Well good day to you all! Especially the fathers in the room. For mothers day, it’s all emotions and feelings… when it comes to the dads, it’s a phone call to berate them for ruining your taste palete with Ribena milkshakes, and some casual c*nting down the phone. If you have a dad, I hope you are treating him well, if you don’t, I hope you are ok today.
The biggest gift my dad gave me was indoctrination to THE ARSENAL. These modern hippy parents that give their kids choice, what’s with that? I was threatened with a zero present Christmas if I didn’t conform, so I conformed and it was the best decision of my damn life.
Also, for my American friends, Happy Juneteenth, the day when all of America was truly given their freedom in 1865. I think most people are still working out how you celebrate this one, but my team over here are hitting the BBQ and celebrating the culture. Have a cracking day whatever you are doing.
ONTO THE ARSENAL.
This Lisandro Martinez signing, if it happens, might prove to be one of the shrewdest moves of the window. He’s a very versatile player that can operate in a Xhaka role, can play on the left side of defence, and he can also drop in as a centre back. He’s a build-up player. By signing him, you don’t have to have someone like Granit drop deep to start the play. This thread does a very good job of explaining all the bits he can do.
Martinez’ ability to turn so fluidly makes him near impossible to press when he dribbles. He makes incredibly high risk and high skilled actions look easy. This is incredibly valuable because when building out from the back he can turn fluidly and with ease to evade pressure. pic.twitter.com/B2mRphe6qb
— EBL (@EBL2017) June 18, 2022
One of the things the club will like about him is the bravery piece. That Newcastle game at the end of the season was probably the worst moment in our season. We didn’t show up. Our defenders really shit the bed. Our keeper lost his nerve. So we couldn’t break the press. Arteta can’t have that be a problem next season, so he needs to make sure the players he’s bringing in are bold and brave.
Fabio Vieira is the captain of the Portugues U21s, his whole game is about brave passing and clinical accuracy.
Lisandro was the Ajax player of the season, he’ll probably slip into the Argentina first team for the world cup, his game is built around supreme confidence and bravery.
Gabriel Jesus is an extremely trophied 25-year-old, he is brave.
Tielemans plays for the 3rd best international team in the world, I have no doubts that he will not shy away in our midfield next season.
I riled up Spurs Twitter yesterday calling out some truths about how we’re approaching things.
Now, I know things aren’t done yet, but as with last season, you are starting to see some shape to what we’re doing. There’s a nice counterpoint to how Spurs are trying to get some success.
We are building in an innovative and exciting way. There’s a clear style of play we’re going after and we are getting very creative with how we are covering our weaknesses. Some of it is so creative, Arsenal fans are not even sure what is going on, which shows how much tactical flexibility we are adding to the system.
Arsenal are building like City. Our moves have 5 years in mind, not just next season. We’re looking for the next KDB before he’s a big name, so we’ve signed Fabio Vieira. Creative, a goal threat, relentless off the ball, and utterly decisive. We have a power and pace machine at left-back in Kieran Tierney, he needs cover, so instead of replacing like for like, we’re finding a player that can offer something different, so we’re targetting a build up left-back that can play in midfield and as a center-back. A Cancelo-like move. Every decision we make has a deeper story than just the position, it all feels considered, and very thougtful. Some will say ‘we shouldn’t be copying the City model’, my response would be, why not? It seems to be pretty dominant in the Premier League.
Spurs are building like Manchester United. They are building for the now. There’s not a lot of creativity in what they are doing. They need someone on the left, they scan Transfermarkt and see that 33-year-old Perisic can do a job. They need a backup keeper, Forster makes some good saves, he’ll do. Need a midfielder? Go for the one everyone on Twitter thinks is electric, even if he has some serious baggage. Need a striker? How about the whiner that nearly took Everton down?
Both of these systems can offer success, but one feels more sustainable than the other. I’d also say the way Arsenal are doing things is more exciting for the fans, not that it matters, but be real, who is talking about the Spurs window this week? No one. I’d also say that the way Spurs are building it’s absolutely clear they have not moved on from being totally dependent on the output of two players in their late twenties delivering game after game. Arsenal already showed they could do a job without either fullback or Thomas Partey. After this summer, we’ll be even better equipped and in no way will we be classed as a one or two-man team.
