TRANSFER ROUND-UP

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So it seems that as well as Arteta being on holiday, so is Edu, hanging out in Portugal. I like it, working up that bronze tan so there’s a distinct contrast between his skin and that crisp white shirt. Nothing says Technical Director like a dreamy summer bronze on white combo.

The transfer window is now a day in and we have signed NO ONE.

That doesn’t mean things aren’t happening.

I love the Buendia story and its evolution. Arsenal were beaten by Aston Villa for speed, until they submitted their own bid, then didn’t go back with a second bid. So it would appear there was a price point we didn’t fancy dancing past. Makes total sense for a club with limited funds this summer. I totally forgot that Villa also put the feelers out for Smith Rowe. I suspect they’d not have moved for Emi if they’d landed our guy.

There are fresh links today to Neves, Lokonga, and Onana.

Granit Xhaka is close to making his move to AS Roma according to Chris W over at Football.London, making him one of the first signings for Jose Mourinho. This is fantastic news. He’s a good player, but don’t ever forget that his presence in our side correlated perfectly with the decline of the club. Too many errors in his game and a ceiling that hasn’t moved us up a level. It’s a good thing that he’s out the door. If one of the best leaders at your club tells the fans to fuck off, you have a leadership problem. I wish him all the best.

Reuben Neves is a similar profile player with Premier League experience. If there’s a busy summer of ins and outs, it’s important at least a few of the players know the league so there’s not a painful bedding in period. I’m not excited by Mr Neves, but how many of those sorts of players thrill? Not many. He’s a good player, he’s a better defender than Xhaka, and I think we’re all underestimating him because he’s not the P&P midfielder we were hopeful on / Wolves were shite last season.

Lokonga looks much more like ‘thriller’ talent. He has a similar profile to Thomas Partey, but if we’re building out midfield, we need young players like that. We can’t be losing Partey and hoping Elneny finds a level he doesn’t have.

Onana had his sentence for doping reduced to 9 months, so he can play as of November. He can play football the way Arsenal need a keeper to play. Fast off his line, good with the ball at his feet, very decent shot-stopper, and very young for someone who is capped with 50 games in the Champions League. Would he represent our first black first-team keeper? I can’t think of anyone else?

James M over at The Athletic has Arsenal linked with American right back, Tyler Adams. The Leipzig player can operate both as a right-back and a midfielder. He has a Tierney like athletic profile, and his versatility marks him out as talent because he can play that inverted role. Honestly, how excited would you be if you had a right-back that could offer us effective play like Tierney? It’d give us so much more balance and hopefully open up that right side so we don’t look so lopsided next season.

Sky Sports are saying that Arsenal are interested in Brighton defender Ben White. Again, it’s clear why, Brighton’s style is what Arteta wants. They are excellent in possession and Ben White has the experience we’re looking for in the Premier League, he’s with England, and he’s very young at 23. I honestly think we might see a shock exit this summer from our centre back collection. It’s also notable that Sami Mokbel has us linked to Tosin Adarabioyo, another 23-year-old English centre back of a right-sided nature. Someone has to leave and it’s obvious that there are those in the group that can’t do what Arteta needs. I also think any links to Brighton players should be taken seriously because I think Eddie would be a steal for a team that creates high-quality chances in the box but WILL NOT FINISH.

Finally, great that Daniel Ballard will take a loan in the Championship next season, promoted Blackpool will be interested, but apparently there are other suitors. I wish Saliba had moved to the Championship at the start of last season, he’d have done well and picked up the language in a more complete way. Arsenal are also bringing Patino into the first team, high hopes for him, which is great news for creating the image that Arsenal is a great place to develop.

Right, that’s all I have for you today. See you in the comments.

 

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DivineSherlock

Anyone mourning the loss of the great midfield maestro Granit Xhaka should go and rewatch only two Burnley games in the league , and also get their head checked. Massive Dick , glad to see the back of him if only a year late .

Ishola70

Marc

Yes Xhaka was never properly scouted.

It was embarrassing watching him when he first came to the club when put into central midfield and opposing players going past him like a stationary cone.

And I never believed like some say that Wenger wasn’t behind the signing.

Xhaka had all the failings that marked other Wenger midfield signings. Had the technique but shit off the ball. That became a Wenger hallmark regarding midfielders.

