A final scouting blog of the decade from the unstoppable Mike McDonald. Follow him @mike_mmcdonald
Who could replace Laca/Auba?
Pete asked me to start writing these transfer blogs a few months ago.
I thought I’d have the privilege of writing maybe two as at that time it looked like we needed a DM and a CB or two.
A DM, CB, RB, LB and CM blog later it looks like Arsenal could be selling the whole squad, so happily I get to continue writing!
So, why a striker blog?
Got a feeling that Lacazette could be off to raise money for our club who aren’t flush with it. Most would choose a DM, a CB or two and a CM as a priority.
Aubameyang could be off too due to his age/contract demands, wanting to give ‘a Real Madrid’ a shot and quite honestly, I think his relationship with Lacazette dramatically affects his mood and maybe the #1 reason why both play together (too often).
At this point a decision has to be made about Nketiah and Martinelli in particular. No doubt John-Jules and Balogun want to see a pathway too.
If the decision is to promote one of them to replace Auba/Laca or both (unlikely), then perhaps we buy a winger (a blog for another day).
Before you read the striker profiles there are possibilities in players that you already know.
Barcelona are considering replacing Luis Suarez with Lautaro Martinez. If that happens then I see Suarez going to Inter Miami as Beckham’s star player. Either way, don’t rule out Luis Suarez.
Is Gabriel Jesus finally going to give up trying to become first-team regular?
Looks like Edinson Cavani, who is out of favour at PSG, is off to A.Madrid. Shame. Could be a superhero at Arsenal.
Thomas Muller is more of an AM, but I’ve always wondered if he’d be a top CF. Has all the qualities.
Finally, if Auba or Laca leave in January there is a certain Frenchman down at Chelsea who is trying to get out at Chelsea to secure his Euro’s spot. Giroud on loan?
Here are 8 to consider:
The obvious choice
Name: Moussa Dembele
Position: CF
Age: 23
Height: 6ft
Club: Lyon
Nationality: France U-23
Potential fee: £50M
https://youtu.be/S5iz5f7x8FI
About: Somewhat of a Lacazette clone except less clumsy, more comfortable with the ball and quicker.
I think Lacazette is an 7/10 striker. I think Dembele is an 8/10.
Taller and better in the air as well. Dembele has done his apprenticeship at Fulham (did they have two Moussa Dembele’s at the same time?) then Celtic then onto Lyon so Arsenal seems like a logical step.
May rule himself out of a move to a team trying to press from the front if he can’t demonstrate a keener willingness off the ball, however.
There is just something so logical about Dembele replacing Lacazette though.
Others in this category…. Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Andrea Belotti (Torino)
The beast type
Name: Duvan Zapata
Position: CF
Age: 28
Height: 6ft 1
Club: Atalanta (on loan from Sampdoria)
Nationality: Colombia
Potential fee: 40M
https://youtu.be/ZUmP4fptSuo
About: If Duvan Zapata was 23 he’d be one of the hottest, most expensive prospects in Europe.
It’s not easy to score lots of goals in Serie A and Zapata can’t stop.
The Colombian is hard to handle.
Arguably his best quality is his determination in the box. He comes alive. Most strikers want to score but don’t feel like they have to score. Most centre backs play like they have to clear the ball.
Zapata has a centre backs mentality. You get the impression that he feels like he hasto score.
Would also offer Arsenal the physical option that’s needed especially when playing out of the back becomes too risky.
Currently recovering from an abductor strain.
Others in this category…. Hulk (Shanghai SIPG), Milik (Napoli)
The Henry conversion
Name: Rafael Leao
Position: LF but….
Age: 20
Height: 6ft2
Club: AC Milan
Nationality: Portuguese
Potential fee: £35M
About: AC Milan are again in a financial mess. Gazidis.
Remember how we snaffled Vieira, Bergkamp and Henry from Serie A?
All were struggling.
We converted Henry from LW to CF.
