MISSION IS CLEAR: SIGN COVER FOR SAKA
ARSENAL CANNOT FAIL FOR A THIRD SUMMER RUNNING
Well, well, well, Arsenal fans… I bemoaned the lack of serious transfer bids for Aaron Ramsdale on Before the Whistle, and minutes later, Southampton got their act together and brought Aaron down south for £18m, which could rise to £25m if they don’t get relegated.
I have a feeling I know where that deal is heading…
There are some rightful complaints about the fee. He came to Arsenal, gained top-tier experience, took the club into the Champions League… and he’s left for substantially less money than he joined for.
Two things here:
We bought him in the fat ‘PSR doesn’t mean much to me’ years. Even at the time, many of us felt the fee was pretty hefty for a keeper whose speciality was getting relegated. Well, we don’t live in those times anymore… clubs have largely become more prudent with their pennies, and the fat fees of two seasons ago have gone.
The market for him in the top half of the table simply wasn’t there. That tells me one thing: He’s damaged goods at the highest level. The man went on a podcast and said he couldn’t concentrate, and we’ve all seen the video of him getting put off by a pigeon. Being a big character as a keeper only matters if you can pay attention… that might have impacted him.
Arsenal locked him into a hefty deal before they bought Raya to secure his value. This is the second time we’ve done that and not seen that value realised. His wages, as with Nelson’s, probably contributed to a lower fee. Lower half of the table clubs can’t be throwing £5m+ a year in wages—hopefully, this is a lesson for the future when we’re in similar situations. Just sell the players when you have an inkling they aren’t going to make it.
Still, it’s a fee, and it’s better than him going out on loan. Aaron has exited the building, and we will have to sign a back-up keeper. We’ve been linked with a few names, and I’m just hoping we aren’t about to drop £21m on a Segunda Division keeper for back-up. That seems indulgent for a team that has been leaking to the media that they need to sell to buy this summer.
The big miss of this window, as it stands, is the lack of a forward. Arteta is allergic to signing forwards. Kai, Trossard, and Willian are quite a poor showing numbers-wise, considering this will be Arteta’s 5th year. For context, he’s signed four keepers in that time and about 78 defenders. Exiting this window without legitimate coverage for Saka would start to feel like negligence. I can’t be reading that a move is dependent on Reiss Nelson going—and I don’t like the ‘internal solutions’ because that’ll be a baby or moving a left-sided player to the right.
Arsenal fans know what they need—something explosive, direct, magical, and for me—experienced.
Leroy Sané, Raheem Sterling, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Simon Adingra, Raphinha, Arda Güler, Rodrygo, Ademola bloody Lookman… at this point, we’re entering the ‘somebody better than Reiss’ territory. Signing a forward is extra important because we know Saka has been running on fumes for a year.
I’m not overly stressed about a striker. We have Jesus and Kai Havertz, who offer different things. It’s all about cover for the starboy. Arteta doesn’t trust Reiss… and that’s an issue.
The club has two full days to secure a loan or a permanent deal. I can’t accept that this is an impossibility. Plenty happens right up to the wire. The faith I have in something happening is that we have sold a lot of players, cleared space in the setup, and Arteta and Edu are pretty aggressive about getting what they want.
It should be a fun couple of days; my faith is strong. I refuse to believe Arsenal would take the team to the edge of glory and blow it by not making a decision on a winger in a market full of them. My theory on this late stuff was that the market would open up… well, it has opened up… so let’s see something decisive.
OK, that’s me done. Check out Before the Whistle with Clive (AOP Member) below. We’ll be out with a Thursday Therapy soon! x
My understanding of squad building is that after a certain point, improving on them gets tricky and could prove difficult.
Which is why I am absolutely relaxed by the seemingly slow pace of activities, everyone seems to be moaning about this transfer window, especially on the striking/attacking front.
My grudge is that Artedu (yes, it's a thing now) have demonstrated superior capability to get things done. They seem knowledgeable, love the club, and are passionate about winning.
Plus the fact that we've sold well this summer, which is to say money isn't a problem. Just that they are after a specific profile and caliber of ballers.
It is unarguable that this is the best Arsenal team since the Invincibles, and they've still got heights to reach. Which is why I’d suggest we all take it slow, enjoy the ride and not let this wholesome doom and gloom over transfer dopamine (that's also a thing) creep you over.
Worse case scenario, we can dip into the market in January, if the heirachy deem it fit or just go marquee next summer.
We now operate at a level where we genuinely have the attraction and the money in the bank to take advantage of market opportunities.
COYG
It’s amazing how we know almost nothing about Free but you can still easily tell he’s the type of guy that will be going on solo sex tours to South East Asia in his 50s.