SESKO BID

WE HAVE MOVEMENT

HELLOOOOOO, we have movement! Reports are indicating that a bid has been submitted to RB Leipzig for the services of Benjamin Sesko. I take all this minute by minute chatter as a bit of a nonsense. The idea that Arsenal have only just submitted a bid feels a bit off to me. It makes it sound like it’s all guess work versus a year of work behind the scenes.

We are happy though. Andrea Berta had a secret meeting—as opposed to one of those meetings where you publicly state private matters.

This is a big win if the choice is Sesko. He's the data choice. The player I'm told suits our system the best. The guy with the highest ceiling. The one who is a monster athlete, a better finisher than Watkins, with an all-around game that could explode and make him one of the most formidable 9s in the world.

I have no idea where the fee will land, but don't pay too much attention to the talk being focused on £93m. There's simply no way Arsenal would pay that, nor would Sesko's agents renegotiate a one-year extension but allow Leipzig to add such a monstrous number to the release clause.

So the summer is starting to shape up. We've just watched Zubimendi drop a monster class against France for Spain (done deal, paperwork signed), we know Sesko is the 9, and the hot rumors appear to indicate that Rodrygo of Real Madrid is actually a target for Arsenal. A single pivot midfielder, a freak number 9, and a winger with bang BANG G&As. I mean, those three alone have Arsenal on a different level—more front-footed, more aggressive, with more optionality for goals.

The good news does NOT stop there. Big Gabi was the first contract to get dusted off. He's signed his prime years to Arsenal, probably waving off a mega offer from Saudi.

Popular Opinion: He's our best centre-back.

Credit to Arsenal—they've piled up the wins with contracts, and this one could have been complicated. We haven't lost a big name since, who, Alexis? I love this deal. I've said on the podcast I think chemistry is an underrated part of great defenses. You can have all the individual talent in the world, but if you won't die for the boys, then it won't work. Big Gabi sets the tone for aggression, he's our "in the tunnel Patrick," and he's just gotten better and better.

What a great feeling... you do forget in the melee of summer signings that keeping your best players happy and rich is right up there with new acquisitions.

OK, let's see how the weekend progresses!

Check out the latest Members podcast. It’s a terrible look back at terrible predictions, mostly by me. x