You can’t coach character. Huge wake-up call for Arteta and the technical team

by .


My hope is that a desperately poor performance like yesterday’s works out better for Arsenal in the long-term. Two shocking games without mitigating circumstances might save us a season of misery.

How so?

The worrying narrative that Arteta had been spinning prior to the last two games was that the players were focused, fighting, and turning a corner. ‘They might not be the best, but they always give 100%’ has been the gist. For a moment, I was convinced. When we’ve suffered bad results of late, there’s usually been a valid excuse. Red cards, injuries, bad luck… just a shit day at the office.

Brighton felt like the exception. We made inroads away from home, we beat teams above us in the league, we took two major scalps inside 4 days, we made a cup final. Then this week happened. We had to put on a show against two teams in the relegation zone and it was miserable.

The squad showed their true colours. Like Emery post-22 games, when the focus drops, it really drops. There’s no real reason for it, it’s not a talent issue, it’s a character problem. You cannot coach that out of this squad, Mikel should know, he played with some of the offending characters.

We had an Arsene Wenger performance at Aston Villa. The players took their foot off the gas. We held onto possession and did nothing with it. Managed to lose to an average press. We were the only team this season not to register a shot on target against them. We are MILES better than Villa, but we fucked it.

Then we had an Unai Emery performance against Watford. We lost our shape, we were outbattled, we let a shit team absolutely batter us. We lucked out with a win. Where was the adherence to the game plan? Where was the desire? How can you let Danny Welbeck look world-class?

This isn’t all on Arteta, but he has to take a share of this week. He doesn’t seem to realize that these players will always let him down. They don’t care. They don’t have the ability to retain focus. If the game isn’t interesting, they won’t turn up. He knows Kola is mentally weak, yet he keeps appearing. He’s seen the stats with Luiz, yet he’s telling us he’s elite and the only way to get him out of the mistakes is to… play him some more? We also gave him a new deal, that’s not good. Rob Holding, I want him to be great, but it’s clear that isn’t happening. Lacazette for a new deal, really? There is a group of players that have the ability but lack the focus to be dangerous for any sort of stretch and that won’t change.

We’ll see the mentality shift for the cup final. I bet we show up. The players will look totally different. They will execute the game plan. They will battle like demons. We will be very competitive. Why? Because it’s an important game they care about.

The Watford game was a disgrace. I don’t care that we won. The points were irrelevant. We needed a performance and we didn’t get one. Our xG was pitiful.

Look over at City. Comfortably 2nd. Fuck all to play for and they smash Watford with a stylish display, then they hammer Norwich today. No mercy. They haven’t had a good season, but they still showed the gulf in mentality between us and them.

Arteta needs to learn fast that this sort of performance always waits in the wings. David Luiz conceding 5 penalties, a record, is exactly what he’s about. 1 worldie, 3 average games, 2 howlers. You can’t rely on him. He should be taking on a Lichtsteiner role next year. It doesn’t look that way and that’s a worry. If he’s central to our plans, we’re in trouble, because everyone in football knows how that story ends.

As for the rest of the squad, it’s clear who needs to go. If we make minor tweaks this summer, you can bet your bottom dollar we won’t move forward at the pace required. You cannot coach character. You do not progress with players that can tactically boss City, then throw in the towel against Villa and Watford.

Yesterday was a wake-up call.

Yes, Arteta has moved us forward. Yes, he is the right man to take us into the future. But he needs to get woke to these players and their weaknesses. The most novice and arrogant thing he could do this summer is buy into the idea that he has changed the fundamental character flaws that are deeply ingrained in these players. You do not create a high-performance culture with these players. The kids do not develop training with bums. It is as simple as that.

I love the theory that Steve Round and Mikel speak to, it sounds smart, it reads very progressive, but it has to go beyond words. Their actions have to show they have the courage to deliver the bad news and make horrible choices. The non-negotiables have to go beyond training ground etiquette. This summer, his non-negotiables have to focus on talent. If you don’t have the focus, get out the club. If you are good with the kids but can’t cut it on the pitch, you are no good to anyone. If you lack talent, then see you later. The way some of the contract talks have been shaped over the past few weeks, I am deeply worried about that he’s not going to deliver the aggressive stance we need. A half-baked job this summer would be a disaster.

