SAKA MIGHT BE OK (PHEW)

by .

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

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Uwot?

Rich.Think we’ll need a bit more than just those positions filled.My minimum is at least 5 & two of those & another striker to replace Laca/aubemayang.First up would be Bissouma ( an Arsenal fan) but already the British premium is being bandied about with silly money were unlikely to pay I.e £40 plus million.Unless we can throw in a player or two to sweeten @ny deal.

WengerEagle

The thing with that 70 goals before is that you’re factoring in that was prime Aubameyang and Lacazette.

Prime Aubameyang was a 30 goal a season scorer. He’s 32 in a few months, as much as people are putting his decline down to Arteta which may be somewhat true, it’s also possible that he’s just in a terminal decline and is likely to continue to deteriorate.

Northbanker

Blimey – if Sid and I are in agreement then I’m seriously worried, lol

Wiglaf

Bissouma is the new M’Villa on Le grove for now it seems

Wiglaf

Midfielder or 2

Ishola70

WengerEagle

You have a point about fading abilities of certain attacking players from previously but there can be no question that the service up to these players has been piss poor.

Before christmas and before Smith Rowe getting a run and Odegaard being loaned in it wasn’t just piss poor it was damn right criminal.

WengerEagle

I prefer Anguissa to Bissouma and with Fulham going down, he will be cheaper.

We need another creative midfielder though. To take some of the burden off of Saka and ESR who are still kids and inconsistent with that.

Odegaard on loan would be ideal but remains to be seen what Real Madrid will opt to do with him. A lot hinges on Modric and if they need funds to buy in the summer which by all accounts is what Perez wants to do with the new campaign election.

Odegaard would fetch them a nice 30m at least.

Champagne Charlie

Weagle What I want and what will most likely happen are far removed. I’d prefer to sell the following: Auba, Pepe, Willian, Nketiah, Willock, AMN, Guendouzi, Torreira, Bellerin, Chambers, Kolasinac. I’d extend Laca and have him as the senior CF with Gabi behind him, putting recruitment efforts into two senior wide players. Players like Fekir and Buendia, technical, great interplay, good final third output. Plus retain Odegaard. What’s more likely is we sell: Laca, Nketiah, Willock, AMN, Guendouzi, Torreira, Bellerin. We’ll likely retain Odegaard, go for a player like Edouard, and largely hope for growth from ESR, Saka, Odegaard, and… Read more »

Northbanker

Wiglaf – there is that danger that Bissouma’s ability is being over-hyped here. However he is prem ready which M’Vila wasn’t. We certainly need someone no nonsense and powerful to boss the back and I don’t think Partey is really that player – he’s more classic CM and better further up the pitch.

WengerEagle

No doubt Ishola.

But as we have seen, even since the introduction of ESR and Odegaard, Auba has still struggled.

Which is why I would be more keen to keep a hold of Laca even if he only has a year left on his deal. He has actually shown significant uptick since the creative midfielders were phased in the winter unlike Auba.

Would buy us another season of development for Martinelli too as he becomes closer to taking over the CF mantle.

Terraloon

WE Martinelli 22 appearance in the PL 4 goals Nelson. 22. 1 Baulogun. 1. 0 Saka. 53. 6 Pepe. 54. 10 Now some will say they would have scored more if they played more. Maybe but it’s possible their goals to game ratio is as good as it gets. We have no idea how Balogun is going to get on when he makes the step up indeed Nkeitah has better numbers but his 4 in 36 in the PL is nothing to get excited about. My point is that for me it would be folly to think about going into… Read more »

Habesha Gooner

Yeah Charlie I mixed it up with Wenger’s last season. My bad. Still the point stands. Pepe scored 22 goals in his last season at lille and he is close to hitting double figure for us in a season where we haven’t created much. Auba just scored 20+ league goals last season. I can see Saka scoring a lot more too. He has shown this season he has the ability to score goals. Then we have Martinelli who scored 10 in 26 last season. And a teenage sensation in Balogun. I feel like the players can score goals. We have… Read more »

Ishola70

Pepe is very unlikely to be sold. He has major character flaws on the pitch but they will go with him another season because of those flashes he shows. Guendouzi would be worth bringing back as a squad option and binning Elneny and Ceballos. A new upgrade on Xhaka to go along with Partey and Xhaka becomes more squad player. Odegaard re-loaned and of course Smith-Rowe to go along with him. As said before the summer transfer window could be seen as little worrying just for the fact that the manager in place overseeing it might not be at the… Read more »