I’m not saying Leao is as good. I am saying that he has HUGE potential.
Like Henry, he is an athletic specimen like few others. An inverted winger. Quick, fast and skilful and currently plays with his right foot on the left-wing. Much like Martinelli, he looks like he should be a CF. Similar lightning acceleration.
I’ve also been wondering if we need to find a friend for Pepe to get the best out of Pepe. Leao and Pepe had an excellent partnership at Lille.
Others in this category…. Sane (City), Rebic (AC Milan), Traore (Wolves), Hee Chang Hwan (Salzburg)
The hidden superstar
Name: Josef Martinez
Position: CF
Age: 27
Height: 5ft 7
Club: Atlanta Utd
Nationality: Venezuela
Potential fee: 35M
About: I’m not sure if I’d go for JM as a first choice as that is a big gamble.
I will say this though… I’d definitely get him as a back up at CF for Arsenal. A Lacazette replacement. Definitely.
Before you discount the fact that he is an MLS player understand that the standard is better than you may think. In a league where Zlatan had his way, Josef Martinez scored 31 to Zlatan’s 32.
A diminutive dynamo. Quick, beautiful feet, elusive movement and ice cool in front of goal.
For his height he is extremely good in the air.
Martinez would not be intimidated by playing in front of big, noisy, passionate fans either. I’ve been to see Atl. Utd three times in their world class 70,000 maxed out modern Mercedes-Benz stadium.
If it helps, his stature and style is most similar to Sergio Aguero and Lautaro Martinez.
If you are going to watch only one of these videos, watch this one.
Others in this category…. Jan Fiete-Arp (Bayern Munich), Odsonne Edouard (Celtic), Myron Boadu (AZ Alkmaar, Gian-Luca Waldschmidt (Freiburg)
The rumour
Name: Kevin Volland
Position: Flexible forward
Age: 27
Height: 5ft 10
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Nationality: Germany
Potential fee: 22M
About: It makes good sense that Arsenal have been linked to Kevin Volland. A versatile forward who has player all across the front line and seems to be equally comfortable in all three areas. A modern day pressing trigger with a fine left foot. A barrel-chested, strong and quick striker. Been in and out of the German squad.
Others in this category…. Dries Mertens (Napoli), Donyell Malen (PSV, former Arsenal)
The available ones
Name: Krystof Piatek
Position: CF
Age: 24
Height: 6ft
Club: AC Milan
Nationality: Poland
Potential fee: 30M or possible loan
https://youtu.be/55Wnm_WivDk
About: A risk as he’s gone off form this season but last season he was one of the fire strikers in Europe. The perfect build for a CF.
I see a very possible short term loan situation as Ibrahimovic waltzes in the door at AC Milan.
Piatek, if he worked out, could really add to Arsenal. His willingness to come on loan (he’s a Gooner) would add to his desire, but it’s his aerial ability and his age that is most appealing. Arsenal have almost zero aerial threat unless Martinelli is in the box and sure need help at defending set-plays too, as we tend to only have 3 on the field that are able to help. His age (24) is perfect for the upside of resale and years of service.
Piatek is a little of everything.
Two footed, fantastic deceptive Van Persiesque movement coupled with willing and able link play.
He will be highly motivated to play these last three months or he will sit the bench at the Euro’s and watch Lewandowski and/or Milik.
Only risk I see is recovering his form.
Name: Paco Alcacer
Position: CF
Age: 26
Height: 5ft 9
Club: Dortmund
Nationality: Spain
Potential fee: 20M
About: Paco Alcacer wasn’t on my list to profile. He was in the short list below. I then saw that Haland has signed for Dortmund and looked at who was going to be expendable. Reus has always seemed like an Arsenal player but he’s club captain and at a better team. By the time you read this, Alcacer could be on his way to A. Madrid. That’s fine. We can have Cavani 🙂
Alcacer has had a weird career of late. Made choices that others looking on knew would see him be an impact sub and little more. The thing is though, he is one of the best in Europe at this role. Who doesn’t want that type in your squad?
