Scouting for rough diamonds

by .

Today’s post is brought to you in association with Mike McDonald. He writes over at Gunnerstown, today he’s bringing you a scouting report from the Championship. Follow him on Twitter here.

“There are no easy games in the Premier League”

That’s always been a thing. In the past, the challenge for teams like Arsenal was overcoming the ‘smaller clubs’ work ethic, physicality, and direct style.

The challenge has changed. The team most likely to come last play some of the best football when they click, are often the lower placed teams.

What does this mean for Arsenal? Well, I’ve found 24 players from the teams below Arsenal that we could look at for the next transfer window. I’m particularly thinking of those that could get relegated.

As you’ll see, they would either improve our squad and most of them would improve our starting 11. Three will be relegated as we know, so those players price should drop too.

Let’s do this based on Arsenal’s needs rather than by team.

Back-up/3rd choice goalkeepers

I was convinced that Martinez would leave before Leno got hurt as he’s perfectly capable of being first choice at a good club. He may be encouraged to stay now if he keeps up his good form. Not sure how this will go so let’s assume we may need one.

I’d love to pick Fabianski as he’s greatly improved but he’s not coming to be back up again.

Matthew Ryan (BHA), Ben Foster(Watford), Freddie Woodman (Newcastle-currently on loan at Swansea).

Ryan is a good keeper but gets no press. Foster has improved with age and has great distribution. Arsenal have an interest in Woodman already. He may come as a package with his father who is a talented Academy coach. As you’ll see in the video, Woodman is a specialist PK saver and seems to have a strength in reaction saves.

Random fact…. Woodman is the Godson of Gareth Southgate

Right-back/right wing-backs

Hector Bellerin may stay at Arsenal. My thought is that if he does it will be based on patience for a guy who has been through a big injury and/or because we need his leadership.

It’s becoming hard to justify his demise. I’ve never been a big fan as I think he limits himself. It’s driven me crazy for years watching a laser fast player run down the wing, stop and pass it backwards. He could’ve pushed himself to use his pace to learn a trick and change of pace and added the embarrassing deficiency of not using the outside of his foot. Breathe, Mike. I’m just bothered by those who underachieve and because he’s such a good guy, it’s overlooked.

I’m thinking that there is a reason that Cedric got four years. He would’ve accepted two. He’s probably better than we realize.

Jeremy N’gakia (WHU) and Max Aarons (Norwich)

N’gakia is a new name to most. It will come as little surprise that he fits the profile of many young defenders… fast, quick, athletic and strong. He’s refused to sign a contract and he’s free this summer.

Like many under 20’s he will need space to improve his decision making.

Max Aarons will end up somewhere other than Norwich. He’s likely the hottest young PL right back. I’ve got a feeling City will see the Walker/Cancelo duo as ageing/unsettled. Could transform our right side, but do we have the funds to rebuild our midfield, get a CB and afford a RB too?

Left-back/left wing-backs

Everyone talks of Max Aarons. Rightly so.

Jamal Lewis (Norwich)

Do Arsenal need a LB/LWB more than a RB? I’ve come to that conclusion (see end of blog).

Jamal Lewis, like Aarons, is a modern full-back with a similar toolbox. Would probably cost the same as we’d get for Kolasinac and cost 50% of wages.

Centre Backs

So far, you’ve probably looked at the options above and been somewhat underwhelmed.

This list will change that. Most of these players start for Arsenal.

Tyrone Mings (Villa), Nathan Ake (Bournemouth), Ben Godfrey (Norwich), Issa Diop (West Ham), Jamal Lascelles (NU), Lewis Dunk and Ben White (BHA)

Mings and Ake would start for Arsenal and no doubt be our best CB’s. Mings is underrated for me. We are told these days to watch and judge our CB’s firstly on their ability to play out from the back. When I watch football I see CB’s passing to each other 50 times a game and forward’s three times. I see blocking, heading, organizing, tackling etc..

Tyrone Mings loves to defend. He loves that list.

