I love the calming feeling of knowing that Arsenal fans are united for at least one summer. We all agree the Premier League was horrible, but every single one of us can see that we’re on the cusp of progress… provided the club backs the manager this summer.
There aren’t too many players I’m overly attached to, but I do think it is essential to keep Auba at Arsenal. He’s close to the peak of his goal-scoring powers, but as a footballer, he’s still pushing himself forward trying to find that next level. With him in the side, you always have a chance. I think he’s the sort of unique goalscoring talent we’d not be able to replace. His deal would set the club back £39m over 3 years. I suspect you’d get at least 100 goals. I’m not sure how you replace that and it’s actually quite frightening to think what we’d do if he did decide to leave. With Real Madrid apparently interested in Lewandowski or him, we might soon find out how keen he is to bed in for the Arsenal project.
The best bet right now is to give him what he wants, which is money, and ambition in the transfer market. Some reporting he wants to be reunited with an injury-prone, but technically dreamy Dembele who is struggling at Barca.
If he does sign on, then Arsenal has to begin the process of replacing the goals. Odsonne Edouard looks a serious talent for the future scoring a hat trick yesterday, we should be looking to find a striker like that to bring in as a deputy. We also need to find players that can share the burden of the goalscoring. It’s a little like the situation we had before Henry left, except I’m not sure we currently have many players that can step in.
Part of the creativity equation this summer has to be to find midfielders that can also score goals. We need to find players with Andrey, Santi, Pires, and Rosicky like vibes. It does seem increasingly likely that despite my anti-Kia agenda, we’ll be going there this summer, and if that brings in Willian and Coutinho, you’re hiring in talent that offers both creativity and goals. So that’s a good solve, but we still need to bring in young players behind them that can grow.
We’ll also need to look seriously at our centre back situation. I love Rob Holding, but I don’t think he’s comfortable enough on the ball to make it in the Arteta system. Sokratis seems like a nice guy, but he’s not the level needed. We have to find a ball playing centre back that is the right size, has the right amount of pace, and can grow with the team. David Luiz had a great game yesterday, but Arteta is absolutely kidding himself if he thinks that he’s taking us to top 4 next season as our regular starter.
There are a lot of rumours linking us to Sevilla’s Diego Carlos, he’s 6ft, right-footed, 27, and Brazilian. I’ve watched him for all of 6 minutes and he seems built for Arteta football. His comps position him as an all-action defender, he loves a Kolo-esque slide tackle, he pressures attackers with his aggression, and he has good strength and balance.
The great news is that we’re set on the keeper front. Emi Martinez has made an outrageously strong claim that he is number one. He’s barely put a foot wrong and if anything, he’s offered up a massive headache for Arteta because he’s a very different keeper to Bernd Leno. The two notable difference for me are his outrageous frame, which makes him hard to beat, and his command of the box. He catches, which is advantageous because in a fast system, controlling the ball is paramount. Leno likes to punch, which can cause problems with possession turnovers, and his lesser frame can see him pushed about a touch in the box. What Leno has is superior shot-stopping and I think he is better in one-on-one situations. Still, two great keepers, what a time to be alive.
Where I am interested to see what we do is in the fullback positions. Hector Bellerin was out of favour, then he came roaring back in. AMN was complaining that he wanted out, now he’s looking more and more like an extremely reliable executor of plans. He was brilliant in the semi and the final. His concentration is improving, he seems more bought into the project, and he has athletic gifts you dream of.
I’m still baffled that we opted for Soares in January, it’s early doors obviously, but I just don’t see it. Did we buy him to flip him? Or did we purchase him so we could sell one of AMN or Bellerin to bring in some much-needed cash this summer?
The midfield is going to be interesting from a selling perspective because that’s where I think we make our money. Lucas Torreira simply hasn’t worked out in the Premier League, he’s too small and he’s doesn’t make up for it with power or pace. He could be used as a decent make-weight with an Italian club. Matteo G dropped an Instagram post after the cup final celebrating the fact he was on holiday, you can’t knock him, he really is a bit of a whopper. Still, the reason I think the club hasn’t leaked much about him is that he’s revered as a super talent in Europe. I suspect he’ll get offers from Spain and Italy, and we really have to make them count. Getting Coutinho for £9m because we swapped Guendouzi would be a superb deal. Bringing a powerful player from Inter or Juve would also work for me. Whatever we do, we have to make it work. I’d ideally prefer a younger profile of player, but I do see the logic in the view that we already have a lot of young players, what we don’t have is reliable seniors that match the system we want to play.
