Arsenal are probably not going to extend our Dani Ceballos past his current loan deal, which makes you wonder if we’re going to use him in any sort of capacity over the next batch of games. Would it be wise to play him when you could give Joe Willock some games?
That’s the major talking point for me. Does Arteta think about next season, or does he get the job done with the best of what he has?
I suspect he’s going to go all out at 1) Finishing in the top 4 2) Winning a trophy
The thing that excites me a little is knowing that every player is going to want to fight. If you’re leaving, you want to show risk-averse clubs you are worth the cash. If you are staying, you’ll want to ingratiate yourself to the manager and make yourself a first-teamer in a squad of players that haven’t found a pattern with the new system.
I am genuinely thrilled about where this squad could go. I think there are big futures for the kids we have at the club at the moment. The hopes are high for ESR, they think he really could be something special. Martinelli, Saka and Saliba are all pretty big names already considering they are teenagers. We might get to see a run with Tierney, who has a dreamy delivery. Then there are the maybe crowd. Willock, Eddie, AMN (who found his way back into contention), and Matteo all have it in them to be big players. Then you have a whole batch of kids that are buried in the reserves that might have something special. Balogun, Greenwood, Medley and Smith
This is a good time to be an Arsenal fan. We have an exciting young coach, we have young kids that are ready to break, and the world is going to look very different for football… hopefully, we can find some stardust to add to the talent. This could shape our summer nicely, if young talent speak to Arteta, they’ll be sold… but if they see the actions of a club that gives youth the chance at a major club, they’ll be more likely to join.
If we get it right, we could be challenging for the title in 2-3 seasons. Get it wrong and it’s going to be miserable. Hopefully, the club is going to refocus on landing more of the Martinelli’s, versus some of the other bums we let in the backdoor because of special relationships.
Right, short post, see you in the comments! x
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2
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Tro4hy
Euro5a
“Arsenal are probably not going to extend our Dani Ceballos past his current loan deal” – good news. Another deal that didn’t exactly come to a fruition. I’d rather see one or more of the academy players given a chance in his place.
“I suspect he’s going to go all out at 1) Finishing in the top 4 2) Winning a trophy” – top 4 is a pipe dream at this point. We’re 8 points off pace (Chelsea), and I don’t see us gaining much ground. Maybe 6th place finish? As for the trophy – another FA Cup would be nice but again, don’t see it happening. Would rather Arteta uses remaining fixtures to figure out who to keep, and who to ship in the upcoming few months.
“Then there are the maybe crowd. Willock, Eddie, AMN (who found his way back into contention), and Matteo all have it in them to be big players.” – sorry but AMN doesn’t belong on this list. He’s had numerous chances and he blew them all.
“If we get it right, we could be challenging for the title in 2-3 seasons.” – put that sigaweed down, Pedro, and slowly walk away.
“Hopefully, the club is going to refocus on landing more of the Martinelli’s, versus some of the other bums we let in the backdoor because of special relationships.” – finally a comment that I can agree with. P.S. Thanks, Peds… and where the F is everyone?!
Upstate
You’re forgetting that as it stands City are banned from Europe next season so a CL place is there to be had at 5th place – 5 points away. It won’t be east but it’s doable.
Pedro
Nice piece.
I think Arteta’s got to go for it. CL football and the money that comes with it will have an even bigger effect this summer than normal.
An FA Cup win would just set us up nicely for next season.
And oh yeah – every day is a good day to be a Gooner. Our darkest day is still a million times better than being a Spud on their best day.
Terraloon
From previous post.
So what do they do – take the trophy back from PSG to then give it back to them in a few weeks?
All seems a bit daft.
” and where the F is everyone?!”
They’re still on the last posts comment section – Pedro that’s what happens when you get lazy and don’t post enough!!!