Our main problem though is one of character, not just talent. I desperately hope that Arsenal losing out on 5th because of Villa, Spurs and Brighton has drive home that point to Mikel. No more chances for players that don’t have it. No more bringing in characters that are finished. Don’t roll the dice on players from other clubs that are 26 years old with clear mentality issues. It is not worth it. We have seen it too many times at Arsenal. The story needs to change.

This upcoming transfer window needs to be profound. We have no money, but we do have players that can be traded for better ones. But there has to be intent from Arteta to move on names he seems to think are cutting it. If we blow it, based on the naïveté of the clubs coaching and technical staff, next season will be rough and the fans will not be so forgiving.

8th place for Arsenal is relevant because Klopp finished there in his first season. He learnt his lessons and he attacked the fundamentals aggressively. Arteta must do the same if we truly want to follow the same path.

We’ll spend today complaining, then it’s cup final vibes all the way. A huge chance for Arteta to start his career with a trophy, also a chance for the players to redeem themselves after a shocking end to the season.

Onwards!

 

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Nelson

For Luiz my theory is: Luiz knows what to do but his body fails him. You can get a red card if you are a step too slow. He should only play in the back 3 formation. He’ll have sufficient time to get to all the balls.

The same cannot be said of Kola and Holding. They suck regardless of the formation.

China1

I will be willing to let a lot of shit I don’t like about this season slide if we have a good summer. If we have a mixed bag or worse summer then you can be sure the daggers will be our early next season. If not for Arteta then for edu and Raul and on kroenke

The backpass

Wasi

“But on our list of priorities , CB is probably 4th or 5th.”

I disagree, with Mari injured and Mustafi out for a long time, it jumps to 2nd-3rd important position to upgrade.

Wasi

Dissenter

FA likes to award their darlings over deserving winners.

Forget the player of the year award , Alexis couldn’t even get in the PFA team of the year with 24 goals and 13/14 assists. That is about 1 goal contribution per 90 , if he played all 90 minutes for all 38 games.
And I guess he had a better rate than 1 G/A per 90.

Champagne Charlie

“Hearing good things about Gabriel Magalhaes at Lille . Any Ligue 1 experts ? How good is he ? Only 22 , Arsenal should be looking at him”

I know he was excellent last season and among the best defenders statically in Europe. Never watched him personally, but talk of him in and around 25 mil euros. Those kind of deals should be setting us off, more so than your 50 mil Upamecano’s imo.

China1

I really don’t mind if we sign a bunch of players I’ve never heard of for pennies on the dollar

I just want arsenal to kick out some of the dross and sign some players who will make us noticeably better, at transfer fees we can afford and wages we can manage

Who those players are etc I’m not bothered

Ashwin Gunner

China Luiz is world class. He is not in his prime years anymore. but he still can give a lot o to the team. he is not at an age where he can play 3 games a week. he is bound to drop his shoulders. The problem is, Arteta still picks him up every game, because other players are just shit. Among the blind, one eyed man is the king. Same with Luiz. He is bad, but CB are not even upto his level. Gambon I agree 100% with you when you say only luck can win us FA cup.… Read more »

Wasi

Backpass

If we sell Sokratis and Kola then I guess we’ll replace them with a cheap CB.

We first need 2/3 midfielders , after that probably a RB and then a CB.

CG

PedRo

“”””If that’s the case, he’s dead in the water and a pointless hire.””””

from Mikel Arteta’s viewpoint- its a win win for him.

He will learn his apprenticeship at Arsenal
It raises his profile.
And he will receive a magnificence severance – when the inevitable happens.
And Pep will always need a No.2.

Whats the old slogan?

“”””If you cant beat them, join them!””””