The really big questions is this: What do you do about players that love their contracts?
The world is uncertain at the moment. Everyone knows shit is going to be bad for football clubs, so do players stick with big deals they love or do they move now and get some long-term security?
Sokratis earns about £90k week, he’s not getting that anywhere else. Mustafi earns the same, I think he’s been pretty good, but who will take him with an injury? Kola earns £120k a week because we picked him up on a free. We’re having to give Mikhi a free so Roma can afford him. Will anyone pay Lacazette £180k a week? Will Mesut Ozil see out the rest of his deal if he’s not even training? Will he really go full-on Winston Bogarde here? He absolutely has to go, we cannot continue to allow the grey cloud of the World Cup winner hang over us into another season.
Arsenal should reduce the wage bill this summer, hack out the expensive flops, and bring some normality and honesty to where we are as a club. I also think performance-based contracts should be given another spin.
Additionally, Arsenal needs to have those names pinned to a board with the headline PAY PLAYERS MARKET RATE. We cannot continue to lock ourselves into crazy deals for average talent. No more David Luiz deals for £200k a week. It’s only second-hand rumor, but it’s from a good place, that Willian has seen his deal half. From where, I don’t know, but I’d imagine if David Luiz was on £120k a week at Chelsea, and Willian is on the same, with the same agent, it’s probably from the same place. We cannot allow ourselves to be suckered into wasting money on old players that won’t be good in their third year. We need to do what we did for Mikel when he joined us, give him a longer deal on less money. More to the point, I really think we need to move away from signing players in their thirties.
So there are my hot thoughts on the summer and what we need to do. Arsenal will aim to move fast, Frank Lampard said Willian will reveal where he’s going over the next few days, and I’d imagine we’ll move into a speculation vortex over the coming 10 days.
Things to watch out for:
- Clubs still in the Champions League will likely not deal until after the tournament. News on Partey might be hard to come by.
- Anyone on Canales or Kia’s roster is viable because we are addicted to the contacts-teet
- I would give credibility to rumours around Lille, Barca, Sevilla, and even Wolves players because of the connections
Raul has to get this summer right. There is a huge focus on his actions from the bloggers, the media, and people within the club. Edu also has to show his value, being a handsome man alone cannot disguise a lack of creativity or vision. This summer absolutely must count. Clarity of vision and coherence in the execution is something we’ve lacked for a very long time, now is the time to make good on it and push us back into the top 4 next season.
Let’s see what they do, I’m excited either way, so let me know what YOU’D do in the comments below. xx
So no BBC link Val? Shocked
Not keen at all on both Willian and Coutinho, too many years in the account there, especially if we’re going for Partey too.
A Willian/Coutinho + Szoboszlai combo would be much better. The only way Willian makes sense imo,
Not keen at all on both Willian and Coutinho, too many years in the account there, especially if we’re going for Partey too.
A Willian/Coutinho + Szoboszlai combo would be much better. The only way Willian makes sense imo, and if he takes lower wages.
Gabriel to sort out the backline and then a Partey/Soumare/Sissoko/Sangare to complete the midfield if Ceballos stays.
Then we’re set as long as Auba stays.
I remember last year saying Maitland niles is a better right back thab Bellerin and a certain poster here landed on me with abuse..Niles,even with his lapses in concentration offers more than Hector(what does he actually do?).
Wouldn’t mind kicking out Laca for Edouard even if Auba stays though but maybe that is asking too much:)
Willian would be such an underwhelming signing if it’s not followed up with signings to fix that gaping hole in our midfield. Only upside is we probably get to see the back of Nelson who doesn’t cut it for me anyway.
Other question is does he play right replacing our 72 million man or left because Auba is leaving?
London
Yes, he is very swift in his movement. He can seamlessly move from wing to attacking midfield position. He doesn’t rely on pace but on movement. He scores goals too and plays mostly in and around the box.