What we’re doing has absolute clarity, all the issues are being fixed, there’s balance, and there’s loads of flex in the system for any eventuality. The players we’re chasing would mean we could absorb injuries, we can offer a nightmare to any team whether it’s a deep block or a fancy side coming to play, and nearly all the character flaws we started with last season will have been washed away.
The best bit? The players we’re signing will still keep the average age of our squad lower than 25. Below is the list of players we’ll likely use this season.
The average age of those 30 players is 22.46. If you take out the Europa kids and Balogun, the average age of the squad sits at 23.6. I know it riles up some that I talk about this, but in football, age matters, and this team still has 3 years to get to where City is right now. The average age of Liverpool’s starting 11 was 29.
The types of talent we’re bringing in are so good, the only way is up. Saka will be battle-hardened, Odegaard will start stronger than he did last season, Ben White and Gabriel now know each other better, and players like Saliba and Turner will join the squad knowing there’s a chance for them to stake a claim.
There will be missteps with the players we sign. There always are. Arsene had a mad splash in 2001. He signed Richard Wright, Gio Van Bronckhorst, Juan, Tavlaridis, Edu, Toure and Sol Campbell. Not all of them made it, but the thing with a splash like that is it energizes the fans, the players, and the coaching staff.
During the latter Wenger years, I always said one of the biggest issues he had is he never regenerated the squad. That impacted the players because they knew we weren’t serious. That impacted the fans, because we knew we weren’t in it to win. It impacted the season, because we were never good enough.
That’s all different now. You can disagree with the players we’re targeting, but can anyone honestly say the club isn’t showing ambition? Can anyone say they think Arteta is just going for top 4?
If you are Bukayo Saka right now, do you feel like Arsenal aren’t doing all they can to make you a success at the club you love?
We are trying to get back to the top. That’s good for everyone. Especially those that sit in the stands.
Let’s see what happens this week, hopefully it’s a big one!
First
Do do it Muppetman
Don’t …even
Don’t be that twat
Boom
Haha yeah annoys the hell out of me but thought it might take the pleasure away from someone else
We did it Muppetman….. between us we did it, my brother 😉
Looking at those clips and others, I’d be happy with Martinez as a LF 🙂
Hopefully we seal some more targets this week. Time is of the essence.
Naijagooner and madhu made the lint yesterday.
We can’t just build like a mini city because we got a protege of Guardiola.
We have to find out own DNA different from city.
Cloning city won’t work because we can’t attract the very best manager in the world and the crème the la crème of the transfer market to make it work.
That’s where you want a strong DoF in charge,
It’s called a half turn…it’s literally taught like a pricniple at school academies…nearly all City players do that…so did Cesc and every good midefielder we have…watch our goal agaist barca, the arshavin one…Pedro is getting more and more ridiculous ..nothing special in that turn lol
* Naijagooner and madhu made the point yesterday
Feels like the league will be ultra-difficult next season.
So many top quality signings coming in and managers appointed last season entering their first full season.
I the only one that thought those 2 turns looked very basic? Lol.
Martinez looks a good player but come on with these ridiculous clips.
“Arsene had a mad splash in 2001. He signed Richard Wright, Gio Van Bronckhorst, Juan, Tavlaridis, Edu, Toure and Sol Campbell.”
The only player out of that lot who was a regular was big Sol. But it was probably AW’s niggest transfer splash in a while and we won the double. Quite funny really.
Obviously Edu played his part here and there and Kolo blossomed a couple of years later.
I think that was the summer Zlatan had his trial at the club also? Imagine if that had gone the other way!
Mart*next will have the ball knocked off him against Palace on opening day , if he tries being “brave” like that
The pace of the premier league is ferocious, this ain’t the eredivisie.
Eredivisie signings can go either way if we are honest.
Lot of good PL imports have come from there but also more flops.
Just realised, include Franny Jeffers in that list. Our fox in the box!
If I remember rightly Gio van B had a lot of bad luck with injuries.
So our squad for next season has not one player aged over 30, potentially.
Interesting, I certainly wouldn’t be against having the ‘right type’ of 30+ players in the squad, if you know what I mean. One or two who can offer the calm head and guidance for the younger players.
