to be fair, we are also a clown show with man management (see: handling of perez) and tactical setup (see: er, y'know, every game). so, y'know, a much more well-rounded and complete organisation than you thought.
This morning's interesting tidbits... Rumors - AW has set a 70m GBP asking price on Alexis - Ox told AW face-to-face that he will not sign the latest contract (rumored to be 125k/wk) - Lemar may be available but the price looks to have been bumped to 60+m - Real Betis have expressed interest in Lucas - Galatasaray have expressed interest in Gibbs News - Toral headed to Hull on loan
The more I think about our current roster and AW's supposed targets, I think we are going to end up switching back to a 4-2-3-1 permanently after the window closes. Our current defense is not built for a 3-man back line and AW doesn't appear to be trying to fix that. If we went back to a 4-man we would be short at RB but we have been running with a makeshift RB when Bellerin is out for 2 seasons now. CM needs some upgrading regardless of formation but there is no way AW will do it until some of the numbers are reduced. CAM is actually in decent shape, even if Alexis is sold. It also seems to be where AW is focusing his attention in the window which tells me he is planing for life after Alexis (and possibly Ozil) ST should be set with Laca, OG & Welbs.
I know it's early days, but after seeing us and the other "contenders" for two matches, I don't see any way we're winning the league. Given that, go ahead and sell Alexis.
Contrast that with the teams who finished first and second last season, both had very settled two-deep depth charts in defense. Also contrast that with the years when we won the league...
Someone please tell me what Ox has done to warrant, let alone turn down, 125k per week. He is all potential, no delivery.
All the contenders look like they have serious flaws. Chelsea are really thin, Tottenham have issues creating (though they typically have this issue early in the season), Liverpool are thin and can't defend. Not clear how good City are (but they look very good on TV), and United haven't played anybody.
We should go back to it if we keep our current defenders and Alexis. --------- Laca --------- Alexis --- Ozil ---- Ox --- Shaka --- Ramsey -- Monreal - Kos - Mustafi - Bellerin I think this is a solid lineup, and it gives us versatility up top. You can also replace Ox with Laca and have Giroud up top. We are currently wasting Bellerin and Ozil with the 352, our wingbacks are not good enough to maximize the width.
That midfield is there to be exposed B2b in a 4231 is not worth it in Ramsey U need a sitter more mobile than xhaka too
I'd put Kolo for Nacho and buy a more suitable CM/DM to replace Ramsey as starter. Would also be inclined to sell Alexis and replace with Draxler or Lemar. Id be ok giving Ox an extended try at RAM if he signs an extension. If he refuses id sell his ass too and make a run at Barkley for a HG that can play the outside AM position.
I'm just going to watch TFC and let the sunset of Arsene Wenger FC. I feel like after 23 years I've been chased out of my club because I have become "entitled" expecting competitiveness.
Kola has to start. He's being wasted at CB. As much as we criticise Theo, he is more serviceable than Ox. Wish we could do away with both but Arsenal. On the same point on playing Kola off his position, it's wasteful to put Laca at LW. How cheap have we become honestly. I wish we could have a go at PSG outcasts like Draxler or Moura.
Same can be said for a number of our HGs. Maybe it's happening all across the EPL but we tend to overpay all of our English players to keep them from going elsewhere and then can't get rid of them when they don't pan out because their wages are too high. It's why we are loaning Jenks to get him off the roster rather then selling him.
The way he's talking it looks like we're done buying. Not surprised at all. If only everything in my life was as consistent as the idiocy and usual excuses that are Wenger and his Arsenal fiefdom. https://www.google.com/amp/www.mirr...arsene-wenger-hits-out-demanding-11034002.amp
I believe I have seen posts in the past where you advocated a diamond midfield. There is less defensive coverage in a midfield diamond than in a 4-2-3-1 with Ramsey as the box to box player.
After watching seri for half dozen games ... I think he would be a good compliment to xhaka... pretty disciplined to sit back if needed... This window yet again blows
So Messi might become a free agent on Jan 1st. I think the odds are pretty good that Arsene will almost sign him.
and ... 1. And hit the EPO 2. Don't sell Alexis 3. Buy an 8 IMO Arsenal would also need significant show runner support.
Wumger will be given a farewell gift, showrunner support helped you beat Spuds in recent seasons in the run-in.
What I'm reading... - AW still adamant that Alexis stays and the only rumored suitor right now is Man City - Various teams rumored to be attempting to work deals for Lucas, Gibbs, Ox, Wilshire, Mustafi & OG. - Toral having medical with Hull today for a permanent move. - Rumor that we spoke to Nice about Seri a few weeks back and they expressed a desire to keep him atleast until CL was sorted out. The source claims that AW wants a CM this window. Now that Nice are officially out of CL, it is assumed that we will reenter discussions. - We are linked with moves for Draxler, Lemar, van Dijk, Seri, Lucas Vazquez & Marcos Llorente Thoughts from this morning... As I noted yesterday, I think the move back to a 4-2-3-1 is inevitible. With the exception of Alexis, I think the roster is much better suited to that scheme. Assuming AW sticks to his guns RE Alexis, offloads the remaining "bloat" and signs 2 additional players... ------------ Laca --------------- ------------- Ozil --------------- - Alexis ------------ Draxler - ------ Xhaka --- Seri --------- Kolo -- Kos -- Mustafi -- Bell Same assumptions but ends up giving in to a 70+m offer for Alexis and signs 3 new instead ------------ Laca --------------- ------------- Ozil --------------- - Draxler ------------ Lemar - ------ Xhaka --- Seri --------- Kolo -- Kos -- Mustafi -- Bell
So looks like Perez will be going for ~ €15 million. Szcezny & Gabriel going for around a combined €23 million, our net spending is under €20 million. Plus we've had a few youth guys that I can't find spending on. There should be enough money left over to either buy another top player or get Alexis and Ozil contracts that will keep them happy. If we end up offloading more contracts, especially Alexis, we better be darn active.