Finally a post suited to the club from old Pedders, except also very weird from a narrative position because just go back a few days ago Pedders was saying we're a well run, superstar club , feared by other big teams in Europe with one of the best managers. All of a sudden he sees the mess Arteta has put us in
This Dowman kid is ridiculous. He looks like Odegaard with pace and power who can get away from players. Genuinely looks like he is playing below his age group while he is 15 and playing under 18 football. There have been reports that he has been impressing senior players in training, and Arteta has even confirmed that. And to add to that there are rumours that Declan Rice has been incharge of looking after him. People will be surprised when he plays league cup games next season. He will be a starter at the under 23 level too.
Football must be at an all time low when players like Dowman (with this showing) are hailed as "exceptional", "ridiculous". The competition must be in rhe gutters.
Yeah a 15 year old doing this in any Era is ridiculous. Great decision making every time is an ability few youngsters have had in the history of football.
The last player we have produced is Nwaneri and Dowman is said to be better,
I have been here since 2002 bro. There isn't as much technical players because the N10 has been shifted out of football. But this is incredible from a 15 year old in any Era. Just watch the bits he does when he rides challenges and puts his body infront of defenders. That is incredible for a 15 year old.
😂😂😂 yeah. It isn't just at Arsenal though. There seems to be less and less players in that age range who are right footed. It doesn't matter though as long as the quality is there. Players will find a way in the line up if they are good enough.
Yamal and Raphinha have run riot today and Raphinha is playing on the left.
The quality was undeniable though. Players with that sort of technical quality eventually find a way. That is why I wanted him. And that is why I was so pressed about missing out on Kvaratskhelia too.
And even with Martinelli, he won't become world class. But he will come back to the level he was at. Whether it is at Arsenal is the question.
Oh snap, club captain Gallas labels Arteta NOT a top manager. After bottling it for the 3rd consecutive season, that is a fair assessment. We needed a striker in the summer of 2024, but Arteta didn’t get one. Top managers don’t make that same mistake two seasons running.
Everyone knows that Arsenal want to sign a world class striker in the summer. That means a premium in fees and salary, because Man Utd,. Chelsea and possibly Liverpool are also looking. Good luck with getting that striker. The math tells us we will finish with less points then last year, where is the progress?
Saliba on celebrating goals often by pulling the shirt and kissing the badge
I was a big fan of Arsenal when I was young. A football game is so hard to win so when my teammates score a goal I'm so happy. I always had this passion but especially because I'm a big of fan of this club and playing and scoring for Arsenal is like a dream for me so I enjoy everything, every day, every game.
On if contract talks over a renewal have started
Not yet, because I have two years and a half left, so there is no rush at the minute. I’m happy here, that’s it. There is nothing. I’m happy here and I want to continue here.
On becoming the best centre-back in the world
Yes, of course. I want to be one day the best defender in the world. I know I need to work a lot and win trophies as well. It's my dream.
On the players he needs to beat to become the best
I have to review my season, work on my game. This season I haven't been so good. I have to watch especially my partner Gabriel who's been so so good this season and a few others as well. I have to be focused on myself and work more.
On winning major trophies
We are very close. We keep going. We don’t stop working. When you are close like this, when you don’t win trophies, it is sad, but I am really sure we will arrive there.
On if he wants to stay at Arsenal until he wins the league and the Champions league
Yeah, of course, I want to win big things with Arsenal. When you leave without winning anything, the fans forget about you.
On the areas his game needs to improve
My concentration. I have to score more and help my team win trophies. When you win trophies, you can say "I'm the best". But we haven't won and this season I couldn't help a lot my team to win some trophies but we're still in the Champions league and the Premier league isn't over
I kept telling everyone saying he's going to Real Madrid that he ain't leaving us. I'm 100% certain he wants to win a trophy or more before that. There is no rush. He's still young.
Kudus would be excellent, does he play on the left though? Isn't he more right-sided for West Ham? Berta needs to be decisive, though. I also hope we're hiring him for his knowledge of the South American market, A. Madrid has unearthed some gems over the years, we could use some of that magic.
