So far, this pre-season has been a good one for Arsenal, three wins and a draw in the USA bodes well, especially when one of those wins was over Bayern Munich and the draw was against Real Madrid.
But generally speaking you cannot take too much from pre-season games, they really are not that much of an indicator of what lies ahead.
The classic example, of course, is the Invincible pre-season that saw a defeat to Peterborough United and draws against Barnet and Austrian minnows SC Ritzing.
Last year we drew with Atletico Madrid, stuffed PSG 5-1, beat Lazio and drew with Chelsea, great results, but the season we had was not once all was said and done.
That is not always the case I do admit, a good pre-season can also create momentum but with so many players missing from the USA mini-tour and just one signing on display I am not sure we can look at that tour as a reliable guide as to what to expect this coming season.
Having said that, I would not be surprised if how we have judged the defence on the tour ends up not being too far off the mark.
So, the bottom line is that while pre-season can set the mood, can give indicators of how certain areas are performing and give us a good look at the youth and possible new signings they are not competitive games and are generally not a barometer of what to expect once the season kicks off.
So apparently the 40 million transfer budget was as false as Wayne Rooney’s hairline.. I don’t know where these tabloids, Newspaper Articles come from! It’s not like Arsenal are ringing up The Daily Mirror or mail and telling them we have only 40 million to spend, spread the word ? anyway I’ll look forward to seeing Ceballos make his debut tomorrow if he does ?
Arsenal had months to put the press Right and even us the but chose not to WHY why come out now, don’t get me wrong I’m happy to hear our budget could be more but I’m pissed why would you let your suporters stress for so long, if you don’t want anyone to know your budget just say that and quash all roamers
I don’t know mate I guess they just dont make they’re transfer kitty public knowledge and it’s our choice to believe whether the tabloids are true or false! Now we know it’s media BS well let’s hope it’s that ? I’m sick of reading Arsenal have a transfer budget of 40 million ?
If they told you how much the transfer budget was clubs would up their prices as soon as we enquired about one of their players keep your cards close to your chest say nothing to anybody that’s business for you
Firstly , as of right now we have not spent much at all. Secondly, whoever may be about to come in is not yet for certain and thirdly, WHY would anyone want the world to know how much is available to spend, as that would certainly hinder our chances of bringing in our targets. You, it appears, would rather put your own personal peace of mind above Arsenals transfer strategy, assuming of course that there actually IS such a strategy. Hmmn! My own take is that this so called limit of £45 mill available to spend was put about by the club for strategy reasons, though it remains to be seen whether this is accurate or not. But in poker you never reveal your true hand before the very end. Unless of course, you are unwise or at least naive!
?
I kept saying the £45m transfer kitty is BS.no one in the ranks said so. Now British media kiss MA a**
Haha I guarantee you they will still print Arsenal have only 40 million to spend right up untill we sign another player ?
Tomorrow will be my first Emirates Cup! Can’t wait….so glad the season is nearly upon us!
Good morning, Kevin… that was some game between Real & Atletico (dirty Diego!)
Good morning Sue ? should be entertaining with lots of players playing first and second half ? awesome game.. Atletico could have scored 14 and I’m not even exaggerating every attack they could have and should have scored.. Ramos turned into a poor man’s Mustafi or a hybrid of Igors Stepanov and Seb Squillaci ?
So they’re certainly not missing Antoine, then!!!
I couldn’t believe it when I saw the score! Still no goal for Eden, aww poor soul ?
I don’t like Ramos’ hair.. oh god is he that bad??! Maybe it’s gone down hill ever since for him after he took Salah out ?
They were 7-1 down and should have been 9-1 down before the penalty ? kinda makes our result with them look embarrassing ? definitely not missing griezmann.. I have to say though and I know it’s only a friendly but Atletico look a real team no pun intended ? oh Eden is just waiting for his muse to strike ? I don’t know Suzanne but he looked like a pub player last night ?
And Trippier was outstanding looks like he’s slotted in there easily although he’s gonna have to brush up on his Spanish don’t think Bale ever learned ? but in all seriousness if your living and working in another country learn the language it’s imperative ?
I wish I’d watched it now ?
Haha nice pun!!
So, any games today? Darts tonight ?
