Today, I’m handing over the keys to Mike McDonald. He’s going to keep you up to speed with the top talents from around Europe. Jump in and let me know your thoughts in the comments!
——————–
Where do Arsenal need an upgrade?
Are the upgrades already at the club?
Is it just the coach that needs upgrading?
Surely we need to sign someone in January and next summer, right?
We most likely do and of course we will in the summer as some will leave. Have a look at our options though and I’m thinking that perhaps for the first time in 15+ years we are ‘talent rich.’
Take a look at this…
GK: Leno | Martinez
Best collection of two keepers we’ve had in many years. One will get dissatisfied so a purchase will no doubt happen this summer.
RB: Bellerin | Maitlind-Niles | Chambers | Osei-Tutu
No obvious need to upgrade. Interestingly, many at the club see Osei-Tutu as having the highest ceiling.
LB: Tierney | Kolasinac | Medley
Have a feeling Tierney is gonna rock it. Is it fair to suggest that Kolasinac is about as good as you’ll get as a willing backup?
Medley must be the most athletic looking player in England. Needs a loan and may establish himself as a LB or CB. I’ve got a sneaky feeling he could be a fine CM.
CB: Holding | Saliba | Luiz | Chambers | Sokratis | Mavropanos | Mustafi | Medley
This is the debate…. there’s an argument that if Saliba hits the ground running and Holding is what we think he could be, then these two are a great pair. Supplemented by Luiz, Sokratis and Chambers then our options are rather good.
Totally depends on whether our first choice are ‘good enough,’ I’d say.
DM: Xhaka | Torreira | Guendouzi | Chambers | Luiz | Ceballos
Not all of these are true DM’s, right? True, but if you want your DM to be a playmaker rather than a destroyer then Guendouzi and Ceballos become options. I would’ve loved to see Chambers and/or Luiz used in the cup as DM’s to see if they can be options.
We all see Xhaka and most pine for Torreira.
CM: Guendouzi | Willock | Ceballos | Xhaka | Torreira | Maitland-Niles
Continuity players, creators, accelerators, destroyers and possession specialists. A good blend.
AM: Ceballos | Ozil | Willock | Nelson | Smith-Rowe
If we were to play 4-2-3-1 then there is plenty of talent as you see
LW/RW: Pepe | Saka | Nelson | Aubameyang | Martinelli | Smith-Rowe
Big stench of talent here too.
CF: Lacazette | Aubameyang | Martinelli | Nketiah | John-Jules | Balogun
Goals for the present and an exciting group offering goals for the future.
I look at this squad and I feel good.
Hope for the present and hope for the future.
I believe it rests on one word though….’if’.
If Holding continues on the trajectory he was on. If Saliba can play PL at 19 and ifhe’s as good as we hope. If we find/select the athleticism in midfield to destroy and play the athleticism to accelerate the play too.
If Saka, Martinelli, ESR and Nelson work out we don’t need a ‘Zaha’ too.
If Nketiah and/or Balogun continue the way they are then we may have saved ourselves £100M+
Pete has kindly given me the opportunity to write periodically about possible signings. So, my eyes go first to the centre of the park as I feel that the other areas might well become ‘wants’ and not ‘needs’ IF all the ‘ifs’ come to fruition.
I see a good balance of youth and experience EXCEPT in one area: midfield, specifically a DM.
We have almost all the pieces needed except two. Experience and height. I’ve thought for a while that these are the two reasons that Xhaka plays. The others are all young and/or inexperienced and don’t offer aerial help at set plays.
Below are some potential DM targets to consider
The perfect choice… Thomas Partey 26 (Atletico Madrid)
There aren’t many DM’s in world football that can destroy, create and accelerate the play. Partey can. Mid 20’s, CL experience but due to recent upsurge in form his club are trying to up his release clause.
Potential fee: £75M
Specialist destroyers….. Wilfred Ndidi 22 (Leicester)
When you have some of the best tackling and interception numbers in the PL two seasons in a row you can’t be ignored. If you think he’s not good enough because he plays for Leicester then consider that Idrissa Gueye (formerly of Everton) had similar numbers and is now being considered as the vital cog at PSG.
Potential fee: £45M
Denis Zakaria 23 (Moenchengladbach)
Xhaka’s mobile, powerful and athletic partner in the Swiss midfield. Young and cheaper.
