Arsenal banter 7

27 Aug 2026 12:50:40
Afternoon all. Hope you all have a cracking summer and ready for another rollercoaster of season.

I am looking forward to this season and hoping for more success this season than previous season.

We all have mixed feelings about this Alvarez deal. I personally am not a fan of him coming over after he himself has publicly stated that he wants Barcelona over us. Although I'm not the one in the know.



I will be gutted if we got rid of Martenelli but we have to balance the books and if Arteta thinks that he has achieved what he is capable of then my trust is with him.

Selling MLS and Nanweri is a big mistake at this early stage. I think both have huge potential and we should not sell or loan them out to get the playing time up, but don't sell them; they are our future.

It's good to be back. Come on Arsenal.

27 Aug 2026 14:51:12
Hi mate, hope all is well. Can you explain why you're gonna be gutted if we sell Martinelli? Personally, I think most Arsenal fans are too sentimental when it comes to players. We have to move on or get caught again and wait another 22 years for a title. If players aren't good enough to push us forward, they have to leave.

27 Aug 2026 18:38:29
Hi G4, mate, I'd like to see Martinelli stay too, if possible.

Obviously, if the club can bring in a superior upgrade, then that's the right thing to do, but as things stand, Tzolis is the upgrade on Trossard, and, despite his fantastic start with us, he can't replace 2 players and us retain our strength in depth.

27 Aug 2026 19:22:03
All good, DG. It's my personal opinion. I felt that he has more potential and will give a lot more in the coming years. I'm not a football genius, and I don't have inside workings of the club and the football market.

I do think we are in a better position than we were 22 years ago, and I don't think the decline over the 22 years was down to sentimental fans who wanted to stick with players past their prime. Cheer up, pal, they are all opinions.

27 Aug 2026 19:31:39
But, to get better you need better players. He hasn't got better, and probably won't get better than he is now. He's coming up to his prime years and scored one league goal last year! Yes, I know it's your opinion, and I was just asking a question. Don't get me wrong, if we don't have a replacement I'd keep him, but I wouldn't be "gutted" if we sold him and got someone better.

Poor buys and bad recruitment was the reason, and poor management. I'm always happy, I don't need cheering up, I support the champions lol. Just wanted to know the reason you are gutted, that's all.

28 Aug 2026 00:15:03
I would have kept Trossard over Martinelli as he's a more intelligent player & good off the bench.

We need to roll with the hard line that we need to act like a big, ambitious but also genuine club when it comes to players. We don't sell well, and we pay too high wages which makes players very sticky & hard to move on.

Who would buy Kai so we make a profit, & they can pay him at least 280k PW.

No one. So we can't recoup. Just like Jesus, Zinchenko, etc etc.

Hi, 4ever! If we get sentimental, we regress. If we act like a bad club, no one signs. Let's be honest - who wouldn't want to sign for PSG, Real or Barca before us? I'm sure many players play for clubs that weren't first choice.

28 Aug 2026 08:58:05
Granted, historically we haven't sold well. You mention Jesus and Zinchenko, and I can't disagree, but I would argue they were part of the successful process which has made us champions. We haven't sold well in recent years because we have bought well, and in a previous post I said that a vast number of our first team are worth twice as much at least as what we paid for them. This means we have bought extremely well, and the squad worth is excellent. Edu, MA and Mr Berta deserve massive credit for this. Say we bought Saliba at £26 mill, he stays with us until he's 32 and we sell him for £15 mill; is that a terrible sale considering he's helped us to multiple Prems? Let's use our considerable assets.

The point being we don't need to sell them or buy excessively because we bought well! In today's market I would wager Kai is worth £60 mill or close to it if he was put up for sale, although wages could be the issue in a sale, I agree. He's now fit and scoring regularly, but thank you for the daily Kai kicking, I didn't realise how much I'd missed it. ;) COYG
PS. Not so much gutted Martinelli is going but would be gutted if we sold him and didn't upgrade him, but as I say we are currently buying well so hopefully someone is incoming.

29 Aug 2026 11:03:20
Hi Sussex, even in the past few years, it's poor. Noni is a squad player & lacks end product, guess we bought Bruno to upgrade Zube. Viera, the Brentford lad, was poor, and Vic was average.

Did Arteta buy Saliba? Saka? I could spit Rice, let's be honest. The club have stepped up and progressively purchased better, but not great - no real start attackers. We buy players who play CB or fullback combined.

It's a journey, and we need to get better, acting faster, more decisively & in the bigger pond so it improves the starting 11, not just the squad.

The players I referenced are still decent but not top top whereas Rice, Saka, Gabs, Saliba are.

Funny, as they were signings from ages ago, but I think he has a good defensive eye. Not great attacking philosophy or delivery - perhaps why Ozil went, Aube went, Eze has flopped, etc.

We kissed a lot of frogs, but we have a great squad and some amazing players. I'm being hyper-critical, as we want to win the Champ league. That's another level.

