Plus he's even fatter than Cazorla

He is a bit on the chubby side, yes.

Paulo Dybala

He looks like the next megastar forward

Damn, I was banking on Sanogo surprising us.

He already did that...by actually scoring a goal!

No one seemed to have been more surprised than himself judging by his facial expression after the goal.

I like the idea of Gundogan. Buy him now while his stock is low and put him in Arteta's position. He would be a like for like replacement - only better. I still remember his performance against Real in the CL when Dortmund defeated them handily. The hype had already been built up at that point but that game really made me go wow! at this guy.

No doubt he has suffered a major setback but he's still young. Definitely worth a gamble.

He would be a really good like for like replacement for Arteta, yes, but I don't think Arteta is ideal for the position to begin with. In a team of midgets and attack crazy players with dodgy defensive awareness, I'd much prefer a physically more imposing player with decent feet, and who actually LIKES defending.

If we are looking to sign a midfielder of the type you describe, Segway, then I'd much rather we tried to sign Alaba as a midfielder. Don't think he is prepared to play at LB much longer, so there may be a chance on those grounds. Unfortunately, Guardiola is playing him more and more in midfield.

Thiago Silva, Schneiderlin.

I think a quality player like Gundogan could compensate for his lack of physical prowess in a number of different ways. Unlike Arteta he is actually a DM so he knows how to defend and tackle. Schneiderlin would be awesome too. He looks like exactly what we need in midfield.

Alaba is a gooner so who knows? But I think Guardiola is a huge admirer of his. Could be their new Lahm so probably won't sell in any circumstances.

Schneiderlin seems the most possible. The other names touted here would have plenty of suitors.

I can see Wenger moving for a more cultured and less physically imposing midfielder to replace Arteta

So guys like Gundogan, Moutinho, Marchisio and to an extent Schneiderlin will appeal more than Wanyama for example

We not only need somebody to start over Arteta, we also need a proper Ramsey backup. Wilshere should be moved up front, don't like him in CM and I think that his best attributes make him most useful in the final third. Get a steady veteran willing to sit on the bench and provide some of the stability that Ramsey gives us at his best. Marchisio for example is a good profile but he's too good to sit on the bench for us, so a slightly weaker version of him. Schneiderlin/Ramsey/Arteta/Marchisio-lite is a proper midfield unit. We need stability, control, and physicality.

Then get a defender (I'd argue anywhere along the backline works, the only definite starter is Kos, and Chambers and Monreal can play multiple positions) and try to upgrade GK because Szczesny has had a shocking 2014 and Ospina probably isn't good enough.

GK - new GK, Szczesny, whoever
DF - Gibbs, Monreal, Koscielny, new DF, Mertesacker, Chambers, Debuchy, Bellerin
CM - Schneiderlin, Ramsey, Arteta, vet B2B
AM - Özil, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Cazorla
FW - Alexis, Welbeck, Giroud, Walcott

Segway wrote:

I think a quality player like Gundogan could compensate for his lack of physical prowess in a number of different ways. Unlike Arteta he is actually a DM so he knows how to defend and tackle.

If Gündogan plays as a DM for Dortmund, what job has Bender or Kehl in their midfield?

Also, I think Arteta is the ONLY ONE of our midfielders who fully understands his position.

Rex wrote:

Also, I think Arteta is the ONLY ONE of our midfielders who fully understands his position.

Fair point, everyone else looks a bit lost.

qs! wrote:

est wrote:

Lacazette? The Lyon player? Haven't been particularly impressed.

He scores lots of goals. I know he's not as smiley or tall haired as Welbeck but I think the goals should make up for it.

What do you guys think of Doumbia?

Beast on FIFA. I have to admit, that IS my first thought on him...