Arteta big game tactics will change how top 6 see Arsenal + The major weakness we must fix

by .

I’m writing this a few drinks deep, so take the information with a pinch of ‘okaaaaay mate…’

In short, what a day.

Mikel Arteta picked up the second trophy of his tenure. It might not be a major one, but a win against a full-strength Liverpool side is certainly not to be sniffed at. I honestly didn’t hold out much hope of a victory. It felt far too early in our preseason to deliver any sort of competition against one of the most brutal teams in the world.

I don’t really want to go over the game in too much detail. We basically recreated our FA Cup run where we let better teams have more of the possession, while we played around their press, and took our chances.

The goal from Auba was another sublime ‘play it out the back’ moment. Elneny fed Saka on the right, Saka created an overload and casually pinged a ball out to Auba. Our contract rebel sharpshooter cut inside, Tierney created a decoy with a fake overlap, then Auba placed a bullet strike over one of the best keepers in the world. Fucking majestic. Thierry like. Think back to how shite we were playing out of the back under Emery? Unreal how good coaching can have the same players scoring worldies against elite teams with the same idea.

The second half was a little more Liverpool. We conceded a sloppy goal. Some deft football by Liverpool and a bit of bad luck on our part saw Minamoto earn enough space to slip a pass past Emi. Again, it’s preseason, the goal wasn’t an abomination, though frustrating nonetheless.

We didn’t collapse though, which was lovely. The players gave it some in the last ten minutes, we weren’t quite sharp enough, but we saw the game out for penalties.

We scored all 5. All elite strikes. Reiss started first and buried it. AMN followed up with a COOOOOOL as a cucumber pass into the corner. Soares, who I thought would miss, smashed his home. David Luiz rocketed his into the top left corner. Then Auba BURIED the notion he’s not a big game player, winning his second trophy with Arsenal with the final kick of the game and a BELTER of a strike.

What a great moment for Arsenal. The Community Shield might not be the biggest trophy of them all, but when you are an Arsenal fan, or player, or board member, it means a great deal. Arsenal are improving. We’re mixing it with the big teams. We’re showing up and delivering when it matters. I said before the game, the importance of the win was momentum. We are a confidence team, this will have mainlined belief into a squad that’s still learning how to be top tier.

So what can we take from the game?

DON’T FUCK WITH US

Yeah, childish headline, but what the last batch of games starting with an ‘FA’ prefix have taught the rest of the league is that we have a capable squad of players that can damage big teams. Specifically, we’ve learned to deal with teams that aggressively press us.

Teams like Liverpool have come at us with extra venom over the years. They beast us, we panic under pressure and give the ball away, then they go again and again until we’re beaten into submission. The we’d cave to the pressure, the more confident the pressing team would get and the more we’d cower. That reputation for meekness has been well and truly weaponised by Arteta.

The lesson teams are now learning is that if they aggressively push us high up the field, we will play around the press and do some real damage. We no longer shit the bed. We have comfortably played around 2 of the best pressing teams in the world and taken home results. What you saw yesterday was a Liverpool side that started to panic when their plan fell apart because we showed them on numerous occasions we’d open them up. That is a warning shot for the rest of the league. Teams will think twice about pressing us hard and high. This is a great development for Arsenal. Big teams will eventually wise up to this, but for the moment, we’re dangerous against top 6 sides.

CREATIVITY WHERE ARE YOU?

Our biggest issue this season is now the opposite of what it used to be. We lack creativity. Arsenal is now competitive for the big games, where we’ll struggle is against teams that low block us and string 11 bodies in front of us. Think about Brighton and Villa.

I thought we were worth more than our 2 shots on target yesterday. The movement in Liverpool’s third was much better. The football was really good at times. What we’re really lacking is a decision and a moment of magic when it matters. Ozil when he cared, Santi, Thomas Rosicky, Jack, Andrey, could all create magic with a deep block… we don’t have that right now and unless we address it, our issues will come in games where teams don’t want to play.

