Arsenal banter 9

21 Aug 2026 22:39:35
Nice result. First game of the season 3 points, 3 goals and a clean sheet. One done ✔️ 37 to go… COYG/VTH 🔴⚪️❤️.

21 Aug 2026 23:36:31
Awesome start to the season, and we were moving the ball faster than last season, let's hope it only gets better.
Martinelli and Gyokeres didn't get a run in, should we read something into that? Also, we are overstocked in the midfield, I think Zubimendi and Nwaneri may be sold by the deadline.

22 Aug 2026 00:49:11
Great start to keeping our trophy Gabi. 🏆 🤩

Like people have said, n completely agree. I think now the monkeys off our back, we will see a different Arsenal animal. I look at our squad n think wtf!. our bench are 1st team players for 18 out of 20 Premier League teams. The ammo is there to get to the heights we all want n dream of.


Was kinda gifted that Vik didn't get minutes today, that woulda kinda meant a lot to him I reckon. 3-0 up I would have given him at least a cameo against his old compatriots.
It's Mikel's headache to deal with, n what a headache to have. ❤️ 🤍
Champions champions champions.

22 Aug 2026 07:54:19
Morning Jegooner, hope all's well.. I was thinking on the same lines. I thought it would have been good to see big Vik get at least a 20 minute cameo. Might have even grabbed himself a goal. COYG/VTH. 🔴⚪️❤️

22 Aug 2026 11:27:08
I agree, Jeg, last season the players and manager were clearly terrified of the relentless backlash that would come their way from pretty much every angle if they failed to deliver a big trophy once again, and that pressure and fear was plain to see in pretty much every game they played.

Obviously there's always pressure on top clubs, players, and managers to deliver top prizes, but our players and manager will never again face anything like the amount of pressure they faced last season, no matter how long they play or manage for.


The atmosphere at the training ground and in the changing room must feel very different this season compared to last season, and hopefully this season everyone will feel more able to express themselves more freely and enjoy the entire season rather than worrying themselves sick about just getting the title over the line this time.

If our players start to really enjoy games and enjoy playing again, then I think us fans are in for a wonderful season of football and who knows, maybe even more big trophies. 👍

21 Aug 2026 12:11:18
If Savinho is worth 85m
Then Martinelli must be at least the equivalent.

21 Aug 2026 17:41:32
Totally agree!

21 Aug 2026 18:31:14
Rumour going around that Spurs overpaid on Savinho, so City could let Marmoush go cheaper, therefore nullifying City's contractual obligation to Frankfurt for a percentage of a transfer fee if Marmoush goes for £59 million or more.

21 Aug 2026 22:25:39
Martinelli is worth 85 million and 1 pound.

21 Aug 2026 10:33:05
Spurs have spent some serious money in this window. Will they not foul any financial rules with this spending?
How will they fare this season with all these nee additions?

{Ed025's Note - i think we will leave all the fouling to Arsenal players in the opposition box at corners Highbury.. :)

21 Aug 2026 11:15:46
Here's your helmet, Ed025, for when you want to jump off that old bandwagon.

Highbury, they've pulled in 140 million with sales mate.

{Ed025's Note - i still want you to do well Sharpie, i just want you to do it with a bit more style mate and maybe now you have got that monkey off your back with the win last season we will hopefully see that, in the end its an entertainment business and as a neutral i want to see attractive football that will get me off my seat and last season that was not the case, it was turgid with the emphasis on basically cheating your way to the title whether you want to admit that or not, i cant stand all this wrestling at corners and dead ball situations and i know a lot of teams do it but that does not make it right, heres hoping you have a great season and prove all the doubters wrong by playing how you can play with the plethora of talent you have..

21 Aug 2026 17:42:54
Anything within rules is fine Ed 😄
Are spurs spending within their means?

{Ed025's Note - i hope you are a more attractive team this season Highbury and that would make me happy mate, it does not matter what Spurs spend ...they will always still be Spurs.. :)

22 Aug 2026 10:59:09
Ed025, I can't remember Chelsea winning trophies with attractive football. No one was moaning then. A fair few of Manu's trophies won without being attractive. No one was moaning then.

Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to get over the line. And you know what, I don't mind if you say we weren't didn't play beautiful football last season because you'd be telling the truth. My issue is with all this "dark arts" and "fouling" malarky. It's nonsense.

P.S. We definitely played some lovely stuff last night! COYG!

Oh and Highbury, not sure if you say my last message. Spurs have spent about 300 mil, but they've also sold about 150 mils worth.

{Ed025's Note - you did play some nice stuff on Friday Sharpie, and long may it continue mate..

21 Aug 2026 07:39:13
{Ed's Note - Bear1872! has posted a new article entitled, Rangers Still Waiting for Marquee Quality

21 Aug 2026 05:55:52
If I was looking for a striker I would be looking at Thiago, he was excellent last year and PL proven.

