How Arsenal’s summer is likely to play out

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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

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Wasi

Get Edouard to replace Laca who seems to be Juve’s backup option to Raul Jimenez. Wolves want 70m for their man. Juve wont pay that. Maybe we could sell Laca for 35-40 , use some of that buy Edouard.

The Backpass

RR

Wouldn’t mind pukki to be honest, might cost close to £20 million though.

The Backpass

“If we are buying Willian for the wing that’s just dumb would much rather play Saka.”

What would be more dumb would be starting Saka as our LW going into next season.

If Arteta wants Willian, he gets him and for someone who according to Pedro is going to take a paycut, its not that bad. Gives us fund for Coutinho/szobozolai,partey and a defender.

Habesha Gooner

I don’t think we should buy a replacement for Lacazette. Arteta values Eddie. In terms of quality of player I think martinelli is better and is going to be the heir to the C.F role. Give Eddie the chance till December as Aubas understudy. He can play on the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa league early rounds. Willian/Saka, Auba/Martinelli/Eddie, Pepe/Nelson is enough. Put the money we get from Lacazette sale in to A CAM or a CB.

Radio Raheem

Backpass

20mil not bad these days. Not much hype around him at the moment so might be a good time to get him.

Anyone if he’s represented by Kia? 😬

sarge

Tom Agree, the current financial uncertainty will undoubtedly impact transfer values, but really, how many strikers are there out there that virtually guarantee 25 goals a season? I struggle to believe we would get much less than £50M. And I’m not suggesting his productivity will drop off a cliff – in fact I think his physique and injury record suggest he will keep it going longer than most – but the reality is he will be 34 and on that basis alone have little resale value. As you say I think this comes down to how far down the track… Read more »

Tom

ValentinAugust 3, 2020 14:53:59 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. That’s not the point, Val. Of course you go to either one when and if they come calling. Laliga or CL title is almost a given with one or the other every other season. The point was would these clubs see Auba as a good fit not the other way around. His link up play is average and when faced with low block defensive unit… Read more »

Guns of SF

Laca shits all over Eddie.
Eddie is a back up and has not shown much of anything, his link play and cohesion up front is not good. He is a bit of a light weight too.

2 goals scoring mids- couintho and willian might be how Arteta is thinking about getting more goals in from mids…

Selling laca- the funds should go to DM like Partey or the like

The Backpass

RR

“Anyone if he’s represented by Kia?
😂😂

Its actually Pukki’s loss, should change his agent to Kia, maybe then we get him.

Radio Raheem

If we sell Laca we need to get in a backup striker for Auba. I don’t want to see Nketiah strutting his league one stuff about the place. He and the backup can share cup playing minutes too.

Valentin

We can complain about William being a counter-attacking goal scoring/assist merchant, but honestly how many goals has Arsenal scored from pure counter attack.

We always seems to lack the killer pass or killer shot.

The one goal that I remember is the Martinelli one against Chelsea where he drove through them. It was due to a single individual rather than a combination with multiple players.

The Backpass

Oh shit.. Yeah heads should roll if we are giving willian 3+ 1 deal when it should be 2+1.

Leftfoot

Am actually very sorry for the nonsense i was spouting regarding Willian. … Terrible, Terrible deal.

TR7

Breaking | France Football report that Arsenal have made the best salary offer currently on the table for Brazilian attacker Willian (32), with a contract that runs for 3 years with the option to extend by a further year & they expect him to move to North London from Chelsea.

The Backpass

[France Football] Arsenal have made the best salary offer currently on the table for Brazilian attacker Willian (32), with a contract that runs for 3 years with the option to extend by a further year & they expect him to move to North London from Chelsea.

Leftfootcurler

Backpass I am happy with Pepe as RW in majority of games. He needs to improve his off the ball movement to become a superstar. Buy a creator on the left. Simply experience isn’t enough. We need to add goals into the front3. The most cost effective solution is by coaching Pepe and buying a creator. There are more negatives than positives with the Willian Signing. Even if he signs,he should play RWB. Let Pepe play RW. https://youtu.be/YzlU1rfTwT8?t=166 This video worries me greatly. It says that the club decides which positions we need. Arteta’s input is on what kind of… Read more »

Tom

Serge
At 34 Auba would most likely have no resale value at all.
It’s a decision based mainly on how far off competing for top four Arteta thinks this squad is, and whether or not another club is willing to give Auba what he wants.
If a full preseason with the squad and one or two game changing additions is what gets Arteta there , then he should do everything in his powers to keep him.