27 Aug 2026 10:32:56
I don't see Alvarez as an improvement, leave him where he is and save the money.

27 Aug 2026 16:52:42
Bring him in, then sell him off to Barca.

27 Aug 2026 17:23:17
I have heard that being suggested, Davy. I reckon that will be the only way for him to get to Barcelona. I wonder why that club holds such fascination for him. I suppose he could go to a Saudi club for a couple of years, pocket lots of pennies, and then off to Barca, if they still want him.



Not Alvarez related, but I heard mention why players prefer London, and that is because they can be sort of anonymous, whereas at northern clubs they are in a goldfish bowl.

27 Aug 2026 07:39:25
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, A Clear Assessment of United's Squad

26 Aug 2026 11:22:26
I am glad we are playing Villa away now. They are our bogey team and it’s a good time to get this game done because they will only improve going forward. Although they may have a reaction to their last result and extra motivation to do it against us.

27 Aug 2026 12:40:08
I'd plan for the reaction option, and if it comes, you're ready for it. To plan for the alternative options would be asking for trouble.

27 Aug 2026 15:01:28
Absolutely, mate, just that we have been playing them when they are in form, and suffered as a result of that. This time is different, so good to get this game out of the way. No easy games in the PL!

26 Aug 2026 16:48:19
Afternoon all Ed's and fellow gunners hope alls good what's you guys thoughts on Alvarez possibly to the Arsenal.? . I personally think we shouldn't bother. he's set on going to Barcelona let the little so so go there, why should we bother with someone who's not really interested in joining us. and in 12 months time could simply rock the boat big time to get his so called dream move to barca.

(jog on mate) . we are the Arsenal. if we are going for someone for the here and now to try and retain the Premier League, surely we should be looking at someone like Ollie Watkins reports are he wants out of Villa, prem ready would cost a fraction of Alvarez. and most importantly he's a massive Arsenal fan and would definitely bust a gut for us. COYG/VTH 🔴⚪️❤️.

26 Aug 2026 17:48:40
Perhaps it's his wife who isn't keen on coming back to England. That can be a tricky one to navigate as it's easy to forget players have families to consider.

If he does come, I hope all these shenanigans can be forgotten.

26 Aug 2026 18:16:34
You make a very good point, Sally. Players have wives, children, and sometimes extended family members to consider when it comes to moving clubs; locations and counties.

For some players and their families, language differences can be an issue, as it must be lonely living in a country where you don't understand what people are saying in public places.

Players are sometimes thought of as commodities where it's only a case of how much you offer them that counts, but of course in reality, away from the hype and publicity, they are just regular human beings with all the same feelings as everyone else.

26 Aug 2026 18:33:09
Hello Gabi, Sally, and John, hope you are all good. I just don't get it at all. Why are we chasing a player who, even with less than a week to go in the transfer window, is still hoping that he gets his wish of a move to Barcelona.


He left City because his family could not settle in Manchester or England. I know there's a lot of rumours from different outlets, but apparently Barca still think they will get their man.

26 Aug 2026 18:46:11
Good point, Sal. But if he really wants Barca, then we should move on. The window shuts soon, & we could definitely do with a left attacker at least, and if Jesus goes to Napoli then I'd say another centre forward as well. The clock is ticking, and we need to be on the move. ✌🏻 & 🫶🏻 To you, Sal.

26 Aug 2026 19:14:42
Hi Bill, mate, I'm not at all fussed about us signing him, and I hope he gets his dream move to Barca, as that's clearly what he wants. I think Sally makes an important point about his wife and family.



I love reading about players and people in other walks of life who put their own and their family's happiness ahead of money, as it shows they haven't lost touch with what's really important in life.

27 Aug 2026 08:39:16
It's nothing to do with his wife that he doesn't want to come; it's his family members, some of whom can't get visas to come to the UK. There was big talk yesterday that he's warming to the idea of joining Arsenal, because Madrid have said there is zero chance he joins Barca! That's the President of Madrid that said that.

Now he's missed training and said he wants time alone, no family, no agents, to make his mind up.

27 Aug 2026 10:18:33
Watkins or Rashford, or both. They'd cost the same as Alvarez? Ish. Ollie could be a class act with the right players behind him. Rashford can play wide or up front, and can step up in the big moments.

27 Aug 2026 11:02:36
Exactly, Kernow.

27 Aug 2026 11:25:12
Agree, Kernow. 👍🏻

27 Aug 2026 13:08:34
In my mind Tzolis starts as does Saka and one of Kai/Viktor. Rashford comes with attitude baggage and Watkins ( and I think I'm correct) tops the most chances needed to score a goal in top 5 leagues - think it was E001 who stated this and apologies Ed001 if I'm wrong, Watkins is also about to be a gazillionaire in Saudi, generational money. Wouldn't want either. If MA and Mr Berta want Alvarez who are we to argue but I'm more than happy with Kai/Vik and thankfully the Osimhen ship has sailed.