Just an FYI cause it's been brought up about how we haven't replaced Xhaka and that's true but not because he was irreplaceable but rather the you know square pegs in round holes approach by the manager. He puts more of an emphasis on defensive stability and duels which is why we've bought who we bought for the left 8 instead of Macallister, Gravenberch, Joao Neves players who moved who would have been perfect. Hell the same summer we went to Porto and got Fabio Vieira a perfect player for the 8 position was joining PSG for more or less the same price in Vitinha
Another problem at Arsenal is wastage. There's a whole bunch of players at Arsenal who aren't used properly or perennially injured or are just kept on as options but are never used by a manager who's also struggled with rotation. I mean what's the point really in Zinchenko and Kiwior? Could have been sold in January or last summer but kept on for what purpose really? Tomiyasu is injured sure but even if he wasn't he's at best 3rd choice RB and one of many LBs? What sense does that make. And then you have Sterling who for more than a few times this season is on the bench with us struggling only for Mikel to bring on Tierney as a winger. It's just a really bad makeup of the squad in certain areas.
Overhaul the attack sure but it's more about balance to the other areas. You can get rid of Zinchenko, Kiwior and Tomiyasu and just sign a proper LB and good to go. Probably just need a backup RCB though for balance. Get rid of Jorginho, Partey and Vieira for just an 8. But the attack...you're talking about a starting LW and striker and probably one more at least for backup. It's a lot honestly that should have been done already when we were spending 800 million.
We lose Tierney, Partey [starter] Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Sterling and back up goalie
That's automatically at least THREE spaces to be replaced, assuming Nwaneri fills the Sterling spot and Myles Lewis-Skelly replaces Zinchenko
Then we have to address the long starting left side deficits - Martinelli aint good enough and finally a proper #8 needs to be bought - That's TWO signings The summer signings are a bust and a proper clubs moves them on. aThey aren't good enough. I would sell both Martinelli and Trossard to raise extra funds.
Then we need a striker - that's at least ONE signing
Then we need a back-up/rotational #10 for Odegaard, that's ONE signing you'll agree with 😁😁😁
That's a minimum of SEVEN
The days of small squads are over. If this season doesn't teach us that, then we need to close shop and start selling bubble gum or something.
If we're bringing in a CF, Havertz becomes an option for LM, AM/SS and CF. If we're not selling Ode, then giving a lot more chances to Nwaneri is absolutely fine with me.
Saka crosses towards Gabriel, Saliba, Havertz, Rice and Sesko. A team of lampposts.
The creativity we are lacking in the final third is due to not having enough quality options in attacking areas.
But midfield is just as big of an issue when we face deep blocks. Partey- Rice works when teams try to come at us. We demolish teams that try to play us. Man City, PSV, Sporting cases for it. But the reverse is Inter away, Newcastle away in the league,
I really love Rice. But this season has proved he can't be the 8 when we face deep blocks. We don't have a superstar front 4 inorder to accomodate him playing the 8. If we had Vini Jr and Isak along with Saka and Odegaard, we might get behind it.
He is the best ball winner in world football. And he needs to play deeper when we don't need the extra man for Solidity.
Arteta's biggest mistakes have been profiling Havertz and then Merino for that left 8 role. We need a fix this summer. And we will have to move Odegaard to the left to accommodate Nwaneri at times too.
Fix that with quality options upfront, the swashbuckling football will return.
We could use a MacAllister-type player in midfield, someone who can advance the ball quickly through the center of the pitch and is not afraid to shoot from distance. Agreed that Rice is fantastic as a ball winner (Merino good here too) but neither player excels in tight spaces or is a particularly clever passer.
Mac Allister has a strong shout to be second in the Player of the season for Liverpool. I wanted a package deal for him and Caicedo back then. Fk me what a player...
That is exactly what we are lacking. A creative CM. The options we play at left 8 are either Rice, or Merino. Both aren't cute enough in the final third. Rice can carry it and can make the space to shoot but isn't great at timing passes in the final third. Merino is a bit better at that but not by much. And his carrying ability is non existent.