Potential fee: £25M
Destroyer/Playmaker combo: William Carvalho 27 (Real Betis)
Remember the Arsenal rumours?
In his prime now but never played for a big European club. A fridge of a man who specializes in intercepting and adds supreme composure to dictate.
Potential fee: £40M
Danilo Perreira 28 (Porto)
Carvalho’s competition for the best Portuguese team in decades.
Very similar player but taller, added line breaking dribbling and aerial ability.
Potential fee: £40M
Almost perfect except….. Axel Witsel 30 (Dortmund) / Sergio Busquets 31 (Barca) and Javi Martinez 31 (Bayern)
These next three will no doubt be familiar to you but are all 30 plus and do not seem to be interested in leaving their clubs (who are all doing better than Arsenal).
If I was Sanhelli I’d inquire though.
All three can destroy and create. In fact they are next level so it’s fair to say that they can dominate a midfield. For those wondering if they can ‘do it in the PL at their age, I’d suggest that their class would say yes and their age isn’t far from two in a similar position at the European Champions in Henderson (29) and Milner (33).
Frenkie DeJong will soon limit Busquets minutes at Barca and Martinez has spent his entire Bayern career in and out of favour.
Other hope lies in Sanhelli’s ties to Barca and that all three of these guys may want to play in the PL.
Potential fee… never know how much aging brilliance costs. £30M/40/50M??
The trendy, modern, athletic, powerful and young.
Ibrahim Sangare 21 (Toulouse)
A frightening talent. Everything I’ve said on the tin and a 10 year player with huge potential resell value.
Legs that go on forever and a ‘Vieira-like’ ability to carry the ball.
Check out the video and you’ll find him hard to resist. Step back and you’ll wonder if he needs to play for Southampton first to see if he is as good as he looks.
Potential fee: £30M
Boubakary Soumare 20 (Lille)
Could be Sangare’s twin brother playing style-wise. Played at a higher level with Lille.
Potential fee: £30M
Play Torreira at DM and upgrade Xhaka and buy goals and assists….
Bruno Fernandes 25 (Sporting Lisbon)
Got buckets of goals and assists last season and drew close attention from Utd and City.
An all round natural footballer who senses opportunity. Similar potential to Ramsey.
Potential fee: £50M
Young and brilliant, Dominik Szoboszlai 18 (Red Bull Salzburg)
My favourite young player in Europe.
Remember that Dutchman that graced Highbury? He was a natural footballer. Made it look easy.
Szoboszlai is a CM/DM and he’s not Dennis but his ease reminds me of him. Joyful to watch him.
Needs to bulk up but that’s an easy fix.
Alternative plan:
I live in the US. I’ll find Stan and ask him for £200M for N’golo Kante 💪🏼
What would I do?
I’m of the belief that if we simply remove Xhaka we will improve 40% as the other current options are better.
I’d try both Luiz and Chambers at DM in cup games to see if the answer is found in-house and I’d use Torreira as first choice until he proves me otherwise.
I’d sell Xhaka (£35M) and put that towards a bid for Thomas Partey.
If he won’t come then I’d go for Axel Witsel.
I’d also buy Dominik Szoboszlai and loan him out to build his strength.
What would you do?
@mike_mmcdonald (give the lad a follow😉)
No the skysports pundits aren’t saying that Bamford.
They don’t think the goal should of been allowed.
Bamford when pepe was hauled down in the box against Bournemouth two weeks ago. It was clear as day penalty.
Var said no foul.
The ref doesn’t even look at the monitor.
That was a clear and obvious mistake.
TR7October 20, 2019 17:29:47
United goal should have been disallowed, no doubt.
—————————
You mean a tap of a boot on a shin guard is a reason players should go down in agony holding their ankle?
Whether a handball is deliberate is only one factor in whether it should be called a handball. This is why the new language has never been adequate. Mane made contact with the ball with his hand and making said contact with his hand was an advantage to him, i.e., it is the reason the ball settled as it did. Definite handball.
Samesong
It doesn’t matter. All of the ones on my broadcast are. Therefore it’s not “clear and obvious” no matter how many are saying they think it was a foul. As long as some are saying it’s “debatable,” then it’s not “clear and obvious”. QED.
