Tag Archives: Arsenal

Goodbye Santi, Hello Stephan

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We were all expecting something to happen at Arsenal today. The noise was positive around Sokratis being on the verge of being named Unai Emery’s first signing at Arsenal.

In a Sol Campbell-esque moment – when we were all expecting Richard Wright to be announced and out got Sol Campbell from the car – former Juventus right back Stephan Lichtsteiner has gazumped Sokratis to become a quiz question answer.

But firstly the sad news. Santi Cazorla has officially left the club.

The former Gunners midfielder is set to spend pre-season with his former club Villarreal, with a view to earning a permanent contract.

The diminutive Spaniard always played with a smile on his face. A smile which has not been seen on a football pitch since November 2015.

I still maintain that had he not picked up that injury against Norwich, Arsenal would have had that little bit extra to beat Leicester City to the title.

At the time of his injury, Cazorla was an over present in the Arsenal team, with analysis showing him to be the league’s busiest and most accurate passer.

Arsenal reportedly offered him a coaching role at Arsenal, but he clearly feels that he has another year or two left.

With Villarreal in the Europa League, there is a chance we might see him again.

When someone dies, someone is born. And the sadness of Cazorla leaving is balanced out with Lichtsteiner joining Arsenal from Juventus.

The Swiss international defender signs as a free agent from the Serie A club, where he won the title in each of his seven seasons.

A hugely-experienced right-sided defender, Stephan made over 250 appearances for Juventus and is the fourth-most capped player in Switzerland history with 99 appearances for his country. He has also been the Swiss captain since 2016.

Head coach Unai Emery said: “Stephan brings huge experience and leadership to our squad. He’s a player with great quality with a very positive and determined attitude. Stephan will improve us on and off the pitch.”

Stephan, 34, started his senior career in 2001 with Swiss club Grasshopper Zurich, where he won the league title in 2003. He played in France with Lille for three years before moving to Lazio in Italy in 2008, where he won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana before moving to Juventus in 2011.

He will wear the number 12 shit, and provide cover and competition for Hector Bellerin.

Keenos

Sokratis to join Arsenal today?

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I am usually very anti-speculation – other than to have a fun chat about what we might do in the pub with mates. Fans who predict things usually get it wrong. Fans who predict things and present it as them knowing it’s happening end up embarrassed. But this deal seems to be about to lump over the line.

In classic Arsenal fashion, the deal for Sokratis looked all but done over a week ago, but things went quiet, they went slowly. Were Arsenal exploring other avenues? Or was this just how long transfer take on reality.

Then yesterday afternoon reports from both Greece and Germany started to align – chances are they were simply quoting the same made up source.

The talk was the Sokratis (I really can’t be bothered to Google his surname) arrived in England in Sunday evening. And that on Monday he had his medical and signed the deal.

£17m over 3 years for the Greek centre back who turns 30 in 4 days.

Petit demanded experience over kids, I wonder what his opinion is about Arsenal signing the 79 capped international – I imagine he will still moan (and I am getting a little obsessed over his comments).

Anyway, the deal seems wrapped up, should happen today, and should also see Stephan Lichtsteiner sign on a free before Switzerland fly out to Russia.

It will also be interesting to see what happens with Bernd Leno.

The German goal keeper was left out of their squad to go to the World Cup.

Swooping for him would mean Unai Emery would have his first choice goal keeper and back 4 to work with for the entire pre season.

Fingers crossed it all happens today otherwise I will look more muggy than normal.

Keenos

4,500 retro national team kits for sale

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Unwilling to pay the £64.95 for the official England kit? Following the trend of wearing old school retro kits from the 80s and 90s? think new kit designs are just rubbish?

We have followed the success of the She Wore Shop (exclusive Arsenal merchandise) site and The Arsenal Shirts (real old school Arsenal shirts, signed and match worn) with a new venture, Retro Kits.

We have brand new England Shirts, used England items, National shirts from all round the world and finally classic shirts and kits from club teams. We have around 4500 items to add to the site, so it is still very much a work in progress.

With shirts available from £10, we are sure we have something that suits you.

England, Brazil, Argentina, France, Spain, Nigeria, Holland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Wales, Columbia, Canada, USA, Cameroon, Iran, Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia and Zimbabwe are amongst the collection we currently have available, with thousands more shirts still to be process and up loaded.

If you can not see the shirt that you want, it does not mean we do not have it. drop us an email at shewore@gmail.com letting us know the country, year and size and we will you know what we have.

SheWore