A hungry, energetic, diminutive striker who is as clinical as the best (goals per minutes played). Quick and capable of scoring from anywhere including set plays. A club that trusts him could get a treat as I don’t think he’s been trusted at Barca and BD and he’s probably hungry. A potential bargain too.
Name: Luka Jovic
Position: CF
Age: 22
Height: 5ft 11
Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Serbian
Potential fee: £35M or possible loan
About: In short, the right-footed version of Piatek. On fire last season in a highly successful front line at Frankfurt but was tempted by Real and took the chance when most saw his chances as limited. Capable and proven at scoring with both feet as well as aerially. High-level acceleration too. Nightmare for defenders as he adds pressing as a weapon to aggravate.
Most interesting part of his game is when watching him attack crosses. Most CF’s hit the six yard box. Jovic has a tendency to delay his runs and attack the space between the defensive lines.
Again, like Piatek, a short term loan leading to a possible transfer could prove to be valuable acquisition for Arsenal. Real Madrid are the least shy club in world football at buying the in vogue player, sitting him on the bench after losing patience after 3 minutes, selling and doing the same again. Clubs like Arsenal can benefit from their impatience.
Others in this category….Kevin Gameiro (Sevilla), Junior Morares (Shaktar Donetsk), Mariano Diaz (Real Madrid), Angel Correa (A. Madrid)
My choice:
I’m less concerned than others at PEA dropping off physically in his 30’s. He’s rapid and not slowing down it seems and he’s already 30. I’d offer him another contract.
I’d sell Lacazette to raise money to buy N’didi.
If Auba leaves, I’d initially go for Edinson Cavani. Been a goal scoring machine everywhere.
I think we’ve missed out on him so I’d go for Adama Traore and convert him to a striker. Frightening player.
If both leave I’d sign Josef Martinez too.
It was hard to ignore Rafael Leao as he is going to the top. He will end up at Wolves with the rest of the Portugal national team.
Arsenal will go for…
I think the first round of big money goes on a CB and a midfielder, so I think if Lacazette leaves in January, Arsenal will go for Arsenal fan, Kysysztof Piatek, on loan from AC Milan who will be surplus to the ego of Zlatan.
I just don’t think it’s smart to sell Aubameyang as we’d be in the relegation zone without his goals and I feel sure Arsenal feel the same way.
In the summer I see Arteta wanting the type of forward that City had so I see Arsenal trying to tempt Gabriel Jesus.
Check out my review blog ‘Positives, Needs and Hopes’ @mike_mmcdonald after every Arsenal game!
Tell me who YOU would sign in the comments.
DM
Happy last post of 2019
3
Tr4phy
Dembele is a very serious Chelsea target.
But thanks for trying.
Wish you a very saucy new year.
“If Auba leaves, I’d initially go for Edinson Cavani.”
We can’t afford to pay his wages.
But again, thanks for trying.
Mike
I haven’t read the post yet – I will but before I do I just want to make clear that if you fucking recommend Ashley Young as an option (again) I will burn your house down!
Right off to read the post now.
I think Martinelli is the replacement. From within, very young and raw. But the way Arteta likes his teams to play, I think he will trust him enough at front. Pace and very athletic. He would thrive.
It’s midfield and defence we need to focus on moving forward.
If we can replicate the compact, defending as a unit for 90mins like we did against Chelsea, over 90mins. Being good in possession without it. I’d take them and 1-0 wins for the remainder of the season….
Cavani is almost constantly injured lately, plus his present contract runs out in 5 months.
But again, thanks for trying…
As a French guy watching Ligue 1 every week-end, I do wonder on what planet Moussa Dembele is a better player/striker than Lacazette.
Mr Grimandi i know your handwriting!