Rich

Sid They didn’t play as a pairing very often, but when they did, we struggled The reason we went from 5th to 8th Ozil switched off after signing his new deal Monreal – Tierney, this was the right move, but Tierney was injured, had no pre-season, and left us with Kolasinac as our only left back Bellerin got injured, which left us with Lichtsteiner, who then left, Chambers who also got injured, Niles, who struggled, because he’s not a natural right back, we then loaned Soares, who was also injured Mkhitaryan – Pepe, both impact players, not sure the needle… Read more »

WengerEagle

I agree Terraloon. Look at any other decent or competitive side around the top 5 leagues in Europe. Virtually all of them have at least one reliable senior CF. It would be madness to sell both Auba and Laca as some have suggested on here and go into the season trusting Martinelli, Nketiah and Balogun to to provide us with 40 odd league goals between them at a minimum. We have to make a choice regarding that trio because not all three will make it as starting strikers for the club. Imo Martinelli has shown far more potential than Eddie… Read more »

Wiglaf

Guendouzi has just 2 years on his contract this summer
I highly doubt Arteta will risk him getting his own back and running it down
He’s a goner

Champagne Charlie

Habesha I had a look at the G/A numbers yesterday after seeing the base returns posted for a group of players, it had me curious. They’re as follows (via whoscored): PL involvements the last 2 seasons: – Auba = 35 ( 31 goals + 4 assists) – Laca = 32 (26 goals + 6 assists) – Pepe = 17 (10 goals + 7 assists) – Saka = 13 (6 goals + 7 assists) – Gabi = 4 (4 goals) EL involvements the last 2 seasons: – Pepe = 11 (6 goals + 5 assists) – Saka = 11 (3 goals… Read more »

WengerEagle

Charlie You see Bellerin being cut loose? I’m lukewarm on him being sold really, would snap a hand off for an offer of 20m but not sure I see anyone offering that. Yeah tend to agree, unfortunately do not see too much upheaval which is a massive shame as the team isn’t nearly good enough. We’re breaking the wrong kind of modern club records for points at this stage of the season and goals scored which suggests a massive issue with squad quality and management. I’m not keen on Eduoard myself. He’s had a meh season in a shit league.… Read more »

Wiglaf

Charlie What that list of GA output could show that if Martinelli and Pepe get regular starts in the premier league they could offer similar numbers to their EL form. There are goals to be had with those two Next season we have in wide positions pepe saka martinelli ESR and Willian. I really think it’s enough. As much as I’d love him to go, realistically auba is here until his contract is up. If Arteta falls back on laca that’s auba laca and Balogun up front I’d imagine Odegaard will come back in some capacity and share 10 duties… Read more »

Rich

Guendouzi- 1yr on his contract this summer?

Habesha Gooner

Charlie So what are you suggesting we do. Auba is stuck with us. I doubt we will sell pepe. And we wouldn’t get a decent price for him in this market. The only ones who we can get rid off are Lacazette and Nketiah because they are on their last year and there will be takers. Nelson might have suitors too. So we can’t have a Bloated squad. My feeling is if we improve our XG stats and we have more creativity from midfield, then you will see a real up curve in goal involvements from all the young players.… Read more »

WengerEagle

I don’t get people bemoaning the lack of creativity and chance creating ability in the team and in the next breath holding Bissouma up as a dream signing.

Very good player but he’s primarily defensive. Not very influential past the halfway line, a bit like Partey.

Ishola70

Yeah only one year left for Guendouzi so that looks dead.