No doubt the Arsenal analysts recognise this issue. No doubt we’re trying to adjust the squad to accommodate a more creative set of players. Willian will help, but it’d also be great to bring in a true number 8 or a modern 10 that could help us unlock defences.  The club hope they can get Auoar for £40m, which means we have to sell someone. Torreira, Guendouzi, and Lacazette are all the best hopes of raising funds, but the market is sluggish. I also hear we still fancy Partey… but again, hard to move fast if you have no money.

DON’T SELL THEM PLEEEEASE

My main concern before the game was that we had at least 5 players in the starting 11 that won’t be about come October 5th. Under Arteta, things like that don’t seem matter. The stand out performers were AMN and Martinez, once again. The Argentinian keeper is just a very good player. The idea that Chelsea might pick him up from us for £10m is an absolutely awful thought. He’s focused, brilliant with his feet, great with his hands, and a brilliant leader. I also love that he has a greater goal, becoming Argentina’s #1. Are we letting the better keeper go here?

Then there’s AMN. I can’t have it that he is on the exit list. He’s brilliant. He seems to have the exact mindset we’re looking for, he shows up in big games, he executes Arteta’s plans, and he’s the best wing-back we have. Soares might be a good player, but he’s 29, there’s no resale value, there’s no ceiling. Why wouldn’t we keep the North London boy the fans adore? £20m seems a pitiful amount.

Listening to the prezzer after the game, the AMN issue is consistency, and I’d imagine the backroom team believes the same thing of Emi. I can’t counter people who see the players every day (and know the grand vision), though I will say the main argument in their favour is neither of them have had elite coaching or attention in their careers like they are receiving now.

… also, AMN just landed an England call up. Well done. Totally deserved.

Say it ain’t MO?

I watched the game with Matt from the podcast. I said…

‘You know what Mo Elne…’

‘NO. Don’t even finish’

What I wanted to say was that Mo was pretty decent against MK Dons. He’s more mobile than Xhaka and he’s pretty tidy. Let’s keep it understated here, he was basically an Egyptian Pirlo controlling the midfield. Too far? Ok, well, at the very least, he acted like the ‘server’ we’ve lacked in midfield. He moves the ball fast and accurately without fuss. A bit like Xhaka in that sense (who was also very good). I thought he was great. Hard to ignore a game like that against Liverpool.

SAKA

After Saka signed his new deal, Arteta used the versatile teenager sparingly, so it was great to see him back in the starting 11 yesterday, tearing it up. He’s such a smart player, he reads the game really well, has great anticipation, and his decision making under pressure really does look good. His switch to Auba was perfectly weighted… it’s magic to see him doing that. I cannot wait to watch him develop into a world-class talent this season.

SIGN IT

Auba, please man, sign the deal.

What a player. He’ll be absolutely essential to our success this season. Hopefully, the club can move the deal along and have him tied down after the international break.

Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments.

P.S. I have put some cash/money down on a website refresh. Expect some changes over the next few weeks!

P.P.S Love to see Dani Ceballos cheering Arsenal on from his home on Twitter. He needs to fuck off this Betis idea and get back to London. We need him!

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TR7

I wish we hadn’t spent a fortune on Pepe. I don’t think he will justify his price even in his second season.

Captain Tierney

Aoaur to me looks more like a young Coutinho than a Thiago. Wouldn’t mind at all if he can reach the level of any one of those. He’s got the potential.

Milan getting Tonali for 10 mil loan + 20mil option to buy has to be the steal of the summer if he really is the next Pirlo. I remember an interview where the Brescia President said he wouldn’t sell him for 80 or 100 mil or something like that.

Champagne Charlie

West Ham finished 10th last season, and were unbelievably shite last season which ended with them 16th.

Villa are a championship side and should’ve been relegated, the only reason they aren’t is Grealish and VAR. The talent in the two sides is vastly different, raw numbers aren’t going to laser through that equation.

WengerEagle

Charlie

What can I say other than I massively disagree, especially about being a superior dribbler which the numbers show just isn’t true and being the better retainer of the ball, he loses the ball more often than Anderson does season after season.

He’s the better passer and I’ll give you the leadership intangibles alright, just don’t see how that would make him twice the player.