I think top 5 is a possibility. All the teams above us have tough fixtures and players who are already thinking about their next club. There is a possibility that Chelsea’s youngsters will become disillusioned with the fact that after getting the side into the champions league places the club are buying more new players, Spurs players realising that even after the whole world has changed, they are still in fact Spurs players and Manure will have Pogba back meaning it’s all going to go to shit for them.
kitt
The Spud’s have Mourinho being a cock, City can’t win the league and are currently banned from Europe so nothing to play for (KDB has already made noises about leaving), OGS is all over the place and the Scouser’s would have won the league by the time we play them.
Like I said it won’t be easy but chasing down ManU and 12 points wasn’t easy in 97/98.
COME ON ARSENAL!!!!
Marc,
I feel our young’uns will come out all guns blazing. They know that with the way our finances are currently there is going to be some older pros getting sold this summer. They’ve got a 13 game (hopefully) window to show Arteta that they deserve to be in the first team every week.
kitt
It’s not just the young guns who have something to prove – as Pedro says older heads – possibly Luiz, Auba if he wants out has to show that they’re worth splashing some very limited cash on.
Good question but surely he has to go for it. It’s a free hit – get it right and we might sneak CL, get it wrong, it’s a new project, roll on next season. Will be disappointed if Ceballos leaves. Don’t think we’ve quite seen the best of him. He’s one of those players that brings fluidity to our side, a bit like Pires providing the ‘oil’ (wasn’t it Pires that Wenger referred to in this sense?). Good to see you mention ESR also – just love the way this guy moves and plays the ball, has always looked at… Read more »
There is only 6 clubs who could afford Aubameyang’s fee of £35 millions and his wage: ManCity, ManUtd, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Juventus. ManCity, Juventus have already made clear that they are not interested. Chelsea just bought Timo Werner, extended Giroud by a year and have Tammy Abraham so very unlikely. Arsenal is not going to sell to ManUtd. And would he go there and compete with Sanchez, Martial, Rashford for a place in the Europa League? PSG are now thinking of extending Cavani for 1 year as backup for Icardi as Cavani is willing to take a massive… Read more »
While Ceballos is still at the club why not use him
Willock could still be given some time
Why make it a case of one or the other
I think its time to reboot the whole club. Id keep auba and luiz (if they want to stay and are committed to the cause) and sell/give away
Ozil
Xhaka
Mustafi
Elneny
Mhikki
Laca
Sokratis
Try and blood as much youth between now and the seasons end using the 5 subs to our advantage and depending on how our league position and european chances are.
I believe that willock is the future
Teach him well and let him lead the way
Marc
I did indeed forgot about City’s ban. But do you actually think it’s gonna be upheld?
I read somewhere probably the Athletic last year that Auba stands to collect a 15 million loyalty bonus at the end of his contract make what you will of it
Valentin
That’s the thing I’ve already commented on about Auba – everyone can scream sell him all they want but if no one’s buying and he’s not agitating for a move, happy to see out his contract there’s not much anyone can so.
Upstate
My gut feeling is the ban will be reduced to one year. City are seen to be punished appeasing other clubs, UEFA are seen to be applying their rules and City get off lightly.
If we can grab that 5th place it’ll give us a leg up to close the gap for next season.
Buck
So he’s on £200k per week – £10.4 million a year over 3 and a half years = £36.4 million and then he’s going to add £15 million to that?
And before anyone (you know who you are!) blames Sanllehi Auba was signed before he joined the club.
Valentin
Two teams are still on the running for him. Barcelona and Inter Milan. It all depends on Lautaro Martinez’s transfer to Barcelona. If they succeed and get him, Inter will need a New hitman and they will go for Aubameyang. If not Barcelona need a top class striker for an affordable price and They will go for Aubameyang. If he doesn’t go to these clubs then he will run down his contract with us next season unless we will sell cheaply and I don’t see us doing that.