If it was up to me I would get Reijnders at Milan. Or Baleba instead of Zubimendi.
If Rice cannot be #8, then he should be the starting #6
That has to change our interest in Zubimendi
We need a Vitinha/Tijjani Reijnders/Fklorian Wirtz type, one that's swashbuckling, can shoot from distance, create space from nowhere and dribble at the opposition.
Odegaard shouldn't have a guaranteed starting spot just because he is captain.
The two signings from last summer were a bust, if we are honest.
You don't park £40 million in a backup to Meghalaes or use £28 million to replace Elneny.
We need both an 8 and a 6 imo. If it was up to me, I would go big on Reijnders or Baleba instead of Zubi. Baleba is also good at 6 too, but the price will be astronomical. Those are players that are cute enough in the final third but can carry it to the final third as well. But we will need a backup for Rice too at a cheaper price if we are going to go big on the #8.
But as it stands, the rumors are Zubimendi plus Nypan. That can also work but Nypan, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Merino and possibly Dowman will have to be enough to break down deep blocks. Arteta will need to be ruthless enough to drop one of Rice or Zubimendi in those games. The Nypan kid will also have to be a top youngster in that profile.
We can't have the same situation against deep blocks next season. Arteta won't be blameless. It will be his fault if he doesn't fix it.
I love Baleba. Absolutely freaky physique and somehow silky smooth at times. I can see him playing for a huge club very soon.
He is not too different to the profile of Rice I think? Which would be perfectly fine if we have a player with an insane end product ahead of the two. At the moment, we're short in that regard, maybe Nwaneri can grow into it but undoubtedly a midfield of Rice and Baleba would be curtains for most teams. Like, it'd be over.
I think he is better than Rice technically. But he is not at his best being a defensive presence. He still has a lot more to go.
I think his future lies at #8. He is in the top 5 for dribbling this season from DM. And he has scored some cracking goals too. He looks special. If you bring him, you will fill both holes. He can play the 8. And you can play him 6 to rest Rice. He will also give the time to bed in the Nypan kid if we get him.
I kind of Sympathize with Arteta a bit though. The #6 is the most important position in football. That is why teams look like crap when they don't have that. A cheaper DM that is good enough would have been better imo.
But After signing Merino and Havertz, there is no excuses. If he brings in Zubimendi and Nypan, those players will need to be good enough to fix our problems against deep blocks.
Merino, Odegaard, Nypan, Nwaneri and Dowman will be our CM, CAM options. And it will need to be good enough. Even I will not be able to defend it, if the issue is not fixed.
Partey is replaced by Zubimendi, but Jorginho is replaced by a more attacking player (Nypan apparently). So instead of playing Jorginho, we would take out one of Rice or Zubimendi for Nypan or Merino I guess.
My thoughts are similar re Zubi that it's not an ideal situation per se.
It's a roller coaster honestly:
- we play Partey cause he progresses the ball so well, that's Declan's weakness
- we play Rice cause Partey isn't as mobile, that's Partey's weakness
Now that Partey is one foot out the door, we're looking at another #6, meaning that instead of moving Dec back to his favorite position, we're probably going to keep playing him at LM.
The more obvious thing is to just get a complimentary player for the #8 and give Rice the platform to become the best DM in the world.
He can be one of the best CMs in the world one day, he's got a lot of qualities but to have Zubi and Rice in the same team, we need to have a bombastic AM. Someone with end product for days. Nwaneri in a couple of years maybe but that's blind guessing. Can't work with someone like Odegaard. Not consistently enough and it's a painful watch.
Rap, I lost my head on Sunday. I will never agree with you on Odegaard or that shit Bruno Fernandez freekick. I apologize for calling you a cunt though.
He's closer to what Gravenberch has become this season and I'm not even sure how quickly he adapts to the premier league. It took Gravenberch more than one season.