The writer forgot to include Benteke and jackson martinez, lol
“I think Martinelli is the replacement.“. You are right Pie, he is very raw and needs to learn how to be a finisher – he’s quite poor in this area at the moment. May as well bring back Eddie N. from Leeds, he cant be much worse than what they have now.
Feels like we’re always having to replace, rather than adding/strengthening.
Junior Morares is 32 so that’s a no. Pretty much a no on all them bar Dembele and Volland. Jovic is the stand out. Under no circumstances should Cavani be targeted. I’d throw in Jean Phillipe Mateta too. Only 22 and sure he’s been injured most of this season but 14 goals last season for Mainz suggests a really good prospect
I don’t have a lot of opinions about this, but we certainly need to hold on to Aubameyang until the end of the season. Is he the kind of #9 Arteta wants long-term? Hard to say, but I would think he’d want someone who has more to his game, so I can see us moving Aubameyang on in the summer. As for replacing him, I’m surprised the writer din’t mention Memphis Depay. Given his scoring record over the past two years and his attributes, I think it would make sense to look at him. Otherwise I like Martinelli as the… Read more »
If it were to happen then I would think Volland will be the player bought. Relatively cheap. Good work rate which is what I think Arsenal and Arteta are looking for right now. Also means a fluid front line and lots of interchanging with the equally diligently hard working Martinelli. The abbreviation up front would be MVP so that tells you everything you need to know tactically. Write that on the board in the changing room and really the rest sorts itself. If we managed to get £60-70 Million for Aubameyang, spend £20 Million of it on Volland and then… Read more »
* didn’t
Cesc
Granted I’ve only watched him on highlight videos, but I don’t see a lot of quickness or pace in Volland. I thought we had decided that this was a must-have for Arsenal players going forward?
Jarrod Bowen of Hull might be a slightly less than sexy bit of business.
Contract situation means he could be got for a relatively good deal as well.
Only just turned 23.
Bamford
He’s not slow.
Not Martinelli or Aubameyang pace but not slow.
Not being immobile is not the same thing as everyone must have great pace.
I would put my trust on Eddie and Martinelli, with Jules and Balogan waiting..
no Girud for me but I am sure Edu can come up with another brazilian gem..
Cesc
OK, but how does he compare pace-wise or game-wise to Lacazette? If Lacazette isn’t good enough, is Volland? Again, I don’t know the player well, but I’m just wondering if he will really be able to make a difference for us in today’s PL.
Duvan Zapata is the stand out on that list from an all-round POV, physical beast of a lone CF that can finish off of either foot and is a threat in the air.
Gettable too given Atalanta have Luis Muriel as another CF option, even Illicic can play there.
Don’t fancy Volland, Alcacer, Piatek or Martinez at all.
Leao has interesting attributes, still far too raw though.
Depay is a great shout.
One of the most improved player’s in Europe since his United stint. Capable of leading the line and brings goals, assists and spark to the frontline.
What has Nketiah done to deserve so many Arsenal fans trust?
One of those baffling head scratching ones.
For the two players that I have seen play, it is firm no from me. If people complains of Lacazette wastefulness, wait until Moussa dembele starts missing in action on a regular basis. If Lacazette is a 7 striker, Dembele is a 6 striker. The only advantage he has over Lacazette is his better use of body and strength having played in Scotland land of the free kickers. His shoot on sight policy worked at Celtic because they dominates games, but it look agricultural and not very efficient in the more refined confine of Ligue 1. Rafael Leao would not… Read more »
WE
I actually saw us linked with him somewhere on Twitter this morning. Could mean nothing, obviously, but I do think he is someone we should look at.
“If we managed to get £60-70 Million for Aubameyang“. Surely you are having a laugh, Cesc? PEA isn’t going to generate anywhere near that amount. Wishful thing at best and more likely 20 to 25 million is the number if someone is crazy enough to pay it. Auba scores goals but does little off the ball to warrant that amount and he is not as fast as many seem to believe. Remember, this is a guy who was run down by Vincent Kompany a couple of years back, the same Kompany whose knees were already shot. Auba is a one-dimensional… Read more »
Sokratis out with concussion tomorrow, so it has to be Mustafi + Luiz.
