Curious how close Lewis-Skelly is to being a consideration or if his future lies in the midfield. He's been injured recently but Arteta preferred him to Zinchenko at one point. May be less likely to buy a new LB if Arteta feels he can be an option next season alongside Calafiori.
Certainly an option. If it were me, I would buy a LB anyway and use MLS as a LB/CM/DM supersub. That covers your butt in the event that (a) Cala becomes another Tomi/OZ or (b) Kiwior leaves and you opt to use Cala as LCB cover as well.
Jorrel Hato was strongly linked last summer but decided he wanted to stay in Amsterdam, he's playing LB more this season than CB and is still only 18 with no injuries on his record, wonder if they would revisit him (most likely in the summer) as someone the recruiting staff liked or if he was an Edu-specific target that won't be considered anymore.
That would be a very good option. Strikes me as a taller left-footed Timber. Still wish we could have gotten him last summer even if it meant loaning him back for the year. He is still young but buying him last summer would have made him HG. For reference.... per TM his market value has gone up 25m euro in the last year. He has 20 app at LB and his stats are pretty damn strong.
Aha... looking for scars... good idea! So assuming you're right (that it was his left ), the next question (that @casoccerdad47 was speculating about) is whether his most recent injury (hyperextended knee?) was left or right? I can only see that his October injury was listed as right knee. But this later tweak (I believe it was in 2T at West Ham on 11/30) I haven't been able to confirm EDIT: I rewatched the WHU match at 56' when Cala came off. He had his right thigh already strapped, and he motioned to his left groin when he spoke w/ Mikel. So no indication of it being his knee, BUT it does seem like he had 1 or 2 muscular issues at that point 10 days ago, which was last time he played.
Given our depth chart at FB, Cala having the ability to also cover LCB (if healthy) and having injury issues already, I'd bet the door isn't closed.
I’m not sure I’d classify him as injury prone yet, he slipped. I had assumed it was his knee because of his past surgery, but doing the splits when he slipped, it could easily have been his groin. These things happen and don’t necessarily result in chronic problems.
While I agree that we need a genuine left footed LB I would be ok with Timber there when White comes back because he is a defensive monster, and he has shown enough for me to think that if we got the L8 position sorted that Timber could be a success at LB just like how he has been at RB. My issue right now is that we saw some excellent play from Timber/Ode/Saka down the right, so its frustrating that instead of using Partey at LB in the inverted mid role we made 2 bad changes in Timber to LB and Partey to RB. I hope against Monaco we give MLS or Tierney time at LB so we can see how an overlapping left footed LB changes how our left side operates because this season the left side of the field has been a massive issue.
If I'm doing the squad building, I want a backup to an injury prone player to be similar in style so I don't have to change the whole setup every time that player is hurt. That's what was so tough with Zinchenko being a very singular type of LB. Conversely, if you need cover for a healthy player, go with someone who offers a change of pace and can be an impact off the bench. If Hato fit the profile before, I would think he still does, plus he's a bit more mature. Maybe there is another target out there that is a better fit, I don't know.
It would cost a lot to get Hato and he would want to play. I don’t think that’s the option anymore since we got Calafiori, but I’m willing to be wrong.
If so, It would appear Arsenal aren’t the kings of doping, Arteta may have to replace his drug coach.
I'm not usually the "sign a striker" guy when the club is in a goal draught, the problem is often more about chance creation than finishing. But it does seem right now that the attack needs a focal point. Get that guy the ball and see if he can get a goal. Chance creation, specifically on the left, is a huge problem. And while Havertz does a lot of good things on the pitch, seems like he is struggling right now and he isn't that type of 9. Saying that, Isak sure looks good in Scott Willis's rankings https://bsky.app/profile/scott.cannonstats.com/post/3ldb7mgyotn2l
I like Havertz up top way more than in the MF but he has had a tough time keeping up the form from last season. I really think we need 2 changes to help fix the offense..... #1 - a more consistent ST (Jesus ain't it). Prefer someone 6'2"+ that can play with some strength. I like Havertz but he goes down so often that refs assume he is diving now. #2 - someone to fix the left side of the attack so we aren't so reliant on the right. Think there are a few way you could potentially solve this..... a) Grab the right ST with #1 above and switch up to a 4-4-2 with Rice-Marti-New ST on the left and MO-Saka-Havertz on the right. If you stick with 2 inverted FBs you could make this work defensively. b) Find a new starting LW that works better with the LB & LCM rotations/tactics that you are currently utilizing c) Find a new starting LCM that works better with Marti's strengths d) Find a new starting LB that can play inverted as well as traditional LB that provides overlaps for Marti. e) Some combo of b/c/d. Don't think you need to do all 3 but it is possible that picking 2 may be needed.
That's where I think 2a could work well. Play 4-4-2 or 4-2-2-2 with Havertz as more of a false 9/SS with a true 9 to his left. Jesus may even find a little form playing in a similar role when you wanna give Kai a break.
Arteta likes Odegaard directing the top of the press given his football IQ but he could still have Havertz and MO take turns throughout a match, swapping positions and keeping both fresh.
Jesus isn't really a 9 though. If you tried to run both Havertz and Jesus up top, you would be running dual false 9/SS. Which technically could work but doesn't really allow either to play off a legit 9.