When I think of Eredivisie imports to the premier league, the one that pops us first is Alfonso Alves, the Brazilian striker ‘Boro signed from Hereeveen
I the only one that thought those 2 turns looked very basic? Lol.Martinez
I’ve seen Xhaka turn at that speed. If Basic had a cousin that was it
I always enjoy and value your relentless positivity Pedro.The big issue with this team is character. We need players with courage and will to win. The stat about only coming from behind to win once is astonishing and indicative . The stat about only scoring two other equalisers ( one in a game we still lost) is even more indicative. The other big issue is selling better. We give players away where the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool get serious fees . We haemorrhage money. We are seeing Torreira and Bellerin trying to get us to facilitate their moves by… Read more »
Bertie quality post.
Mentality is something we often hardly ever talk about. It’s the same with the young and experienced players at Arsenal.
Pedro, we did not show we could do a job without Partey and our first choice FBs. The rest of the post I’m in agreement with. Martinez looks an ideal addition to our squad providing depth in three positions.
This window is all about upgrading Laca, Xhaka, Nuno, Pepe.I’m getting really hopeful that we are going to have a great season if we get all our targets
We need to be firm with any player asking for their contracts to be cancelled so that another club can benefit .
The likes of Bellerin should be made to train and play for the u-23s for the entirety of next season [is it’s legal]
Every club knows we give away too many players for free by cancelling contracts so they all want a piece of the action.
Bertie
Absolutely agree with you 100%. You hit the nail on the head with that post. Couldn’t agree more. The most worrying thing for me about this team is that stats. We need big characters in this squad. One of the reasons why xhaka has to stay and one the the reasons also why I absolutely love Eddie.
Nice write up pete.
Had this thought about spurs and how its not an inconceivable thought that both their elderly keepers wind up w serious injuries. Feel like lloris kept them in at least 1/3rd of the games last season… that villa game they won 4-0 when they really should have lost…
Make it happen football gods!
Xhaka a big character? In what world?
Threw a tantum and literally told supporters to go fuck themselves and openly admits that he to this day has not forgiven or forgotten.
Get rid.
I think our players have got a lot more minerals than the rag tag Arteta inherited. However, they also need composure, and that comes with age (unless your Pedri!). I have absolutely no qualms about the willingness of this team to fight hard and as they truly grow into men, I’m certain it will be there for all to see. That said, it would do no harm to have someone in the middle of the park who can rally the troops when the chips were down. I know things have moved on a bit, but Viera and Keane were absolutely… Read more »
WE, you were all about these random signings last season when you were propping Onana as the keeper, now you’ve gone cold because you don’t like the turn?
It was a joke Pedro.
I like Martinez but you could have sussed better clips was my point.
Did you click into the thread? Quite a good run down. The guy seems to be an expert on every player immediately, but it read well.
Bertie, I think the stat of coming back can be put down to inexperience and not having a lot of tools to breakdown a deepblock.
22 wins in the Premier League season is also big character.
Biggest issue we need to deal with is once you get past the starting 11, we’re moving on that.
” They need someone on the left, they scan Transfermarkt and see that 33-year-old Perisic can do a job. They need a backup keeper, Forster makes some good saves, he’ll do. Need a midfielder? Go for the one everyone on Twitter thinks is electric,….”
Pedro, seriously now….. Perisic played for Conte and is coming off his best season to date so I doubt Conte had to look him up on Transfermarkt.
And Bissouma singlehandedly shut their midfield down and rendered Kane dropping deep completely ineffective, with Conte lookin on dumbfounded.
Twitter?
Please.