Does Arteta even have four years to make the difference is another question.

Habesha Gooner

Qquality wise Laca is definitely miles better than Eddie. But he was out of form this season. 14 goals in all competition is worth the sacrifice. I think Eddie can pull off that number eventhough I think there is a lot in his game he needs to improve. Willian can chip in with 8 to 15 goals too. Coutinho(Buendia)/ESR/Willock, Xhaka/C eballos, Partey/Torriera, and a CB will be a great summer.

Champagne Charlie

Willians signing will be judged relative to our other business for me. Can see the merit to his addition, but I’ve my own preferences plus a few positions I think we ought to be prioritising ahead of him.

If he turns out to be number 4/5 in a handful of good deals then fine, if he’s 2/3 that are supposed to make a difference then I’m not enamoured.

Rate the player though.

Radio Raheem

So we know the front 3 for next season. Sign Coutinho then we’ll know the 3 behind Auba. It’ll be be a premier league experienced frontline.

Valentin

Tom, I don’t rate Aubameyang outside the box, but in the box he is lethal. Barcelona and Real Madrid problem is not the same than Arsenal. We have nobody in midfield who can open a low block. Barcelona and Real Madrid have players who do that their eyes closed (Kroos, Modric, Isco, Messi, Rakitic, …). Their problem is having somebody sharp enough to stick the ball in the net. At Barcelina, if Suarez is injured or goes through a lean spell, there is nobody else who can compensate. Griezman is better outside the box. Messi is still an incredible scorer… Read more »

Leftfootcurler

Valentin I agree. We Need creativity in the front 3. There were some other problems I noticed early on in Arteta’s reign in games against Chelsea at the emirates,Crystal Palace where Auba got the red card and the leeds game where if it was clear that if the opponent put pressure on us or matched the numbers in midfield and simply man marked us,we struggled to play out. We were very reliant on David Luiz’s passing to progress play. To fix this,I would also get Partey, These two things along with Auba staying and Pepe improving his off the ball… Read more »

Gentlebris

Breaking! The whole move revealed! Multiple shuffle: Laca to A.M and Partey incoming in a neat swap, no money involved. Willian incoming to take Pepe’s role, Pepe gets the 9 duty. Torierra to Milan. Everton, Napoli, Milan in a battle over Bellerin. Arsenal in the market for a top top two. Coutinho incoming to replace Ozil, Guen the other way plus £9.5m. So when the shuffle settles down, our line up should be like this: Auba Pepe Willian Coutinho Ceballos Partey Tierney Luiz Saliba A top two Leno/Emi. Can’t we challenge for the title like this, since it’s getting obvious… Read more »

Leftfootcurler

If we continue in this 343,the creativity as to come from one of the players in the front 3
AND the wingbacks.

2 runners,2 scores,2 creators is a balanced team.

Radio Raheem

Luiz and a back 4 is like oil and water, they don’t mix.

Valentin

TR7,

3+1 for Willian is shocking. 3+1 at a higher salary than Chelsea was offering for 2 years is beyond stupid, it is criminal.
It should 2+1, with two on less than than what Chelsea was offering and the extra year on much reduced terms supplemented by add-on contingent on the number of appearances.

Dissenter

If we sign William and Coutinho, would we still need to replace Lacazette.

I would think not in light of limited resources. The Laca transfer proceeds are best spent else where in the squad.
I like the idea of leaving a little space for the youngsters to try to fill.

Leftfootcurler

Bris
Joking aside,no tactical genius is going to win with that team.

Dissenter

The Willian deal depends on the salary offered.
I hope they know what they are doing because we have to get back into the CL next season with all these dice they are rolling
No one doubts his quality and he is ready to go from day one. Maybe he cangivbe us whet Giroud provides for Chelsea.

TR7

If Willian is signed then I would prefer a ball playing CAM to Coutinho. Signing of Willian obviates the need to sign Coutinho.

Dissenter

Val
“3+1 for Willian is shocking. 3+1 at a higher salary than Chelsea was offering for 2 years is beyond stupid, it is criminal.”

You don’t know if the wages are higher that what Chelsea offered
We may have traded one extra year for significantly lower wages.

Leftfootcurler

Dissenter
Creator at LW,Auba at ST and Pepe/Saka at RW.

Martinelli and Nketiah as back up.
I doubt we can sell Laca.
But selling him to buy a creator is great business.

