MAGICAL DEBUTS FOR WILLIAN AND GABRIEL

by .

Arsenal hit the ground running with a clinical dismantling of a hapless Fulham. The story of the day was all about the debutants. Willian landed two assists with a shout for a third and Gabriel kept a clean sheet and bulleted a header for his first goal.

The starting line-up looked very conservative, if Unai Emery had picked a starting 11 with so many defenders, we might have shrieked in complaint. However, this is a different era. Arteta’s 5 at the back is a little different. Maitland-Niles and Tierney added a lot to our attacking build-up play allowing us to play some joyful attacking football at times.

The midfield base was Xhaka and Elneny. Not where I thought we’d be at this stage of the season, but the two of them worked really well together. Mo(dric) is more mobile than Xhaka and he’s super tidy. He’s an engine room of a player, moving the ball fast, accurately (95% pcr), and mostly forwards. His height and size also gives us something. Granit Xhaka looked composed and fit, he completed the most progressive balls into the final third, his one into the box was a sight to behold, finding Auba with an over the shoulder pass Pirlo would have purred over.

Our defensive structure was solid again. Admittedly, Fulham really offered very little in way of threat. Our biggest errors were mostly self-made, the biggest scare came when AMN passed to Gabriel and the Brazilian ghosted the ball requiring Bernd Leno to be fast on his feet to stop the encroaching striker. He warmed as the game progressed. His erratic passing started to improve and his tackling sharpened. I think most of us forgot he’d not played for the best part of 6 months.

Rob Holding also looked very steady. Arsenal.com showed the Bolton boy dropping stepovers in training, he took that into Fulham’s half with a lovely bit of technique that opened up an attack. I wasn’t sure he had it in him to play at the level we need, but he’s getting better and better and the manager has told him he’s going nowhere.

Bernd Leno was under some extreme scrutiny. Martinez is off to Villa and there are a lot of hurt feelings in the fanbase. The German was fine. He’s a world-class keeper and he breezed the 90 minutes.

Hector Bellerin made a pretty excellent case for his continued inclusion in the plans of the manager. He looks fit, he’s grown out his fade, and he’s sharpened his attacking prowess. Everything about his game looks better at the moment. It is VERY interesting that after Vinai said Arsenal don’t sign players based on agent reccos that the squad didn’t contain Cedric Soares.

AMN worked hard for the team, his passing was a little off, 75% isn’t going to be his best number this season, but it was in the name of a vital role for our build-up play and he seemed to spend most of his time on the left. Rio Ferdinand had this to say on what he was doing for the team.

‘Maitland-Niles is a wing-back and when you speak about wing-backs you’d expect him to be in the wide areas, coming out consistently throughout the game.

‘He’s done anything but that, he comes in, passes the ball and his first run after that is to run inside and create an overload in midfield.

‘He comes straight into the midfield area and what that does is it causes confusion and causes them to have more numbers in there than they’d usually have.

‘After that, you’ve got the width being created by Aubameyang, your main goalscoring threat, and the left-sided centre-half, Tierney, he’s the man who creates the width.

‘It’s so different to what you expect from a three at the back. You normally see it being quite rigid and you know where people are.

‘When you’re a player out there and you don’t see players in the positions you expect to see them in, that is a confusing element.

‘That’s what Arteta seems to be doing and we see are they a well-drilled team? Yes, they are.’

Some people questioned Mikel keeping AMN. I couldn’t be more pro his inclusion. The guy is an absolute expert at executing tactical plans. I’m so happy for him, he’s an absolutely class act.

Tierney also had a good game, his pass completion was 86%, and some of them were dreamy to watch. He is going to be hugely important to our success this season, I really hope we keep him fit.

In attack, it was another positive game for Auba. We played out of the back in now trademark fashion, Willian switched the ball to him on the left, he cut inside and fizzed his shot into the top corner. We know what we’re getting with Auba, game-changing finishing every week. Rio Ferdinand told BT that he’s a player you always feel is going to do something, that’s a huge compliment.

Willian shut the doubters up (lololol) with an incredible debut. He’s sharp in the mind, he’s electric on the ball, and he gave us the sort of creativity we’ve been lacking. Near 100% pass completion. A hand in all 3 goals. He’s slotted right in. I think he’ll be very important to our success, what a dreamy player. I particularly liked that he kept Pepe benched. The Ivorian came roaring onto the field when he landed his minutes. We need a better level from him this season. The occasional flutter of magic isn’t enough at the highest level. We need him more present. Hopefully, Willian will push his game.