Wiglaf

Oh shit it’s 1 year on Guendouzi?
He’s toast

Sid

NorthbankerApril 14, 2021 16:51:57
Blimey – if Sid and I are in agreement then I’m seriously worried, lol

It gets worse, im in agreement too

Habesha Gooner

Charlie More context You really are disregarding the creativity problem that we have had the past two seasons. We are having a mare in that regard. You have shown goals per minute stats. But that means nothing if there is no creative threat. Players might stay on the field more and have no service. If you want context then check our Conversion rate of chances and compare with the rest of the league. I doubt we are poor in that regard. We take our chances often enough. I feel we don’t create as much. Jack grealish is creating at a… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

Weagle I think Bellerin is such an easy way of making decent money without hurting us, and I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t move tbh. He’s average, but he’s elite average in the sense he’s proved his worth at the top level and his only issue is that he’s went stale at Arsenal after a decade. See him being a good option for PSG and Juve type sides who want reliable and unspectacular at 20 mil. Edouard was very good last season, this season he’s went freezing cold in front of goal which is a concern. Though I’ll preface that… Read more »

Ishola70

Charlie

With Arsenal’s financial situation and even more so if there is no european football next season who do you think the club is going to buy? These two forwards that are more established, more experienced and better than the younger players already in place?

You are not suggesting Willian type signings again are you?

WengerEagle

Something else which isn’t being factored in when quoting all of these chance-creating numbers is forwards’ ability to create chances for themselves. Not to say that our lack of creativity isn’t a big factor but this also cannot understated. You can’t tell me that Tottenham’s midfield have created a boat-load of chances this season for Kane and Son, they really haven’t. This is also why I have never been a massive Aubameyang fan, even when he was banging in 35 goals a season at Dortmund. He doesn’t have that ability to create opportunities for himself if the midfield aren’t at… Read more »

Sid

We need buendia more than Bissouma, to dictate tempo and he can slot in as CM
Bissouma should only be considered as DM if there are question marks on parteys fitness.

Ishola70

Son is a great player because yes he does create for himself and he causes situations where the team scores because of his play as well bagging them himself.

And where are Arsenal going to find a player like Son for a realistic price?

Wiglaf

WengerEagleApril 14, 2021 17:30:32
Something else which isn’t being factored in when quoting all of these chance-creating numbers is forwards’ ability to create chances for themselves.

Weagle
This is a big issue and an area in which the team is really suffering
As it stands only really Pepe and martinelli pull their own chances out of nothing but not nearly enough to make the difference
That’s why for me at least one needs to start regularly, ideally both

Champagne Charlie

Habesha What creative elements are you talking? Partey is Partey, and Xhaka is top tier for passing progression in the league. The ‘creation’ on their part is getting the ball into the final third, again with Xhaka leading final third entries at Arsenal and among the highest in the league. The issue isn’t moving the ball from CM to AM, it’s what occurs when the front 4 are in possession of it. We struggled a lot prior to Xmas because we didn’t have a 10 until ESR was fit and then Odegaard landed. Immediately there was an improvement because of… Read more »

Rich

Sid

Not to say Buendia couldn’t play as an attacking midfielder

But in his 116 appearances for Norwich, he’s played there on just 1 occasion

Ishola70

Saka is a first teamer now.

Surely people realise that by now.

There is not going to be a case of bringing someone in over him especially with his age and scope for improvement.

Nelson

Ondrej Kudela: Slavia Prague defender given 10-match ban for ‘racist behaviour’ towards Glen Kamara

Now we should be able to create more chances.

WengerEagle

Isola

Tottenham got a player like Son [Son himself] for 25m. Before anyone says that he wasn’t that player when they signed him, he scored 12, 11 and 10 Bundesliga goals in the 3 seasons before he was signed and 17 overall in his last season as a 20-22 year old [Nketiah’s age].

Obviously they are hard to find but they are out there. Just have to be smart and a bit lucky.

Up 4 grabs now

Evening, It’s easy to say ship out six or seven players, teams don’t have the money to buy them. outside of the oil clubs, most don’t have a pot to piss in. And it’s not exactly like we’re great at negotiating transfers in our favour, most of the time were giving players away to get the wages of the wage bill. I think we’ll see quite s few swap deals around the league’s or teams biting the bullet and trying to pay players off there last year just to clear the decks. The likes of torriera and guendouzi should be… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

“With Arsenal’s financial situation and even more so if there is no european football next season who do you think the club is going to buy? These two forwards that are more established, more experienced and better than the younger players already in place?“ I don’t think improvement comes purely from financial input. The issue I particularly have with the attack is it’s lack of identity as a unit, the quality is good but the fit is terrible. We’d be much, much better balanced if we sold Pepe for 30 mil, let Willian walk, and replaced them both with Fekir… Read more »

Habesha Gooner

Charlie Final third entry passes mean less if there isn’t a threat attached to them. Xhaka isn’t even a threat with any of his final third entering passes. I am looking at big chances created stats, Key passes stats and XG numbers. We suck at creating clear cut opportunities. We create clear cut opportunities as much as Burnley this season. Even with ESR and Odegaard we are still a bit off in creating chances at the level of even astonvilla. and we would be much of a threat if our main CM in xhaka could move in to the final… Read more »

Nelson

Martin Odegaard and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both missed the training session. Looks like they won’t start in tomorrow’s game.

