Wouldn't be against this because I didn't think we'd be getting a CM so anything else is a bonus. Don't think it'll happen though, not just Seri but a CM signing.

If we sign a decent CM (this guy might be one, haven't watched anything else than the Youtube vids) and Lemar without losing anyone significant, this will probably be the best transfer window I can remember as an Arsenal supporter. Not that there are many great ones.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

If we sign a decent CM (this guy might be one, haven't watched anything else than the Youtube vids) and Lemar without losing anyone significant, this will probably be the best transfer window I can remember as an Arsenal supporter. Not that there are many great ones.

Agreed and we'd still be short a CB from truly competing. Need a City like window. We have a piece of shit owner already anyway, so why not a Russian oligarch/Arab oil man? I'd take that over fucking Stan every time. 

Looks pretty useful on the ball. He may get his ankles broken in England if he keeps up those little backheel flick passes though. The Nevilles will come storming on to the pitch just to sate their own pride.

Really like his ability to get away from a press with a simple move and quick pass. Both Xhaka and Ramsey are terrible at this and become turnover machines when pressed. Could be a good signing if we can manage to get him. Makes me worry about the defensive solidity of the team though - seems like an attack minded MF - didn't see much defensive work in those vids (admittedly this is a half baked opinion based on a few YT vids and whoscored stats).

Captain wrote:

You can watch him play against PSG here - http://fullmatchsports.com/full-match-highlights-nice-vs-psg-ligue1-2016-17/?tab=first-half

Type Nice in the search bar and you can watch a number of other games.

Thanks for the link. I watched a fair bit of the Nice-PSG game last night, interesting seeing the things you can't see in a YouTube video. Epsecially what he's like without the ball and this game was good for that because PSG had it most of the time.

• He's fairly passive without the ball - not lazy, just not aggressive in his tackling and pressing.

• Veratti ran rings around him in the middle third but that was mostly because Nice's other midfielder's positioning was terrible. Seri himself actually takes up good, clever positions when closing down and cutting passing options.

• He did switch off a couple of times near his box and left someone free in a dangerous position, but he was still head and shoulders Nice's smartest and best positioned midfielder.

• He is ultra calm and confident on the ball, but that did lead to him getting caught a few times. He wants to play a good pass that progresses play or at least doesn't put someone in trouble, but that was hard in this game because Nice were camped in their own half.

• He was slightly culpable for PSG's goal - he was stationed on the post and drifted slightly off it and it was headed over him. Don't think he could have done anything regardless to be honest.

• He is actually quite explosive and quick when going in for a tackle or trying to press. People compare him with Cazorla but this guy can run and is strong for his size.

• YouTube gave a fair reflection of his touch, passing and ability to evade a tackle. He's very good in this regard.

• His team mates look for him constantly. Even give it to him when they really shouldn't and he has a great knack for knowing how to move it on when he's been put in a difficult spot.

I still really like the look of him. He'd give us something different to what we already have. He is fairly similar to Cazorla with the ball - I'd say he's a better passer but doesn't have quite the same touch or dribbling - few do. He's definitely a lot more able without the ball though. He's not going charge around making tackles but he's is smart and aware and much stronger and quicker than Cazorla.

In a lot of the games we play we have 60%+ of the ball, this guy would be hitting great passes left, right and centre - he sees opportunities very quickly. In the games when we struggle, usually away at the other good teams in the League, he's not going to make a dramatic difference because we have the same problem Nice did in the match I watched last night - there's just no one to pass to. The whole structure collapses. Seri's not going to have the size and frame to make a big difference in those situations, but he'd certainly cope better than Ramsey and Xhaka in the onslaught.

Maybe a Wenger can take this guy up a level as well. Definitely has a lot to work with.

Sounds good Ricky, nice summary. My only worry is his work without the ball. As you say he does look quite passive when defending.

Have to say I'm quite keen on someone who knows how to press. Doesn't have to be Kante level but certainly not someone passive.

I think Keita is better than him in many aspects but not sure if we can wait a year longer to get him when we clearly need one more body there this season.

Keita is poorer in one big way though and that's his passing. Seri shits all over him.

Ricky1985 wrote:

Keita is poorer in one big way though and that's his passing. Seri shits all over him.

Seri is more of a deep lying playmaker while Keita is a dynamic box to box player. His passing isn't as good as Seri but it is more than competent enough. Some of his through balls assist for RB Leipzig last season is impressive.

If we are to partner Xhaka with a new player, Keita is far more suited for it. He can win any midfield battle and his defensive contribution was the best in Bundesliga last season. I would say he has the potential to be a better Kante.

Not sure about Keita "winning any midfield battle", but I would agree he's more of a dynamic box-to-box midfielder. I'd say he is halfway between Kanté and Seri in terms of his playing style and what he's good at it. I don't think he's particularly outstanding at any one thing although he does have that Kanté-like quality of winning duels against much bigger players. And Seri's passing isn't just a bit better to be fair, it's far better in every respect.

This reflects what I've seen quite well actually:

[Twitter][/Twitter]

Nice have knocked out Ajax, Seri did that to create the decisive goal.

Cool as a cucumber. Apparently assisted Nice's other goal too.

I noticed those funny flicks in his highlight montages and i'm glad i didn't make a silly comment about them.

Slow burner and i'm still not sure he would be a success in our team as he seems to play higher up the pitch than we would require.
As an aside, Nice qualifying makes it harder for them to want to sell (?).

If this is our only other signing this window we'd be pretty seri.

Clrnc wrote:

I think Keita is better than him in many aspects but not sure if we can wait a year longer to get him when we clearly need one more body there this season.

Agree with this, no way you snub Keita if you can get him. Seri has a highly impressive passing range but Keita is one of a kind really. Plays like a mix of Ramsey 13/14 and fucking Iniesta, as complete a midfielder as you'll find

Apparently there's an article in the Liverpool Echo with the author saying he's been kidnapped by his employers. Goes on to compare RB Leipzig to the SS for not letting him leave

Lots of good parts to his game, doesn't look just a passer to me.

After knocking out Ajax, Nice have drawn Napoli in the next qualifying round. Should be gettable, if we really want him. Although, PSG and Barcelona have been reported as being interested in the last few days, not sure how true that is though.