GUEST POST FROM THE MAIN MAN MIKE MCDONALD (FOLLOW)
I can’t remember a time in the last 20 years where there has been so much potential Premier League talent available in the Championship.
I think this has snuck up on us as coaches. Championship teams have suddenly made the conscious choice to ‘play football.’ In previous decades there has been a marked difference in the playing style as you looked at the lower leagues.
The result is two-fold. Potential becomes easier to spot as teams like Leeds/Brentford have players who not only understand modern football but they play it too. Secondly, you can slide them into a PL team with significantly less adaptation.
Arsenal not only need to look at some of these gems because finances may dictate but also because they are good enough. Some could even be elite.
You will enjoy these videos. Some will dazzle you. I haven’t priced these players as prices will depend on each club’s Covid impact.
CREATIVE PLAYERS:
Arsenal need a modern midfield, centre backs that can handle stress, and arguably need a creative player or two more than anything.
The Championship has more of this type of potential gem than any other type of player.
Said Benrahma (Brentford)
An inverted right-footed, left-winger. Can play both wings and as an attacking midfielder.
A difference maker with delicious feet who brings joy. If you see potential in Pepe, you will see the same here. Perhaps the player we hope Nelson could be.
Chelsea are allegedly very interested but have much competition in this area already. Arsenal could use him as a ‘wandering left-winger.’
What a talent!
Ebe Eze (QPR)
A powerful, direct, line breaking attacker. Has an equal eye for an assist as a goal. Reminds me of Martial with a similar toolbox of skills.
Can play as an 8 in a 4-3-3 or anywhere across the front 3 in a 4-2-3-1.
Ovie Ejaria (Liverpool on loan at Reading)
Very similar in playing style and looks to Eze, but taller and stronger.
Another fantastic natural footballer with a bag of creativity.
Much like Eze he can play as a line-breaking third midfielder or across the front three.
Would Liverpool sell or probably want to loan?
Matheus Pereira (West Brom)
After speaking to a handful of fans of Championship clubs, most felt that he is the best of the creative players. His loan from Sporting Lisbon is now obliged to be triggered for €9M.
Plays as a 10 or as a right-winger. Six goals and 12 assists to date. His primary qualities are his vision and high technical level. Has a wicked reverse pass.
If you watch this video, you will note a left-footed, elegant player who seems to glide around the field. Never known West Brom to have this type of player!
Michael Olise (Reading)
Reading have this 19 year-old French kid Michael Olise, if we didn’t already have Willock I’d be rooting for us to get this guy as his deal ends 2022.
He’s certainly one to watch.pic.twitter.com/vRzx9n4vk3— Gilles (@_Grimanditweets) July 5, 2020
Yet another gifted creative player. Olise is a left-footed, attacking midfielder with the proverbial wand of a left foot. At 18, he may be the cheapest of the ‘creative’ list and a worthwhile investment due to his high ceiling. Seems to use the sole of his foot to bamboozle. Love it!
MODERN CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS:
Even though we all see the improvement in Xhaka and Ceballos, we all see the need for modern, athletic central midfielders.
Max Bird (Derby)
Arsenal need modern, athletic, tall, powerful midfielders to at least be on par with the vast majority.
Max Bird may not be this in the PL yet, but he has the profile. His most impressive quality lies in his ability to see both opportunity and danger quickly.
Bird plays alongside Rooney in the centre of midfield. Rooney recently claimed that he “wouldn’t be surprised if he was in the England squad within a year.” Much like Olise, at 19 years old it might be a wise investment?
Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
With Leeds likely to go up, it’s highly unlikely that a hometown boy would reject the opportunity to play at least one season for Leeds in the PL. I’ve included him however as I think he potentially has everything we need. An athletic centre or defensive midfielder who can deny and create. You will remember him as the hub of the one sided first half at the Emirates in January as Leeds totally dominated. It is hard to find a central midfielder who is a specialist in both areas, you normally have to find two.
