i wonder if he got put on the back burner because he plays 1 position and versatility appears to be a gigantic focus for this offseason for eduteta.
For me, Tielemans only makes sense now if we get him at a good price. If LCFC don't drop their price, especially with little/no interest from other clubs, then there's no need to get aggressive in acquiring him. I don't see him as essential to our plans/needs anymore, just more solid cover for injuries or proper squad rotating. Put it this way, if we bought Tielemans, does he slot in as an immediate starter on this current team, and if so - for whom? For that matter, do we know if he still wants to come here if he's not a guaranteed starter and has to likely fight for minutes? IMO, Tielemans seems to be more cover for Xhaka, who's been world-class this preseason. And I think Zinchenko now gives strong competition for Xhaka's spot, assuming Tierney can stay healthy. I forget whether it was Arseblog or ArsenalVision today that said Cedric is now 3rd choice/cover at either RB or LB, so I think we have decent depth in defense and midfield now. Let's also not forget that there's also Patino who looks like someone we currently want to give minutes and develop the first half of the season. So I'm starting to think we may go after a more attacking player before the window closes. That become virtually certain if we can sell Pepe. The biggest concern for me is who/how to replace TP5's if those off-field issues are proven true.
This is how I see our current depth (Arteta may not agree)... GK - Ramsdale, Turner, Hein LB - Zinchenko, Tierney, Cedric CB - Gabi, Saliba, White, Holding RB - White, Tomi, Cedric DM - Partey, Xhaka, El Neny CM - Xhaka, Sambi, ESR/Vieira, Patino AM - MO, ESR/Vieira, Patino LW - Martinelli, ESR, Nelson RW - Saka, Pepe, Marquinhos, Vieira/Nelson ST - Jesus, Eddie, Martinelli/Pepe Left off a few guys that I don't think see the field for us again. Pepe/Nelson could be moved but I think there is also a chance they stay. If absolutely nothing else changes from the above, I don't see us making any moves until possibly Jan. I don't think Nelson moving really has any impact on incoming players but I could see him sticking around as depth so ESR can be tried out at 8/10 a bit more. If Pepe goes, I think we will bring in a RW that can also play ST. Don't think we add another MF (CM or DM) unless there is a sale (Xhaka?), significant injury, or new info on Partey before the end of the window.
You make a good point. I vaguely remember Kobe's situation, but it was perhaps similar because it was a single woman, who he said engaged in consensual sex. I just looked it up on Wikipedia and the final sentence was this: "After the allegations, Bryant signed a seven-year contract valued at $136 million over seven years, and he regained several of his endorsements from Nike, Spalding, and Coca-Cola although his contracts with brands including Nutella and McDonald's were not renewed.[" Would you say it didn't seem to have too detrimental affect on his career? I didn't follow his trajectory very closely but I do recall his final years were not exactly at a stellar level, no? Anyway, not surprisingly, what the article didn't say or confirm is whether his teammates were fine with it. Yup. I heard about this today. 6 games is a joke. Also I'll admit I don't have any familiarity with Deshaun Watson, but I can safely say I don't wanna hang with him, or be one of his teammates. Partey of course is innocent until proven guilty. But so was Harvey Weinstein or Jeffrey Epstein. So let's see how big the mountain of evidence is against him, whether there are other corroborative witnesses or victims, which could be key?
Bryant was 24 when the alleged sexual assault occurred in 2003. After the incident occurred he had 10 straight years where he averaged 24 or more points per game, including a career high 35.4 points per game in the 2005-2006 season. He only slowed down in his last three seasons when he was in his mid to late 30s. So I don’t believe it had a detrimental impact on his career. As far as his teammates are concerned I don’t have any particular insight, but athletes are typically goal driven and Kobe helped them achieve their goals, so I suspect most wrote it off as he said/she said Both Weinstein and Epstein had many more than two accusers.
But Tielemans could be a good hedge on that front. Not because he can play that six position like Partey, who I've already said is a unicorn player, but because he would allow a lot of flexibility in the midfield if Partey is unavailable.