Ishola70

Regarding first phase play of Arsenal if Arteta wants to be some sort of blue print of Man City then he has to get the team to improve in this respect.

Just looking at how many passes go into the final third isn’t looking at the whole picture. It’s how they are going about getting there.

Man City are more cohesive and quicker with their play into the final third. Also the cohesiveness of their first phase play sees them play more passes between different players.

Arsenal’s first phase play in comparison is laboured.

Ishola70

Auba is really out in the cold isn’t he.

Wonder if we will see him again before the end of the season starting a match.

Up 4 grabs now

If your defence is solid, the midfielders aren’t so hesitant to venture forwards. If xhaka goes forwards he doesn’t have the legs to get back, so doesn’t. If you play with wingers then the full backs don’t have to go forwards and try and create width as much. Because the wingers should be doing it. If your midfielders do push forwards they enter the box late leaving them free to shoot, something we rarely do. A Solid defence from us, frees the midfield which causes problems for the opposition defence as they don’t know if they should stay and Mark… Read more »

Ishola70

Habesha

“and we would be much of a threat if our main CM in xhaka could move in to the final third to create triangles to create chances. ”

Very valid key point.

Watch Man City they are playing triangles between players all over and in first phase.

It opens the game up and commits opposition players.

It hurts us that we don’t have a midfield that is close to doing this.

Ceballos occasionally shows that he could indulge in this.

Xhaka never.

Champagne Charlie

Habesha

Villa’s primary two CM players this season have been Douglas Costa and John McGinn. You’re not going to convince me their creative potential is beyond Partey and Xhaka.

It begins and ends with Grealish, he’s the best creator outside KDB. We don’t have anyone on his level, but beyond that their supporting cast of Barkley, Trezeguet, Traore, El Ghazi, Watkins are players that suit and support one another by being good footballers at a base level output sustained 90 mins after 90 mins.

Ishola70

McGinn actually advances though high up in support of Grealish.

Xhaka is no good in this respect and Partey is limited.

You support the player high up instead of leaving him isolated then it can improve matters.

Champagne Charlie

Ishola

Partey is limited compared to John MnGinn?

Heard it all now.

Ishola70

Charlie

McGinn is more of a natural attacking midfielder than Partey as well as having a better eye for goal.

Why does it always have to be about passing in whether a CM is good or not?

I thought we established the other day that Partey isn’t really a complete all round CM and really he is best operating as a DM that can come out and play up to the final third.

Or do you still belive he is this all round CM?

Champagne Charlie

Ishola

Nobody mentioned passing in relation to Partey/McGinn, you’re fabricating that.

I just don’t agree for a second that Xhaka/Partey leave our attack isolated in ways McGinn and Luiz don’t. Think that’s nonsense, and the telling factor between the two attacks is the way the front players combine as a unit.

Ishola70

Well Charlie you do see McGinn in more advanced positions alongside Grealish in comparison to what we have see from Partey at Arsenal so far.

And it’s nothing to do with creativity.

More to do with giving your ACM support in more advanced positions and this can be very beneficial.

Sid

A combination of tactics(xhakalson sits deep/drifting to left CB) and personel(A runner with the ball is more effective than long passes) is to blame for the midfield woes.

@Rich, Santi worked out at CM having Not played there much

Northbanker

Sid – now I disagree! We need Bissouma more than Buendia. If we don’t get Ode then Buendia would be no 2 priority but if we do then not at all

A proper DM is no 1 priority and that isn’t Partey

Wiglaf

Looking at all the wishlists here brings on a sense that there will be a lot of disappointment this summer I don’t see it being anywhere near as exciting at the business end at all. It’s midfield and full back this summer To get honest I think we can get so much more out of our attacking roster anyway. There is so much untapped potential lurking on players we haven’t nearly seen the best from. Arteta is still working out his best combination there and seems to change his mind regularly. When/if he gets it right it will be devastating… Read more »

Sid

Genuine pep has been using KDB as a CM

Ishola70

Maybe Arteta is putting the breaks on Partey himself.

