{"id":12056,"date":"2025-10-07T10:40:42","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T09:40:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=12056"},"modified":"2025-10-17T18:28:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T17:28:17","slug":"our-new-signings-first-report-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=12056","title":{"rendered":"Our New Signings: First Report Card"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Andrea Berta, our very hard-working, and one must say effective, Director of Football spent a very busy summer improving our squad. During the recent game with Olympiacos it was very impressive to be able to point to a bench that contained the likes of Saka, Rice, Timber, Eze and child prodigy Max Dowman whose Mum allowed him to sit on the bench provided he wore the scarf his auntie knitted him for Christmas. A couple of months in, I thought it would be reasonable to start to assess how well our eight new signings are doing. The sheer number of quality players brought to the club was staggering, but how are they faring? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kepa Arrizabalaga – Goalkeeper <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed from Chelsea for \u00a35million <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, Kepa is known by this name rather than his surname which earns 42 points in Scrabble! In the 24\/25 close season we made what could have been a very serious mistake. Our attempt to sign Joan Garcia of Espanyol on the cheap failed (he may have got wind of Barcelona\u2019s long-term interest as he has become their first choice keeper now) and on deadline day we had to pivot to Neto at Bournemouth, a man with great experience but very much on the decline. In addition, one of the roles of the back-up keeper is to deputise in the League Cup. Neto was already cup-tied for this competition. This was just before Edu announced his departure and it is interesting to note that Neto was a client of Edu\u2019s close friend, Kia Joorabchian – he was very much a fall-back option and fall back is what Neto did on the one occasion we started him. It looked to be a risk to play him again and we didn\u2019t! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berta was faced with the back-up keeper conundrum. Can you get a goalkeeper willing to sit on the bench, especially behind one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but who would be able to deputise for the number one for a long period if necessary, without a significant drop off in standard? He solved this seemingly effortlessly with the signing of Kepa. Experienced Premier League keeper – tick, International experience – tick, Champions League experience – tick, suitable age – tick and sensible price – tick . This last element is particularly important. Joan Garcia was going to cost \u00a325 million if we bought him in 2024. Kepa had a release clause in his contract of \u00a35 million. He is also very good with his feet and appears to be able to work very impressively with Raya based on training videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessment so far<\/em>:<\/strong> Kepa has played one game, had a shut out and looks an ideal understudy. 7\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cristhian Mosquera – Centre back <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed from Valencia for \u00a317 million <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cristhian Mosquera was a player I had never heard of before we began negotiations for him. He seemed very keen to join Arsenal, notwithstanding the fact that we have possibly the best defence in Europe, and he came with a very good reputation in Spain. As luck would have it, he got early first-team experience when Saliba was injured early on at Anfield. We held our breath but he was faultless and one slight mistake against Newcastle apart, he has made a terrific start . He is poised, distributes well and seems able to play on the right and the left in a centre back role. He looks a superb capture and his price already looks a steal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessment so far<\/em>:<\/strong> We have unearthed another top defender with the quality and aggression to play regularly in the Premier League if necessary. 7.5\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piero Hincapie- Left back and centre back <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed from Bayer Leverkusen on loan with an option to buy – price \u00a345 million?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This signing was something of a surprise. I at least knew of Hincapie, who had the reputation of  being one of the best young defenders in Europe. He had been part of the all conquering Bayer Leverkusen team that carried all before them in 2024 and has a host of caps for Ecuador. We wondered why we needed another left back, albeit one who has a great ability to overlap spectacularly and we have yet to find out what the fuss is about. My enquiries of German friends are encouraging. He was rated an incredible player by one Hamburg fan and another Bayern Munich-supporting friend thinks he was possibly the best defender in the Bundesliga. We await his first meaningful experience at Arsenal but suggestions are that he is a fine replacement for Kiwior and adds yet more depth to our defensive resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessment so far:<\/em><\/strong> Too early to tell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christian N\u00f8rgaard – Central midfielder <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed from Brentford for \u00a310 million <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This signing went very much under the radar, partly because it was another surprise and partly because N\u00f8rgaard is clearly likely to be a squad player. A good business contact and friend is a Brentford season- ticket holder and believes we have committed grand larceny having first signed Raya and now taken the club captain at the Bees, N\u00f8rgaard. He rates him very highly, saying he was very positively regarded by Brentford fans. Apparently he never goes missing, can play across midfield almost anywhere and is a very strong aerial threat. This move is a huge opportunity for him but as soon as he arrived he was injured in training and is only recently fit enough to play a part. His first start was against Port Vale but he is the sort of excellent professional that helps build real squad strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessment so far: <\/em><\/strong>Too early to tell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martin Zubimendi – Holding midfielder <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed from Real Sociedad for \u00a367 million <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 2024 Euros, England faced Spain in the final. It was the season in which Rodri dominated the Premier League and he threatened to do the same in the Final until he went down injured and was replaced at half-time by the Basque, Zubimendi. Most English fans sensed a real opportunity, only to see Zubi play extraordinarily well and together with Ruiz and his club colleague, Mikel Merino turn the game in Spain\u2019s favour. He was described as a holding midfielder but he put out fires all over the pitch, linked effortlessly with attack and defence and used the ball superbly. It looked likely that he would be nabbed by Liverpool but he decided at the last minute to reject that move. Edu and Jason Ayto leapt in and deserve great credit for negotiating the agreement to bring Zubimendi to Arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zubi is one of those players who is a delight to watch. He links play effortlessly, has great ability to spot and end danger and I read he is apparently the winner of more headed duels this season than Virgil Van Dijk! In our game against Nottingham Forest he scored a superb volley and then out-jumped the Forest defence to notch a second. In the recent game with West Ham he entered the fray halfway through the first half replacing \u00d8degaard and ran the game thereafter. He is a very high quality signing indeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessment so far:<\/em><\/strong> Martin Zubimendi is possibly one of our best signings for many years. 8.5\/10 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noni Madueke – Winger <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed from Chelsea for \u00a347.5 million plus add-ons <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of all our summer signings this one was possibly the most surprising and seemed to be concluded most rapidly. It was also the most controversial. Apparently angered by yet another signing from Chelsea, albeit one who is a current England international with experience in the Premier League and EreDivisie and who can play on either flank, a group of highly insensitive fans \u2018welcomed\u2019 Noni with a petition imploring the club not to sign him! Fortunately, Andrea Berta is not deflected by idiots and having brought Noni to the club, we were able to enjoy his ability to take on full backs on either side, cross to great effect and although he wasn\u2019t famed for working back at Chelsea, his work rate with us has been admirable. He has also starred for England where he is putting pressure on Bukayo Saka for his place! Sadly, in the Forest match he injured his knee and looks likely to be out for a number of weeks which has interrupted some very satisfactory progress. Having bemoaned the lack of a deputy for Saka, we now have an exciting alternative. Hopefully those creators of that stupid petition have repented their behaviour . <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessment so far:<\/em><\/strong> A very impressive beginning. Come back soon Noni! 7.5\/10 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eberechi Eze – Midfield player <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed from Crystal Palace for \u00a367.5 million <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seemed inconceivable that having apparently concluded a deal with the player, Arsenal cooled their interest in a man who played the major part in Palace\u2019s FA Cup victory. Worse than that, he seemed to be headed for Tottenham! Then Kai Havertz was injured and seemingly in a few hours Ornstein was reporting that we had concluded a deal for Eze, self confessed Gooner and a man who looked like the cat that got the cream when he was paraded to the crowd just after signing. I was delighted by this deal and believe it will be one of the main reasons why we will win the Premier League this season. He has begun to establish himself in the team, although his long- term role may be coming from the left or one of two number 10s as was the case against West Ham. He is a superb talent and a match winner <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessment so far:<\/em><\/strong> A good start but much more to come. 7.5\/10 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viktor Gy\u00f6keres – Striker <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed from Sporting Lisbon for \u00a357 million plus add-ons<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of all our signings Gy\u00f6keres is probably under  the most pressure, so desperately have we craved a striker. We were strongly linked with both Viktor Gy\u00f6keres and Benjamin Sesko but Berta exhibited a strong preference for Viktor and he showed a huge desire to play for us, a feature that all our summer signings had in common. His introduction has been mixed. He has shown encouraging signs, works extremely hard but is still a work in progress. But it is hard to find another striker who would represent better value and his physicality has definitely given us greater attacking impetus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessment so far: <\/em><\/strong>Some good moments, three goals but surely more to come. 7\/10 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arguments will rage about my comments and my suggested scores but I think they are fair. It is very early in the process of attempting to build a trophy-winning side but I\u2019m not alone in not only being thrilled by the introduction of so many great players but also the willingness of KSE to invest heavily in the squad. We raised very little by way of sales proving that it wasn\u2019t just Edu who couldn\u2019t raise large sums for our players! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a great time to be an Arsenal fan and we have begun our season well. Do you agree with my assessments and is there still work to be done? Hit the Drinks and let us hear your opinions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Andrea Berta, our very hard-working, and one must say effective, Director of Football spent a very busy summer improving our squad. During the recent game with Olympiacos it was very impressive to be able to point to a bench that contained the likes of Saka, Rice, Timber, Eze and child prodigy Max Dowman whose Mum […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[33,3,28],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12056"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12056"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12092,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12056\/revisions\/12092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}