Wasi

Looks like Willian will go over the line. And to me it looks like its Arteta wanting to get this one over the line.And I believe Arteta knows better. Anyways, if the club believes that Saka and Martinelli can become starters for the club in the next 2,3 years then Willian kinda makes sense. Free , PL experience , will add creativity , goals and assists and we wont have to rely on Eddie / Reiss / Joe to come on in the 65th minute and change the game. And there are reports + Pedro’s sources saying the wages will… Read more »

Leftfootcurler

Wasi

Is it really an Arteta signing?

I have my doubts.
Its Kia+Raul signing.

Radio Raheem

Auba can be invisible when playing upfront on his own. We’ll need a ‘big man upfront’ squad player if Laca leaves.

Wasi

Gentle

Where did you get that big break down ?

TR7

Valentin

Depends on who decides whether the option of 4th year is taken. If it’s the Arsenal and not Willian then it’s not a concern. As for the other 3 years, we had to offer Willian at least 3 years otherwise he wouldn’t leave Chelsea for Arsenal.

Wasi

Left

Arteta’s clearly stated multiple times that he has very good discussions with Edu regarding transfers.
Dont think Edu will act on his own regarding the incoming players after the Emery/Raul/Sven debacle.

Gentlebris

Since we play against lots of low block and was knocked out of the ongoing Europa with a low block, we need Coutinho so badly not just at outrageous money.

Coutinho is a specialist at curling balls into the net from the front of a low block.

Pepe as 9 drops inside like Laca does and assist play from there.

And we can do most of our play via the wings as we will be rich at both wings with Tierney and Willian roaming the two sides. We also have Saka for the left and AMN for the right.

Valentin

Dissenter, According to backpass “[France Football] Arsenal have made the best salary offer currently on the table for Brazilian attacker Willian (32), with a contract that runs for 3 years with the option to extend by a further year & they expect him to move to North London from Chelsea.” However reading directly in French the France Football quote, it is not the best salary offer it should translate more the best package offer. Package can be interpreted as you says as the length of the contract rather than just the salary amount. If Willian wants to stay in London… Read more »

Marc

Valentin’s on one of his anti Sanllehi crusades – no matter what business we do he’ll find a way to criticise it, claim we over paid in fee’s, salary and gave an agent millions even though they’ll never be any proof of it beyond a outlet he’ll claim to have seen but never be able to produce. Even if Arteta comes out and names them as players he specifically identified as wanting it’ll still be some conspiracy about Sanllehi secretly giving away billions.

Valentin

Marc,

Did I mention Raul? not once his name was mentioned. I said that giving a 3+1 contract to William on better term than the two years that was offered at Chelsea was negligent.

Do you objectively disagree with that statement or like a knight in his shining armour are you just back defending Raul whenever you feel like his virginal honour has been questioned?

Habesha Gooner

People here saying we need to replace Lacazette. Do you guys realize we have 4 C.Fs at the club? Let’s say Willian comes in to play Left wing, That means Auba, Martinelli and Eddie will still be the C.Fs. If we sign someone where is Martinelli playing when he comes back? Signing someone because your elite youngster in Martinelli is injured while you have eddie too is stupid. And Auba is Barely injured. He and Eddie till December is good enough.

Sid

Auba is the final piece in teams like barca and Real that have technical players, like Vardy at leicester is doing well with a technical mifield supporting him.

Leedsgunner

Pablo Mari, George Lewis, Cedric… and now Willian.

I hope they all work out, but on paper they are a transfer captures of a newly promoted team and not a team in the Europa League.

I won’t be pleased if we are expected to accept Willian as Lacazette’s replacement either… that’s definitely a step down… if not in skill, definitely in age. Apart from Auba… we should be shedding our older players… not signing them on to 3 years+ contracts!

Marko

A new RB would be tasty.

Again I don’t mind short termism signings like Willian as long as it’s to complement a long term prospect signing and not instead of one. If he comes in and so does a Joelson or a Szoboszlai or a Tiago Almada that’s okay cause we’re still building for the future but also mindful of the here and now. Looking forward as the new official soundbite from the club says.

Also United in advance talks for Sancho is a huge huge move

MidwestGun

Man… 4 years ago if we had signed Willian , I would be jumping out of my seat with excitement.. now.. it’s very meh.. He is a pro’s pro.. incredibly skilled, rarely injured but he has definitely lost a few steps.. and it will only get worse.

I can see him in the Laca role… sure. but it’s pretty underwhelming for now until I see what we end up with at the end of the window. It will help us flat track bully lesser teams perhaps.

