You know what I thought was very amusing? The story in The Sun leaked by senior players in the team who feel like they’re taking the fall for being shite. They dropped a similar thing in the same paper before the Chelsea game on boxing day. One of their big swipes was about the role Thomas Partey plays… then he goes and drops a 9/10 MOTM performance.
Senior players at Arsenal need to understand this: No one gives a fuck what you think. No one. The star boys are all under 25.
Bigger picture, Arteta needs to stop propping these schemers. Willian has ‘great potential’, Pierre ‘late for NLD team meetings’ Auba is committed… he always goes to bat for his big names, and they rarely repay the faith.
Telling a journalist Arteta blames them feels so far from reality. He never throws players under the bus. He takes the blame so often, it’s almost problematic. The worst flaying he’s dished out was Pepe when he headbutted someone at Leeds. Dropping big names for shit performances all the fans watch with fury is not throwing players under the bus. It is a very, very weird bubble these guys live in.
That’s not to say there aren’t senior players who are putting in a shift this season. Granit Xhaka, love him or hate him, has been one of our most consistent performers. Alex Lacazette has developed a new role where is everything and nothing at the same time. Thomas Partey has been a mixed bag, but you never doubt his commitment on the pitch.
Fuck the leakers. Auba deserved to be dropped. Willian has deserved the same. The shame of it all is that these whiners can’t be moved on with much ease.
Arteta gets more out of the younger players he seems so risk-averse in playing. They also never mail it in. I do understand why there’s an aversion to playing too many of them, it’s not normal to play so many teenagers, but the counter-point can’t be to play uncommitted seniors who have us sitting in 9th at the moment.
There’s a big dilemma to be faced this Thursday. Does Arteta revert to his seniors knowing there’s one or a few leaking to the press? Does he revert to names that let him down at Christmas? That couldn’t do the job against Liverpool?
Or does he pick the team best suited to doing the job? The team. The team. The team. Imo.
Martinelli said he was fit for Thursday. Play him. Let him terrorise a Slavia’s shoddy defence.
Bukayo Saka was immense against Sheff U, rumours are that he just had a dead leg, let him roam as a #10 again.
Give Nico another go, he’s been crucial to two goals on the bounce, he looks hungry, warm up the clunky first touch and reward him.
We cannot afford to play badly on Thursday. I need my match against Unai Emery in the cauldron of hell. Our awful season could be made a little sweeter if we make the final downing him in his comfort blanket.
Arsenal needs to score goals. Willian’s ‘control’ wasn’t helpful in the first leg, nor will it be in the second. Auba is either a #9 or he’s on the bench. If Lacazette is playing give him players that can form part of that 3-1-6 formation we had going at the weekend.
What I loved about the Sheffield United game is Arteta created an innovative solution in a game we were missing big players. There were clever ideas all over the pitch. My issue is that he does that when his back is against the wall… but when he gets bad options back in the system, he falls back on them.
We need to be protaganists on Thursday. I want Arsenal to humiliate them and crush their confidence in the first 20 minutes. We have to be decisive and head there demanding more than a late goal… we need to score 3 again.
I say this every week, but we need to get a run going, it hasn’t happened all season, let’s make it happen now.
Right, short one today, listen to the podcast below and we’ll talk turkey in the comments below. x
Some of the analysis of the Sheffield game points at Xhaka falling back into more of a left CB role in a back 3. Danny then would come across into the LWB area behind Martinelli. Creative yes but really all about masking Xhakas deficiencies yet again. What did annoy me is when he did progress with the ball down the leftside it was just to slow to release Martinelli so he ended up then moving the ball infield.