Freddie
The only problem I have with it is the three year deal (If it is). Add buendia and Ceballos on loan on top of it and we will be golden creatively next season. If Auba stays his numbers will go up just because he will get more chances.
I think we also need to worry about creativity
We don’t really have any kind of real playmaker.
We need a cheap version of Bruno fernandes
I suspect this is a William vs Coutinho situation for Raul/Edu/Mikel team
If we get William, it’s unlikely they pursue Coutinho any further. I hope they aren’t doing all the deals on credit.
Pedro, I can’t help but think that the following two statements are contradictory: I do think it is essential to keep Auba at Arsenal. We cannot allow ourselves to be suckered into wasting money on old players that won’t be good in their third year. Heart and head speaking I think. Totally agree we need goals but as you’ve said many times we absolutely need to be thinking about value and executing something more along the Dortmund model i.e. focus on bringing in and developing exciting young talent that will generate positive resale values. Also, it’s not £39M over 3… Read more »
Coutinho is Ozil v2.
I’m telling you this for free.
“I suspect this is a William vs Coutinho situation for Raul/Edu/Mikel teamIf we get William, it’s unlikely they pursue Coutinho any further. I hope they aren’t doing all the deals on credit.“
What has you suspecting this?
They’re completely different types of players.
it’s not clever to claim all transfers have risk as some qualifier for signing a player that’s missed 52 games the last 18 months with injury.
I mean Depay has missed 33 games in less time there recently coming off an ACL injury and you have absolutely no problem with him being signed. Again I think it’s more down to a preference than anything about targeting someone who’s suffered recently with injuries.
Ozil and Guen had clearly been a distraction in the run up to the final so keeping them away from the squad was the right call.
The only problem with Ozil going to Turkey and Guen to wherever the fuck he went to is that neither place isn’t far enough.
Mars would’ve been more preferable.
How is this even a story ?
Willian in..Lacazette and hopefully ozil out
Would be a good business
Sort out the midfield with two new signings, three if we moved on Toreira and that should be it this window.
full backs / centre backs assesment and upgrade can wait until next window/summer
double negative ,auto correct, hello!
Who are these ones mentioning zahara still? Why not Solomon kalu instead?
Zaha
CC
““I suspect this is a William vs Coutinho situation for Raul/Edu/Mikel teamIf we get William, it’s unlikely they pursue Coutinho any further. I hope they aren’t doing all the deals on credit.“What has you suspecting this?”
Money
Its sexy on paper.
____________________Auba_____________________
Willian___________________________________Pepe
__________________Coutinho___________________
___________Xhaka___________Ceballos_____________
Tierney______Please go VVD Raul___________Bellerin
______________Damián Emiliano Leno__________
Its sexy on paper.
Sal
That’s a light weight midfield with no pace and Ceballos as the best tackler.
Azed
My name isn’t Raul Devito Sanllehi.
“I mean Depay has missed 33 games in less time there recently coming off an ACL injury and you have absolutely no problem with him being signed.“
Dembele has missed 370 days injured since Jan 2019, Depay has missed 270 days injured since 2012 – these comparisons you’re making are fucking stupid.
Both have had recent long term injuries, but only one of them is injured with any regularity and it’s that factor which is the concern, give the false equivalencies a rest.
I’ve got no problem taking Willian on a free. Quality player who can play right, left and centre. Rarely injured. And he’s currently better than what we’ve got.
Dissenter
Money doesn’t make sense as an answer.
The point is Willian and Coutinho are different players, different roles. Why would signing a winger stop us signing an attacking midfielder?
Whilst I’m not entirely sure whether Coutinho is the right signing the link does make sense, the Willian signing on the other hand does not to me at least.