He received his first ever red card in the added time of the extra time after playing 120 minutes that game. His first ever red card. He's punished for 3 games admittedly.
He missed 2 games as he was seen barging into a member of Ipswich’s security team and grabbing the person’s glasses during an on-field melee in chaotic post-match scenes after Wolves conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 2-1 to Ipswich at Molineux in December.
He's missed another 2 games in his career due to yellow card accumulation - for Hertha about 4-5 years ago.
That's it. He's lost his head a bit in the last 3-4 months. Other than that, clean record.
1 red card in the added time of an extra time is quite solid, he's never left his team play with 10.
I see your logic though, with how we are refereed... We've felt it with Xhaka at the club, not that Cunha is that similar to Xhaka who boasts an impressive 14 red card tally. But the Brazilian is a maverick type, yes, somewhat reminiscent of my favorite Arsenal player since Fabregas, one named Alexis Sanchez.
I like Cunha a lot. Henry needed 23 games to score his first goal for Juventus as he had troubles scoring for Monaco before joining the Italian team as well.
I wouldn't be too upset at him if I was a Wolves fan. They will most probably survive the drop thanks to his 13 goals and 4 assists. His 17 G/A are almost 2x the 2nd in the list with 9 G/A.
In the summer they will almost certainly sell him for a decent profit - bought for £44m, sold for probably his current release clause of £62m.
This Désiré Doué lad is a gem! PSG are very lucky to have him. He would be prefect for us: skills, great technique, creativity and composure.
New post.
Finally a post suited to the club from old Pedders, except also very weird from a narrative position because just go back a few days ago Pedders was saying we're a well run, superstar club , feared by other big teams in Europe with one of the best managers. All of a sudden he sees the mess Arteta has put us in
https://x.com/willbalsam/status/1899449166595567909
This Dowman kid is ridiculous. He looks like Odegaard with pace and power who can get away from players. Genuinely looks like he is playing below his age group while he is 15 and playing under 18 football. There have been reports that he has been impressing senior players in training, and Arteta has even confirmed that. And to add to that there are rumours that Declan Rice has been incharge of looking after him. People will be surprised when he plays league cup games next season. He will be a starter at the under 23 level too.
Football must be at an all time low when players like Dowman (with this showing) are hailed as "exceptional", "ridiculous". The competition must be in rhe gutters.
Yeah a 15 year old doing this in any Era is ridiculous. Great decision making every time is an ability few youngsters have had in the history of football.
The last player we have produced is Nwaneri and Dowman is said to be better,
I honestly think you came new into football. That's basic, I'm sorry. Not a slight on Dowman but the level of today's football
I have been here since 2002 bro. There isn't as much technical players because the N10 has been shifted out of football. But this is incredible from a 15 year old in any Era. Just watch the bits he does when he rides challenges and puts his body infront of defenders. That is incredible for a 15 year old.
I'm annoyed all we produce are left-footers. That side of the pitch's got plenty of talent already. Where them righties at?!
😂😂😂 yeah. It isn't just at Arsenal though. There seems to be less and less players in that age range who are right footed. It doesn't matter though as long as the quality is there. Players will find a way in the line up if they are good enough.
Yamal and Raphinha have run riot today and Raphinha is playing on the left.
I remember you and I had to convince people how good Raphinha is back when he was at Leeds and there were rumors we were interested in him.
They thought he's shit.
He wasn't very good in his first season there, was he?
Just like Martinelli was great before and now he isn't so good.
It happens
The quality was undeniable though. Players with that sort of technical quality eventually find a way. That is why I wanted him. And that is why I was so pressed about missing out on Kvaratskhelia too.
And even with Martinelli, he won't become world class. But he will come back to the level he was at. Whether it is at Arsenal is the question.
Saliba with his kiss of death quotes today.
Not yet, because there is some years [left], so there is no rush at the minute. I'm happy here, that's it.
Of course I want to win big things with Arsenal. If you love this club, and it didn't mean anything, of course I want to win big things here."