TR7

Auba, Saka, Martinelli, Pepe, Willian and hopefully a young striker if Laca leaves is not a bad set of 6 players for 3 forward positions.

Champagne Charlie

I rate Coutinho, but if the club could somehow negotiate a deal for Grealish now EL football is secured I think that would be massive for us.

Especially with United fixated on Sancho and what would amount to little competition for his signature. We’ve got a handful of players on the books that they’d no doubt benefit from, he’d be a big piece of the midfield puzzle imo.

Guns of SF

Our strikers are lean and on the smaller side. Auba- lean, not a tough player but who comes from outside the box to score Nketiah- small and lightweight Martinelli- quick and small and lightweight We need that bigger target man to mix it up in the box…. ala Giroud. All these useless crosses we do – hardly anything happens with them- bar pepe and auba, but we could do better with a bigger taller striker to add depth to our attack and diversify So if laca goes, that is the type of striker to replace him that gives us something… Read more »

Sid

For arsenal to play a formation other than 343 or 3412, both Xhakalson and Luiz cannot be in the team,
We play this formation to cover their weaknesses

Habesha Gooner

TR7 you forgot Eddie and Reiss.

Valentin

Leicester was doing fine because they had an energetic, functional midfield playing quick vertical football. Spreading the ball immediately to Vardy.

Their problem came when team wised up to it, so suddenly they faced a lot of very low block team. Add the fact that the form of their midfield dipped. It collapsed when the league resumed.

It will be interesting to see how they handle a second season where the opposition will not engage them. I doubt that Southampton will be naive enough to play a high line and full attack against them again.

Leftfootcurler

Wasi

I don’t really believe much what Arteta says. Seems to be a bit like a politician to me.

Sid

If we have midfielders that can penetrate we do not need a target man type

Leedsgunner

Lacazette being heavily linked with Juventus for a swap — not necessarily bad news but their first team squad is on the whole, very old.

Rather would see cold hard cash than a player come back this away unless it was someone like their young centre back Demiral plus £20m cash.

Leftfootcurler

CC
With Grealish,all we need is Pepe to work on getting into good goal scoring positions consistently.

Then we challenge for the top 4.

Sid

Arteta is great at spin, thats one of the reasons our Supreme leader here loves him.

Leedsgunner

If I was Auba I don’t think I would be pleased if Willian was the club’s answer to the question “Who will be our big signings to compete for the best trophies?”

Willian, especially at his age, and as a free agent, is a competent squad player signing… but the problem is, we have already too many of those.

Valentin

For once I agree with Sid.

Xhaka used to be able to penetrate or at least offer a threat with shot outside the penalty box. But now because of his lack of recovery pace, he rarely ventures beyond the 60 m away from goal.
So we need to either switch to a back 4 (no Luiz) and have another midfield who can make those runs or switch personnel and bring a robust but more dynamic player who can run with the ball while still carrying defensive duty (no Xhaka).

Habesha Gooner

Grealish is priced out of a move this summer. Buendia, Van de beek, Fekir all attainable though.

DigitalBob

Not sure how I feel about this Willian deal at all. No doubt at the moment he’s a good solid creative player but what does this do to our starting 11 next season? We can’t surely sign Willian and Coutinho without selling more than just Laca, is Reiss out as well perhaps? Hmm I really don’t know about this one but lets see. Also a three year deal with an option of another, this can’t be true. Very underwhelming considering Sancho to Utd will happen this week and Havertz to Chelski happened last week, but we are where we are… Read more »

Sid

Sancho isnt much better than Saka, playing in the EPL will prove this, bundesliga is weak

Champagne Charlie

Leftfootcurler

I love Grealish, lad is a magnet in the opponents half. So, so good with the ball at his feet and would elevate us massively.

Valentin

Lacazette Vs Rabiot in term of quality would not be a bad deal.
However I doubt that Arteta would be able to handle Rabiot. And His mother would just eat poor Edu for breakfast.

Marko

Emphatic no from me on Graelish. The talent doesn’t justify the likely fee.

Dissenter

Velentin
Re; Leicester
I think it’s having key injuries that scuttled Leicester after the restart ; Maddison, Perriera and Chilwell

Zacharse

The point about auba ‘s goals being tough to replace is extremely right on considering… pre season is what two weeks long this year???? If ever there were a time to double down on a proven player with limited
Time left to play at the highest level its now. Kroenke gets it evidently which is saying something. Who knows, maybe he’s getting his ducks in a row before Ghislaine Maxwell spills her secrets in court 🤣

Zacharse

Pedro i think yr confusion on the RB Soares is fair but consider the fact that even though he’s not a nailed on starter for the Portuguese national team, he is 2nd choice if i remember right. These are the types Of players we should be targeting at this low point in our clubs history, guys who can keep it together while playing at the highest level but arent demanding 150/wk. Agree he’s gotta prove himself but he has been playing in the league for a few years, he’s come from a seriously unstable team on close to a free,… Read more »

China1

What exactly is the point of Willian?