Nathan Ake can do everything. If we matched him with Saliba you can defend 20 yards higher.

Dunk and Lascelles might be more industrial but as I said above, aren’t those qualities used more often anyway?

Diop is not a favourite of mine but I think I look at West Ham defenders the way the market looks at Arsenal defenders!

Godfrey and White (did you know that the highly-rated Leeds CB is on loan from BHA?) are younger and like Saliba, potentially top class. Do we look to partner Saliba with another youngster though?

Defensive Midfielders

One of these is an interesting thought. The other probably too expensive and the third, off to Spurs.

Phillip Billing (Bournemouth), Declan Rice (WHU) and Pierre Emil Hojbjerg (Saints)

Rice is an ever-improving ball-winning DM. His improvement is seen in his ability on the ball as his move from centre back has needed time.

Don’t stick your nose up at Billing. He’s better than you may realize. Oh how we could’ve utilized a tall, quick, athletic ball-winner this season.

Hojbjerg, like Billing, is a consideration as a very good squad player for Arsenal. A natural and highly impressive leader in an era when there are few. Simplistic yet effective modern midfielder.

Centre midfielders

Arguably the biggest need of improvement at AFC.

We currently look like a midfield put together by an executive who spends too much time on YouTube and has the life issue of falling in love too easily.

Arsenal didn’t need Ceballos when they had Guendouzi. They didn’t need Torreira because they needed a taller, more athletic DM.

Abdoulaye Doucoure

If the Thomas Partey rumours are true, I doubt we get Doucoure too.

Probably could’ve/should’ve signed Doucoure two years ago.

Attacking Midfielders

Another area of desperate need at Arsenal. Doesn’t have to be a number 10, but as we know there are wingers who stay wide and others who drift from wide into central areas. This is the ‘drifters.’

Jack Grealish (Villa), Todd Cantwell and Emiliano Buendia (Norwich) and Miguel Almiron (NUFC)

Here are four different options for the same role.

Grealish would be a huge upgrade for Arsenal. I think most of us realize that he will go to City or Utd and that we can’t financially compete or in current stature. Shame.

Cantwell is a Gooner. Like that. Personally, I don’t think he’s our level. That’s a pivotal role with much expected. Buendia is a different beast though. A diamond in the rough. Two footed, highly creative and great stats for a team bottom of the league.

I’m also a big fan of Miguel Almiron. As a Brit abroad, I’ve got to see him often when he was at Atlanta.

His acceleration is elite as is his directness. Much like Theo, he will get better results if he learns to slow his wheels before he passes or shoots.

Wingers

Do Arsenal need a winger?

If Aubameyang leaves looking at rumours (Kluivert, Veron etc..), it looks like perhaps we are going to sign one.

My thought is that Arteta wants one wide player inside (Auba) and the other on the paint (Pepe) and that this doesn’t suit Pepe. If Auba leaves, Pepe plays inside forward (phew!) and the wider player is on the left.

Allan Saint-Maximin (NUFC), Ismaila Sarr and Gerard Deulofeu (Watford) and Jarrod Bowen (WHU)

Bowen has electric speed and potential but like Cantwell, not sure he’s Arsenal level.

You may not like Deulofeu. I don’t know many that rate him. I think he’s got fantastic feet. Some players are average at average clubs. Some stay average at bigger clubs. Some just needed to be around better players. I think Delefeou falls into the latter category.

I have a theory on Sarr. Do you remember when the equally fast Adama Traore showed up in England? Lacked end product but huge potential. Just wondering if Sarr will figure it out like Traore, as he is a wonderful last twenty-minute option.

I was amazed when Saint-Maximin went to Newcastle. His take on numbers at Nice were second only to Messi. Unless NUFC improve quickly, he will end up at a far bigger club.

Strikers

I can’t see Lacazette staying. No way. His ego has been damaged by Eddie, he has some value in the market and honestly, it’s just not working.