I look forward to constructing a wager with all of the there-is-no-way-United-are-better-than-us lot above. Hilarious.
What’s the point of going to Var if they won’t overturn any refs Decisions.
They may as well use it for off side goals only.
The gegenpress is not sustainable, pool will get found out, not that United are great
You heard it here 1st!
Chitom
You can argue Origi tried to milk the foul as much as he could but the challenge was still a foul. It was intentional and deliberate, a foul all day long.
Pool started the season getting high scores that has reduced lately, it will get tougher
Telling you this for free!
The game isn’t even finished yet, you arrogant Yank.
If there is one glaring weakness in this Liverpool team, it is lack of a technical midfielder in their midfield. All the midfielders are workmen like, lot of graft but little guile.
VDV trying to get James out of contention or at least curb his fearsome speed. Not as effective as Ramos who is an assassin
Blandford
‘ All of the ones on my broadcast are.’
A Mexican, a Paraguayan and an American. It sounds like the start of a bad joke. Oh it is?
Liverpool look a little short of ideas today. Man Utd have a good defensive shape that is not helping their creativity.
Liverpool get a shot on target they score. there’s nothing about this United team that tells me that they are way better than Arsenal.
Chamberlain shooting hasn’t improved since he left arsenal.
Lol how did we get 70 million for him and iwobi.
Scousers lol.
Bam swallows!
Wipe that OGS sauce off your mouth. yuk!
Jingoistic,Nationalistic Troll
No, all of the commentators I’ve referred to are English, actually. But nice to see that you judge people — and dismiss people — based on their nationality.
That someone is “Mexican” seems to discredit him in your book. Lovely sentiment.
Scousers lol.
—————
Throw in Theo too!
Liverpool came into this game too relaxed. United have capitalised on the situation.
If they are English you’ve got the shit budget ones, there’s a reason they can’t get a gig here. They’re shite.
Let me guess Robbie mustoe, Shaka hisplop and Robbie Earle? Hahahahahahahahahaha
Look really bereft of ideas today Liverpool, as has been said is the one criticism you could level at them as a side that they do lack that top class baller in midfield to control the match and find that opening for them on a day when they’re not having it their own way.
Bamford as I said earlier Liverpool need one chance against this shit United team
Man U suck
Solsjer has disrupted the team taking out Rashford who at least runs back. They needed defensive minded person now ,not Martial
Danny,
Forgot about feeeeo!
Yes, we mugged them off good and then used the proceeds to buy another Gervinho.
Still laughing?
It’s unfortunate to still see people effectively writing off Pepe already.
United lucky to get away with a point really and that’s with a Liverpool off day. If that match went on for even another few mins Liverpool would have won it.
Least that’s shut Bamford up with the Ole noshing.
Rambo, pepe has plenty of time to come good,
Almost 100 million for iwobi, Theo and Chamberlain, who wasn’t good enough, yeah I’m still laughing.
Unfortunate for United and Solskjaer. Doesn’t change the fact that Solskjaer got everything right today, that he out-thought Klopp, and that United are the first team to give Liverpool real trouble this season.
Solskjaer is smart, and United are a better team than many here seem to realize.
Enjoy your Sunday, all.
Imagine if we wrote off bergkamp,pires and Henry after 7-8 games.
All three were slow starters.
Bamford
Give it a rest.
Lol Bamford you’re clueless if you don’t think that United were lucky to get away with a point in the end there, Pool all over them.
Out thought in what exactly ? United put in a lot of effort and that’s about it. There was nothing ‘genius’ about it. Absolutely embarrassing commentary.
Bamford,
Sheffield United, napoli, Leicester, Southampton, Chelsea and red bull Salzburg all came close against the bindippers.
And napoli beat them.
Utd are still average mate.
All arise to Sir BamfordTheBuffoon.
Lover of Solskjaer
Oh he loves a Wager
The premature Ejaculater
Samesong
“this shit United team”
Complete nonsense. This “shit United team” just gave the European champions the first genuine scare they’ve had all season, and they did so without Paul Pogba or a fully-fit Anthony Martial. Your take is a shallow and superficial one, one based on very little other than a poor run of results for United, a poor run that resulted from injuries, youth and a lack of depth, not their being “shit”.
I have other things to do with my day, but I look forward to continuing this discussion another time.
Cheers, all.
