I think selling Iwobi was a good move and not something the old regime would do, they instead would have held onto him for too long and ended up getting 5m or him leaving for free. He never seemed to progress beyond being a good dribbler. I'd rather give Saka and Nelson minutes and see how they do.
Whatever his faults ... ( overplaying occasionally) he’s fabulous in a back three and fine in a back four if there’s protection in front of them . He will add so much needed steel and leadership - he’s apparently brilliant on and off pitch . He’s a character. Great long passes as well along with hellish free kicks . He’s got a nasty , win at all costs side to him like Adams , Bould and that other thuggish defender Martin Keown !!
I really wanted to see Iwobi given a chance in the center of the park. I hope the clock runs out on this one. Among other things this reduces Arsenal's over 21 home grown contingent to 5 players: Holding, Chambers, Bellerin, AMN, and Martinez.
Is there a quota for over 21 hg? I thought just being hg and registered with 1st team was the important part
Well dude, your eyes deceive you. Iwobi was one of the most efficient attacking players under the age of 25 last season.
To raise any decent money obviously we have to sell someone who is good This is the kind of ruthless streak we've lacked in the past - but I get that we prefer to have Tierney and a genuine winger, and someone had to go. I would have preferred it was Xhaka
I'd imagine Saka and Nelson will be in the 1st team, Medley was apparently around for the team picture. So maybe those 3.
I can't get over this hahaha. Is the underlying assumption here that his performance data will regress to the number of goals he scores??
I suspect a big part of this is to change how we play If Ceballos is as good as advertised, we can finally field a proper mobile midfield 3 (e.g without Xhaka) We can play a proper right winger and Auba as a genuine 9 We can then play a hybrid approach with Ozil to the left and with a good defensive left back behind him If Ozil is going to play, then we don't need Iwobi so much. I guess he would agree to leave because he doesn't see himself as getting enough opportunities.
Medley is not ready. The third will likely be Willock. He is more ready than Saka. If Arsenal sell Elneny, as expected, that will reduce none home grown to 16 and they will need another youngster to fill out the roster.
I think the proper reaction here is lamenting that Arsenal had to (for all intents and purposes) sell any fair prospect to raise money for transfers. Ideally the club should be beyond that level. Alas.
I am sceptical of the loan deal - but lets see. IMO Douzi is a much better 8 than Xhaka but he is super young and a couple of years away