If we have to rely on GOD rather than PGMOL to keep Bukayo from getting kicked out of the game, I'm more than a little nervous.
May need to consider adding 2 FB this summer... Tomiyasu leaving the Emirates crutches. pic.twitter.com/ygJSp0LKlN— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) March 16, 2023
Yeah, Tomi & Partey have been so damn injury prone since joining us. And IIRC they didn't have this history before we signed them. Grrr.
Journos from Portugal claiming that Arsenal are expressing interest in a summer signing of Pedro Goncalves after our EL tie with Sporting. Most likely BS but worth noting.
Arsenal wish to tie Martin Odegaard down to fresh terms in a contract running to 2030 and there is an ambition from both sides to get the deal wrapped up soon, @stevek9KS1TV exclusively reports in @Transfersdotcom #afc https://t.co/9scvgnYEpb— Jacque Talbot (@jac_talbot) March 20, 2023
Besides long-term replacements for Xhaka and Partey, what other spots are you thinking we need to address? And with several Academy players out on loan or likely due for call-ups, wondering where you're coming up with that number. Not saying you're wrong, just trying to understand your thinking here.
Long term replacement for Xhaka Long term replacement for Partey Backup LB * Backup RB * Backup RCB ** Backup ST *** * In theory you need 1 with KT likely sold but with Tomi's fitness issues 2 may be necessary ** If Holding is sold. Lower priority considering White & Tomi could play there as well but that increases the need for 2 FBs *** I could see Eddie being sold given his lack of productivity when he isn't playing regularly. Balogun could simply slot in here given his season.
Three comments: With Jorginho signed through the end of next season and Vieira, Smith Rowe, and Trossard all capable of playing at left eight, I suspect Arsenal only sign one expensive midfielder this summer. Re Eddie, he has never played regularly, but despite that his productivity has actually been good. Having said that, I’m intrigued by Balogun. He offers a couple of things that Eddie doesn’t, he is more effective playing on the wing and he will run in behind, something that only Martinelli currently offers. Given the speed he demonstrated at the end of the Palace game, Kiwior might be capable of backing up both Gabriel and Zinchenko.
Kiwior is potentially great. He’s an ultra high ceiling traits draft pick who also has the experience of a super high floor guy.
Agree on ESR & Vieira. Vieira has had some decent time at L8 but given his size and natural tendencies, I think his best spot would be backing MO. If he could put on some good weight and get stronger, I could see him eventually replacing Xhaka. ESR is an interesting case. I personally think he could be very good at the L8 spot but he has to (a) stay healthy and (b) work on the defensive side of the position. When he has played as a #10 in the past he has shown some really strong ability to work well with Martinelli which is why I like the idea of the 2 of them working together on the left. The question becomes whether we are prepared to go into next season with Vieira & ESR as our CM depth. With Jorginho & Partey at DM, I wonder if we might look at a player than could fill in at both DM & L8? Is Rice that guy? Are any of the other guys that we were linked to in Jan? The only time his production has been good has been when he gets a run of consecutive games. The 2 times I recall that happening (this season and last) he was far more productive early in the run than he was throughout. My point though is that he has not shown the ability to produce goals when he is used as a sub or spot starter, even against lessor competition. For me, our #2 needs to be someone that can provide a spark off the bench (goals or chances) as well as provide an solid option when #1 is hurt or needs a rest. Eddie is solid as a #2 but he is lacking in the spark off the bench category. Doesnt look an inverted FB right now but he steikes me as a guy that may be able ro play the White style FB.
The two bolded statements appear at odds with one another, if his production in a run of games comes in the first couple of games and then drops off, that’s the same situation as coming on as a spot starter. As far as scoring coming off the bench is concerned, by my count in all competitions he has come off the bench 15 times this season and averaged about 11 minutes for those appearances, not much time to make an impact. With respect to Kiwior, he played as a midfielder in his first season at Spezia and his passing range is pretty good. What we don’t know is whether he is press resistant.
We need five signings Both fullback positions, we probably need a RCB to push Saliba. We need new CMs after #5 and Xhaka. we also may need to get someone to answer for Saka as well.
Do you know that centerback’s name? Is he ready to play? Tiereny is probably gone so we need another LB.
My first thought was that they will only sign 3 players in the summer plus a Marquinos-type low-cost lottery ticket. But there should be more money to spend with CL qualification and the potential for sales like Tierney, Holding, and guys currently on loan. Probably only really need to spend big on one starter-quality player in midfield, the rest could be in the 20-30m range as squad depth. So maybe it is more like 5 new signings. Big money midfielder, a cheaper, younger midfielder, couple defenders, and another attacker.
Doesn't surprise me. Arteta has mentioned him as an option there many times. He's definitely not the same player as Xhaka but I could see his movement, dribbling, shooting and combo play with Martinelli paying off huge in attack. The big question outside of fitness, is whether he can improve his passing a bit and improve his defensive awareness. We already know he is willing to track back. Doesn't have to be a strong tackler. If he can improve his positioning and awareness he can do a strong job simply cutting off passing lanes and intercepting the ball.
That sounds realistic. Reality is that we don't need to sign multiple immediate starters and depending on how Arteta views ESR as a future L8, we may not be looking to sign any. I could easily see a scenario where we make 4-5 signings and they are all depth signings. Based on the current depth and expected outs I would think our summer ins will ultimately look like... 1-2 DM/CM 1-2 FB 0-1 CB (right-footed) 0-1 W (left-footed) 0-1 ST
Ok i was going to explain my reason for 5 but it seems multiple people have gotten there a few different ways. So I'll just add that Kiwior and Holding do not have a high enough level to play UCL midweek so i'd like to sell Robbo and get someone a bit better. I think we have to realize that this league season has been great in that evenwith the injuries we have suffered we have managed to keep a good pace, but in every other competition we have faltered.
Tough to get Basque players to leave, or maybe he's been told Arsenal aren't interested in the summer. No Zubimendi and no Caicedo may mean they see Rice as the answer at 6. Romano posted about Gabri Veiga the other day, wonder if he is a target. 20 yo from Celta Vigo has 9 goals and 3 assists in 1500 minutes for a club that only has 32 goals total. He's also bigger than Fabio Vieira and may be able to adapt to the physicality of the PL more quickly. That said, he supposedly has interest from a lot of big clubs. Only 10m euros on transfermarkt, 40m release clause.
How about that kid from Southampton? I'm sure they have more possibilities than what we saw them going after in January.
His name has been mentioned in the media a bit. Haven't watched him much but I did watch him against Spurs a week ago. Struck me as a deeper lying Sambi. Most of his passes were very safe and his off the ball movement seemed a bit slow/lazy for a good portion of the game. It's just 1 game against very good competition but I was not very impressed. Looked up on Whoscored to see how they rated him. He was a 6.9 for that game. That was his 2nd best score since the WC break and 4th best all season.