Yeah, I think it has less to do with him being tired and more to do with him just not being as good as everyone thought. He didn't play for a ball dominant, possession based team in La Liga. His stats and scouting reports at the time said he was good defensively but wasn't very progressive. The question was whether he had that in his locker and wasn't allowed to use it in San Sebastian or if it was something he's just not great at.
I think/hope that the run of bad form Zubimendi has had is due to fatigue. While the minutes this year aren't a crazy amount more, I'd guess the grind and physicality of this year's minutes, vs a mid-table La Liga team, is pretty big. Zubi was playing really well for about the first 28-30 weeks with Arsenal.
Ouch. We definitely burned him out this season, but at least we didn't totally break him. Not yet anyway. What's the word on Merino? Is he an impossibility for returning this season? That's what I'm assuming.
You watched him the first half of this season. He’s clearly capable of better than he has shown the last several weeks.
Ben Jacobs suggesting we are watching Morgan Rogers as a LW option. Like his age profile not sure about him at LW. Would be pretty pricey as well.
Source? My take: There are 3 games left in our season. Merino (and Timber) have yet to even make our bench. Unless we have some completely catastrophic injury situation develop (heaven forbid!) then there’s little chance we’re seeing either of them before next season.
I think Nwaneri is surefire to go. (no chance MLS goes, Teta loves him) And I do believe a few big names will leave this summer too. No one wants to believe that, but the only way to generate big sales is selling players you like and want. That's the rule. That's the the goal now.
I was actually thinking about him as a possibility too. He has played some LW for Villa. He'd be in the same price range as Barcola and Yildiz, with the added benefit of being EPL proven. He'd likely play LW the same way that ours do.
I think in retrospect we over-rated how well he was playing at the start, which is typical of new signings. That seems like a better explanation for the arc of his season than saying he collapsed several weeks ago because his total minutes have increased by 5%.
I disagree. I think the former explanation is just as plausible. And you say only by 5%, but there's always a tipping point. Plus, I'd like to see kilometers run and sprints per 90. I suspect those are higher as well.
I'm of the opposite mind. Saudi is pulling back from the spending. So where would these high salaried guys go?
My thought is they will want to sell someone who can bring in at least 40m-ish. Which could be White, Nwaneri or Odegaard but not Trossard, Jesus or Norgaard.
Selling Odegaard is stupid, as Saturday shows. He's the best player on the team when it comes to getting the ball into the other team's penalty area. We'd have to replace him and I'm not sure a good replacement exists.
Have a hard time seeing White moved unless he recovers quickly. Not sure he would fetch 40m but he's been here long enough that his amortization is over so anything would be PSR/FFP profit. Given his age & injuries, I personally think we should move him if we get any reasonable offer. Hate to see Nwaneri go because he has huge potential but I can't help but wonder if there are other issues there. The OM manager that took over for De Zerbi has alluded to attitude / effort problems and OM is gonna end up paying more in loan fees because of his unwillingness to play Ethan. Arteta has shown a willingness to play young players, yet this season he chose to give 16yo Max over more experienced Ethan. Was there an underlying attitude issue keeping him from playing time? Based on potential, I could see another EPL team willing to give 50m+. I am back & forth on MO. I really want him to stay because I think we are a better team with him but I am very concerned that he isn't going to rebound from his injuries.
I could see us selling Big Gabi but that would hurt. Saliba is the better technical defender but Gabi is the leader back there. Not sure we have someone that fills that role back there.
To follow what @DaPrince84 is suggesting...... MO - I could see us making a move now if we feel that he is going to continue having injury issues and/or his prior injuries were going to hinder his performance going forward Gabi - Would be a huge hit to the leadership in the back but I could see the logic given his age and the fact that he flirted with Saudi just a couple years ago. Kai - I could see him being upset by the VG purchase. Might be up for a move somewhere he would be guaranteed minutes. The problem is (a) his salary and (b) his current value vs what we paid vs remaining amortization. Don't see a deal that would make sense unless we think his injuries will hamper him going forward and we just want to get out from under his contract.
White is crocked now for awhile. Probably too are our chances of selling him I figure. Assuming we wanted to.
Of those 3, I'd get rid of Kai. But that's not informed by any contract/finance data, just value and future and... the all important personal opinion meter. p.s. That said, I'm not looking to get rid of Kai per se. But if I was forced to choose one of the three.