Nwaneri, Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira and more…

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Morning! Hope you all had a great Bank Holiday weekend.

Despite the changeable weather, I managed to get myself to 3 BBQs, drank plenty of rum and and even had time to write a couple of blogs.

There are a few Arsenal stories overhanging from the weekend. None of them are major and none should surprise you.

Edu been preparing for the summer since January

In an interview with Brazilian media, Edu spoke extensively on our plans for this summer. If you take away the clickbait headline on the English version, it is a worthwhile read.

Firstly, on the clickbait title. It is a non-story that he has been preparing since January.

The real football world is not like Football Manager where the season ends and then you begin to scout players and decide who you want to sign. Recruitment of players in the real world is an ongoing process.

Edu and is team will be scouting 100s of players at any one time. Not only will they know their targets already for this summer, they will also be drawing up a list for the next 3 or 4 windows.

In a dark corner somewhere in London Colney, there will be a room only Edu, Mikel Arteta and a handful of others have access to. This room will have white boards on every wall. One will have the squad as is now. The next how they want to see it next season, with a list of different transfer targets, and then further whiteboards highlighting where they expect the squad to be over the next few years.

Not only will they have their transfer targets for the next few years planned. The whiteboards will also contain the players they expect to leave and when.

The rest of the interview was a worthwhile read as Edu outlines the process the club take:

“You can’t sign for the sake of signing. It has to be a process that takes weeks and weeks. On my desk, I have reports of over 180 pages on one player. It’s really detailed stuff. Physical, technical, mental profile, whether he has Premier League experience, whether he’ll be able to adapt. Everything.

“We analyse our deficiencies, where we can improve, where we can invest and then we go in search of that new name. We’ve been discussing what I’m going to do now since January. It’s not my decision or Mikel’s. It’s a group decision.”

Nwaneri, Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira

A bit of mindless transfer speculation also broke over the weekend.

The story went that Ethan Nwaneri was set to be promoted to the first team squad, at the expense of either Emile Smith Rowe or Fabio Vieira.

It is not a huge surprise that Nwaneri (and others) will begin to be integrated with the first team squad. It is usually the case that our youngsters begin training extensively with the senior pro’s, even before they have stopped playing in the PL2.

Nwaneri is certainly a talent, but probably needs a 6-month loan deal somewhere to get him first team ready.

I would not be surprised if he trains for half the year with the seniors, playing League Cup. And then in January joins a Championship side on loan for 6-months to get some senior football under his belt. He is just 17-years-old remember!

As for Smith Rowe and Vieira, I am not surprised the former is on his way out but am surprised about the later.

Even when fit, Arteta hardly played Smith Rowe, and he is now behind Saka, Martinelli, Trossard and Jesus to play on the wing. No one can make a case that he should be getting game time ahead of them.

There has always been talk that he can play more centrally, but everytime he has started there in senior games he has looked a little lost.

In that more central position, he is also competing with Odegaard, Havertz, Rice and Vieira. Trossard and Saka could also both play more centrally if required.

Smith Rowe turns 24 in a month. It is probably in both sides interest to shake hands and say goodbye.

Arsenal would expect a decent fee in the region of £25m+ and because he is homegrown, he has no book value so 100% of his fee is profit.

I have no issue Nwaneri getting Smith Rowe’s minutes next season – ESR played just 347 in the Premier League. Invest in the future.

As for Fabio Vieira, he has had a tough time in his 2-years at the club.

Last season he looked lightweight. He returned this season looking fitter and stronger, and then picked up a long term injury. Despite returning to fitness, he often found himself as an unused substitute in the last 13 games of the season.

Like Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira also turns 24 soon (interesting how one player is still seen as having potential, whilst another is expected to be a finished article despite being the same age!).

A big issue for Vieira since joining The Arsenal has been Martin Odegaard. The captain just does not get injured. And neither does Bukayo Saka. That limits Vieira getting a run in the team.

I think Vieira is good cover for both men. But I am not sure Arteta does.

Vieira needs to get fit and jump up a level so that Arteta can consider resetting Odegaard or Saka here or there as we fight on 4 fronts.

The headache is Vieira has 3 years left on his contract. If the boss does not fancy him, we would be best off getting shot now.

We would unlikely give him a new contract, and it would make little sense keeping hold of him for another 12 months, seeing that potential transfer value deteriorate.

