I’m shocked that Arsenal want Cedric for next season, let alone four. A club of their stature should be aiming higher, especially when you consider that we want to improve on him!
I was listening to Micah Richards and Chris Sutton discuss Arsenal last night on Radio 5 whilst I was working. The conversation centred around Ozil's attitude but also considered the frailties of their defence. You can appreciate their supporter's concerns and signing players of the calibre of Cedric is probably indicative of where their club is at the moment. I think that Liverpool's success this season has been remarkable but needs to be taken into consideration with previous seasons where they have faced better competition throughout the season. The points tally this season and last season has been impressive but I think that Man City are the only team of equal stature at this point in time. Fortunately for Liverpool, City have not been so effective this campaign and I think the failure of teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd and even Spurs to push on in 19/20 has made Liverpool's task somewhat easier. I think Liverpool have been superb yet I have to say that they have had an easier job in winning the league than they would have done in previous seasons - especially if you look at the league table and see the general, low points tally for other teams. I think Klopp has built a very good team but , from an impartial point of view, think Liverpool still have a long way to go if they are to equate to the greatness of Ferguson's Man Utd teams. I am not convinced that Arsenal's fortunes will turn around quite so quickly. Chelsea look most likely to be the team to improve next season whereas I think Mourinho will take Spurs backwards. I do not feel that partnership is one that will endure. Of these top teams, only Man Utd have been on a more spectacular slump than Arsenal and I think they will be ready for a resurgence in 20/21. I can see some players being moved on and the team being freshened up with the addition of the likes of Grealish. Arsenal's demise has been a long, slow, drawn out process and you sense they have the hardest task of all to mount any serious challenge.
Well Arteta saw Pep make Walker the most expensive defender in the world.... maybe he just wants someone quick to bomb on who can’t cross a ball too.
This is why Arsenal are where they are. I know ours hasn't been great but their signings in recent years have been pretty average.....oh well
It's because you can't easily watch it in this country anymore. Gone are the days of Champions or Europa League on terrestrial TV.
Crazy thing about Cedric is that it is a 4 year deal! Could see the logic if it was a shorter deal, say 2 years. He will only be back up to Bellerin and as it is a free transfer, if after his 1st year it is apparent he is ****e, then he will only drain the wage bill for more 1 season.
I used to watch it when I had BT broadband, but I don’t bother any more now I’ve moved away from them.
We have to remember that Cedric switched off at Saints. He wanted out and I’m sure that effected his game. On his day, he can be useful for a team that bombs forward and presses. I expect that’s how Arteta wants to play. I know I joked about not being able to cross a ball, but Walker is highly thought of at City and I think he’s a crap footballer but a good athlete. Maybe Arteta has done the stats and has the plan to pin teams back more. After all, his inability to head a ball or cross a ball won’t matter if his job is to run forward and keep opposing players pinned back. It worked for us under Koeman, just need someone else to deliver the cross.
Cedric was reliable at best for us and didn’t show great promise in opportunities elsewhere but this is a good signing for Arsenal. That club has some almighty contract headaches to resolve and a team which is already dysfunctional. They need solid players for the division and they have to be cost effective. ****ing state of that club. They’ve made the same mistakes as us in terms of a few years of uncoordinated recruitment and it leading to key players running down deals (Aubameyang), short term deals on players who they don’t want but can’t replace (Luiz) and huge whopper contracts on players nobody even wants (Ozil). Third best team in London now and no real possibility of sorting out the mess anytime soon. I actually loved the vintage Wenger sides as teams who would play like they knew they were miles above the league technically but also not afraid to get their hands dirty. Wonderful heels. Utter ****s, most of them. I would love to see them have success with their own homegrown players but Christ almighty they’ve got a job on there. They abandoned the data stuff Wenger built too until recent changes. Looks like it worked out great. Arteta needs a ****ing miracle. Cedric and Luiz will have to do for now.
I’d agree with that. But in his time put on loan he wasn’t exactly shining either. He wasn’t used by Inter or Arsenal right?