Wiglaf I wouldn’t deny Pogba’s inconsistency and you’d hardly portray Xhaka as consistent unless went the consistently bad/average compared to Kanye who we could have bought cheaper. I’d say the bottom line for the comparison is who brings more points to his team over a season, especially taking into account when either player has cost his side points. Just by Pogba’s mobility and obvious quality as demonstrated against Spuds at the weekend, Pogba is on a far better level to Xhaka. I’m in the garden now with the family but I’ll look into this further as it’s got me interested.… Read more »
China1April 14, 2021 08:00:21
One mans 7/10 is another mans 5/10Just sayin’
China
Ok, Pogba has been dropping 5/10s then.
Kante*
Wiglaf
https://www.fctables.com/paul_pogba-vs-granit_xhaka-298051-244124/
Xhaka only excels with a 7% pass completion probably all the back and sideways passes.
Wiglaf one mans 5/10 is another mans 3/10
Just sayin’
😁
Tony Not really. Pogba is a £90m attacking midfield player. He’s meant to be scoring more goals and registering more assists than a deep lying midfielder. It’s like asking who won more points for Liverpool, Xabi Alonso or Stevie G. But when you took xabi out of that team it didn’t function nearly as well and both gerrard and Torres suffered. Also, it’s hard to quantify unless you have the data on win percentage in the league with and without both players in their teams. I think xakha gets a shit deal and is far better than is given recognition… Read more »
Tony
That doesn’t really tell us how important each man is to his team though does it?
Let’s compare Roy Keane and Pogba
Who has better goals/assists per game? Who has higher oass completion, dribbles, transitions whatever?
I’ll wager Pogba. But who won United more games? I’ll wager Keane.
I don’t have the data to prove it because Keane offered something that cannot be quantified through data.
Pig a vs Xhaka stats last season
P.P – 4 goals VS G.X – 1 goal
P.P – 3 assists VS G.X – 1 assist
P.P – 46 chances created VS G.X – 16 chances created
P.P – 80 total shots VS G.X – 19 total shots
P.P – 1494 total passes completed VS G.X – 1096 total passes completed
P.P – 43 key passes VS G.X – 16 key passes
P.P – 0 red cards VS G.X – 2 red cards
P.S – stats speak only of the English premier league
That doesn’t really tell us how important each man is to his team though does it?
Oddly enough I was just reading comments on both players:
https://www.quora.com/Who-is-performing-better-this-season-Granit-Xhaka-or-Paul-Pogba
Xhaka hasn’t greatly improved as a player. All that has happened is that Arteta has taken him away from the real firing line in relation to previous where he was too many times exposed and now he is less exposed. Someone mentioned the heat maps of Xhaka under Arteta and they show Xhaka playing in less congested areas from before. So if you are a Xhaka fan for some strange reason it’s not really Xhaka the player you should be thanking but Arteta for taking him away from the heat of the battle more in matches. A player that has… Read more »
Pogba not pig*
Wiglag No need to dwell further as Pogba is far the better player. Is Pogha worth £90million is rightly debatable for his temperament and lack of consistency. However, you have to consider the same question for Xhaka. Has he been worth his £35 million? When you consider Wenger got mugged buying Xhaka paying a much higher price during his famed trolly dashes when he could have bought a Kante for several million less. Chaka was probably only worth under £25 million in real non inflated terms. So many imponderables can be brought into this, so no point in us pushing… Read more »
Wiglaf*
Very sad really that death of Claude previously from AFTV.
It proves that you really need someone to look out for you and put you on the right path.
The deterioration of him in appearance in the last few years from previously was quite shocking. Gained huge weight and looking quite ill many times.
I heard that there were some that were trying to help him and did in some respects but it seems not enough.
As others have said he was the reason that AFTV took off in the first place.
…then they soon kicked him out for being himself
If xhaka had been bought by Emery, Pedro would have had a ten page post on why he’s the worst player ever and should have joined him in Spain.