All aboard the Arsenal Gravy Train.
Next stop………Wembley….

gambon

Realistically, what we need to do this summer: – Goalkeepers are OK. None are world class, but we can definitely climb the table without a new GK. Leave as it is. – Defence is too slow, too error prone. We need at least one CB, a starting RB, and a backup LB in the Cedric mould. Most of our defenders should be sold. If we have a quicker defence thats better on the ball, we can play higher up the pitch, which will mean an end to the 35% possession bollocks that we play against any half decent team. –… Read more »

Valentin

Divine, PSG are releasing Thiago Silva, Marquinhos is now considered a midfielder. So he would be a starter at PSG. At ManUtd, he is also likely to a starter. Maguire may be the most famous name, but he is not in the same league in term of quality. Outside of Eric Bailly the other ManUtd CBs are worse than Maguire. Our chance is whether ManUtd has set their goal in a more experience player. And whether there is truth in the rumour that PSG is looking at bringing a French defender to avoid losing a home grown player place. Hence… Read more »

Leftfootcurler

Everything I have said about improving Arsenal is for getting top 4. Just getting 2 players and keeping the rest the same would do it. A quality creative passing winger at LW And Partey. Partey is not just a DM/CM. He is special because of his ability to pass from 1st phase to final third or even split the defence from 1st phase. But if we sell Auba,Sell everyone whose age >26 and start a project youth ie sign u23 players. Give chances to Nketiah,Martinelli,Nelson,ESR,Willock,AMN. Let them grow patiently. Our deadwood will be out of contract next summer. Will free… Read more »

DivineSherlock

Champagne

Upamecano is valued at 50 mil ? Dont think they will get that much

If this transfer window is really fcuked we should rather concentrate on one really worldie CM and a CB . Two players thats it . Focus on clearing the dross. we can always rely on January window.

Marko

Secondly, I think this is the most important summer I can remember at the club. Easily. Pivotal in fact. We’re so close to being utterly left behind that we can’t sit on our hands this summer irrespective of the excuses available to the club. We have to significantly strengthen the squad this summer and we need to get the signings right. Money and a lack of European football is irrelevant it’s what’s needed either way. And again worth noting in connection with FFP not being a factor that Stan Kroenke is one of the few people on the planet who… Read more »

CG

“”””If the Kroenkes arent considering sacking Raul, Edu & co then theres a huge issue.”””

Well said Gambon

Hopefully thats what Lewis is here for.

Champagne Charlie

“We need an overhaul.“ With respect that’s a bit knee jerky. I’d like an overhaul because I’ve wanted one since Wenger left as means of moving this club into a new era proper. But…… we make top 4 this past season with a Thomas Partey in midfield instead of Torreira. That isn’t to say we’re mustard, we’re not even mayo, but we can make massive gains with 3 good players this summer. That isn’t an overhaul, but it would be a huge difference maker imo were they the right ones. Sooner we make surgical gainzz than do mad business that… Read more »

Wasi

Ashwin

Luiz at his peak was a very good player.
Never been world class imo.
How can a CB be world class if he never was a very good defender.

Champagne Charlie

Divine

I’m not actual sure how much he’s rated, just often seen those numbers touted. Gabriel is circa 20 mil pounds which is exactly the wheelhouse we should be operating in with precision.

Liverpool did that with a handful of players that maybe never sparked, but have been pillars to their success.

DivineSherlock

Valentin

Good work I didnt know all that stuff about PSG , I guess he really is a good prospect . I imagine a lot of clubs are after defenders this window Chelsea , City , Utd maybe Liverpool as well . Rumours are strong though about ManUtd targeting Kingsley Coman from Bayern .

CG

PedRo

“”””CG, he’s not here to raise his profile, he wants to bring Arsenal back to the top.Your choices for manager were Pearson and Dyche.”””””

(More Dyche than Pearson please,)
My first choice off course- is the return of a refreshed and reinvigorated Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal are a lost cause under Stan.
Even Arteta will know that by now.

crikey, even you know that by now.

Ashwin Gunner

“I will be willing to let a lot of shit I don’t like about this season slide if we have a good summer. ”

Didnt we all think we had a brilliant summer after we signed Pepe for 72 mil..

its not the summer which matters. You never know what you get. You might get an Alexis Sanchez who played for Arsenal, or you might end up with Alexis Sanchez who played for Man u

Nelson

Someone raised this question: “What is Joe Willock good at?”
It is a number game. He can give Saka a rest.