Danny Ings (Saints)

The questions are being asked now. Is Ings capable of repeating this seasons stats at a bigger club? His Liverpool career was hampered by injury and lack of opportunity.

I’m a believer that players are unfairly judged by their look and name. Maybe he should get a hair transplant before people start noticing and believing he’s older than he is. Change his name to Danielo Inglo?

I really don’t know if he’d work at Arsenal. Undecided.

The decision

I’ve picked my Arsenal 20/21 squad already. It’s changed three times then again after I scouted Teun Koopmeiners at Alkmaar. I’ll let you check out his elite passing ability!

My 20/21 Arsenal squad includes one of the 24 listed above…. Nathan Ake.

I considered 12 of the list.

I kept all of current GK’s. After seeing our right back inverted as an extra CM, I kept AMN as first choice. Perfect role for him. I wonder if Osei-Tutu will be a factor?

I spent the money I think we will raise from sales on our midfield in particular and preferred Partey, N’didi and Koopmeiners, but thought hard about Billing as a back up DM.

I would’ve loved Grealish or Buendia but money sent me to West London to get Willian on a free, as it did when I chose free signings, Edinson Cavani, Malang Sarr and Santi Cazorla.

Would you buy from the clubs below us?

Hard to argue that the list of 24 isn’t very interesting!

@mike_Mmcdonald

130 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
grooveydaddy

First

Guns of SF

First

grooveydaddy

2nd

Guns of SF

CL spot

Upstate Gooner

4

Duke

Arsenal?

Guns of SF

Almiron impressed for me. Quick and very mobile and great with the ball.
On the small side but most CAM’s /10’s are rarely tall.
Ake would be good.
Dunk good too

IF Watford go down, we can snatch Docoure maybe

Sid

Doucoure is crap

Sid

Buendia is qualidee

Thenry

What a waste of a blog post
I wouldnt take any of those players in the list most come from sides that Are mid table or fighting relegation
We have better youth coming thorough IMO
COYG

MidwestGun

Serious question.. when was the last time Arsenal bought a player from a side getting relegated.. or even paid the “English” premium? Pretty much never is my recollection. So for me, this is all pointless musings. No offense. Also, I read the whole thing and for the most part there was no scouting of any current championship players and every single conclusion of anyone mentioned was not good enough..or too expensive. so let’s get some European players from other leagues. .. Ok then . I don’t know,it all came across as too fantasy football for me. What you have to… Read more »

Jamie

We paid decent money for Walcott and Ox at the time, and they were both youth players.

MidwestGun

Thanks, Jamie.. I guess that’s close enough. This column reminds me of when your at the bar and you get sucked into some drunks in -depth conversation of his fantasy football team when all your trying to do is watch the highlights on the television behind the bar of todays matches.

Radio Raheem

Good young CBs I have watched in Europe:

Kounde (Sevilla)
Tapsoba (Leverkusen)
Milenkovic (sp) (Fiorentina)

Radio Raheem

Mid

Haha you paint a picture

salparadisenyc

If a day player is coming into the fray of Le Grove, better be up to the task.
I’m looking forward to reviewing this space at days end, expecting total carnage.

Aasim

So how would we rate these players out of 10 – all play in the front 3 and all are 22 or under. Am curious to see how objective we as Arsenal fans are when rating our own.

Aasim

So how would we rate these players out of 10 – all play in the front 3 and all are 22 or under. Am curious to see how objective we as Arsenal fans are when rating our own.

Mason Mount 21
Mason Greenwood 21
Tammy Abraham 22
Marcus Rashford 22
Bakayo Saka 18
Eddie Nkeitah 21
Daniel James 22
Callum Hudson 19
Reiss Nelson 20
Gabriel Martinelli 19

Thomas

None of the players mentioned in the post plays in the Championship.