The average age of our squad is quite astounding really. And an unbelievable amount of talent in every area of the pitch. It feels exciting but my one concern is that Arteta hasn’t shown us he’s capable of creating a fluid, varied and potent attacking side laced with moments of flair. I’ll take 30x 1-0 wins but let’s be honest, we are gooners, we were spoiled and we want to see our teams playing the sort of football we have become synonymous with I’m trying see that other than the odd breakout game or 3 game mini spell here and… Read more »
“We need to be firm with any player asking for their contracts to be cancelled so that another club can benefit . The likes of Bellerin ” Well in the case of Bellerin in isolation I think it’s fine to let him go to his boyhood club permanently. Surely a loan for another year with an obligation to buy, even in instalments can be reached. Betis can’t be THAT brassic. Bellerin has been here since he was 16 I think and has been very loyal and a credit to Arsenal in his time here. He’s clearly happy at Betis so… Read more »
You can’t simply follow the City model – no-one else has the funds to do it. People conveniently forget that Pep has bought £50m players that turned out to be poor and then just went and bought another £50m player until he got it right. If we’re going to do that we need a 100% success rate – no more Pepe’s. What are the chances? Where we lost crucial games last season – for example Palace and Newcastle away – was essentially in the midfield. Not the defence, the poor b*stards had zero protection in front of them, our attack… Read more »
Tom, are you defending Spurs again?
Pedro
Just flicked through the thread there, who is this guy? Is he just some rando on the interweb?
You don’t have to sell Martinez to people who have watched him play, he’s shown in the CL that he is a good player. Very versatile and sound technique to go with being agile, intelligent and brave.
I personally have always loved Argentinian players because like Uruguayan’s they tend to be scrappy, hard-nosed types to go with the typical SA flair and skill you would expect.
Amén to that WE!! They almost always give their all. Shame Liverpool just bought one!
I do think the team needs to add a little experience aka older dudes. But I think Jesus could be that player. He has the big game experience and time in the system, knows what adjustments need to be made, etc. And he is not over the hill experience.. coming into his prime. Martinelli already looks up to him. The older dudes are what let us down the past 5 years. And we have cleared them all out except Xhaka. Hope he moves on… his type of leadership makes me cringe. Passive/ agressive is not a good look for a… Read more »
Jorge Mendes who facilitated Fabio Vieira move to Arsenal will receive 10% of the transfer fee (€3.5m) and Porto will receive €31.5m. (@ojogo) https://t.co/5zB4Iw3iBa
Interesting!!!!
WW
Emi Martinez aside when was the last time that we had an Argentine player? Nelson Vivas? Lol.
Pedro
Do you know something we don’t. Unless my astigmatism is getting much worse, you left Saka off the team list.🙄
Chris
I believe Bellerin has one year left on his contract.
I get the human side of it but is seems we are seen as easy pickings by these continental clubs.
. Bellerin and Torriera had very good seasons away on loan, they are posturing to get one past us
I get United signing FDJ who is a top player but what is the point of bringing in Eriksen who is pretty much exactly the same kind of player as Bruno Fernandes is barring being two-footed?
Don’t see them doing much under Ten Hag to be honest, think they are still a shambles of an operation from top to bottom and letting Rangnick walk was a massive mistake. He could have been the brains of the rebuild behind the scenes even if he was lacking as a gaffer.
Eagle agreed.. I think there is a good chance they could still struggle and hopefully ChelsLA fall off a few levels and then I think the top 4 door is wide open, again.
Lisando better. Ow be ahead of tielmans.
If we don’t get tielmans this window is not good, we can’t roll with xacka again.
Get tielmans and the entire completion of the window changes.
Let’s see.
“We need big characters in this squad. One of the reasons why xhaka has to stay”
lol he’s a pretender and deep down a pussy, childish and vain.
As Weagle says still childish in never wanting to forgive and forget over his tantrum episode with the fans and then some duly noted him throwing his team mates under the bus after the Newcastle match but of course reaming Arteta at the same time.
He’s a “character” we don’t need. Plastic.
And very worrying if he is still seen as a leader in the team going inti next season.
Pedro,
For the most part, your list appears to be a year out of date.
WE have we had any other Argies? Can’t believe the FA Secretary denied our transfer of Maradona when he was 19. I would have enjoyed seeing him in the Red and White.
We messed up last year buying white instead of a cm to replace xacka. We cannot do that again. We need rid
Sterling to Chelsea for 40M would be chump change. Hasn’t he scored over 100 goals in his career?
DUIFG
It’s all about building the foundations of JgP. You get your ball-playing back line sorted first, and then you concentrate on midfield next, and attack last, subject to squad context obviously.
Had Partey stayed fit last year, I doubt you’d be complaining. He’s not been injury prone until coming to us, so it was a fair expectation to have him be fit for longer.
