Seven fantasies, 11 nightmares and Ramsey’s agent tweets “keep making the stuff up”.

By Tony Attwood

Since the WC final there’s been a perfect example in the today of how different papers can take totally different positions when it comes to the same event.  The Guardian has been full of headlines about how the French nation rejoiced at their victory in the world cup, and celebrated the arrival of a new national hero.  “Kylian Mbappé the top ticket in French collection of bottomless talent” is one headline among many.

Meanwhile the Telegraph went in exactly the opposite direction with “Tear gas and water cannon used amid looting on Champs Elysees after France’s World Cup final victory” as their main headline.

Elsewhere for Arsenal it is mostly doom and gloom.  There is a “Big Controversy” for Granit Xhaka following Swiss outrage that he holds two passports.  Shock horror.  I think we knew that.  He’s Albanian and he’s Swiss.

But then we have the nightmares…

Nightmare 1: Transfer Tavern continues its miserable walk into the eternal darkness with “Ramsey leaves, fail to sign N’Zonzi: Arsenal’s nightmare scenario before season starts,”

Nightmare 2:  It’s the Tavern again as its computer rolls out story after story with “Golovin chooses Arsenal, fail to appoint Sarri: Chelsea’s nightmare scenario before new season.”

Now you might notice a similarity there, and it is something that is creeping into football reporting on a daily basis.  More and more of the blogs are parts of chains with one site for each club, replicating the same sort of story over and over.  The machine code comes up with a headline and then runs it for every team it covers.

Indeed I think I could do that myself and perhaps we should have a regular machine code column…

Nightmare 3: “Stadium falls down, no one signed: Tottenham’s nightmare scenario before season starts.”

Nightmare 4: “Civil War breaks out in Abu Dhabi as revolutionaries declare ‘All the oil has gone.’  Man City’s nightmare scenario before season starts.”

Nightmare 5: “John Henry admits to being a congenital liar and puts Liverpool up for sale.  Liverpool’s nightmare scenario before season starts.”

Nightmare 6: “All six Man U players in the WC return to Old Trafford with new styles while refusing to discuss anything with their manager.  Man U’s nightmare scenario before season starts.”

Nightmare 7, 8, 9, 10, 11:  Football Transfer Tavern went even further with “Top 5 Tottenham ‘nightmare scenarios’ this summer”. I couldn’t be arsed to click on the link as there were too many adverts in the way but take it from me, five is the new one.

Elsewhere we have the usual hints that Arsenal’s transfer approach is falling apart as with “Sevilla want €40m for Arsenal and Barcelona target N’Zonzi” which popped up in loads of places.

But there was a spot of light relief as Ramsey’s agent had a pop at the 40 a day Football London with “Aaron Ramsey’s agency issue contract update amid reports of new five-year deal for Arsenal ace”.   FootLond ran its same old same old story which began, as each one of the last week’s 280 posts have begun, “It’s been a rather busy summer at the Emirates with Unai Emery bringing in a number of new additions ahead of the 2018/19 season.”.

Following their usual fantasy land make believe Ramsey’s agent tweeted. “Keep making stuff up!!!”  Nice one.

But make it up they do

Fantasy 1: Monaco make bid and confident of signing Chelsea, Arsenal WC target (That’s Golovin)  TEAMtalk

Fantasy 2: Arsenal transfer news: Tottenham and Chelsea losing race for Barcelona star – bookies (That’s Gomes) The Daily Star

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Fantasy 3: La Liga outfit fix £35m price on prospective Arsenal summer signing (That is Steven N’ZonziTEAMtalk
Fantasy 4: Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey shows off new beard-free look ahead of new season. Daily Mail on the ball as ever.
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Fantasy 5: Arsenal News: £35m N’Zonzi transfer claim, free agent Meyer eyed, Daily Star
Fantasy 6: Sevilla stay firm on £35m N’Zonzi fee  Sky Sports
Fantasy 7: Arsenal: What would Bentancur offer the Gunners? RealSport13
Onwards and eternally inwards I think is the phrase that applies.

One Reply to “Seven fantasies, 11 nightmares and Ramsey’s agent tweets “keep making the stuff up”.”

  1. Today being the 17/07/18 19:20

    I read Arsenal wnt Nzonzi, although the move has been ruled out by Emery.

    Cahill wants out, the only good piece was about Toby, saying his performances at the WC were to demonstrate he was left out for non footballing reasons. He’s proving his value, while diminishing his worth…. this constitutes an exceptional opportunity. It could move Mustarfi on as well.

    Meanwhole Sky basicaly adopted the theme of one of my comments to create a fictional merry g around caused by Ronaldo’s move. Supporting the move of Hazard, probably a no brainer, but then earmarking Bale for United, with Willian going to Real, unless United price match, or the player fancies some sun and a team, that plays as a team. Still I don’t think they are so serious, more price hiking.

    While Arsenal want to get Gomes, presumably to replace the wantaway Ramsey. So Aaron wants a good ppay packet, it seems more than he intends to leave, unless pushed.

    Toby pretty much nailed it with that goal line saving block tackle against teammate HK. Gooner on his forehead. mot many options son, Barca and Real pretty much addressed the back line, PSG and City already did, and Toby isn’t worth giving Spurs firepower, no swap, Jose must be sure of that one. At 29, holding him another year, would be really cruel, just let him leave.

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