Prepping for Arteta's departure?

Pepe LeFrits wrote:

The Guardian are running the story: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/18/arsenal-james-milner-manchester-city

Prior to him signing for City I felt he could have turned into a top quality water-carrier but using him as a utility man has rather stalled his development.

was thinking about a milner-rambo axis this morning. I think he could actually be effective there, and could be the 'value' option that allows us to spend big on a striker

if the total expenditure is reasonable (wages + transfer fee), then i'd be ok with this, too. would add some power and steel to our midfield, which is way too heavy on diminutive playmakers who can't defend to save their lives.

He's a good player but I don't see where Milner will fit in. He's not fit to play a more central role so he'll have to be box to box. Ramsey backup?

The main benefit I'd see of signing Milner is that we could pair him with pretty much any of our existing midfielders and it'd work to a reasonably effective degree. I think there's a lot to be said for players like that. He's pretty well-rounded and I like his energy.

Certainly wouldn't be my first choice though. I don't see him as being a viable long term partner for Ramsey.

decent player but we already have a number of player who play a similar role

If Milner was a couple of years younger I'd gor for it but he's so reliant on his physical attributes that you'd be looking at only 2 years before he'd probably need an upgrade.

I don't think he's that reliant on his physical attributes. He can deliver good crosses has a bit of skill about him and a good shot too.

It's probably cos he looks like a spotty lad from Yorkshire that shapes the view on him

Nah his engine is his biggest attribute. He does have all the other stuff you'd want (to a certain level anyway) but without that engine he's mid table. Should have signed him years ago, when he left Newcastle was the moment, could have improved his technical side at that age too.

He is a very good, very reliable player though.

I think a Milner and Ramsey partnership could be brilliant.

Fair enough - I don't see his physical attributes declining anytime soon and he's a more rounded player with age

I'd bring him in and always start him in the big games.

Sort of, think he's better than Park was.

Milner has always impressed me in the big games.

Jed wrote:

I like Jamie Milner but he isn't what we need.

what I think too.

He's a bit Ramsey-lite too. I'd rather someone who'd sit more.

Solid all round player but not what we need

Milner is firmly in the bog list and would make nothing more of himself here than he does at city.

Seems like posturing.