And for the gulf in price, pound for pound Anderson would be the better value signing for me. Game of opinions and all that.

Marko

Much prefer Szoboszlai or Almada or Ihatteran towards the likely mammoth fee Graelish would command. I really don’t think he’s all that

Sid

Xhakalson would do even better under Tony Pulis than Arteta, thats supreme leaders logic.

WengerEagle

Marko Well we have a bit of a Brazilian contingent in place at the club now with David Luiz, Willian and Martinelli so he’d feel right at home. Living in London, a fanbase that will adore any remotely creative midfield player that’s been starved of a competitive team for years. Another crack at the PL and the chance to mug off the Bin Dipper supporters that were less than generous in their send off to him. I can definitely see why he’d want to come here. Question is whether or not he’s in Koeman’s plans and whether or not they’d… Read more »

Captain Tierney

As for the Grealish vs Felipe Anderson debate I believe Grealish wins this one. Grealish is 3 years younger and carried Villa for the best part of the season. His chance creation , dribbling , fouls won and offensive numbers as a whole for his first season in the league are mighty impressive. If not for the English premium I believe he would have gone on to a top 6 club this season. Personally I think Grealish would massively improve us right now. A very similar type of player to Aoaur + he’s Prem proven , robust and homegrown. He’s… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

Weagle

There’s passes then there’s passing, same way there’s dribbles then there’s dribbling.

Grealish is an incredible dribbler in congestion, whereas Felipe Anderson is a 1v1 specialist. I’m always more taken by players that improve the more centrally they operate, it’s the hardest thing to do imo.

TR7

Grealish is being hyped up the same way Lemar was a few seasons ago. A good player but not special.

WengerEagle

‘He’s got a world class ceiling imo.’

I mean the guy is 25 in 2 weeks and he’s put up literally just one impressive season at the top level. World class ceiling is stretching it don’t you think?

Debate was never who was better as I’d give that to Grealish, I just took issue with Charlie saying Felipe wasn’t even half the player which is nonsense.

Upstate Gooner

Grealish is a less injury prone Jack Wilshere. An overpriced and overhyped bang average player/product. Just like an iPhone or Grey Goose vodka.

Habesha Gooner

Well van de beek is off the table. United are about to sign him. I can’t believe United have a seriously better midfield than us after all the Wenger years. It’s a bit funny. Under Wenger all we had was creative midfielders and maybe one striker, Now we have keepers, Defenders, Wingers and strikers but No creative midfielders. It’s Ironic really.

Champagne Charlie

Habesha

Because we were Emery’d

WengerEagle

Habesha

Since Cesc and Nasri were sold nearly a decade ago our football has been largely workmanlike and pedestrian, that last season with a midfield of Cesc, Nasri, Wilshere, Arshavin was the last time I can remember us outplaying sides for fun.

Santi Cazorla was a godsend and carried our midfield quality for a long time, Ramsey and Ozil as well had their spells but we’ve had a largely weak midfield for a decade now.

Captain Tierney

Weagle

Well, he’s just had 1 one season in the top flight. Cant expect him to have multiple impressive seasons in the top flight.
I honestly think Grealish can become a World class player.
His attacking numbers were special, he’s got a good end product and operates well in tight spaces. Thats a quality combo for an attacking midfielder.

‘Felipe wasn’t even half the player which is nonsense.’
100% agree with you here. Good player this lad.

Arsenal level?
Imho, No

WengerEagle

Pogba-Van De Beek-Bruno Fernandes would be a nasty good CM behind Martial, Rashford and Greenwood.

Would really have our work cut out for top 4 even with some of these potential marquee signings.

Chelsea too with Werner, Ziyech, Havertz, Thiago Silva, Chilwell will be much stronger.

Habesha Gooner

Yeah but at least, Ozil (Used to give a shit), Rosicky, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey was a midfield that can play football. Now we have crap midfielders with no change of pace or ability to see exceptional passes.

I am just pissed United have Fernandez, Pogba and now vandebeek as their creative outlets while we have none. The closest thing is an ex Chelsea winger.