Sid

Fcuk off Xhaka!

Vickingz

Arteta out yet?

Sid

You have to hate yourself to support a player that told fans to fcuk off

Marc

Vickingz

I’m arranging a street party the day that happens – don’t worry your invite is ready to go.

Marc

Ishola

When Wenger said he was a b2b player it was just embarrassing it’d take him 45 minutes to get from one box to the half way line and then he’d have to turn around and go back again.

MidwestGun

Xhaka leaving is actually a great start to the window. Follow that up with Bellerin and Willian and it would be like my birthday, Christmas and a date with a stripper all rolled up in one basket. For me Xhaka was a defensive midfielder who couldn’t defend.. And he was not Pirlo. The worst part was Arteta trying to mitigate his weaknesses to fit him in.. How about we just get a midifielder who can defend in the middle of the park as well as attack. not much to ask. Xhaka as a false Left back or a false Centerback… Read more »

WengerEagle

Anyone have any Euro tournament predictions?

Winner, runners up, SF, big team[s] to crash and burn and drop out in the group, top goalscorer, best player, best young player, surprise team of the tournament, players to watch out for.

curse

that’s more like it, no more xhaka can’t and a bit of cash to put towards a younger better model, early, great business. Ruben and Lokonga? to add to Partey, Moe and Joe? yes please. If that goes through I reckon it’ll be no Yves with Berge and Martin coming in. I could live with those options for midfield, size, power, speed, goal threat, press resistant, technical, work rate and good ages profiles. I thought with Emerson going back to Farca, Dest was an option, I like the cut of his jib, nice level of arrogance and American. Adams ticks… Read more »

raptora

We bought Xhaka for £40m, with 2 years on his contract is now going for £17m. You’ve got to remember that Roma paid ~£16m for a 31 yo Smalling. It doesn’t get worse than that. Huge win my ass loool

Sotongunner

No point rehashing what could have been last year in terms of him leaving for 30m. Its not our money its the kroenkes/their banks/whatever, the o ly thing with a lesser fee is that this would/could be reinvested in the team. This decision has been taken 3 to 4 years too late but am glad it looks like it’s being made. We can get better than xhaka, easily. Just like we replaced ozil with a youth player and he scuttled off to football wilderness. If xhaka was the answer to anything at Arsenal I really have no idea what the… Read more »

Sotongunner

*him, not Jim

salparadisenyc

Marko you really can’t get out of your own way on here have the need to make the misery universal. My stating Xhaka’s profile from the off was wrong is hardly glorifying a former player. Was clear Wenger didn’t know what he bought in Xhaka, fact club rode it this long is a testament to level we’re at. Whats more LG than anything is finally getting rid of a player thats become the ultimate trigger word on here then complaining about how shitty the fee is. The more interesting part is what type of profile will we bring in to… Read more »

Pedro

Marc, he’s either the worst player you’ve ever seen in an Arsenal shirt and the money is excellent, or you’ve been lying to us all about how shit you think he is and we’ve let a star go for too little. You can’t have it both ways.

The money we’re getting for him, in this market, is excellent.

Marc

Sotongunner

“. Its not our money its the kroenkes/their banks/whatever”

Clearly you haven’t just forked out for a season ticket.

raptora

I mean aside from the huge win talks I take the £17m, or however they are, and run. No problems with me. Any sum paid for Xhaka is a bonus. Xhaka was indeed one of our biggest worries since he joined us. We stopped having a functional midfield from that moment on. Imagine the £40m going for someone who actually deserved them. We went from 2nd without Xhaka to 5th, 6th, 5th, 8th, 8th with Xhaka. Looking at Ozil, Mustafi, Sokratis, Mkhitaryan and co, at least we are getting something for him, which is a testament to how shit of… Read more »

Ishola70

Worst player Xhaka seen in an Arsenal shirt tbf in regards how many appearances he made for the club.

MidwestGun

Tyler Adams is a good player.. Very good to great passer not as good at dribbling .. very solid defensively.. Would be an upgrade over what we have now.. for sure. But I don’t see Leipzeg letting him go. as the new manager, managed him before in MLS. Also Adams has a history of injuries, which is Tierney like…. so.. kind of tired of going down that road.

CG

This Xhaka,

Fact: Two of the greatest managers of all time have bought him.