21 Aug 2026 10:31:36
He is a good shout and still potential to develop.

20 Aug 2026 23:06:11
An alternative solution

That is an incredibly sharp, "deep-scout" suggestion. Bringing up Andreas Tetteh is the exact type of unique, statistics-driven curveball that fan forums like r/Gunners absolutely love to debate—especially right after he just scored a massive brace in Europe for Panathinaikos against Hradec Kralove.
Hull City and Roma are already circling him for around £21m, making him an incredibly realistic, high-value alternative to the massive mega-money signings usually thrown around.
What do we do next? The CF Alternative (Left-Field also) : Andreas Tetteh 🇬🇷✈️.
Since the Vinicius Jr dream didn't happen and Pedro Neto carries massive injury risks, we should look at a high-ceiling "hidden gem" rather than overpaying for a B-tier star.
Hear me out: Andreas Tetteh from Panathinaikos. He’s currently lighting it up in Greece and just scored a clinical European brace last night against Hradec Kralove.


At 25 years old, he possesses the raw physical profile Mikel Arteta loves: Physical Beast: 1.88m (6'2") frame with explosive pace and exceptional aerial strength. Two-Footed Versatility: Completely comfortable playing across the front line and finishes cleanly with both feet.
The Price Tag: Rumors have Hull City and Roma looking at him for a package around £21m. In a market where mediocre wingers cost £60m+ and Strikers perhaps even more, Tetteh provides elite squad depth and an entirely different tactical profile without crippling our financial fair play limits.
He's already broken into the Greece National Team—this is exactly the type of smart, under-the-radar scouting diamond Richard Garlick should be unearthing.

21 Aug 2026 17:00:04
I think I'd rather read what people who watched him think than whatever AI says, mate.

20 Aug 2026 16:52:41
All of the BBC pundits except 3 goalkeepers (two of whom played for City) have predicted us to retain the title. Is that too much pressure or has the team now manned up to face the challenge?
With the turnaround of staff among our nearest rivals I would be sad if we don’t win the PL (AGAIN!) this season.

We must be the team to beat going forward and put on a streak like City.

20 Aug 2026 18:52:25
Hi Highbury, I think we are justifiably favourites to defend our title, but I think Liverpool were every bit as justifiable favourites 12 months ago, especially after winning their opening 3 games.
It's easy to see why we Gooners are excited about the season ahead and what it could possibly bring for us, but we'd be wise not to be carried away by our own publicity and start thinking we have a right to win anything at all.

Humility should remain our keyword.

20 Aug 2026 20:37:53
I get your point, G62, but that's exactly my question: is the team mature enough to deal with this pressure?
Liverpool were in a different situation, having punched above the expectations in Slot's first season, and were knocking on the door for so many previous seasons, and Guardiola, in his last season, was trying to end on a high, added to that the issues with Salah.


However, we are in exactly the opposite situation, where every nearest rival is in transition.

20 Aug 2026 21:51:43
In all honesty, Highbury, who knows anything before it actually happens? Do I believe our team is mature enough? Absolutely I do.

Did I believe Liverpool had strengthened well last summer, and would be even better last season than they were when they won the league the season before? Absolutely I did.

Seasons seldom work out exactly as most people think they are going to work.

Some teams always do far better than predicted (Sunderland, Brentford and Bournemouth last season) , and some teams do far worse than predicted (Spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea last season) . I think we have a great chance of defending our title, but I'm realistic enough to accept our doing so is anything but a forgone conclusion.

20 Aug 2026 11:32:27
I'm surprised that our transfer strategy has been mostly geared toward defensive and solid midfield additions. The narrative at the end of last season was the necessity to sign attacking and creative options to take us to a CL winning level. Whilst Guimaraes, Tzolis and Konsa are great additions, signing an upgrade on Martimelli and Trossard seems to me to be the most pressing problem to be solved.

Maybe I'm unnecessarily worried, but the focus on likely targets seems to have been a little underwhelming.

20 Aug 2026 12:46:24
Totally agree with that.

20 Aug 2026 13:03:46
Who's available?! What actual wingers are available, and not over priced? Barcola 130m pound, no thanks. 70/80, yes. Yildiz EUR100, yes, I'd have him for that, but nothing more. Alvarez, I'm not too sure of; didn't he only score 5 league goals last year? I would go for Yildiz and Osimein.

Could get both for the price of Barcola. So, in my eyes, it's not a case we ain't doing anything; it's a case of finding the right one for the right price. And I think Yildiz is the only one fairly priced, but Juve has said he's not for sale.

20 Aug 2026 13:26:39
Absolutely, Dublin, mate.

20 Aug 2026 15:45:24
Point taken, but when Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson go for in excess of 120m, the market is what it is. It's worth noting that Barcola is 23; Yildiz is only 21, while Osimhen is 28. Neither Barcola nor Yildiz are going to sell for 80m. Applying notions of value to the absurdities of football transfers is, for me at least, pointless.

Looking at it purely transactionally, if such a purchase brings us the CL, such rationalisation goes out the window. That is the price of levelling up. You pay your money and take your choice.