The main thing is every position is getting covered. If we spend our lives getting emotional about what ifs, we’ll lose our way.
We needed white more than we needed to get rI’d of xhaka and that’s a fact. Holding as our starting cb was going to be a disaster. There’s a reason he might be 5th choice next season if not sold and please don’t come with saliba. He wasn’t going to be a starting cb for us at that stage of his development. And that’s another fact.
Pedro
Yes Spurs’s strategy is more immediate but they have also signed some young players. Kulusevski, Bentancur, Bissouma , Spence( possibly) are all young signings. Their attack and their manager gives them the edge right now. Had we beaten them to the top 4 spot, we would have said “we are better than them” with chest.
We should focus on ourselves. Sign Tielemans, Jesus, Martinez, Raphinha, Viera, Turner all in one summer then we can compete better next season.
This is PIERRE’S reaction when he sees a positive stat about Ødegaard and Xhaka: “Xhaka in the top ten for shot creating actions tells me that this graph is a bullshit way of judging a players creativity level.We should all know how it works by now , Odegaard or xhaka receive the ball 40 odd yards out , they play a 5 yard no risk pass out to saka on the right or Martinelli/Smith Rowe on the left , they cut inside and have a shot = a shot creation action.Xhaka being in the top ten for creativity in the… Read more »
Been saying for weeks — to the outrage of Spurs Twitter — that it’s obvious Spurs are going all-in to try to win an FA or League Cup while Conte is still there this season with no regard to the future, while Arsenal is building for the long term. You’d have to be blind not to see it. I love what’s happening right now.
Will this guy start? You fix what’s in front of you first then build out . 30 m on a backup when your midfield is bare with xacka is poor business. If we sort the mid and get this guy fine, but my worry is this is poor resource allocation if we don’t .
Don’t understand your party comment , do you expect him to play 38 games non stop? That’s a pretty rare feat.
Wasn’t Chelsea’s bid €25 mil euros with addons for sterling? Their summer has started like a very typical American Ownership football club. They used to pay the asking price and get whatever they wanted before. I think they will be a bit weaker because their owners will look to make a profit rather than Sports washing. They barely have any CBs. Their DMs are getting on and underperformed last season. Plus their attack hasn’t been the best either. I am looking at them as the weak link for that top 4 spot. Spurs are going to be too strong with… Read more »
That’s nonsense comment, we had saliba ready to go, we spent 50 m on a cb we didn’t need and kept xacka . It was a choice and it didn’t play out
Just finished reading Habesha’s fantastic response to the Ødegaard hater who has an Ozil/Willock fetish.
Excellent statistics, with real intelligent conclusions. Even better work than Pedro. This is why I don’t let the haters prevent me from reading comments here. Good analysis from a balanced poster.
Best young player in Lihue 1 not ready to play lol.
Pedro
It does look like each player we linked with this summer can play in 2 or 3 positions which Arteta wants for cover and adaptability changing tactics in matches like we did against Chelsea and use of 5 subs
Pedro Vieira can play Right centre and left and maybe deeper
Marquinhos left and right inside forward
Gabriel Jesus centre left and right forward
Lisandro Martinez left back centre and defensive mid
Tielemens deep or attacking
It seems he wants ball players all across the pitch switching play short direct or long with ease
There is no Saka in the age list… I am pretty sure that he will get few minutes next season..
Nigel, is that Habesha comment in this thread?
If Xhaka starts yet another season as first team starter and not only that as the “leader” role that seems to have been assigned to him in recent times then it will make a complete mockery of whatever this fresh new beginning and rebuild is meant to signify with Arteta.
A complete mockery.
Saliba had 48 French top league appearances before the start of last summer, Ben white had 36 in the Orem. Not sure it’s clear Ben white is hugely more experienced at top level.
Pedro so glad this isn’t like a post I saw on Facebook where an Arsenal fans group comparing our squad player by player with Man City saying we are going to compete with them!
