Granit Xhaka: Page 15 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Granit Xhaka

banduan

if only we didn't dump our best 8 of recent times.

Ricky1985

Coombs wrote:
😆 exactly! We need 8s.

Even with that said, I'd still sign Bissouma. He's not strictly an '8', but he is dynamite and he can play too. I remember the first time I saw him play, it was against us last season, and I called him baby Pogba to my mate. Admittedly because he looks like him, but also because he played a little like him too in his athleticism and dribbling - he's not just a destroyer. He has great balance and is very explosive - I really like him! He'd be a fantastic addition to our squad.

Gazza M

I'm not against having another athletic player next to big tom. going into most games knowing we won't be physically outplayed would be such a novel concept at this club

goon

Ricky1985 wrote:
goon wrote:
I sort of agree but given how important it is to get that position right, I'm willing to wait until the summer to make it happen.

A Fernandinho/Fabinho type would be perfect. Strong, good readers of the game, relatively quick and yet very good on the ball too. No one obvious springs to mind but I'm sure there is someone out there who matches that description to an extent.

Aren't you just describing Thomas Partey?

He could be, but I see Partey as more of a box to box player rather than someone who sits.

Clrnc

I think we need someone intelligent, a metronome like Xabi to perfectly complement Partey. Partey can play, but he's not going to be creating and distributing and that's why Arteta wanted Jorginho for example. It's also why he keep playing Elneny despite him being pretty average all round.

If we wanted a Fernandinho Fabinho B2B for Partey, Florentino Luís, Gravenberch or Camavinga are players we need to look at.

If we want a Metronome, then Merino, Puig, Caqueret all fit the bill. Don't forget we have Guendouzi who is doing very well at Hertha too unsurprisingly.

goon

Has he? Read some guy on twitter say he's been poor the last couple of games.

QuincyAbeyie

Talked to a mate last night who's a Milan supporter and he was absolutely raving about Brennacer, saying he's been fantastic this season. Couldn't for the life of him understand why we wouldn't activate the clause. Meanwhile our midfield is the most dire it's been in years.

Gazza M

Clrnc wrote:
I think we need someone intelligent, a metronome like Xabi to perfectly complement Partey. Partey can play, but he's not going to be creating and distributing and that's why Arteta wanted Jorginho for example. It's also why he keep playing Elneny despite him being pretty average all round.

If we wanted a Fernandinho Fabinho B2B for Partey, Florentino Luís, Gravenberch or Camavinga are players we need to look at.

If we want a Metronome, then Merino, Puig, Caqueret all fit the bill. Don't forget we have Guendouzi who is doing very well at Hertha too unsurprisingly.

so we're going to forgoe some of his biggest strengths? creating doesn't only mean assists that show up on the stat sheet

Anzac

banduan wrote:
if only we didn't dump our best 8 of recent times.

who?

Anzac

Ricky1985 wrote:
Coombs wrote:
😆 exactly! We need 8s.

Even with that said, I'd still sign Bissouma. He's not strictly an '8', but he is dynamite and he can play too. I remember the first time I saw him play, it was against us last season, and I called him baby Pogba to my mate. Admittedly because he looks like him, but also because he played a little like him too in his athleticism and dribbling - he's not just a destroyer. He has great balance and is very explosive - I really like him! He'd be a fantastic addition to our squad.

There is no reason why we can't play with 2 similar B2B types in a twin pivot, providing they have the intelligence not to both go forward at the same time.
There are also a number of similar types of players who can provide that physical presence, including Bissouma, Sangare, Sanches etc.

Anzac

Clrnc wrote:
I think we need someone intelligent, a metronome like Xabi to perfectly complement Partey. Partey can play, but he's not going to be creating and distributing and that's why Arteta wanted Jorginho for example. It's also why he keep playing Elneny despite him being pretty average all round.

If we wanted a Fernandinho Fabinho B2B for Partey, Florentino Luís, Gravenberch or Camavinga are players we need to look at.

If we want a Metronome, then Merino, Puig, Caqueret all fit the bill. Don't forget we have Guendouzi who is doing very well at Hertha too unsurprisingly.

Don't forget De Paul, & Udinese have already indicated they were prepared to sell for under 30mE last summer.

Kel Varnsen

I dislike Xhaka even more than Willian.

Coombs

Though I don't think I share it, I certainly understand the sentiment.

goon

It's not his fault that he's been the face of our midfield for the last 5 fucking years. Credit to him, I reckon he'd jump at the chance to leave too. If part of our long term plan doesn't involve selling him in the summer then it's no plan at all. It's our last chance to actually make some money out of him.

Coombs

If Xhaka isn't for sale this summer then it's hard to believe in Artedu longterm. Between the Willian and Partey deals it's hard to predict.

RC8

I had an awful nightmare 2 nights ago...

I was sitting in a table with Edu and Xhaka in a restaurant. Edu looked very serious as he read a series of stats summarising Xhaka's performance over the past year...

Xhaka looked like was about to be put down... nervously looking at the exit...

Then all of a sudden Edu looks him in the eye and says "do you know what these numbers mean?"

Xhaka stares in suspense... "You made it! We are offering you a new contract, man!" Edu exclaims.

Granit gets up and smiles. Edu gets up as well and takes out a huge 'giant cheque-like' contract for Xhaka to sign right there and then. Everyone else in the restaurant starts clapping in celebration and joyous music plays.

I'm sitting there trying to talk them out of it but they seem not to be able to listen to me. I speak louder. Nothing.

Xhaka signs the contract and Edu walks toward him. They hug and start crying tears of joy while the crowd cheers them on.

Easily one of my most bizarre nightmares.

Meatwad

i don't have dreams or nightmares. i can't let it get to the point where arsenal are terrorizing me in my sleep too.

Anzac

Despite his up turn in form (again) since the red card, I still can't accept him as being the long term partner to Partey in a 2 CM midfield because he is inherently risk adverse in terms of his style of play despite his passing ability seen v Saints.

Similarly I cannot accept him as being a cover/bench/squad option as that is not what we paid for to sign him, nor pay him to be in terms of wages or his contract extension.

Gazza M

I don't think many here disagree zac. I'm on tenterhooks to see how the club handle xhaka and lacazette this summer

Coombs

They have to be converted into two different players, ideally a CF and an attacking midfielder. If they're still here and those players don't come, it's surely a failure.

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