Not every game will be a simple as this one, but you can only play what is in front of you. I read that this game was our best xG against away from home in 5 years. The players were focused and motivated. Everyone wanted to be on the pitch. The squad is finally united around a vision. They all want success, and who would bet against it? We look a different animal these days and everything coming out of the club is positive. What a difference 6 months can make.

Do we still need signings? Absolutely. I think they’ll arrive. I think the biggest need is a dynamic #8.  We lack a bit of midfield dazzle. Balls into the box rarely come from central midfield, Xhaka and Elneny between them put the ball in the box once, so that needs to change, particularly against teams that’ll have more organised defensive structures. I think we’d all love a #6, but we could survive without one. Hopefully, we sign two players, the desire is there, the challenge is raising enough funds to make it happen.

The manager made a statement of Mesut and Matteo. They aren’t part of our future. Matteo will have to find a new club. Mesut will likely just sit out the season to make a point no one cares about.

Might also be worth a small mention about the Ceballos and Eddie dustup. It looked like handbags and both of them made up on Insta after the game. Best pals again.

Next up is West Ham. They are in total disarray. Players in open revolt against the club. A shambles on the pitch. We are normally a gift for beleaguered managers, let’s hope we’re not next Saturday. A huge Top 4 game today when Spurs and Everton go head to head at Goodison Park. I can’t wait to see what that looks like.

WE ARE BACK! See you in the comments. x

 

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Goobergooner

Agree there CC, it’s a long road ahead. But everything is looking positive and we can only do so much with a limited budget each season.

Top 4 will actually be a trophy 😂😂 FML.

Northbanker

It was tongue in cheek!

englandsbest

The value of stats, etc, is vastly over-rated when judging the quality of a player. Your eye tells you most of what you need to know. It’s instinctive, part of the DNA. And it happens quickly. Five minutes watching was enough for di Stefano, Pele, Greaves, Bergkamp, Best, Gascoigne, Charles, Gascoigne – all of them.

What we are seeing is an invasion of player-judgement by big business methods. Fair enough, they may suit trade and finance. But in football, the eye works better.

And by handing the reins to Mikel and Edu, that is what is happening at Arsenal.

Habesha Gooner

Dream 10 Yeah, I have heard the rumors. But If we can get both Aouar and Partey, I would ho for a free agent for a backup keeper. 10 mil is a lot at this point in time for a backup keeper. I think we should look in Europe if we are investing. My hope is we can activate Partey’s release clause and at the same time we can agree a fee with Lyon that can be paid in installments like we did for pepe. I read rumors that Lyon haven’t accepted our bid for Aouar because of the figure… Read more »

Northbanker

Nevertheless I am sure a few Leicester fans may have felt confident in 2015 and then shouted down by the rest

Dream10

TR7

To achieve 75points, we probably need to score at least 70 goals. I’m not sure that we will score that many. Arteta has shown that he is more pragmatic than adventurous. He’ll have to open the game up, take more risks and be willing to concede a chance or two.

Champagne charlie

“It was tongue in cheek!“

Tongue in arse more like, let the sauce marinate a bit before title talk.

As Jamie says, bad form to come in here with ridiculous predictions in September before Dissenter has laid the foundations. Mitrovic for top 6, Leicester for top 4, put some respect on his name.

Jamie

North –

I dig your optimism. I also feel we’re in great hands for the first time in years. Super excited to see what the season brings, and if we keep steadily improving as a unit under Arteta, a run at top 4 should be the target.

I hope Spurs get a shellacking later, would be a great way to end the weekend.

Goobergooner

I have a feeling it will be the regular big boys in top 4 this season with either us or United in 5th/4th. Hoping we pip those kents though.

Sauce isn’t everything, it’s the only thing 😂😂

Northbanker

Would like to see how well both Willian and Pepe play on the LW. Esp Pepe – is his game only about cutting inside or what would happen if he could operate his strongest foot on the same flank as an old fashioned winger

Would love to see 2 or 3 matches in that position

If we could find a way of accommodating both players that would be really exciting (with Auba asa floating Henryesque CF

Jamie

“bad form to come in here with ridiculous predictions in September before Dissenter has laid the foundations.”

😂

Up 4 grabs now

Don’t think we have any chance with the title, but top four should be bare minimum.

The fact we have found a way to get points off of our immediate rivals should help.If we can win games against the low block teams it helps.

