Arsenal banter 5

09 Aug 2026 19:09:03
My attempts to develop an artificial testicle have been shambolic.

10 Aug 2026 19:42:46
At least you got the ball rolling.

10 Aug 2026 19:55:49
I agree with Sharpie, it's all b*****.

10 Aug 2026 22:31:22
The nutty professor.. at least you had the balls to try. 👏👏👏

10 Aug 2026 23:26:31
Good luck, hope you can pull it off. Keep your head up & get a grip.

11 Aug 2026 08:48:20
I guess the silver lining is I didn't get the sack.

09 Aug 2026 13:21:27
In case anyone doesn't know, it seems the game today is free on Arsenal's YouTube channel. Happy happy happy!

09 Aug 2026 14:31:19
Still happy? lol.

09 Aug 2026 14:33:29
Getting mugged. I know it's just a friendly, but this is where we try and show a bit of how we intend to run the season.

09 Aug 2026 14:44:55
Max looking good.

09 Aug 2026 14:52:21
A 16 year old and 3? under-20 year olds, a 2nd goalkeeper, so I'm not too unhappy, guys. I see lots of talent coming through..

09 Aug 2026 15:35:18
I prefer Meslier to Arizabalaga.

09 Aug 2026 15:37:45
It'll be alright on the night, Sally, and the night things genuinely start counting for anything of any huge importance is Friday 21st of August v Coventry.
Up until then, everything is simply a dress rehearsal, obviously, it's always better when rehearsals go really well, but learning from things that go wrong before the opening night is what rehearsals are really all about.

09 Aug 2026 17:34:36
Totally agree 62, I was really impressed with our youngsters, and if that is the last goal Martinelli scores for us he will have gone out in style. 💪 🔥

09 Aug 2026 07:49:29
Wanted to get everyone and Ed001's opinions on who will be first choice forward this year? Do we think Gyokores will nail it down or is it Havertz' for the taking?

Also how do we see the team fitting in Bruno? Do we think this will change Rice's role as he was prolific in the way he was contributing all around last season. I could see a season in which Rice and Bruno chip in 10 goals each in the league if Arteta balances the roles.

{Ed001's Note - I think Gyokeres should step up, but Arteta loves Havertz, so he might not get the chance. A lot depends on injuries etc though, as Havertz will get used in other roles if needed, which will free up Gyokeres to get going.

Bruno is likely to sit and allow Rice more freedom.}

09 Aug 2026 09:41:45
Neither as an upgrade is needed there. 💯

Neither good enough at the top top level, and I'm hoping that's where we want to be.

Failing - depends on opponents, but neither will scare City defence like Haaland scares & occupies ours.

09 Aug 2026 11:34:25
At the moment, we have quality backup in every position if we play a 4231 double pivot - which I'm hoping we generally do against most teams, which means, hopefully, Bruno will play alongside Deckers a lot - but this season I think realistically Mikel will probably not always play his best team & rotate a lot depending on form, cups & opposition to avoid injuries/fatigue and save the best 11 for the big games because we have such a great squad. Same for Kai & Vik tbh.

I can see what Sy is (consistently!) saying about Vik/Kai vs the best strikers. I prefer to be hopeful, and really do think with Bruno, Dec, Ode, Tzolis, Saka, hopefully an improved end product from Noni, and long balls from Raya, that's a lot of potential quality balls in the box & movement to confuse/tire defenders, & hopefully Vik gets the chance to show what he's really about this season.

I'm saying he's 20 goals in the Prem! (I've nearly always been wrong when I've posted predictions on here in the past, but not now! 😆) Come on Viktor! 💪

(I also think the club are waiting for a top striker to become available, and will go all out when it's feasible - possibly like they are reported to have done for Vini. But winning the Prem and/or Champions League this season might make a real difference in attracting them?)

09 Aug 2026 12:41:33
Would love it if they get 35 goals in EPL between the two of them & not penalties or against poor teams. Would love it, Jim.

I am consistent!

09 Aug 2026 07:39:11
{Ed's Note - EHL2020 has posted a new article entitled, Why Rangers Must Handle Matchday Pressure Better

09 Aug 2026 03:34:39
Hey you amazing folks hope all is well with you and your friends and families

I'm new to posting on this page even though I've adored the Gunners since 26th May 1989 I was 4 years old watching that game and it's always going to be my favourite.