WengerEagle

CT

They weren’t special though, we see midfielders put up those kind of numbers every season in the PL. The fact that he’s only performed at that level for one season counts against him, Jadon Sancho is 20 and has put up 2 world class seasons already.

He’s a very good player but for the English premium fee they’d want he’s not worth it. He’s not a transcendent talent, they can be found in plentiful supply abroad for less money.

TR7

Think Liverpool will find it difficult to win the league this season. Too reliant on their fullbacks and Mane. Chelsea, United and Arsenal will all be much better than what they were last season.

Champagne Charlie

Weagle

Cmon now, Grealish created the most chances behind De Bruyne in the league mate. For fucking Villa lol that’s not the kind of ability that’s ten a penny on the continent, behave.

WengerEagle

TR7

Citeh will have a bounceback season, they’re too good not to.

If they really do sign Messi, the PL is a wrap for me. Single-handedly would turn so many of their draws/losses into wins.

Marko

Pogba-Van De Beek-Bruno Fernandes would be a nasty good CM

Offensively sure but I predict that they’d struggle with handling good attacking opposition

salparadisenyc

Really thought the AA23 signing following Nasri was the key to next title only to realize when the excitement wore off we pulled out of Xabi Alonso totally neglecting that area for the forseeable, defense completely out gunned barring Sagna. It got dark fast.

Marc

TR7

Agree on Liverpool – they’ve been playing at 200mph for 2 seasons now sooner or later it’ll catch up with them. You saw signs of it before the lock down, whether it’s injuries or just general fatigue I think they’ll drop off especially as they seem to not be in the market for new players.

TR7

WE

I think Messi will.stay put at Barca. Would hate to see him join any rival club in PL. Hypothetically speaking would Arsenal win the league if Messi joined us ? City, Pool and Chelsea would walk away with the league with him, perhaps United too.

Champagne Charlie

Both Chelsea and United are lacking defensively, needle won’t shift without properly addressing that imo.

United also have Ole at the wheel, so that’s a blessing.

WengerEagle

Charlie

Payet for West Ham was levels better than what Grealish has shown this season for Villa and basically broke the chances created numbers yet people weren’t heralding him as this world class transformative player.

We’ve seen players come and go with Grealish’s talent.

WengerEagle

Lol Sal, one of AW’s finest ‘nearlies’ twas Alonso.

Nearly as painful as the 40,000,000 +1 Suarez banter.

James wood.

But Grealish in a good side.?

Champagne Charlie

Weagle

If Payet had remained and sustained that output he’d have been called world class, no debate.

You can’t be championing Emi Martinez as arriving after two months football for Arsenal at 27 then dismissing Grealish throwing a club on his back to stay in the league at 24.

WengerEagle

Marko

Yeah you’d have to tame Pogba or else sign a proper CDM.

They’d put up a crazy amount of goals though, all three of those CM’s can break double figures.

James wood.

Grealish or Cellabos?

James wood.

Grealish or Ozil?

WengerEagle

TR7

Messi is good enough that we would be contenders immediately with him alone. Having said that, no over a 38 fixture season we’d be bested by Liverpool and City even with Messi because their would be games where he can’t summon the magic needed to pull out the points as we saw down the stretch in La Liga with Barca dropping points and gifting Real the league.

Messi and a couple of CM’s though and yeah, we could win it.

London gunner

WE

Tbf payet on his day was utterly elite. Just was a lazy cunt who wasted his career.

WengerEagle

Charlie I’m not, they are two entirely different debates. Emi is a player that we already have, cost us nothing. And he’s playing out of his skin and has our backline humming. So I just don’t see why you’d disrupt that for the sake of Leno’s ego being hurt being benched. Whereas Grealish is a player that you’re championing us signing for a huge fee when he’s not got much higher a ceiling than what we just saw this season given he’s 25, a very good but not world class player that would demand a world class player fee because… Read more »

salparadisenyc

Eagle

Well we got nearly Xabi man Xhaka… eventually 😘

No idea what to expect from Chelsea this season but they are clearly owning the transfer market thus far, Timo, Ziyech, Havertz looking locked, Chillwell, Sarr, T Silva, rumors of Rennes keeper Mendy in works.