You really missed a classic you might never forgive yourself Sue it’s almost worth having a t-shirt printed saying I watched that game ?? not that I know of ? I saw on sky that double chin beat wright in the quarters so he plays cross and durrant is playing David Smith or something ?
The darts has been superb & I don’t think tonight will be any different!
Oh my.. what about Pepe?!! ???
Who put price out and what’s this champions League I thought it was only football ? yeah very good signing when it eventually happens just glad we didn’t use that money on Zaha and hopefully Arsenal refuse to ever do business with Palace as they publicly tried to embarrass us as did Liverpool that’s why I was annoyed doing business with them
Bloody Bunting did.. but he lost last night.. so it’s all good ?
Let’s hope it goes through then Kev! Wow, I’m a little surprised by it ?
Yes Sue hes a tank he can also take a tackle unlike Zaha who more often than not ends up on his arse ? so all we need now is for us to resign Lichsteiner and you’ll cancel your holiday and get your foam finger out ? haha Sue I bet you loved that ?
Hahaha don’t even go there & leave my finger out of it ????
Of course I’m joking ? so you looking forward to the game Sue ? I hear Kieran Tierney is close add a CB now and I’m doing the griezmann celebration ?
I am indeed, Kevin! If we end up signing 2 more, I’ll be joining you doing that dance ?
I would hope so ? I just hope this Pepe deal gets finalized very soon because Arsenal and transfers make me very nervous ? I’m watching beauty and the beast the French version 2014 in subtitles it’s actually very good some really good effects (not cartoon) ?
BATB (the cartoon) is my fav Disney film ☺️ didn’t like the film…
Didn’t know there was a French version.. think the subs would put me off Haha!
Yes, the transfer window makes me really nervous, I long to see it on Arsenal’s website, then I know it’s legit ?
Of course we can’t use the pre-season matches to predict Arsenal’s achievement in this season. However, we can use them to see whether most of our players are still one dimensional or not
I saw that our wingers are still clueless when they were assigned on their weaker sides. For instance, Nelson and Mkhitaryan couldn’t use the left byline to cross with their weaker left foot and predictably opted to cut inside
Whereas our no 10s produced nothing and the fullbacks had difficulties in penetrating the opposition’s defense. I’m sure Emery and his assistants saw all these deficiencies, therefore Arsenal are chasing a 50+ M winger to alleviate the problems
Yes preseason is meaningless except for marketing and team bonding.
What we do in the 1st til to the last games in the PL, dometic cups and in europe are what matter.
AOT, do you totally discount integrating new players (either transfers or Academy), building combinations and teamwork, as well as “bonding” and opportunities for coaching staff to assess strengths and weaknesses prior to the season start?
Ithink paying 70m for pepe is robbery without violencnce,if the interest are genuine.He scored 22 goals yes but 9 were penalties his goal to game ratio without penalties is awful.In afcon he was found out he didn’t shine at all.Zaha is the man if we can’t get zaha then leave the wings for the youngsters to compete one may come good either saka or martinelli.,Nelson and Iwobi are average as they come.
But he won those penalties himself
His agent Saïd next week WE will know his fature
Guys Yesterday i was with koulibaly his family is in France
Vyash, did you try and talk Koulibaly into coming to Arsenal and tell his wife and family how great London is?
Lol, Salah had a bad AFCON as well. 13 goals from open play for a winger is AMAZING, so even if you take those pens away he still has amazing goal scoring stats. C’mon Counsel, be happy for once. This is a GREAT player. If he had gone to City then you’d be scared of him.
The pepe rumors is hitting up seriously now, I hope it is true
I’ve just read that we’ve agreed a deal to sign Pepe from Lile and payment will be a five year plan.£72m fro five years.It’s @ new dawn in Arsenal history?.
Ornstein confirms Arsenal in advance talk for Pepe.
This window might turn out to be our best.
Now official announcement of Pepe and Tierney close
As per David Ornstein, pepe deal is done for 80 million, only his agent needs to confirm. Napoli are also in the queue, but Pepe’s agent has rejected it.
I think Pepe is coming to us afterall. Better than Zaha for sure
Ornstein tweeted:
“Arsenal have reached an agreement with Lille to sign Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe for ~€80m, paid by instalments to fit #AFC budget. 5yr deal, agent agreement still needed but set to be closed in next 24/48hrs. Napoli also have agreement with #LOSC but agent rejected proposal”
DAAAAAAMN