20 Aug 2026 16:22:28
But then the same people.
Would slate the club if they paid 130m for Barcola and he was a flop. Me, personally, I wouldn't pay more than 50m for Alvarez. He only scored 5 league goals last year; Gabs scored more in a tougher league.

Maybe go for a Premiership striker. He was also crap in the World Cup apart from one class goal. I'd buy a back up for Jesus and go all in for Yildiz.

20 Aug 2026 20:20:22
Spend the money - you win big do you have to invest big.

Stop worrying about pressure - if you don't want pressure, simple - don't compete.

If you want to compete - invest & be brave.

Are we the team to beat - yes. That's now on Arteta to win it & deliver.



It's not complacency or entitlement - it's an attitude & we need to know that others will be up for beating us, so we must have the right mindset.

Get the Juve lad & a proper bloody striker with pace and a striker instinct.

23 Aug 2026 11:08:52
As I said above, who's available?

20 Aug 2026 07:39:15
{Ed's Note - Philip_hunter2003 has posted a new article entitled, Baleba Talk Shifts United Focus to Left-Back

19 Aug 2026 23:14:04
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new video entitled entitled, C U Next Time - The Prem Preview Marathon Edition}

19 Aug 2026 12:05:11
There don't seem to be any higher profile/proven strikers or lw that are available/plausible. Although Alvarez is apparently our preferred choice according to the press, it seems highly unlikely.

Jadon Sancho is a free agent and has at times shown his ability at a high level and 26 years old. 40 goals and 47 assists for BvB over 118 appearances. Saka has 43 and 35 over the past 4 seasons.

Anyone watch him at Dortmund? Think he could work for us? Potential for the club to help him find his form and be a gem, or should we hold out and only go for proven elite st/lw even if it means we get no new additions?

19 Aug 2026 15:58:58
Please no to Sancho. Would rather we kept Martinelli over pretty much any of the options being bandied about here.

19 Aug 2026 16:27:30
I don't think it's very likely we will find another Haaland out there to buy, and even if such a player actually existed and was available for someone to buy, the competition for such a player would be absolutely huge from the biggest and richest clubs in Europe, as would the fee and potential wages be, as all the clubs bid against each other to secure the services of such a player.



I personally think, if we want a striker of Haaland's quality, we are going to have to develop our own by buying a player with all the potential ingredients, and working with that player to become the player we want them to be. Good players are plentiful, but ready made, absolutely exceptional players are extremely difficult to find, and even more difficult to actually get your hands on.

19 Aug 2026 18:39:34
A million percent no to Sancho Jim, an absolute useless waste of space in the Premier League, and will never be a gem.

I'd be devastated if we bought him.

19 Aug 2026 21:41:36
First of all, the party still hasn't stopped. Champions Champions Champions!. 🏆

Just want to pipe in with. Who's in the pool of better LW's than Martinelli? (Not saying he's the best, obviously) but the lad is hardworking as f***, attack n defence, scores vital goals, is in the Brazil squad and just contributed to us winning the league n helping us to the Champions League final with vital goals.

I'm just thinking there's a handful of LW's that can improve us but ungetatable.
I'll happily take Gabi n Tzolis for this season all day long amd also have no worries having Kai and Gyok up top. Every player we signed last season (which I personally think are exceptional players) are one season more graduated into the Arsenal way and will surely only make them better now there bedded in. ❤️🤍

20 Aug 2026 07:51:59
Hello Jegooner, mate, hope you are safe and well.
I think imo, its Alvarez or Yildiz, or we stay with Gabby and Tzolis, which I personally wouldn't have any problem with.
As for Vic, no problem with him either.
Rashford would be worth a punt imo.
Premier League proven, Mikel would sort his attitude out, I'm sure.
Take care, Jegs.
COYG.

20 Aug 2026 08:37:07
To be fair, Jim, Sancho = Sterling = a big mistake COYG.

20 Aug 2026 11:16:21
I don't think I've ever watched Sancho play but remember people rating him at Dortmund. I'll take wire and Sussex word for it about it being a no, though. Stoner - stop sitting on the fence. 😆🤣

20 Aug 2026 11:43:28
I would take Rashford over Sancho any day of the week. However, neither offers more than Martinelli. As it stands, we are in a great position for the EPL, but we have not got the upgrade necessary for CL success. Alvarez wants Barca or nothing, and would we want him anyway if we are the least worst option for him? Yildiz will take some prying from Juve; he signed a new contract 6 months ago and is unlikely to be let go without silly money.

That leaves Barcola (equally silly money, but less than what we were reputedly willing to spend on Vini Jr) or, potentially, Rafael Leao, around whom speculation is oddly quiet.

20 Aug 2026 12:12:18
Crikey, Jim, I wouldn't take my word for it on anything. Wire's definitely, but Mrs Sussex doesn't even take my word for it! I'm thinking Konza in, and we go with Martinelli and Quantum. Only a couple of seasons ago, Martinelli scored 15 Prem goals in 2022/23. That again would do nicely, or we gamble on non Prem ready. Why MA paid the big bucks? COYG.