Jul27

Will he sign?

by WiganGooner on July 27, 2018 at 8:00 am
Posted In: Arsenal

A huge question this summer is the contract saga of Mr Aaron Ramsey – henceforth referred to as Rambo.

As yet no breakthrough has been made in the negotiations so we are left with the inevitable question, how long can we play this game?

Last summer we made a pigs ear of the Sanchez and Özil contract negotiations, allowing them to run down their deals to the point of having Arsenal over a barrel.

Our new leadership team have the strength to resist this. All of the rumours surrounding Andre Gomes must be with this in mind. Gomes is an unfulfilled talent who could be procured relatively cheaply as a gamble but on recent performances is not ready to fill Rambo’s boots. Not yet.

I wonder at what point Ivan, Sven and Raul shout “Stop the bus, I want to get off” and get out of these negotiations. I understand a take it or leave it offer has been tabled, but it remains unsigned.

I don’t expect major movements until after a Singapore, but Rambo will not be short of suitors. I just wonder if this management team really has the cojones to pull the plug and sell him.

I don’t want him to go, but we cannot Let his contract situation dominate this season. We have to be stronger. We Are Arsenal.

WG

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Jul26

Arsenal continue their march through pre-season

by WiganGooner on July 26, 2018 at 6:59 am
Posted In: Arsenal

As Emery’s Arsenal continue their pre-season preparations in Singapore today I thought it would be interesting to think of the players most likely to make an impact today.

Naturally the World Cup and the extended breaks affords opportunities to players who didn’t go to the Tournament with the likes of Ramsey, Aubameyang and Lacazette in prime form.

Aubameyang has been in blistering form this pre-season and whilst we must temper our expectations against the level of the opposition, it’s a strikers job to put the ball in the net. Aubameyang does that with aplomb. He has a knack for a goal, he often wrongfoots the keeper by shooting early and this pays dividends.

With a good run in the side Laca should show everyone what he is made of. It was a big move for him last season and we only saw towards the end of the season what he is capable of. This is a big season for him and I fully expect him to deliver in spades. He is a top player and will be huge for us.

PWe should get another look at “Big Papa” today and perhaps little Greek boy will get a run out as well. Make no bones about it, this isn’t a replay of the Europa league tie, but Atletico are no mugs and we will need to play well to get a positive result.

I’m ever the optimist but I have a real buzz about this season, it’s something entirely different. As yet, the brief glimpses of this Arsenal side betray little of Emery’s high-pressing promises. These games however against better opposition provides an opportunity to flex these muscles.

Arsenal have long needed a fresh perspective, a new va-va-voom but as Arsene himself has mooted, his time was up long ago. His message became stale and ineffective. I love the man and I thank him for every minute, but I am excited at this new era.

Arsenal was never Arsene FC, but his influence stretched throughout and when that’s not working, it affects all levels of the club. From the first team to the first year scholars.

It feels fresh and new. That is exciting.

WG

Til next time Gooners!

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Jan05

Riyad Mahrez, Is he the spark to ignite Lacazette?

by WiganGooner on January 5, 2018 at 11:55 am
Posted In: Arsenal

Alexandre Lacazette came with big expectations. We have all seen his scoring record for Lyon in France’s Ligue 1. He is deadly, yet he’s failed to hit the same dizzy heights with Arsenal. Why is that? More importantly, what can we do to help?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (picture courtesy of Wikipedia)


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Jun04

Why spiky Vardy makes sense

by WiganGooner on June 4, 2016 at 3:41 pm
Posted In: Arsenal

When I read that Arsenal were intending on triggering Vardy’s release clause I was initially struck with a feeling of disbelief. Jamie Vardy, aged 28, currently plying his trade for Leicester City is now a target for Arsenal.

 

It didn’t make sense, it didn’t fit the mould, until that is, I thought more about what made Vardy tick last season. I saw a fair bit of him last season because his story intrigued me, Vardy the rapscallion who couldn’t make it at his first attempt dropped down out of the football league and fought his way back up. It is almost a fairytale, worthy of a straight to DVD budget film.

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May18

Golden Gloves and Big money

by WiganGooner on May 18, 2016 at 11:52 am
Posted In: Arsenal

Well – despite all negative comments I celebrated St Totteringham’s Day and I defy any Arsenal Fan that says I shouldn’t.

Football is all about rivalries, if we cannot celebrate getting one over our local rivals for the 21st year running, then what is the point of it all?  “Stop being joyless human beings” to all those who seek to twist the celebrations into anything more or less than that.

 

petr-cech

The media is rife now with talk of negotiations with Borussia Monchengladbach for Xhaka and Real Madrid for Morata (their buy-back clause activates on the 1st July).
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