A. Wenger
Jose M

I have always liked him( granted he has always been a plodder) and actually my estimation of him ,went up even further when he gave the Luvvies the old fashioned 2 finger salute.

But , its time for him to move on and his distractors.
(Just no point replacing him with Neves.)

raptora

Yup, I’ve been saying this for years. The worst Arsenal player in the EPL era to be a permanent starter for the club. That he managed 5 full seasons in our team is beyond farcical. Never good enough to begin with. But also never fit for Arsenal. Ever.

Chris

Glad Xhaka is gone, I really am. Never took to him, he really should have been gone way before now. He has hampered us pretty much ever since he signed for us, hard to believe how people don’t accept this. Look at his predecessors in midfield, I would have rather kept playing Coquelin.

Most big clubs would have realised Xhaka was a mistake after one season and binned him off.

Still, onwards and upwards. Wish him well over there etc. Etc but just such big relief he is finally gone.

Marc

Pedro He is the worst player I’ve seen in CM for Arsenal but once again we’ve been piss poor in the ops side of things. As bad as Arteta is it’s not just since he’s been at the club the list of piss poor buy’s, stupid contracts offered, not selling players when we should etc goes on and on. The amount has got to be approaching half a billion over the last 5 or so seasons. I’ve got no problems with moving on providing we’re all confident that we’re not going to keep repeating the same mistakes. Hopefully we can… Read more »

WengerEagle

‘Worst player Xhaka seen in an Arsenal shirt tbf in regards how many appearances he made for the club.’

He’s up there but has some strong competition in Almunia, Denilson, Bendtner and Senderos.

CG

detractors

Ishola70

CG

No surprise your views on Xhaka considering the great Wenger signed him.

Sotongunner

Nope Marc I haven’t and it’ll be a long time before the trust comes back to buy anything arsenal related with that mob in charge, for me or my kids. To think Kroenke gives any thought at all to season ticket holder whims would be naive in the extreme given basically all experiences of them as owners. Yes pedro re the money take it and run frankly, will take joy in mourinho realising the error in judgement as this leader amongst men gifts salernitana their winning goal by threading the ball across goal perfectly for the own-assist.

Ishola70

WE

“He’s up there but has some strong competition in Almunia, Denilson, Bendtner and Senderos.”

He must have made quite a few more first team appearances than any of them no?

The clincher for Xhaka is that he was seen as a lyncpin in the side. You couldn’t say that for the others you mention.

To have such a player as a lynchin in your side has been very poor from Arsenal.

Chris

It’s not on the dot com yet about Xhaka, where is everybody getting the news he has gone from?

WengerEagle

Ishola

Maybe rules Senderos out but Denilson, Bendtner and Almunia were all in the XI for at least 2-3 full seasons.

Almunia literally cost us a CL Final and a CL SF vs United, doozies that Xhaka would have been proud to call his own.

And 2009-10 with Bendtner up top was physically painful to watch. Scored a few because how could you not with Cesc Fabregas and Nasri fizzing you through balls but he was fucking dreadful.

CG

Ish

“”””CG No surprise your views on Xhaka considering the great Wenger signed him”””‘

True.

I understand why fans dislike him.They are entiltled to like or dislike who they please.

Just pointing out Wenger and Mourinho have signed him for millions ( so he must be doing something right)

And that goal he scored for Switzeland in the world cup shows he can play.( spinning ball).

Time to move on though.

Sotongunner

Oh and I should be trademarking “own- assist” but mainly for xhaka describing purposes, as I’ve never seen a player do this so much. It’s a bit like an own-goal except when the shitness and concentration levels of player are so bad that they regularly set up the opposition team for goals. They then claim “not me gov” at the end of the failed season as if all they have contributed is classic viera. Off you scuttle you shite bastard xhaka.

Pedro

Marc, if you think Xhaka is the worst player Arsenal have ever have, you have no right to slag the fee.

Chris, most clubs wouldn’t have played Xhaka as a box to box midfielder or thought he was one.

Chris

Bendtner on the wing (13-14 was it?) was particularly a hard watch.

It’s funny was talking about him at work today, didn’t he rub his private’s on a taxi after a night out? Something like that!