What’s funny is that Liverpool struggle at OT every season no matter who the United manager is but Bamford spins it down to Ole’s tactical masterclass, LOL.
Despite needing a goal that should have been ruled off to come away with a point.
I guess our point at united doesn’t look too bad now does it
‘not their being “shit”.’
They haven’t scored more than 1 goal in a match since the Chelsea match on the opening day of the season [11 matches in all comps]. They’ve fired blanks in 3 of their last 5 matches.
They absolutely are worse than we are no matter how much you spin the opposite.
Worst Liverpool performance since the CL Final and they didn’t lose either game.
Bamford
“Doesn’t change the fact that Solskjaer got everything right today, that he out-thought Klopp,”
He set up the team to deny liverpool’s full backs time and space , which in effect, you are saying that Emery got everything wrong when we played them by allowing their full backs to have the freedom of the pitch.
Missing their best player and playing shit away from home at Old Trafford a place they always struggle and still Liverpool maintain their unbeaten start, impressive even when they are unimpressive.
WE
“Despite needing a goal that should have been ruled off to come away with a point.”
United scored first, mate, and the only people who think their goal should have been “ruled off” are Liverpool fans and a couple of guys on Le Grove. You know who doesn’t think United’s goal should have been “ruled off”? The men who are actually paid to make this decision.
B10
No disrespect B10 but MU are a very average team.
Even with Pogba and Martial they are going to struggle.
There was no pressure on them today and Liverpool were way off the pace.
MU are no way near a top 4 team.
Pierre
I long ago said that Emery got it wrong in that match. I’m glad you see that Solskjaer got it absolutely right today, though, and he adopted a newfangled approach for his group, btw, in order to accomplish it.
Bamford
You defend your second team. They are shite. The united fans I know are fuming with the performances.
You should also of known that Klopp hasn’t won at old Trafford so today was always going to be a hard game.
Did you see united defense on liverpool’s goal lol laughable.
So yeah I maintain that united are shit regardless of the missing pogba and Martial.
Graham
Fair enough. I’ll add you to the list of guys who have it wrong and whose money I look forward to taking. I now just have to come up with an appropriate wager.
😉
VAR cocked up with Uniteds goal.
There was clear contact.
It was a foul.
No argument.
1-1 though was a fair result.
‘You know who doesn’t think United’s goal should have been “ruled off”? The men who are actually paid to make this decision.’
It was a clear as day foul on Origi you plum. Got the player and not the ball in the challenge, that’s a foul where I come from.
Yeah these infallible paid decision makers never get anything wrong, suppose you had the same take on Dele Alli’s handball yesterday too. No chance the officials ever get a decision wrong is there?
You have to admit that Manure’s defense looks more solid than us. Of course, there is no Salah today.
If United finish ahead of us I’ll never post on here again.
And if we finish above them, same goes for you Bamford. How’s that for a ‘wager’.
B10
Have it wrong with regards what exactly?
By the way “the men who are actually paid to make the decision” got it wrong, as they are consistently doing this season.
Just saying
You have to admit that Manure’s defense looks more solid than us. Of course, there is no Salah today.
There is a reason for that Arsenal tend to play a high line and the two centre backs arent really disciplined.
United score a goal then sit behind the ball
Arsenal score a goal and are loose at the back like a pack of skittles.
Most teams probably defend better than us in the premier.
B10
What were you looking at when Origi was clearly fouled?
Three diabolical decisions in 24 hrs.
Arsenal win tomorrow and we are back in the title race, im telling you this for free!
‘If United finish ahead of us I’ll never post on here again.And if we finish above them, same goes for you Bamford. How’s that for a ‘wager’.’
+ 1
P. S : I have no faith in Emery but surely he can’t be so bad to not get us finish above even United.
Hate to say it but spurs to beat pool.
You heard it here 1st!
The Premier League/ referees are not applying the laws of the game with regards VAR. Infact it is clear that common sense doesn’t come into their thought process in using this very simple piece of equipment. For some reason they’ve let it take over basic logic.
What are they doing for Christ sake?
P. S : I have no faith in Emery but surely he can’t be so bad to not get us finish above even United.
I would.also like to think that the players can achieve this rather than emery playing 11 different positions.
00:09
Hate to say it but spurs to beat pool.
You heard it here 1st!
