I honestly think some of our fans are idiots. Either that or they are so agenda driven that it leads them to making idiotic assessments.
Yesterday it was announced that we had agreed a deal to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m. And it lead some fans (and for clarity it was a minority; just a noisy one) to use the news to spread negativity.
“Another Chelsea reject”
The most common comment around the signing is that it was another Chelsea reject. But why do people care so much about where a player comes from? Saying this sort of comment just shows you are unable to engage your brain before you speak and all you care about is “statements that might make you go viral”.
We are signing Bournemouth’s number one keeper. The team that finished 9th last year. And Kepa played 31 league games for them.
A 30-year-old Premier League proven keeper for just £5m to be our number two. What is there not to like about the deal. But of course, we know some fans just love moaning.
“A keeper was not a priority”
Anyone that thinks signing a 2nd choice keeper was not a priority this summer is either thick or deluded.
With Neto’s loan deal ending, our back up keepers to David Raya were Karl Hein and then a bunch of teenagers.
Had we not signed a 2nd choice keeper and Raya got injured, the same people moaning now we’ve signed a keeper would be complaining we failed in the summer.
Football in real life is not a computer game. You can not sign players “in order of priority”. Some deals got done quicker.
You can not delay or miss out on signing someone of Kepa’s quality just because you decide you “need to sign a striker first for PR”.
“But 8 keepers signed”
I had no idea we were keeping count of how many keepers we had signed under Mikel Arteta (remember, players are not signed by the manager. But some fans can’t see beyond a simpleton thought process).
If I am honest, I was surprised that people were claiming it was 8 keepers under Arteta. For me it is Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya and Neto making it 3, with Kepa making it 4. So where does the 8 come?
Runar Alex Runarsson – £1.8m – signed as a back up keeper to Leno when we had none.
Aaron Ramsdale – £24m – signed as a first choice. Fantastic in getting us back to top 4 level. Not quite top level enough.
Matt Turner – £5m – American number one signed to be out number two.
David Raya – loan – came in to replace Ramsdale as number one. Consistently one of the best in the league
David Raya – £27m – Do we count him twice?
Neto – Loan – Premier League proven number 2 signed for a season
Lucas Nygaard – £0m – Academy goalkeeper signed at 18.
Tommy Setford – £1m – Academy goalkeeper signed keeper signed at 18
So since Arteta has joined we have signed:
2 starting goalkeepers, both of whom were upgrades on the men they replaced.
3 number twos, all of whom were better than the men they replaced.
2 youth team keepers – if we count youth team keepers, then why don’t we count youth team strikers who have joined us under Arteta? Can’t be saying “8 keepers signed, 1 striker” when it’s not true.
If you are unhappy that we are signing Kepa, unhappy that we have signed 8 keepers, then your mentality is holding the club back.
You are basically saying that you do not want us to improve. You do not want us to sign better players than what we have. Why don’t you not want us to get better?
And for those that will respond to this with “we should have got it right first time”. Maybe you are right.
But then when we signed Runarsson back in 2020, Kepa was a £70m rate keeper starting for Chelsea. I doubt he would have joined us as 2nd choice. When we signed Turner, Neto was leaving Barcelona’s bench to be first choice at Bournemouth. The players you sign in the future are not always available in the past.
Have a good Sunday. Including all you miserable sods. Hope signing Kepa ruins your Sunday roast.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
Well said David.
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I don’t know why people are upset.
When the manager talked about it being a massive summer it sent Arsenal fans into a bit of a speculative frenzy – who would we sign?
The signing of a keeper who was deemed not good enough to be Chelsea’s third choice was not most people’s first choice.
I cannot help but feel underwhelmed and understand why others feel the same.
Whilst it may be true that we need a backup keeper I would say the signing of a goal scorer, left winger, defensive midfielder and central defender should take precedence over a backup keeper.
I just get the feeling that this summer will be Arsenal fan’s looking on as the likes of Liverppol strengthen – it has happened many times before and nothing has really changed has it?
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If you are underwhelmed 8 days into the window then you are clearly new to football or new to grow up
You do understand that deals take different amounts of time? It isn’t a computer game where you buy one player in one position, then move onto the next. The club will be working on many deals at the same time and will complete them when ready
We couldn’t hold off dining a second house keeper that we available jsut because idiots online “want a striker first”. Football business is not PR.
And if it’s about “holding Arsenal to a higher standard”, then apply the same principle to your own underwhelming life. If you ain’t a billionaire than you’re a failure, using the sane Arsenal-logic some negative nancies have
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As for your initial comments tell that to Man City, Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea who have managed to sign players in the first eight days – and Brentford and Brighton and even Spurs who have also have managed it as well
I made comments on my feelings – you made personal comments to someone you know absoltely nothing about.
So I will do the same.
You are a semi-illiterate, brainless cretin who should have spent more time at school.
Have a nice weekend !
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Man City and Tottenham have not signed anyone (beyond players they had agreed to sign a year ago / loans becoming permanent.
The fact you are praising their “business” whilst criticising Arsenal for signing the exact same amount of players shows you’re either an idiot or agenda driven.
And I would bet you would be in here crying had we signed the players Brentford and Brighton did.
Meanwhile Chelsea have done one new deal – which involved envoi int a release clause so any easy deal to do.
Liverpool have done one new deal – a deal they have been working on for 5 months since TAA refused his contract
I hope whatever issues you have in your life which has led you to be so unhappy on a Sunday afternoon get resolved
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Do YOU have anything better to do?
Other than insult and argue with people you have never met in your life?
You really are quite sad and pathetic – brave and confident to insult people from a distance.
Enjoy your Sunday..
And don’t bother replying – if you don’t agree with what I say don’t say anything…
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Excellent article, eloquent, on the money. Great piece of work. However, its a shame you have to address a bunch of dummies, Keenos. Lets hope there are a few less after reading this 🙂
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