You know how much Pedro like Emery!😉
Up 4 Grabs Now If you listen to Pedro’s podcast you will hear people like Johnny Cochrane say that before he didn’t think Xhaka was capable of being in an Arsenal team that got into the top four. Now he says that he thinks it may be possible that an Arsenal team with Xhaka in it may be capable of top four. May be possible. Until we see this in reality then of course it is only hope and all of this sort of narrative is only faint praise anyway. There seems to be no real really big fans of… Read more »
Happy birthday to Guendouzi, our future Paul pogba
Xhakalson is Not fit to be a waterboy, the players would die of dehydration
Ishola, For me I just don’t see what he adds to the team. If he’s not being a liability to the team, in giving free kicks away in dangerous places or losing the ball, he’s playing crab football. Exactly how arteta used to play! Apart from the odd long range crossfield ball once in a blue moon he does little to enhance the team. He doesn’t score, rarely creates chances or assists, and can’t tackle. With no pace he can’t move with the ball forwards quick enough.its just recycling the ball and back passing. I really don’t see what he… Read more »
Pogba has been a monumental waste of money. Nothing to do with his talent and entirely to do with his head. In terms of value for money and consistency Pogba doesn’t have a leg to stand on in many like for like comparisons. But in terms of ability and match winning contributions he does contribute a lot (very inconsistently) Xhaka was a fraction of the cost thus where value for money favours him, however it is incredibly rare that he is the difference maker (as Pogba sometimes is). On talent it’s a very one sided comparison. On consistency xhaka takes… Read more »
Up 4 Grabs Now “I really don’t see what he adds to the team?” Solidity, knits the team together, gives “control” in the midfield. I understand when people say that successful teams don’t have eleven great players in it. There will always be some average players in there or plodders in comparison to the real stand out players and this is what many point to when talking about Xhaka. Yeah he’s not really good but he’s passable in an overall good team. For one Arsenal are not a very good overall team atm regardless of Xhaka and for second the… Read more »
Xhaka’s value is commitment. Everyone (apart from Auba) works harder when he is around. Most top sides have someone like hi, and they are often not super-skilful. He is our equivalent of Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.
ESR and Saka back in full training – looking forward to Thursday now!
Tony I’m not disputing that Pogba is a far better more capable player. In fact this only serves to enhance my point, he should be running United’s midfield. He should be the best in the country, no actually, the best in the world. But he’s not. So for me xakha is better value. Is never injured, never shirks, always looks for the ball, never hides, constantly communicating and tries to drive and Improve his team mates. Is he limited? Without question. Is he value for £35m compared to a £90m perennial under achiever and serial sulker? The answer for me… Read more »
ESR and Saka back in full training – looking forward to Thursday now!
——————-
Great news!
Anything on Ødegaard?
EnglandsBest
“He is our equivalent of Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.”
I hear this a lot but Klopp was never in the position with Jordan Henderson like Arteta has been in relation to Xhaka.
Jordan Henderson has never been tactically taken away from certain midfield areas to become less exposed.
People can state that Henderson is a plodder footballer but that doesn’t amount to him being tactically used away from real congested areas.
Henderson competes in the thick of the midfield action for Liverpool whether he is seen as a top footballer or not.
Danny,
Arteta ‘I don’t know’ ( re. PEA and Odegaard’s availability)
Bob N16
——-
Thanks.
Auba to inter if lukaku moves in the summer
Pogba to Manure is like Pepe for us. We always feel that they have more to offer.
When I see Yves Bissouma how he plays and look back at our Xhaka, I know who I want in our midfield.
Now since Brexit has been signed and its easier to sign players coming from out of Europe, we have to take advantage of the young talents coming up in South America. Man City have already taken advantage and signed one of if not the best 17 y.o in Brazil. That too for just 10mil + add ons. I thought Edu was supposed to be the Brazilian market expert. Anyways, these South American teenagers will cost us much less as compared to English teenagers and if we sign them at 18 they can also be classed as HG players when they… Read more »
China Very measured post with which I largely agree. That’s pretty much my point Given the choice of a £90m Pogba or a £35m xakha over the last 4 years I’d choose xakha. Pogba is a wanker who poisons the squad and drags their level down. Fernandes, little shite that he is, came in an instantly took United up a few levels for half the cost Pogba should have been doing this for years He’s their ozil only they’ve blown far more on Pogba for less than even ozil contributed in his early years and even then I wasn’t his… Read more »
Rather than comparing Xhaka to a player who has failed at the price tag he was bought for maybe it would be more enlightening to compare him with a player that has been seen to not to have failed at the price he was purchased for.