Arsenal are pursuing Partey as he can do both, but so can Phillips. I’ll be very surprised if he’s not very close to England’s Euro 2021 squad as he’s a far better footballer than both Rice and Dier.
Kalvin Phillips will also be the player with the highest value in the Championship at around £35M.
Conor Gallagher (Swansea…. on loan from Chelsea)
A two way, two-footed creative central midfielder. An impressive eye for a pass in the final third as well as counter opportunities. A modern-day number 8, with boundless energy and goal threat.
Named Chelsea’s Academy player of the Year last season which is no mean feat amongst huge competition.
FULL BACKS/WING BACKS
We need a better option than Kolasinac and many including myself, think Bellerin is overrated.
Nathan Ferguson (WBA)
Ferguson is allegedly on his way to Palace. Smart move as he’ll play. Arsenal should take a look as he’s going to cost below £10M and has played both right and left back.
A fast, athletic, modern full back who at 19 has a very bright future.
Jayden Bogle (Derby)
Want your right back to be hugely confident on the ball? High technical ceiling? A huge attacking threat with the athleticism to recover?
You need to watch this video because people are starting to talk about Bogle.
Probably a better right wing back than right back.
Matty Cash (Forest)
A combative attacking right back who interestingly has the posture and profile of a defensive midfielder. Actually a converted winger who took advantage of Carl Jenkinson’s long term injury. Tough, quick and great in the tackle. Being tipped to get a call up to the Poland team through his grandparents heritage.
Kristian Pedersen (Birmingham)
Not the greatest video but you’ll get a little flavour of an emerging talent getting rave reviews at left back for Birmingham City. A tall powerful left back with a wicked left foot. Former winger, like Cash.
CENTRE BACKS:
The best CB in the Championship is Ben White but he is officially a Brighton player and I mentioned him in last weeks transfer blog.
Beyond Ben White there is one more worth your attention.
Pontus Jansson (Brentford)
A warrior. Arsenal fans pine for a Tony Adams type. Here he is. Not saying he is of this level but certainly a similar profile. Aggressive, strong, better on the ball than given credit for. This 29 year old Swedish international is worth a look.
STRIKER
Arsenal don’t need an unproven striker as they have Nketiah, Martinelli, John Jules and Balogun vying for this. What they will be interested in however, is the right profile of striker.
Arteta seems to like a willing presser. The ability to play with your back to goal, perhaps a false nine and I’m sure he’d love someone better in the air as in Saka and Tierney in particular we have good crossers but nobody great in the air.
So…
Ollie Watkins (Brentford)
To add to the list above, Watkins can create goals for himself off the dribble.
Tall, very fast and able to score in a variety of ways. Watkins will no doubt find himself in the PL with Brentford or somebody else, I’m sure.
VERDICT:
Firstly, I think it’s important that we don’t become snobby about this. The Championship truly has some gems. You’ll be aware that Jude Bellingham (Birmingham City) has just been signed by Dortmund. They play their youngsters like we do. A reminder that the most sought after creative player in the PL in Jack Grealish has played the majority of his minutes in the Championship.
I think Arsenal should take a close look at Bogle and Ferguson as wing-back options. Phillips would be a dream signing but it’s not happening yet.
We will need more than one creative force to finally connect the front and back. As Benrahma and Pereira will likely get promoted and be more expensive, I’d take a close look at Eze at QPR, who would no doubt need money and sell cheaper.
Follow me @Mike_Mmcdonald
Tom
“””””It always warms my heart when CG and I agree on something.””””
Most folk , come around in the end, to my way of thinking,
(I accept its a slow process)
Although this Graham 62 is difficult to dislodge- crikey he is almost as stubborn as our Wenger.
I am just surprised , he has not blamed Wenger for Brentford’s collapse today.
