Glad Saturday to you.
Arsenal head for Singapore at this time, to begin the pre-season tour, however one participant received’t be going with them. That’s new signing Noni Madueke who was formally introduced yesterday, however – having been on the event no person watched all summer time as a result of it’s a pointless, rancid piece of crap that serves solely as a fluffer for Gianni Infantino’s gigantic ego and permits that corrupt wankbag who thinks he owns soccer to cosy as much as a number of the worst folks on this planet – the membership have instructed him to get some holidays and are available again refreshed for a brand new begin at his new membership.
To be honest, I favored his response to that:
I used to be saying it to all my buddies strolling round right here, you don’t even wish to take the remaining. I do know I’ve to for my physique and stuff to heal, however once I come again, I’ll be raring to go.
The England worldwide turns into the fourth new arrival this summer time, and no matter reservations we’ve concerning the deal itself, the value, and one more participant coming in from Chelsea, he’s an Arsenal participant now. Scrutiny of the deal ought to apply to these greater up, we are able to make our judgements on what he brings to the crew and the way he performs on the pitch. And clearly I hope he’s an actual success as a result of that may improve our possibilities of lifting trophies. There was a whole lot of noise, a few of it fairly unseemly, earlier than this turned official – however the participant deserves a clear slate to point out what he can do.
The massive query for me is the place is he going to play? £48m is loads to spend on somebody who’s, ostensibly, again up for Bukayo Saka, however Arsenal have made it clear, publicly and behind the scenes too, that he’s not seen merely as an costly deputy for our greatest participant. Mikel Arteta says:
Noni is an thrilling and highly effective younger participant, together with his performances and numbers in current seasons being of constantly top quality. He is among the most gifted vast ahead gamers within the Premier League. His arrival will actually enhance our squad – we’re all thrilled to have him right here.
Maybe a contact of over-egging the pudding, however he positively has some qualities/traits that we don’t have a whole lot of on this squad. And the participant himself hinted that there’s scope for him to play on either side, relatively than simply fill-in for Saka when he wants a relaxation:
I try to be a twin menace from the left and from the best. After all, it’s a bit of completely different once I play on the left or once I play on the best, but it surely doesn’t actually matter to me the place I play. I solely actually have one thought in my thoughts once I get the ball to toes or in house, it’s simply to line up the full-back and go previous him, in order that’s positively certainly one of my primary strengths.
He’s fast, he likes a dribble, he loves taking pictures, and in these points of his sport he’s a excessive quantity participant. Like virtually each participant, there are different points that may want a bit of labor, however maybe that is the best place for him to take one other step in his profession. He’s solely 23, and I feel there’s something to the remark that the setting at Chelsea isn’t at all times conducive to getting the very best out of gamers. He did okay there, however Arsenal can be wanting for lots extra that. If we’re going to go and win a title, we want greater than that.
It’s an attention-grabbing signing too as a result of there have been some questions on his character, and a few small disciplinary points throughout his time at Chelsea. Usually, these are issues that make Mikel Arteta cautious of a signing, however you must think about the supervisor and people concerned in getting this deal achieved have achieved their due diligence there. Regardless, it’s a recent begin at a brand new membership, the place he joins up with worldwide teammates like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka who’ve given Arteta their very own suggestions on how he trains and applies himself and so on.
I’ll say he wouldn’t have been excessive on my record of targets at the beginning of the summer time, however I actually do hope he’s a hit. This is probably not the case by way of how he’s used, however having a very fast left-footed winger as an possibility for the left-hand aspect offers us one other tactical possibility too. He can clearly play that Saka back-up function, which I feel is necessary, however after we inevitably face groups who set-up in a low block and defend deep, having a minimum of one winger who can go exterior relatively than come inside most frequently on their sturdy foot could possibly be a helpful weapon. So, let’s see what he can do.
For extra on him, you may learn Phil Costa’s profile piece right here, and for our Patreon members – as we do for each new signing – we’ve a podcast devoted to our new participant during which we focus on his strengths, weaknesses, and every part else. Test it out right here, and when you’re not a member you may join simply $6 monthly + VAT the place relevant.
Proper, let’s see what at this time brings, and it appears that evidently Cristhian Mosquera’s announcement should be shut. Have a great one!
