Wilshere, Saliba, Ozil and More…

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Morning.

A few bits of Arsenal news to rattle through this morning before I jump in a cold shower.

Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Granit Xhaka, Nuno Tavares, Aaron Ramsdale, Lucas Torreira, William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu all return to training yesterday.

The return of those given in extended break after the pointless internationals leaves Mikel Arteta with a full squad to take out to America.

The first game is against Everton on Saturday 16th and the final a week later against Chelsea on the 23rd.

In this era of  “net zero”, it is laughable that clubs lecture fans on climate change, then fly 4,336 miles to face a team that are 6 miles away.

Now I know the commercial benefits of these worldwide tours, and it just highlights what a scam it all is.

It is not just football clubs but almost every major organisation – they are happy to ignore their morale’s on climate change, equality and inclusivity if it means making a few million quid.

Jack Wilshere was also named as the new Head Coach of the Under-18s following his retirement.

Last year he was undertaking a few training sessions with the Under-17s whilst he did his coaching badges.

Wilshere is joined at the club by Mehmet Ali who takes over the U23s.

Turkish born Ali joins from Reading U23s whom he joined from Tottenham in July 2019. He became their U23 manager in August 2020.

Wilshere becomes is 3rd former youth team player to become part of Per Mertesacker’s academy set up joining Adam Birchall (U18s manager) and Julian Gray (U18s assistant).

William Saliba is looking fit and healthy in training and is on the verge of signing a new deal.

With European football back on the agenda next season we need 3 top class central defenders and there will be plenty of games to keep Ben White, Gabriel and Saliba interested.

Still just 20-years-old, Saliba is still an exciting prospect.

Had we signed him for £40million this summer, we would be buzzing about his recruitment.

Having not yet played a game for us, he is literally like a new signing.

Some final sad news.

Mesut Ozil has had his contract terminated by Fenerbache. That turned sour quickly.

Hopefully he fins fulfilment in life playing his computer games and we never have to hear about him again.

Enjoy your Tuesday.

Keenos

Torreira returns as Edu reviews transfer strategy

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We started off the transfer window strongly. Edu and Mikel Arteta had a clear vision on what was needed.

A striker was top of the list. We also wanted more creativity in the middle and a new 2nd choice keeper. On the list was also cover at full back and an extra wiseman.

In Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Silva and Matt Turner we secured the first 3 of our targets.

Three down, two to go and it was barelyJuly. Now to focus on the full back and wide man.

We were linked with many but none agreed. It was all about moving the money into the right place to ensure we covered bother positions with quality. Two £30million signings Rather than one £50m and one £10m.

A defensive midfielder was never really on the radar.

We had Thomas Partey, have a new deal to Mohamed Elneny, and still had Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga who could cover there.

Partey would be undisputed number one, and Elneny staying would give us the option of loaning Lokonga out of the right deal came up.

Better cover for Partey was being kicked down the road by 12 months.

In 2023 either Lokonga would have shown he could be Partey’s cover and long term replacement, or we would spend big on a new defensive midfielder to take that role.

But then in the last week our transfer window has come off the tracks a little.

Depending on what happens over the next few weeks (and more!) we could end up needing a new defensive midfielder.

So what are our options?

Utilise Xhaka

Our best form last season was with Xhaka further up the field.

This season be would have provided cover to Partey and Eneny if both me were out, but would unlikely play as the deepest midfielder.

An easy fix for our impending issues could be to play Xhaka as the deepest of 3 midfielders and go out and sign Youri Tielemans.

But Xhaka is fairly immobile and if you are the sole defensive midfielder, you need to be able to get around the pitch.

Elneny and Torreira

If we decide to not change our transfer plans, we could see the return of Lucas Torreira

Four years ago Torreira looked the signing of the season.

At only 22, it looked like we had solved our defensive midfield problem. But it never happened.

Torreira just never settled in England and he has since spent time on loan in Spain and Italy.

He was expected to join Fiorentina following is load spell. But they decided not to make his temporary move permanent.

If Arsenal decide to stick to their original transfer plan and leave central midfield to next season it will leave Torreira with another chance.

Elneny, Torreira and Xhaka as the midfield options? Been there. Finished 8th.

Buy a new defensive midfielder

Elneny is good cover but should not be relied upon for the season, Torreira should be cashed in on and Xhaka is better utilised elsewhere. That leaves us with one final option – changing our transfer plans.

This option will lead to Arsenal shifting focus on a central midfielder and sacrificing funds elsewhere.

Rumours seem to be shifting from £40m Lisanro Martinez to £7.5m Alex Grimaldo.

We could also sacrifice a wide man and go into the season with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and Marquinhos.

Either of these options would free up money to be spent in midfield.

Spurs have already secured one of our options

In Yves Bissouma.

Had we taken the risk that Bissouma’s charges would be dropped, he might have become an Arsenal player and replaced Mo Elneny.

But unlike Spurs we were unwilling to take the risk of signing him whilst still face some horrendous charges.

Zinchenko is another option – and might also allow us to go for that cheap option at left back.

We could go an sign Zinchenko and go even cheaper at left back knowing that the Ukrainian has plenty of Premier League experience.

Could we go for Zinchenko, recruit Tielemans and sign a cheap midfielder? Is that the best way for us to spend our funds this summer?

Join in the conversation on Twitter.

Keenos

Edu’s Brazilian Revolution Will Revitalise The Arsenal

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It was just a friendly.

But despite it being just a friendly, what a support we took.

I am not sure if the crowd as made up mainly of English based fans who are making up for no European aways last year; or Mainland Europe based fans just happy to see us back on the continent. But what a turn out!

It highlights just how massive Arsenal are.

Even in our dark days, we have a huge local and global support. Easily the 3rd biggest team in England and in the top 10 supported in the world.

The trick now for the Kroenke’s is to turn that huge support into revenue to finance ourselves to success.

Yes, we will never be able to suspend those smaller, sugar daddy clubs (Man City, PSG), now will we likely eat at the same table as the European super clubs that are one step above us (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, Man U, Liverpool, Juventus, AC Milan). But with the size of our fan base we should be looking to be the “best of the rest” and doing a lot better than finishing 8th ever again.

I’ve seen some of the highlights of the game against Nuremberg and the clear stand out was Gabriel Jesus.

Whilst we should never read too much into friendlies as you never know what stage of training and fitness teams are, the team looked sharp.

Jesus came on and scored within minutes.

He did not look like a player who has barely trained yet this season. His natural fitness, sharpness and ability was clear to all.

If you are not buying him for £8m in your fantasy football team then you are crazy (note: join our fantasy football league).

Another new Brazilian also looked impressive – Marquinhos.

We should not expect too much next season from the 19-year old, and we should ignore his pre-season performances.

But with us in the Europa League we should see him getting plenty of first team action.

Could he save us millions on the left wing? Provide competition and cover for Gabriel Martinelli? It is too early to say but it is a story to keep an eye on.

On Martinelli, I think he will have have a huge season this year.

He will be given the trust of Mikel Arteta to mark the left wing his own.

Per 90 minutes, his output not too dissimilar to Raphinha and Richarlison. Both of them are £60m men.

Martinelli has only just 21-years-old. This season I am betting on him to get more goals and assists than Bukayo Saka.

Exciting.

Have a good Sunday.

Keenos