Do we want the fridge or not? + Wolves keeper linked

Morning Saka fans.

I don’t usually start these blogs with a piece of advice, but here is my recommendation to you: If you have an elderly German Shepherd who is asleep across a doorway and you don’t want to disturb him, I strongly advise that you don’t stub your little toe as hard as it’s possible to stub a toe on the door-jamb. You can thank me later for this one.

There’s not a lot going on this morning, but every player’s social media and PR manager, Fabrizio Romano, is reporting that after agreeing personal terms with Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal want to get the deal done for the Italian international this week. Which, if the first part is accurate, makes sense – because why would you wait? It’s like if you need a fridge, and you go to buy a fridge, and agree terms with the purveyor of white goods in his store, then just hang around for weeks before paying him the money.

You need the fridge. The milk is going sour. Well, it would if the weather was warmer, like if you lived in a place that had an actual summer and not the abomination of a season we’re having in this part of the world.  Anyway, it seems as if we have our eye on this Italian refrigerator and should all go well he’ll arrive to maintain the temperature of our dairy products, and keep the beer chilled.

Elsewhere, David Ornstein reports that we have been in touch with Wolves about goalkeeper Dan Bentley.

🚨 Arsenal contact Wolves to express interest in signing Dan Bentley. 30yo goalkeeper identified by #AFC as back-up option – homegrown + great character. #WWFC would only sell if suitable bid lands so they can reinvest @TheAthleticFC after @reluctantnicko https://t.co/xZN3eUqtSp

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 7, 2024

This does make sense on a number of levels, not just because he’s yet another player who worked with goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana who seems determined to get a job for every single one of his boys at some point. If Aaron Ramsdale leaves – and it’s still quite unclear if where he might go – Arsenal need a number 2 goalkeeper. Also, with Karl Hein set to go out on loan next season, we’re a bit light in the goalkeeping department as it stands, so he could be a kind of experienced third choice if Ramsdale’s future isn’t sorted out.

That said, although the pathway for Ramsdale is uncertain, it seems very unlikely he won’t find a new club this summer, whether that’s a permanent or a loan move, so bringing in at least one keeper is a necessity in this transfer window. So, let’s see what happens here, but as I said, it does make sense – not least because ‘Daniel Bentley’ is the most back-up goalkeeper name of all time.

Here are the top 10 back-up goalkeeper names, as determined by me:

1 – Daniel Bentley
2 – Wesley Evans
3 – Chris Green
4 – Stuart Williams
5 – Paul Taylor
6 – Marmaduke Lanzarote
7 – Will Thompson
8 – John
9 – Ed Walker
10 – Richard Fridge

Right, there’s not much else happening this morning, so I’m going to leave it there and walk the dog. I mean, limp the dog … the toe etc etc. Not the old dog either, he can have a lie in, but the younger one. She needs to patrol the neighbourhood to make sure none of the local cats are getting ideas above their station.

Stand by for an Arsecast Extra a little later this morning. Keep an eye out for the call for questions on Twitter @gunnerblog and @arseblog on Twitter with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or if you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, leave your question in the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.

Pod should be out by lunchtime. For now, have a good one.