Dissenter

gambon “It really now is a question of funds.” Not so fast. We have been wasting money away recently. A good example is tha of Cedris Soares; a 29 year old full back that Southampton were allowing to leave on a fee. He got a massive four year deal. We wanted him so bad we paid a loan fee of 2.5 million even though he was injured at the time. We didn’t even care that we had AMN who could reasonable play that position. I wouldn’t throw money at this problem I were the Kroenkes. W e aren’t making the… Read more »

Leftfootcurler

“But…… we make top 4 this past season with a Thomas Partey in midfield instead of Torreira.”

No we don’t
Not with our creativity.

Chelsea made top 4 this season despite conceding 54 goals is because they scored 69 goals.

Main reason we did not finish top 4 is because we struggle to create chances.
We scored 56 goals this season.
Need to increase it to 70-75.

Matt

Can’t disagree with either of Gambons last two posts. All very depressing, but not wrong. So many problems to fix and I don’t see any reason why KSE would Decide now is the right time to still no onion the cash to address those problems.

Matt

*stump up the cash

Leftfootcurler

I don’t think we will get battered against chelsea if everyone is fresh.

As long as Lampard doesn’t play 343 and Kante is injured,arsenal has a good chance of winning.

Dissenter

I don’ think Villa will sell Grealish this summer. The will just increase his wages to make him stay.
There will be three Birmingham clubs in the premier league next season; Brom, Wolves and Villa.

Dissenter

*Southampton want £25m for the Danish international holding midfielder who has held talks with Everton but told them he prefers a move to London.

Why don’t we ever do good business like this. Spurs are set to get a very good midfielder.

gambon

Its not possible for Villa to keep Grealish.

He’s far too good for them.

Marko

I wouldn’t throw money at this problem I were the Kroenkes Right but what’s the alternative? Whether he wants us to actually be successful or to make money whatever the case may be it’s football and to do that you need better players it’s that simple and at a club like Arsenal that means the transfer market because despite what people may think we’re not on the verge of having a great generation of young players coming through our great academy (which we don’t have btw). You sort out the problems at Arsenal by buying and selling players and that’s… Read more »

gambon

In terms of creativity I would go all out for Grealish, and maybe go for Buendia of Norwich.

Between them created 172 chances last season. Buendia could play in a central 3, Grealish on the left.

Grealish has said a few complimentary things about AFC before I think.

Marko

Don’t want Graelish anyhow. If we want to go the expensive English route I’d prefer Declan Rice

Leftfootcurler

What is Joe Willock good at?
Athleticism and movement
He is strong in duels,good at pressing,make runs.

Can potentially be an Ngidi type player.

He has made some good runs into the box and then missed his chance badly.

DivineSherlock

This maybe very unpopular choice but we should look at Sheffield United. Maybe Baldock or Berge , both solid options in our midfield . Sander Berge is actually quite decent .

jwl

All players that came to Arsenal while Wenger was manager should be questioned about their mentality because they were keen to be over paid to play half assed football. Wenger was constantly asked if his players were mentally weak, he would deny it, and a few weeks later he would be asked again. I’ve long wondered if there is a personality test before we buy a player because we’ve bought many players that just weren’t up for it. I was astonished when Per talked about his mental issues, and then Mustafi and Xhaka also talked about how hard it was… Read more »

Valentin

If I were Grealish, I would stick with Villa for one extra year, before joining ManCity.

If he join ManUtd, he will be sharing time with Fernandes. Offensively he is better than Fernandes, but defensively he is not. As I don’t think that OGS would be able to find a system with Martial, Rashford, Pogba, Fernandes, Matic/Fred and Grealish.

Next year, with more of the old guard (Silva, Mahrez, KdB, …) either retiring, or slowing down he would be joining a better fit.