And I swear I read they wanted Immobile as well just to throw more into the bottomless pot.

WengerEagle

Agree London.

Loved Payet, that goal at the Euros with his weaker left peg was one of the most brilliant I’ve ever seen. Saved France’s bacon from an opening day embarrassment vs Romania IIRC.

Champagne Charlie

Weagle Hmm muddying matters a bit there, the argument about Martinez was that he’s been about a decade and not delivered anything consistently to which you argued he’d come of age later. Can’t dismiss Grealish as a 25 year old on those same grounds. He was superb in his debut season in the PL, obviously it’s up to him to go again and improve but I think that’s well within his capabilities. Certainly isn’t talents like that in abundance through Europe, I won’t be sold that idea. On another note….. Who predicts what for goal returns this season from our… Read more »

WengerEagle

Sal

No chance on Ciro, would make no sense as Werner is Lamps’ man. Also Immobile is elite in Italy but struggled anywhere else he has ventured, at Dortmund and Sevilla. He’s a king in Rome, don’t see him pushing for a move.

Italians seem to be among the very worst for exports, weird one really. Nearly as poor travellers as Russians.

Saladin

Egyptian Pirlo looks a totally different player. The tidy touches and calmness on the ball, don’t remember seeing that from him previously.

Habesha Gooner

Pogba-Van De Beek-Bruno Fernandes would be a nasty good CM
Offensively sure but I predict that they’d struggle with handling good attacking opposition

Marko
All of them won’t start together. Two out of Pogba, Bruno and Van de beek would start agrar of Matic or Mctominay. It is just that now if bruno is injured they would have a high quality player to come in and sustain a league season. They would have had to replace him with Mata or Pereira otherwise. They have depth in quality now.

Habesha Gooner

ahead of*

salparadisenyc

Clearly Immobile not happening but doesn’t take the comedy out of reading it with where they are at, keeping mad Roman in mind just off a transfer ban.

Imagine that dude on the streets of Bangkok.

Habesha Gooner

Who is scoring the goals outside Aubameyang?

If we bring in creative midfielders, Pepe, Saka, Martinelli, Eddie, Willian, and Lacazette will score the goals. Assuming Lacazette is still here by the end of summer. We aren’t shot of fire power, Just lack of imagination and creativity.

WengerEagle

Charlie

I mean GK’s are the exception to upward trajectory given they generally have at least 5-8 more years at the top level to outfielders. 27 is young for a GK.

And we have Emi, if he had shown this form at a different club I wouldn’t be talking up his signing for proper money.

I’m not saying that Grealish’s grow on trees or anything, what I should have said is that you can find players of similar quality and better abroad for less or comparable money. Not that there are tonnes of these players because you’re right, there isn’t.

WengerEagle

Yeah Habesha, Bruno can play more advanced as well and even slot in at LW/RW for one of the wide players.

He may be a penalty-bot but he’s a very good player. And I’m jealous of how much he’s transformed that United side’s mentality.

James wood.

So Grealish vs Cellabos/ Ozil.

Champagne Charlie

Habesha

True, creatively we lacked a lot last season. But I’ve concerns over goals from midfield, and think we miss 10-15 from there.

Xhaka, Ceballos, Willock, Guendouzi, Torreira returned pittance.

Xhaka, Ceballos, Willock, Partey, Aouar…..Elneny. How much more do we see from these lot?

Paulinho

Der Beek means United will be able to play Fernandes a bit deeper, and similar to Ramsey, he’s actually better coming from deep. His general performance dipped quite a bit towards the end of the season and I think it was largely down to that, and I expect him play much better all-round in a deeper role now they’ve completely nailed that number ten role with Der Beek. He’s a complete natural there.

Champagne Charlie

“So Grealish vs Cellabos/ Ozil.“

No contest for me.

Left Testicle

Just watched the BBC highlights show. A few thoughts.
1. Bellerin was as poor as I initially thought
2. Loved EMI sledging the scouser penalty takers.
3. Why were only 23 minutes devoted to the game and the game analysis? About 15 minutes was devoted to the women’s game.

