wangus12 said:

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What a ***** of a start to the season they gave us. Even harder than last year. Makes it even more important to get transfers done and have the squad ready to go

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No kidding. It could work to our advantage if we get a good off season camp and we're fresh. We should be perfecting how we play instead of installing a new system.

With that schedule no room for error. League could be out of reach after 6 games if results go badly.

AustinScubaAg said:

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With that schedule no room for error. League could be out of reach after 6 games if results go badly.

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The league won't be out of reach after 6 games unless we lose 3 or maybe 4 of those matches, which I don't think we have any indication that will happen. It sucks that we have to play all of those teams right away but I'm sure those teams aren't excited to play us that early either.

The big 6 haven't been our issue, unless the refs get involved.

Here's an interview between Fabrizio Romano and Sesko's agent. It's a lot of words to say very little but here it is

https://www.givemesport.com/romano-exclusive-benjamin-seskos-agent-shares-update-on-arsenal-transfer/

🚨👀 EXCL: Benjamin Šeško’s agent Elvis Basanovic answers on Arsenal, RB Leipzig, more.

“We have clear plan. We will never force or blackmail Leipzig. We do things in right way or don’t do them. Šeško will only leave for a special club and project”.

↪️ https://t.co/FR4aIaAB4b pic.twitter.com/QqI8FDNOvi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 18, 2025

Clive and Elliot did film breakdown on this guy.
I follow the logic…not every player acquisition can be +50mill. Bassed on the film he is solid defensively.
And Sevilla have major financial issues.

Fab reporting that negotiations with Partey not going well. Looks like we will need that 2nd DM. I dont have an issue moving on from Partey but have some mild concerns replacing an entire position group in a single window.

Have to think he is asking for significant wages increase + multiple year deal. Definitely not a good thing to have to replace Partey and Jorginho in one summer.

Sure, and I'm not sure that Arteta agrees with me, but it seems like MLS, Califiori, and Tomi could all play that position in a pinch and do it with more speed and progressive passing than Partey is currently capable of.

agdoc2001 said:

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Sure, and I'm not sure that Arteta agrees with me, but it seems like MLS, Califiori, and Tomi could all play that position in a pinch and do it with more speed and progressive passing than Partey is currently capable of.

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I 10000% think MLS could be the future of our #6 role. Cala & Tomi I don't see as MFers. If we can keep Cala healthy, I think we see MLS playing some DM & LCM until he takes ownership of one of them.

Thank goodness we got Chelsea'd and didn't get Mudryk

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgmwg1w9130o

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged by the Football Association with violating its anti-doping rules after failing a drugs test and could now face up to a four-year ban.

There were some articles earlier in the year with Cala seeing he wanted to play in the midfield. Who knows if that's just a player talking or if Arteta had spoken to him about it. Given that when he plays center back for Italy he bombs forward and becomes an extra midfielder, I don't think it's too farfetched.

It's extremely uncommon for a career defender to convert to MF. While he is a plus passer/dribbler as a defender he would be avg at best for a MF. Works for MLS because he was brought up as a MF and only moved to FB because Arteta told him it would get him to the 1st team faster (needed a OZ backup/replacement).

TXAggie2011 said:

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Thank goodness we got Chelsea'd and didn't get Mudryk

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgmwg1w9130o

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged by the Football Association with violating its anti-doping rules after failing a drugs test and could now face up to a four-year ban.

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I would be very curious how this ban impacts Chelsea's PSR/FFP? I would almost bet that they are the ones to turn him in so they could get him off the books.

There are things about Partey's contribution I really like but signing a 32-year old to a longsr contract for well more than 200k per week does not seem real smart.
If Arsenal can get Lucien Agoume at basically 23 years old and a reasonable price then do the deal.

🚨❤️🤍 Arsenal and Real Sociedad have completed all paperwork for Martin Zubimendi deal, it’s all signed.

Zubimendi has completed formal steps of his move in London as he will be first summer signing for #AFC.

Fee around €64/65m paid in installments. pic.twitter.com/KDmW5K3yF5

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 20, 2025

This feels lie the 23rd time we've signed him now. Glad to have it nearly over with so we can move on.

agdoc2001 said:

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This feels lie the 23rd time we've signed him now. Glad to have it nearly over with so we can move on.

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Having 23 Zubimendis does make me feel better about probably losing Partey

TXAggie2011 said:

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agdoc2001 said:

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This feels lie the 23rd time we've signed him now. Glad to have it nearly over with so we can move on.

