Arsenal Banter 2

25 Aug 2026 19:30:16
Hi Ed why can't ii get on the United page

Cheers.

{Ed033's Note - Are you seeing an Error 400 or something like that? If so you might need to delete your Cookies for the site.

25 Aug 2026 21:31:18
I'm sorry I don't know how to do that

{Ed033's Note - Have you ever heard of a web site called google.com? :)

26 Aug 2026 08:36:38
Thanks Ed I've done it

Cheers

{Ed033's Note - Excellent.

25 Aug 2026 13:50:25
I'm really not bothered if we make anymore signings.

Happy with what we've got.

Let's go.

25 Aug 2026 12:26:52
Ed033, could you set up a poll mate? Gyokeres or Alvarez? Cheers.

{Ed033's Note -


Gyokeres or Alvarez poll

26 Aug 2026 02:20:16
Interesting results and I agree. Alvarez has shown he will throw his toys out the pram.

What happens if, in a couple months, he goes full Lukaku at Chelsea and says, 'Nah, I don't want to be here and I only want Barca.' Who will inevitably go, 'We can only do a loan at this time, soz, maybe we can scrounge together 30 mil for you in a year or so.'

26 Aug 2026 05:11:01
"Alvarez has shown he will throw his toys out the pram."

Kinda like how Gyokeres did at Sporting? No one seems to care now. Point is, as fans, none of us are really certain what promises may or may not have been made between players and management.

Alvarez may have a legitimate grievance.

And as far as checking out in 2 months and demanding Barca. well, it's certainly possible. But I'd trust Arteta and Berta to have vetted the situation enough to be confident that wouldn't happen.

24 Aug 2026 21:39:57
No Alvarez, Barcola.
Get Rashford then go for Kroupi Jr in January if he comes back from injury. I got no issue with how Mikel is treating Gabi. Football ceased being nicey nicey along time ago especially concerning transfers.


The issue I got is that we are selling Gabi too cheap.
Anyway we are obviously divided on this page about Gabi, Alvarez etc, but whatever happens I hope it's the best for the club.
Take care all of you
COYG.

24 Aug 2026 15:20:55
Apparently one of our players is going the other way in the Alvarez deal. I hope it’s Martinelli as I want to keep they gyok.

24 Aug 2026 13:40:38.
Atletico Madrid apparently looking for €150m for Alvarez. On yer bike! Ridiculous amount.

I don't feel we should be trying to replace Gyok. He actually did well last season and he deserves another reason to see how he kicks on.

I also feel we should keep Martinelli. I'm happy with the team as it is. Think we're set for the season.

24 Aug 2026 14:24:31
Totally agree, let's focus on the squad as it is.

24 Aug 2026 18:08:00
I'd be happy to stick with what we have, plus add Rashford if possible because he can offer an alternative at LW and CF.

24 Aug 2026 18:54:54
Lets hope Chelsea jump in with another ridiculous bid and snatch him away. Don't want anything to do with any of the Argentinian thugs.

24 Aug 2026 08:12:44
Lot of noise this morning over Alvarez but do you know what, leave the squad as it is and keep Martinelli and Big Vic.

Obviously the the usual suspects should be let go, Jesus, Nwaneri, Vieira but I would keep what we got.



With regards Alvarez he doesn't want to come here so don't bother. 20 goals in 67 for M City. Is he really the answer and he's Argentinian so I don't want him, sorry if that doesn't sit with some of you, but they are a bad bunch.

24 Aug 2026 08:31:36
Good morning Banbury, mate, hope you are well. It's your opinion, mate, and you're entitled to it.
Me personally, I cannot see the point in pursuing a player who clearly sees us as a lowly second choice.
Take care, mate.

24 Aug 2026 09:10:47
Just like to add, judging by the reaction of Athletico fans last night, whether Barca buy him or us or anybody else, his time at Athletico looks over.

24 Aug 2026 11:50:57
Hi Bill, all good and you? He won't take us to the next level imo.

Leave it as it is, I think.