Marko

Villa are on record as saying that they don’t want to sell Graelish and that it’ll take a lot of money for them to part ways with him. Even if say it’s circa 40 million (likely more) that to me is too much considering you could probably get someone like Szoboszlai and a Buendia or Thiago Almada for the same price. Agree though given the complete lack of creativity in the side two should be targeted this summer

Wasi

Rice over Grealish.
Are you kidding?

To solve our creativity problems , your advice is to buy a defensive midfielder.

Val

Kdb and Mahrez both have about 4,5 years left in them.

Pedro

Un, not sure I’m saying player poverty. 10 extra points this season takes us to 3rd. This squad talent wise would have been capable of that if Arteta was in at the start.

However, the lowest points total for 3rd ever is not the goal. We want to win titles. We are not doing that with these players. They cannot be renewed. Arteta should not be fooled into thinking he has tweaks to make this summer.

GunnerDNA

The decisions to extend Luiz, sign Mari and Soares are good indicators that people at Arsenal don’t have a clue about the potential of this squad. It might take next season for them to actually see what others are seeing. A team that’s not good enough shouldn’t be accommodating players like Luiz, Mustafi and Xhaka who basically needs another play for 90 minutes on match days to cover their weaknesses. The Club needs to address the spine of the team and then the team can move forward

DivineSherlock

Pedro

Arteta may have ambition to win titles with Arsenal but with this squad and the transfer budget situation , isnt it more likely with tweaks he makes it to CL qualification first ? Some money flowing in gradually and building a title winning team as opposed to an overhaul this season and not being able to make CL .

Marko

To solve our creativity problems , your advice is to buy a defensive midfielder.

That’s not I I said I just said I’d buy him nothing about our creative problems. I think a base of possibly Partey and Rice or Soumare would be better than anything right now we could put together. As for solving our creative problems I’m very interested in what Mikel’s view is. I’m predicting a Soler type but I’m looking forward to his views on it

englandsbest

Was anybody surprised by the team performance against Watford? They had everything to play for, Arsenal had nothing. Well. I was. I expected a lacklustre display, and what I saw, astonishingly, was energy and commitment. Non-stop end-to-end stuff. The blunt truth is that the quality level of the Arsenal players (with a few notable exceptions) is barely above the Watford level. I’m an optimist. I believe (hope) Saliba will raise the level at the back. There are signs that Pepe will become the attacker we hoped for. I sense that Mikel will bring in a truly creative midfielder. I fancy… Read more »

Graham62

China1

That’s the problem with Arsenal post 2006.

We have lacked the prerequisites needed to become a competitive/progressive club. Lost in this selfish and ignorant belief that our “values” will see us through.

To put the burden of change on Arteta’s shoulders is not the way it’s supposed to work.

The onus is on the owners and board to show their commitment to the cause.

Unfortunately, as it stands, this part of the equation doesn’t look too promising.

Leftfootcurler

This squad talent wise should take us up to 66 points?
I disagree.
Its a 60 points team.

gambon

“Arteta may have ambition to win titles with Arsenal but with this squad and the transfer budget situation , isnt it more likely with tweaks he makes it to CL qualification first ?”

Utd have finished 3rd and are trying to sign Sancho.

Chelsea scraped 4th and already have Havertz, Werner & Ziyech wrapped up.

We will need a complete overhaul just to get 4th.

If we dont go out and make substantial changes to this squad, we are basically hoping to fluke our way to 5th next season.

Pedro

Divine, what Gambon said.

3rd won’t be 66 points next season.

We need to be very aggressive.

alexanderhenry

Pedro

Not sure why you’re so pissed off or even surprised with yesterday’s performance.

The game was massive for Watford and irrelevant for Arsenal.
I’d like to think we’re keeping our powder dry for the cup final.

luke

Great to see Gambon back! How long’s it been?

Leftfootcurler

Gambon
Nah.

2 players are enough to get 75 points provided Pepe improves his off the ball game. If 75 points won’t get us top 4,that’s just bad luck.
Wenger was unlucky that 2016-17 season.