What based on today’s game? Tottenham struggled to beat a team that hasn’t won a game this season but you think they are going to beat liverpool at Anfield.
Klopp wont allow his team to lose again spurs maybe draw as the worst result.
Ole’s a nice lad but fuck me he has no aura or air of authority about him at all, can’t imagine Pogba having much time for him.
Anyone else think tielman and pulisic are quality?
Not a good ebening for Bamford tonight
Outed himself as a Manc loving
Everyone should earn the same
Downtrodden
Life is so unfair
Why am I not privileged
Whining knob
Pulisic will come good but I doubt that Dortmund are bothered either way, they have a much better [and younger] player in Jadon Sancho.
WE
Pulisic is serious quality in his own right.
WE
Well, I like the first part, but the second part makes no sense, as I’m the one taking the longer odds.
So try again.
LG
Sure but Sancho is different gravy, future Ballon D’or contender that lad. Alredy the best wideman in the Bundesliga at 19.
The central VAR control room at Stockley Park looks like Cape Canaveral.
Why do they need three guys in Tshirts with iPads reviewing a decision that a solid county referee could make in 10-15 seconds?
The analytical data is clouding their judgement.
I reallydon’t get it.
WE
I have something better. Give me a minute.
How are you taking longer odds? You’re crowing that United are better than we are so they ought to finish above us in the table if that’s the case?
Better teams don’t finish below inferior ones over 38 matches.
“Unfortunate for United”
Wtf are you on bigging up the mancs on an Arsenal blog ? Dumb comment.
WE
Ummm, right, but they’re 5 points below us in the table at the moment. 8 points if we win tomorrow. So I would be betting on a horse that is 5-8 strides behind the other at this point in the race. I would be taking the longer odds, even if I think the one horse is a little faster than the other.
UT
I’m not “bigging up” anyone. I just think they were unlucky not to win today. People say this kind of thing about other teams all of the time on here. It’s a nothing comment.
I thought the result was fair in the end, both teams didn’t do enough to win the game.
I can hardly remember both keepers being very busy today.
Graham
“Have it wrong with regards to what exactly?”
United being very average and not top four quality. I don’t think they’re great, and they have already obviously had their struggles, but they have quality players and a quality manager and they can definitely contend for top four, especially if they keep key players healthy.
Surely it should be better that the people making the VAR decisions should be independent of the refs .
What we have now, is refs in the VAR studios who will back the ref on the pitch despite it being obvious that a decision should be overturned.
I get the impression that the PMGOL is afraid of losing it’s power, but all they are doing is making football look a laughing stock.
Put totally independent experts in the VAR studio who are not afraid of upsetting the status quo.and then we may get some honest decisions.
Graham Question: if it was so “clearly” a foul, why did Lee Dixon say it was “debatable” that it was a foul? Why did Robbie Earle say it was “debatable” that it was a foul? Why did the VAR officials not overturn it? I’ll tell you why: because it is questionable whether it was a foul. Yes there was contact, but contact is not the only criteria; how much contact matters as well, and to my and others’ eyes, Origi might have been exaggerating how much contact there was there. Bottom line is it was debatable — clearly, otherwise everyone… Read more »
Bamford
Who would you rather have manage Arsenal at this present time , Emery or OGS
WE I think there’s a decent chance United finish above us in the table — even if we are 8 points ahead of them after tomorrow night — but I wouldn’t be comfortable making a wager straight up, even odds. That makes no sense, for a variety of reasons. I mean, I think they’re better, but how much better? Hard to say. Also, I might just mean that they play better football; whether they’ll get better results is a whole other thing. I also have no interest in wagering a lifetime away from Le Grove as I like commenting here.… Read more »
The problem for Man Utd is they can get better results when they are not seen as clear favourites for a match. This is still because Ole likes the old ten men behind the ball and hit on counters just like he did when he first joined in that initial unbeaten run. The problem of course is that there are so many games where they can’t play the underdog role and play so limited and have to be seen as the protaganists being Manchester United and this is where they can and will continue to slip. I saw that Lindelof… Read more »
No Bamford dont backtrack you said United are better than Arsenal period. Bamford10October 20, 2019 16:51:53 United are way better than we are. Results notwithstanding, I have no idea how people don’t see this. This is what you said. And now you say this think they’re better, but how much better? Hard to say. Also, I might just mean that they play better football; whether they’ll get better results is a whole other thing. Not even trying but your first statement that united are WAY better us. Had United have one today you would of probable started beating your chest… Read more »
a match.This is still because Ole likes the old ten men behind the ball and hit on counters just like he did when he first joined in that initial unbeaten run.