Serge Who’s going to pay north of 50m for a player in his last year in this financial climate? If the Arsenal rebuild is a four year job , as was the Liverpool’s under Klopp, then selling Auba makes more sense. But if it’s just tweaking the squad here and there , as many on here seem to think, then that can be done in two windows, and Auba should be still vital to the process. Even if, as you predict, his productivity falls off the cliff in the third year the goals he provides next season and one after… Read more »
Opening bid for Eze from Palace rejected by QPR. Really good player. Better value than Coutinho
Forgetting Age,potential decline,massive wages and zero resale value for a moment. Even if you simply look at him as a player,he isn’t what we need to get into top 4. He would make a great wingback not a great front 3 player. He is a balancer in attack. Lets say you have 2 superstars in attack at LW and ST who may not be the most hard working defensively,you get a guy like Willian to balance the attack. Great defensively,good in transition. Not enough of a goal threat overall He is a very selfish player too. Not a striker’s player.… Read more »
Its just waste of money to buy Dembele, he is never fit for three consecutive matches. For a club like ours that hands over ACL like Christmas gift, getting an injury prone player is dumb.
Marc, I think we are trying to move Lacazette on. Ornstein said Arteta wanted a wide player. He wants Willian on the left with Saka and Move auba to the middle. When Arteta said building a team around him, I think He meant it literally. If he performed the next two years as he had these past year he will be with it. Of all the Chelsea rejects we have signed, I think he would be the one to really succeed.
Worth it*
“Great defensively,good in transition. Not enough of a goal threat overall
He is a very selfish player too.
Not a striker’s player.
He gets assists at something like once every 10 games or so.”
The same willian? He had 7 assists this season (none were setpieces). So, if 1 assist for 10 games then the 7 assists was for 70 games by your estimate.
You are 100% correct in all you say but I am off the opinion that ABBA is doing what he is paid to do I am not going over board about him..like so many are ….let him go while we can get a good price TH he ain’t….
Ok …on the midfield situation, no one seems to be talking about Emile Smith-Rowe . He had a really good loan spell and it’s one to look up in the future. I would be very surprised if Mikel send him away again .Willian, I like him but and a big but it’s his age, however we would have goals pretty much guaranteed with him but then it’s another £125k/ week for 3 years and as good as he is , he does carry and long ish injury or two per season ! … Coutinho … it’s a huge gamble. There’s… Read more »
Willian is looking closer and closer.
Loads of rumours coming now , expect 1 or 2 deals by the next week or so.
“Apart from Nkethia, none of our strikers are good headers of the ball, so he would just crosses to the opposition.”
Not true. I think Martinelli is one of the best in the world at heading the ball.
That said,yes We shouldn’t get Ryan Fraser.
LOL at Ousmane Dembele.
He spends more time in the medical room than on the pitch.
He is a superstar talent of course but we are in no position to take such ridiculous gambles.
Can’t stay fit for even 10 games in a season.
Pass
Dembele has missed 370 days injured since Jan 2019, Depay has missed 270 days injured since 2012 – these comparisons you’re making are fucking stupid. Now hold on you’re the one who originally brought up Dembele’s record since January 2019 I was only duly responding with Depay’s recent injury record and that’s fucking stupid? Makes sense. So you have absolutely no issue with Depay coming off a ACL because prior he didn’t have much issues with injuries but at the same time you’re absolutely disregarding the injury free record Dembele had at Rennes and Dortmund? You can do that I… Read more »
Backpass
Most of them are in transition.
And check out stats from other seasons too.
Here,
https://fbref.com/en/players/8b9ebd03/Willian
My concern with William is the length of his contract. He rejected a 2 years deal with Chelsea and expect now a 3 years deal with Arsenal.
I know that as Cech before (we all know how that worked out), Willian wants to stay in London. However 3 years seem to be a long deal. A 2 years deal with an option to a third on reduced term may be an acceptable compromise.
If we get the right price for Auba I’d still be willing to sign him but admittedly he’s low down on the list of exits. Just can’t work out the Willian strategy though unless its just in case Auba does go. Buying and funding 31 year olds is just not the way to go. A small bit of short term success perhaps but all we’re doing is storing up longer term problems with our budgets. It’s an all-or-nothing approach to getting in the Champions League which isn’t great long term strategy. If we were investing in 19 – 23 year… Read more »
‘Sell him’
Left,
You are right, I forgot about Martinelli. When is he due to come back from his injury?
No BBC link no Val? Maybe we should just gloss over the lies you make to make a point
leftfootcurler
“””””Its sad to see Arsenal being Kia Joorabchian’s bitch.””””””
Raul appoints Emery ( Canales?)
Raul appoints Edu ( Kia)
Thats how these Spivs work.
