 15 per cent of any deal. The Loftus Road hierarchy are now aiming to complete more business of their own, as they now have the most money they’ve had in years.
Eze has ultimately preferred Arsenal because they offer better opportunities for more trophies than the FA Cup – that he can prove influential to – but also because of that dream. The connection was there. Eze trained at Arsenal until he was 13. When he posted on Instagram on 26 May celebrating Palace’s FA Cup success, the fifth and last picture was a conspicuous image of Ian Wright.
It is still to be confirmed whether Eze will play in the Europa Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad on Thursday. There would obviously be romance in this club hero putting in the performance that properly delivers Palace to Europe, while also getting the opportunity for an emotional goodbye.
Except, amid all this talk of dreams, a realism must exist. This is a huge transfer, with a lot of money at stake.
Levy knows the cost of that now. He will face even greater questions having lost out on two big transfers late on this summer, after Morgan Gibbs-White. Fan protests at Spurs are likely to heat up again.Arsenal have meanwhile signed a game-changer, in the way that some felt might be missing against Liverpool’s and Manchester City's business. They’ve now pulled off the deal of the summer, given the dimensions and the rivalry. It could be hugely significant in the season.
The Independent
Just hours before Arsenal clinched a deal for Eberechi Eze, in an even crueller twist, Tottenham Hotspur finally put in the offer they felt would be acceptable to Crystal Palace. There had been a verbal agreement. Spurs just never got a proper answer. The reason was soon to become clear.
After days of difficult and painstaking negotiations between Daniel Levy and Steve Parish, Arsenal had appeared to steal in within a matter of mere hours. That has already seen this move cast as the mother of all transfer hijackings, especially with how it is another North London derby victory.
Except, it wasn’t really a hijacking at all. The Independent can now reveal that Arsenal had actually struck the principles of an agreement with Palace as early as the morning of Sunday 10 August. They managed to keep it extraordinarily quiet, as illustrated by how it was only after Wednesday evening’s sensations that multiple sources were willing to talk about it.
There was also the fact that, in those nine days, it didn’t look like Arsenal would follow through on that agreement. The word put out was that they wanted to sell before any other purchase, and that they preferred a left winger. Interest in Eze was repeatedly played down. There had been a lot of mixed messages, which fit with the whole summer as regards Arsenal and the Palace star.
Levy might certainly feel he’s had mixed messages now. The situation has led to some surprising sympathy for the Spurs chairman within the game - if also considerable schadenfreude. Their own negotiations for Eze had encountered repeated difficulties, as first reported by The Independent on Saturday night. The problems actually preceded that. Talks almost collapsed the Thursday before, and there were constant hold-ups over issues like add-ons and how much was being paid up front. At the second when one issue was solved, another would arise.
One description over the last few days was that “the deal is both almost done and constantly at the point of collapse”. There is now a belief, especially within Spurs, that Palace were stalling. They were waiting for Arsenal to come back, since competition would mean getting a better price.
It nevertheless looked so remote by Saturday that Eze himself had accepted Arsenal wasn’t going to happen. He even spoke to Parish to try and get a Spurs move sorted, as Levy and the Palace chairman met on Monday morning. Eze was genuinely excited about joining Tottenham. It just wasn’t the one he really wanted. His dream was a move to Arsenal.
That suddenly looked like it would become a reality on Wednesday morning. Arsenal finally acted on that deal. That shift will be linked to Kai Havertz’s injury but there is actually hope the German's absence won't be that long, maybe less than three months. The Havertz news just accelerated everything. Arsenal wanted to make sure they didn’t miss out.
Parish and Arsenal executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis have a closer relationship than Parish and Levy, even if they often bicker. They WhatsApp a lot about regulations and other in-game issues. That helped by Wednesday’s acceleration of talks, especially since they had that Sunday 10 August agreement.
Another advantage was that Arsenal have more players they can offer that Palace need. It is possible a deal is next done for Jakub Kiwior, given how Oliver Glasner’s side need a centre-half on that side. Any such sale would still be a separate transfer.
Arsenal, for their part, still had to pay more than the initial agreement. That was to ensure it actually got done over Spurs. Whereas Arsenal’s previous structure had been for £50m plus £10m in add-ons, this is for £60m and £7.5m in add-ons – pretty much exactly Eze’s release clause, which expired for this window on Thursday. It is understood to have been superior to Spurs’ final offer.
Parish played that part masterfully. He got the best possible deal for his club, which was the best-case scenario if you’re forced to lose one of the club’s greatest legends. Eze did just deliver the first major trophy in the club’s history. Queens Park Rangers will also be celebrating, since they stand to receive 15 per cent of any deal. The Loftus Road hierarchy are now aiming to complete more business of their own, as they now have the most money they’ve had in years.