I don’t really see how this moves the needle for Xhaka.
Xhaka is actually an excellent striker of the ball from range
That’s the one part of his game I actually really do like and wish we’d see more of. The problem is in order to get into those long range shooting positions he’d need to move up the pitch more which is too risky. But honestly speaking he’s the one player I’m happy to see a ball rolled back to from 30-35 yards out because he hits them really cleanly and at pace
Having a balanced squad of committed professionals, who are slightly above average
Is better than having an unbalanced squad of uncommitted mercenaries, who have more talent
Talent alone won’t win us titles, not unless we’ve got the right balance, level of commitment, and professionalism and leadership
Give me a balanced squad full of characters like Xhaka + Tierney, over a squad full of the more talented players like Pogba and Ozil, everyday of the week
Sports companies are more likely to give man u a better deal for having pogba than Xhakalson
Paul pogba shirts among the most popular in the EPL
Rich
Xhaka wants to show leadership and does. So you have to give that to him. That he is prepared to stand up.
What it all boils down to though is how strong this leadership truly is to see the team get to where the fans want them to be.
There are definitely signs this season that Xhaka is seen as one of the leaders if not the leader of this team this season.
For those that have doubts that this leadership is the real deal though of course there will be concerns going forward.
Sid
Forget shirt sales, we’re a football club, not a clothes retailer
David Dein once said:
“Put in right on the pitch, and the rest will take care of itself”
Ishola
Why? Because it suits you? Compare xakha to whoever you like
I was simply making the case for his consistency and value compared to better, more expensive alternatives
You can always find better for cheaper examples but where do you stop? Kante when to Leicester for peanuts as did Mahrez, chillwell and Vardy. Not saying we shouldn’t strive for better value. That’s always the goal but it’s a different debate
For now xakha is our most consistent midfielder despite several rivals failing to dislodge him over the last 3 years
Give me a balanced squad full of characters like Xhaka + Tierney, over a squad full of the more talented players like Pogba and Ozil, everyday of the week
Rich
100%
Xakha at centre half against chelsea last season with 10 men perfectly demonstrated his leadership qualities and commitment to the team.
Xhaka has to prove that he is truly important to this team. The only way to do that is to “lead” this side onto much better things. Top four place would be a start.
It’s not a case of his doubters being proved wrong. The doubters have seen the team failing since Xhaka came to this club and has been playing a pivotal role in midfield for the team.
It’s rather a case that his backers have to continue to justify him.
SidApril 14, 2021 12:24:43
Sports companies are more likely to give man u a better deal for having pogba than Xhakalson
Paul pogba shirts among the most popular in the EPL
Sid
Typical farmer Sid comment. You’re turning into redtruth
It’s not a case of his doubters being proved wrong. The doubters have seen the team failing since Xhaka came to this club and has been playing a pivotal role in midfield for the team.
Ishola
Yeah, dropped into a tram that was defensively scattered and sorely exposed his weakness in space and on the turn. Put him in a team more defensively compact and he’s a different beast.
That’s where his value to their team lies.
I’d like to see Arteta restore Xakha’s previous responsibility on the ball. He’s not exactly santi but he can still really open play up when he’s allowed to be more expansive. Some of the passes he picks out are still exquisite and for me he’s the best passer in the team behind Odegaard
Wiglaf
I get your point although when you said ‘never shirks’ I had an instant flashback to Xhaka ducking his head from the ball in a line guarding a free kick that led to a goal.