Ishola70

If it’s true that Xhaka is implying the team he played for Arsenal was not good enough and he was what does he think he is walking into at Roma.

They are not in a good state.

AlteredReality

At first, when Bissouma came up, I was of the opinion we could do better, someone of the class of Camavinga or Caqueret, with Bissouma the bench option. Thought it was better off aiming for the costly but higher quality targets instead of lower quality but high cost target. Now it’s turned out Neves is a supposed target, and for a price of 40m. Selling Xhaka for 15m and buying a younger Xhaka for 25m more is what I expect AFC to do, so I’m incredibly outraged. Bissouma is a miles better fit for us. If it’s a choice btw… Read more »

Chris

Very true Pedro, wasn’t he a recommendation of Stat DNA or was that Mustafi?

The summer of 16/17 was a very bad transfer window indeed.

raptora

Honestly I wouldn’t like to have Xhaka put next to Ozil as Ozil knew the club wanted to move him on but still decided to sit on his obscene salary and fuck the club in every way possible including with the Gunnesaurus bs and everything else.

If I’m not wrong Xhaka signed a new contract 6 months after he wanted to leave for Hertha. And this contract is the reason we are getting some money for him now. He didn’t sit on his salary and wait for his contract to be over like some other cunts. Average player though.

WengerEagle

Don’t forget Santos. Great signing

Marc

Pedro

I’ve never seen a player who’s contract was that high, get that many appearances and end up with the captains armband be so consistently bad.

No point in going round and round on this – you are covering for Arteta (who’d have thought) when the Xhaka of two weeks ago was exactly the same player of 18 months, 3 years or 5 years ago.

We should have binned him off way before but at least he’s gone now. What’s really depressing is we’re going to see an exact repeat with AMN.

Ishola70

WE

“Bendtner and Almunia were all in the XI for at least 2-3 full seasons.”

So Xhaka beats them out then for first team appearances and for being seen as a key member of the side in a key position. The lynchpin. The player that saw the play go through him most times.

This title is Granit’s.

Pedro

Chris, not sure. STATDna can give you data, but you use it with scouting as well… so can’t blame the tool.

Think the tool called out that Michu was gonna bang, remember him?

Anyway, not my fave player by a margin, glad he’s gone, but far from the worst player we’ve had.

raptora

WE,
Xhaka was a starter for 5 full seasons. No one else as bad as him has fixtured for such an extended period of time. He should have been gone 3 years ago.

Tee

“Worst player Xhaka seen in an Arsenal shirt tbf in regards how many appearances he made for the club.”

Ishola’s obsession with Xhaka is second to maybe Pierre’s with Ozil.

While he was here you lots were like you wouldn’t live to see another day with him in the squad and now that he is out the door, you still can’t say your goodbye but hell-bent on throwing tantrums for a player that doesn’t know if you exist.

So hilarious what the middle finger can do.

Mr Serge

I can’t believe some of you are moaning about Xhaka transfer fee the guy is shit good riddance people on her about the fee must have some sort of agenda just rejoice that the slow fucktard is being replaced

Chris

I do remember Michu, one season wonder (12/13?) as I think he dipped badly the following year but he scored a decent goal against us at the Emirates I think. Pretty sure we were linked with him a few times as well. I personally didn’t like Xhaka at all, even more so after fangate although I respect he got his head done afterwards, but the main relief now is moving on and seeing who we get in his place that is hopefully far more dynamic, also possesses the qualities Xhaka did have and see our midfield hopefully blossom, to see… Read more »

Pedro

Marc, covering for the discourse on here, which you seem adamant about bringing down every single day. The negativity is painful reading, you really need to pick it up. People can’t even enjoy Xhaka going because you’re finding holes in it that don’t exist.

I have to blame Wenger 1 million percent for him even buying Xhaka. Just shows you how his eye for talent had long ago disappeared. He was simply way to slow for the premier league and Wenger should of seen that. One of the reasons Ramsey never became WC was because he was to slow as well. Speed or speed of thought is paramount in the premier league and neither Ramsey or Xhaka had any of those qualities.

