Morning all.
Let’s begin in the present day with a little bit of precise switch information, and that’s the departure of Auston Trusty to Sheffield United. He joined us from Colorado Rapids for a reported charge of round £1m in January 2020, earlier than going out on mortgage. He spent final season on mortgage with Birmingham Metropolis, profitable their participant of the 12 months award, and now he’s obtained himself a pleasant transfer to a Premier League membership.
I did discover some cribbing in regards to the charge, reportedly within the area of £5m (and presumably some clauses) however in all honesty this feels about proper to me. Realistically he’s not going to get forward of Gabriel or Jakub Kiwior within the left centre-half place, to not point out the very fact Takehiro Tomiyasu is an alternative choice there, and after a small expenditure we’ve made a number of million in revenue on a participant who has by no means performed within the Premier League. And for the participant himself, he’s discovered a pathway to the largest league in Europe in order that KSE connection has labored for all events. Good luck to him.
In the meantime, Fabrizio Romano stories that Arsenal have made a gap bid for David Raya of round £20m.
EXCL: Arsenal have submitted opening bid for David Raya to Brentford tonight. The proposal is price £20m fastened charge plus £3m add-ons 🚨🔴⚪️ #AFC
Raya instructed Brentford that he desires the transfer as private phrases are already agreed. pic.twitter.com/PyEfro0tIu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2023
As I’ve stated beforehand, I’m not fully satisfied it is a signing we have to make, however I suppose the supervisor has earned sufficient belief for us to associate with it. Does it recommend that one thing concrete, to make use of a summer time buzzword, is going on with Matt Turner? He has been linked with Nottingham Forest, however I learn yesterday that gamers and brokers are taking authorized motion in opposition to the membership as a result of unpaid payments. Perhaps there’s nothing to the story, and we all know that above all else Forest take pleasure in signing gamers, but it surely may provide you with pause for thought. Will they pay their payments?
Proper now there are 5 keepers on Arsenal’s books and Raya would make it six. What’s the collective noun for goalkeepers? No matter it’s, we’ve obtained a load of them. I can think about Edu taking them out for a picnic, then leaving Alex Runarsson within the woods and driving off.
Talking of goalkeepers, I’m certain you’ve learn Aaron Ramsdale’s sensible piece in The Participant’s Tribune by now, but when not, right here’s the hyperlink – get on it asap. There are many takeaways from it, but when we do signal Raya, you will be fairly certain that there’ll an almighty scrap for the #1 shirt at this membership. Nothing has come simple for Ramsdale in his profession, and also you simply know that he’ll view this as one other problem he has to beat. Studying it did make me assume that maybe it’s one thing Arteta is doing to push him as arduous as he can to develop into the very best goalkeeper he will be. Perhaps that’s naive in some methods, but it surely additionally makes some sense within the context of what we’re doing.
Ramsdale’s story about enjoying in a North London derby simply days after his spouse suffered a miscarriage is one other reminder that as we decide gamers and their performances, our data of them is basically superficial. And look, it’s half and parcel of sport, however on that day he performed extremely effectively in a recreation we deserved to win, however did so in no small half due to the saves he made. Then Richarlison obtained in his face, and a few fool Spurs fan kicked him within the again.
As we obtained wrapped up within the emotion of a derby, and understandably so, it’s arduous to think about what he was going via. The grief of his and his associate’s loss; the skilled excessive from his efficiency and that outcome; the confusion and shock that he was assaulted whereas doing his job; all that and extra swirling round. There’s loads happening there whereas all of us obtained on the beers.
What I actually cherished about this piece although was when he spoke about his brother, who’s homosexual. There may be nonetheless such a stigma round homosexuality within the males’s recreation, and in latest weeks we’ve seen very vocal allies flip their again on their rules for huge sums of money they don’t want.
Aaron’s message on the finish is ideal:
For me, I clearly dream about profitable the league and parading the trophy via North London, for certain. World Cup. Champions League. I’ve obtained all these goals, however these are all soccer goals.
As an individual, I’ve one other dream.
I would like this recreation I like to be a secure and welcoming place for everybody. I would like my brother, Ollie — or anybody of any sexuality, race or faith — to return to video games with out having to worry abuse.
As somebody with household and pals within the homosexual neighborhood, I believe that’s such an necessary message for a Premier League footballer to ship proper now. Why ought to anybody be discriminated in opposition to due to who they love? Or for the color of their pores and skin? Or their non secular beliefs? I discover it arduous to know that in 2023, these boundaries nonetheless must be damaged all the way down to the extent that they do.
I believe Arsenal Soccer Membership has, through the years, performed greater than most to foster an surroundings that’s inclusive, welcoming, and supportive on all these counts, and it’s nice to see considered one of our prime gamers again that up so publicly. We’re a splendidly numerous fanbase that circles the globe, and Arsenal is, and needs to be, for everybody. It might have been simple for Aaron Ramsdale to remain quiet, however he didn’t, and I’ve a lot respect for that.
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Okay, that’s it for this morning. We recorded the Arsecast yesterday, you’ll be able to hear beneath. Due to a time change in Mikel Arteta’s Group Defend press convention, the preview podcast on Patreon gained’t be out till tomorrow morning, so be part of us for that.
For now, have a superb one.