Xhaka’s percentile rankings vs central midfielders in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season
Passes into final third per 90 – 98%
Progressive pass/carry yards per 90 – 95%
Pass completion – 95%
Miss control + dispossessed per 90 – 97%
Progressive passes per 90 – 98%
Successful dribbles per 90 – 13%
We know Xhaka isn’t a dribbler, but he performs amongst the elite in many areas of his game this season
And yet there is not a sniff of any true top club being interested in snatching Xhaka away from us.
I think that tells it’s own story.
Kovacic is currently valued at 40m on transfermarkt.
Xhaka’s value is currently just under half that at around 19m.
Tranfermarkt just an indicator of course.
Surely Xhaka would be worth a punt for a top club at a very reasonable sum for all these qualities he shows.
Xhaka has all the marks of being a very good player who does quite a lot on the pitch quite well. And there it is – he is not a game changer and most of his passes are quite negative (same with Luiz who gets mentioned a lot for his passing ability). At the moment most coaches if inheriting this squad would play him. As Pedro says, he is probably one of our most robust players when you look at how many games he plays and his incredible injury free record. BUT he is overall slow, likely to lose his… Read more »
We were talking money so commercial sense comes in
The difference between Xhaka + Kovacic, is agility, dribbling and the ability to get the ball out of his feet quicker
Xhaka has qualities, and I don’t think any Arsenal fan is blind to his weaknesses
I wouldn’t say no to a quality addition in the middle of the pitch this summer, but I think there’s other areas that are slightly more pressing
Rich I always have and always will trust my eyes first. Stats are interesting as a supporting cast of information
Today i agree with Northbanker, atleast the last paragraph
When Guen was here he had more progressive carries than Xhakalson so those stats especially in percentage do not tell the whole story
David Dein once said: “Put in right on the pitch, and the rest will take care of itself”
I midfield of Xhakalson hasnt done the above, unfortunately
Didn’t Wenger say he told Xhaka not to tackle?
Some quite frightening numbers here.
Click on the rebel act club to see how much clubs have made at this point in time from participating in this seasons UEFA competitions
https://www.football-coefficient.eu/
Rich, China1 Xhaka has always been an elite progressor and passer of the ball. And under Arteta he has become one of the best in the Europe in that regard. All the stats and the eye test attest to that. But does that make him good enough for Arsenal. Imho, NO. Because he lacks in many other areas of his game. He is poor in the final 3rd, lacks agility and pace, used to struggle with disciplinary issues, cannot operate if the opponents press him, etc etc. + the most important con being his brain dead errors in his first… Read more »
Relevant not rebel
Arsenal have made the fewest tackles in the league this season – 375
Man City 19th – 409
Liverpool 17th 421
Southampton 1st – 588
Leeds 2nd – 583
Captain Tierney
A manager wouldn’t give a toss about a media perception of a player or fans perception of him if he thought that player was truly valuable to his side. In fact a very canny manager if he truly rated Xhaka would see that as in his favour as he could nab that player he values himself at a reasonable price in regards what he sees his capabilities.
A player is not sold or kept due to the media or fans.
Ish
Unfortunately, football in this modern world is more about money than about football. Which is reverse of how it should be.
Coaches would want him, but technical directors and CEOs would absolutely hate to buy someone like that. And every club now has a CEO who is more powerful than a HC.
We all know the main reason Pedro has a new found love for Xhaka.
Yes because Arteta himself has improved matters for Xhaka in regards him plays him tactically but also because Pedro recognises that Arteta has brought in pretty heavily to Xhaka.
So if you back a manager heavily you also have to back the player that manager himself backs. Goes hand in hand.
Captain Tierney
That sounds like old cobblers to excuse why no club of any great standing goes near Xhaka.