Habesha, Barcelona are broke. They can’t afford Lautaro’s fee. They are still trying to find a way to pay for Griezman’s transfer. They are so broke then can’t even afford Aubameyang’s wage. And he is not moving to Barcelona to earn less than half of what he is currently on. Next summer when On a Bosman he can pocket some signing-on inducement to compensate his lower wage but not this summer. Plus if he move to Barcelona, unless they sell Suarez he would not get a game. It would be a game of musical chair to sit in the bench… Read more »
I predict auba stays
Mikki and el neny must be sold
Id rather we sell Laca to Atletico . Buy Partey from them. Partey and Torreria is a good CM . We’ll need a good CAM ,ESR is just too raw for me.
Out:
El-Neny
Xhaka
Ozil
Lacazette
Mikhitareyan
Sokratis
Chambers
Mustafi
In:
Upamecano
Partey
Saliba
Keep Ceballos
Starting Lineup 2020-21 season
Leno
Tierney
Bellerin
Dayot
Saliba
Partey
Guendouzi
Ceballos
Saka
Auba
Pepe
And then I woke up😂
Valentin I know they are broke but they are moving on some players this summer. They really need a striker. And There is no guaranteed hit man like Auba for below 35 mil+. They just spent 16 mil+ on braithwaite when they knew they were going to move him on this summer. I hear anyone is for sale at Barcelona this summer. Dembele, Arthur, Semedo, Rakitic, Umtiti all have been linked with a move away and some of these players are on big wages. Teams will gamble on these players even on loan. So I can see them having Some… Read more »
With the improvement that Xhakalson has made because of Artetas coaching we should get more for him than was offered in January when he had been playing under Emery, but because of covid19 we should atleast get the same offer.
Habesha Gooner
“Dembele, Arthur, Semedo, Rakitic, Umtiti ”
Transfer fees and wages aside.. any one of them would improve our first XI.
All signs are pointing that Arteta will most definitely go all out. CL is still not out of reach(if City’s ban is upheld) at least mathematically. A win at City and you never know. And even if not CL , EL is very very doable. Like many , even I would love a season where Arteta can focus only on the league without the distraction of EL and get the kids up to speed to fight for trophies in the coming years. But right now we need money to cope up with our financial demands and if Europa can help… Read more »
desperate –> despite
Overmars
Yeah they would. If they were looking for swaps The most exciting out of those which would fix a problem would be Arthur melo. But I don’t think they would swap him for Aubameyang. Rakitic is 32 so it wouldn’t be great at the cost of Auba. I would rather have him for the season and let him leave on a free than that.
I wonder if willock has the smarts and passing ability to be a 10
He’s definitely got half the required ability but the other half I’m not sure yet. I wonder what Arteta thinks of him and has planned
Wasi – agree with your comments on Guen – amazed he has been written off so easily by many on here. He has made incredible progress and for someone who has only just turned 21, he has some really impressive experience. Coaching and maturity will help the headless chicken aspect of his game but he has proven he can be a real warrior of the lower half and has on occasion delivered some killer passes. For me, he should remain vey much part of our new younger look and a great success to our scouting network we got him so… Read more »
Nortbanker
“For me, he should remain vey much part of our new younger look and a great success to our scouting network we got him so cheaply.”
Here! Here!
Wouldn’t it be refreshing if he was playing in a midfield with better older players around him. Even just one.
I’m sure we would see better of him if only he had some good older midfielders around him.
Torreira not quite there yet.
North I know , Right. Guendozi has a lot of excellent qualities and under Emery earlier this season, he had a spell where he was the best player for us. His positioning game has definitely improved as he doesn’t run around like a headless chicken anymore. Imo , what he needs for his next stage of development is a specific role. He is like half box to box midfielder and half defensive playmaker (Jorginho like). If it were me coaching him , I’d advise him to develop his game in the mould of Fabinho or Casemiro. He is tall enough… Read more »
Guendouzi best performance was when he played in tandem with Willock behind Ceballos. When he is combined with Xhaka or Torreira, Xhaka lack of movement and Torreira poor long passes ability just highlight his deficiencies: slowing movement leading to getting caught in possession and poor penetrative long passes. That has nothing to do with experience but with incompatible style of play or at least learning to adapt his style to the teammates. Guendouzi needs vertical movement so he can play off the movement. Willock needs lateral movement so he can have a direct run to the opposition with the ball… Read more »
So Guendozi plays better with Willock.
