Well, I’m enjoying the World Cup so far. I’ve managed to passively watch 80% of the games so far, and I have to say… my snobby attitude to low-ranked teams was misplaced. New Zealand vs Iran was a banger of a game, and how can I resist the sumptuous deep block of Cape Verde against a toothless Spain? Magnificent magic-of-the-cup type stuff.
You can see how scouts are tempted by certain players in these tournaments. Elijah Just, of New Zealand, looked like mini-Coutinho, and if you put £40m in my hand last night, made me a Sporting Director of West Ham, there’s no way I’m not adding an extra £10m to make sure I land the spritely creator from Motherwell.
It hasn’t been a bad tournament from an Arsenal perspective. Thomas Muller had this to say on KING Kai via Tribuna.
“For me, Kai Havertz is a cornerstone player for this team,” said the former Bayern Munich forward about the Arsenal star.
“He’s the clear first choice up front as the number nine, and if he can, he should play every minute.
“We have many, many talented players, but perhaps we don’t have such a clearly defined backbone to the team.
“That’s why it’s very important to me that Kai Havertz is on the pitch with his qualities. I want to see Kai Havertz on the field every minute.
“If he can’t continue, then we have other options — Füllkrug, Undav — all fine players. But Kai is my guy.”
High praise from one of the most consequential German players of all time. His precise vision was repaid when Kai scored two goals in the opener against Curacao. This World Cup is probably perfect for a player with patchy fitness and limited minutes. He can use this to get in shape for the start of the season after playing very little.
Same can be said of Martin Odegaard who faces off against Iraq this evening. One concern with him is that he’s been complaining of pain for months. Has the pain gone like I predicted?
"I feel good. I don't know what you're so worried about, yes, I've had some trouble, as you know, but I feel good now."
Seems like all he needed was a bit of Greensboro, North Carolina, sunshine to make him stop thinking about that knee!
Whatever, we won the Premier League, let sleeping dogs cower in the corner with one eye open because they know I lie in wait in the dark reeds outside the window. He needs sharpness, confidence, and to be ready for the start of the new season. Let’s hope he has a very good World Cup as well, keep that door ajar for a bid if there’s anyone who can replace him in the summer.
Transfer news has been very Andrea Berta… flood the news plains with sludge and work out what floats in secret.
You don’t really need to do much digging to get to the good transfer news. Arsenal insider, Hand Of God, like Transfer news, had this to say.
All good news from top to bottom really.
Arteta will sign a new deal to make him the highest-paid manager in the world. He will be followed by Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and David Raya.
Andrea Berta is also angling hard for a new deal, citing interest from other clubs.
We are going to spend some f*cking money this summer.
The firmest of names appears to Morgan Rogers.
The attacking midfielder has been of interest for two seasons and he would kind of hit the bullseye with regards to what Arteta likes and what he needs.
Big, brutish, fast, dominant…
An xG defier, risk-taker, final action machine…
Aston Villa will need to sell this summer so they can give Emery a squad that won’t falter under three games a week… and this is a player with a high value on his name.
One would also assume that the lesson of last summer might be that too many overseas players can cause you challenges. Premier League proven tends to have a higher chance of succcess. Picking up a gem of a player who fired Villa into Champions League, even though it doesn’t necessarily make me want to dance like no one’s watching.
Arsenal are also in direct contact with multiple midfielders, as recently as a few days ago. The likes of Bouaddi, Scott, Kone, Larsson, and two others. As I mentioned yesterday, we are yet to make contact with any club officially while Berta explores personal terms with all of them. One of these players is convinced he is joining Arsenal. It's important to remember that Livramento also felt the same way, but it highlights how strong the conversations are.
Arsenal are also monitoring the Madrid midfielder situation. Tonali was offered to us in January; talks have never surpassed personal terms as of today. These clubs are using Elliot Anderson's deal as a market scale. Newcastle want crazy money, as do Palace for Wharton.
This is where I think we might see tumult and trickery this summer… the midfield. For many reason, namely, prices are going to be inflated, and competition is going to be fierce. I’m also not sure in this deeper midfield position we’re really in the market for a £100m player unless the plan is to oust Zubimendi, who has homesickness. But who knows.
I’m also watching Bradley Barcola do BIG MAN things on the BIG stage with a wonderful finish to put Senegal to the sword. Also, Mbappe, doesn’t defend, but the man is a machine… screamer from 30 yards, no problem. He is an outrageous talent, and I actually think all this defending stuff Arteta demands might be overblown. Get him down to the carpet, right away.
Needless to say, what you get with Berta is an end result; the old guard viewed spending for the sake of it as a dangerous idea… Berta would rather bring in players that don’t quite hit the mark as long as the squad is being serviced. We won the league, so it’s a win. But we’ll find out this summer whether there are consequences to that, because I am worried we’re not going to be able to move the more expensive flops and that might hinder development.
But we can worry about that another day…
For now, dine out on some free AOP content for your ears. x