According to Jack Pitt-Brooke of the Independent, Granit Xhaka has flown to London today to tie up his transfer to Arsenal.
The 23 year old midfielder has been long tipped to be the Gunners first signing of what many hope will be a busy summer, and all going that should be the case.
There have been conflicting reports about Arsenal bidding high, then bidding low, as they negotiate with Borussia Mönchengladbach, but if he is in town it suggests that there is an agreement between the two clubs.
Earlier this week Xhaka said that Arsenal was ‘absolutely’ a team he could see himself playing for, and it’s been suggested that he himself has some inside information on what it is that he’s going to do. However, he won’t tell himself because he doesn’t want to think of himself as an ITK.
Sensible guy.
For an in-depth profile on Granit Xhaka, check out this profile on The Set Pieces.
Awesome… home this is the start of a long summer of signings and slides for wenger
hope!!
Hopefully but knowing Wenger it would be prob be one signing and done.
I KNOW!!
Still I said Arsenal need 2 CBs 2 CMs and 1 Strs … so if Granit is in, then atleast 1 key signing has been made. Now to get ATLEAST 1 CB and 1 Str.
Atleast then Arsenal will have quality up and down the pitch.
Why isn’t Arsene listening to you?? It’s crazy Too Drunk!!!
*At least.
Two words.
“Slides” ??
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/30/article-2439529-1869E2B400000578-680_634x404.jpg
Didn’t you know that every potential Arsenal signing is put through Arsene Wenger’s rigorous beach-side slip’n’slide course? To be honest, it’s a miracle Mertesacker made it through unscathed.
explains the injury situation!
Jeremy Wilson saying the same thing. Might be happening I guess.
Just waiting for the Ornacle at this point.
Or, you know, official confirmation but that wont happen until August, probably.
I was always curious as to why us fans become aware so late of what’s coming up the Arse. Shouldn’t top signings entice other top top top players to sign as well? Sure enough, it might little bit signal that we have some cash to spend, but everyone already knows that, anyway.
Never trusted Ornstein since deadline day in September 2014. Promised us we wouldn’t sign anyone. Then Danny Welbeck turned up.
What an ambiguous statement.
David is usually spot on, he doesn’t engage in speculation and will only put his name on a rumour if he´s 100% sure it´ll happen. The Welbeck signing was very late in the day and surprised everyone.
As someone on reddit said, I won’t believe it till he has his testimonial with us
or spent three months with our fitness team recuperating from an injury
Or when we hear he’s had a setback and it’ll take a further 6-12 weeks.
After which he will finally return back and Wenger will declare he’s LANS !
Diaby is never coming back fellas. ?
The Ornacle LOL!
Sounds like exactly what we’ve been needing for years.
Snazzy new website by the way. Just to give some feedback, could I suggest working on the app next? Seems a bit outdated and unreliable. Also can’t access comments!
Yeah the fact that I can’t access the comments on the app really annoys me. Do something blogs
Which app? iPhone? You can use Safari, site is mobile optimised.
Do what I did. Put a shortcut to the Arseblog News site on your home screen of your phone. It looks and works just like an app and you can review and leave comments. Then after a while you will think you have an app and you can email Blogs and ask about the app and confuse the hell out of him and yourself. It’s great.
haha
Actually you can accessential the comments if you click onto the square tab, right hand top corner. ..
Fucking predictive text. Access the comments etc
the ball is rolling….
Telegraph, Independent, Star, Metro, ESPN and Express all say the same thing in last 2 hours.
Be careful, it can always be one of those articles with ‘reports say…’ and they all link back to the original one which was made up anyway…
In retrospect, this statement sounds oddly like I’m pointing out this article as one of those, but I think we all know Blogs remains skeptical enough with the rest of us. Didn’t mean it that way.
In these days of everyone with a camera phone, i would have expected to see a least one photo of him in London.
Here:
That’s Xhaka in incognito. He’s disguised as a blizzard.
The bbc reported it too seems legit
7amkickoff says he’s a young Arteta. Would love me a young Arteta. Autocorrect keeps changing Arteta to Artist. Can’t say I disagree.
His hair is not nearly Lego-y enough.
He just needs the inside scoop on what “product” to use in his hair.
Definitely not the same one Mahmadou Sakho uses
Always nice to see a new adjective created.
Young Arteta? I’m not sure. But he’s a great passer but way more aggressive, sometimes too much. But he’s certainly a great addition.
Young schweni or maybe alonso. Better long passer, super aggressive.
Is he the DM?
He loves to crack a shot off outside the box so not really a dm that’s cutting off the gaps
He’s not a young Arteta. He’s a young Xabi Alonso
Coukd have sworn he was a young Granit Xhaka
Yeah, but not in the sense of a pure destroyer. HE’s a good passer, a deep lying playmaker but also defensively tuned. He tackles well, presses, harries the opposition. Sometimes too much, he picks up a lot of cards, also a lot of reds. But that can be a good thing for us IMHO. Sometimes you need a player with some nastiness. But he has to work on that, some reds were very daft. He’s a good allrounder, not very fast though, but he generally doesn’t have to be. He can play deep but also box-to-box. In short: exactly what… Read more »
It would be a massive statement of interest from Arsene and Arsenal should this transfer go on to get completed this early in the transfer window.