The fact we have big centrebacks will help from a clean sheet point of view.

If Tierney is kept fit, if pepe and wilian can keep pushing each other we have a lot of things clicking into place.

And of course the saucey one will have had a whole season.

CG

Why cant Arsenal win the league?

x32 First Team players
x9 Center Backs
x1 Great coach
x 2 Trophies parked

Liverpool look spent
Man City look old
Chelsea look – well no one knows
Man Utd – get a lot of penalties
Spurs – too slow
Wolves ?

No reason, Arsenal cant win the league.None.

Goobergooner

Yeah northbanker I totally agree. Been saying that since we signed him.

We would get so many earlier crosses in for our attacking players to still be moving towards goal (and defense on the back foot) when the cross comes in rather than cut back as the go to and players are somewhat more static in the box.

I like the idea of a fluid Front three of Pepe Auba Willian.

Our forward line is the only part of the team with proper depth. It’s great to have so many combinations possible.

Jamie

“No reason, Arsenal cant win the league.None.”

We get it, asshole. If we don’t win the league, Arteta out. Get back in the corner.

Marc

Not a bad piece Pedro – agree on the Bellerin points.

Out of interest if we were to sign the 2 CM’s we’re being linked to once settled what would your line up be assuming everyone was fit etc?

Champagne charlie

Cg

Think we should be doing the domestic double personally or Arteta should walk so we get a real salt of the earth type in like Nigel Pearson.

Marc

“I like the idea of a fluid Front three of Pepe Auba Willian.”

Something I’d like to see tried – it would be a nightmare to defend against.

Marc

CC

Come one if Arteta doesn’t win the CL this season before Christmas he should be sacked – the fact we’re not even in the competition is just another excuse!

Pedro

CG, you look like you are trying to troll on a good day again?

Marc

Good day bad day at least CG is consistent.

Tom

‘“It was tongue in cheek!“Tongue in arse more like,….’

CC, lol

Goobergooner

CG you really love to cop shit as much as you talk it don’t you?

Useroz

Mostly agree except Bellerin didn’t have a good game. Didn’t bother with his wrestling at all but his defensive and forward plays were ordinary. I am concerned Barca would wake up to it if they are indeed interested. AMN did ok. Rio was not unfair though a tad harsh. I did see AMN attack the byline and Auba moved inside. Could do more of course. Best if a clubs pays £25m for him! Don’t care if Arteta found new love in Elneny He’s still shit. Side and back passes most of the time. How could you get excited with his… Read more »

Up 4 grabs now

There should be plenty of games with the cups and Europe,

I’m sure they will be rotation as well with three games every eight days or so.
We can ease the likes of saliba and saka in,
It makes a change actually having options instead of beasting the same eleven like Wenger used to.

CG

PedRo

“”””CG, you look like you are trying to troll on a good day again?”””””

If Leiceter City can win the league with their rabble, why cant Arsenal with their superior players?

I bought Arsenal @80-1 weeks ago.
CG knows the game

redbro14

Finally we can watch Arsenal play without fearing for one’s health. Amazing how our two new additions slotted into the system and both performed so so well, earning them 9 out of 10 and man of the match for the debutante. Not a single weak spot anywhere and some really nice football on display. Genuinely uplifting and positive. I do hope we make the midfield signings which would make us a genuine top class outfit. Watched hapless Hammers yesterday. We should tear them a new one next weekend!

Champagne charlie

“I bought Arsenal @80-1 weeks ago.
CG knows the game“

That pound would’ve been better spent on a curly wurly

Bamford10

Yesterday was a good start, no doubt, with good performances from all, especially from Willian, Aubameyang, Gabriel and Ceballos. Fulham are relegation-fodder, though, so the real tests are still to come and how well this group can do without additions remains to be seen. Regardless, Arteta is smart, charismatic and ambitious, and he has clearly created a good spirit in the camp and team, so I think we are in good hands. As for our formation and possible additions, I had been thinking that we would switch to 4-3-3 at some point — which we very well might do —… Read more »

azed

TR7

If we didn’t have to player on Thursdays, then yes we could compete.

I was of the opinion that we would be better without Europa this year (I get the financial side) but having a well rested team and a week to prepare for our opponents would have given us the edge over Chelsea and UTD.

I also don’t think Liverpool have the squad to go full speed three years in a row and without significant injuries to their front 3.

redbro14

Aouar or Partey if we had to choose?