Strange that considering Willock himself has not really convinced.
And Ceballos being erratic in his overall performances.
Arsenal lack quality midfielders and it’s a shame that Guendouzi could not progress with being surrounded by better quality midfielders. It would have certainly helped him along.
I think we should ditch the N10 role in my opinion. There is no future for that in the future. We should go 4-3-3. Liverpool have succeeded by having great attackers who are protected by A dependable midfield and supported by attacking fullbacks. I think we would get the best out of Guendouzi, Willock Torriera and Even Xhaka. It would also give more license to our forwards. Most of all Pepe would benefit from it. Guendouzi is a good prospect and I think we need to give him time. Not just jump the gun and sell him like pedro is… Read more »
Dozi is not a good dribbler and is afraid to get dispossesed so looks to pass to a teamate, playing him alongside Xhakalson who has 0 movement is a disaster and Ozil ahead of him who doesnt make himself available turns the disaster into tragedy.
Dozi alongside Willock who can make runs is positive and would work even better with a creator who doesnt hide ahead of them.
If Dozi improves his tackling he will make a good CM.
Guendouzi’s best performances were Newcastle away and against Spurs second half.
There really wasn’t a pattern regarding who he was with in midfield in those matches.
A mix of all of them. And all of them not real quality.
Most of our midfield problems stem from Xhakalsons and Ozils in that order.
Not even the greatest CM in the world could solve arsenals problems playing with those 2
Im telling you for free!
Sid
“Most of our midfield problems stem from Xhakalsons and Ozils in that order.”
Don’t we know it.
I would expect this info free of charge on this occasion.
Guendouzi has a habit of holding onto the ball a few seconds too long so consequently the passing avenues that were available to him are often closed . Due to his options being closed he either passes the ball backwards or looks to gain a free kick by falling over when touched. For some reason Guendouzi is often reluctant to play the forward 5 yard pass and this is a flaw in his game. I believe Arteta will recognise this flaw and try and educate him to play one and 2 touch football and start to let the ball do… Read more »
Good analysis Pierre. I would add that sometimes Guendouzi runs to a defender to collect the ball rather than find space and allow the player in possession to draw a man.
I agree that if Guendouzi is receptive to coaching then he could have a great future but I worry that he may be a little over confident in his abilities and lack the humility to listen. I obviously hope I’m wrong as he has many qualities that could, with some tweaking, enable him to be a top player.
Agree totally that Guendouzi and Xhaka should never play alongside each other in midfield, terrible combination.
‘Pepe and Ozil need to receive the ball early for them to be an influence in the game.’
Why do I have Ozil and Jack Wilshere in the same line of thought?
Maybe because they are both FORMER Arsenal players and they both didn’t live up to the hype…although JW can’t be accused of lack of efforts.
Then about Willock:
Iwobi was much better for us. Willock should be playing the league one game.
Sell asap to any sucker who wants to buy.
Guendouzi has to cut out though falling below an unacceptable standard in matches.
He can go badly, badly off the boil in matches and that has to stop.
Gentlebris, I think you’re way off with your criticism of Willock. As a young player attempting to progress in a disfunctioning side, it is hardly a surprise that he is inconsistent. He has real potential, not least in his ability to receive the ball on the half turn, run with the ball and to get in goal scoring positions. He may not make it, a loan might be sensible but to suggest he’s a League One player says more about your judgement than his ability.
Guendozi has the most passes into the final 3rd and highest progressive distance , saying that he passes backward is totally false
With all due respect copying Dortmund model can help us be a top 6 club with occasional top 4 finishes.
