Maitland-Niles to leave?: Page 3 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Maitland-Niles to leave?

Burnwinter

The point at the moment is to keep the younger players who might be part of a decent squad after their next contracts and think about recouping on those who won't.

We're at best 2-3 years out from any return to competitive strength at the moment.

Claudius

I think we should aim for a rapid return to top 4. The top 4 threshold is very low. These teams disgust me. They are very volatile and low on quality. We are poor and needed 2 more wins to be in contention for a top 4 spot.

So we need to be very deliberate this summer. Pick the players we are going to ride next summer and then identify those who are most disposable to us and potentially most attractive to others. That could be folks like Martinez, Maitland-Niles, Guendouzi, etc. Sell for maximum money, and then buy intelligently to plug our biggest gaps.

Qwiss

I think top 4 will be beyond us for the next couple of years. United and Chelsea already look to be a level or two above us now and we wont close that gap this summer. And thats before you look at the likes of Leicester, Wolves, etc

Burnwinter

I agree. The two match margin you're talking about is a bit of an illusion, Claude, and we'll be weakened by departures in the summer. We need to moderate our expectations.

Claudius

Last season

Chelsa: 72
Spurs: 71
Arsenal: 70
United:66
........
Leicester: 52
........
Sheffield: getting promoted

goon

I'm with Claudius on this one. Yeah, the squad isn't in good shape, but relative to it's ability we've significantly under-performed. We went through a period where we won 2 games from a possible 17, 1 win from a possible 8 at home. That's not normal. For once we also actually do have lots of scope for internal improvement. Two or three smart signings, along with Arteta turning out to be a good head coach should get us competing for top four.

Klaus

Football can turn around extremely quickly. Successful teams are almost always greater than the sum of their parts. Getting a key piece right can elevate the whole club. How many thought United looked good before they signed Bruno? Where were Liverpool before they bought Salah?

Qwiss

Yeah thats all well and good but I don't see us buying a player that will have that effect this summer. Mostly likely we lose our best player and go backwards.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

I think Raul will get us a big, transformative signing. But he'll also lumber us with more dodgy old geezers.

Anzac

Klaus wrote:
Football can turn around extremely quickly. Successful teams are almost always greater than the sum of their parts. Getting a key piece right can elevate the whole club. How many thought United looked good before they signed Bruno? Where were Liverpool before they bought Salah?

Their xG and xGA numbers prior to Bruno indicated they were good enough to challenge top4 on merit, but they lacked someone to make it happen in the final 3rd.

Anzac

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert wrote:
I think Raul will get us a big, transformative signing. But he'll also lumber us with more dodgy old geezers.

So long as they fit the requirement from Arteta then it' fine by me.

Also need to be mindful that we don't discourage the youngsters to keep pushing for playing time. That said they should only get playing time if deserved on merit.

flobaba

Little bit redemption?

If he agrees to knuckle down and accepts his role he still might have a future here. Massive game from him today. Massive.

Klaus

Think it's up to Arteta now. He needs to be brave and pick this lad because he's the best we've got by a long way.

Rohit

He'll be better than Bellerin on the right.

Claudius

You have a young athletic guy who is great at both wingback spots. What’s not to like here?

Shady

I thought he did a decent job defensively. Tierney mostly backed him up well.

Going forward he was poor though, ruined four good attacks with sloppy passes/crosses.

Clrnc

He's far better than Bellerin on the right.

We will be absolute retards to sell him

Shady

I agree that he looks better than Bellerin. That guy looks a corpse.

Rohit

Shady wrote:
I thought he did a decent job defensively. Tierney mostly backed him up well.

Going forward he was poor though, ruined four good attacks with sloppy passes/crosses.

Yeah, but most right footed players would bring it back on their right. He had the right idea, tried to cross early every time with his left, just not natural for him though. If he plays with such commitment and focus on the right, he won't just be better than Bellerin, he could end up being one of the best in this league.

KingslandBarge

I know Maitland-Niles is a fascinating prospect, and he did well at LWB when he came on against Wolves. Didn't really see it with him tonight, but apparently many of you did. If this is really working, full credit to Mikel for making the change because the left side needed adjustment.

« Previous Page Next Page »