I’ll repeat any manager really worth his salt and who really rates Xhaka goes in for him despite the negative media that has surrounded him previously plus negative fan reaction.
The manager says back my football intuition on this one and even more so when the reasons you give why no top clubs touch him would see him being very affordable to buy.
If anything the media have been up Xhaka’a arse anyway since Xhakagate.
The majority of the media have wanted to paint the picture of a player that was on the brink but came back and improved and is now a very important player for Arsenal just like some of the fanbase.
So you will have to find another reason Captain Tierney why no top club is interested in Granit Xhaka.
Links to city as a replacement for Fernandinho don’t necessarily tell us much because ultimately they’ve decided against making a move for him in all of the last 8+ transfer windows when they could have got him pretty cheap and ask yourself truthfully does he come anywhere near to improving their midfield and the answer is a very clear and decisive no We can pull out as many stats as you like but the difference is it shouldn’t be so hard to convince people if the guy was really that good. Arsenal fans don’t want to talk badly of their… Read more »
I like Xhaka and think he’s our best central midfielder, he’s got qualities, but I’m not blind to his flaws either The problem with this statement is, that people with Xhaka derangement syndrome, read that as: “I love Xhaka, I think he has no flaws, I don’t think he can be improved upon, and I don’t want us to buy an upgrade”….. Xhaka plays because he’s better than Elneny He’s got more experience and presence on the pitch than Ceballos, but that could change if Ceballos finds consistency that some midfielders find around their mid-twenties Xhaka had more experience at… Read more »
The majority of the media have wanted to paint the picture of a player that was on the brink but came back and improved and is now a very important player for Arsenal just like some of the fanbase.
Ishola
It’s a great story
Rags to riches gaiety tell. A pariah on the brink redemption. Just like Becks for england in 2001 with THAT free kick vs Greece
Fairy tail
Fairy tale fucking phone
Rich The problem with this statement is, that people with Xhaka derangement syndrome, read that as:“I love Xhaka, I think he has no flaws, I don’t think he can be improved upon, and I don’t want us to buy an upgrade”….. Couldn’t agree more. Some people just cannot see behind the masks they have themselves created. Xhaka at 25 was nowhere near good enough for Arsenal. Jot even as a fourth choice. Xhaka at 28 is a much evolved and better player. He is also one of the most important cogs in the system. We know his worth in the… Read more »
Looks like we are all in agreement then apart from Wig it seems. I’m comfortable to throw Xhaka under a bus because I think this team doesn’t move on as much as we want with him continuing as our most pivotal midfielder. We need upgrade despite his improvements under Arteta. I’m looking at the greater good for the team and the greater good is to get upgrade for that position. Note the term upgrade though. It’s all well and good wanting him replaced but then the club have got to make sure we get in an obvious improvement on him.… Read more »
gaiety tell……..fairy tail………fairy tell………does your phone want to tell us something?
