he doesn't make alot of penetrative runs, which is what we could use. he is capable of standing up his fullback and beating him, which no-one in the side really even attempts to do apart from gnabry.

Özil does it all the time. Cazorla too.

not at the moment. caz will usually get pegged back, ozil doesn't do it anywhere near enough even though he's capable.

otfgoon wrote:

Burnwinter wrote:

once again we don't appear to quite have what it would take to close out a major trophy

Why do we not have what it takes to close out a major trophy?

You chopped off the bit where I said we don't have no chance at all Otf ...

Still feel the same way having dropped a couple more points? Think we're going to fall just short of the mark myself.

reports of us offering a take it or leave it bid of 24 mill and change. about ten mill less than his valuation. if it's true, really, what the hell are they smoking up there at the emirates?

GBP ? If it is 30m euro is a more than fair offer. Especially considering how much gotze and simular players cost. He's not nearly as good or as proven as ozil or gotze.

Those 'reports' comes from the Daily Star. Enough said.

Burnwinter wrote:

otfgoon wrote:

Why do we not have what it takes to close out a major trophy?

You chopped off the bit where I said we don't have no chance at all Otf ...

Still feel the same way having dropped a couple more points? Think we're going to fall just short of the mark myself.

Drawing away at Southampton doesn't change anything, particularly on the back of a winning run. In fact, if you look back at my predictions I had it down as a draw.

My gut feeling is we'll fall short too, not because we don't have what it takes, but because City have by far the best squad in the league. We basically have to do more with less, but I think we're capable of doing so.

Think we agree on the facts but not the tone with which we want them expressed.

40m is ridiculous. We shouldn't pay that. As a comparison Chelsea paid around 32m for Hazard who was arguably a much better and more influential player than Draxler is now.

30m up front + addons rising to 45m? Would be fair enough imo suiting both parties.

Rex wrote:

Özil does it all the time. Cazorla too.

Both does it cutting in rather than beating players outwide. Draxler could beat his man

They have similar experience at that age. Hazard was 21 and a half when he moved with 190 odd games games for Lille. Draxler has 130 experiences and will be at Hazard's age at time of move in about 14 months. Hazard only increased his productivity dramatically in those last 12-14 months in france so at the same age Draxler has the same productivity playing a better league.

Then you account for inflation of that 32m and it would be about 40m now. Arsenal and Wenger probably knew around what figures the fee would be so it shouldn't be used as an excuse to dither in the window.

Right now the market really lacks a true top striker talent in the 21-23 age group. One that we could never compete for earlier due to lack of funds. Say a Torres at Atletico or a Benzema at Lyon or a Rooney (bit younger but still) at Everton. If Wenger sees this guy as a striker maybe he should go for it.

It's the January window, prices are gonna be higher all around.

Fair points Gunner89. The lack of striker talents really is strange and obvously inflates prices. But we already have a wealth of talent in the position that Draxler occupies now. Paying 40m for such a young player who may be turned into a great striker is not worth the risk IMO.

Segway wrote:

40m is ridiculous. We shouldn't pay that. As a comparison Chelsea paid around 32m for Hazard who was arguably a much better and more influential player than Draxler is now.

He had a cheaper buyout clause which is why he went for less. £32mill seemed a lot for Hazard at the time though he had just banged in 20 goals for Lille that season which is what convinced most it was time to act. Draxler has had a more quieter season this time round for Schalke but from what I've read looked better in the CL than the league.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/9139706/transfer-news-arsenal-in-talks-over-schalke-midfielder-julian-draxler

Sky sports covering the story as well, saying we are reluctant to go over £30mill. I do wonder if we're in for him at all this window.....

£40m is obviously overpriced no matter which way you slice it. If we sign him I certainly hope he's worth it.

Out of all the twitter charlatans, he's by far my favourite.