Rumoured to be signing on a 5 year deal.
So we seem set at the back. Gabriel, Saliba, Luiz, Mari + 1 (likely Mustafi )

Partey - Xhaka

Gabriel - Saliba

Everything can move around that box.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Yeah can’t see this not happening now

93%?

I swear we’ve seen a story that he’s chosen us (but with a retained interest from Napoli) every day for the past week or two.

Happy that this is done so we can move on to Partey, Aouar, Messi etc.

Messi will just get in the way of Saka and Pépé’s development. Pass

Too old.

Burt reporting this is done too.

Will be interesting to see who’s ahead in the pecking order, him or Saliba. I’d imagine they’ll get a similar amount of game time regardless, perhaps shared with Luiz.

Touch of Mustafi in him....goes to ground a little often for my liking.

It’s amazing how football has changed, at least in England. People used to love that about defenders in the olden days, the likes of Sol would do it all the time.

Exciting signing.

goon wrote:

It’s amazing how football has changed, at least in England. People used to love that about defenders in the olden days, the likes of Sol would do it all the time.

I like it, its riles up the crowd too which is always a good thing.

I think Saliba-Luiz-Gabriel to start the season gives both guys a few opportunities to make mistakes and settle in. Also gives us more time to sort out the midfield as it is looking more and more likely that our business in this department will not happen until later in the window based on the fact that there have been very few concrete links over the past few weeks for players in this position.

I reckon we will start the first few weeks of the season with:

-Saliba-Luiz-Gabriel-
---Xhaka--Willock---

That spine makes Willian very important in the early weeks as he will be the only creative component in the front five.

Hopefully as we progress through the window we are able to lock down either Partey or Ceballos (ideally both) and then transition to Arteta's favoured 433.

We'll have to start him next to luiz for the forseeable future, as he's still developing, but i think this will be a very good signing. Twin skyscrapers, word to tim duncan and david robinson

I don't think I've seen an example of him going to ground too rashly. Slide tackling is still part of the game, and there are umpteen examples of him standing tall and winning the ball anyway.

goon wrote:

It’s amazing how football has changed, at least in England. People used to love that about defenders in the olden days, the likes of Sol would do it all the time.

mustafi and his stubby legs has given slide tackling a bad rep at arsenal. if you have long legs like this guy (and Sol) it can be quite effective. but if you're sliding around and not even getting the ball you look ridiculous. 

Daz wrote:
@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Yeah can’t see this not happening now

93%?

94%

Qwiss! wrote:
goon wrote:

It’s amazing how football has changed, at least in England. People used to love that about defenders in the olden days, the likes of Sol would do it all the time.

I like it, its riles up the crowd too which is always a good thing.

Yeah, it's great when the player is good at it. There is little margin for error. 

He has an exciting combination of height, athleticism and aggression. So much to work with here. Obviously will make mistakes but that’s part of the adaptation process. When he’s fully integrated, we will have a monster on our hands. Him and Saliba as the long-term CB partnership sounds very, very promising indeed.

Ceballos and AWB are 2 good examples of players who are excellent at going to ground to win balls. That said Gabriel don't actually go to ground that often but if you are making a defensive compilation that will be what you will look to put in

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

What the f is this shit

Hope the medical actually is today and Stu Mac can get work his magic for the snaps

Today or tomorrow, for 3 weeks now 😆

Bloke's on holiday. He'll deal with this when he goes back to work, like normal people.

Much needed addition. Hpy about this.

Captain wrote:

Bloke's on holiday. He'll deal with this when he goes back to work, like normal people.

He's not on holiday. He's training with the team.

Ligue 1 starts tomorrow.

HomeSteak wrote:

Today or tomorrow, for 3 weeks now  😆

ffs been such a banal saga - if Man U or City swoop in I am going to be ticked. Hearing he's due to have the medical in France because of mobility and quarantine restrictions. Just get this done :boris:

Gunner89 wrote:
Captain wrote:

Bloke's on holiday. He'll deal with this when he goes back to work, like normal people.

He's not on holiday. He's training with the team.

Ligue 1 starts tomorrow.

He's on holiday, bro. 😆

I'm sure the pictures of him training with the team are photoshopped then?

Di Marzio saying United made a move tonight. PSG in for him as well.

Mr X is saying he’ll make up his mind either late tonight, tomorrow or some day after