EPL is a different ball game compared to Bundesliga. We need a cash injection of 200million and sooner we understand that the better. Wenger’s steady decLine of top 2 to top 3/4 were due to Chelsea and Man City.
Don’t cite liverpool. We need to loads of luck to get ourselves into a coutinho situation.
“Ozil need to receive the ball in 2017 to be an influence in the game.”
Fixed that for you Pierre, you’re welcome.
In the prem
Guendouzi – 313 passes forward / 151 passes back / 1,591 minutes played
Xhaka – 439 passes forward / 204 passes back / 1,908 minutes played
Ramsey (2018/19) – 201 passes forward / 148 passes back / 1,328 minutes played
There’s a “ player” in there some where with Gwen Dozy.Hopefuly AM can dig it out with his coaching & cajoling.As for caballos get rid.He is a crab.Tidy with no end product.We can do far better.Hacker & bug eyes are the major stumbling blocks to our piss poor midfield.once they’re shifted you’ll see a noticeable improvement.
Not entirely sure what Guendouzi does to be honest. A bit like much of our midfield. Can he tackle? Can he pick a great pass, create chances? Does he run past players, can he shoot, does he score? Really he’s a bit of a ‘meh’ player unless Arteta can decide what he could bring to the side and educates him in how to deliver that consistently. We have too many similar players who really don’t have any particular attributes. What stands out about the best midfielders is that you knew what they brought to the team. Right now I’d struggle… Read more »
Personally I think there is a very good chance that Man City’s ban from the Champion’s League will be overturned… the barrister that they’ve instructed is very very good, Lord Pannick QC, probably the top litigator in the UK right now in matters such as this. If I was in Arteta’s shoes, I would send Ceballos back if he doesn’t want to extend with us and give that playing time to Willock. I’ve seen lots of people panning Cedric but effectively he’s a Debuchy like option whilst we allow Bellerin to get back to his best… probably should have picked… Read more »
If we can attract top money for Guendouzi (£50m plus) I would be tempted to sell him and bring in Upamencano to shore up our defence. We haven’t had solid back four since the Invincibles. If we are serious about winning the league in 2-3 seasons time we need to build a solid foundation from the back now. Make the Emirates a hard place to play in again. No one fears us anymore because everyone knows how brittle our defence is. Attacking and flair players make for beautiful football but league titles and European Cups are won by teams with… Read more »
Leeds
In the current climate who is going to pay £50 million for Guendozi?
If you can’t come up with a couple of clubs it’s a pointless comment. I mean why don’t we sell Ozil for £150 million?
Leeds
Regarding; Soares
What do you mean by “in the scheme of things we haven’t lost much”
Spending at least £2.5 million rather than waiting to pick him up for free…..isn’t much?
That £2.5 million wasted would have made it easier to hold on to the likes of Saka, doesn’t it?
In another post you’ll excoriating Kroenke for not spending his money but you’re happy to see us waste away 2.5 million.
It
Chelsea is finalising the deal for Werner for £56m, so there is money out there. Plus isn’t that why we brought in Don Sanhelli? To make more of our transfer deals?
Newcastle is about to sold to a Middle East consortium who will be eager to spend money and make an impression, I can see them looking Guendouzi as well as PSG.
More and more clubs will be looking at younger players because of the current climate… it will be resale value from now on.
*it will be about resale value from now on…
Dissenter
You really need to take a major chill pill with regards to Soares. He was brought in as back up – no more and despite what you say in the scheme of things £2.5 million is not a damaging amount of money for a club with a turn over of almost £400 million pre COVID.
You do realise that Mustafi and Xhaka take double that every year in salary give or take EACH.
What if Soares goes on to make a worthwhile contribution?
Marc
No way. Soares is Kia’s client . There is absolutely no way he can make a worthwhile contribution.
No mention by Pedro in today’s post about the clubs attempts at cutting middle men costs using the online transfers platform btw.