Those safety first tactics.

We don’t know do we.

But has to be said Partey doesn’t look a natural on the edge of an opposition penalty area.

He looks to be about central midfield.

So ideally we should be looking at a go between midfielder between Partey and the ACM and a midfielder that likes and is natural higher up supporting his ACM.

That could improve matters.

Alas it would mean Xhaka to the bench though.

Champagne Charlie

Ishola

McGinn vs Partey in the PL this season is as follows:

Starts: 29 v 14
Minutes: 2620 v 1145
Goals: 1 v 0
Assist: 5 v 2
Big chances: 4 v 2
Through balls: 5 v 2
Crosses: 42 v 3
Passes: 1049 v 822
Pass %: 79 v 87
Passes forward: 392 v 267
Passes back: 153 v 102

For an “attacking” vs “defensive” midfielder their differences aren’t obvious, and that’s without any adjustment for minutes played, or consideration that one is settled in a side and the other is a new arrival on all fronts.

TR7

McGinn is my favourite Villa player, gets overshadowed by Grealish but very very effective player.

WengerEagle

Exciting games on tonight.

Fancy Real to get he job done and can even see them winning again tonight. Liverpool have to throw caution to the wind and Vinicius Jr will be an absolute nightmare to deal with on the counter if he can run at their backline and isolate defenders.

Actually can imagine City blowing it tonight as well. They looked a bit shaky in the home leg and all of the pressure is on them tonight, Dortmund have enough players to hurt them and in Halaand a killer if he’s given a sniff.

Ishola70

Oh the stats arrive. From undisputed sources that know their numbers inside out and also their complete relevance.

You have seen McGinn Charlie and unless you have been watching with your eyes closed you can see he is a more natural attacking midfielder than Partey from what we have seen from Partey so far..

No-one is saying he is better. Just that he seems to be more comfortable in more advanced positions than Partey and more often as well.

Heat maps of both players in this instance could be more informative than bare numbers for this one.

Pierre

Weagle “I would sell without hesitation Torreira -Chambers – Maitland-Niles – Xhaka – Nketiah – Guendouzi – Nelson I would consider selling,– Willock – Bellerin – Pepe – Mavropanos” One would have thought that Wenger Eagle would have learnt by now that continually turning over numerous players every season is a recipe for disaster , as the league table shows. The fact is , we were in a better position and playing better football 12 months ago with the likes of Nketiah leading the attack( 5 wins in 5) Ozil at no.10 ( the only unbeaten team in Europe domestically… Read more »

WengerEagle

TR7

Villa have been unlucky with Grealish being injured.

Have only won 2 of their 8 PL games without him and picked up 8 points out of 24. They would be in the hunt for a CL spot with him in the side during that run imo.

They have scored as many goals as we have in one less game without Grealish for a quarter of the season and only Watkins as a CF option.

Ishola70

lol most of these are passing stats again.

I am simply saying McGinn gives more support to his ACM in advanced areas than we have seen from Partey at Arsenal so far.

What the fuck has crossing got to do with this? he he he!

Ishola70

Pierre is having a pop at you Weagle.

Straight off the bat as well.

WengerEagle

In Pierre’s wet dream we have Ozil and Joe Willock behind Eddie Nketiah.

Pathetic that he actually desires us to devolve into a midtable club.

WengerEagle

Ishola

I’ve bad-mouthed all of his pet favourites on here so it’s not a surprise that he hates us.

He’s accused me of being anti-youth despite me championing Saka, Martinelli and Smith-Rowe repeatedly.

He’s also accused me of being anti-British despite two of those players being English and being a fan of Tierney [Suppose he is a Scot technically].

WengerEagle

‘as the league table shows.’

It doesn’t show this.

Teams improve by buying talent and shifting aside subpar players. On in your little world is this not the case.

WengerEagle

Pierre you should have let Liverpool know what a massive mistake they made by selling Solanke and Rhian Brewster for 45 million rather than blooding them into the side as starters.