Mr Serge

When Wenger bought him he actually thought he was a different type of player than he was what a joke the end of the Wenger era was

raptora

You are wrong if you think that the middle finger is why most Arsenal fans don’t like Xhaka. lol

Ishola70

The concept of Xhaka was very vain from Arsenal as well. They may have brought him in error and not realising his limitations but they had to remedy that mistake and sell pretty soon after but they didn’t and carried on with him in this regista role. Arsenal are not a good enough side to have a regista in it who has the cigar on playing deep and doesn’t participate in the centre when the heat is on. We need all players to be competitive in midfield and central midfield areas. But this notion of regista tickled quite a lot… Read more »

Ishola70

Tee

Don’t cry.

We know you are a Xhaka fan and get upset when he is called out.

If you can’t see that he was a hindrance for the side I can only sympathise with you.

salparadisenyc

We don’t need a Regista we need a Mezalla to Partey’s holding the mid for me.

Nowadays everyone goes on about a CDM, or CAM etc etc. When I was growing up you were just a plain midfielder and you were expected to be able to defend and attack. It’s like when players are labelled WC when they are so painfully one footed

Mr Serge

I am so happy he has gone

Mr Serge

Is wilock the new Ramsey 6 out of 10 for most but being in the right place at the right time 9 out of 10

Marc

Pedro

We’re going to have to agree to disagree – I have marinade to make.

You should remember when you call me a troll though that I’ve just renewed my ST – I’m not aware of any other trolls that pay out £850 (it’s quite a reduction this season) for the privilege of being a miserable bastard.

Marko

De Paul rumors look like click bait created by Mino himself. My money is on Atletico Madrid snapping him up

Gentlebris

Now I get it re-Onana’s £5m fee.

Still not sold on it though.

Why do I have a mixed feeling re-Xhaka’s exit?

WengerEagle

TYAG

Tend to agree, the game has gotten a bit too masturbatory and obsessed with tactics, formations and specific player roles. Some of the PL’s best ever CM’s could do it all in Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, Vieira, Keane, De Bruyne, Yaya Toure, Essien, etc. You wouldn’t call any of them anything other than a CM.

salparadisenyc

TYAG

Music gone same way.

Now
“Um ya I play 12 string backend rythym guitar with a specialization for the base strings. ”

Keef

“If its got strings i’ll make er move”

Marc

Ishola “They may have brought him in error and not realising his limitations but they had to remedy that mistake and sell pretty soon after but they didn’t and carried on with him in this regista role.” This is the thing – Fergie bought Veron who was a great player but it was obvious after a couple of months he wasn’t suited to the PL. ManU bit the bullet and sold him for a loss, they were seriously lucky that Chelsea were daft enough to pay what they did for him. You don’t double down on mistakes you correct them… Read more »

WengerEagle

‘Why do I have a mixed feeling re-Xhaka’s exit?’

Stockholm syndrome I guess.

WengerEagle

Would be a shame to see De Paul dulled down and become a functional player in Simeone’s system.

Top manager but he simply doesn’t do flair. Benches Felix if he so much as even thinks about doing a stepover.

MidwestGun

Well back in my day we played 4-2-4 … with 2 midfielders so you sure as hell better be able to attack and defend. if your playing in the middle of the park. I was a winger/ fullback though so what do I know.. hahaha I blame the emergence of having 3 at the back as ruining the game.. makes wing play and defending the most important aspect instead of attacking through the middle. Gone are the great Brazilian sides where every player could play every position basically except Keeper. Although I bet Pele would have tried it. Sal- How… Read more »

@WengerEagle

I still drool over Viera now 😂. What a player, a legend. It was obvious 20 min into his debut for us that he was a baller. Quality player.

GoonGoonerGone

To be honest, all these transfer stories are merely rumors.
Don’t even bother.
As far as Arteta and Edu are concerned with regards to transfers and whom they require, neither knows their arse from their face.

MidwestGun

https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/06/10/report-arsenal-now-want-brazilian-prospect-with-86m-release-clause-after-his-goal-went-viral/
__________
This is my favorite transfer rumor…. 86m release clause for a 19 year old. ..I’m sure he is top of our list.