Memphis Delay did his ACL about 2 weeks ago. I think that he was out until next November.
So any talk of buying him is premature. Let’s wait how he come back before planning anything for him.
I’d totally be on board with £30-40 Million and Jovic for Aubameyang. Provided Lacazette was sold in January or the summer. Jovic and Martinelli is more than good enough for me. Still have cash from that deal to pursue a CDM/CM. It seems the club can afford a CB like Upamecano regardless of selling and it’s likely in the summer several of our CBs would be sold anyway which offsets any CB fee now. Lacazette being sold then allows us to pursue a CAM or a LM/LW player. We would finally start to approach a balanced and EPL fit squad… Read more »
My list would be:
Top end:
-Timo Werner
-Ciro Immobile
-Memphis Depay
-Lautaro Martinez
Young with high potential:
-Marcus Thuram
-Victor Osimhen
-Moussa Dembele
I’m surprised the writer din’t mention Memphis Depay
Torn ACL he’s out long term
“Depay is a great shout.”. Depay is not built for the EPL, WE. He will be a bust again and again.
If we got £20 fucking Million for Aubameyang we might as well shut up shop and turn the Emirates into a shopping centre or something.
Mike McDonald here. Thanks for all the thoughts. I realize that there is less ‘sexy’ in that list than it appears most of you want but let me give you a thought….. Bayern, Barca and Real M all have starting CF’s that if I profiled them I believe that you’d say were aging, past their best etc…, in Lewandowski, Suarez and Benzema. Two of these teams want Auba (who is probably past his peak) and so the optimum striker who is experienced, 25, smashing it in season after season is not available. Least of all for a team that is… Read more »
When others smell desperation they will lowball. Right now, Arsenal are desperate, Cesc. Lets be realistic, Arsenal have little room to bargain.
CA
The Aubameyang to Real Madrid link is the most boring and regurgitated rumour out there, they had no interest in him when he was a goal a game CF in his prime at age 28 available for a meagre sixty million and Benzema was playing like a pile of steaming trash and was unable to score in an underage brothel.
Why would they have any interest now two years later and that Benz is back and playing the best football of his career arguably, carrying the team offensively.
I don’t think people realize that if we end up getting a swap deal for Jovic it’s not going to be a swap and 30-40 million to us that’d be insane. It’s likely a straight swap or best case scenario 10-15 million. They spent big money on Jovic and he’s young while Auba is in his 30’s and has 18 months left.
I would also consider Eder Militao in a swap deal for Auba. Very good CB who Zidane barely plays and he can play RB.
WE, From your list I would say only Ciro Immobile is achievable and desirable. Timo Werner may win the Bundesliga with his club. Even if Arsenal were offering his release clause, I doubt his club or him would want to join Arsenal while Chelsea would offer more both on and off the pitch. Depay is out injured until November. Martinez is Barcelona bound, so unlikely to accept to join us. Dembele is a no on the basis of not being good enough. Marcus Thuram is not yet ready to lead the line at Arsenal. Victor Osimhen is another one too… Read more »
Should have sold Laca last summer and gone for Markus Thuram then, why didn’t the club listen to me, smh:)
Went to Monchengladbach for a measly 11m when his club got relegated and has a 4 year contract now so won’t be that cheap again.
Certainly has the pace, trickery and physique for the PL, oh well.
Ernest Disagree, he was a petulant brat at United with a massive ego partially stemming from everyone telling him since he youth days at PSV that he was the dog’s bollocks and Holland’s answer to Cristiano Ronaldo. He showed you the massive gulf of quality that the PL exposes to a talented player arriving from the Eredivisie without a desire to work hard and improve. The move to Lyon, far from France’s sexiest team or location humbled him and he worked hard to improve his game which has come on leaps and bounds. Went from a high volume selfish dribbling… Read more »
Why would they have any interest now two years later and that Benz is back and playing the best football of his career arguably, carrying the team offensively.