Pepe and Willian in the same position?

Or will one be shunted to the left? In which case what of auba/martinelli/saka?

Winger is the second least useful position for us to buying after goal keeper

Really pointless on paper

China1

Willian by his second year would be getting loaned out with us subsidizing his wages to whoever will take him

You can see it all play out in slow motion

China1

Tho part of me wonders if Arteta would be willing to use Willian at AM instead

He doesn’t have genius vision or passing but he’s technically good, quick and could be very dangerous on the counter attack.

I’m not proposing it btw, but if we do sign him it wouldn’t be the worst idea if we have Pepe on the right

Sid

We let Ziyech go then sign Willian?

Radio Raheem

“… However I doubt that Arteta would be able to handle Rabiot. And His mother would just eat poor Edu for breakfast.”

No problems at Juve so far and has ended the season well. I’m sure Edu would be delighted to eat his mum out if that’s what it takes. He has to earn his keep somehow.

Dissenter

The Willian signing kinda proves the point Pedro has been making about the role of super agents.
Looks like Pepe was begging to really get into his groove at the tail end of the season …and now Williams drops in.
Also Saka will get fewer minutes
. William on a 1-2 year deal may have made some marginal sense but for 3/4 years … that feels like we are desperate.

Up 4 grabs now

We should also be looking at the best player from watford, Bournemouth and Norwich. If we need some cheap squaddie players. Probably one or two would improve us. AC Milan will face competition from Bayer Leverkusen for £30m rated Norwich City defender Ben Godfrey. German clubs Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have also shown previous interest in the centre-back, who is under contract at Norwich until 2023. Bayern Munich are prepared to pay €20m (£18.3m) to sign right-back Max Aarons, according to Sky in Germany. The 20-year-old had an impressive season for the Canaries, despite their relegation. Watford have a… Read more »

Marko

The Willian signing kinda proves the point Pedro has been making about the role of super agents.

It doesn’t prove any of the points about super agents he was making. None

Champagne Charlie

Dissenter

And what about the super agent involvement in the Pepe deal, or the proposed Coutinho deal, how will they prove this apparent point?

Because you can’t cherry pick deals you don’t fancy, it’s an all or nothing thing or the finger of agenda gets pointed.

I’m sure you know this though….

Guns of SF

China

Pepe has shown recently he is more effective when he drifts inside… he takes a defender with him and helps create imbalances.

Arteta needs to figure out his best role… when he is hugging the touchline, he tends to get nullified mostly.

I can see Willian on the left. Saka is young… no need to rush him in every game. last thing we want is another injury to a great young player.

I see Willian on the left, Coutinho middle, Pepe right… the nice thing is all three can interchange during the game

Habesha Gooner

I don’t want us to loan coutinho now though. If he comes it has to be permanently. I don’t believe we are that skint to sign two players on loan with along Ceballos and one on a free. We are selling Lacazette. So we need to sign a CAM to be part of the project for the next five years.

Dissenter

CC/Marko

Willian for 1-2 years is a bit more palatable that offering him a 3 years [with option of a 4th year]. The duration of the contract makes it dubious in my humble opinion.

Guns of SF

Heck a David Silva for a free would be great… that guys has got the nimblest feet… can unlock a low block…

Too bad he is leaving EPL

China1

Guns I think Pepe is best on the right but he’s very much a wing forward with an emphasis on the forward part. He is threatening in the final third but because we had such a trash midfield most of the season he’s constantly had to be way back receiving the ball on the half way line to get in the game. I don’t think he is built for playing from so deep. He is good at beating one man then letting off a shot or cross. On the halfway line he looks up and sees 8 opposition players ahead… Read more »

Wasi

‘And His mother would just eat poor Edu for breakfast.’