Sotongunner

“They may have brought him in error and not realising his limitations but they had to remedy that mistake and sell pretty soon after but they didn’t and carried on with him in this regista role.” Not selling earlier was a mistake and was a symptom of the malaise around the club in the wenger end of days. A lot of the worry I have about neves is that even now I fear that Arteta doesn’t think there was anything wrong with the role xhaka had in this arsenal team and will actively double down on this regista crap. Its… Read more »

Left Testicle
Ishola70

SotonGunner “A lot of the worry I have about neves is that even now I fear that Arteta doesn’t think there was anything wrong with the role xhaka had in this arsenal team and will actively double down on this regista crap. Its not big and its not clever, just work tactically in the league you are in, especially when you are already struggling and on a budget. I’m all for innovation but taking tactical systems from foreign leagues and copy and pasting isn’t innovative. I seriously hope the “process” doesn’t involve carrying on the same shite we did with… Read more »

raptora

“I seriously hope the “process” doesn’t involve carrying on the same shite we did with xhaka with different personnel.”

100%.

Sadly, I feel like our boy Arteta wants to have that exact type of player.

Terraloon

LT

NK Into the last year of his contract, refusing to sign a new one what could go wrong ?

What were some saying his transfer value is ? Yet again another player who holds all the cards

Marc

Midwest

You can imagine Edu saying to Arteta “I’ve found this great young RB” (probably no mention of scouting on youtube) and then seeing Arteta’s face when the player is over the halfway line.

Dissenter

There’s talk that we are seeking to sign Josh Doig, a 19 year old full back from Hibernian to be Tierney’s understudy
He’s likely to cost abut 5 million

Sotongunner

I’m not against deep lying midfielders at all costs. I’m against deep lying midfielders that are restricted in regards being adaptable from their deeper positions and being able to step up to the centre when required. Agreed, it’s all about mobility and being able to keep up with the pace of the game in English football. Im OK to have a deep midfielder as long as he can keep up with the game but if we just want someone who can sit there and spray long passes I’m sure Newcastle would swap us jonjo shelvey for willock as he is… Read more »

Marc

jonjo fucking shelvey? Have Arsenal fans lost their collective wits?

Mr Serge

Jonjo shelvey is the funniest thing i have read today

Marko

Ewww

Ishola70

Even someone like McTominay would improve this current Arsenal midfield in terms of all round competiveness. He can press and press high, he can get up and down the pitch and he can take the ball on offensively himself. He was Man United’s best midfielder in the Europa League final and was one of their few players that actually came out with some credit in that match. He had a good match. But he is not a fashionable player these days because he is not a passing machine and he isn’t sexy enough in the last third. Many former Arsenal… Read more »

WengerEagle

Shelvey is top shelf banter.

Warms the cockles and brings back fond memories of our Kalou links.

WengerEagle

‘But he is not a fashionable player these days because he is not a passing machine and he isn’t sexy enough in the last third.’

What’s with your incessant need to label technically gifted midfielders as ‘flashy’ and ‘sexy’ Ishola.

It’s amusing the disdain you seem to have for them. Love you a good old carthorse that gets up and down the pitch don’t you.

Nelson

Looks like Arteta is going to lose his backup left back.

Ishola70

And WengerEagle on point comes up with the snobbery. What you need to consider Eagle sometimes is all round competiveness in midfield rather than how good someone is on the ball when we are talking central midfield. You don’t want a midfield full of carthorses as you term them but you shouldn’t underestimate one who can put in this carthorse work that you look down on with others with other attributes around him.. Shouldn’t underestimate it. How did you ever watch Arsenal Weagle before when we were actually a more serious side. It musy have been torture for you. We… Read more »

Guns of SF

we can do better than Neves

Habesha Gooner

Jonjo Shelvey???? He isn’t even good enough to play in the premier league. I would classify him as a Midtable Championship player. Ask Newcastle fans if he is good enough for them. Anyway, I wouldn’t mind Neves. It would bring us a lot of control and actual defensive stability. He would also give us a long distance shooting goal threat so that opponents wouldn’t sit too deep. But I feel like it is a safe signing. Arteta is all about control and not about excitement and adventure. Marcel Sabitzer is going for 15 mil. That would be an opportunity not… Read more »

Almuniasaynomore

One of the interesting features of Xhaka’s departure is that he was on a ridiculous 100kpw. This is a big saving. When you look at the last 6 months the club has shed Ozil 350kpw,Luiz 100kpw,mustafi 90 kpw and now Xhaka. If you look at the remaining top earners many of them are the ones who are favourites to go in the next few months, Kolasinic 100kpw,Bellerin 110kpw,Leno 100kpw,Laca 182kpw, Willian(impossible to nail down a figure,100-200kpw).Granted,not all likely to go but huge improvement on the wage bill nonetheless. This leaves only PEA 250kpw,Partey 250kpw and Pepe 140kpw as players on… Read more »

Ishola70

I remember the Liverpool midfield being ridiculed as being average.