Paulinho

We need Ceballos AND a Grealish type otherwise we are going to get completely left behind.

Defintely need to two major upgrades who compliment each other. A line-breaker and someone capable of being a scoring threat.

WengerEagle

‘But I’ve concerns over goals from midfield, and think we miss 10-15 from there.’

Agreed and it’s a big reason why I don’t want us to re-sign Ceballos for a permanent fee. He’s nowhere near good enough at advancing the ball for me and he doesn’t give you end product.

He’s a nice polished metronome CM that keeps things nice and tidy in CM but he doesn’t actually give you any guile or spark going forward. Weak off the ball too.

andy1886

May not be a popular opinion but Messi at either United or Chelsea doesn’t automatically make them likely title winners. For all the hyperbole Messi alone didn’t make Barca champions in a two horse race last season. He might tip the balance for City but elsewhere? No.

Probably irrelevant anyway as La Liga have said that unless his full buyout clause is paid he’ll stay registered at Barca. It’s not in that league’s interest to lose their star attraction.

WengerEagle

andy

Real Madrid have had a better side than Barcelona since they sold Neymar.

They stole 2 of the 3 titles since largely because of Messi.

James wood.

Grealish comes with that ability to break the line
has a flash of Genius and will get you goals.
I ask for nothing less.
And will be an England player in a better side.

Champagne Charlie

Weagle

I’ve long said that about Ceballos, I rate how he performed following a rebranding from 10 to
6/8 but if we’re paying hard cash for a player I think you get what he gives PLUS more appealing physical characteristics. North of 20 mil gets me concerned.

andy1886

Weagle, and Liverpool and City have better sides than United and Chelsea, Messi couldn’t do it for Barca against one top opponent and likely couldn’t do it for United or Chelsea against two better sides.

Not that it’s going to happen anyway.

WengerEagle

andy

He did do it though 2 out of 3 seasons, took everything that Real Madrid had in the tank for it not to be 3/3.

Add Messi to United or Chelsea and they’d at least compete imo.

WengerEagle

Charlie

Yeah exactly. Nice player but when you’re strapped for cash and every transfer has to be near perfect [think Liverpool in earlier Klopp years], he’s not the one you devote a chunk of your budget to as he’s not a player that takes you to the next level.

I wouldn’t be opposed to another loan if we could pull that off, not sure what RM get out of that though.

Marko

I personally feel like Ceballos back is a must because I can see Mikel rolling with him and Partey for example.

WengerEagle

Paulinho

Who do you like around Europe? Do you like Partey and Aouar? Interested your takes on them, haven’t seen you around here for a while.

andy1886

Barca and RM are always in the mix though and one great player can tip the balance. Chelsea and United haven’t been within a million miles of City or Pool over the last couple of years, it’s not even close. Then you have to ask yourself would Messi see himself playing for OGS or Lampard? For me Messi wouldn’t be enough.

PS, I’d love to get Grealish but we simply can’t afford him.

Champagne Charlie

Weagle/Marko

I don’t see us buying him, but see the value in another loan because we’re taking a bulldozer to CM and I think some continuity is important.

Xhaka and Ceballos as a base that know the league etc then you add the quality of Partey and Aouar who will eventually, if not right away, put their stamp on matters.

andy1886

I see that Guendouzi is wanted by Valencia on loan with no intention to buy after that. A bit of a wake up call for those who think we’re going to get offers of £30m+ for the lad.

Paulinho

WE- I’ll be honest, I barely watch any football other than our matches, and haven’t seen a lot of the players we are linked with. When it looks like we are about to sign someone I’ll give them a look and look for a few things, and it usually doesn’t take me too long to get a decent grasp of their level and what their strengths and weaknesses are. With Aouar I get the feeling he’s a similar to Ceballos with superior dribbling, however he’s not a huge goal threat, and that’s okay because if he can open up the… Read more »

andy1886

I see that we’re also linked with a bid for Brentford’s Said Benrahma. Can’t say I’ve watched him much but I’m not sure where he fits unless we’re selling a forward. Certainly isn’t going to address our midfield issue anyway but could add goals.