United are the real threat. They are guaranteed to finish top 4 unless there are injuries.
Havertz is an unnecessary signing. He is similar in profile and quality to Mason Mount.
Chelsea’s problem is defensive personnel.

andy1886

Remember all the plonkers last summer hailing our business and claiming we had ‘won the transfer window’? That top four was a certainty?

A lot of them are the same people now claiming player poverty.

Hope we learn from that and don’t either go OTT or all flown blown doom monger no matter what happens. There are no guarantees in football – except United winning penalties of course.

Big Perm

Dissenter
There will be three Birmingham clubs in the premier league next season; Brom, Wolves and Villa.

Thanks for this groundbreaking information captain obvious.

gambon

leftfootcurler

If we sign 2 players, Auba leaves. Simple as that.

These 2 players would have to be the best 2 players in the PL to get an Auba-less Arsenal into the top 4.

gambon

“Great to see Gambon back! How long’s it been?”

I pop in occasionally.

Dream10

Pedro & Gambon

Willian on a free, Coutinho on loan
Édouard from Celtic to replace Aubameyang.

Partey in, Guendouzi out
A cheap CB to replace Holding

Expect something like that

Emiratesstroller

Pedro I will follow your suggestion, because I have been at least consistent in my recruitment suggestions. CB Upamecano [£45-50 Million] DMF Partey [£44.8 Million] CMF Ceballos [£22 Million or 1 Year Loan] Total Cost: Maximum cost £116.8 Million [ but with negotiation maybe as low as £90 Million if Ceballos comes back on loan] The aim should be also to offload maximum number of unwanted players who can be sold. Guendouzi £30 Million Maitland-Niles £12 Million Kolasinac £8 Million Holding £5 Million Balogun £5 Million Sokratis £5 Million Elneny/Macey £2-3 Million combined. Ozil/Mkhitaryan Free [to get wages off books]… Read more »

DivineSherlock

Pedro / Gambon

Sort of a downer that to be honest . Its maybe because I dont really trust the exec team to pull this off . Will hold my breath out in August.

gambon

Also, making minor tweaks is fine when you have small noticeable weaknesses, or if you finished down the league due to bad luck. For example if you have a good defence and midfield, but terrible strikers or good midfield and attack but terrible defence (Liverpool signing Van Dijk, Fabinho & Allisson) However at AFC its far worse than that. We dont have poor positions, or poor areas of the pitch. We have about 22 of our 25 man squad that are sub-standard. We cant solve our issues with tweaks. We need to replace Bellerin, Kolasinac, all of our CBs, half… Read more »

Dissenter

Big Perm/Aubergine/Uruguayan bulldog
Thanks for seeking out my post for commendation.
Just be nice to direct your addle-brained remarks to someone else, back to your cave.

China1

Yeah graham and arsenal always found a way to flatter to deceive to justify not changing Like we’d be miles off the title but have the highest points tally from Jan to the end of the season so people would go into the summer off the back of good form and the major cracks would have been well and truly papered over for yet another shock and surprise when we failed again next season There was always this fear of being aggressive. ‘We’re nearly there’. ‘One or two great signings away’. Led to the absolute farce that was the summer… Read more »

Dissenter

Emirates
You would sell Holding for 5 million and AMN for 12 million?

Those valuations are pitifully too low.
Brighton were said to have bid 20 million for AMN. He is easily worth 25 million at least.
Holding has played in FA cup finals and European club games. He’s worth at least 15 million and here will be many takers.

Champagne Charlie

“This squad talent wise should take us up to 66 points? I disagree.Its a 60 points team.”

So we only dropped 4 points on talent despite having three managers?

Makes little sense. Heck, even a win against Villa would’ve put us 1 point off the output you claim of the squad. Arteta’s points per game has us at 61 points over a season, and that’s warts and all.

Real mental gymnastics to conclude this side incapable of the 70 points of last season.

Dissenter

*Holding has played in one FA cup final…may get his second final on Sunday

Receding Hairline

“It’s been clear from the moment emery came in and gave away all of our creators.”