Him not “rushing” to sign a new deal is a warning. Win some trophies or hes gone
He will leave even if we win big trophies.
Oh snap, club captain Gallas labels Arteta NOT a top manager. After bottling it for the 3rd consecutive season, that is a fair assessment. We needed a striker in the summer of 2024, but Arteta didn’t get one. Top managers don’t make that same mistake two seasons running.
Everyone knows that Arsenal want to sign a world class striker in the summer. That means a premium in fees and salary, because Man Utd,. Chelsea and possibly Liverpool are also looking. Good luck with getting that striker. The math tells us we will finish with less points then last year, where is the progress?
But Pete tells us Sesko is locked in.
Saliba on celebrating goals often by pulling the shirt and kissing the badge
I was a big fan of Arsenal when I was young. A football game is so hard to win so when my teammates score a goal I'm so happy. I always had this passion but especially because I'm a big of fan of this club and playing and scoring for Arsenal is like a dream for me so I enjoy everything, every day, every game.
On if contract talks over a renewal have started
Not yet, because I have two years and a half left, so there is no rush at the minute. I’m happy here, that’s it. There is nothing. I’m happy here and I want to continue here.
On becoming the best centre-back in the world
Yes, of course. I want to be one day the best defender in the world. I know I need to work a lot and win trophies as well. It's my dream.
On the players he needs to beat to become the best
I have to review my season, work on my game. This season I haven't been so good. I have to watch especially my partner Gabriel who's been so so good this season and a few others as well. I have to be focused on myself and work more.
On winning major trophies
We are very close. We keep going. We don’t stop working. When you are close like this, when you don’t win trophies, it is sad, but I am really sure we will arrive there.
On if he wants to stay at Arsenal until he wins the league and the Champions league
Yeah, of course, I want to win big things with Arsenal. When you leave without winning anything, the fans forget about you.
On the areas his game needs to improve
My concentration. I have to score more and help my team win trophies. When you win trophies, you can say "I'm the best". But we haven't won and this season I couldn't help a lot my team to win some trophies but we're still in the Champions league and the Premier league isn't over
I kept telling everyone saying he's going to Real Madrid that he ain't leaving us. I'm 100% certain he wants to win a trophy or more before that. There is no rush. He's still young.
He said he has two years left in the press conference
Unless he signs an extension, the concerns of us losing him for nothing is still there
However there no suggestion that Madrid even want him now, it's Jarrad Branthwaite [Everton] they seem to be pursuing, which is weird.
Him not rushing to sign a new deal is not a good sign
Just saw that Saliba CL pre match interview
He's a really adorable character
Since Arsenal are selling everything from crockery to bedsheets, the time we come when we will sell Saliba teddy bears.
Also if Mateta is supposedly going for £40 million, any takers here?
That lad has the nimblest feet and athleticism of the current big men strikers in the game currently
We need two X-factor signings this summer, the types that clubs accidental sign once every 7-10 seasons.
Like Westham stumbling upon Dimitri Payet and Kudus in 2015 and 2023, respectively.
Agreed re Payet. A joy to watch.
Kudus... hmmm not so sure looking at his 3 goals, 1 assist this season.
I'll be happy if we pull a Salah for £35m.
Salah’s numbers would plummet in Arteta’s system.
What are those examples? West Ham? Payet and Kudus? Stumbling upon Kudus for 40 million. It's like us stumbling upon Williams for 50 million
40 million is what we paid for Calafiori, who can't defend to save his life.
Everyone knows Payet was too big for West Ham, same as Kudus is far too good for them.
Kudus would be excellent, does he play on the left though? Isn't he more right-sided for West Ham? Berta needs to be decisive, though. I also hope we're hiring him for his knowledge of the South American market, A. Madrid has unearthed some gems over the years, we could use some of that magic.