Mr Serge

Looks like EMI is signing a new contract and Ann is staying if reports are to be believed ?

andy1886

United have agreed a £40m fee for Donny van der Beek by the way – official on the BBC.

NwGooner

The Guardian’s article after our win yesterday reflects on the positive impact of Arteta. Our midfield and the front three won more presses against a team renowned for their pressing style-

Champagne charlie

Van de Beek has never done it for me when I’ve watched him, always thought industry > ability.

gunnerram

Our direct 2 competition for Top-4 (Man-U an Chelsea) have strengthened their mid-field significantly. Now against weaker Opposition they can easily control the games. In contrast, we have stalled and this is a huge worry. We cannot let Chelsea & Man-U consolidate Top-4 for yet another year and this will mean the belief from our side that we can genuine Top-4 side will vanish and will go to the levels of Everton / Spuds etc. It is one thing playing defense first against city & Liverpool and then against other teams when there is a low-block you do need players… Read more »

Paulinho

CC- Thought he looked the business away at Spurs for an hour or so in their champs league tie, but faded. What I like about him he seems a specialist number ten with his little turns in tight spaces, whereas alot of players (like Fernandes) get shoehorned in that role just because they score a few goals, yet their play is quite wooden and bland in general play.

Champagne charlie

Paulinho Haven’t seen loads of him, dont really have a firm view and will see how he takes to United. But alway looked out for him given the buzz and don’t remember thinking ‘yea, ok he’s a baller’. Same with Havertz, watched him a handful of times this year and was wildly unimpressed. Now maybe that’s a hype thing on my part and expecting the world from them? But neither do it for me and I’d be way more hopeful than expectant of them doing well at Arsenal were we to be signing them. Compare that to Ziyech who immediately… Read more »

Champagne charlie

Kolasinac close to loan move to Schalke, will accept lower wage and Schalke want an option to buy in the deal. (Bild)

That would be a good move for all, he enjoyed himself there and would free up the wage bill here.

Marc

andy

“I see that Guendouzi is wanted by Valencia on loan with no intention to buy after that. A bit of a wake up call for those who think we’re going to get offers of £30m+ for the lad.”

I think you’ve made a typo wasn’t it an easy £130 million for Guendozi – most valuable young player going?

andy1886

Marc, is that with or without VAT?

Radio Raheem

“I see that Guendouzi is wanted by Valencia on loan with no intention to buy after that. A bit of a wake up call for those who think we’re going to get offers of £30m+ for the lad.”I think you’ve made a typo wasn’t it an easy £130 million for Guendozi – most valuable young player going?
——-—–

The club has a lot to answer for that with all bad press Guendouzi has got.

Marko

40 goals and 30 assists the last 3 seasons for Donny Van De Beek. Lad is quality. And how anyone isn’t impressed with Havertz is beyond me

Champagne Charlie

Marko

Dutch stats don’t do it for me, the league has thrown out numerous stat whores that we’re hot garbage on other shores. I’m saying in the matches I watched Ajax, Ziyech by far stoke the show and Van De Beek wasn’t impressive.

Same story for Havertz, to be touted at 90 mil you’ll have to do more than I’ve seen of him.

Idk why that’s such a polarising view for you? Not every young talent hits the roof, can we appreciate that fact for a minute.

andy1886

Given that van de Beek made the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or in 2018/19 he must have something.

That said United have a habit post Fergie of signing very good players and still failing to create a coherent team. If they had a better manager I might be more concerned.

Champagne Charlie

Andy

So did Tadic, who never got past ‘good player’ at Southampton in England.

