The rise of Como and the rise again of Cesc

 

• You might think the Fifa squabble is all over, but there’s another explosion around the corner.
• How times change and how the Arsenal team is changing

“Arsenal can complete six transfers this week including Vinicius Jr and Bruno Guimaraes”.  That at least is according to the Express, although their record on prediction transfers correctly is not all 100%.  Indeed perhaps we should take note of the second word in the piece.   They “can” complete the transfers, but that does not mean they will.

But certainly the newspapers are full of Arsenal transfers that are about to happen, starting with the notion that Bruno Guimaraes is at last read to have his medical ahead of the move from Newcastle to Arsenal for around £80m (although exactly how much does indeed depend on the newspaper you choose to read.   The commentary used mostly revolves around the fact that he once played for Manchester City, his contract is in its last year but why would he come to Arsenal and find himself probably behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz  up front.

Although there is also the suggestion that Arsenal are going bonkers on signing and will maybe sign six players in addition to Christos Tzolis, Illan Meslier while taking Piero Hincapie’s loan into a permanent deal

Oh yes and there is all the stuff about Vinicius Jr and Bruno Guimaraes.   And here is an interesting point, in that the Express now say that it is Real Madrid who are dithering, not Arsenal over the issue of Vinicius Jr.   But there is also talk in that paper of Myles Lewis-Skelly going to Manchester United.  If that did happen that could make it something like seven transfers at Man U although I may have lost count somewhere along the way.

However overall we do seem to be in a week of confusion as one artile runs the headline, “What is happening with Bruno Guimaraes after Arsenal agree part of Newcastle transfer” (although of course they are still worked up about Trump and the like, as we find with headlines such as “White House respond as Gianni Infantino ‘calls Donald Trump to try and save FIFA job'”

We do know something has happened because of the line “Mikel Arteta causes a stir” but he may have been having a cup of tea.

But when we do get to the news it is to be told that “Newcastle captain Guimaraes is understood to be preparing for a medical ahead of a potential switch to Arsenal. The Brazil international has excelled in the Premier League since departing Lyon in January 2022 and would bring established quality to central midfield.”

That piece claims Arsenal have now made an offer for the player and are optimistic about getting a signing for between £70 and £80m.   There is also the usual talk of Norgaard going to Everton, on account of his age, for about £7m. 

So we then come back to Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior who we are eternally told is in the last year of his contract, Real Mad won’t offer to pay him more so they suggest Arsenal can have him, noting in passing that he scored 22 goals in 53 games last season.  Mind you it is interesting that most outlets are suggesting that Arsenal had a weak forward line and urgently need a new forward.  And this despite Arsenal being the second highest scorers in the leagu last season.   Somehow that fact gets overlooked.

But still the transfer tales go on.  Another one bring Barcelona’s Torres to Arsenal – he’s the one who scored in the World Cup final you might recall.   The Spanish magazine “Sport” have suggested Arsenal have “enquired” about the player.   But then so apparently has everyone else, as he is supposedly in the last year of his contract.

Meanwhile in the sales department it is suggested that Fabio Vieria who has been on loan could now leave Arsenal – possibly gong to Hamburg.  And we have chatter about Gabriel Jesus leaving.   He again is in the last year of his contract and with Gyokeres and Havertz obviously ahead of him he seems unlikely to be getting many games in the coming season.   Apparently AC Miland are willing to stump up £18m or so which is not bad for a 29 year old.  

But of course most of these supposed transfers are really just parts of bidding wars.   Arsenal bid for Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle might be because they want him, or a message elsewhere that they want someone.  And one thing we must realise is that 99% of opening bids are rejected, with the club holding the registration coming back asking for double the amount.   It’s all a bit of a silly dance, but it keeps the journos busy.

Meanwhile here’s a bit of non-transfer news.   Como, the club managed with enormous success by Cesc Fabregas is announcing new rules such as one that says, if you are a season ticket but miss three games in a season without a valid reason you can have your ticket revoked.    I presume they accept doctor’s certificates.   Cesc is also banning home supporters from the away section, where it seems they have been sneaking in.

Although it is rather amusing – all he is doing is bringing his club in line with everyone else on that one.  But supporters are annoyed that missing a match because of a wedding anniversary doesn’t any longer seem to be a valid excuse.   Nor does being ill.

Corriere della Sera, (that’s the Evening Courier to you and me) is reporting reactions from supporters on social media, quoted one fan asking: “Do we need to be accompanied by our parents when we hand in our excuse, like at school?”

But as we have noted before Cesc has taken his club from bankruptcy and then playing in the fourth tier of Spanish football in 2018/19 up to the top level of Spanish football, so he needs to be taken seriously as a manager as much as he was as a player.