Claudius wrote: Hadn’t our stocks crashed before we won the Pépé sweepstakes?
Hadn’t our stocks crashed before we won the Pépé sweepstakes?
We finished 1 point outside top4/CL and lost the Europa Final, so on paper we looked to be in a good place in order to take the step up. This season has been one of further regression and inconsistency & as it stands we are struggling to retain UEFA qualification for next season. IMO we need to show we are something vibrant and exciting much like Klopp was able to do in making LFC relevant during his rebuild, atm we don't know what Arteta's final picture looks like.
I see. I thought the whole point was players want to play in champions league and if we are outside champions league we won’t attract good players. But, look, good players keep going to clubs outside the champions league places. Yes, it might be harder, but it’s not impossible. We are still a top 12 club globally. There are only so many places for top players to go at the end of the day.
Ming is too expensive but this guy is certainly one to look out for
Been pretty impressed with some of his performances this season
Just don’t see it with him or Max Aarons. Both look lacking in stature
May as well play Holding/Chambers.
Out Lacazette, Sokratis, Holding, Elneny, Mkhitaryan, Kolasinac, Mustafi, Ceballos
In: Jonathan David, Thomas Partey, Kokcu, Mari, Gabriel or Upamecano
I'd like us to go for Kalvin Philips from Leeds. Good age (24), good on the ball and tough off it. Could be a good Xhaka replacement I think.
A fair few of those Leeds players impressed me during our game against them
That game was a one-off though Dules. They ran themselves absolutely ragged to impress against us. They don't play half as well in the Championship on a normal day.
Philips and White are easily the picks of the bunch. Don't think any of the others will ever be good enough for Arsenal. White belongs to Brighton though and will go back and play regular Premier League football this fall, and Philips is Leeds' own product and a cult figure on Elland Road. Think it'll be really hard to lure him away from there if they go up. It would help if we could offer Champions League.
—————-Leno Bellerin-Saliba-Gabriel-Saka —————-Partey ———-Sabitzer—Kokcu Pepe——————-Martinelli ————Aubameyang
I would focus entirely on central midfield. Let the defenders heal over the next 5 months.
—————-Leno Bellerin—Saliba—Luiz—Saka ——Torreira —-Partey ——— ———-Sabitzer—————— Pepe——————-Martinelli ————Aubameyang
Out: AMN, Mustafi, Sokratis, Xhaka, Ozil, Lacazette, (Mkhitaryan and his ilk)
Could do.
I’m adding Harvey Barnes to my list
Claudius wrote: I would focus entirely on central midfield. Let the defenders heal over the next 5 months.
I think so too. And I'd spend big on the 2 positions you have identified there. I just don't know who I prefer in the 3rd midfielder role. Torreira still doesn't look a genuine starter for me.
Qwiss! wrote: Claudius wrote: I would focus entirely on central midfield. Let the defenders heal over the next 5 months. I think so too. And I'd spend big on the 2 positions you have identified there. I just don't know who I prefer in the 3rd midfielder role. Torreira still doesn't look a genuine starter for me.
He’s not perfect but added to the two I have above, he works because he has physicality and a little bit of skill. We need to be able keep up with physical midfields. Other than City, every other midfield will outwork us. Partey and Sabitzer would give us skill.
———————Leno Dumfries—Saliba—Gabriel—Saka ————Partey——Gueye Pepe———Sabitzer———Martinelli ———————Auba
Claudius wrote: Qwiss! wrote: I think so too. And I'd spend big on the 2 positions you have identified there. I just don't know who I prefer in the 3rd midfielder role. Torreira still doesn't look a genuine starter for me. He’s not perfect but added to the two I have above, he works because he has physicality and a little bit of skill. We need to be able keep up with physical midfields. Other than City, every other midfield will outwork us. Partey and Sabitzer would give us skill.
Qwiss! wrote: I think so too. And I'd spend big on the 2 positions you have identified there. I just don't know who I prefer in the 3rd midfielder role. Torreira still doesn't look a genuine starter for me.
I don't think he has physicality at all. He's got hustle but he gets bullied so easily by big midfielders. He's got some good attributes and I like his attitude but he has no fixed position. He's still young so he could come good but for me he's more of a back up right now.
So would you go for 3 new guys? Or would you try Guendouzi or Willock?
I think 3 would probably be too many to get any real quality so I'd just rotate Douzi and Torreira until one of them pushed the other one out of the way. Most likely Douzi will do that IMO.
That sounds good as well. As long as Xhaka and Ozil take their Laurel n Hardy asses elsewhere.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them both still here next season. Ozil seems to want to wait out his contract and Arteta likes Xhaka.