24 Aug 2026 19:00:52
Alvarez
22/23 Premier League Pl 31 scored 9.
23/24 Premier League Pl 36 scored 11.
24/25 La Liga Pl 37 scored 17.
25/26 La Liga Pl 29 scored 8.
In total, played 133, scored 45 in 4 seasons.

Gyokeress
25/26 Premier League Pl 36 scored 14.

The goals per game look almost identical to me, and the only difference appears to be Gyokeress has had just one season in top level football with a top team, while Alvarez has had 4 seasons in top level football with a top team without yet becoming a prolific goal scorer at top level.


I can't see the logic in swapping Gyokeress for Alvarez at all.

23 Aug 2026 18:03:25
I'm not liking these rumours of our Martinelli going off to the Saudi Pro League. Surely he is still young enough to get an elite club?
I'm assuming of course that the Saudi Pro League standard is still behind elite European clubs? I stand corrected if I am wrong.

{Ed014's Note - I’m hoping if he does go it’s to a club of his choosing wherever that may be Sally.

I think it’s fair to say it’s not an elite league and a fair way behind I’d imagine.

23 Aug 2026 19:01:55
I feel sorry for Martinelli, he's served the club brilliantly ever since he joined us as a teenager, but football is a brutal industry, and sometimes players do what's best for themselves and force moves away from clubs who don't wish to sell them, and sometimes clubs force players out despite the player not wanting to leave.

I hope Martinelli stubbornly holds out until a move that suits him personally comes along, even if he has to wait until January or even next summer for that to happen. He's armed with a very good contract, so no one can actually force him to go anywhere he himself isn't happy to go to.

{Ed014's Note - my hope is simply we do the right thing by him.

I didn’t like hearing Wrighty say the club hadn’t even spoken to him.

23 Aug 2026 19:46:52
Hearing Wrighty's comments about the way Arteta and the club have treated Martinelli wasn't nice to hear, mate. I get managers have to make ruthless decisions if they want to be as successful as possible, but there should surely always be a place for treating players who have got you to where you are now with respect, even when they no longer fit in with your plans.

23 Aug 2026 20:51:34
Very true, but he knew what he was getting into, and on 180k per week. Plenty of players in the 70s and 80s were treated far worse, on far less money & took on more longterm injuries to the head that were unknown. He can stay put & bag his money. Players have far more power & it is a cold game, but look at his wage.

He earns more than the prime minister in two weeks. What’s he done so much special for us that he’s any different to Jesus, Vieira, Trossard, etc.? If you are in 9m per annum, you know the stakes are high. I’ve moved my family because of work, as did my dad. What’s the big deal? He gets to say no & on 9 yes nine million a year!

{Ed014's Note - if we want to move him on, I’ve no issue but would rather we did it the right way, that’s just my thoughts on it.

23 Aug 2026 21:10:07
I'm with you Ed014, I want us to be as successful possible but I'd also like us to be respectful towards players we no longer see as part of our future. I believe its possible to be both things.

{Ed014's Note - absolutely mate and I read some later reports that suggested Arteta had spoken to Martinelli, I’d found it hard to believe he hadn’t to be honest.

23 Aug 2026 13:14:52
If we swap Gyok for Alvarez, we must be absolutely mad, 5 league goals is all he scored, but yet some people on here are demanding a proper striker and naming a player who scored 5 league goals in a league with only 3/4 teams.

{Ed014's Note - During his two seasons at Manchester City, Julián Álvarez scored 17 goals in the 2022–23 season (across 49 appearances) and 19 goals in the 2023–24 season (across 54 appearances), totaling 36 goals for the club.

Prolific?

Maybe if we plan on playing him on the left wing alongside Gyokeres then those goals would be a great addition.

23 Aug 2026 14:22:22
We do need a striker & I'd say Osimhen Dublin.

{Ed014's Note - not one big club has been near him but you want him.

Has he played in a competitive league yet?

23 Aug 2026 15:03:13
Is that our yardstick? If any big club has been near a player, we might be interested in? Okay.

I'm also unsure how anyone on here could possibly be "demanding" anything. We're sharing opinions and feelings and thoughts.

Most leagues we shop in are leagues of just 3 to 4 teams. I'm guessing we should also all stop waxing lyrical about Tzolis because Club Brugge.