Just an FYI cause it's been brought up about how we haven't replaced Xhaka and that's true but not because he was irreplaceable but rather the you know square pegs in round holes approach by the manager. He puts more of an emphasis on defensive stability and duels which is why we've bought who we bought for the left 8 instead of Macallister, Gravenberch, Joao Neves players who moved who would have been perfect. Hell the same summer we went to Porto and got Fabio Vieira a perfect player for the 8 position was joining PSG for more or less the same price in Vitinha
Another problem at Arsenal is wastage. There's a whole bunch of players at Arsenal who aren't used properly or perennially injured or are just kept on as options but are never used by a manager who's also struggled with rotation. I mean what's the point really in Zinchenko and Kiwior? Could have been sold in January or last summer but kept on for what purpose really? Tomiyasu is injured sure but even if he wasn't he's at best 3rd choice RB and one of many LBs? What sense does that make. And then you have Sterling who for more than a few times this season is on the bench with us struggling only for Mikel to bring on Tierney as a winger. It's just a really bad makeup of the squad in certain areas.
From what you saw of Ayden Heaven on Sunday,
Don't you think he could have easily been the 5/6th defender on the pecking order, this season?
The wastage is massive
Merino at best is Elneny's back up, problem is he cost us £28 mil
We have 260w weekly locked up in Jesus who hardly ever plays, he's like a visiting player when he's back
Who spends £40 mil on an Italian to be back-up to big Gabby?
The squad isn't well managed.
Looks like there's an agreement from most that we need an significant overhaul this summer, not a tweak.
That's why we can't afford any £100 mil+ signing, there are too many holes to fix on this leaky boat.
Also on a tangent, don't factor in chronic crocks like Tomiyasu and Jesus when planning for the future
Overhaul the attack sure but it's more about balance to the other areas. You can get rid of Zinchenko, Kiwior and Tomiyasu and just sign a proper LB and good to go. Probably just need a backup RCB though for balance. Get rid of Jorginho, Partey and Vieira for just an 8. But the attack...you're talking about a starting LW and striker and probably one more at least for backup. It's a lot honestly that should have been done already when we were spending 800 million.
Two offensive signings + whatever midfielder is planned + a few backups depending on the players we sell.
It's not that big of an overhaul.
Two top forwards. A top MF if not two. We a Partey/Jorgi replacement plus we need an ode cover/competion and we still need a creative L8
We lose Tierney, Partey [starter] Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Sterling and back up goalie
That's automatically at least THREE spaces to be replaced, assuming Nwaneri fills the Sterling spot and Myles Lewis-Skelly replaces Zinchenko
Then we have to address the long starting left side deficits - Martinelli aint good enough and finally a proper #8 needs to be bought - That's TWO signings The summer signings are a bust and a proper clubs moves them on. aThey aren't good enough. I would sell both Martinelli and Trossard to raise extra funds.
Then we need a striker - that's at least ONE signing
Then we need a back-up/rotational #10 for Odegaard, that's ONE signing you'll agree with 😁😁😁
That's a minimum of SEVEN
The days of small squads are over. If this season doesn't teach us that, then we need to close shop and start selling bubble gum or something.
If we're bringing in a CF, Havertz becomes an option for LM, AM/SS and CF. If we're not selling Ode, then giving a lot more chances to Nwaneri is absolutely fine with me.
Saka crosses towards Gabriel, Saliba, Havertz, Rice and Sesko. A team of lampposts.
Havertz is not an option at LM. That has not worked. Just stop.
The creativity we are lacking in the final third is due to not having enough quality options in attacking areas.
But midfield is just as big of an issue when we face deep blocks. Partey- Rice works when teams try to come at us. We demolish teams that try to play us. Man City, PSV, Sporting cases for it. But the reverse is Inter away, Newcastle away in the league,
I really love Rice. But this season has proved he can't be the 8 when we face deep blocks. We don't have a superstar front 4 inorder to accomodate him playing the 8. If we had Vini Jr and Isak along with Saka and Odegaard, we might get behind it.
He is the best ball winner in world football. And he needs to play deeper when we don't need the extra man for Solidity.
Arteta's biggest mistakes have been profiling Havertz and then Merino for that left 8 role. We need a fix this summer. And we will have to move Odegaard to the left to accommodate Nwaneri at times too.