A little network and clique formed at Arsenal expense.
Shameful.
‘My concern with William is the length of his contract. He rejected a 2 years deal with Chelsea and expect now a 3 years deal with Arsenal.’
A 3 year deal is our sales pitch. There’s no other reason why Willian will leave Chelsea to join Arsenal. For a free signing if he contributes for 2 seasons then our purpose is served.
London Gunner.
Can Willian play as a CAM?
Absolutely. Indeed all the memories I have of him was him dominating the middle for Shaktar. Even on the wings you’ll know he’s more of a playmaker. I hope Arteta sees his that wat.
A midfield 3 of Partey, Ceballos and William would be the stuff of dreams.
Arsenal and Juventus have been in intense talks regarding Alex Lacazette. [@AlexisBernard10]
Fingers crossed
Afternoon, Fantastic win Saturday, has bought some of the fans that were not a hundred percent sure about arteta on board. And peace should break out for awhile at least. Willian rumours getting a lot stronger . The way arteta was talking about auba staying on saturday you would think he’s staying and moving centrally, and willian will play on the left with saka learning from him. And pepe on the right with Nelson as understudy. Arteta and ozil are two different characters and giving auba 250-275k a week shouldn’t be an issue. He’s the best player and should be… Read more »
Un Unai “I agree he is a balancer. Like dirk kuyt was for pool and Rooney was for the 08 united front three and ljungerg at times balanced our attack. Doesn’t mean he can’t be useful but he does bring balance to a team. Maybe he’s been brought in to balance Aubameyang Pepe and Coutinho?” Actually, Coutinho,Auba,Pepe is a perfectly balanced front 3. Saka is a great balancer himself. Also Pepe hasn’t scored enough to be considered a “superstar”. Why pay so much wages for a balancer? We need to add goals to the front 3 first. Then if necessary… Read more »
Typically clubs move players out before they bring in replacements.
However the unique nature of the window means we have to get out work done super quick so maybe they hope that players will negotiate their way out once they read the writing on the wall.
This approach assumes the to-be-replaced player is a honest broker who doesn’t want to ‘honor his contract”.
“I was only duly responding with Depay’s recent injury record and that’s fucking stupid? Makes sense“ No it’s stupid to play ignorant and offer such a reductive argument as you’re doing. Dembele is a red flag because of his injury record. Period. Me offering his missed games since last Jan was further example of that, it’s not at all in the same context as Depay who has suffered a terrible injury in the same time but had zero issue previous. “So you have absolutely no issue with Depay coming off a ACL because prior he didn’t have much issues with… Read more »
Marko,
Go watch back the FA Cup final and listen to the comment.
You refused to believe that there was a number limit.
Care to prove how you knew that there was no limit? No link to your prove your false assertion?
Also still no link to back your assertion that Özil congratulations was insincere?
Hahaha I did say Juve were interested in Laca. But as usual you get jumped pricks on here saying how they know better.
Anyway let’s see how it goes. Thing is you sell all the players we’re rumoured to want to sell you’d need to replace most of them and bump up the pay of some others like Auba. It’ll be quite a balancing act.
Besides as I have written above,in this scenario I only took into account the quality and the profile of the player.
If you add age,potential massive decline,massive wages,little to no resale value etc to the equation,it becomes a terrible signing.
Un Unai
Not enough goals or creativity in Willian-Auba-Pepe to get top 4.
First get goals,then think of balancing.
RR
https://m.calciomercato.com/news/napoli-milik-e-un-fantasma-spento-e-irritante-pensa-gia-alla-juv-12551
Milik not Lacazette regardless of Alex bernard peeing shit.
Besides
Saka-Auba-Pepe is good balance wise.
But not enough goals+creativity.
I don’t see how Auba goes to Barca or Real. His playing style just wouldn’t fit there or any other top club in Europe. I’ve said it for ages Auba will sign. No one else will offer a 31 year old that’s not Messi or Ronaldo a 3 year deal on 250k/wk.
That rumour of Lewandowski moving to Real is also bollocks that ship sailed a while ago.
I think it would be a risk to sell both Laca and Auba in the same window when we don’t have a huge amount to spend (obviously what we’d get for them would make a difference) so if we are talking to clubs about Laca that must mean we’re confident of getting Auba to sign on.