Whatever makes you sleep at night

He gave them away indeed, they were all tied down to long term deals, he arrived and gave them all away. I know you are also including the semi retired Wilshere in your analysis, how West Ham wish they could give him away

China1

Arsenals approach is normally to give a bad player as much rope as they can to hang themselves with because the club is so frightened of being aggressive Why is kola still getting this much playing time for example? We never evaluate a player and just go you know what this guy is not playing well enough for arsenal football club. It always takes yonks and yonks for the club to finally cut a player loose If ozil went and said sorry to Arteta for being a little bitch and ran an extra k in training a few times a… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Un na naii

The club needs to solidify our spine first rather than tinker with our attacking
players. My squad for next season would be

GK
Martinez
Leno
DF
Upamecano
Saliba
Mustafi
Mari
Luiz [reluctant]
Bellerin
Tierney
Soares
MF
Xhaka
Partey
Ceballos
Torreira
Smith-Rowe
Willock
FW
Aubameyang
Lacazette
Pepe
Saka [can also play in MF & LB]
Martinelli
Nelson
Nketiah

Total: 23 [reduction of size of squad if not qualified for Europe]

Tom

Is Luiz hacking at Welbeck’s ankle a lack of character, or is it the sign of one? Luiz should know Welbeck is a terrible finisher but he thinks he can nick it in time and feels he needs to do something , but he’s too slow and gives away the pen. Welbeck looked a monster against us because we are slow and not because we have no character. I’m an extremely fit fifty something playing in an open division Sunday league against “kids “in their early twenties and thirties, some of whom aren’t even good at all ( extreme example… Read more »

luke

It’s easier to count the players we don’t need to sell than the ones we do: Leno, Martinez, Tierney, Xhaka, saka, auba, saka, martinelli. Did I miss anyone?

Emiratesstroller

Dissenter

I may be low in my estimates but perhaps realistic in current market conditions.
Maitland-Niles maybe worth more than I posted, but let’s see how many clubs offer more in current market.

gambon

“So we only dropped 4 points on talent despite having three managers?”

What about all the points we won despite being massively out xG’d?

Liverpool at home
Chelsea away
Watford yesterday

These games would have been massive losses if not for luck.

Arteta has picked up a lot of points, where the underlying stats suggest he shouldnt have.

If we dont get that luck next season, 56 points becomes 46 or so.

Batistuta

The marvel that is player poverty. Don’t you just love to see it

Batistuta

Jack Wlishere still a thing in 2020? Seriously didn’t think that was possible

Valentin

Wasi, David Silva is leaving ManCity at the end of the season. I don’t mean slowing down in term of quality, but slowing down in term of number of games their body will be able to handle. With one more year of experience of EPL under his belt, Grealish would be able to come in and immediately compete with those guys. If he comes in as understudy and I don’t think his character would handle very well to be on the bench. If he get disheartened, he will lose interest and be considered unreliable and petulant. The following year ,… Read more »

Receding Hairline

“Wilshere was willing to take a wage reduction and was told he wasn’t wanted” 100% the correct decision as has been proven at West Ham “Cazorla was told he wasn’t wanted” Not surprising when you have not kicked a ball for two years “Ozil and Ramsey were told they were key members of the team and then dropped after 180 mins into the season with Ramsey” Yes Ramsey’s deal was yanked by the club who decided they don’t wanna go ahead with the wages he wants, Ozil is still here and not playing because again the club want his wages… Read more »

CaliGooner

Upanecano signed a new deal at RB so he isn’t going anywhere. Partey will probably end up signing a new deal too. We are probably fucked. Mid table is where we will be for a while unless our academy unleashes a lot more Sakas. With Chelsea, city and united spending like drunken sailors on players we all dream we could sign I’d say next season is already a lost cause. I think we’d probably be better off long term without Europe next year. Then we can start to move on the over paid and hopefully begin to start over. A… Read more »

Batistuta

Ziyech, Werner and Harvetz are huge statements of intent by Chelsea. Sure they need to fix that defense with one or two players but that’s a huge attacking spine added to what they have already. How they get on remains to be seen but can’t say I’m not jealous at that and if anything about their recent buys i.e. Pulisic is anything to go by, those players would be quite a handful for anyone next season.