Wiscogunner

I’ve often wondered why we seem to buy mostly from out of England. Yes Theo, Rob, Chambers come to mind quick but we’re all young talents with longer roads. Arteta himself is the only ready made first team player we have bought from the EPL that springs to mind. But all the other top clubs in the league seem to poach top players from mid to lower table teams and have had some nice results. Not sure why we don’t. I enjoyed the article for what it’s worth

salparadisenyc

If Arteta is keen on Stones having worked with him for a couple years i’d say get in.

Havertz is going to go for huge money , would have been an ideal player to build the MF around Chelsea look to be queued and ready to pounce with Bayern pulling out. If they land him thats Timo Werner, Ziyech and Havertz, devastating business.

MidwestGun

Un-
Yep.. Well I don’t disagree with the premise of finding Championship players who are about to blow up.. or relegation bargains. This column didn’t really give me any insight into that though. Also, historically we just don’t really go there. Not sure what Artea will do though. Did bring in Soares so maybe he takes a look around the Prem. League.

Graham62

One of the many things that pisses me off about modern day football is the fact that players below the EPL are deemed as not being fit for purpose. The snobbery of clubs like ourselves, when it comes to recruitment, just beggars belief. Just because a player plays in the Championship or even lower, doesn’t mean that they are not capable of playing at a far higher level. Are you telling me there are not better/more productive players in these leagues than the likes of Mustafi/ Xhaka/ Sokratis/David Luiz etc? Of course there are. I’m sorry but ‘lady luck‘ plays… Read more »

Graham62

Just because you were born and played your football in Brazil, doesn’t always mean you are better than someone born and playing their football in Bradford.

Roberto or Bob?

Snobbery to the extreme.

Graham62

Leeds will get promoted.

Double the price then.

GunnerDNA

Trying to get Arsenal relegated earlier than expected. The football on display is similar to football West Ham played under Fat Sam. Arsenal don’t need anymore squad players, we need players that will help the team challenge for trophies. All the excuses for the trash football that’s currently on display won’t get the free pass with fans in the stadium. Most are bored, so there’s a lot of twerking going on, but most know it’s all crap.

Emiratesstroller

I had today lengthy discussion about Arsenal with sports journalist. His view about potential transfers was as follows: OUTGOING RB Bellerin might be offloaded if decent offer made for him. I disagree. CB Sokratis, Mavrpanos to leave. He thinks Mustafi and Holding to stay LB Kolasinac could leave without replacement.I agree. DMF Elneny to leave. Torreira could also be offloaded as he is unhappy at Arsenal. Arsenal promised to let him leave if still unhappy at end of this seasoN. I doubt that Arsenal will offload 3 MF this season. CMF Guendouzi and Ceballos to leave. I agree. AMFMkhitaryan to… Read more »

Bob N16

Graham, been called both!

Pierre

Un
“There is a lad at Leeds”

Calvin Phillips…I rate him, would probably cost 30+ million though.

MidwestGun

Well on another subject. I’m rooting for a Var decision against Spuds, today. The fireworks from that would rival any fireworks on display from the 4th of July, here.

Mourinho throwing his players under the bus makes me laugh as well. What exactly did the Spuds think they were getting with a Mourinho hire?

Leftfootcurler

Mings is a horrible defender. He retreats into his own penalty box. Look at his touch maps, positioning. Look at VVD’s touch maps, positioning. The reason Liverpool improved massively with VVD is because he kept the defence line High. If the defence line drops too deep,the opposition attackers get access to the edge of the box where they can create a bit of space and have a crack at goal. I would say a very big reason why villa may get relegated is because of Mings. Why do you think we conceded so many shots under Emery? Because the defence… Read more »

Wasi

Good list of players that. I would also be looking at some of those guys. Ake and Mings would be our 1st choice. Would love to sign them. Grealish is a top top player. Post-lockdown he’s not been at his best but he’s a real gem of a player. Billing is MASSIVELY underrated. His defensive numbers this season are very good. On the ball he is good and also has a good engine. Rn I think he starts for us. I talked about Ngakia a couple weeks ago. He’s got great physical ability and good technique. With proper coaching he… Read more »