Obviously the reality check that has hit football hasn’t yet sunk in with some posters on here.
£50m for Guendouzi!
🤪😂
Soares is Kallstrom/Denis saures Mark2, a pointless signing given his age, a mid table team player
just to prove a point to AMN that he can be dropped from the team /he can do without him.
Im telling you for free
“If you can’t come up with a couple of clubs it’s a pointless comment. I mean why don’t we sell Ozil for £150 million?”
You may have to move the decimal point eight places to the left….
But yeah, Guen isn’t one I’d expect to attract massive interest, certainly not from the likes of PSG who probably have several equally talented prospects on their books. Only the really top players will go for big money, the rest may be saleable for modest sums but that’s all.
Dissenter tbf I doubt we’re so skint that 2.5m for Soares is the difference between us being able to offer saka a suitable contract or not. This is ‘living in a cardboard box’ levels of destitute poverty if we’re down to that level
So take a deep breath and put your double quilted stiff away mate!
andy
I’d be over the moon if someone offered £50 million for Guendozi but it just ain’t gonna happen.
Strangely if it did do you think Sanllehi would get any praise for brokering the deal?
China
If we “can’t” keep Saka it won’t be because we can’t afford to pay him more it’ll be because we make a decision that whatever he’s asking for is too much for a player in their breakout season.
Personally I hope we get it done and dusted ASAP with a contract that is mutually acceptable.
Marc
I think you need a splash of ice- cold water on your face to the tether you back to reality.
2.5/400 may come across as small but £2.5 million is a LOT of money for any enterprise, especially one that has most of the £400 already committed to other causes.
We wasted £2.5 million on an injured back-up RB for Bellerin who was expected to be available for only 3.5 months when we had TWO players that could provide the same back up until the rest of the season.
If that doesn’t bother you, then what will?
We’re not selling guen for 50m in 2020 I’m afraid.
I don’t know what the future holds, but this summer I’d be shocked if someone offered us more than 20m for him.
This is the same market where auba is being talked of as a 35m player. Regardless of age and contract differences, guen hasn’t yet demonstrated he is in the same universe as Auba in terms of his levels – so we’re not selling him for way higher than we’d get for Auba right now
I knew dissenter was Crazy when he suggested letting Sokratis and Mustafi leave for free while paying them their wages for the last year potentially costing us 20 to 25 mil. But he can’t let go of the soares deal like a dog with a bone. Soares was signed to provide adequate backup for Bellerin while we were trying to compete in the premier league, Europa league and FA cup. Is it Raul’s fault we got knocked out early by Olympiakos? Now we might not need him because there aren’t enough games left but If we were still in Europa… Read more »
Oh I forgot, Kolasinac and Tierney were visiting the treatment table a lot and Soares can play LB too. It was a sound decision.
China1
You don’t think having an extra £2.5 million laying around gives you the flexibility to up an offer if negotiations for Saka’s deal gets deadlocked?
… and yes, we are that skint. We aren’t exactly loaded with money, if you haven’t noticed.
Legrove is not some blog of home owners on millionaires row at Knightsbridge, is it?
Since when did £2.5 million stop being big money?
Millionaire’s row in Knightsbridge?
“when we had TWO players that could provide the same back up until the rest of the season.”
Who?
Dissenter it presumably was a waste of money (we’re assuming soares doesn’t walk into the first season now and play better than Bellerin (hardly would take a miracle) But even so, 2.5m is pocket money in football, you have to admit. We’re trading in 30-60m players on the regular. We find money to pay some of the highest wages on the planet. That 2.5m was probably a waste, but it’s a drop in the ocean of financial waste for us. We’re that obese diabetic guy in Aldi whose just spent £45 on several boxes of miniature heroes who then buys… Read more »
Habesha
I think you have me confused with another poster
Please refresh my memory about that silly accusation I wanted PapSok and Mustafi to leave for free.