Selling Gabi and not replacing is a dereliction of duty though in my opinion. In my 'cut my nose off to spite my face' mode I'd tell Alvarez to do one too. I want players who want to come to our beloved club and improve it - We are and never will be second choice to any club in my mind! Naive but it's the truth at least in mine and hopefully all Gooners' hearts COYG / VTH

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, in at least one season he was lowest in chance conversion. I remember it particularly because Darwin Nunez was being crucified over missed chances in the media, but he sat in the middle ranks of chances converted, while Watkins was being talked of as a great striker but was missing something like twice as many chances!}

26 Aug 2026 08:37:32
How did Chelsea get 45mill for Delap?
He is toilet.

26 Aug 2026 12:05:40
Marinakis laundering.

26 Aug 2026 14:05:20
I think he is decent and could have developed at Ipswich. Chelsea move was wrong for him.

26 Aug 2026 07:39:15
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 1 - Quick Round Up

25 Aug 2026 22:58:08
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 1 - Quick Round Up

26 Aug 2026 05:24:43
I'm giving you extra points for "vociferous". 😂

25 Aug 2026 21:39:46
In selling Martinelli are we being left short at LW or are we upgrading? If upgrading who is this Scarlet Pimpernel? COYG.

26 Aug 2026 08:05:14.
I will be gutted when Gabi leaves, even if it's probably the right call football-wise. We now have 3 rw players for 1 spot, so my guess is Eze is first-choice backup for Tzolis and Mo at both lw and cam.

Can Dowman play lw? Surely Madueke can.

26 Aug 2026 10:44:14
High Wire! We do seem to have excellent cover for defence and midfield, yet we are (end of window notwithstanding) weakening our attack if we sell Gabi. I'm sure Madueke and Eze can cover, but square pegs into round holes. I thought we had moved on from doing that. I appreciate we can't just spend, spend, spend, but I hope we aren't all in on Alvarez at the expense of the LW.

What if Tzolis gets injured? Down to a non-specific LW. Doesn't sound like a CL-winning attack, with one third a mishmash. I rate Eze, and maybe he's happy to embrace the role fully, means he plays more often, and maybe I'm being disingenuous saying he's a square peg/mishmash. Time will tell, I guess. Agree on Gabi - sad, but just hope we have a plan to upgrade him. COYG.

26 Aug 2026 11:18:50
Agreed, I'd have been more confident going into this season with no Alvarez and with Martinelli as our lw cover, but presumably the boss has a plan and within a few days we shall see what it is.

25 Aug 2026 21:28:14
How do Chelsea do it?

They spend 30 million on Delap last summer. Delap struggles to make the grade at Chelsea, yet they still manage to sell him at a 20 million profit. If Rogers fails to make the grade at Chelsea this season, should we expect them to sell him for a world record fee next summer? 🤔

25 Aug 2026 22:21:33
How do we do the opposite??

£4 m loss on Norgaard after just 12 months.

They didn't even need us to buy him to help them out. 😂 😂

26 Aug 2026 11:01:26
I prefer to focus on Saliba £26 mill, Gabriel £27 mill, Odegaard £35 mill, Raya £30 mil, Gabi £6 mill, plus Saka, MLS, Max, Nwaneri, costing nothing, all first teamers. I would wager all those players could be sold for at least double their cost, and title winners to boot. Even Dekkers, we got for half price. I know it was just Delap and Norgaard being focussed on, but citing Chelski as a beacon of light for anything transfer related is very micro, not macro.

Even those not very popular on here by some, Viktor and Kai would get back the majority of their fee if sold. Both under appreciated, in my opinion. Gabi, bought for £6 mill, sold for £50 mill, plus we had excellent service from him! Let's do it our way and pay everything above board too. COYG

26 Aug 2026 17:34:19
I agree, Cumbria, but I'm just puzzled how it is that most clubs understandably have to accept a loss on signings that don't work out on the pitch. Chelsea somehow seem to be able to turn their poor player investments into big profits. 🤔

26 Aug 2026 21:46:10
48 Check out the recent (last few years) deals between Villa and Chelsea, plus both selling women's teams, the odd hotel, Forest and Chelsea multiple ownership, Marinakis buying extreme numbers of players. Savvy business or a bit murky? Love a conspiracy theory COYG.

27 Aug 2026 12:46:17
In all honesty, who really knows the secret of the black magic box Oxfordshire?

I guess we have to accept the savvy business option in the absence of any genuine proof of the alternative. 🤔🤔🤔🤔

27 Aug 2026 13:28:19
Agree 74, to a certain extent, but it does seem to be the same teams involved, and some, e.g. Forest and Everton, get whacked immediately, yet C£ty and Chelski have punishments either dragged out or are more watered down than the bitter in the White Horse near me! Money talks, but it don't sing and dance, and it don't walk. Tangent taken. COYG.

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.