I’ll put it out there. I dislike Xhaka, never taken to him completely since he signed and xhakagate sealed it for me. I do however accept, that at this very moment in time, he he is one of the two best options we have for centre midfield. I also acknowledge his performances since e turn of the year have been better, also notable he is still making braindead errors that cost us points (Burnley away). However his position in the team needs looking at us a matter of urgency in the summer window. Central midfield is a rather important position… Read more »
It’s always about previously held beliefs and pov’s regarding Xhaka. There’s very little, if any, measured discourse about him. Inevitably there’s numerous detractors adamant to quell any kind of positive affirmation linked to Xhaka. Progressive passes? ‘He’s a DM, everyone is ahead of him’, Incredible fitness? ‘He doesn’t get injured because he can’t run’ Play better with him? ‘He’s been in the shit performances too’ He’s a leader? ‘Told the fans to fuck off, booked every game’’ Defensive contributions? ‘He can’t tackle for shit’ Valuable to the squad? ‘Never made top 4 since he’s been here’ Even when it’s impossible… Read more »
The view of Xhaka by fans overall is a lot measured than a few would like to portray. He is not as good as some would like to present, but he is not as bad and incompetent than some would like to present. His main problem is that he is not the kind of player most fans wants. He is not a Vieira type, nor a Gilberto, nor a Petit nor a Romford Pele. There is no doubt that we could upgrade on Xhaka, but does anybody trust Arteta or Edu would know how to upgrade on him on the… Read more »
Xhaka is nowhere near as bad a player as some fans seem to think, and he’s far more important to us than many seem to realise If we were going to buy a new central midfielder this summer, it would be to replace Ceballos/Elneny Not Xhaka I go back and forth on Ceballos, he’s brilliant when teams sit off, but struggles when the tempo gets turned up, and he’s also really slow He’s coming into an age and level of experience where central midfielders begin to find consistency There’s a lot to like and dislike about his game, it’s whether… Read more »
Jesus, Xhaka our best midfielder???? Honestly he is our 2nd best CM as of right now. But he is competing with Ceballos, a guy that can look world class and at the same time look like a league one player, and Elneny who is honestly a nice guy but an average footballer. Just ask your self this, if you had a pick from any starter CM in the league up to 9th would you pick xhaka? Gundogan, Pogba, Tielemans, Souchek, Kovacic, Barkley, Docoure, Thiago and Ndombele. That is the list. You could may be argue about one or two players… Read more »
“ If we were going to buy a new central midfielder this summer, it would be to replace Ceballos/ElnenyNot Xhaka”
I agree, hence he would go from 2nd best option to 3rd best option.
Xhaka’s detractors, who are rational, realise his qualities, but in the pursuit of long term success and where we want to be, is it enough? As a squad player is ok, a starter? No.
Rich
Pretty much agree.
The two areas of most concern for me are our attack (most pressing), and CM. They’re two important areas that have two big issues with them right now.
In attack nearly all our senior players are relegated to bit-part because our academy players are better overall footballers, and in CM we have a massive drop off in quality/reliability from Partey/Xhaka.
I’d personally be very keen on seeing 3 new attackers, and one CM join this summer. The rest can be worked with promoting talents and potential returning loanees.
‘I’d personally be very keen on seeing 3 new attackers, and one CM join this summer. The rest can be worked with promoting talents and potential returning loanees.’
Full-back not an area of concern for us too? Tierney has top potential but he’s not ironman and we have no decent cover, Bellerin and Cedric are both decent back-up RB’s but neither are really starting quality for a decent team.
I would sign a winger if we are using Martinelli as a forward. But the rest I wouldn’t even touch even if players leave. 3 forwards is too much and it would give our young players no chance of evolving. I would like to see Balogu , Martinelli, Saka and ESR used extensively next season. One of Auba or Lacazette can stay. Eddie should go too in my opinion. Nelson never got a real chance for me either so I wouldn’t dump him right now. Willian must go if we are serious. CM, CAM and RB the main positions. Backup… Read more »
3 signings minimum this summer 1. Left back, we need someone competent to provide competition to Tierney, otherwise we’ll keep breaking him There’s no value in paying Kolasinac to leave, to then replace a subpar left back, with another subpar left back on a 4/5yr deal 2. Goalkeeper, the lack of competition for Leno isn’t healthy, going into the season 1 injury away from Runarsson or No1, was complete negligence, we need a quality keeper to keep Leno on his toes 3. Odegaard, going into the season with no fit or registered attacking midfielder, but 8 centre half’s, was nuts… Read more »
Weagle
Yea, but not near most pressing. I consider our attack and CM far more important than our fullbacks.
Habesha
We have scored just 43 goals in 31 matches. 65-70 goals is normally the marker for CL qualification unless you have a solid defence- which we don’t.
I cannot see where 65 PL goals will come from out of Auba/Laca, Balogun, Martinelli, Saka and ESR.