AMN is a serviceable BACK-UP RB. He deputized in that position most of last season and we came close to the CL
Soares was anonymous at Southampton, now that we’ve signed him, he’s suddenly worth £2.5 million for a 3.5 month loan stint to back up Bellerin.
Dissenter
The decision was made pre COVID –
You’re obsessed with a tiny loan deal. It is at best strange.
Dissenter
“Please refresh my memory about that silly accusation I wanted PapSok and Mustafi to leave for free.”
You said the other day you’d keep them for next season and then let them leave for free when we were discussing the CB lineup for next season.
China
Spot on.
China 1
Agreed, the 2.5 million was a waste if money
Let’s agree to disagree that it’s not significant in our current plight.
It certainly gives me a different perspective about Ozil’s refusal to take a pay cut.
Dissenter
You said 2 players could provide serviceable back up – who’s the other one – if you say Sok I’m going to have the Football God’s infest your armpits with the fleas of a thousand camels.
Oh and AMN is poor at RB.
Dissenter yeah it probably was a waste but we actually don’t know yet. If come the end of the season he’s done nothing of note it was a waste but I don’t know if we can be sure of that yet, even if it looks likely I wouldn’t have paid for him. I actually think after Arteta came in AMN was doing ok and better than Bellerin (who looked dismal) when he came back But still. This being talked of as a major deal is like that sketch (was it the fast show)? Where that morbidly obese French guy is… Read more »
Marc
We are talking about back-up for one position for 5 months. A position two other players could have done just-okay performances; AMN and PapSok.
We could have lined up Soares for a June free transfer [if we wanted him and made it through to the end of the season in one piece.
.
“Strangely if it did do you think Sanllehi would get any praise for brokering the deal?” Yup, it’s not incompatible to believe that he can do a good job on individual deals (Iwobi for example) but still think that he’s a dodgy character that could drag AFC down with him if he does another Neymar style deal behind the back of the club or gets caught receiving back handers from his favourite agents. For me it’s not just that he’s a bit iffy, it’s that he has no real understanding of football, he’s an ex-marketing man who got the Barca… Read more »
As a point of perspective, if we guess xhaka and mustafi’s wages over the last 3 years have been 70k a week, they’ve cost us combined over 90m including their transfer fees. Add their cost to ozil s since he joined and we’ve literally burned in the region of 200m on these 3 players and what value did we get out of that? Some assists a few years ago…
If Soares is a 7/10 player consistently over the what’s left of the season that 2.5m would probably have been better bang for our buck…
Dissenter June 6, 2020 16:00:35 Marc Saliba, Holding, Chambers, PapSok [to finish his contract] and Mustafi [to finish his contract] It’s time to start clearing out the mess to rebuild Luiz isn’t part of any smart rebuild. He’s never been the best defender in any club or national side he’s played for. He’s just been part of the pack of ‘okay’ defenders. Gooners have developed an inferiority complex and have become comfortable with accepting the dregs of other clubs. We should have kept put powder dry after Kosh left and saved that money to get another young defender with a… Read more »
Marc You asked me who I consider as the central defenders in the club if we didn’t renew Luiz contract and I listed the CURRENT full backs we have in the club. I said they re just as good as Luiz and will do. I was making the point about us not even getting Luiz in the first place. I stated that we should have bought another young fullback with a high ceiling, , instead of splurging out on Luiz last season. This is the point Valentin was making about you getting desperate in an argument You are really clutching… Read more »
* Mustafi and Sokratis leave for nothing
If we are discussing Sokratis and Maitland Niles as right back options, then it is reasonable to see why the club wanted another full back option for the rest of the season. Sokratis is a centre back, he could play as an emergency right back for a few games if we were down to the bare bones, but he doesn’t have the enterprise or pace to play as an attacking right back for nearly half a season. That would affect the balance of our right side. Maitland Niles has admittedly shown glimpses of good ability at right back, on the… Read more »