Fix that with quality options upfront, the swashbuckling football will return.
We could use a MacAllister-type player in midfield, someone who can advance the ball quickly through the center of the pitch and is not afraid to shoot from distance. Agreed that Rice is fantastic as a ball winner (Merino good here too) but neither player excels in tight spaces or is a particularly clever passer.
Mac Allister has a strong shout to be second in the Player of the season for Liverpool. I wanted a package deal for him and Caicedo back then. Fk me what a player...
That is exactly what we are lacking. A creative CM. The options we play at left 8 are either Rice, or Merino. Both aren't cute enough in the final third. Rice can carry it and can make the space to shoot but isn't great at timing passes in the final third. Merino is a bit better at that but not by much. And his carrying ability is non existent.
If it was up to me I would get Reijnders at Milan. Or Baleba instead of Zubimendi.
If Rice cannot be #8, then he should be the starting #6
That has to change our interest in Zubimendi
We need a Vitinha/Tijjani Reijnders/Fklorian Wirtz type, one that's swashbuckling, can shoot from distance, create space from nowhere and dribble at the opposition.
Odegaard shouldn't have a guaranteed starting spot just because he is captain.
The two signings from last summer were a bust, if we are honest.
You don't park £40 million in a backup to Meghalaes or use £28 million to replace Elneny.
We need both an 8 and a 6 imo. If it was up to me, I would go big on Reijnders or Baleba instead of Zubi. Baleba is also good at 6 too, but the price will be astronomical. Those are players that are cute enough in the final third but can carry it to the final third as well. But we will need a backup for Rice too at a cheaper price if we are going to go big on the #8.
But as it stands, the rumors are Zubimendi plus Nypan. That can also work but Nypan, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Merino and possibly Dowman will have to be enough to break down deep blocks. Arteta will need to be ruthless enough to drop one of Rice or Zubimendi in those games. The Nypan kid will also have to be a top youngster in that profile.
We can't have the same situation against deep blocks next season. Arteta won't be blameless. It will be his fault if he doesn't fix it.
I love Baleba. Absolutely freaky physique and somehow silky smooth at times. I can see him playing for a huge club very soon.
He is not too different to the profile of Rice I think? Which would be perfectly fine if we have a player with an insane end product ahead of the two. At the moment, we're short in that regard, maybe Nwaneri can grow into it but undoubtedly a midfield of Rice and Baleba would be curtains for most teams. Like, it'd be over.
I think he is better than Rice technically. But he is not at his best being a defensive presence. He still has a lot more to go.
I think his future lies at #8. He is in the top 5 for dribbling this season from DM. And he has scored some cracking goals too. He looks special. If you bring him, you will fill both holes. He can play the 8. And you can play him 6 to rest Rice. He will also give the time to bed in the Nypan kid if we get him.
We agree on a lot then, you, Rap and I
I'm not hooked on Zubi, who I don't even regard as a dependable character. He could easily do to us, what he did to Liverpool last summer.
It will be a test as to whether they can shake Arteta off his conviction signings because Zubi's player profile isn't what we need right now.
I kind of Sympathize with Arteta a bit though. The #6 is the most important position in football. That is why teams look like crap when they don't have that. A cheaper DM that is good enough would have been better imo.
But After signing Merino and Havertz, there is no excuses. If he brings in Zubimendi and Nypan, those players will need to be good enough to fix our problems against deep blocks.
Merino, Odegaard, Nypan, Nwaneri and Dowman will be our CM, CAM options. And it will need to be good enough. Even I will not be able to defend it, if the issue is not fixed.
"Merino, Odegaard, Nypan, Nwaneri and Dowman will be our CM, CAM options"
We're supposedly replacing Partey with Zubi so the CM position would be all Rice again. No?
Partey is replaced by Zubimendi, but Jorginho is replaced by a more attacking player (Nypan apparently). So instead of playing Jorginho, we would take out one of Rice or Zubimendi for Nypan or Merino I guess.