First of all want to say thanks to all the EDS that make time to ensure these pages are magnificent and want to say hey to SallyJane and Banburry

I'm so happy we didn't sign Vinicis Jnr folks. He would have torn that dressing room apart. He is an magnificent player don't get me wrong but what Arteta has done is installed an incredible atmosphere that can't be ignored

Welcome to Bruno

David Danskin would be extremely proud folks 😊

Much love and respect to you all.

09 Aug 2026 09:43:49
Hi Richy, welcome to this great, very happy site. 👋 😊

08 Aug 2026 21:54:27
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new video entitled entitled, C U Next Time - The Missing Members Edition}

08 Aug 2026 13:06:15
Do we see a midfielder leaving now we have signed Bruno Guimaraes?

11 Aug 2026 02:53:47
Don't think so, but it could be good for Nwaneri to take a loan spell or be sold with a buyback. We play with a 3 and now have: Odegaard, Bruno, Nwaneri, Rice, Zubi, Eze, MLS, with MLS pulling double duty at left back. If we want to rotate, they'll all get minutes, and Nwaneri isn't bad off the right either.

05 Aug 2026 20:51:55
Just wondering what Ed25 views on Ndiaye. Ben Jacobs has said we had a look at him but one of the Saudi clubs were in talks with Everton.
Many Thanks in advance.

{Ed025's Note - hes a very good player Bill, gets people out of their seats because he is very skillful and will track back as well, he is prone to being a bit greedy at times mate but at Everton he has no choice really as some of the players around him are not near his level, i think he would be a success at the Gunners because he can play anywhere across the front line and i think a deal could be done with maybe a couple of your lads coming our way, i would of course like to keep him but being realistic he will probably move on if the deal is right, i hope you have another great season my friend because you have a very good squad now, lets just hope for more attractive football even though it may be hard to keep all those great players happy because they will all want to be starters i imagine...all the best..

08 Aug 2026 13:45:27
That's for the reply Ed mate
Very much appreciated 👍👍

{Ed025's Note - no problem Bill..

08 Aug 2026 14:59:41
Is he really at the quality we need Ed? I hear the next name is Kenan Yildiz. Surely that's the type of LW addition we need after daily g with Vini. May be Rashford

{Ed025's Note - its all down to opinion i suppose SY, for me he is miles better than Trossard or Martinelli so improves you, i have not seen much of Yildiz but do you really want the Incredible Sulk (Rashford)?..

09 Aug 2026 09:39:26
Arteta needs to manage difficult players & egos as a top manager. I'm sure Cantona and Ronaldo weren't easy. We need players with a bit of bottle to challenge things and turn a game on its head, as they are special.
But you are right - we can't invite too much trouble or 400k PW players, as that could upset the dressing room, although Kai on 280k couldn't have gone down well at the time.

Trossard did a job last year and was quite important and did change some games, but too hot & cold. Not sure the new lad is a starter, so we need a proper dynamic LW with good decision making in the final third.

I look at the quality in goal, centre defence, central midfield and right wing (not Noni) - very strong players and winners. I think Bruno & Rice will give us more power, balance, but more forward, fast play than Zubi & Rice.



So we really need to upgrade LW and Striker / considerable upgrades. Hence the Juve lad and questions on the Everton player.

We have decent squad players in Merino, Kai, Vic, Eze and Ode. Probably get away with Ode if he gets his gearbox & compass fixed. But we really need those two positions and probably RB to try to go one better this year, but to upgrade - it needs 3 special players. Kroupi and Yildiz would be great, plus a CB who can play RB to cover Saliba & Timber. Not Mosquera, as he's never a RB and got exposed poorly at the Champions League final - too much of a beast to play RB.

We need 1st team upgrades & drop a few starters to bench to improve squad.

08 Aug 2026 12:24:09
Welcome to The Arsenal
Bruno
Great times ahead
COYG.

08 Aug 2026 09:17:24
I met Phil Spector's brother Crispin the other day. He's head of quality control at Walkers.

08 Aug 2026 15:43:25
I'll get your coat for you, Sharpie! Only joshing made me laugh COYG.

08 Aug 2026 18:39:55
In this weather? Just a light cardigan please.

07 Aug 2026 21:24:29
A Viking was getting ready for a invasion of England.
He said to his blind wife: Is there anything you would like me to bring back?
The wife said well a new kitchen sink wouldn't come amiss.
Consider it done, he said, as he went off.


Came back 3 weeks later and the wife said, did you get my sink? He said no but I managed to get you this hod, I hope its OK.
The wife: Yeah, fine.
A hod's as good as a sink to a blind Norse.