Valentin

I agree that there is value to be found in the lower league. You just need to be willing to look for it and not just turn up your nose at lower league or lower club. Not every big club stars started their career at a big club. That snobbery toward lower leagues players is in fact impairing Arsenal. Talking about Snobbery. I remember a poster who kept lambasting the name of all the CBs whom I said were cheap and available. His argument was that if they were still playing at 18 years for crap teams that could only… Read more »

Matt

When I read the headline about championship players I was expecting to see Calvin Philipps as well. Looks to have real quality and the creativity that our midfield is severely lacking. I guess the question is if you sign him, what does that mean for Willock, ESR etc… Although after early glimpses, I am struggling to see what Willock brings to the table to be honest, besides youthful enthusiasm…

Henry Root

I thought it was a very interesting post. Much more interesting than the rubbish spouted by several of the leading posters on here.
Calvin Phillips and Ben White are top quality
Eze at QPR is very good as is Benrahma . Mitrovic would be an interesting back-up striker if you can get the ball into him from wide positions
There is a very good young CB at Division One Gillingham – Jack Tucker. Classy with good defensive instincts .
Willian would be very high maintenance as would Cavani

Sid

The competition for places in Brazil is 4 times the competion in U.K at all levels.
The more affluent the less the drive to prove yourself in football

Im telling you for free!

Graham62

Matt

Calvin Phillips is a super player.

PL quality.

No question.

Graham62

Sid

Have you been to Bradford?🙏😷🤭🍺

Sid

Probability of getting talent in France, Spain, Holland lower leagues is higher than in U.K or India

Wasi

Un If he was deserving of a start he’d be starting ahead of The slow Lois , On the edge Mustafi or Low IQ Kola. The last time he played ( when he came on for Luiz) he looked a bit dodgy . Also he was partially responsible for the goal we conceded . And if this continues into next season where he is the 4th or 5th choice CB , id rather loan him out so that he can get game time and develop. And tbh my patience is kinda running low with Holding. He’s already 24 and he… Read more »

TR7

Arteta getting rave reviews from his players and the praise sound very sincere. Not your generic PR type praise.

Zacharse

Didn’t we get Mertesacker from a relegated team?

Champagne Charlie

Brendan Rodgers on Arteta: “From a tactical perspective, he’s made it very clear how they want to play. The style, you can see. That is not an easy style to put in place and implement, especially at a club that wants to be challenging straight away as well. His courage since he’s gone in, to want to develop that. They’ve played with a couple of different systems but the style has always remained the same. That is something that bodes well for the future and for him.” Few Keyboard Kebabs on Le Grove: ‘Nothing’s changed’, ‘It was Norwich’, ‘Let’s see… Read more »

Terraloon

Un

Think your a little bias in there. Understandably.

What about Pulisic?

TR7

Holding is the best CB at Arsenal imo. All he needs is an injury free long spell and then he can prove how good he is.

Radio Raheem

Re: Holding

Kolasinac might be quicker or more of a specialist with his left foot. I know I’m overreaching just trying to read the sauce.

Luiz should not be anywhere near Arsenal. MikSauce must be super saucey that he wins matches despite self-sabotage.

Terraloon

Un

Some of your ratings.

For instance.Mount same rating as Nelson.

Or Rashford so poorly rated .

Sid

Wilshere, Ox, barkely, grealish, foden, mount all hyped as the next coming.
Good thing is the law of probabilitytells us at some point there one has to breakthrough.

Just to put things in perspectiveHolding not fit to tie Soyuncus laces

Dissenter

Hendy Root
‘Eze at QPR is very good as is Benrahma . Mitrovic would be an interesting back-up striker if you can get the ball into him from wide positions”

Did you say Mitrovich?
Surely you cannot be serious

MidwestGun

Always been this way on Le Grove… You could name a player from anywhere in the world on any team including our own.. and 5 people will say he is garbage and 5 people will say he is amazing. That’s why these so called scouting columns .. that Pedro occasionally posts from guest posters don’t do anything for me. I do realize a daily column is an immense amount of work and struggle for content however, just as long as it isn’t a regular thing, I guess its ok occasionally. The writing style on this one though wasn’t my cup… Read more »

James wood

Inns for Laca.
Phillips for Cellabos.

