The Emirates Talk

Just a die-hard Gunner sharing the love for Arsenal FC! and all things red & white

[Hassan @SomaliaNGooner1]

Good morning.

Very excited... that's all. Hope you're having a fantastic Tuesday.

I'll say, "Champions of England," and you reply, "Champions of England, that's what we are."

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@SomaliaNGooner1 Champions of England, that's what we are.

[Hassan @SomaliaNGooner1]

@FabrizioRomano This brother didn't even for once a tweet about Omar Artan, but he's here hyping a WC that's already shaping up to be a disaster waiting.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@SomaliaNGooner1 😭😭

[Hassan @SomaliaNGooner1]

It hurts me to say this, but in the world of Olise and Yamal, Saka is Madueke.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@SomaliaNGooner1 Him and Jesus truly transformed our lives.

[Hassan @SomaliaNGooner1]

Oleksandr Zinchenko.

“To be honest, when I had just arrived, the quality I saw... I realised on the pitch we have everything to achieve big things. I started to speak in the dressing room, saying: ‘Guys, forget top three or whatever, we need to think about the title.’ Some of them were laughing, but no one is laughing now, and all of us are dreaming.”

We truly appreciate your contribution to the project. Thank you sir, and the title won belongs to you as much as it belongs to the players who won it.

[Hassan @SomaliaNGooner1]

Benjamin White.

The most expensive defender in Arsenal's history at the time (and possibly still today), a price tag that immediately put a target on his back.

His transfer came after Arsenal had finished 8th, while Manchester United signed Varane for less. The media quickly painted Ben White as the poster boy of an erratic, overspending Arsenal rebuild. It became so toxic that people would stop him in the street and shout, *"£50 million? You're sh*t!"*

He formed an excellent CB partnership with Gabriel before later developing a formidable understanding with Saka at right-back.

His relentless work ethic, tactical intelligence, willingness to overlap, consistency, and commitment made him an indispensable part of a squad that regularly challenged for the Premier League title and returned to the Champions League.

And now, finally, a Premier League champion.

I love him.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@SomaliaNGooner1 What a story and what a turnaround.

[Hassan @SomaliaNGooner1]

In a different world...

There’s William Saliba, an 18yo signed for €30 million, one of the club’s most exciting defensive prospects. As part of the deal, he immediately returned to Saint-Étienne on loan, a move that proved invaluable for his development and helped him establish himself as a regular starter.

When he returned to Arsenal, however, he found himself under a new manager who had different plans. Despite the hype surrounding him, he was omitted from the squad entirely.

A six-month rescue loan to OGC Nice followed. Saliba wasted no time making an impression, winning the club’s Player of the Month award almost immediately and proving his quality despite Arteta’s reluctance to use him.

He came back stronger than ever, but after discussions with the club, he was once again deemed not ready. Without much hesitation, he joined Marseille for the 2021–22 season.

That proved to be the turning point. Saliba became one of Ligue 1’s most dominant defenders, winning the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and earning his first senior caps for France. He was going up against prime Kylian Mbappé.

After returning from his third loan spell, Saliba finally drew a line in the sand. He wasn't going anywhere. Arteta still wasn't fully convinced, and Saliba later revealed that when he arrived for pre-season, Arteta barely spoke to him during the first week. He had no idea where he stood.

Arteta himself admitted that he had serious concerns about potential "personal damage" and feared that any lingering resentment from Saliba or his representatives could negatively affect their relationship.

In the end, both men proved those fears unfounded. They built a strong working relationship, and it didn't take long for Saliba to cement himself as a key figure in Arteta’s side.

Once considered not ready. Now a Premier League champion.

I love him.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@SomaliaNGooner1 I think every fan out there agrees right now how most of the fans were wrong about him. World class defender.

[Hassan @SomaliaNGooner1]

Gabriel's first two seasons at Arsenal were incredibly difficult. He was getting cooked faster than instant ramen, and many people ignored the fact that the club was still in the early stages of a rebuild.

Arteta was constantly experimenting with different systems and partnerships. Depending on what Arteta wanted, Gabriel was a regular presence in either a back four or a back three, often playing alongside defenders with completely different profiles and qualities.

Every mistake was scrutinised, every misplaced pass mocked, the media questioned his ability, and some fans, led by NNT were actively campaigning to send him to Juventus.

It's important to remember that Arsenal simply weren't a good team at the time. Collectively, the starting XI was struggling, and the defence was made up of an ageing David Luiz, Rob Holding, and Pablo Marí players whose profiles didn't really fit the direction Arteta was trying to take.

Never take this man for granted. Nothing came easy for him. He had to work relentlessly to earn the respect he now commands in the football world.

I love him.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@Gideoomatic Newcastle and Liverpool got us here last summer.

[Hassan @SomaliaNGooner1]

I wanted to ask about your manager. Mine is holding the Premier League trophy with both hands.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@cagiago_ South Africa won't win anything.

We're prepared to hate watch you for whatever you've done for our fellow African brothers.

I don't want to see you go past the group stage.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@WorldCupMedia Morocco and Senegal.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@Asensii20 The main question is where will he play?

Stacking stars is what has cost Real Madrid in the past two seasons.

The lack of balance that resulted from it must be addressed before you add other stars.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@YashRMFC How did you even think of this🤔😂

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@RafaelH117 You're being negative.

It's up to the player and Atletico to decide.

[The Emirates Talk @TheEmiratesTalk]

@BodegaaCat Tonali and Rogers