Tag Archives: Newcastle United

Arsenal ready to raid Newcastle again for star defender

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Oh wouldn’t it be glorious if Arsenal went back to Newcastle United to solve our defensive headache.

Malick Thiaw is the man who has been wearing the captains armband for Newcastle in preseason friendlies. It is expected that the German defender will take the armband full time following Bruno Guimaraes, and their fans are already celebrating him leading them into the “new era”.

But could Thiaw be the perfect defensive signing for Arsenal?

The Champions have been in the market for a central defender who can also play right back. We have been linked with the likes of Ezri Konsa already this summer as we look to sign someone who can come into the defence during William Saliba’s absence, whilst also offering cover for Jurrien Timber.

Ben White could be the ideal profile and it looks like he might be willing to remain at the club. But there are still concerns around his injury record. Those concerns, combined with some questionable performances from the defensive unit during pre-season, could lead Arsenal to still enter the market for a new defender.

The German international has many of the qualities that would make him attractive to Mikel Arteta.

At 6′ 4″, Thiaw is powerful, aggressive in the challenge and dominant in the air, while also possessing the athleticism required to defend in a high line. Thiaw is also an excellent passer and has also shown his leadership potential during his one season for Newcastle.

And there is another aspect of Thiaw’s game that should make him particularly attractive to Arsenal: his versatility.

Although primarily a centre-back, Thiaw has previously played at right-back and also has experience playing in defensive midfield earlier in his career. That background is important because it has helped him develop an understanding of different defensive responsibilities and positions on the pitch. Ideal for Arteta.

Arsenal defenders are often asked to do far more than simply defend. Full-backs can move into midfield or transition into a back 3. Centre-backs are expected to progress the ball whilst also cover out wide. Players must be comfortable changing positions during matches. Thiaw’s experience at right-back and defensive midfield means he has already had to understand the game from different perspectives.

Thiaw could potentially provide cover across the defensive line when injuries or suspensions strike. In a squad competing in the Premier League, Champions League and domestic competitions, that flexibility is incredibly valuable.

His physicality could be particularly important at Arsenal. Arteta’s team often pushes high up the pitch, leaving defenders exposed to counter-attacks. Arsenal therefore need centre-backs capable of defending large spaces and recovering quickly when opponents break forward. Thiaw’s combination of size, strength and mobility gives him the tools to do exactly that.

At just 25, Thiaw is still at an age where his best years could be ahead of him But he also has valuable experience at the highest level.

His time at AC Milan gave him exposure to Champions League football, while his move to Newcastle United has allowed him to experience the intensity and physicality of the Premier League. That combination could make him an ideal addition to Arsenal’s defensive unit.

Imagine having Saliba, Gabriel and Thiaw, alongside Cristhian Mosquera, competing for two starting centre-back positions, while also knowing that Thiaw has the experience to operate at right-back if required. That is the kind of defensive depth Arteta wants.

Of course, Newcastle would not make a player like Thiaw easy to sign after we snatched Bruno from them. But if we did, it would be absolutely priceless and they would need to issue flood warnings for the Tyne basin area, despite the UK being in a heatwave and drought.

What started off as a wind-up blog looking to catch a few Geordies with some bait has ended up with me convinced. Thiaw should be our number one target if we are looking for a new defender this summer.

And if it is not this summer, keep an eye on next. He could be the perfect man to come in if Saliba does not return back to his best following his back issue.

Keenos

Should football fans care where their owners money comes from?

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Yesterday the takeover of Newcastle United finally went through.

Following a court case, a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium bought the club for £350m from Mike Ashley.

The Newcastle fans celebrated like they had one the lottery.

Part of the celebrations was due to the departure of Mike Ashley – an owner they have hated from almost the day he took over.

The other part of the celebrations is that they see the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) takeover as a a quick route to winning the league.

Their fans have seen Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG bank rolled to success. And the wealth of the PIF blows all of their owners oit of the water.

They think being owned by PIF will see billions spent on new players and the side bankrolled to their first league title since 1927.

But at what cost would this success be bankrolled to and should fans care?

Amnesty International have urged the Premier League to review their decision and take into account the horrendous human rights issues in Saudi Arabia. They state:

“As with Formula One, elite boxing, golf or tennis, an association with top-tier football is a very attractive means of rebranding a country or person with a tarnished reputation. The Premier League needs to better understand the dynamic of sportswashing and tighten its ownership rules.”

We have mentioned sportswashing numerous times in this blog.

From day one when Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea I questioned whether someone who built his wealth in questionable circumstances should be applauded.

When Alisher Uzmanov looked to take over Arsenal, I took the stand that I did not want his kind involved in Arsenal.

I would rather win nothing than be bankrolled to success by someone with Usmanov’s questionable history.

At Manchester City, the ‘Manchester thanks you Sheikh Mansour’ banner has always left a sour taste in my mouth.

Sheikh Mansour is a member of the royal family of Abu Dhabi and deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.

The 2021 Human Rights Watch reportfor the UAE makes grim reading.

Manchester City fans turn a blind eye to what is happening in the UAE. The lack of democracy, modern slavery. These things seem to not matter when you are winning trophies.

And the same is seemingly happening at Newcastle.