Let us Hope for more good things to come. For Hope is not a bad thing to have.
It would be nice to get this sorted quickly as we have other areas to address as well.
The transfer window doesn’t technically start until July 1. A bigger sign of intent if this one gets done this early.
Hoping for reinforcements in all the required positions.
*Starts watching ALL the YouTube videos, before making an expert assessment of the player and whether it proves Arsene is shite/a god*
*Starts his comment by saying things like: “I remember watching him while he was in Basel, I could instantly tell he was what we need.*
HAHA! Well played!
*Stats slow clapping*
*Starts…*
*Stat’s all folks*
I lived down the road from him when he was a kid. He was brilliant then… and even better when he eventually outgrew the pram.
I told his father twenty five years ago that one of his sperm would make it in football.
English transfer window opens June 8th but German transfer window only opens on 1st July – so when can we announce this?
Can announce when we like. Transfer just wont be “official” until window opens.
Bayern already announced two signings, for example. But can’t register with the leagues until window opens.
All these confirmations of a nearly done deal of a “statement” player. Right when season tickets are being renewed. Coincidence? Or happy coincidence?
From the profile it seems like his penchant for accumulating yellow cards and making a crunching tackle within 20 seconds of coming on will make him a nice replacement for Flamini… But can he complete Ozil in quite the same way?
In that picture he has the air of a gypsy Ronaldo.
Or a cross between Ronaldo and Jack Wilshere.
He looks more handsome than Ronaldo! With his arrival, Arsenal has undoubtedly the best looking squad in the league.
Most chipmunks are more handsome than Ronaldo.
Oh shit we’re actually going to sign him – better start thinking of reasons why we never needed him in the first place
Brilliant.
????? last season we heard the same story from the media that Benzema was in London ????
This is the same Arsene we know, Hope its true He’s in London?
I hope this is a ‘ghostie’ 1 on the poo-o-meter.
We as Betsouls hope Arsene will Sign the Swiss Star#ABCD?
Seems wenger is trying to start playing two defensive players next season
He shouldn’t be ‘starting’ realise it….!
Not necessarily. I think he sees Xhaka as an upgrade on Coquelin. Notice how at the end of the season Coquelin was already being fased out so Wenger could try out the Elneny-Ramsey partnership? I’m a big supporter of Coquelin (as I’m sure Wenger is too), but Xhaka looks like the kind of player who would work well with any number of midfield partners. Why not utilise that and put him next to a more creative player? No telling who Wenger’s first choice midfield will be by August, but I have to say the thought of a Xhaka-Santi pairing fills… Read more »
As long as we shoot in that 90 mins that’s fine by me!
So you think we should shoot more?
Interesting. In what ways would you say he’s better than Coq?
Better long passing than the Coq, I suppose.
Long balls, short balls, medium balls, dribbling the balls, receiving the balls, controlling the balls. Basically all the things to do with using the balls…
I love le Coq, but his best qualities are breaking up opposition play – that’s fine if he’s next to a genius like Cazorla, but ideally a CM can build the play too. Xhaka is a playmaker.
Tl:dr: Coq yes, balls no.
Behave. City have Pep, a master in the dark art of possession!
As long as he doesn’t partner Ramsey in midfield. .. he’s pants there..
Coquelin, Elneny and Xhaka can all play b2b as well as DM.
The reason Coquelin came back from his loans and shocked so many fans was because he’d finally worked out that when he was playing as a DM he had to be much more aware of his positioning.
Not necessarily, considering the number of injuries we had we needed cover anyways. He’s very versatile. I don’t think we should think of this just in terms of the first eleven, there will be enough games to go around for everyone.
Hope he don’t “say I never suffer with injuries ” like Vermàlen said. ..
Great signing if it happens. Great to have it done so early if it gets done. Wonderful start to summer spending if indeed it proves to be the start. I just wonder if there is a feeling inside the club that money needs to be seen to be spent (even if transfers cannot be 100% officially confirmed) before the end of May. Perhaps, with 10 days to go, the gold renewals are not happening at the same rate as previous seasons… If that is the case, and there is pressure on those involved in recruitment, and that pressure is leading… Read more »
It could just be a case of “If we don’t buy him quick some other scumbags will”
Break it down into what we know for sure and what every wanker thinks they know.
What we know: we are signing a midfielder.
What we think we know: that midfielder is xhaka.
Good start if it comes off.
What we think we know: needed a 2nd striker to win the premier league this year.
What we know; we fell short. Because of a lack of goals against the botton 10. Giroud did his job, but the missing 10-20 goals welbeck would of brought if he was fit all season.
What we know: we could of won the league
What you’re on about I don’t know
What we know: that was unintelligible
If Alexis or Theo or Ox or Ramsey had hit some scoring form at the right time then we’d have done better.
But they all had poor form for at least some of the season (most of the season for some).
I can’t see the edges of people’s comments!
Hit “refresh” everybody, and the site becomes brilliant!
Very happy now!!