My thoughts are similar re Zubi that it's not an ideal situation per se.
It's a roller coaster honestly:
- we play Partey cause he progresses the ball so well, that's Declan's weakness
- we play Rice cause Partey isn't as mobile, that's Partey's weakness
Now that Partey is one foot out the door, we're looking at another #6, meaning that instead of moving Dec back to his favorite position, we're probably going to keep playing him at LM.
The more obvious thing is to just get a complimentary player for the #8 and give Rice the platform to become the best DM in the world.
He can be one of the best CMs in the world one day, he's got a lot of qualities but to have Zubi and Rice in the same team, we need to have a bombastic AM. Someone with end product for days. Nwaneri in a couple of years maybe but that's blind guessing. Can't work with someone like Odegaard. Not consistently enough and it's a painful watch.
Rap, I lost my head on Sunday. I will never agree with you on Odegaard or that shit Bruno Fernandez freekick. I apologize for calling you a cunt though.
No need Hab, all good lol. I take none of that personal. You have my apologies as well.
I agree
Zubimendi is not a creative midfielder.
He's closer to what Gravenberch has become this season and I'm not even sure how quickly he adapts to the premier league. It took Gravenberch more than one season.
Why would anyone keep mentioning Cunha as a possibility for Arsenal, after knowing what we know about him.
No team that suffered playing one man down all season should contemplate signing Cunha
He won’t survive Arteta’s big ego for one month.
Berta should know since Cunha didn’t score a single goal in his last 15 games at Atleti and was a knob there too.
Best not to go there.
He received his first ever red card in the added time of the extra time after playing 120 minutes that game. His first ever red card. He's punished for 3 games admittedly.
He missed 2 games as he was seen barging into a member of Ipswich’s security team and grabbing the person’s glasses during an on-field melee in chaotic post-match scenes after Wolves conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 2-1 to Ipswich at Molineux in December.
He's missed another 2 games in his career due to yellow card accumulation - for Hertha about 4-5 years ago.
That's it. He's lost his head a bit in the last 3-4 months. Other than that, clean record.
1 red card in the added time of an extra time is quite solid, he's never left his team play with 10.
I see your logic though, with how we are refereed... We've felt it with Xhaka at the club, not that Cunha is that similar to Xhaka who boasts an impressive 14 red card tally. But the Brazilian is a maverick type, yes, somewhat reminiscent of my favorite Arsenal player since Fabregas, one named Alexis Sanchez.
I like Cunha a lot. Henry needed 23 games to score his first goal for Juventus as he had troubles scoring for Monaco before joining the Italian team as well.
I wouldn't be too upset at him if I was a Wolves fan. They will most probably survive the drop thanks to his 13 goals and 4 assists. His 17 G/A are almost 2x the 2nd in the list with 9 G/A.
In the summer they will almost certainly sell him for a decent profit - bought for £44m, sold for probably his current release clause of £62m.
"That's it. He's lost his head a bit in the last 3-4 months. Other than that, clean record."
He doesn't have the mentality of a top player.
It's got to be "Caveat Emptor" with him, he's damaged good for any top club. Surely we can't be that stupid.
It's like buying a player who's had major knee injuries ...but wait ...we did that with Calafiori
https://x.com/brfootball/status/1899175643566178651
A quick Semenyo interview.
Q: Best position?
A: RW, LW, can play a 9, can play in the 10.
Q: Playing style?
A: Powerhouse.
Q: What are your strengths?
A: Left foot, right foot, striking ability, aerial threat, dribbling.
Q: Is there a defence you've played against that you're like "woah", across the backline, this was a long day?
A: I would say Arsenal. It's a tough backline to play against.
Q: Favorate ground you've played at?
A: Emirates. Yeah, Emirates.
Q: For the reasons you mentioned, them being a difficult team or for other reasons?
A: Other reasons but I'm not gonna go into that. You're not gonna hear anything from me. My mouth is zipped.
_________________________________________
He's said enough. Twerking for Arsenal is always bonus points but he's actually legit af.