Ishola70

Weagle

“He’s also accused me of being anti-British”

Well that’s the thing to be now isn’t it.

If you push back against this you are going against the grain.

Good on ya.

Champagne Charlie

Ishola

You’re always dismissing data because it makes your arguments all the more difficult to propagate.

You talk like Partey sits in front of the back four for 90 mins, to a group of Arsenal fans no less. We all watch the team, and we all see Partey support in attack.

Wiglaf

Pierre!!
That was a bit uncalled for!! 😂

TR7

WE

Not arguing McGinn is a better player than Grealish. Grealish of course is Villa’s main player. McGinn doesn’t get enough credit though, very vital to Villa’s attacking game.

WengerEagle

Apparently City didn’t get the memo either with shelling out 75 million for Ruben Dias when they could have just integrated Eric Garcia.

Or United with Bruno Fernandes. Idiots could have saved themselves 70 odd million by using Dan James.

WengerEagle

Agree TR7.

Very valuable system player.

Ishola70

No I don’t Charlie.

Partey can play but he has shown that he can play more in central midfield rather than more advanced areas where he doesn’t look as natural going onto the opposition box.

I have no problems with Partey.

What I would like to see though is an up and down midfielder brought in that is comfortable playing high up when required to support the ACM to play alongside Partey.

When all know who faces the sword of execution in such circumstances.

Ishola70

That pass from Partey against Sheffield United that led to that Lacazette goal was an absolute pearler from central midfield.

Why the need for Xhaka in this team when Partey can spray them like that.

Terraloon

Suggestion; in the DM, yep I know it’s thenDM, is that Luiz is unlikely to be given another deal.

Rich

We could sell:

Nelson
Torreira
Guendouzi
Luiz (Free)
Nketiah
Willock
Mavropanos
Bellerin

And numerically we’d still be fine, without replacing any of them

Leno, Runarsson
Soares, Chambers
Tierney, Kolasinac
Saliba, Holding
Xhaka, Elneny
Partey, Niles
Smith-Rowe, Saka
Pepe, Willian
Aubameyang, Martinelli
Lacazette, Balogun

We don’t need a first team squad bigger than 22

Ideally we’d upgrade a fair few of those players we’re left with, and shift a few more out

But it’s not numbers we’re short of, numerically we’re well over stocked

It’s quality and balance we’re lacking

Rich

Forgot
Gabriel, Mari off that squad list

Terraloon

WE

Interesting you mention Solanke and Brewster.

Neither are anywhere near good enough to play in the PL and to a degree the two clubs that paid for them, Bournemouth and Sheffield Utd

Ironically both were at Chelsea who in the case of Solanke Chelsea wouldn’t pay him what he wanted and Brewster walked thinking the grass was greener.

Together they have played 85 PL games and scored the grand total of 4 goals.

£15 million for Solanke and £23.5 million for Brewster mad mad money maybe in a different era

Champagne Charlie

Ishola

You’re pining for Xhaka to get benched? Pull the other one, that’s so out of character.

Trouble is you’re always so willing and ready to ignore the major faults of the team to prioritise your fetish. The fact there’s even a debate about how Partey helps the attack vs actually holding the attacking players accountable is a madness.

Nelson

I don’t care who our coach is. If we can’t even defeat SLAVIA PRAGUE, then he is not good enough to coach Arsenal.

Terraloon

Rich

But it’s not numbers we’re short of, numerically we’re well over stockedIt’s quality and balance we’re lacking

Maybe wouldn’t get relegated with that squad but certainly wouldn’t be challenging for a CL place

Ishola70

Charlie

“The fact there’s even a debate about how Partey helps the attack vs actually holding the attacking players accountable is a madness.”

Well as others have said I think a midfield that looks to be better in actually supporting the attackers can result in better output from those attacking players.

Grealish is good Charlie but he ain’t Maradona good. McGinn has aided him as well with getting up in support with him. Foil for him many times. Can’t do it all on his own however good he may be.

Mr Grealish will tell you that himself.

Ishola70

If City choke again tonight that’s it.

They are a disgrace to the EPL.

Sort your shit out City.