Un. ” I could school you into oblivion right now but I won’t. I’d rather not get banned for posting facts about ancient Egypt” I doubt that very much sunshine! Why would facts be offensive anywhere? Unless what you purport to be facts are more of ‘That’ bullshit ideology that got you banned last time. You also didn’t answer my question about the boat in Tutankhamen’s tomb. Which makes your original statement look as dumb as you feel right now. Seems like you want to try and draw some inference to the racial make up of the Egyptians, as the… Read more »
Tighter how?
Score line maybe if we’re lucky but not possession and shots on goals wise.
Quite simply,
Arsenal can not win today, if David Luiz starts.
If he does not. By my algorithms. Arsenal well in the running.
Finally got around to reading the Post.. I think Mike Mcdonald did a much better write up this time around.. More clear, concise and informative then the first attempt. Less fantasy football. So your getting better dude.. Le Grove will have you molded into shape in no time.
Also, probably wasn’t clear to Graham.. I don’t think your a rascist, I just didn’t agree with your premise that we all can agree on what you said. Had you left that bit out probably wouldn’t have even brought it up.
Mark, you actually went through all this to prove that Un is full of shit?
The best I can say for him is that he can be entertaining at times when he’s not being a raging racist, that is.
Like the time he compared Ceballos’ haircut to a cockroach with a speck of furniture dust on his head lol
Haha some of the discussions on here.. are funny at times. I think I’m gonna skip over the Egypt history lessons, today though. Time to find my lucky Arsenal boxers and get my viewing game plan in order.
MidWestGun
Maybe you should read MLC’s earlier post.
No hard feelings though.
Big day today. Let’s hope we do it.
🍺🙏😷
Graham-
Yep.. yep.. would love an FA cup final after the shit year we have had..
I agree Kia is most likely not an outstanding individual. But you can’t tell from what he looks like.. Honestly he looks like a dude I go surfing with minus the suit.
Anyhow, gonna be tough… for sure. I so want to make a prediction of score but don’t want to jinx it.
Un,
I think you’ve got more history than Gentlebris, for saying shit like this. Even now you mention indisputable facts.
Hmmm sorry that and what comes out of your mouth (via the keyboard) never the twain shall meet.
I don’t give a shit about the movement or views that you got banned for. Simply answering my question with facts wouldn’t get you banned either.
You seem to be confusing Facts with Xenophobia, they ain’t the same mate.
Stop playing with the Shit stick and maybe your arse will stop bleeding.
Mug
Just watched highlights of the 2017 semi final to get in the mood further.
What a fabulous ball in by Oxlade Chamberlain for Montreal’s goal, seems we played 3 at the back that day too.
I’m not feeling overly confident and yet I am not fearing the worst either. I think that we now have the battling qualities to hang in there with teams who have superior quality and that will count for a lot in a one off game like this.
Just had a fright
I was going down a country lane and passed a car with a lady driver sporting a large pair of sunglasses and wearing a mask.
She was on her own in the car!
Bonkers.
Up to now, Arteta’s team is losing the big one; against Olympiakos FC and the NLD. He is facing another test today.
Xenophobia is fine though as long as it’s the English eh? Please don’t play the victim, it’s embarrassing. FYI I took Bris comments iirc to be referencing the sense of entitlement and benefits of a stable society as producing kids who might find it touhh competing with kids who’ve grown up with disadvantage and in unstable or war torn societies. Whereas your statement was based on ignorant, incorrect nonsense. Which you are unable to reply to with any creditable facts. Still unable to it seems. Anyway I’ve said enough, but you need to be aware you will be challenged on… Read more »
“Just had a fright
I was going down a country lane and passed a car with a lady driver sporting a large pair of sunglasses and wearing a mask.
She was on her own in the car!
Bonkers.“
Which was it , her wearing a mask , or driving without male supervision part?
