FLiam

Devil’s advocate but it technically wasn’t, especially from our team selection. The league games I imagine will be a totally different prospect.

This will be one to watch next week.

Meh. Main takeaway is that the drop-off from Partey and Xhaka is far too big. Lokonga is absolutely nowhere near the level required. He looks as though he can’t be bothered half the time. His mentality to succeed at the highlight level seems non-existent to me. He’s the only player in the squad that I would happily see shipped out.

Arteta fielding a heavily rotated XI tonight. I’m a bit disappointed with that as this is a chance to lay down a big marker. We could still win but I don’t think it’s likely. Holding up against Haaland will be interesting.

Whilst also looking like Claire Balding. Quite the feat.

Newcastle have agreed a fee with Everton that could total £45m for Anthony Gordon. Romano on it:

Anthony Gordon failed to turn up for training for the third day in a row. He’s definitely off then. Is he even that good?

Fulham signing Cedric on loan for the remainder on the season. Covering all his £100,000 a week wages, which I find odd considering he’ll be backup to Tete.

Newcastle are apparently in talks with Everton to sign Anthony Gordon. I also read that Chelsea want to sign Onana, but that was obvious.

That’s the biggest win of the season for us so far. So much character, again and again. This really is a special group of players.

hdjd h dj cj jfk dj jfk dj!!!!!!

This might be a game.

I played more Elden Ring. I think I’m obsessed now.

Reports are now saying that we expect to finalise the signing of right-back Ivan Fresneda from Real Valladolid within the next week. A young right-back. Elsewhere, we are exploring the opportunity of bringing in Eduardo Camavinga on loan from Real Madrid. Can’t see it happening though.

Never heard of this guy. Looks like he’s left-footed though, so makes sense.

Agreed - he’s more likely to hit the ground running as well. No adaptation required. I saw someone make a good comparison that he’s like a Shaqiri signing for us, will never be a week-in-week-out starter but he’ll definitely be valuable when he’s needed. Would still like us to add a midfielder but I can’t see that happening until the summer. We have to hope we avoid injuries in that area.

Ornstein has spoken. Definitely a solid squad player.

I think he’ll do a decent enough job. He can cover across the front line. We could do worse. I don’t have any real issues with it to be honest, he has PL experience which is a bonus and would think he would up his game even more being at a side chasing the title.

Last patch was beginning of December if I recall.

@Matt Not sure you got your point across This - the only people “moaning” are the usual weirdos on Twitter etc. Sure, it’s a real disappointment but you move on. Several Arsenal outlets have pointed out the players we’ve missed out on and signed instead. It’s not the end of the world. We missed out on Martinez, we got Zinchenko. We missed out on Vlahovic, we got Jesus. We missed out on Kounde, we got White and we missed out on Raya, we got Ramsdale. You don’t always sign your first choice targets, it’s a part of football. The thing about this I find the most amusing though is the fact Mudryk himself was openly flirting with moving to Arsenal for the best part of two months so you know that some part of him is at least a little disappointed.

Technically not January transfer window news but transfer news all the same: I would be amazed if we could pull this off.

It is bizarre. Not sure even Potter knows exactly how to fit them all into a coherent team. Eerily very Nottingham Forest-y.

I really hope we have other targets in mind - because we cannot make the same mistake as last season and not add at least one attacking player to the squad. We are far too light in that area of the pitch. Totally disappointed with this news to be honest.

I’ve been reading Rob Delaney’s book/memoir ‘A Heart That Works’ and boy is it an emotional read.

I’ll tell you what. Joao Felix getting sent-off on his debut is top bins funny.