Champagne Charlie

Ishola Again with the pony exaggeration. Grealish is 2nd to KDB in the league as a creator for me, he has everything. That’s a bit helpful when considering Villa as an attacking force. If United and Chelsea were looking to add goals and creativity this summer they’re not going to be chewing the fat over Fred and Mctominay, or Kante and Jorginho. It’s the front 4 that get the scrutiny, Werner, Hazard, Cavani, Martial et al. Only at Arsenal is there chat about Auba, Laca, Pepe, Willian, Saka, ESR being capable of “better” with a new centre midfielder. When the… Read more »

Rich

Terralon The players I said we could sell Nelson (hardly played, should have been out on loan) Torreira ( out on loan) Guendouzi (out on loan) Luiz (Free) ( Saliba internal replacement) Nketiah (Hardly played since Xmas, we’ve just renewed Balogun, and Martinelli is now fit) Willock (Out on loan) Mavropanos ( Out on loan) Bellerin (Chambers is now fit, and seems to be preferred) Ceballos on loan, would Niles be much of a downgrade? Odegaard on loan, he’s only been here 10 weeks, we actually went into a season with 8 centre half’s, and no fit or registered attacking… Read more »

Ishola70

Charlie

Chelsea and United drop more dollars than Arsenal on attacking players or any front four player.

That’s why we are even talking about solutions that doesn’t entail spending that is beyond us.

You are going to have to come to terms with the notion that a midfielder that can regularly support his attacking players including ACM can be beneficial to those attacking players.

Habesha Gooner

Ishola
Totally agree on having a more adventurous CM. I didn’t like Ramsey that much because he left space too much and he didn’t have great decision making about when to leave his position. But he was important in creating opportunities. You look at the likes of Soucek and wonder what we could do with a more dynamic midfielder.

Terraloon

Rich

In my clumsy way was agreeing with you.

Champagne Charlie

Ishola

I’ve never denied it’s helpful, I’ve rejected the idea Partey doesn’t already offer that. Keep up Ishola.

“That’s why we are even talking about solutions that doesn’t entail spending that is beyond us.“

Who are you buying in CM that offers what you say? Then tell me how that money couldn’t be put into an actual attacker?

Champagne Charlie

I love Marco Reus, could’ve been so, so good if he was healthy throughout his career.

Ishola70

Charlie You want more than one attacker don’t you. You want a couple and one with more experience and better at this time than Saka. How wasteful is that to bring in someone like Drazler to come in ahead of Saka. You yet again are going down the road where Arsenal keep failing. Bringing in big names from big clubs who are probably past their peak. Does it make the club feel they still have real relevance by bringing in these big names from more succesful clubs and put them on mega wages again? I have no interest in pretending… Read more »

Habesha Gooner

Charlie
At one point he was playing better than Hazard. He had like 20+ goals and 20+ goals in one season. Injuries just hammered him. I really like him now too. Such a good player.

Ishola70

Champagne Charlie
“I love Marco Reus”

I actually did “scout” him on another football blog years ago.

Saw him play one of his first games for Dortmund when he was still unknown and sad he was going to be a good one.

That was when I used to watch lots of football. No longer the case.

Almuniasaynomore

Rich You’ve made the point many times that sacking Arteta doesn’t change the lack of quality in the squad. Indeed one could argue that the lack of quality in the squad isn’t Arteta’s fault( with a couple of obvious exceptions). I think both arguments are very valid. But my question is are these arguments relevant? Isn’t the real question do you trust Arteta as the man to tackle the paucity of the squad. I think Charlie would give him the next window, I don’t think I would. Would you? ( and not to cut across you but I understand you… Read more »

Rich

I’d much rather Odegaard over Grealish if we sign an attacking midfielder

I’d much rather sign Neto over Grealish, if we went for a wide player

Half the price, and a fraction of the wages

Grealish £90million + £200k p/w

Neto £50mill + £80k p/w
Odegaard £40mill + £120k p/w

Ishola70

lol City are chumps

Nelson

Who says 17 years old is too young.? That British kid scores for Dortmund.

Chris

If we don’t sell any of our youngsters this summer, then they need to be loaned out. It’s not helping anyone having a player such as Reiss Nelson kicking his heels on the bench, if he’s lucky. Nketiah too.

At least Willock went out on loan. Either he comes back as a useful squad player for us or Newcastle will want to take him permanently, depending on if they stay up.