As Shakespeare (sort of) wrote: "Some are born with a great nickname, some achieve a great nickname, and some have a great nickname thrust upon them"

Something a little different: How are women's teams funded? I assume there's little-to-no spending/investment regulations but just got me thinking after Chelsea were 'sold' and don't even seem to have a shirt sponsor (but is that so bad?!) and the big LCL investment.

#arsecastextra

Goodly morning,

What do you think are the 'KPI's' that Arteta should be judged against this season? I'm still unsure if last season was a coaching masterclass with all the key injuries we picked up, or derailed because of the manager's inflexibility burning players out.

Any word on a new contract for Agyemang pror to the loan or when her current deal runs out?

What is the actual rule on that? Can a keeper touch it more than once to save it?

Appreciated. I also go on vibes. But you have additional shape knowledge 😅

So is that a good deal or not? Teach me your knowledge. Seems ok?

Do you think negotiations with Sesko broke down because he wasn't prepared to get a dog?

I'm sort of feeling like i did about Tocchet. Wouldn't be my choice but also don't hate, hate it. He's a good player and we need more of those. Would free is up to turn a good winger + picks into a centre too. 3D chess and all that. Still wouldn't be my first choice though.

The science is simple*. Smaller pieces means greater surface area of the salad for your taste buds to come in contact with which equals more salad flavour!

*There might be some truth to this, but also probably not 😂

Not really a question but thanks for making the pod a regular thing this season. Can you give Tim an extra big thanks. For so long he's been basically my (and many others) go to outlet for Arsenal Women news and information, making it accessible to so many. And happy birthday to him too. Thanks!

Paid product placement if you ask me! 😂

Is it possible to hang a video in The Louvre?

I've never gone for half again! But maybe that's where I'm going wrong! 🤔

Guess that's why I'm not an agent. Well, one of a number of reasons 😂

True, I guess it still feels an odd negotiating tactic. 'Buy me and I'll show Madrid what they could have had and also give me an extra 50% pay too'. I get he hasn't failed, but he wants to go elsewhere to play more. That said I guess if you start there and end up at 250k it's a reasonable tactic.

Feels like there is a bit of a disconnect between Rodrygo wanting to move and also wanting a 50% pay rise? Not saying he shouldn't get one but that seems steep when a player wants to move from 'the biggest club in the world'?

*googling logit*

I don't doubt it!

How long has this been in the drafts ready to go? 🤔😂

I guess there's always the idea that it's one less (two less?) deal to make which frees up 'bandwidth' not having to negotiate the same and buy the replacement? Don't hate it, don't love it either.

What do you think of McCabe's performances recently? I feel like she's regularly been getting outpaced and beaten defensively in the second half of this season? Do you agree and, if so, why do you think it's happening?

Coots to Van as part of a trade might be a way to offset the long contract money issues...

I mean Ekitike has basically drawn a penis with his performance this season. Or at least the most penis-like chart. So that's all I really need to see...

It feels like we have a problem going slow to fast in build up generally though. We just get stuck going slow once we get into that groove.

Has Barnes had his shorts pinched?

Kolosov will likely be a paper move so he can play for the Phantoms in the playoffs. There's still Zamula (at the time of writing) and Fedorov too.

All sorted now cheers

@tim-stillman.bsky.social Hi Tim, I'm looking to get tickets for Arsenal W - Spurs game. Do you know if the whole stadium has been opened up for sale yet? I see a few days ago they said 35,000+ had been sold but I've waited in the past for more sections to go on sale. Don't want to miss out though

Are we the first team in history to be more committed to running back towards our own goal than running to get forward on the counter attack? #arsecastextra