James wood

Ings

Radio Raheem

Spurs players fighting each other over who shagged whose wife #impactmourinho

Guns of SF

Come on everton… beat these trolls

MidwestGun

Well Mourinho did say he wants more intensity,… My money was on Son to kick Lloris’s ass.

Mike McDonald

Hi, this is the author.

There is a separate blog upcoming on Championship players. Some really interesting and talented players to choose from, especially dribblers.

luke

Everton atrocious against spurs

Gentlebris

Most of those nobodies you were hyping above would have £70m price tags tucked inside their armpits.

Danny

If Tottenham play like this against us then we’ll destroy them. Too bad Everton are such shit.

Guns of SF

Lo Celso is a little pussy

MidwestGun

If people thought our last match was bad.. they should have watched this Spud/Everton crap. That was a snoozefest of mediocrity. Most exciting thing about it was the dustup between Son and LLoris.

Radio Raheem

Well what can I say?

Gary Neville’s quip about Everton’s goalie at the end was funny.

Terraloon

Mount 8 6PL goals from midfield . Decent return. Quick feet intelligent player Greenwood 9. Ruthless. Going to be a top talent Abraham 6 1/2. 15 goals. Decent return requires too many chances to score Rashford 8. Development sort of stalled . Saka 8. 1/2. Pick of the bunch at Arsenal but needs to sort out his best position Nketiah 6 -7 . Far from convinced but need to see more of him James 6-7 . Very fast but not a lot else to his game Hudson Odi 6. Injury has taken its toll . Next season will be crucial… Read more »

Dissenter

Terraloom
Last post was on point. I’ve never agreed with you more

Thorough

Billing is a unit. The archetypal DM with no nerves. And I think he’ll be cheap.

andy1886

Some decent young players at Norwich but the key will be to get in there fast if we’re interested in the likes of Aarons, Cantwell or Buendia. We’ve seen it before, we’re interested in Player A, the other club sells Player B and can then afford to play hardball as they don’t want to lose all their best players. Early bird, worm, etc, etc.

As for Cavani – why? Willian – why? Santi? sorry no, ship has sailed. The last thing we need are more older players out for one last payday.

Versus

UTD fans boasting because they beat Brighton and Bournemouth.

Arsenal fans boasting because they beat Norwich and Wolves

Be careful what you lower your expectations for.

Champagne Charlie

Orny says Guendouzi has been training alone since Brighton and club want him sold/swapped this summer.

TeeCee

Holding, Chambers, Luiz, Mustafi………dogshit defenders, in fact Mustafi is the best of the bunch!! I cannot believe that some people rate any of them!!!! Have you ever seen them play FFS??? Chambers makes Mertesacker look like Usain Bolt. Holding’s décision making and positioning is lower championship quality AND he’s not that quick.! Luiz is just plain shit and Mustafi can’t stop making glaring mistakes regularly. If we want to be better than a 6th-9th placed team then we need to get QUALITY. Don’t even get me started on the players in the article….Almiron? The MLS is his level!! As for… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

“If england play Scotland who do you cheer for?“

Amuses me that you think I’d even watch it, would rather have a wank with a Brillo pad

Left Testicle

Oi, Pedro,
I hope, with your woke stats the other day, that todays guest post was written by somebody from the BAME community?

Terraloon

un

As they say football is all about opinions.

I have watched mount quite a few times and I stick by my rating. From what I read he is highly rated and at age 21 to be capped 6 times for England is no mean feat.

Freddie Ljungberg

So Guen frozen out completely, a shame, the midfielder with the highest potential at the club.

Hopefully we’ll get good money for him though and get in 2 new CMs along with a Cam then.