This 😂

China1

Yeah I mean maybe there’s a way the Willian signing could be useful (not entirely convinced) but a 3 year deal seems overkill unless his wages are very low. We have Pepe, martinelli, saka, Nelson already. Assuming auba is CF or leaves, plus assuming Nelson doesn’t make it (I think he still has potential) that still leaves 3 players who we should be getting regular game time on the wings next season. The signing + the contract length just feel really ‘because we can’ rather than ‘because we should’ It would literally be like us signing a decent goal keeper… Read more »

Zacharse

-i’m curious about AMN stories re: cashing in v. His agent angling for a better contract. He deserves a new contract imo -laca, wtf is going on there? I am still not a huge fan of his and think he’d do well to head to italy, praying conte keeps his position and napoli sells their striker 🤞 -regarding targeting experienced senior players w sauce to spare, we should be looking for a other mert. Not specifically in CB but obv thats a position were looking to fill. More that we should snag someone coming from a club that can’t offer… Read more »

Zacharse

Guys chill the fuck out about willian, chelsea offered him a contract, scenario clear. Kias played the news

Dissenter

Is there a footballer anywhere on the planet as happy as Aubameyang?

That full faced toothy smile is incredible, where does he get the energy from?

salparadisenyc

As TR7 stated only way to get Willian over was to offer the extra year, no other reason for him to go with Chelsea’s two year deal on table apparently.

Definite short term mentality as one could see the last year be a total wash, but he does create and we need that desperately.

I’d like to see Buendia next, may not be sexy enough for some but he’s got all the crafty attributes to sparkle.

Something tells me Raul’s gone studs up for Coutinho though, has to be. Tapping Barca like Maple.

Dissenter

Lacazette to Saliba in the Arsenal dressing room at Wembley: “You’re not at St Étienne anymore – here we win trophies”.

“Victory has 100 fathers and defeat is an orphan.”

Marko

For fucks sake

Up 4 grabs now

Goals for Arsenal since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed on January 31, 2018:

Aubameyang 70
Lacazette 39
Ramsey 14
Martinelli 10
Welbeck 10
Mkhitaryan 9
Pepe 8
Willock 8
Ozil 8
Iwobi 7
Sokratis 6
Xhaka 6

Bare in mind three of those players have left and miki is almost gone. With another three rumoured to be on there way out. Also ozil is never playing again for us.

Whoever comes in we need to share goals out across the midfield and front three.
And maybe seeing if Steve bould can teach the centrebacks how to score from a corner!

Trask

A 32 y/o Willian on a three year deal?

After the debacle of Mari and Soares on long term contracts?!

WTF!!

Karsa

Auba can’t afford to wait 2-3 years for promising youngsters to come good. He needs players who can provide performances now.

He’s not interested in resale value or 5 year plans.

Pierre

I like William I also like Mhkitaryan. To me they are very similar type players with ( without looking) I would imagine similar goals and assists stats . They both can play wide , they both can play as a CAM, they both are team players, it will be difficult to convince me that Willian is a different type or better player than Mhkitaryan. Mhkitaryan joined Arsenal at the wrong time. He had an impressive start under Wenger and then failed to impress Emery and went to Roma where his stats are very good for season 2019/20… If Arteta arrived… Read more »

Zacharse

Sal

I agree coutinho has gotta be a raul signing. If u were him how could you mot equate coutinho w the possibility of raking it in. Kits, highlight reels, big glittery new toy… MA must see him, if he is signed, as a great exMple coming in for if nothing more, pepe to scrape some sauce off for his tea

Habesha Gooner

If you consider only performances Willian is still on top of his game. The sticking point is his age. If we are offering stupid wages this deal will be bad. But on modest wages he will do great for us. We will ease in Saka and Martinelli to take over from Willian and Aubameyang. 11 goals and 9 assists for Chelsea this season. But if you only consider his age, then we should be considering Aubas age too when rewarding him with a new three year contract. He will be 34 by then. I think this is a smart signing… Read more »

Zacharse

Lets be real
Mikhi is not built for the EPL and inthink hes quite comfortable w this after a year in italy

Marc

“The Willian signing kinda proves the point Pedro has been making about the role of super agents.”

In a strange way if the Willian signing does go through it will prove a point on here.

If he’s doing well and making a difference he’ll be a signing that Arteta pushed to happen.

If he’s a waste of space it’ll be Sanllehi chucking money into his agent mates pockets.

Champagne Charlie

“Willian for 1-2 years is a bit more palatable that offering him a 3 years [with option of a 4th year]. The duration of the contract makes it dubious in my humble opinion.“

Nobody disputed your humble opinion, you were asked how Willian is proof of super agent badness while freely omitting the influence in deals such as Pepe and Coutinho as reported.

If signing a player on a 3 year deal versus a 2 year deal is your major gripe with super agents then the argument appears incredibly weak.