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Having 23 Zubimendis does make feel better about probably losing Partey

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LOL

For those that care about such things, Watts says there is rumor Zubi chose the #36 shirt. Interesting if correct. I would have expected 3 (low number + wore it for a season or 2 at Sociedad) or 14 (Xabi's number).

Poking around a bit..... 36 is the number Zubi wore when he was promoted from Sociedad B to the 1st team. Wore that number for 3 seasons before switching to 3 for 2 seasons and then 4 for 2 seasons. For Spain he wears 18 which is half of 36.

Rumor floating around that the stall is Sesko negotiations are related to a request for a release clause in his Arsenal contract.

chjoak said:

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Rumor floating around that the stall is Sesko negotiations are related to a request for a release clause in his Arsenal contract.

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Reportedly they want a release clause of only 20% higher than what Arsenal pays for him. Basically, if he does well, it'd be relatively easier for other clubs to come in and buy him and easier for him to demand pay increases from Arsenal.

And Arsenal is saying "nah we don't do that at this club."

Yeah..... He can F off with that noise

No PL teams is doing that with this level of signing. And i dont want is to. That said, only a couple other teams in the world would be able to afford that number. His people would be dumb to ask for it

🚨 Arsenal exploring deal to sign Christian Norgaard from Brentford. #AFC proposal for 31yo midfielder ~€11m & awaiting #BrentfordFC reply. Denmark international contracted until June 2027 but keen - among options amid potential Partey exit @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/xhhZ6JlhYt

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 25, 2025

Romano is saying Partey is leaving. Norgaard isn't a bad stop gap option. He's actually more a Jorginho replacement in terms of age, leadership and experience. Also saying Kepa deal is done.

🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal submitted proposal worth €11m package for Christian Nørgaard, as @MadsWehlast reports.

Negotiations ongoing as Brentford want more and talks continue.

Nørgaard wants to join Arsenal. 👀 pic.twitter.com/ndtnxYsWKU

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 25, 2025

🚨🔴⚪️ Kepa to Arsenal, here we go! Deal done for the Spanish goalkeeper to join #AFC as new backup for David Raya.

Arsenal activate £5m clause from Chelsea and all documents are now sealed.

One more addition for Arteta after Martin Zubimendi. pic.twitter.com/56w04dmF8w

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 25, 2025

I'm iffy on Kepa but we could do far worse for a backup

I like Norgaard. He's older but won't be asked to play 2500+ minutes. He is EPL proven (slightly better than Partey per WhoScored ratings) and offers a different look (more of a true 6) than Zubi. More importantly he is cheap and won't block MLS from moving to MF long term.

❤️🤍🎯 New social media hint by Benjamin Šeško as the striker has started following Arsenal on Instagram today. ⤵️ https://t.co/XWNp5O3F5C pic.twitter.com/5A2lrO9B9t

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 25, 2025

BUT PEOPLE WERE MOCKING ME FOR MY FBI SKILLS JUST 12 HOURS AGO 🤣https://t.co/NtiOfDjzV4

— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) June 25, 2025

Sesko, Zubi, Norgaard and Kepa is a pretty good haul if we can get it done

gougler08 said:

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Sesko, Zubi, Norgaard and Kepa is a pretty good haul if we can get it done

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Yep. Hato smoke is starting to bellow as well. Just gotta get LW figured out.

chjoak said:

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gougler08 said:

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Sesko, Zubi, Norgaard and Kepa is a pretty good haul if we can get it done

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Yep. Hato smoke is starting to bellow as well. Just gotta get LW figured out.

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Word is Rodrygo is gonna be allowed to move from Madrid for 77m. I'd jump on that all day if its true. I'm not sure who else you'd go spend money on that is gonna be a massive upgrade of Martinelli/Trossard.

Saw the Rodrygo for 90m euro rumors and then others almost immediately claim they are bogus and that Rodrygo won't move unless he specifically asks to move.

Agree that if he became available for that amount, you have to pull the trigger. But I question whether he becomes available.

Other option I would look at is Malick Fofana from Lyon. He is young, two-footed and put up similar numbers to Rodrygo. Lyon is being relegated for financial reason and will be desperate to sell someone. Go offer them 30-40m euro and see if they bite. Worst case Rodrygo becomes available at the end of the window and you can sell Trossard or loan Fofana after securing Rodrygo.