I get the feeling that 99%( or thereabouts) of Arsenal fans think that City will dominate similar to Liverpool the other night . I dont think so, I think we will have learnt from the other night and at least try and impose ourselves on the game. That’s not to say that City won’t have more possession, they will as they always do , whoever they play. I just think that Arsenal will have their moments in the game where we will create chances Against liverpool the other night we had Zero creativity, I can’t see that happening tonight. First… Read more »
dave
It does make you wonder doesn’t it!
CGJuly 18, 2020 14:32:48
Tom“””””It always warms my heart when CG and I agree on something.””””Most folk , come around in the end, to my way of thinking,
(I accept its a slow process)
Sorry CG but I never needed convincing Wenger’s FA cup record was something special, or that he would be a hard act to follow.
How’s your 87% prediction rate these days btw?
Mourinho taking Spurs back to top four and Watford cracking top six (amongst others)must’ve made a huge dent in it, no lol.
Don’t think lighting is going to strike twice in a week.
I’m not optimistic about our chances tonight. Hoping for another miracle. I think we should just attack and what happens happens. Guns blazing. It’s a cup game, so fuck it.
City doesn’t press as hard as the Pools. Our defenders will have chances to pass the ball. On the other hand, City’s passing attack can break down our defense easily even if we park the bus..
Pierre
Think you’re right to an extent, I feel like we’ll be better equipped centrally this time.
Liverpool play through the wide areas be it Salah, Mane, TAA, or Robertson. Centrally they’re less impressive. City is the opposite, very dangerous centrally and through the lines.
Can see Xhaka, Ceballos, and Torreira sitting, maybe even with Willock as a false 9 again to pack midfield. Auba/Laca possibly in a wide two.
Spivs, pimps, prep schoolers and a few others “sometimes” stand out from the crowd
We will win the penalty shoot out, there wont be defensive howlers from the opposite team today.
You heard it here 1st!
For me.. No costly errors playing out of the back and we might need Martinez to stand on his head a few times. Set piece defending gives me trauma. But I think we will have more chances and not so much long ball play as versus Pool. Really just need the sharp shooters to be sharp. Laca’s confidence has to be higher then normal, so, all things considered, it’s winnable. Say 35% chance.. we were playing decent until David Luiz, torpedoed the match last time. And injuries.
Un, Without trying to attack you it must be difficult for you at times, it’s like part of you knows what the right thing is, yet you have this other side. Is there inner conflict? I dunno. As some of what you post football wise, even if I disagree with some of it, it’s not always nonsense. You make fair points at times and generally have some understanding of the issues different people face. However you still have views /beliefs which go against that understanding. I think sometimes, just check yourself, before emotionally responding and hitting submit. You can believe… Read more »
It was in deepest Suffolk!
Tom you shouldn’t tempt me.
Can’t see us wining tonight but it our only chance of a trophy, so if they can get some club spirit going who knows.
Any team news yet?
Cazorla is a free agent next week.
If we win tonight, I would love to see Santi Cazorla come back on a short term contract to play in the FA Cup final and then retire after us winning the Cup.
Then we can give him the proper send off he deserved. One of the most likeable players in the latter years of the Wenger era.
Then he would join Arteta as a youth coach or scout.
City have too many players to worry about, debrunye on his own can destroy us, add sterling, the Silvas, mahrez and Jesus and it’s almost impossible!
Their defence is not as good , but they’re the masters of keeping the ball and pass it around
We definitely need a miracle ..
11 behind the ball and big sam tactic it’s then!
AMN starts , luiz and mustafi too
Bellerin, Tierney, xhaka, ceballos, Auba,Laca,Pepe
Think it’s 433
City don’t press as hard as Liverpool
City do however press in a more intelligent manner that Liverpool
Our season probably ends today. City have dominated these domestic cup competitions for a while. I do<hope we win the last two games of the season to at least have a chance of qualifying for the EL.
Can Mustafi and Luiz go 90 minutes without having brain farts?
That’s the question