Their fans seem to not care about the human rights abuses that occur on a daily basis. They just want to be bankrolled to success.

How many of their fans joined a BLM March over the last 2 years. Have pointed out corruption in the Conservative party. Have spoken up against racism and inequality in the UK.

How many of their fans have tweeted that slave owners statues in the UK should be taken down – meanwhile they celebrate slave owners buying their club.

PIF probably will bankroll Newcastle to their first trophy since 1969. It will be written as another glorious story of a sleeping giant returning to its glory days. A bit like Manchester City.

Personally, I would rather win nothing than be owned by a state with a horrendous human rights record that is basically using my club to wash over that record.

I would rather win nothing than be owned by a former KGB agent that earned his billions during the break up of the Soviet Union.

Hopefully I am not alone in this. I have my morals and they will not change regardless of my football clubs success.

But many people do not seem to care who owns their club as long as they are being bankrolled to success.

So I ask the question; should football fans care where the money comes from?

Keenos

Sky TV – Ruining every Gooners April

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So yesterday lunch time, Sky TV and BT Sport announced what supporters they will be fucking over with their latest schedule of TV games for April – and the result was a big fuck you to Arsenal fans. The travelling support have been well and truly shafted.

March was bad enough, with only one 3pm kick off in the month – away to Stoke tomorrow. After that, Everton (Sat 12.45), Spurs (Sun 16.00 – what happened to ‘Health and Safety?), Chelsea (Sat 12.45) and Manchester City (Saturday 17.30). Luckily for Arsenal fans, the fucking about with the fixtures in March has little effect as the two main away games moved are against London clubs. All it means is plenty of drinking after Chelsea Away, and Plenty of drinking before Spurs Away (and plenty of sore heads at work Monday morning).

April, however, is a complete and utter fuck up for The Arsenal.

We start off with an away trip to Goodison Park. Sunday 13.30. That gives Arsenal fans 2 realistic choices. An 8.15 or 9.15 train out of Euston. Thanks Sky TV you utter cunts for the early start.

Next on the agenda is West Ham at home. A noon kick off on a Sunday. Not too bad, on the face of it. Two London clubs. Not far to travel. OK, so it means no beers before the game. But it means you can have a session after and still be home to grab some dinner before the Chinese closes. Until you notice that Sunday 13th April is the day of the London Marathon.

So not only have Sky TV said a big ‘Fuck You’ to one of the countries most important sporting days by scheduling a TV game at the same time the majority of fun runners will be on the streets of London (taking away important viewers from the charities) but they have also created a logistical nightmare for the police, who will now be stretched as they have to manage the millions who take to the streets to support the runners, as well as police a London Derby.

It was not too long ago that the police had the final say in fixtures. Based on safety grounds, games would get moved to an early kick off (I remember we once played Spurs at 11.45am) and made to ensure they would not clash with other big events in the capital. It seems nowadays, however, that it is the TV stations who are the king makers.

Have the police not questioned the scheduling of both the West Ham and Spurs match’s? Has some money been paid elsewhere by the TV companies to get their way? Or do the police just not really give a fuck and the previous excuse for awkward kick off times was just that, an excuse.

I feel for the London Marathon, I really do. Attention will be taken away from the once a year charity event for a football game. That is not right. I guess it is probably Sky TV throwing their toys out the pram knowing the London Marathon get’s a lot of viewers, and it is shown on BBC.

To make matters worse, The FA have also schedule the FA Cup Semi Final’s for the same weekend. So if Arsenal fail to beat Everton, you could end up with a scenario where Arsenal play West Ham, the London Marathon, and an FA Cup Semi Final are all on the same day. Add in the other FA Cup Semi Final the day before, plus Crystal Palace and Fulham playing at home, the police are going to have a field day with overtime and cancelled leave. Good job schedulers.

Next up is Hull City away. And just as you thought we had been fucked as much as the Everton game, Hull is scheduled for 17.30 on a Saturday. Ok, so we get a lay in. But wait for it, the last train leaves Hull City that gets you back into London the same day at 18.30. The game kicks off at 17.30ArsenalvHull

So fuck you Sky TV. Who will be picking up my hotel bill? It certainly won’t be you will it? Even the 6 hour, 3 changes and a bus journey is impossible. And £96.80 for that? Fuck off. Of course, I know I could take the ‘No booze, no fun’ club coaches, but fuck that.

Lastly we have Newcastle at home. This is where I feel for the away fans. It has been moved to a Monday 8pm kick off. So all the Geordies now have to take a day off work and like us with Hull, have no way of getting home (last train leaves King Cross at 20.00). Well done Sky TV again. You show you do not care about the true football fans. You show TV viewing figures are more important. To make this even better the club sold junior gunners tickets the day before this was announced, leaving a lot of fans with kids too young for games on school nights out of pocket.

And well done to the Premier League. Their recent campaign is #YouAreFootball. If we are football, then put your foot down. Protect the fans. Or do the Premier League only care about the bank balance?

So whilst all those who sit in front of the TV with their popcorn and Diet Coke will not give a fuck, those who travel up and down the country, the loyal supporters of Arsenal Football Club, are shafted.

Sky TV – You are a disgrace

Keenos