Methinks he'd be free so it's a case of the club seeing a chance at him improving and raising value, either by loaning him out or as a backup.
Agreed. They're slower but their read of the game is still good. Most importantly our depth on defense is extremely limited.
Eeeeee I dunno. IMHO, Monreal is fast-approaching that stage where his declining physical abilities negate his game-reading experience.
Same with all players: If the club can get someone better then by all means do so, and if selling him is part of the price I'm okay... provided they are indeed replacing him with someone better. I simply think Monreal is a more able role player while the club seeks to prioritize more pressing needs. Compared to, say, Mustafi as the reserve CD.
The point is that you would upgrade LB. You replace Kola and keep Nacho around as a backup / vet presence until an academy guy is ready to step up or you have more funds available for LB.
At mid-June technically it's early days yet in the window. So I guess I shouldn't be too upset not to see us do anything yet. But it's hard to not be worried that we don't have a good plan, or have enough funds to realize a good plan.
Pretty much where I am as well. Not sure why anyone would harbor hope that we do something worthwhile or even remotely competent. I know hope springs eternal but it’s hard with this “leadership” or lack thereof currently running things.
Just saw our opening fixtures. With both Liverpool & Spurs in August, we damn well better get our squad building done pretty quickly so everyone can have a full and productive pre-season.
And once again we play away to S***s late in the season. Can we not please get that fixture in the first 3rd of the season for once? Please?
I think all our money needs to be sunk into a back 4. No guarantees Bellerin comes back after that injury at the level he was, meaning we need to heavily invest there.
Few rumors from the last few days... - Been rumors that we are shopping Kos. Starting seeing links to Dortmund yesterday claiming they were interested in having a vet presence for all their youngsters on defense. This morning I am seeing claims of a 10-11m GBP asking price. - There have been some Torreira quotes making the rounds that make it appear as if he is not happy in London (more an issue with England vs Arsenal) and wouldn't mind going back to Italy. This has sparked rumors of AC Milan (recently hired his manager from Sampdoria) making a run at him. Claims this morning that we have placed a 40m euro price tag on him and are willing to let him go if that is what he desires. - Saw quotes from yesterday that Hakim Ziyech is interested in moving to "a bigger club like Arsenal". He is said to have a 25m euro release clause and is on the last year of his contract. He can operate from AM or RW and could prove to be a good option for us. - Arsenal are said to be looking at 21 yo German GK Markus Schubert as a FA signing to provide competition to Emi Martinez for the #2 spot. - Krystian Bielik stated in an interview that he feels he has earned the right for Sr football and he has no intention of returning to Arsenal to be on the U23s. He is expecting to be moved if he is not in the 1st team plans. - Claims that Arsenal have opened negotiations on improved deals for both PAE & Laca to stave off clubs attempting to poach them.
Selling Torreira would be incredibly stupid. Especially for 40. Seems very unlikely. I think in that same interview he mentioned that a main issue was the language barrier but that he would work on it.
Tend to agree. Do think that if he stays we need to pair him with a more physically opposing CM. Noticed later in the season that he was being pushed around a bit. Think we would be better served pairing him with a more physical 6.
Reading an online Arsenal Q&A by some guy named James Benge (no idea who he is but seems to have some connections) and he is saying that Fraser is our #1 target at wing with Carrasco behind him. Doesn't expect us to have W sorted out soon as it is to our benefit to wait out Bournemouth. Our only competition for Fraser at the moment is Chelsea and they are serving their ban. Fraser's contract expires next summer and he has openly stated he will not sign a new deal. Bournemouth's payout gets smaller the closer they get to his expiration, so in theory, the longer we wait, the better the deal is for us. He claims that the news of being in advanced talks with Carrasco are incorrect. We have been monitoring him since last year and have some interest but will not fully pursue until the Fraser situation has been fully vetted out.
It's weird, because a quote from Fraser yesterday indicated he was staying: “The likelihood is I will be at Bournemouth for another year,” said Fraser. “And what will happen, will happen. That is all I can really say about it. No one has really spoken to me about it.” James Benge recently wrote this, which is not encouraging: https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/inside-story-arsenal-yet-make-16404911
Very disappointed that we didn't get in on that. Think he could be what Emery was hoping to get from Ramsey/Ozil at the 10 spot.
Arsenal Vision have another dude from Statsbomb on this week. Made mention of the same prospects, but also discussed Carrasco and Ryan Fraser. Key passage: Elliot: "Is Ryan Fraser the kind of player Arsenal should be committing major resources to?" Statsbomb dude: "No."
Don't know about that. He's considered one of our most promising players.l I'm just watching the official Season Review part 1, and it reminded me of how last summer we made some very good signings: Leno Torreira Sokratis Guendouzy All ended up being starters. Hard to imagine another 4 equally impressive signings this summer. But that's exactly what we need.