Tom

CG, you look like you are trying to troll on a good day again?

Pedro, Willian”s performance put a spanner in CG’s works. He had a series of Arsenal paid a king’s ransom for a Chelsea reject posts at the ready and now he’s had to improvise……that’s why he sounds even more ridiculous than normal.

redbro14

I have a sneaky feeling we can win Europa this year….

TR7

Uli Hoeneß [Bayern] about #Thiago Alcantara [Sport1 – @iMiaSanMia]: “We offered him a great contract but in the last minute he changed his mind. He probably has an agreement on personal terms with Liverpool or Man Utd, or with both”. 🛑 #MUFC #LFC #Bayern

UTarse

Good solid start to the new season, hope is truly back for the first time in 10-12 years

CG is the ultimate troll.

As for anyone even mentioning Arsenal and title in the same sentance for this season, have a lie down.

Tom

Btw , where are Willian won’t improve us crowd today?

Pepe needs to up his all around game a lot or his minutes will remain sporadic.
Willian should be a good role model for him to look up to.

Vickingz

Our set up yesterday and the first few minutes was just a replica of our fa cup final match against Chelsea. Ceba and xhaka were lost and we conceded a goal as a result, it still repeated itself yesterday, only that Fulham couldn’t score but we gave up space, we left spaces behind us for them to run into and had we played a more disciplined and drilled team yesterday, we’d have been punished. It’s dangerous committing xhaka and Elnehny to the front at the same time, we can’t be having our 4 and 6 committed upfront, this was what… Read more »

redbro14

Tom, I hope Arteta can focus on schooling Pepe this year. Watched Salah storming performance and wish Pepe could begin to do a bit of that for us. Has a really lovely left foot, why does he not watch Robben old tapes?

Captain Tierney

Brendan will most probably have an average season.
Leicester I believe will finish somewhere between 7-10 this season.
Their attack is very weak. Albrighton isn’t really a top 6 quality player, Barnes has potential but not good enough for a top 6 team rn. Gray doesn’t really inspire much confidence.
Massively overachieved last season.

TT

Pedro

I think Brendan will have a solid year. He is better suited for a team like Leicester than Arsenal or Liverpool. Not a top manager but capable.

Captain Tierney

Redbro

Its Aoaur all day.
Partey next if we generate enough funds.

Would really like to see 3 or 4 outgoings in this week.

China1

CG Leicester won the league with probably the lowest points tally ever because the bigger teams all voluntarily bent over for them that year

If everyone bends over for us this year, we could win the league too. Very unlikely that is tho

Stew

Pedro – great post, as usual. Well done picking up the Rio Ferdinand comments – spot on. REQUEST – please read the James Gheerbrant article in the Saturday Times. I think we’d all be interested in your view. Thanks.

redbro14

Playing Leicester soon so that will be a good gauge for both outfits….

Tom

What are we thinking for Brendan this year? Emery collapse or a good season?

Judging by the tale end of last , probably a slide down the tables.
Especially if the old man Vardy loses his scoring touch.

China1

Azed just because we’re in the EL doesn’t mean we need to be beasting our strongest 11 in it

The group stages typically have two vaguely challenging matches and the remaining 4 are against pub teams home and away. Arteta should be smart and rotate heavily for the cups when the opportunities arise

TT

Redbro

Im with CT on this. Aoaur for definite.

redbro14

Cheers for the Aouar comments. Where would he slot in the 3-4-3 if we persist with this formation?

Tom

Redbro
Pepe is by far the most instinctive and exciting dribbler in the league but his all around game is poor. Here’s hoping Arteta can unlock his potential.It would be a shame if there wasn’t more to his game than an occasional moment of brilliance.

James wood.

Brendan
Depends on keeping Henderson fit.
And not selling Winaldum.
Other than that we may see the return of
Coutinho.?
Which has been spoken about.

China1

In the group stages, most EL teams are no better than Fulham. we just dispatched them without breaking a sweat with a team that had no saka, Pepe, Ceballos, luiz, Martinelli, etc etc

We have a more than capable squad to bully it’s way through most EL games without most of the starting 11

redbro14

Tom, agree with you. Must produce more, as we are not as strong on the right hand side as we are on the left with Auba and Tierney.

Graham62

CG

Must be great to be able to change your agenda just for the hell of it.

From relegation fodder to winning the league in one fell swoop.

You can do no wrong.

Yep, just a troll.

Marc

OK today’s plan – the sun is shining and it’s a gorgeous day.