Leftfoot
A winger familiar with the league and free and according to Pedro on reduced wages.. Yeah, it wouldn’t be terrible.
His last 5 seasons he had 6,2,7,6,7 assists. Perfect age for the young ones to learn from him and step up in 2 years time at 20 /21 years..
Marko
Is he a trusted source?
Saka’s performance against Leicester at RW excites me.
He was as threatening as Auba on the left.
Made superb runs in behind.
I want to see if he can do that consistently.
If he does that,you get a creator on the left,move Auba to ST
We will smash a lot of teams like we did against Leicester in the 1st half.
Only negative in this line of thinking is that then our 72 mil man gets dropped to the bench.
Backpass
They could want both. I know Milik is linked with them too. Higuain is clearly not the future. If I had to choose between Milik and Laca for what they’re trying to achieve I’d pick Laca.
Left foot
As Saka had a good game in the league as a LW? Genuinely curious.
Laca wants to go to Juve, I wonder if that influences Auba’s decision to sign or not?
Could the club sell both? Bring in a Jovic and do a full attacking overhaul?
“Saka-Auba-Pepe is good balance wise.
But not enough goals+creativity.”
Well Auba hit’s 20 plus PL goals and Pepe should be on for 10 plus next season, Saka needs to add goals to his game but that should come with time. As for the lack of creativity that’s why we’re being linked with Coutinho.
Has*
Going to be an interesting summer, nobody has a clue whats coming or going.
Anyone could leave.
Have to say the Laca to Juve rumor makes perfect sense to me sad to see him go but seems necessary.
Backpass
Most of his Assists are on the counter attack as I said.
If we play Willian-Auba-Pepe,we will not challenge for the top 4.
Whatever I am talking about is in relation to Arsenal getting top 4.
For that we have to score 70-75 goals in the league.
Willian-Auba-Pepe isn’t going to do that.
sal
Spot on – for all the posturing and “sources” on here no ones really got a clue.
Radio Raheem
Barca’s possessions style with 70% possession never suited Dembele and would prove a bad fit for Auba too.
RM with 60% possession not ideal either.
I think Auba stays put.
I would target Boadu or Eduoard to replace Lacazette. Someone who might be okay with being rotated for a season or two before taking over for Aubameyang and someone capable of replacing his goals. Jonathan David could be another one and he’s capable of playing in other positions too.
As I said Willian is more likely a replacement for Laca as he occupies similar positions behind the main striker as Laca and he is swifter.
Backpass
At LW,rarely.
Saka has had great games LWB/LB though.
I used to think of him being a LWB before the Leicester game.
He struggles to receive BTL and combine with team mates.
That Leicester game was a surprise.
He started making runs in behind.
Played at RW that game,though
Leftfoot
“If we play Willian-Auba-Pepe,we will not challenge for the top 4.
Whatever I am talking about is in relation to Arsenal getting top 4.
For that we have to score 70-75 goals in the league.
Willian-Auba-Pepe isn’t going to do that.”
And Saka -Auba-Pepe would? If Lacazette gets sold, it is absolutely paramount we get a LW and not some faint hope that Saka would do well there when he hasn’t so far in the league.
Willian-Auba-Pepe would certainly improve us now than the other scenario, a year on and it might be different but certainly not next season.
BackpassMost of his Assists are on the counter attack as I said.
If we play Willian-Auba-Pepe,we will not challenge for the top 4.
Whatever I am talking about is in relation to Arsenal getting top 4.
For that we have to score 70-75 goals in the league.
Willian-Auba-Pepe isn’t going to do that.
No three player combo is going to get us 70-75 goals unless supported with a healthy goal production from the middle of the park
Leftfoot
“I used to think of him being a LWB before the Leicester game.
He struggles to receive BTL and combine with team mates.
That Leicester game was a surprise.
He started making runs in behind.
Played at RW that game,though”
Yeah, And that is where a Left winger comes in. IMO, I see Saka as a LCM (like Bernado Silva under Pep).
Willian/Saka, Auba/Martinelli/Nketiah,
Pepe/Nelson is a champions league front line. We need the Midfield to fall in to place. Lacazette is admired in Europe. We might have to take a hit on the sale but I think we can sell him. 25 mil and there will be suitors.