We desperately need to bring in quality forwards. One at a minimum, two really are needed.
In my head our front three would be like this
LW, Martinelli, Nelson, New winger
CF, one of Auba or Laca, Martinelli, Balogun
RW, Saka, Pepe, Nelson.
That would be quite a balance. And we would have depth and quality too.
We got overun with Torr and Guen but finished higher on the table, with the same attackers and worse defenders
Let that sink in
Weagle Our goalscoring record us not down to the quality of our forwards. It is down to having a crappy attacking midfield for half the season. And our CM options were also abysmal considering partey didn’t play for half the season. We had Xhaka, Elneny and Ceballos rotating FFS. And we used a 352 for half the season. If we sign Odegaard and our options from CM improve then the goals will come. Stockpiling players isn’t the answer. These group of players scored 70+ goals under Emery. I think they would do far better if they had more clear chances.… Read more »
Is not down*
TomApril 14, 2021 15:08:38
gaiety tell……..fairy tail………fairy tell………does your phone want to tell us something?
Tom
Yeah, it wants to tell you that you’re a plonker and you should go through with that tradition you’ve been planning, that you’d suit peeing sitting down
For me it’s technically proficient midfielders, full back and a proper keeper.
We’ve got wide players
We’ve got forwards
We’ve got ESR and Saka who can play wherever you like across the supporting attacking positions and midfield
We’ve got centre halves
Charlie Who would you sell in the summer? I would sell without hesitation, – Ideally Aubameyang but if not then Lacazette -Torreira -Chambers – Maitland-Niles – Xhaka – Nketiah – Guendouzi – Nelson I would consider selling, – Willock – Bellerin – Pepe – Mavropanos That group would be more dependent on offers we get, who we elect to bring in and whether or not they would want to leave [Mavropanos’ case]. It’s a lot of players on paper but only 3-4 of them have had any real major role in the team [Auba/Laca, Xhaka, Pepe, Bellerin]. Our squad is… Read more »
Yeah I agree with Habesha there.
It’s not necssarily that there are few goals in this side in regards the forwards but more that the service and play up to those attackers has been sub par.
Habesha
I like Yves Bissouma. He is DM, CM and ACM all in one. He covers the whole range in the midfield.
“These group of players scored 70+ goals under Emery. I think they would do far better if they had more clear chances. And the cautious approach of Arteta hasn’t helped either”
Attackers in 2018:
Auba (22)
Laca (13)
Mkhi (6)
Ozil (5)
Rambo (4)
Iwobi (3)
Welbeck (1)
Attackers in 2020
Laca (13)
Auba (9)
Pepe (5)
Saka (5)
Odegaard (1)
Gabi (1)
ESR (0)
Willian (0)
What “group” are you even talking about? Our attacking options are completely different to 2018 except Auba and Lacazette.
We get a more dynamic midfield up to these attacking players then the attackers will benefit.
That includes CM as well as ACM.
Of course as Valentin has hinted at a lot depends on Arteta’s way of thinking and how he wants the team to play but Arteta may not be around by next christmas.
It may be a case that we have to wait another full season yet with a new manager in place as the summer transfer window under Arteta is not addressed as some would like due to his own tastes.
Nelson
I do like him too. He is a very good player. He would cost a lot though. And he is a defensive presence. I liked the Idea of Partry playing further forward. But now I feel he is really well suited to that DM role. I would get Zambo Anguissa from Fulham. They might be going down. And he is a very good midfielder that has as much quality as Bissouma. But he will be way cheaper. And he would fit that CM role better I feel.
I’d sell
Auba
Leno
Guendouzi
Bellerin
Let Luiz go
So what we can to let Willian go
Loan out nelson willock and Nketiah
Make AMN our first choice RB
Keep holding chambers Gabriel and Mavropanos if Saliba isn’t ready to be part of a quartet of centre backs.
If we can bring in a quality midfielder or then I’d sell Torreira.