The same midfield that won them the league.

They are’nt technical enough. They are not sexy enough on the ball.

What they had was very high work rate. Carthorses.

Champagne Charlie

Rodri and Jorginho are the tempo setters at the PL champions and CL winners.

Wouldn’t call either of them remotely flashy or sexy, such a dull descriptor because their function isn’t based on raw athleticism.

Ishola absolutely besotted with his new buzz phrase of engaging midfield. Fingers crossed we see a master-engager land this summer or a new CM fetish is sure to emerge.

Ishola70

Charlie

Your boy Xhaka was incapable of stepping up to the centre of midfield in traffic.

Jorginho and Rodri are capable to do this when required.

That is the difference.

And that is why Xhaka is leaving to a Roma side that finished 7th in Serie A last season.

Dissenter

Ishola is very good as identifying bad midfielder but can’t identify a close-to-ideal midfielder to save his life.

McTominay is a super-atheltic ball carrier, in the mold of Bissouma and Declan Rice
He’s very far from stationary pieces like Neves.

WengerEagle

‘And WengerEagle on point comes up with the snobbery.’ Ishola my lad you’re the one branding players as ‘flashy’, ‘sexy’, etc in a dismissive way so if anyone is the snob it is you. It’s ok to prefer a McTominay type of midfielder, no shame in it. Just own it at least rather than keeping up any pretence that you don’t. You like them long and leggy, combative and able to get up and down the pitch rather than be technical types that dominate through their on ball influence, which is why I find it so strange that you’re a… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

‘My boy’…..

There’s only one person that’s exhausted the shit out of Xhaka on here and that’s yourself. Big breakthrough with your therapist is right around the corner when his transfer is finalised.

Sotongunner

I was comparing shelvey to xhaka. They are similar players both with the turning circle of a tanker. I wasn’t suggesting for a second we sign him, quite the opposite.
No wonder arsenal fans have the reputation for losing their shit.

Ishola70

Dissenter

How very observant of you to notice that McTominay is a ball carrier will Neves is not.

The point of them both is that they will compete in central midfield when required that’s if Arteta allows that with Neves unlike Xhaka who couldn’t do this.

McTominay is also useful defensively along with Neves.

Still obssessed with ball carriers eh Dissenter in midfield.

Love me a dribble.

WengerEagle

‘I remember the Liverpool midfield being ridiculed as being average. The same midfield that won them the league. They are’nt technical enough. They are not sexy enough on the ball. What they had was very high work rate. Carthorses.’ People weren’t wrong about their midfield being their weak point, it was functional and enough to win them those trophies in tandem with their incredible front trio, world class full-backs and arguably the best CB and GK on the planet not to mention Klopp as manager but they didn’t dominate games like City did. Won most of them by a single… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

“which is why I find it so strange that you’re a fan of Neves and Jorginho.“

Nothing strange about it, it’s his Xhaka fetish extended. Cannot accept that a player of that ilk is a success under any conditions, so makes up some erroneous bollocks to differentiate them when the reality is they’re incredibly similar operators fundamentally. Everything, literally everything, walks its way back to Granit Xhaka for Ishola.

Marko

I dunno I’d say Gundogen and DeBruyne and Kante and Kovacic set the tempo more than Rodri and Jorginho. Rodri I’d say offers stability and protection more than tempo. Just me though

Ishola70

No Weagle

No fetish otherwise I wouldn’t have said one carthorse can be useful in midfield rather than a whole midfield.

And you bit and turned your nose up at McTominay straight away.

I appreciate all aspects of midfielders. I don’t appreciate midfielders that can’t compete in central midfield though.

WengerEagle

Don’t lie now Ishola.

You can’t stand the technical ball-playing CM’s. May be Xhaka PTSD who knows but you dismiss them on here all the time as ‘flashy’, ‘sexy’, ‘glory’ types.

In a very snobbish way funnily enough, and you have the audacity to throw that word at me.