Author Archives: keenosafc

Busy day for Arsenal in the transfer market

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A lot happened yesterday in the world of Arsenal.

Firstly Arsenal announced in a very brief statement that Laurent Koscielny is leaving to join Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.

It feels like it is a real nasty, needless end to a player who has spent 9 years at the club.

The refusal to go on the American tour was out of character and the way he has departed as definitely damaged his legacy.

Instead of getting a big goodbye in front of an Emirates crowd like Aaron Ramsey did, he leaves with a black cloud over his head. Surely it would have been better to remain professional and have played one last time against Lyon in the Emirates club.

We thank Laurent for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future just about sums it up.

£5million is a decent chunk of money a player that turns 34 in a month. Arsenal have also chopped off nearly £5million off the age bill. Hopefully this frees up further cash to go for a centre back in these late hours.

We then had the news that Eddie Nketiah may well spend next season on loan, with Leeds being front runners for his signature.

It will be a make or break move for Nketiah who finds his playing time at Arsenal limited behind Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

Some fans are moaning that he should get more of a chance at Arsenal, but with two world class strikers ahead of him, minutes will always be tough to come by

If Nketiah does exceptional, he will return to Arsenal and be prepped be Lacazette’s long term back up (taking into account next summer Aubameyang will have just 1 year left on his contract). If he only does OK, Arsenal will probably look to move him on.

With the likes of Tyreece John-Jules (18), Folarin Balogun (18) & Gabriel Martinelli (18) coming up behind, Arsenal will soon have to make a decision whether to continue investing in Nketiah’s development, or move him on in favour of those a couple of years younger.

The expectation was that with Danny Welbeck leaving on  a free at the end of last season, Nketiah will move up to 3rd choice striker – and maybe even the only striker on the bench if Aubameyang started on the left.

If the plan is to use Aubameyang solely as a striker, then loaning out Nketiah makes sense.

And it may well be Aubameyang and Lacazette competing upfront if Arsenal complete the signing of Philippe Coutinho.

According to stunning reports in France, Arsenal have agreed a deal to take the Brazilian on loan. Wait and see on this one I guess.

Than over night that Danieledaniel Rugani rumour reared its head again; with Arsenal having reportedly agreed terms with the young Italian.

Fans seem split on this one, with many calling him the “Italian Mustafi” and others saying he is a top central defender who just has not had his chance at Juventus.

A deal to bring the 25-year-old to London on a 2 year loan deal before making it permanent in 2021 does make a lot of sense in terms of budgeting.

Still plenty likely to happen over the next few days (and even between the writing of this blog and publishing).

Carl Jenkinson, who following Koscileny’s departure has become Arsenal’s longest serving player, looks set to leave.

Then you have Emile Smith Rowe who a few teams in Germany are clamouring over, and Shkodran Mustafi who no teams in Germany seem to want.

Do not be surprised to see a deadline day central defender come in either.

Yesterday it felt like every hour a different rumour was breaking.

One more blog and it will all be over.

Keenos

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Arsenal star set for “make or break” loan deal

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Leeds United are reportedly sizing up a loan move for Eddie Nketiah, according to the BBC’s David Ornstein.

There is also significant interest in Nketiah from abroad as well as domestic clubs, including Bristol City.

The deal would be make or break for the talented youth international, who has found himself at a cross-roads in his Arsenal career.

Nketiah has just turned 20 and is still awaiting his 1st Premier League start for Arsenal.

The problem Nketiah has faced is in the last 12 months is that he is too good for the U23 league, but has some excellent strikers ahead of him.

He has had to sit patiently behind Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Danny Welbeck to get his chance. The expectation was that with Welbeck leaving on  a free at the end of last season, Nketiah will move up to 3rd choice striker.

Nketiah needs game time to develop.

With the likes of Tyreece John-Jules (18), Folarin Balogun (18) & Gabriel Martinelli (18) coming up behind, Arsenal will soon have to make a decision whether to continue investing in Nketiah’s development, or move him on in favour of those a couple of years younger.

It is a similar situation to what Chuba Akpom found himself – Arsenal eventually decided to move him on in favour of promoting Nketiah to the 1st team.

Like Akpom, a loan deal will give Nketiah the game time he needs to prove himself. A deal will make or break him.

If Nketiah does exceptional, he will return to Arsenal and be prepped be Lacazette’s long term back up (taking into account next summer Aubameyang will have just 1 year left on his contract). If he only does OK, Arsenal will probably look to move him on.

Liverpool have done well recently moving on the likes of Dominic Solanke, Kevin Stewart, Jerome Sinclair and Jordon Ibe. Those 4 raised nearly £46million after the Champions League winners decided that they did not have the quality for the highest level.

Next summer, Arsenal could well do similar with Nketiah if he has an average loan spell.

Arsenal would get  a decent fee for Nketiah (£15m+) from a low end Premier League or top end Championship club.

The focus would then move on to giving game time to those who are 2 years younger.

Nketiah needs the game time, and he will have to take his chances if he wants to prove he has a long term future at Arsenal.

Keenos

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The clock is ticking: Umtiti, Rugani, Upamecano and Tierney

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Thursday 8th August
17:00 BST

That is when the English transfer window slams shut, and Arsenal still have plenty of business to be done.

It seems every day we are linked with a different central defender. You only have to look at what is trending on Twitter to see the “name of the day”.

Everyone got a little excited over Daniele Rugani earlier last week – the Italian was linked with a 2 year loan deal with an obligation to buy after it.

The deal actually made a lot of sense.

Arsenal would be getting a 25-year-old defender who, whilst his career has stalled at Juventus – would be the best centre back at the club. Rugani would be able to come straight in and partner Sokratis, and be a long turn partner for William Saliba.

Only a small loan fee would need to be paid upfront, with Arsenal not having to pay a transfer fee for another 2 years.

Reports this morning were that Wolves were making a £30million bid for him. Should Arsenal match it and go out and sign him outright?

Next up it was Samuel Umtiti.

Frenchman Umtiti has been many Arsenal fans preferred option all summer. A left sided centre back with power and pace. But he also has knee problems.

A deal would have been easier to make had Barcelona rather than Juventus signed Matthijs de Ligt. As it stands Barcelona have just 4 senior backs – Gerard Pique, Clément Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and 19-year-old Jean-Clair Todibo.

I would be very surprised if Barcelona let Umtiti leave.

Then yesterday we had the news that Arsenal had bid £55million for Dayot Upamecano, the 20-year-old RB Leipzig central defender.

Despite being just 20, the French defender has a wealth of experience both domestically and in the Champions League.

The news, 1st reported by Bild, came out of nowhere. And if true shows that Arsenal still have plenty available to spend.

If we were able to bid £55million for Upamecano, a permanent deal for Rugani might be able to be done.

And then we have Kieran Tierney.

The trail seems to have gone cold on the Scottish left-back; especially after news that he had suffered a set back following his double hernia operation.

Unlikely to be back fit until October, you have to wonder if the club is thinking “we will come back next year” and have put the money set aside for him into the pot to buy a new centre back.

I have always said that buying a strong left sided centre back is perhaps more important than buying a replacement for Saed Kolasinac.

A big move for someone like Upamecano this summer and then going back for Tierney next summer makes a lot of sense.

Regardless of what business Arsenal do in the next 2 and a half days, people will moan.

Keenos

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