F1 race and some Gazpacho for lunch.

Then watch Everton bitch slap the Spuddie’s

Followed by a rather excellent Bavette steak for evening meal.

Oh yeah there maybe a couple of cold beers in the mix as well.

Captain Tierney

Red

In the 3-4-3, Aoaur easily steps in for Elneny I reckon.
But a 4-3-3 should be the best formation to allow him to play at his very best.

salparadisenyc

Would be a real coup for United if they were to pull Thiago from Klopp. Wish the player would just go back to Pep and put an end to all this its tormenting me.

Imagine the United wage is pretty elevated.

Champagne charlie

Pedro

Ronaldo had some of the most obscene numbers for off target shooting and the like, real protagonists cycle through a large volume. If your attackers are one and two shots a game then it’s dreary reading.

Alexis got lots of stick for turnovers and stray passes etc but the sheer volume he’d get through always boosted these “negative” statistical remarks.

Arsenal need a passer in the final third that isn’t a 95% completed merchant, we need an 80-85% stud making outrageous efforts to probe and unlock things.

Jamie

Absolutely crazy scores this weekend in the WSL this weekend!! Madness!

Jamie

This weekend unnecessarily twice.. my bad.

Bojangles

Goober

“Bojangles
What would the positives have been of keeping Wilshere?”

Go back and read the post. I’m not guilty of mentioning Wilshire, now nor any time in the past 3 years.

Marko

Still AMN links to wolves which I’m delighted with because we still need to sell in order to buy the likes of Partey and Aouar and still so far the only ones seemingly being offered decent money is Martinez and AMN. Torreira again looks like a loan offer, Bellerin if he even is in the shop window looks like Barcelona are interested in a swap, Arteta looks like he’s having trouble letting go of Lacazette and Guendouzi doesn’t seem to be having a lot of interest. We might be forced to bite the bullet hold back the tears and like… Read more »

Ernest Reed

“Oh yeah there maybe a couple of cold beers in the mix as well.”

Just a couple, Marc???? 😉

Marc

Ernest

How dare you suggest I’d partake in more than 2 beers on a gorgeous sunny Sunday afternoon that has loads of televised sport.

salparadisenyc

Marc

Thats a solid day you bastard, enjoy.

Marc

Marko

Why can’t Saka fill in / play at LWB? We know he’s capable of the defensive side of the game and he’ll offer us a left footed delivery as well.

I just don’t see what AMN brings that is so amazing. Once we’ve got a full compliment of CB’s fit Tierney should be first choice whether it’s LB or LWB.

It keeps coming back to the accusation that Arteta is hoarding players and we’ll end up pissing players off trying to keep everyone happy.

Pedro

CC, the article noted that Mesut has turned into a pass completion cuck and his assist rate has dropped

Ernest Reed

“How dare you suggest I’d partake in more than 2 beers on a gorgeous sunny Sunday afternoon that has loads of televised sport.”

You are right Marc, more than 2 beers are for crappy weather days! Enjoy my good man!!

China1

Tierney is such a quality player

Bamford10

Leicester were not as strong a team post-COVID, but much of that was down to their being without key first-XI players (Maddison, Pereira and Chilwell). He may not be glamorous, but I think Rodgers is smart and organizes his teams well. What Leicester City do this season will depend a lot on whether they keep their key players healthy, IMO. If their best players remain healthy, they can compete for 4th. If they don’t, they’ll slip to 7th or 8th, I think.

Bamford10

*post-COVID-shutdown, I should have said; we are not past COVID itself, obviously

Marko

Marc at this point it’s truly less about AMN himself and what he’s brings to the team (or not) and more about simple mathematics. Right now we need to sell to buy and we’re also looking at signing two players at approximately 50 million each one with a release clause which means in full up front. Now here’s the kicker through an inability to let go of certain players or players depreciating in value or through sheer lack of interest it looks as of right now that the only decent money we’re capable of getting in is (in quite fortuitous… Read more »

Champagne charlie

“CC, the article noted that Mesut has turned into a pass completion cuck and his assist rate has dropped“ Didn’t even need to scan that article to know that, he’s gone from elite playmaker to elite possession recycler in the final third. I mean it’s beneficial to teams to have that competence in possession, but for a player like him it’s the complete opposite of what he’s paid the big bucks to do. Coutinho averages like 5 shots a game, it’s the reason he’s a pretty prolific goal threat from #10. Always a measure of a players mentality when they’ve… Read more »

Bamford10

Interesting that Saka didn’t even get a run in yesterday, although I guess you can’t play everyone. I think this might mean, though, that Arteta has every intention of keeping AMN. Sorry, Marko. While he could play Saka as the LWB, Saka is still only 19 and it seems like Arteta likes what he has seen out of AMN of late. If we are going to sign two more first-XI quality players before October 5, the club may need to dip into its pockets to do so (as opposed to covering these purchases entirely with sales). We will see.