Why can’t we do like that with some of the non performers to get them to leave though? I’m looking at Ozil in particular, gives us nothing on the field and can’t be bothered playing half the time anyway.

Champagne Charlie

Un

Not dodging anything, we’ve been here on International football… I couldn’t care less about it.

CaliGooner

Mls is Almirons level? What just because he played in mls? Is mls Alphonso Davies level too? Tyler Adams?

Everyone starts somewhere.

GunnerDNA

There’s something going on with Mattéo Guendouzi that someone senior at Arsenal needs to intervene. It’s a real shame because the kid is serviceable. Fans forget about his age and how he comes up because he’s playing so regularly. The same patience show with retards like Ozil, Mustafi and Xhaka needs to apply to Mattéo. The amount of chances Ozil gets at Arsenal after publicly dismissing the training staff and the Club is crazy. Some member of the training staff reacted to the Brighton incident badly and the kid flipped because he thinks he’s been bullied. Can’t wait to hear… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

Don

Great job Nostradamus…
Hardly ability based is it? Guen is a discipline issue and Ceballos was a loan ffs, was always dependant on if he could adapt to the league or not, which he hasn’t, dominating against weak teams that gives you a lot of space isn’t enough.
Hope we don’t extend.

Xhaka is only ever decent against teams that gives you a lot of space but he’s the teachers pet so guess we’re stuck with him.

Redtruth

So Arteta is getting rid of winners like Guendouzi and keeping idiot losers like Xhaka and Mustafi
..

GunnerDNA

Un

“If we can get £40m for a bad egg who doesn’t ever seem to affect games anyway I’d take it. I don’t see this high ceiling I keep hearing of. AMN and willock affect games. Saka affected games more from left back than Guendouzi at cmf”

He’s a bad egg who don’t affect games but you expect the club to get 40m for him, right? Ask yourself why you think he’s valued at 40 m? You’ve been completely Pedrorize!

Redtruth

Arsenal players are like cars that depreciate in value as soon as they leave the dealership.

JJ

Sorry but you lost all credibility after saying you would keep AMN as first choice.

Emiratesstroller

Arsenal have a number of young English players coming through system at club starting off with Saka, Nkietah, Willock, Smith-Rowe and Nelson.

Apart from perhaps Aarons I don’t see Arsenal pursuing any players at other EPL clubs because of the ridiculous premiums which would be demanded in
a transfer.

I suspect that there are probably another two or three players coming through pipeline in the Arsenal Academy such as John-Jules, Smith and Aziz.

Guns of SF

Guen has got to go
There is a history here
If he was a great talent… sure let’s work with him. He is not that. He is a arrogant prick it seems.

Apparently emery knew of his issues and felt he could change or work with him

Our mids need an overhaul anyhow

Dissenter

Gunner DNA ‘ Shame on Edu because I thought he would make some difference when he was appointed but he’s no more than a f*cking clown.’ I have to agree with that point. Edu’s role is totally unnecessary and he’s just duplicating Sanllehi at best. The manager shouldn’t be able to solely oust a good talent like that. It negates whatever long term strategy the club is trying to do with transfers. I made mistakes at 20 years old that I wouldn’t repeat at 25 years old…and I wasn’t earning 40k weekly at the age of 20 y/o. Anyways, I… Read more »

Gentlebris

Bring in T. P: £45m

Bring in J. G: £55m

Bring in W.N: £60m

= £160m

If you have those playing behind Saka, Martinelli, Nketia, Arsenal will come back from the shadows.

Stop fucking around!

To raise most of the money, sell:

Guen: £35m

Torrey: £30m

Willock: £15m

Chambers: :15m

Xhaka: £20m

Kola: £20m

= £135m

Difference: £25m

Sorting Arsenal shouldn’t be that difficult, we have many valuable deadwoods.

A large amount of deadwoods can only bring grief. Quality even in small quantity matters, Liverpool won the league with quality in small quantity.