Champagne Charlie

Gambon And same applies to those games we didn’t get maximum points from despite superior xG, or games where mistakes or poor decisions cost the side. There’s not stat available that accounts for changing three managers in a season and the variables that presents. “If we dont get that luck next season, 56 points becomes 46 or so.“ This and relegation chat above, I think you’re out with an imaginative brush tbh. This season has been a calamitous mix of poor squad building and a sea change in management. If you can’t bring yourself to include “extenuating circumstances” here I… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Un na naii

Partey can play CMF and I think that Pepe will improve next season. You can
also add Saka and Smith-Rowe as players with growing maturity offer skill and craft.

The bottom line is that we have a limited number of players that we can offload for transfer fees without impacting further on the club’s attacking
performance.

As many experts have suggested Arsenal need to improve from the back and
along the spine.

Wasi

Valentin

In Foden , City already have a like for like replacement for Silva.
City have a core of midfielders and they don’t particularly need another body in their midfield.
In Kdb , B.Silva , Foden , Gundogan , Rodri City have enough quality and also strength in depth. Even Stones can play DM when required.
Grealish wont settle being a bench player so I dont see him going there. Imo we should go all in for Grealish this window.
45mil + bonuses ought to get him.

Kay

Both Manu and Chelsea are just one Van dijk away from challenging Citeh and Pool.

We will be competing with the likes of Leicester and Tiny totts even if we buy Party.

I am looking like a broken record and kind of getting disinterested at this point tbh.

Sid

Supreme leader made a great post only to ruin it in the comments section, truly Arsenal like, one step forward one step back

Sid

Let Pep have Ceballos he might get more from him than diet Pep,

Im telling you for free!

Tom

Where is this Grealish might have a big ego problem child narrative coming from?
I watched him a lot this season and not seen it once.
He makes all the right plays , passes, tackles and even though head and shoulders above other Villa players , didn’t show any frustration with his lesser teammates.
He could easily slot into City squad even at the cost of cutting his minutes.
A chance to win the PL and CL under Pep while making top dollar, why would he turn that down?

Sid

Nelsons idea of dribbling is making a 360 degrees turn.

Champagne Charlie

Nelson absolutely beasted the unders at Arsenal, you haven’t a clue. This Joelson is doing the same in Portugal, he’s done fuck all for the seniors.

Receding Hairline

Says the king of morons

gambon

Nelson probably has one more season to show he can do it at Arsenal.

He’s been massively underwhelming since playing senior football.

Emiratesstroller

Gambon

Both Nelson and Willock are currently no better than squad players and have
probably as you suggest another one season to prove themselves.

However, realistically Arsenal do not need at the moment more than 18 players who are good enough to play in starting lineup particularly if we do not qualify for Europe.

The other players are only needed to make up numbers in squad. Arsenal need to focus in our recruitment on the top 18.

Champagne Charlie

We turned down 20 mil for Nelson last year apparently, should be making those kinds of moves without hesitation in our current iteration.

Would personally use him as leverage to land a Grealish.

Mics

Would love seeing Grealish here, but surely we can’t afford him, especially given his English premium.

Dissenter

CC
I suspect Villa will keep Grealish for another season to help them become more established in the premier league.
They signed some good players that will get better next season but Grealish stays for now.

Calypso

The only youngster with genuine quality is Tierney all the rest are overhyped wannabees

Dissenter

We keep signing squad players when our starting 11 is so weak in several positions.
What we are doing is akin to going to the gym to work exclusively on the extremities strength when the core muscles are very weak.

Sid

Have seen enough of Nelson to know he is nothing special the same way one could tell Saka/Gabi was special within 2 games
Move him on before its to late, take a punt on a Joelson.

Sid

Buendia is better value for money than Grealish

Mics

Dissenter

Good analogy!

Dissenter

This made me crack up

“Wolves star Adama Traore soaks arms in BABY OIL to prevent defenders who fear his pace from grabbing him after a series of shoulder injuries”

Next thing, players will be covered with lube to make defensive penetration easier.

Calypso

Sid

It’s about time Saka lived up to his hype and delivered.