I don't think his lazy, prima donna act would suit us well at all.

No to Dembele or Dest from me.

For Dembele, it is not worth taking the risk with his injury record. There have been a lot of question marks over his discipline and attitude towards training etc.

For Dest, I am not a fan of defenders who suck at their primary job i.e. defending.

I agree. I was a little tempted in the summer by Dest's close control and dribbling, but Tomiyasu has reminded me what a fullback is supposed to look like. We've really got it good with our fullbacks.

Is there another defend first right back out there for a reasonable price??

Why do we need him though? White is more than adequate cover for Tomi in this system. If we were to sign a RB it must be a different style and a proper attacking one

Clrnc wrote:

Why do we need him though? White is more than adequate cover for Tomi in this system. If we were to sign a RB it must be a different style and a proper attacking one

With the way Tomiyasu defends, if we get a pure attacking full back, we will suffer. Would rather get someone who White/Gabriel/Saliba can depend on, than big gaps when your full back goes missing.

That's what different type of players are for. You can't just play one way. If you have a Lamptey, you put 2 DMs.

If not why have someone that can hold up play and a poacher in the squad?

Clrnc wrote:

That's what different type of players are for. You can't just play one way. If you have a Lamptey, you put 2 DMs.

If not why have someone that can hold up play and a poacher in the squad?

I just think we have been burnt defensively in the past far too much.

Actually having a defence to be proud off is a feeling I getting to used to 😆

It is a shame as Bissouma would be perfect in the system you have described, but until he case is done no one can go near him.

Clrnc wrote:

That's what different type of players are for. You can't just play one way. If you have a Lamptey, you put 2 DMs.

If not why have someone that can hold up play and a poacher in the squad?

Of course you can play 1 way, all the best teams do. You just need to get very good at it.

White being the back up right back would actually free up some more playing time for Saliba, but not convinced by his 1v1 defensive ability.

Our incomings in the summer were good so cautiously optimistic about getting a midfielder.

Rumors that it's us vs Spurs for Kulusevski. Where would he play if we signed him? I really don't think we should sign anyone for the three positions behind the striker. Can he play as a striker similar to how Firmino does or be converted to a CM like Cazorla?

Clrnc wrote:

Why do we need him though? White is more than adequate cover for Tomi in this system. If we were to sign a RB it must be a different style and a proper attacking one

I agree. And someone with a low profile. Basically a right sided Nuno.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

Rumors that it's us vs Spurs for Kulusevski. Where would he play if we signed him? I really don't think we should sign anyone for the three positions behind the striker. Can he play as a striker similar to how Firmino does or be converted to a CM like Cazorla?

100% agree with that too. Maybe in the summer if we get CL football but not now.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

Rumors that it's us vs Spurs for Kulusevski. Where would he play if we signed him? I really don't think we should sign anyone for the three positions behind the striker. Can he play as a striker similar to how Firmino does or be converted to a CM like Cazorla?

I have been thinking about this too. Among the few times I have seen Kulusevski play, there was at least one occasion where he was playing through the middle and I have wondered if our interest in him has been with a view to deploying him there. If it isn't, I agree I don't quite see the imperative of a wide-forward/attacking midfielder and can't really rationalize persistent rumours to R. Sanches, Kulusevski, Coutinho. Unless Pépé is just not the profile desired by the coach and replacing him is seen as a priority. Would be a shame if Spurs land Kessie and Kulusevski in the winter window, and if they usurp us to a CL position, that they get an outside shot at acquiring Vlahovic.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

Rumors that it's us vs Spurs for Kulusevski. Where would he play if we signed him? I really don't think we should sign anyone for the three positions behind the striker. Can he play as a striker similar to how Firmino does or be converted to a CM like Cazorla?

Move Marti up top. Play Kulusevski on the left

mentalvortex wrote:

No to Dembele or Dest from me.

For Dembele, it is not worth taking the risk with his injury record. There have been a lot of question marks over his discipline and attitude towards training etc.

For Dest, I am not a fan of defenders who suck at their primary job i.e. defending.

Dembele is definitely a big risk but his upside is unreal, genuinely think he could become Mbappe level if he stays fit. The discipline stuff is pretty overblown from what I've read and mostly in the past anyway

Just look at this and tell me you don't want someone in our colours to abuse stinky Spurs like this

I am not denying the talent or the value he may bring to the team.

My main issue is that his injury record and his salary demands don't match up/make sense.

He has missed about 50% of matches over the last 4 years due to various injury issues and is looking for 250k euros per week on top of a decent sign-in bonus fee as a free agent.

Links to Douglas Luiz popping up. Would be a top signing.

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/bruno-guimaraes-arsenal-transfer-edu-22594722
38m price tag

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-told-dream-january-striker-22606833
Jovic on loan

Whilst my preferences are de Jong and Haaland/Mbappe, I'll take this in terms of incomings in Jan.
Both would upgrade our current options and address the last 2 major weaknesses in the team.
My greatest concern is if we do nothing for the now and everything for the summer, with the caveat being we regain UEFA qualification.