With a book value of around £20m, any offer that comes in would need to be north of this for us to consider accepting. And I am not sure we would get much better than him for a similar fee.

A few have made the case that we need to sell Vieira due to non-home grown concerns. This is not true and any concerns are quickly alleviated as soon as Elneny and Cedric depart. You would also expect Tierney, Lokonga and Tavares to be out the door. That leave us with just 13 or 14 home grown players.

Personally, I would keep hold of Vieira for another season. He has fabulous technique and provides that cover for Odegaard.

If Nwaneri is coming into the squad, it would be to replace Smith Rowe as that fringe left winger / left 8. Not to replace Vieira who plays a similar role on the right hand side.

We do need to begin competing on 4 fronts, and turning good seasons into trophies. That means we can not discard all the fringe players in one swoop. They will be needed for those cup competitions. And with Nketiah and Nelson, Elneny and Cedric all leaving, I suspect only one of Smith Rowe or Vieira will depart.

I would keep Vieira and sell Smith Rowe. It will be interesting to see which one arteta fancies, and could depend on what bids come in and from where.

Enjoy your Tuesday.

Keenos

Arteta has raised the standards at Arsenal – now we need to demand the signings to match his amibition

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Since Mikel Arteta has come into the club, there has been a lot of talk about projects and phases. A few fans have criticised this having seen other managers come into their clubs and reach some level of success.

The difference between Arsenal and someone like Manchester United is that we are not going for short term glory, cups will not paper over the cracks.

Whilst we do need to start converting these good seasons into silverware, there is a bigger picture at play. And that is where the project and phases come in.

Some people are not aware how much of a mess the club were in on and off the field towards the end of Arsene Wenger’s reign and throughout Unai Emery’s.

From ageing, overpaid, underperforming, problematic “superstars” on the pitch to a dysfunctional leadership team off. The training facilities were dated and we were reportedly close to losing our academy status due to the decline.

Mikel Arteta, Edu, Josh Kroenke, Per Mertesacker and others basically stripped the club back and have rebuilt it. Whilst this might not have seen any short term glory (although it has to be remembered Arteta has won the FA Cup), it is putting the club back on the right track for future success.

We saw last season how much we were progressing as a club when we signed David Raya to replace Aaron Ramsdale.

This decision led to some criticism from the club, but Theirry Henry got it spot on when he said Ramsdale was a keeper to take you to top 4, whilst Raya could be the keeper to win us the league.

The fact is, we are now at a stage of the “project” where incoming players will be of a much higher standard than previously, raising the ceiling of the club. They will be players to help us get over the line to win the title, rather than players to help us maintain a top 4 challenge.

As a result, some fans need to raise their standard when they are listing the players they want us to sign.

Bring me Michel Sanchez, Dovbyk, Miguel and Portu to Arsenal and we win the league I saw one YouTuber post on X over the Bank Holiday weekend. This is a perfect example of fans not having high enough standard.

The 3 players and a manger all come from Girona, who had a decent season in La Liga finishing 3rd. But they are a one-season wonder and none of them would raise the standard at Arsenal.

Michel Sanchez (Manager) – Firstly I am not sure why replacing Mikel Arteta is even an option. Secondly, if Arteta did leave, someone like Sanchez would not be anywhere near our replacement list.

It is interesting how some fans preach high standards, demand Arteta be sacked for failing to win the league this season, and discuss us going for Pep, Conte, Tuchel or Allegri, and then also claim that a man who has won nothing in his managerial career would take us to the league. Raise your standards.

Artem Dovbyk (Striker) – The forward has been in good form for Girona during his first season in Spain, scoring 24 goals in 36 games. But the Ukrainian turns 27 in a month and is very much a journeyman striker who has spent all his career before this season in Europe’s minor leagues. One good season does not make a good player. Raise your standard.

Miguel Gutierrez (Left back) – A perfect example of what I am talking about. Miguel is a solid left back, but is not at the standard of Zinchenko, Tomiyasu or Timber. He neither raises arsenal’s ceiling or our floor. Raise your standards.

Portu (Midfielder) – At this point I am starting to think that the original poster has just googled ‘Girona’s best players’ and never actually watched them or looked into their players. If we are looking to raise the ceiling or floor of Arsenal, why would we be looking to sign a 32 year old Spanish journeyman winger? Raise your standards.

When looking at what players we are going to sign this year, it has to be remembered we are now title challengers. We are not in 8th, or just looking to challenge for the top 4.