Ishola OGS only got one style of play. That goal was a typical counter from let’s just say for now a misplaced pass in midfield.
Pierre That’s an interesting question. I think Solskjaer has a better tactical mind, more tactical nous, more vision than Emery, but I think Emery is probably the better manager for Arsenal at the moment. Given the players we have at the moment and given where we are as a club, we need a practical and demanding manager who is focused on (and who can get) results. I think that’s more Emery than Solskjaer. So I guess what I’m saying is: I think Solskjaer might be the better manager, but I think Emery is the better manager for Arsenal at the… Read more »
Man United were clearly sitting on their 1-0 lead from the first half for most of the remainder of the match.
If this was only done against the better teams in the league then fair enough but this mindset overall is not the way of a top side overall and they get confused and unhinged when they have to be seen to take the game to teams of lesser quality and pedigree in the league.
This is because personnel wise they are still some way from being seen as a top side.
Samesong Yeah, you’re being way too simplistic, and you’re trying to oversimplify what I was saying in that moment. I do think they’re better than us, but when I wrote the above I was thinking far more about the football they play than whether they’re better than us in terms of getting results. That’s a more complicated question and thus far they’ve had issues getting results. So, sorry, but no. You don’t get to reduce something I’ve said to something I didn’t necessarily mean. Yes, I think they’re better than us. Yes, I think they play better football than we… Read more »
I thought that going to Old Trafford and beating this ‘shite/absolutely horrible’ ManUnited team is routine…or does that only apply to Arsenal?
Bamford
Why does it everything have to complicated though?
You write something but you meant something else.
Why dont you wait for you brain to catch up.with what you meant first before you write it.
Your initial statement clarifies this.
Football was made a simple game I dont know why people like you are trying to make it complicated.
I would say United are no better or worse than us at this stage. Only thing is better league placing obviously.
That is a way better answer then all this waffle you often produce.
Danialtos
“I thought that going to Old Trafford and beating this ‘shite/absolutely horrible’ ManUnited team is routine…or does that only apply to Arsenal?”
Funny that but I remember on here before that Man United away match 90% of the posters said they couldn’t see Arsenal winning there.
Man United may be pretty average overall but folks know they don’t roll over for anyone at Old Trafford and certainly not Liverpool in what is the biggest rivalry in English football.
Congrats to Andy Murray for winning his first title since hip surgery.
A massive achievement.
I can tell you now, MU will struggle against Norwich at Carrow Road next week.
Funny that but I remember on here before that Man United away match 90% of the posters said they couldn’t see Arsenal winning there.
I defintely weren’t in that 90% United at home I agree are fort Knox.
Can anyone say apart from that European game where the youngsters played and got that victory that we will see one those Arsenal displays that will wow us for a whole 90 mins?
Win tomorrow and we’re up to third. It would close the gap between us and City to a single point. We’d leapfrog Chelsea & create 6 & 8 point gaps between Spurs & United respectively.
Monday, 20:04:
4’ Goal. Sheffield United 1-0 Arsenal. Norwood (penalty).
I saw this on Twitter and thought it was hilarious…but then I thought….this is Arsenal….so who will give away the penalty?
Ishola
That’s not quite right. Because that loud 90% actually wanted it both ways. On one hand they were of the view that United are “shit” and that we should win. On the other hand they were/are of the view that Emery is “shit” and that we would therefore not get a result.
They took the 1-1 draw to be a confirmation of their views, which in its own nonsensical way makes perfect sense.
Bumford trying his best to topple #Neymargate with another bout of his customary premature ejaculation.
One thing I discovered today. The Pool’s Joël Matip is as bad as Xhaka. Auba should have a field day against him.
What the absolute fuck have I trawled through on here today 😂😂😂
“Hilarious. Some of you continue to misunderstand United”
“Solskjaer looking very smart at the moment.”
Guy spends his spare time denouncing Wenger as a manager, takes a breath, then blows a forest fire worth of smoke up OGS’ arse…
#Unitedgate it is then.