Wasi

Un I agree Rob is a better CB than Kolasinac. Most people would agree to that. But Arteta loves a left foot in central Defence and only Kola provides that right now and thats probably the only reason he is starting. Holding’s mistakes? This season when he first came back into the team (under Emery) he was playing like an 18yo who’s never played senior football before. Granted he was returning on the back of a long term injury but I don’t think thats a valid excuse for fluffing simple passes under no pressure. And if he can’t replace Mustafi… Read more »

CaliGooner

We aren’t selling willock you can forget about that. Chambers either.

azed

Am I the only one not on the party Partey train?

I don’t watch much of Atletico Madrid so this is just my gut feeling
Partey might just turn out to be Xhaka v2.

salparadisenyc

Azed

He’s definite quality but not the only one…. think fact Partey played critical role in shutting Liverpool down in Champs league has many moist.

I absolutely get that.

But certainly not the only one out there.

Off topic but these tears for Guendouzi rolling in this space are comedic… i’d say ironic but that may get lost on some.

The Godfather

Azed,

Bro without a doubt, Partey is the real deal.

He can play anywhere and in any role as a central midfielder.

Pace, power, guile and technical skills in abundance … I’d describe him as a more polished Michael Essien!

The Godfather

I thought the French Legionnaires Auba, Laca and Guendo were a tight bunch.
Is there no way these two senior players could’ve bridged the gap btw young player and Coach?
Is the discord that serious?
Wow?
Shocking!

The Godfather

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal/matteo-guendouzi-helped-convince-william-saliba-to-join-arsenal-at-a-funfair-a4198581.html

Also sad because Guendo was one of those who helped direct Saliba towards Arsenal and would’ve played a role in helping him settle.
They really need to get themselves on the same page

azed

Sal and TGF

I’ve read reviews and seen clips of Partey and he’s better than what we currently have in midfield which is not saying much but I just feel we can get someone younger with the same skill set and cheaper.

GunnerDNA

It’s pointless having time for Willock, AMN, Nelson, ESR, and EN but quick to dismiss Mattéo Guendouzi. They’re basically all the same age and MG have the highest ceiling. We’ve seen this movie at Arsenal before, it was clear that Gnabry was one of the biggest talent in the academy and he was sacrificed because if players aren’t meek and mild at Arsenal they’re classed as bad eggs. The term class and values are misunderstood at Arsenal. For over a decade now class and values are used to justify be average/pony.

CaliGooner

That’s pretty revisionist. Gnabry wanted to leave.

Also why does Guen have the highest ceiling he doesn’t assist or score?

I like Guen but acting like he’s head or shoulders above our young players seems odd to me. Willock scores and assists. ESR has shown in games. Reiss more in Germany then here. Ainsley plays multiple positions.

Seems like people are just using Guen to attack Arteta or the club. Why isn’t Guen at fault. That’s the most likely scenario.

Aussie Gooner

Guendouzi has had ample opportunity to show his wares but has failed to make an impression time and time again. Regardless of his off field histrionics, he is not up to standard. How many times has he hit the deck under minimal challenges, short passed backwards when a break was on, got in a clean tackle without fouling? 57 appearances, most as a starter, 0 goals, 1 assist. He has to go. If any club offers 20m, bite their hand off! Funny how people were/are happy to right Pepe off already (24 appearances – 8 as sub – 8 goals,… Read more »

Dissenter

Caligooner
Which of these four players has the highest transfer value?
AMN, ESR, Willock or Guendouzi?

Do you think any top European club will be snooping around for Willock or AMN? I left out ESR because he did do well in the Bundesliga.

Dissenter

I wish Guendouzi well.
Every player is sellable, that’s the nature of the game. I’m sure he knows this. We sell him for good profit and move one.

Guns of SF

Good post Aussie

Guns of SF

I hope my son peaks late . Granted he is skinny undersized 9 year old. He is a late bloomer physically so hoping he comes good as his body grows and gets stronger.

He dreams to play for arsenal some day.