Oops

Any further explanation out there about why Balogun was training on his own? I don't think so, but have y'all heard anything additional?


At any rate, really hope William Saliba brings a copy of his new contract and corners Balogun in the corner of the parking lot to explain the benefits of waiting it out at Arsenal

I heard he was with a fitness coach so he might be carrying a small knock. There are pictures of him doing other things with the team and the video they put out yesterday had him training with the team. My assumption is Monday he was doing some rehab work rather than a full practice.

Watts says the Bitello link is bogus. Says his agent is shopping him to mid to lower EPL clubs. Thinks there was likely a convo with Arsenal at some point but we are not pursuing.

chjoak said:

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Watts says the Bitello link is bogus. Says his agent is shopping him to mid to lower EPL clubs. Thinks there was likely a convo with Arsenal at some point but we are not pursuing.

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He seems like a decent player based on the videos I've watched. And given we don't really know what the future will hold for Smith-Rowe or Vieria, it wouldn't be the worst idea to bring in another body to compete for a future slot in the attacking midfield.

But, I don't think it makes much sense to pay the 8 million or whatever was cited, considering he would still be unlikely to break into our 1st team squad. This would need to be a sub-5 million type deal and we'd need to know we can find a good loan situation for him.

TXAggie2011 said:

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He seems like a decent player based on the videos I've watched. And given we don't really know what the future will hold for Smith-Rowe or Vieria, it wouldn't be the worst idea to bring in another body to compete for a future slot in the attacking midfield.

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I agree with this, except....
(a) Bitello isn't any better than ESR or Vieira now and he is older
(b) We may already have our future replacements with Nwaneri & Cozier-Duberry

Quote:

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But, I don't think it makes much sense to pay the 8 million or whatever was cited, considering he would still be unlikely to break into our 1st team squad. This would need to be a sub-5 million type deal and we'd need to know we can find a good loan situation for him.

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8m is a drop in the bucket given where transfer fees have gone. The bigger issue is that we would either need to loan him immediately or integrate him because he would have to count against the 25 man roster. If he was 18yo I would like this deal significantly better.

He's in the Marquinhos tier, who came over for 3 million. I don't want Arsenal to start dropping an extra 5 million here and there. It starts to add up. Or, at least, he's probably closer to Marquinhos than he is, say, Malacia who was had for 13 million.

He would absolutely have to go on loan. There is no way he fits into the 1st team squad at the moment.

And agree he's not as good as ESR and probably not as good as Vieira but the club will have to start considering when to cash out on one or both of those guys pretty soon.

All that to say I wouldn't mind seeing the club take a waiver on an attacking midfielder but I'm not sure this would be the right fit.

Kickoff delayed more than 30 minutes because of issues with the grass over the turf

Really hope the World Cup isn't this much of a **** show

Fully expect it to be. All those stadiums need to have sod down by March to get it ready. And no excuses because football will have been way over

Didn't SoFi host the Gold Cup final? Was the field that bad?

Also...

🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️

🧱 Saliba at the back
🔙 Partey in the middle
🪄 Trossard on the wing
 
📺 The final game of our USA tour - LIVE on https://t.co/4KJlfKW7rt pic.twitter.com/zJsxIojs8W

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 27, 2023

Damn Tierney has had 2 RBs start in front of him.

LB depth chart

1. Zinchenko
2. Kiwior
3. Tomiyasu
4. Timber
5. Partey
6. Holding
7. Buy Xhaka back and play him there again
8. Gunnersaurus
9. The guys from AFTV
10. Tierney

Could use a LB that actually defends

This ref is crap

Oof, crap pen

Nice to see these diving ****s haven't changed. I think it's time to let someone else take pens.

The goals we've conceded in preseason have all been insanely preventable. Ramsdale is not having a good time

We've had the run of play and better chances. We really need better finishing. Could have 3 or 4 without the penalty.

The fluke goals have to stop.

Goal! Trossaed! Nice!

What an individual goal from Trossard!

Trossard is a ****ing beast.

And What the **** is this guy talking about. That's a ****ing terrible challenge

Tierney assist! Trossard Goal! Well done!!!

Trossard again!

That dude needs to start

But who do you drop? That Martinelli guy is pretty good too. Good problem to have.

OMG! Pablo Viera from distance! Brilliant!!!

Oh that's nice

Fabio dropping his nuts on Barca faces with that one

I'd play Trossard in the 8

Man, this group is fun to watch. We just keep adding weapons.

I agree, he combines better than Havertz and has the freedom to come into the box like a second striker.

Havertz will continue to get better and will be decent in that position, as will Smith-Rowe, but Trossard is my #1 choice.

I think Havertz can have a decent amount of success for us as the back post clean up guy. Both his goals have been from the back post and his movement is much better than Xhaka in that regard. When everything gets pulled to the right by Saka, Odegaard and White, having a big trailing goal scorer should have some success

Yes, I totally agree. You can see exactly why Arteta wanted him and what he had in mind for him. I think he just needs to learn to combine and play a bit better in midfield, which I'm sure will come.

It'll be interesting to see departures. Besides a Striker (I would prefer Eddie to leave), fullback departures will be interesting. Tavares obviously, but I think either Tierney or Tomiyasu should go, which I'm surprised to find myself saying after how good Tomi was his first year. But with Tomi, he doesn't really invert, and we prefer White on the right and Kiwior on the left I believe. I would prefer Tierney to go over Tomiyasu since he's so left sided, but I don't know if I see that happening anymore.

I've seen some fan suggestions that we sell both Eddie & Flo, sign a legit #9 (no suggestions on who) and start using Jesus as a ST/W.

Arsenal are not active in Romeo Lavia race now as Thomas Partey has good chances to stay. 🔴⚪️ #AFC

Saudi clubs approached Gunners days ago, Juventus called in June but never close to €40/45m package requested by Arsenal.

Huge bid or Thomas stays. Arteta, happy with him. pic.twitter.com/T5jRsuulIl

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2023