Great new look…
This is like a scene from Independence day when they found out how to beat the aliens! 🙂
check this out… http://www.footballnus.com/2016/05/the-rise-and-fall-of-tottenham-hotspur-by-komptrolla/
Bloggsy, the website renders very strange on Chrome..
Hit “refresh”…..
So are we keeping all of our midfielders then? His addition makes it crowded.
We’re losing Rosicky and Arteta !!!!
Flam, Art and Rossa are all leaving so we have room!
I hope this deal goes through. I rather sign him than kante.
Worthy of the number 8 shirt?
So we’re one step closer to seeing a Coq fight for the #34 jersey?
Just read a report that Coq is giving up #34 for the new boy.
The new site is terrible on my laptop with not being able to see the start and end of people’s posts and the pics on the right encroaching unhappy face
I hit “refresh” and all is wonderful….
Its been a while since we’ve had an imposing physical presence in the centre of the pitch. But crucially, Granit also seems to have the skills that marks him out as a “special player” with “top, top quality”. I can’t wait to see him dominate the midfield for us next season!
Is he a goalie? that picture makes him look like one.
Nope.
Who can help us with the league?
Everybody in the house, Xhaka can
Also, do we pronounce his name like ‘kaka’?
Nope. More like Chaka Khan, Shaka Hislop, Boom shakalaka, Shaka 04, Love Shacka, boom shaka shaka shaka the room etc.
oh…thanks, i was actually pronouncing his name like ‘kaka’.
T*ttenham Hotsp*r is pronounced kaka.
According to a couple of people yesterday, it’s actually pronounced Jack-a.
I’d never have guessed that without being told.
Wikipedia’s phonetic pronunciation is “Jack-a”.
That just makes the pairing with Coq that much better.
Xhaka and Le Coq together in midfield against the bigger teams with our new speedy striker up front has me salivating. Guardiola beware!
That would be a Granit-Coq midfield, no? Hard as a rock.
His name has great chant-potential…something about being hard like Granit..
Ideas?
Boom Xhaka-Laka! When he scores!
our midfield will be a granit hard Coq?
So is the midfield going to be coquhaka next year? Very aggressive pairing that would be and no place for Ramsey, santi or wilshere.
No, the XhaCoq
Xhaquelin. Like the golfer…
GranitCoq
Granit-Coq
looks a bit similar to another Swiss player who I fancied at arsenal…the white shaq.
Just happy to see that we are actually looking to do some business early this Summer.
His brother is a real Taulant *gets coat*
Granit Coq in the middle, that’ll be solid
Xhacoq!
what’s up with the site? seems a bit shagged.
Hit refresh…
now buy someone worthy of wearing the 7. Man I miss him
Rozza was football young 🙁
I can think of a certain smallish German player (who might be available for stupid money this summer) who fits the bill.
Goetze is obviously class. still a rare fit Rosicky was so Rock n’ Roll! he kept making things happen. defensive midfielder can’t have a breather facing people like him. and for Wengers approuch towards attacking football (with possession when opposition lays back occupying spaces) these kinds of players are essential. even more than a classy no.10 in Oezil. Rosicky Fabregas Ljungberg. these where the X factors that kept Arsenal ticking when the games felt locked. these are indeed rare players and often have injury problems due to their style. Hamsik James are the two player come to my mind as… Read more »
i personally believe that the no. 7 shirt will be taken over by alexis sanchez next season.
btw. never seen the guy play tbh. looks an awful lot like C.Ronaldo though. even when we sign him I still want Kanre too. him I’ve watched and for only 20 million? with Welbeck out injured Theo leaving and Oxlade either injured or not good enough Wilshere and Ramsey would play wide mostly leaving space for another recruit maybe?
Text speak and capital letter problem bra or BRA? All the best going forward mate…:-)
Yeah ’cause afterall thats all that matters the capitals not the opinions. As the saying goes a book’s as good as its cover 😀
Great improvement! 😉
fuck off mate :))
Boom Xhakalaka!!
Genius!
Ornstein has confirmed it
Must be true then 🙂
The next signing to be on August 31st at 11:59PM.
Another bargain deal from the French 2nd division.
Is that you Fats?
No, but I’m not too excited by this signing either. The absolute priority now is to bring in a world-class striker, not another midfielder. If this guy is so good then why didn’t Bayern Munich snap him up?
And no signing by Wenger will make us champions: until the horrible loser mentality within the club is eradicated we just continue to be also-rans. And while Mr “fourth is a trophy” is running the club that mentality will remain.
By the way, Blogs: I love the new format.
Actually the fact is Bayern wanted him, but in 2017 as an alonso replacement, hence a
lower release clause effective from 2017 was there in his contrAct…..or so I have heard…
Ahhh there you are…:-)
BBC Ornstein is reporting this now. I can start believing.
So is this guy the new Patrick Viera?
I’m not sure why people keep talking about Coquelin like he isn’t one of the best in his position.
I personally think Coquelin is an excellent defensive midfielder and not many DMs out there are better than him.
If xhaka is going to take his place, as some here seem to suggest, then he better be good.
I think Arsene may finally have realised that one player can’t play 60 games a season, that can only be a good thing.