Marc

Pedro

We get a CM (or 2) and everyone’s fit – what’s your formation and line up?

andy1886

Everton beat Spurs 1-0 in the women’s game. Hopefully an omen and a double for Everton later today.

Marko

So Tierney is going to be a LCB going forward is that it? No chance of a back 4 then ever if AMN is now considered a key starter.

azed

Didn’t even need to scan that article to know that, he’s gone from elite playmaker to elite possession recycler in the final third.

CC

Expect a lecture from Pierre about how Arteta is to blame because he doesn’t want his midfielders taking risk.

Bamford10

Marko I agree that it would be a little weird if Tierney were to remain the LCB, but I think Arteta may want to keep AMN no matter what, because of his versatility and his new-found apparent reliability. If we stay in a 3-4-3 and move Tierney to LWB, which is possible, Arteta may see AMN as a valuable back-up to Tierney. If we switch to 4-3-3, he may see AMN as both a back-up to Tierney and as someone who could fill in in central midfield in a pinch. I realize that you would prefer he be sold, but… Read more »

Marc

Marko That’s my point – the squads too big – AMN was out now he’s back in, Holding was out now he’s back in, Elneny who knows, we buy 2 CM’s and we’ve got Ceballos, new guy, new guy , Xhaka going into 2 or 3 spots, Saka was going to be a disaster if he didn’t sign on, signed a new contract and has hardly played since. Laca was going no idea now and we’ve got Willian and Pepe looking like they’re vying for the right forward position. It will probably fall into place over the next couple of… Read more »

Marc

Pedro

I’m not going to criticise Arteta for bedding in new signings – it’s the right thing to do. It’s what do we do when players are settled and everyone’s fit.

There’s strength in depth and then there’s our squad.

Marko

If we stay in a 3-4-3 and move Tierney to LWB, which is possible, Arteta may see AMN as a valuable back-up to Tierney. If we switch to 4-3-3, he may see AMN as both a back-up to Tierney I would first say it’s more likely than possible that when everyone is fit and going that our best LB/LWB will in fact play LB/LWB. And second you say back up and that’s kinda exactly my point. Much like with Martinez it’s fantastic money for someone who is at best a backup. But anyway we will see what happens in the… Read more »

Bamford10

1-0, Leicester. Headed goal from their new £22m right-back from Atalanta, Timothy Castagne.

Habesha Gooner

Lots of debut goals this weekend.
Slaven Bilic rocking an ear ring at his age is a funny sight.

Bojangles

Marc, Marko

Just taking a punt here but am I right in saying you want AMN sold?

Marc

“Arteta may see AMN as a valuable back-up to Tierney. If we switch to 4-3-3, he may see AMN as both a back-up to Tierney”

That’s great except AMN came out and declared he wanted to leave for first team football – we’ve seen Arteta won’t give unreasonable guarantees to players (correctly) so do we end up with a pissed off player who historically has been known to switch off or do we accommodate him?

Marko

it’s very easy right now to look at Arteta as the proverbial fat kid in a sweet shop when as you say we do need to generate some cash. Funny thing is before he joined I was expecting him to be completely different coming from Man City and Pep’s shadow. I expected a kind of ruthlessness and insistence on bringing in quality as much as he can and I’ll be honest with you I was kind of expecting and hoping for a manager who would love an insist on signings. But he’s honestly looking more like Wenger than Pep right… Read more »

Habesha Gooner

I would definitely sell AMN if it meant we get both Aouar and Partey.

Marc

Bojangles

If selling AMN generates the money to buy a CM then yes – it’s not a personal vendetta just being what I consider to be practical.

Marko

That is true he is getting first team football but for how long. When everyone’s fit where does he start

Habesha Gooner

Stupid defending again to concede a penalty. Rodrigo last night and Now bartley.

Marc

Pedro

Bloody hell you’re being hard work today! Yes AMN is getting first team football now but in 10 matches time when players are fit does he still get into the team?