Disappointing patter.

{Ed014's Note - sorry if you’re not a fan of my opinion.

I’ll butt out.

23 Aug 2026 14:35:26
In Al - what position, role & starts did he have at City?

On Vic - his wages count most teams out Ed. Think Chelsea looked & a few others but his wages & fee are ridiculous for most clubs.

Doesn't mean he doesn't know where the net is - how did he do in champ league?

{Ed014's Note - I’ve literally no idea, neither of them fill me with any confidence though to be honest and people call Alvarez world class, not sure why though.

Top strikers are a rare thing, we were lucky with Henry.

It just seems strange that the big clubs haven’t gone near Oshimen when he’s been readily available to buy for a few years now. Sure I heard stuff about his general attitude as-well.

It’s like people rave about Barcola but his stats are on a par with Trossard last season and he plays in a weaker league.

23 Aug 2026 17:18:52
Hello Ed mate, hope everyone and everything is good.
I am at lost why we are going for Alvarez who clearly see us as a lowly second option.
Me personally I would go for Rashford.
Get the crossed in for Vic and with Ode playing further up and releasing the ball quicker, I will be comfortable with Vic and Kai

{Ed014's Note - Hi HB, all good thanks.

Rashford is a difficult one, he had a great spell at United a few yrs back but hasn’t rediscovered that form. Was scoring for fun then.

Yildiz looks good but like most players it’s always a gamble but Juve don’t even want to sell.

I’m not sure we’ll buy both a striker and a left winger, the latter the more likely if GM goes.

Times like these you realise how much of a miss ed02 is.

23 Aug 2026 17:27:15
Not a fan?? I absolutely love it. It's redefined the way I think of all our players now.

{Ed014's Note - top patter that 🤦‍♂️

23 Aug 2026 17:36:56
Guess I'm in the minority but I'd be thrilled if Alvarez joined (provided his heart was in it - no use having an unhappy camper) . Ed, those stats you listed are correct but it should be considered that City's Plans A, B, and C for attack was: feed Erling Haaland. So, not a bad haul. And if were talking stats, yes Alvarez had a poor league tally last season (8, not 5) but if you include Champions League and Cups, Alvarez totalled 20 goals. Gyokeres, in comparison, had 21.

Hard pass on Osimhen for me. Attitude and wages as mentioned above. I'd rather take a punt on that Leverkusen lad who more than held his own against Gabriel and Saliba last year, Christian Kofane. Not quite Prem-ready I'd wager, but I think he'll be a terror in a season or two.

{Ed014's Note - Hi dk,

Thanks for adding some context to the stats, they don’t always paint a true picture. I read this morning we’re supposedly not his first choice but Atletico don’t seem to want to sell to Barca.

I’d heard it was his wife who wasn’t happy in the UK. Arteta will obviously know him and likely the reasons why he left city.

It’s Gyokeres first proper season with us after a full pre season, albeit he didn’t light it up in pre season, so be nice to see if he can up his game and goal tally.

First mention of Kofane but seems some reports suggest we have an interest and he’s only 20.

23 Aug 2026 18:52:04
Seems to be your level, no? Anyway I'll bow out of this conversation before you drag out another hurtful face palm emoji.

23 Aug 2026 18:38:23
Thanks Ed & I get it. We were blessed with Anelka, Cole & Henry that set the bar but we've also enjoyed Wright, Giroud etc. I don't really want to see Vik's poor hold up, touch or getting out paced down the channels. I'd love to see the young Bournemouth striker Kroupi sign for us and the Juve lad.
I'd be disappointed if we start with Hsdgs, Kai & Vic as our striker options - don't think we will win the Chsmo league or replace the lost corner goals with them. We probably need a better LW also for the long season ahead.

Appreciate your response & opinion as always. Think Vic's attitude issues weren't helped by how Napoli treated him - not heard much trouble in turkey.

{Ed014's Note - in my opinion the Champions league was there for the taking last season, we just needed to keep attacking.

I don’t see anyone in Europe miles or even inches better than us.

We just need to play as we did against Coventry and as Odegaard said, don’t defend the title attack it.

