Once A Gooner, Always A Gooner: Farewell Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah

Goodbye to Aaron and Eddie, two loyal Arsenal stalwarts who always gave their best; Rice and Saka make England squad, but still no Ben White...

Hello,

Happy Thursday!

Late August always feels like a sleepy time of year, school is still out, many are still on their holidays, and the football season doesn’t seem to hit its straps until after the first international break in early September.

All is calm, or becalmed, ahead of the impending jolt to our senses next week, when the world seems to rev up again, on the long road to Christmas. My word that sounds depressing, apologies, I didn’t mean it to be, I just wanted to emphasise all is quiet right now - apart from one thing.

The looming transfer deadline. The infernal summer transfer window is set to shut tomorrow evening (11pm to be precise).

All of which means, for a club like Arsenal, that there is still a flurry of activity to come.

This week has already seen the arrival of Mikel Merino - I must say I’m looking forward to attending the other Mikel’s press conference on Friday lunchtime at London Colney, not least so I can hear the Arsenal boss speak glowingly about our new signing.

But with arrivals, there must also be departures.

And this week, it means saying a fond farewell to Aaron Ramsdale, and Eddie Nketiah.

Arsenal stalwarts who always gave their best, were true club men who never moaned and committed everything to our cause. For that they deserve our full admiration and respect. Not to mention warm pre-and-post receptions from supporters when they return with their new clubs during the season.

Thankfully, true Gooners are fair minded and knowledgable, and simply ‘get’ the fact that two two players mentioned above should always be heartily greeted for all they did for us in red and white.

Once a Gooner, always a Gooner.

Farewell lads. You’ll always be assured of a warm reception at The Arsenal

……….

Farewell Charlie

Farewell Charlie, scorer of an Arsenal first team goal, and Gooner Subscriber

Not to mention, waving goodbye earlier this week to Charlie Patino (and former Gooner Fanzine subscriber). The joy we all felt when Charlie scored on his debut, during that 5-1 victory over Sunderland in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, back in December 2021, was immense. He had the world at his feet back then.

Unfortunately, the 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest at a raucous City Ground, only a couple of weeks later, did Charlie no favours at all, doubts about his slim frame amplified by Forest’s musical approach.

The writing was on the wall when Arteta made a conscious decision to move away from using smaller players, after the seminal 4-1 shellacking by Manchester City in April 2023, and following two underwhelming loan moves, to Blackpool, and last season at Swansea, saw young Charlie deemed surplus to requirements.

So, when a permanent move came calling, in the form of a £1m transfer (plus add ons and sell-on clauses inserted) to Deportivo La Coruna of £1m transfer - a familiar name to those of us of a certain vintage - albeit a club in more straightened circumstances these days, languishing as they are, in the second division in Spain, the move seemed like a good one for all parities.

It goes without saying we wish Charlie well, and will be charting his progress over the season to come.

Go well, Charlie.

……..

Arsenal vs Bolton Wanderers

And so it came to pass that the Trotters of Lancashire were drawn to play the Gunners of Arsenal, in the third round of the League Cup. And lo, did no-one really care. Just not yet, at any rate.

Why?

Well, because, we have the Champions League draw later today, with all the organising/planing/excitement that comes ahead of a potential Euro away day before then. Or the prospect of our first home match in this year’s mind-bogglingly lucrative competition. And then, don’t forget, it’s the North London derby at the toilet bowl in mid September. Prior to a trip to the Etihad the weekend after.

So please forgive us if we’re not dancing in the streets of Islington at such a draw. Just yet. Or at all…

That said, we’re glad it’s at home.

As we never, ever, cared for, nor enjoyed, driving up to Chorley and the Estadio Reebok.

……

Lee De La Fuente’s England squad

We all know that Spain won Euro 2024 led by a coach with no real experience of managing in their country’s top flight, Luis de la Fuente.

Now, it appears England have their own version - minus a European trophy of course.

Step forward Lee Carsley. Or Lee de la Fuente, as I now call him.

Never liked him as a player.

I recall Carsley attempting to relentlessly boot our storied frontline of Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka, when playing for Derby County during an FA Cup quarter-final at Highbury in 1999 (that saw the Rams handed five yellows and a red card) and never cared for him after that.

Especially when he’d always try and replicate such brainless intimidation when at Goodison Park against the Gunners.

As for his time as a coach. Well, to be fair he led the U21s to the European Championship trophy at that age band in 2023. While also gaining experience in coaching the U18s, U19s and U20s as Professional Development Phase lead.

So, in the absence of anyone else applying for the role, he probably is the ‘ideal’ candidate to lead England on a temporary basis this autumn, prior to a far more qualified candidate to emerge in 2025, to guide England through the far more important World Cup qualifiers that will take place next spring and beyond, after the draw takes place later this year.

Yet, when it comes to England and the Impossible Job, I feel you need an experienced hand on the tiller - although that invariably doesn’t work either - and I fear Carsley, despite 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland (strictly speaking does that make him a ‘continental’ coach?) simply does not have the experience to cope with all that the job entails, away from the park, and to be honest, on the field too.

Because, Lee Carsley, as far as I can see, is certainly no Luis de La Fuente. Alas.

Lee de la Fuente’s fail to pick Benny Blanco

In one way I’m glad the new (interim) England boss didn’t pick Ben White, as it means the Arsenal defender can ensure he gets optimum rest during international breaks.

Yet, on the other hand (and I suspect I’m in the minority among Gooners) I feel slightly frustrated - as someone who has attended England matches home and away all over the globe, as a fan over the last four decades, not to mention as a journo over the last ten years - not to see such a talented Arsenal player make the squad.

Something has to give soon, as Steve Holland - the reason White understandably had enough of wasting his time as an unused reserve at the last World Cup - is thankfully no longer part of the set-up.

Perhaps White is biding his time, waiting for a top quality boss to take over the reigns after the Euro League this autumn.

Jurgen Klopp as England boss next spring anyone?

Arsenal Surcharge

Looks like Espanyol have well and truly included their ‘Arsenal surcharge’ for Joan Garcia (pictured above).

Demanding £30m rather than accepting the £20m plus add ons Arsenal have offered.

*Sighs*

…….

Souness Slams Rice or Old Man Yells at Cloud - you decide…

So. Souness says Declan Rice isn’t worth, and I quote, “£100m”. (He cost £105m, but, as ever, don’t let facts get in the way, eh Graeme?)

Yawns.

DAILY LIST:

I - Counting down the seconds until 5pm and the Champions League draw…

PS:

There’s an extremely worthy event at the now revamped Drayton Arms on Friday evening. Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it, as I’ll be at the U21s at Meadow Park at the same time. But it doesn’t mean you can’t go along and lend your support to such a brilliant cause.

Among the brilliant Arsenal creatives will be Ruth Beck, Charlie Shanks, Carl Bourke, Northbanksy and Del Llewellyn, along with raffle prizes and a charity auction. 

Well done, and good luck to all concerned.