China. “Ode will have way more fun when we have an 8 who can break beyond him towards the box and CFs who are actively trying to break the lines. I’d also like to see saka and Martinelli running ahead but more narrow and let the FBs own the touch line”. I’ve been saying this about Saka and Martinelli, they need to be more of a goal threat…. and it’s also why a number 8 would be huge for us…….A bigger need than a CF even. It would change everything and overwhelm defenses more.. I wonder if Arteta sees the… Read more »
Ishola It would a shambles of a plan. I am annoyed we didn’t try to sign Tielemans before this Viera kid. We need to fix the main holes first. Xhaka as a squad player is okay for me considering he had his best season (it is still just okay for a CM). But if he is a starter at the end of this window and we spent 30 mil on this Viera, then we are huge fools. I am not saying this kid will fail but it points to lack of strategy to bring a backup attacking midfielder before a… Read more »
Great comment habesh
DUFIG
https://fbref.com/en/players/56f7a928/scout/365_euro/Youri-Tielemans-Scouting-Report
https://fbref.com/en/players/e61b8aee/scout/365_euro/Granit-Xhaka-Scouting-Report
Tielemans is better not only on attacking stats but also a bit better in defensive stats. We would be idiots to pass on him let alone at that price. Our improvement would be massive.
Pedro,
To your point about Spurs new midfielder.. he is worse than a player with baggage.
He is a limited dm that Pep, Klopp, or even Ten Hag wouldn’t take for free. Conte or Mourinho level at best. Arteta looking to be in that first group of managers.
Nigel it doesn’t make someone a better fan to never criticise the club or to never praise another club’s business, even the Spuds.
Bissouma is clearly a good PL player. He may not be the second coming of Yaya Toure but he could have come in and pretty comfortably been our 2nd best CM.
Saying nobody else was in for him and using that as ‘proof’ he is substandard is pretty dim. Who else was in for Ben White? Or Odegaard? Or Rasmdale, etc.
Doesn’t sound like we are in for Tielemans anymore. Really hope that just means we are moving on down the list rather than hailing Xhaka as ‘like a new signing’ when he inevitably gets a contract renewal.
WE and wicked willy, we got rid of an argie last summer to Aston Villa Emiliano Martínez
Man let’s hope not, no cl since he arrived. Can’t watch him limit us more. Need somebody who can break a press and drive .
Tielmans is begging to be signed, the miss here would be massive. I don’t care about 30 m back up cbs
Habesha,
I was trying to impress those facts about Tielemans on raptora. That kind of versatility is how this squad is being built, and prem experience a nice bonus.
Also could come in handy to rest Partey on occasion against weaker attacks who park the bus against us.
I don’t think Tiellesman was desperate to join Arsenal
WengerEagle Honestly I want Tielemans. I think he is at the right age, ability and level of experience to really make an impact at Arsenal. And the price is an added bonus. But I am not fixated on him. We need to improve on Xhaka. I don’t care who it is but they need to be quality. We need to have someone better than him. I was banging the Bruno Guimaraes drum all through out January because it made sense at the time. And Tielemans makes sense now to me for all the right reasons. Nigel I think a lot… Read more »
Not sure the Tielemans links are cold, these journos seem to throw shit at the wall hoping it sticks. That being said, I don’t mind the CM that comes in but they must be of sufficient quality and be able to reduce Granit to a bench role which isn’t hard to do.
We also need someone who can come in and compete with Partey, aswell as step in when he gets his inevitable injuries.
Pedro is currently streaming with Johnny and Matt.
He just dropped “I took heat at my fellow podcasters that I defended us not spending money in the Winter. By being patient we got access to better players, access to better prices. And we’re gonna have a better summer because we kept the powder dry and didn’t spend money on Weghorst that took Burnley down. Patience and trust to process.”
Thats why I like the Martinez links so much because he can fill a few positions, he can slot in on the left-side of our defence either as a LCB or a LB, and even at the base of the midfield. Tierney is another who won’t stay fit, and Tavares doesn’t fill many with much confidence.
Pedro, I’ve seen you taken a back step on the whole Gabi J TING, is it because there are rumors linking him with spurs? (secretly I hope he does, and I hope city will squeeze them for all they got). again i’ll say it, he didnt hit the high numbers in a “rich target environment” there isnt any indication he will do it in a “rich pressure environment. im more “worried” with spurs getting Richard-lison he is a much of a proper versatile number 9 who can play on the flank and as inside forward or a as a double… Read more »
The chatter that we were wise to wait last January is crap. We had two positions to improve. CF and CM. As soon as we got rejected by Vlahovic, we should have gone all in for Bruno Guimaraes. It was reported we were interested too. As we have found out later, he is quality. I even think he is better than Tielemans now that I have seen him in the Premier league. He can do everything. The guy was genuine quality and we passed on him. Not only his attacking stats are good but he can tackle, press and intercept… Read more »
Not sure why Pedro keeps fixating on Weghorst, I don’t remember a single poster calling for him. Was mostly Vlahovic, Jonathan David and some that liked Isak.