They’re still struggling with goals though but yeah I’m not sure if the interest is real. It’s in our interest that it is though because like I said I think trying for Jovic or Militao in a swap deal could be beneficial to us
WE
I like Werner and Immobile as shouts as well.
Marko
The struggle is in spite of Benzema though.
It’s their widemen letting them down, Hazard has been iffy by their outrageously high standards since the move and Rodrygo is the only semi-reliable goal source outside of Benz.
Vinicius is being heavily linked with a move away, he’s not kicking on at all under Zidane.
As great as their CM is, you’re never going to get much goals out of Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Valverde and Isco.
It’s why Zidane has such a hard-on for Paul Pogba.
Gareth Bale hasn’t scored a Real Madrid goal since the first of September.
And he has only scored in one match all season.
WengerEagle, that may be but i would stay clear of Depay, he’s still that same guy but a few years on. I still do not believe he is cut out for the EPL grind though.
Don’t enjoy Moussa Dembele’s style of play nor I’m convinced of his potential. Decent numbers.
Jovic is a sharpshooter, but not sure we dominate the game for him to make the difference.
Osimhen is a bigger Jamie Vardy, which I like. Not technically refined but superb pace and can finish. All of a sudden, a ball over the does relieve pressure.
I am fan of a Séb Haller as well. He’s got “good feet for a big man”. Showed up well in the xG/shot stat for Frankfurt. He’d help make the ball.”stick” in the final third and is an outlet
What I don’t understand is how we are getting ourselves in another mess with a player whose contract is running down. I could have sworn that Sanhelli said we’d sell a player with two years left on their contract if they weren’t willing to extend. If we don’t receive a good enough offer for PEA in January, he’ll only have a year left in the Summer window. I’m hoping a CL team will gamble on him to make a difference this season and come up with a chunk of change in January. I would sell Xhaka too and hopefully this… Read more »
Valentin
Thuram is an outstanding prospect though. Sure he’s not ready yet but we’re nowhere near being ready anytime soon are we? The whole MO is that we’re a work in progress going forward. Martinelli and Thuram would be an exciting duo and far more dynamic attribute-wise than Auba and Laca as a pairing.
The market for Auba is limited and he also comes with a hefty weekly paycheque. Arsenal cant move Ozil and it may be equally difficult to move Auba for anything of a decent return. Talk of Auba for money and a decent player in return? That, in my opinion is not going to happen. As with Lacazette, return on investment may be limited due to age and payroll restrictions.
Arsenal are in a bind of their own making and it will take time to rid themselves of foolish signings as we are fast finding out.
Dream
For leading a line, Haller is a better striker than Jovic.
Much more to his game even if Jovic is the more clinical finisher.
Wenger Eagle
Yep. I wanted Haller in and Lacazette out last summer. The type of player who could help us in away games. Also, a reference point that our other attackers can play off.
He would have been an excellent alternative to Aubameyang.or Abraham at Chelsea. Really good player.
Team of the decade time:
Neuer
Dani Alves Ramos Chiellini Marcelo
Modric Kroos
Iniesta
Messi Ronaldo
Suarez
Lewandowski and Kroos was a razor close decision, Kroos being the WC winning MVP edged him into the XI.
I could have sworn that Sanhelli said we’d sell a player with two years left on their contract if they weren’t willing to extend.
Isn’t that what we’re going to do
WengerE, no room for Mustafi?
There’s a kid in Valencia.
17 yo, Spanish Striker who is highly rated.
His name? Fernan Torres 😂😂😂😂
Dream
I haven’t paid much attention to Haller before, but I like what I see there.