Eze has ultimately preferred Arsenal because they offer better opportunities for more trophies than the FA Cup – that he can prove influential to – but also because of that dream. The connection was there. Eze trained at Arsenal until he was 13. When he posted on Instagram on 26 May celebrating Palace’s FA Cup success, the fifth and last picture was a conspicuous image of Ian Wright.
It is still to be confirmed whether Eze will play in the Europa Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad on Thursday. There would obviously be romance in this club hero putting in the performance that properly delivers Palace to Europe, while also getting the opportunity for an emotional goodbye.
Except, amid all this talk of dreams, a realism must exist. This is a huge transfer, with a lot of money at stake.
Levy knows the cost of that now. He will face even greater questions having lost out on two big transfers late on this summer, after Morgan Gibbs-White. Fan protests at Spurs are likely to heat up again.Arsenal have meanwhile signed a game-changer, in the way that some felt might be missing against Liverpool’s and Manchester City's business. They’ve now pulled off the deal of the summer, given the dimensions and the rivalry. It could be hugely significant in the season.
The Independent
MK7Z
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You'd think they are used to it by now.
The Liverpool fan and a United fan I think (not AB) on this thread was harping on about Spurs being on the way up and overtaking Arsenal soon. They really don't understand how the food chain works. We have and always will be bigger than that lot.
A 2nd Tier trophy does not change that. Obviously hasn't in the eyes of the Elite players either.
Before the " they won a trophy gang " jump on let me break it down for you.
Nobody is denying its a trophy. Well done. A European Trophy at that.
Now to break it down a bit. Sunderland won the Playoff Final and got promotion to the Premier league. Now the question I want to ask who had a better season last season Sunderland or Spurs? I mean you would say Spurs right? Its a European trophy after all??
Well if you look at the finances involved Spurs gained a maximum £20million from winning the EL. Sunderland £200millio+ over 3 years. You could include TV money for spurs which is rumoured around £60 million. I have not included Sunderland TV money cos I ain't an accountant and don't wanna harp on without making my point.
So who had a better season last season? Spurs or Sunderland?
They both gained qualification from a 2nd tier competition to the higher tier one. Some would argue the championship is harder to get out of.
Hopefully you are smart enough to figure out when I say you have to be pretty poor to be in the Europa league in the 1st place.
And to those who are not old enough to remember the Cup Winners Cup. Arsenal have indeed won that competition which is a European trophy which a lot on here don't seem to recognise but recognise the Europa league.
History lesson
There used to be 3 European trophies similar to now.
European Cup - now the champions League
Cup Winners Cup - Doesn't exist anymore
Uefa Cup - now Europa league
Guess what - it was in that order. The Cup Winners cup was held in higher regard than the Uefa Cup. So much so the Super cup was played between Cup winners cup and European cup winners not the Uefa Cup.
Now this is not me championing the Cup Winners Cup - as for me the Champions League is the only one we should be aiming for and being in the Europa league would be a disaster. Obviously during our bad period a few years ago we had no choice that was our level. Our level is above that now.
I just wanted to take a few people to school regarding European trophies and Arsenals pathetic European record however not without some minature success which seems to be overlooked but not for Spurs - I say it again - those are the levels.
Amjid Javed
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Eze signing will help improve Arsenal non-existent creativity problem.
Eze should play in the 10 position, Odegaard still has value and can be used as match days as clubs mascot. I'm sure the gunnersaurus costume will fit him.
Yes we need a left winger still. Only think holding Arsenal back from winning PL is mental weak captain and a manager that now has zero excuses not to deliver. Berta has pretty much got him a squad which should be delivering now.
So time to earn the 15M a year or bring a manager in who will get this squad over the line.
Eze should play in the 10 position, Odegaard still has value and can be used as match days as clubs mascot. I'm sure the gunnersaurus costume will fit him.
Yes we need a left winger still. Only think holding Arsenal back from winning PL is mental weak captain and a manager that now has zero excuses not to deliver. Berta has pretty much got him a squad which should be delivering now.
So time to earn the 15M a year or bring a manager in who will get this squad over the line.
MK7Z
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Agreed about now or never.
Isak to Liverpool or not - we have enough to be winning the league anything less is a failure
IMMY69
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The pressure on Arteta has just gone up tenfold...
The club has splashed the cash and now its time to deliver.
COYG
Amjid Javed
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If you look at the length of time given and amount of money spent, zero excuses for manager left.
If you look at just Arsenal in isolation it's pretty much time to deliver. Otherwise I'm sure there are plenty of other managers who would love to have a squad like this and a cracking at the title