Yes. I just don’t see it with this guy. His data is definitionally whatever, and he isn’t actually any better than Xhaka at the things everybody complains about (red cards aside). The way the squad is shaping up also makes it look to me like it just isn’t an area of need anymore. If we are going to play White or Tomiyasu and Zinchenko at fullback, we might as well go with a more dynamic true attacking player if we insist on replacing Xhaka in that role. ETA he does score a handful of goals per season, so there is some added attacking value over Xhaka. I don’t think it’s enough to make him a priority, though.
Leicester are the only club in Europe's top 5 leagues to have not made a new signing. Rumor is they have to sell before they will be allowed to buy. Schmeichel is off to Nice but for very little money. Chelsea want Fofana and Newcastle want Maddison, but I think they would prefer to sell Tielemans rather than lose him for free next summer. No one is biting. Could be that wage demands are putting off clubs like Arsenal and the player prefers to go on a free next summer to Spain. I think the bigger need is a wing who plays the way Arteta wants, unlike Pepe.
Leno having medical at Fulham today Arsenal & Galatasaray have agreed terms on Torreira and Galatasaray have submitted and offer to his agent. It is now up to Torreira. Mari may be the next to move. His agent is in talks with 3 Italian clubs (Monza, Udinese & Verona) and Arsenal are said to be motivated to get a deal done.
Breaking this down a bit more: Sokratis - age 30 - bought for 14.4m, left for free Aubameyang - age 29 - bought for 57.4m, left for free Leno - age 25 - bought for 22.5m, left for 8 Torreira - age 22 - bought for 25.8m, left for 7.5 Mavropanos - age 21 - bought for 2, left for 3 Guendouzi - age 19 - bought for 7.2, left for 10 You don't buy 29-30yo players expecting a return on investment. Cheap u21's can be sold for a profit even if they mostly fail on the pitch. With Leno, keepers are a bit weird and the demands of the position have changed a lot even in the last 4 years. Really comes down to Torreira, who I think was fine as a player but not a fit for Emery or Arteta's systems. The real mistake was not doing due diligence on his background and makeup to see that he wouldn't settle in England. It's possible that was unknowable at the time, but that's what has tanked his value more than anything.
Arsenal are working on the outgoings and still waiting for Lucas Torreira to decide on Galatasaray proposal, as they are ready to accept. Leno will become Fulham player soon. 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFCPablo Marí will be the next player to leave the club: Monza and Verona, both interested. pic.twitter.com/j10uyXDurl— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2022
🚨 Galatasaray and Lucas Torreira have reached an agreement! Deal now done! Reports, @Salimmanav. pic.twitter.com/5YAe6IFA6Z— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) August 2, 2022
Reports from Italy that Mari to Monza should be completed within 48hrs. Loan with an obligation if Monza is not relegated.
Exclusive: Arsenal midfielder Charlie Patino set to join Blackpool on loan https://t.co/XVACrmyNQj— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) August 2, 2022 For those thinking Tielemans wasn’t necessary if we were going to give Patino some games.
Patino isn’t the player blocking the Tielemans deal, Xhaka is. We know by now that Arteta values Xhaka. If Tielemans comes in who does Arteta start? Many of us may not agree with it, but I suspect Arteta still starts Xhaka.
All good. This is turning into a much more organized, methodical transfer window. Long may that last! Ps. Easy for me to say, but… Even if we Take a loss on many of the players we sell.
We don’t have depth for a top 4 run and Europa. Xhaka and Partey to Elneny and Sambi is a big drop. And that is assuming Partey is healthy OR gets suspended
This. I'm all for loaning out these youngsters to get them competitive matches but we are gonna need more quality depth if we are gonna make a top 4 run and be competitive in EL.
Petino wasn’t going to be the player to provide that depth this season. I also think you are undervaluing Sambi, he’s had his season to adapt th the premier league, given a chance I think he’ll surprise this season. Finally, don’t forget about Zinchenko, when Tierney is healthy, Zinchenko can play in the midfield too.