Marko, I was under the impression that PEA will only have one year left by the summer, will it still be two?
Marko, I was under the impression that PEA will only have one year left by the summer, will it still be two?
Right you’re complaining about us not selling him last summer despite trying to get him to sign a new deal or that we’re about to sell him this month and not end up being in another Ramsey situation. I’m not sure what you’re moaning about he’s not on the verge of leaving for nothing. It’s just unfortunate that the season turned out the way it did cause he might have actually signed a new deal
“Club Insight” (@thesuccessorafc) just tweeted that Arteta is interested in Emi Buendía and Gerard Deulofeu. Take that for whatever you think it’s worth.
Personally, I think Lacazette is trying too hard, he needs to relax a bit more. When he first arrived at Arsenal he was a more calm and assured player but I’m afraid he has joined Emery’s headless chicken brigade. Arteta needs to have a word with him and tell him too chill out a little. He is technically a very good player who can be clinical in front of goal if he starts playing with his head instead of his heart. He has started to look a little rushed in front of goal . The best strikers are the one’s… Read more »
I’d love to see a blog post about who we are selling
I said yesterday Deulofeu was the one player in the EPL I would be most interested in. So great news if Arteta is interested in him.
As for strikers, I don’t think we really need any. Auba, Laca and Martinelli is a very good strike force. We need to bolster our central midfield and defense.
If there is a buyer for Aubameyang and are willing to pay a decent price , then I think we will sell him. I would rather spend the money on a couple of midfielders or a midfielder and a central defender . We need premier league experience in the middle and as I said before , fleck and Mooy would give us exactly what we need at this present time . Technically good, hard experienced footballers who when the going gets tough, will not wilt. Admittedly not fashionable but they would be affordable and would jump at the chance at… Read more »
Buendia and Deulofeu certainly would be interesting.
Guessing that is very much a case of players who’ve impressed Arteta when he’s been sat watching them take on City.
Not a bad thing.
Buendia has a good number of assists and a very good number of tackles per game for an attacking midfield player. Guess that is the attraction, technically able but a hard worker.
Interesting.
That would be a RM and LM purchase.
Buendia would be very interesting. Very hard working and tenacious. Looks to have taken very well to the premier league
Keep it simple buy Pucci you are all looking at overpriced talking horses, who maybe be able to hack the premier league. Get someone who knows it, has done it , and would score a bundle for us , without needing a bedding in period.
SIMPLE
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Deulofeu always looks like a player that causes panic in a defence.
Maybe his final ball let’s him down a little, but it would be a definite yes from me if we signed him.
If we sign players , they need to hit the ground running and Deulofeu fits the bill.
Deulofeu a thinking footballer makes Pepe
look poop.
Pierre
Surely we can do better than Aaron Mooy? Don’t know much about this Fleck fella but seen enough of Mooy to know we can do better…
I genuinely fear that we’ll struggle if we sell of Auba this winter, it’s not like the RVP scenario where you could see the goals from midfield, in this scenario, there are no goals from our midfield, sure our defenders have more goals than our badly assembled midfielders
Marko, you appear to be intentionally missing my point. Sanhelli stated that he wasn’t going to allow a player to run down his contract and with two years left a player would either extend or be sold. I’m not ‘moaning’ as you choose to describe it, I’m simply highlighting that it would appear we are losing potential transfer value in a player again. We pretty much all agree that net spend has real significance and one of the reasons why our squad is not good enough is that we haven’t been selling at the right time, letting players rundown their… Read more »
Moot fleck and Özil in midfield. Going places
Don’t think any of the strikers on that list excite me to be honest but
Zapata
Piatek maybe
Weber maybe
I definitely wouldn’t say no to Ciro Immobile…He’s at that age now and he’s absolutely tearing it up
If we’re talking about midfielders who are not big names but who might bring us more solidity, ball-winning, athleticism and PL experience in midfield, it wouldn’t hurt to look at Milivojević (28, Palace) and Højbjerg (23, Southampton). I’ve been impressed with both of these two when I’ve watched them.
