Pleased Saturday to you.
Arsenal head for Singapore right now, to start out the pre-season tour, however one participant gained’t be going with them. That’s new signing Noni Madueke who was formally introduced yesterday, however – having been on the event no one watched all summer season 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 among the worst individuals on the planet – the membership have informed him to get some holidays and are available again refreshed for a brand new begin at his new membership.
To be truthful, I appreciated his response to that:
I used to be saying it to all my pals strolling round right here, you don’t even need to take the remainder. I do know I’ve to for my physique and stuff to heal, however after I come again, I’ll be raring to go.
The England worldwide turns into the fourth new arrival this summer season, 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 increased up, we are able to make our judgements on what he brings to the workforce and the way he performs on the pitch. And clearly I hope he’s an actual success as a result of that might enhance our probabilities of lifting trophies. There was lots of noise, a few of it fairly unseemly, earlier than this grew to become 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 considered 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 latest seasons being of persistently prime quality. He is among the most proficient extensive 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 lots of on this squad. And the participant himself hinted that there’s scope for him to play on either side, quite than simply fill-in for Saka when he wants a relaxation:
I try to be a twin risk from the left and from the correct. In fact, it’s just a little completely different after I play on the left or after I play on the correct, but it surely doesn’t actually matter to me the place I play. I solely actually have one thought in my thoughts after I get the ball to toes or in area, it’s simply to line up the full-back and go previous him, in order that’s positively considered one of my principal strengths.
He’s fast, he likes a dribble, he loves taking photographs, and in these elements of his recreation he’s a excessive quantity participant. Like virtually each participant, there are different elements that may want a bit of labor, however maybe that is the correct place for him to take one other step in his profession. He’s solely 23, and I believe there’s something to the statement that the atmosphere at Chelsea isn’t all the time conducive to getting the most effective out of gamers. He did okay there, however Arsenal might 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. Sometimes, these are issues that make Mikel Arteta cautious of a signing, however you need to think about the supervisor and people concerned in getting this deal performed have performed their due diligence there. Regardless, it’s a contemporary 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 many others.
I’ll say he wouldn’t have been excessive on my listing of targets at first of the summer season, however I actually do hope he’s a hit. This might not be the case when it comes to how he’s used, however having a extremely fast left-footed winger as an possibility for the left-hand aspect provides us one other tactical possibility too. He can clearly play that Saka back-up function, which I believe is essential, however once we inevitably face groups who set-up in a low block and defend deep, having not less than one winger who can go outdoors quite than come inside most frequently on their robust foot may very well 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 by which we talk about his strengths, weaknesses, and every part else. Test it out right here, and should you’re not a member you may join simply $6 per 30 days + VAT the place relevant.
Proper, let’s see what right now brings, and evidently Cristhian Mosquera’s announcement should be shut. Have one!
