alexf

So players get 2 weeks max off before the world cup ( less as they will be training and playing warm up games first I suspect) Even less for those in CL final etc.

Isn't £75m just what we want but reports are Bayern are about £20m short? Because if they are offering us £55m, the same as we spent on Elanga/Wissa, then that is a derisory offer for a 24year old England international with potential to improve further still and a strong recent record in the champions league who we already spent £45m on ourselves when he was half the player he is now and have helped develop him with atleast 4 years still on his contract. I'm guessing now that it is terms agreed with the player, we will probably just get low ball bids from Bayern, the familiar media/Romano relentless updates all summer and then Gordon throwing his toys out the pram drama for "not letting him join his dream club" still to play out.

Really hope he can have a strong game, could do wonders for him going into the summer. Also hoping we have set up to benefit him and not hinder him. if he's alone up front against their big lads he will suffer. Likewise if he's stuck deep in midfield.

Happy as long it's not Hall at RB or Joelinton LW and Wolte deep in midfield. We realistically can't get europe and shouldn't be relegated so time to experiment and try something new with Wolte pushed up with Osula feeding off him. Wana see Hall have license to bomb forward aswell if he is LWB.

All the blue reminds me of the last kit we got relegated in 15-16 hope it's not a bad omen.

It's rare you would see a decison to take off a 17year old for a £125m striker get booed because of the perception it will make the team perform worse.

It will be same team as Brighton but with Trippier in for Miley. Not that I agree but that's what I think he'll do.

Relegation would barely be a blip on their finances for Spurs compared to West Ham.

I don't really buy that story. If Nickson has been so good for us in the past I doubt they would have ignored his guidance and advice when they needed it most last summer and got him out the way so they could force through their Premier League picks. Feels like a convenient story to bash Howe with but it's probably not completely accurate.

I feel like Tuchel likes him and he seemed to be picking him ahead of Rashford in a few games in the season. He also seemed to raise his level (or level of opposition was weaker) in the England games. So yeah as I mentioned earlier I think he will have a decent tournament and I think his value would rise. But yeah there is knock on of it potentially impacting our business but it shouldn't do if the club worked smartly. Which they probably won't based on last summer.

Out of interest why do you think it should be before the World Cup? I feel his value will go up by getting global exposure, not down?

Well yeah if you happen to draw another prem team in the semi. But I'd say Villa and Forest were the strongest teams in the comp. If Villa turn up they should be brushing aside Freiburg with ease. So they will have essentially won a trophy (qualified for CL if they hadn't already via the league) and only had one tough opponent. Even that is arguable of you consider Forest have been in amongst relegation all season. Then just look at Palace in the conference. Absolute stroll.

I might be in the minority here but I'm actually disappointed we haven't had a chance to compete in the Europa or conference league in last few years. It's been amazing qualifying for the Champions League twice and felt like we leaped straight from a relegation candidate to the premier club competition in rapid time. However in terms of growth and gaining experience and chances for success, I feel it's not aided us. Villa will have had 4 consecutive seasons in Europe and 2 of those will have been champions League once they qualify again this year and will likely had a Europa League trophy now too. In comparison we have been one season on and one season off. I was disappointed we missed out on conference when Man U won the FA cup after we finished 7th, but we did manage to win a league Cup and get back into the CL. Just think the "off seasons" We need to be getting some form of European football to gain experience, blood more youngsters and have a shot at more trophies. By default any premier League team should essentially be getting to the final of the europa or conference.

I know it's more convenient for all parties to sell early... However I think Gordon is going to have a decent World Cup....because he will put in the effort and be eager to impress. So his stock will rise and will have more suitors and think the club would kick themselves if they cashed in early and missed out on a chunk of profit. If he's definitely going and Italy don't miraculously replace Iran like the media is suggesting then I'd say Tonali is the one to cash in early if they need to balance the books before that accounts deadline thing.

I've watched a few "Geordie Journos" videos this season and to me there has been a notable bias against Howe. I am sure they would deny it. I dunno if they have a personal beef perhaps from burnout of hearing the same voice and press conferences for 5 years if it's their job to attend them. But it seems they are done with Howe and want him gone and have been trying to "ask the tough questions" despite positioning themselves as fans and only wanting what's best for the club.

People saying a free transfer is a no brainer are forgetting we have a strict and tight wage structure. Isn't there a rule about revenue vs wages ratios? Nunez was a £70m big striker summer signing for, at the time one of the big 2 clubs in the country along with City. He would have been on mega money at Liverpool and then probably doubled that of not more to move to Saudi. So even if he halved his wages, he'd probably be way clear of our highest earner in Bruno but the ability level of someone like Osula but with less potential. Plenty of risk there for me even if there is no transfer fee.

I dunno, that performance helped prove they have some defensive steel about them. Thought Bayern attacked way better than Arsenal have been for most of this season and struggled to break them down. But you are right set pieces will be Arsenal's main source of attack. I maintain though if the best version of PSG turn up then Arsenal won't be able to handle them.

It happened too often not to be a tactic I think. Kicked it out of play basically on every kick so was probably on instruction.

I do think that once we move to a new a stadium I will lose a part of my connection to the club in some way. Just from that nostalgic, historical part. I don't live locally so when ever I do get to come up to the game I still get that child like butterflies when I step into the ground. All the memories that have been built up. I fear once we move it will be one step further into being a more soulless club like so many others are now. Especially as new generations of fans start to replace the current who will continue to be priced out and more tourist half-scarf wearers become the norm instead. I know it's necessary for financial growth, but I think a part of me will be lost when we finally move and it won't feel the same anymore.

Arteta literally runs alongside any opposition players taking a throw in. People had the cheek to lose their shit over Tindall standing next to Howe. Their whole squad on the sideline including Lewis Skelly and Calafiori not even wearing bibs. Hope they lose badly in final but have concerns their defensive set up will be the antidote to Bayern or PSG and make the game shit and won by a set piece.

Ugh they are so annoying man. The game is won easily they don't even need to carry on like that.

If it wasn't for Arteta and Gabriel I bet most people wouldn't be arsed about Arsenal having a successful season. But fuck me they are so annoying.

Really impressive how often Gabriel goes down for such a "tough centre back"

Atleti were always gonna lack the quality, especially without a fully fit Alvarez but even then he can't do it alone. Hope Arsenal get absolutely spanked in the final. Still only had two shots on target tonight.

Really annoys me that Arteta is allowed to just run miles out of his box and berate players when they are trying to play right next to him. Must be really off putting for the opposition. Like there is a box and a 4th official for a reason, just enforce the rules.