Arteta has raised the standards of players we can now attract. Fans now need to follow suit and raise their standards for what they demand.

I expect 3 or 4 players this summer (outside David Raya). All of them will either raise the ceiling or floor of the club. If a player you want is not drastically better than someone already at the club, then do not even bother mentioning.

Next we will hear people saying they want us to sign Lewis Dunk or Ryan Fraser again!

Arsenal are in a great place. We just need everyone on the same page, demanding we continue to push forward, sign better players and improve.

UTA

Keenos

Mikel Arteta needs to start converting good seasons into more silverware

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I did not end up watching the FA Cup final yesterday.

Harlow Garden Centre was too sunny, too peaceful. By the time I had done a bit of shopping, grabbed meself some fresh lemonade and a slice of cake and got home it was already half time. At that point all I wanted to do was sit in my garden and relax.

Manchester United won which robs us of an August trip to Wembley.

Whilst I do not consider the Community Shield as a relevant trophy, it is still nice to have a semi-serious pre-season game at Wembley where we can all meet up, shake off the cobwebs and get ready for the next 9 months in the sunshine.

With Man U winning it, it raises the question of whether they (and Liverpool) have a better season than us.

I remember back in 2020 when we finished 8th and failed to win a trophy, those outside of the club continued with the narrative that we had a bad season. Meanwhile us fans did not care. We had a day out and lifted a trophy.

And imagine it is the same for Man u fans today.

They will not care one bit that they finished 8th, 31 points off their local rivals. All that matters is they won the FA Cup. And the record books only ever remember the winners.

So whilst we might sit there and mock Man U’s poor season, ultimately they won a trophy and we did not.

Whilst I am delighted about the progress on and off the pitch we have made from Mikel Arteta – I do not think some of our critics realise how bad the situation the club was in prior to his and Edu’s arrival – we have finished trophyless for the 4th successive season.

I am not going to jump on Arteta’s back, just like I did not jump on Arsene Wenger’s. But there is a slight concern that we might follow the route of Tottenham in those mid-late 2010s.

Tottenham finished 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, made 3 semi-finals and got to the Champions LEague final from 2016 to 2021, but they ultimately won nothing. All the progress we shown in the last 24 months will mean nothing if we do not start picking up trophies.

Now I am not saying I would rather finish 8th and win an FA Cup. What we need to do is start picking up cups whilst maintaining a title challenge. That way even if we finish 2nd, we still finish the season with some sort of glory.

I am sure the silverware will come. And as we continue to raise the ceiling and floor of the squad, we should be in a better position to compete on 4 fronts.

The consequence of Man U winning the FA Cup means that Chelsea only qualify for the Europa Conference (they will probably win it), and Newcastle have no European football. That could leave couple of their stars to looking elsewhere for European football. Could it open a door for Arsenal to sign a Bruno or Isak? Who knows.

We did brilliantly this season. But now we need to compete in the league whilst winning trophies.

The She Wore Shop is 10 years old today! Dunno where the time has gone….

 For those who don’t know, the shop was started 3 weeks after I had lost my job in 2014 with the last £50 we had left in the overdraft by buying 50 badgepins and putting some yellow ribbon behind it for the 2014 FA Cup final.

They sold in minutes, so we ordered more and more…

A lot has changed in 10 years. Items that were impossible to be made in the UK can now be made same day. Our clothing is still made to order and can take longer.

We are still nowhere near Amazon levels of speed – and also rely on Royal Mail rather than have a fleet of our own drivers!

I still use the same clothing supplier who made our very 1st polo shirts and he has become a close mate. In the last few years we have both been through some very dark times, but we built a great friendship and supported each other.

The shop has never made us fortunes. The car is 9 years old, we still count the pennies at the end of each month and the kids have never had an overseas holiday. The mortgage is paid on time and the kids do their sports clubs, play way to much Playstation and are happy. And that is what is important.

None of this would have been possible without the support and backing of you. We have all seen the meme about shopping local, and how you are paying for someones children’s ballet class, karate and school uniform. That is exactly what you are all doing when you buy something from our shop.

I am grateful to every single one of you. Whether you have bought once or are a regular buyer. Even just a RT, Like or Share means the world to me.

As a thank you, everything on the shop is 10% off for today and tomorrow. No code needed, the discount is automatically applied at check out: She Wore Shop

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend! And thanks again.

Gav