Tom

There’s absolutely nothing about Grealish’s game that says he might not be able to repeat or better his output from last seasons. Comparing him to Jack Wilshere does no justice to either one. Completely different players. Hazard with a few extra inches and some 20 pounds would be closer to what Grealish is like with ball at his feet. Pepe will not justify his price tag next season the same way a house bought at the height of real estate bubble wouldn’t appreciate the following year after the worlds economy took a giant shit. Guen isn’t attractive any buyers hardly… Read more »

Mr Serge

Sok gone to Napoli for 4.5 m

Emiratesstroller

Provided that Arsenal can sort out our Central Midfield in this transfer window I believe that Arsenal could compete for a top 4 finish in EPL. This assumes also that Arsenal secure the transfer of Gabriel and get Aubameyang to sign a contract extension. My view is that both Man City and Chelsea will finish next season first and second, but then Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal will be competing for final two places. Whilst Liverpool finished top last season and more than 40 points ahead of us I don’t think that they will perform this season at the same… Read more »

Marko

Dutch stats don’t do it for me

I mean he’s also got decent stats in the champions league. It’s weird how Havertz and Van De Beek find it hard to impress you but Graelish does so easily. What is it one good season of top flight football at 24/25? Not for me personally

Mr Serge

Emirates I think this season we will be able to beat the weaker teams as we will be solid and outscore them
Let’s see how the window shapes up

Champagne Charlie

Emirates

Not sure how you see Chelsea bridging a 33 point gap to Liverpool this season – they conceded 20 goals more and scored 15 goals less. Huge disparity.

Man City and Liverpool are head and shoulders above the gaggle of clubs aiming for best of the rest imo.

United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Spurs fighting for two places for me, dark horses in Wolves and Leicester.

Overmars

Chelsea and Man U both strengthening their midfield.

Van de Beek, Fernandes, Pogba.

Jorginho, Kante, Havertz.

On paper, they look just as good as Liverpool’s and City’s.

If we sell Guendouzi and Torriera, I really hope we bring in 2 top top quality centre midfielders. Or we’ll fall behind, and that’s not Arteta’s fault.

Champagne Charlie

Marko

But it’s not the stats that do it for me with Grealish, they confirm what I’ve witnessed numerous times throughout the season against opposition I’m more intimate with having watched them play my own side and more.

Idk why you get oddly militant toward continental talents. Tadic scored 11 and had 14 assists last season, and scored 28 with 13 assists the one before that!

Fuck right off that I’m wrong to take Eredivisie numbers with a pinch of salt.

Freddie Ljungberg

Mr Serge

Good news if true, that’s one less CB on the books, 90k a week off the wage bill and 4.5m more than we had before towards the midfield.

Probably means Gabriel is secured too

Now we just have to step it up and try to get rid of the rest of them.

Mr Serge

Hopefully they tell us Auba signed his 3 year deal tomorrow and we also here about Maghaleas

salparadisenyc

Sokratis looking done to Napoli, check one off the list.

NorwegianGooner

Maitland-Niles and Saka to become regulars in a three man midfield? Pace, power, cool heads, technical ability, young, energetic etc. I think for the time being Xhaka could anchor that midfield nicely, but I’d prefer Ceballos.

4-3-3 set up:

Emi
Hector Saliba Gabriel Tierney
Niles Ceballos Saka
Pepe Auba Willian?

Experience, pace, youth, goals, creativity.

Marko

Idk why you get oddly militant toward continental talents.

Who’s being militant I’m merely pointing out how you’re not convinced of two of the most highly rated young footballers in Europe while easily convinced of Graelish. I’m saying easily because he’s literally had one good season in top flight football. I mean maybe you need to watch Havertz and Van De Beek as much as you watch Graelish really

Valentin

Would be funny to go back and see what everybody predicted in term of final positions last summer.

To me the top 2 ManCity and Liverpool are still above the rest. However it will be closer this season.

I can’t see Chelsea overtaking Liverpool in second. They still have not addressed their defensive frailty and that include their goalkeeper. Even if they do, I do not believe Lampard to be able to build a good solid defense side without then blunting his attack.

izzo

We should be buying Camavinga to replace the likes of Guendozi and Torreira. We should ship Laca to Atletico + cash for Partey. DM/ CM sorted. no idea who we should bring in at AM if we’re even playing that formation as i’m not convinced by Aouar and don’t think Coutinho is coming here tbh.