Hojberg is another who’d not be a bad shout in midfield as i mentioned the other day, bags of stamina and more importantly, knows how to put in a tackle…
We have to be smart with our transfers from this point, no fancy names, no signing to please fans but signings made with the deficiencies of the squad in mind
Not keen on Deulofeu at all. He’s not that productive and he’s never truly kicked on and they’d likely demand a decent fee for him. Nah for me
Marko
” Mooy and fleck, in midfield, going places?”
Look at liverpool’s midfield
Milner,Henderson, wijnaldum, llalana , ox , fabinho .
One wouldn’t say that a team with that midfield are going places….would you?
Buendia could be a good PL ready Ozil upgrade, which I wouldn’t mind at all, as long as we also get a physically dominant CB and CM. That has to be top priority right now.
Deulofeu is just another eye candy player; good for TV highlights but not that productive. He’s molded like Ozil and Pepe .
We need players who are athletic, full of running and aren’t afraid to do grunt work when required.
Still unsure if Auba is leaving… is there an offer, or is this noise about smoking a club out?
Watching ars vs Chelsea match again and I have to say guen is a useless player
I realize we have other more pressing needs, but does anyone think it would make sense to recall Mkhitaryan from loan in January?
You see Chelsea’s academy players, man utd’s academy players and you just can’t but ask why our academy players ain’t putting in their counterpart’s performances
Pedro
Who are the candidates for his signature?
He’s 30/31, Arsenal need to wise up and back themselves to keep on trucking. The idea of signing Auba onto a 250k per week extension and calling it a win is madness.
60 mil in, two 30 mil talents added. Nurture the lot. There isn’t one player on the books, except Martinelli, that’s worth clinging onto. Get rid, turnover, been asking for that since Wenger left.
Gut the place and start from scratch with Arteta pulling the strings.
Bam, mhiki what?
Batistuta “Surely we can do better than Aaron Mooy? Don’t know much about this Fleck fella but seen enough of Mooy to know we can do better…” Fleck is the player I mostly rate but Mooy is underrated. I dont expect people to agree with me and yes there may be better more expensive players out there, but if we are looking for good ,hard , experienced and technically good players who would be affordable then these are the type of players I would be looking at. As I said ,look at the liverpool midfield, on paper they are nothing… Read more »
We just didn’t seize the moment, we had it to score more goals during the first half but we didn’t and we paid for it
Bamford
Mhkitaryan, another wasted talent under Emery.
We had Aubameyang, Lacazette, ozil and Mhkitaryan and Emery only started them once and that was in very good performance in the 1-1 draw v liverpool .
Big mistake …wasted talent as he would rather play Torreira as a no 10.
What I like about Arteta is that he is going with 4 offensive players and it has so far improved our defence, although creating chances is still an issue.
Mooy has always been a decent player. Not a bad shout there. He currently fits like a glove in that Brighton Midfield. He is a player that needs space to operate. Technically sound and got a little nastiness about him.
Who suggested bringing back Mhikitaryan? What’s wrong with some of you. Look forward not back
On top of that I would take Nevez from wolves only 22 also.
Champagne “There isn’t one player on the books, except Martinelli, that’s worth clinging onto … Gut the place and start from scratch, with Arteta pulling the strings.” Are you for real? You’ve been telling Le Grove for two years now that we have a top four quality squad, that Wenger left us in good shape, etc. Now you say there isn’t a single player, save Martinelli, who is even worth keeping? I’m sorry, but this is clearly and massively in contradiction to the line you’ve been promoting for the last two years, namely, that we have plenty of quality, that… Read more »
To be fair I’ve gotten into arguments with Charles about a squad overhaul and now he’s talking of gutting the squad. It’s not terribly consistent.
Marko
“It’s not terribly consistent.”
This is the understatement of the year.