Morning, let’s get into it.
Beginning at the moment with the official affirmation of the arrival of David Raya, soccer’s worst saved secret. Which wasn’t even a secret, I suppose. Then, the participant’s agent – who can also be the agent of goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña – posted an image of the 2 of them at London Colney, after which we had the official announcement from the membership.
There have been the same old quotes from Edu about why we’ve introduced a superb participant to the squad, earlier than Raya himself spoke, saying:
I’m over the moon to have the ability to take this problem in my profession and make the step up. I’m actually excited to get going and see how the season finally ends up. I spoke to the boss and he despatched me the values of what Arsenal are about.
The best way that the membership goes, it’s rising much more so it’s a stunning problem to take and I couldn’t say no.
It was additionally attention-grabbing to listen to Brentford’s Director of Soccer, Phil Giles, reply a query I believe many have been questioning about – why did they go for an preliminary mortgage with choice to purchase?
He mentioned:
The reply to that’s merely that it permits this deal to be carried out extra quickly between each golf equipment, with all events desirous to make this a everlasting switch as quickly as virtually attainable, each time that may be.
David’s contract extension is a fall-back place within the occasion that the switch just isn’t made everlasting. I’m not anticipating to see David again at Brentford. He’s a unbelievable human being, and his conduct across the coaching floor these previous couple of weeks has been, given the uncertainty round his future, completely exemplary. We want him nothing however good luck.
That final half about his character may be a part of why they’ve facilitated this transfer in a summer season after they have been initially in search of a £40m for the 27 12 months previous. There are clearly some the reason why the transfer wouldn’t be made everlasting, however in all chance that’s what’s going to occur – whether or not it’s subsequent summer season, the following accounting interval, or someplace inbetween. By all accounts Raya is a good skilled, and in a state of affairs which has a component of awkwardness to it, that may very well be helpful for all involved.
Now, the ‘battle’ begins between Raya and Aaron Ramsdale, as a result of Arsenal now have two no 1 high quality goalkeepers. Ideally it is a constructive state of affairs with each gamers pushing themselves to be even higher, and within the short-medium time period I believe that’s attainable. Each Ramsdale and Raya talked about the ‘goalkeeper union’, they usually know greater than you or I precisely how actual that’s. Wholesome competitors is sweet, so I’m fascinated to see how this all performs out within the weeks and months forward. The long run implications will turn out to be clearer in time.
Elsewhere, there are tales linking Gabriel Magalhaes with a transfer to Saudi Arabia, which sound considerably fanciful, however from what I perceive the curiosity from the Saudi aspect of issues is actual. Whether or not or not the participant is is one other factor, and having misplaced Jurrien Timber for the season (principally), it appears utterly absurd that Arsenal would sanction a departure for a participant who has been so essential and constant for us.
His run of 73 consecutive Premier League begins ended on the weekend, and whereas the official rationalization was that it was ‘tactical’, using that phrase is typically the equal of ‘again drawback’ to elucidate a participant’s absence. It felt odd to me anyway, however he was on the bench and wanted in the direction of the top of the sport, so if there was one thing else happening it might’t have been too critical. I do not know if there’s a direct connection between him being on the bench and the Saudi curiosity, however I’ll say this: final season he and William Saliba developed the most effective central defensive partnership we’ve had at this membership for a very long time. For a lot of the marketing campaign it was arguably the most effective within the Premier League.
For me, that’s one thing you construct on, not dismantle. Not least whenever you’ve misplaced certainly one of your key summer season signings and it’s a must to decide about whether or not or not you herald one other defender for canopy. You don’t lose one other one, particularly not for the form of cash that’s being talked about. I noticed a charge of £52m reported, however whereas that will be a wholesome revenue on what we paid for him, it’s nowhere close to his actual market worth – particularly in a window the place Chelsea are throwing £60m+ for 19 12 months olds.
I realise additionally that what Chelsea do is probably not reflective of how anybody with brains ought to function, however that’s how the market operates. Keep in mind Shaktar Donetsk citing the charge Man Utd paid for Antony as a information for his or her valuation of Mudryk? Even return to PSG paying what they did for Neymar. It was absurd, in fact, nevertheless it turns into a benchmark. Regardless, I can’t consider any good purpose why we’d promote Gabriel, and hopefully we see him and Saliba resume their partnership, as a result of I do suppose it’s one of many cornerstones of this crew.
Proper, let’s go away it there for this morning. Have a superb one people.
