Mikel Arteta new contract
Not sure why people are debating whether Mikel Arteta should get a new contract.
If you can not recognise the strives forward the club has taken under Arteta’s stewardship, then you are clearly the issue and probably blinkered by hatred.
The club is in its best position off the pitch since we moved to the Emirates. Fans and players are one and we are moving forward. Arteta is the reason for all of this.
Granted, Arteta needs to begin turning these good seasons into silverware, but there is no argument that he is not the right man for the job.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich both had vacancies this. Both enquired about Arteta. And if Pep ever leaves City, Super Mik would be top of their list to replace him.
People will list “Allegri, Tuchel, Conte” and others to attempt to show that there are “winners” available who could come straight in and win us a cup. But that ignores the long term picture and that these have proved themselves to be short-term options. As for the loon that said he wants Arteta sacked and for us to bring in the Girona manager, have some standards!
Players across Europe now want to play for The Arsenal again, and Arteta is a huge reason for that.
Arteta deserves his deal. He deserves to be one of the best paid players in the Premier League. Get the contract signed.
Benjamin Sesko “the one for Arsenal”
Only last week I wrote why I believe Benjamin Sesko was the one for Arsenal, so I am more the interested that the links are intensifying.
Sasko looks perfect for Arsenal. He is very similar to Kai Havertz in the way he plays, but a bit more clinical and instinctive in front of goal. At just 20, he will continue to improve.
Some doubters have questioned his acquisition saying they want a proven goal scorer. I have to disagree.
For a start, Sesko will not be coming in to play week in week out. We will still have Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Let’s not forget that Havertz scored 8 goals and and grabbed himself 7 assists in the last 13 games of the season. Adding Sesko (at the detriment of Nketiah) will add quality and depth.
And if not Sesko, then who?
Ivan Toney has fallen off since his return to football. He is also now 28-years-old. His England team mate Ollie Watkins thrives on space in behind. He would not suitable to a possession based team who often face a low block.
As for those in Europe, I have never really been interest in Viktor Gyokeres. Whilst he has had a good season, he is playing in Portugal and the fee being floated around for a 26-year-old with one season of top flight football under him is ludicrous.
Victor Osimhen is another constantly mentioned, and whilst he would be a high quality recruit, his transfer fee and wages would be astronomical. It would leave very little left in the kitty to buy others. I would also be concerned about his ongoing injury issues. Whoever signs him is going to take a big risk and it feels like his career could implode at any moment.
Sesko is the one. I hope we get it done.
20 man squad
A few have raised their eyebrows about Arteta wanting a just 20 outfield players (plus the keepers), considering you can register up to 25 players. I am not surprised by Arteta’s position.
Last season, just 16 players played more than 1000 minutes of Premier League football for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. It is clear Pep favour quality over quantity and backs he can keep his players fit.
Likewise, Liverpool competed with City for so long by having a smaller squad of higher quality.
A smaller squad means you can pay players more, and have a better quality of players. You only need to look at the “players used” table from last year to see that usually, the better you do the less players you use.
What I expect to happen is for us to have a core group of 20 outfield players. And they are then topped up by fringe players and other youngsters.
Arteta knows what he is doing.
Have a good Friday.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 