Kulusevski and Bentancur made a big difference to Spurs and were signed in January.
Diaz made a big impact at Liverpool and was signed in January.
Bruno Guimares made a big impact at Newcastle and was signed in January.
Habesha knows what’s up.
Habesha
Up until Bruno bossed us and was MOTM in our CL season on the line match at St James’ I am pretty sure that I recall Pedro pretending that he was a back-up option to Jonjo Shelvey.
That could no longer be said with a straight face after that match.
WengerEagle
I think he will be someone we will regret not signing. Like when we regretted not signing Kante. Eddie Howe is smart. He introduced him to the league slowly like Klopp had done with Fabinho.
Now he looks ready. Him and Joelinton couldn’t let us play our game at all. They destroyed our midfield. Pedro just tries to justify whatever Arteta does blindly. It was a shocking decision not to improve our team when a CM like that went for 30 to 35 mil.
I didn’t even want us to pay stupid money for Forwards like Isak. We were right to wait to get a good forward at a good price. But I wanted us to get a top quality CM for reasonable price. If we had the money for Vlahovic then we could have spent it on Bruno G. And our Midfield might have been okay to deal with palace away, Brighton at home, Spurs away. But we were somehow right according to Pedro.
I’m very pleased to see a lot of posters identify the huge problem that is Xhaka.At best he is meh.He doesn’t do anything well and he has a very suspect temperament . They say a sign of madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result .Six seasons of Xhaka in midfield and we’ve failed to reach the CL every time .Arteta has to get rid and replace with someone with dynamism and quality
Yeah I am not sure I would call Jesus a world class player, in fact he is not but is he better than:
Abraham, Isak, David, Vlahovic,
Pedro, Arteta puts me more in mind of the Arsenal of GG and DD than Man C and Pep G. They applied the same forward planning, discipline, attention to detail, etc, but without the need for open purse strings. I loved GG back then, and if the short-sighted BoD had paid him what he deserved, he would have gone on winning forever.
Yeah I am not sure I would call Jesus a world class player, in fact he is not but is he better than:
Abraham, Isak, David, Vlahovic, Schick, Scamacca, Osimhen.
For me he is better than all of these players. And he is PL proven as an added bonus and a serial Champion.
Lack of top drawer STs around right now.
WengerEagle
I think he isn’t better than Vlahovic or Osihmen for me. Vlahovic is a beast and he eventually will succeed because he is made to score goals. Osihmen has a lot of strings to his bow. He is big and he is a powerful runner. He is great with headers. And he does most things well.
He is comfortably better than the others though. Schick at his best might come close but not the others.
Wicked Willy
“Our cubs will soon be lions, and when they make that transition, people are gonna sit up and pay attention and wonder how on earth it happened.”
This truly warms the heart.
ps: no further comments
Englandbest
” I loved GG back then, and if the short-sighted BoD had paid him what he deserved, he would have gone on winning forever.”
No chance.
Stroller transformed the club but he was finished and the misdemeanor leading to his sacking proved to be a blessing in disguise..
We were heading nowhere under George, his leaving led to the eventual appointment of Arsene Wenger and to 2 decades of quality football which was far removed from the football under George for his last few seasons.
Habesha
I don’t rate Vlahovic as highly to be honest. Very good player but I don’t see what he does exceptionally well and he isn’t that quick a player even though he is powerful.
Cannot really recall any elite strikers in the modern game (past 15 odd years) that lacked pace. Ibrahimovic the sole one and he was a beyond a freak with his technical brilliance and balance.
Osimhen is more rounded and has the potential to explode, agreed. Jesus as of now is better though.
Pierre
Haven’t heard you talk about the Bissouma Spurs move, know you were a big fan. £25m a missed opportunity.