If we let Laca leave think it’ll be only right and just to sign Troy Deeney as our big man upfront squaddie 😁😂
BackPass
I had already said above Saka-Auba-Pepe lacks enough goals+creativity.
If Saka can repeat his performance vs leicester,
Then Coutinho/Brandt/Maddison/Grealish- Auba- Saka
Will challenge for the top 4,yes.
Or if Pepe starts making enough good runs in behind then he can play instead of Saka at RW.
I didn’t include Buendia above simply because I haven’t seen him play enough.
Good stats and youtube videos and comps look good.
If Laca is sold to Juventus, the club may decide [and rightly so] that there’s no need to buy his replacement.
There’s a case to be made that between Eddie and Martinelli, we have Laca’s replacement already. His exit in itself solves one of the imbalance in the squad.
“No three player combo is going to get us 70-75 goals unless supported with a healthy goal production from the middle of the park”
I agree, but didn’t want to shift from the point he made.
Tom
You wrote:
“No three player combo is going to get us 70-75 goals unless supported with a healthy goal production from the middle of the park”
I obviously meant from the whole squad lol.
Let’s get real, nobody is going to refuse to join Barcelona or Real Madrid because they don’t think that they are not good enough or will not fit into their team. Martin Braithwaite joined Barcelona knowing full well he never had the level. If Real Madrid are genuinely interested, Aubameyang will join them. Aubameyang has sentimental reasons to join Real Madrid. Taken from the Evening standard. Speaking in 2016, when he was playing for Dortmund, Aubameyang revealed he had promised his late grandfather he would one day play for Los Blancos. The striker said: “Before he died two years ago… Read more »
Leftfoot.
What am actually saying is that Saka shouldn’t be starting Majority of the games next season as a winger.. Get an experienced head there, after a season or 2, he gets to own the spot of he is indeed good.
Anything coutinho can do, willian can do better, dribbling, free kicks, assists, link play, scoring…
If we got him , no need for coutinho!
There’s a case to be made that between Eddie and Martinelli, we have Laca’s replacement already
Eddie’s shi and Martinelli’s out till November or December. Very risky
Dissenter
Martinelli is out for the year, and surely we can’t go into next season with Eddie as our Starting striker, we are basically playing with our hands tied.
Even if Auba is shifted to CF, we then need a LW.
We sell Lacazette, we must buy a winger or a CF, preferably a Winger.
How about that bald Norwich City striker. I know his goals dried up a while but he’s very good at linking play. He’ll be a cheap squaddie.
Why is Liverpool going for Thiago Alcantara?
They don’t play with CAM and they don’t really need that playmaker as Firmino operates as a false 9 and most of the goals come from fullback.
Seems an odd purchase also Thiago Alcantara is overrated he never finishes in the top assist makers in a weakish league playing for the best team
Dissenter
Eddie is a massive downgrade on Laca and I am not even a Laca fan.
Starting with an 18-year-old who shows nothing special or even particularly good about his game for a club of the level of Arsenal would be the height of insanity.
Eddie shouldn’t even be started for a chmapionship team ffs man.
Jota is a good striker. Pukki not bad either.
You’d compare Thiago with Xavi, they occupy similar roles in a team, neither with few assists and goals.
If we are buying Willian for the wing that’s just dumb would much rather play Saka.
He has shown top quality he needs to be played into consistency
#neither = both
In the end we really lack creativity. This Willian debate going back and forth, if were replacing Laca with Willian the Brazilian created a shed load more chances than anybody in our side.
Had 76 chances created last season, 7th most in league add in a Buendia were giving PEA some serious opportunity.
London “They don’t play with CAM and they don’t really need that playmaker as Firmino operates as a false 9 and most of the goals come from fullback.Seems an odd purchase also Thiago Alcantara is overrated he never finishes in the top assist makers in a weakish league playing for the best team” Thiago is not a CAM,he is a CM (dictates tempo and stuff) its just like saying Cazorla never finished as top assist maker. Gini wijnaldum is not signing the contract offered to him and has one year left on his deal. Thiago would simply replace him if… Read more »