I’m sure the club have some irons in the fire with regard to more incomings, just a case of who.

Like I said about Oshimen, the concern is the bigger clubs have avoided him, Chelsea bought Pedro (who does look a good buy), United have paid £150 million for two new strikers (sold one already) and neither had set the world on fire when they desperately needed one, we bought Gyokeres, why not Oshimen then.

Liverpool spent a fortune on Isak when they could have had him, all that just gives me concerns about him.

We scored 3 on Friday, none from a corner.

23 Aug 2026 20:33:32
True, but the goalie and defence were poor for Coventry - last season we relied heavily on set pieces. Liverpool went for tried & tested EPL experience, & id go for Kroupi, but he's injured. Not sure how you buy an injured player, although Wenger managed it. 20m per year wage probably put them off.
You are right - we needed to keep attacking, but that's not Arteta's game plan.

At that level you need a bit of luck & a world class striker.

You are probably right about Barcola - last year it was Williams. This year Barcola. I'd sign the Juve player & Kroupi.

Saka, Yildiz, & Kroupi - Ode behind them with Rice & Bruno.

{Ed014's Note - we’re more than capable of playing like that against any team and scoring goals against them.

Let’s see how Arteta plays it this year before we condemn him, last season was getting it over the line, this season we need to start smashing teams. I accepted for that reason, but won’t this season.

Going for tried and tested hasn’t done Liverpool any favours, they’re woeful and don’t even have a decent starting 11, their bench is shocking too.

I think if you know the injury isn’t serious or another one of a series of the same injury then I guess you can be happy to do that.

Barcola isn’t enough of a stand out difference that’s for sure.

23 Aug 2026 20:46:37
Yildiz started and Alvarez on as a sub today! Would think, at the prices quoted, they would rest them for a week if they were moving. 🤷‍♂️ COYG.

{Ed014's Note - ah yes I meant to check that as it’s a possible pointer but you can never be sure.

23 Aug 2026 20:50:15
"ED14 and sharpie sitting in a tree"

{Ed014's Note - 😂

23 Aug 2026 23:03:00
Thanks Ed - hope you have a great week 👍💪

{Ed014's Note - you to SY

26 Aug 2026 02:16:17
You guys, need to hug and make up? What happened?

23 Aug 2026 10:08:33
“Arsenal would like to improve their frontline further. That is why they are so keen on Julian Alvarez, but I’m not sure Alvarez is so keen on a move back to England and that could be the problem.”
"I think if push came to shove, Atletico Madrid would do a deal to Arsenal - as opposed to Barcelona, the doors are closed there. They like Kenan Yildiz, but the doors are closed from Juventus.”


Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori.


Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard.
Yildiz, Osimhen, Saka.

Wow! That’s an attack that matches our midfield and defence… Sure that front line would demand faster passing and reward it too…

COYG - it would require some good strong people management with many strong players in bench and not even in squad. Hopefully we clear the deck also. Would allow good rotation to avoid injuries.

22 Aug 2026 20:19:04
I know it’s the first round of games this season. But, it totally confirms the fact that a lot of new signings doesn’t necessarily maketh a team. Man U and the spuds were so excited that they’re back, they’ll be challenging, millions and millions spent etc. etc. yada yada yada. Well…. ……what a surprise. Zerbi is not the messiah just because he narrowly helped them avoid relegation. Carrick is not the messiah because he elevated a rubbish team to only being mediocre.

What I find interesting, is the fact that Arteta is the fifth manager to get 150 wins in under 250 matches in to their tenure. That's Pep Guardiola, who reached the milestone in 204 matches, followed by Jose Mourinho (231) , Jurgen Klopp (237) , and Alex Ferguson (247) , with Arteta (and Arsenal) taking fifth place.



An illustrious list of names. Arteta is one of them. Just sayin.

He’s done a great job of taking the team to level after level. All those decisions made. Raya over Ramsey? Who thinks that was a bad decision now?

It looked like men against boys in the com shield, same against Coventry. I so hope this keeps up. Tzolis is looking like the bargain signing of the season. I hope Marteinelli stays. A CF would be nice but I recon we’re all set.

Just my thoughts.

COYG.