I like Mazraoui. Think I’ve mentioned him before on this forum as one to look at. He would be a good alternative to Chambers out right.

Have never seen any of them play, but I'd like whoever we buy to be too good to be considered an alternative to Chambers. We utilize Tierney so much when he's playing, a right-sided version would give us more variety.

He’s better than Chambers. Would give you the attacking threat. Can attack inside and out.
I have actually just grown fond of Chambers. I like that he grafts, has size and delivers a good cross. So I actually see him getting significant minutes out right. Potentially as much as 15 starts in a new guy’s first season

The worry about Mazaraoui is defensively. He is really quite bad at it. Positioning everywhere.

crock who can't defend. sounds about right. although maybe the great michael arteta can train him up. can't magically make him fit though. a crock is a crock is a crock.

Mazraoui is an interesting idea, more in line with where we are at as a club than Hakimi, I suppose. That they have the same national affiliation feels a bit like being linked to Gotze and getting Eisfeld, though Mazraoui is obviously a much more accomplished player who may actually play for us.

Feels like everyone is making transfers left and right and we're standing still. Doesn't the window usually have to actually open before it starts to feel that way?

looks at stock portfolio

damn all that and it's just lunch time. shit, if kroenke wants some money to buy players i'm here.

Lol. You don’t even own Spotify and you’re on here bragging...

obviously you're right, it was irrational exuberance. minor money in the grand scheme of things.

Coombs wrote:

Feels like everyone is making transfers left and right and we're standing still. Doesn't the window usually have to actually open before it starts to feel that way?

Usually see a bit of this early stuff in a year with an international tourny, it'll all go dead quiet then for a month. That's when our fan base will really start freaking out.

How much have others really done anyway? Liverpool have signed Kanoute but that’s been sorted for a while by all accounts.

goon wrote:

How much have others really done anyway? Liverpool have signed Kanoute but that’s been sorted for a while by all accounts.

There’s Leicester and Soumare.
Real Madrid and Barca seem to be moving along with veteran affairs as well.

Even Soumare hasn’t been done even if it is a matter of time.

It’s still very very early.

It is agreed. Just needs registration

goon wrote:

How much have others really done anyway? Liverpool have signed Kanoute but that’s been sorted for a while by all accounts.

It was Spurs who signed him and that was a good 20 years ago. Getting embarrassing now mate

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert wrote:

Is Onana on?

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

What’s his name?

😆

we're in for bissouma as well according to the bell

Gazza M wrote:

we're in for bissouma as well according to the bell

Is Edu going to get meme status like Raul?

If Edu pulls these off, I'll start putting his name to the left of Vieira's whenever referring to the default Invincibles XI.

Gazza M wrote:

we're in for bissouma as well according to the bell

although now we're supposedly looking for 'something different' with more technical/ball playing ability = Lokonga.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

https://www.thesportreview.com/2021/06/arsenal-fc-news-emmanuel-petit-zaha/

Is he right or is Zaha now Willian territory?

If we're losing out on Buendia @ 35m we're not going to be signing Zaha who will cost similar.

If Buendia was planB to Odegaard, then we're now looking at planC & for mind Zaha doesn't fit the criteria to be a creative force in the final 3rd.
My bet is we're penny pinching and trying to stretch a restricted budget, so it will be more about getting the right types of players rather than about being top quality.

I wouldn't be surprised if we continued the youth theme with an approach to Reading for Olise as he only has 1 year left on contract.
Likewise WBA will reportedly let Periera go if they receive an offer for around 15m. 

Fuck sake.

Linked to Ruben Neves now

Is it too much to ask for some mobile technically adept players?

No keen on Neves. Would rather be chancing it on Aouar if we're going to be spending that kind of money.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Fuck sake.

Linked to Ruben Neves now

Is it too much to ask for some mobile technically adept players?

I suspect that PL experienced may also be a priority for our transfer activity this summer.

If we're raiding the bargain bins we can't afford to also then have players needing to adapt to anything other than a new team, which can be mitigated by pre-season.

Also note the article says Edouard will be joining LCFC = another one bites the dust.

Tambourine Man wrote:

No keen on Neves. Would rather be chancing it on Aouar if we're going to be spending that kind of money.

If Neves is valued at over 30m with having 2 years left on his contract, then we won't be signing him.

Neves would be ideal. Especially at that price.

Not bothered about Edouard going to Leicester. Would prefer to stick with what we have.

Neves is a perfect match with Arteta's shit football.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Not bothered about Edouard going to Leicester. Would prefer to stick with what we have.

Edouard + Soumare for a combined 35m pounds is amazing business. We will look back at it 1 year later and ask how did Leicester get those signings again.

Clrnc wrote:
@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Not bothered about Edouard going to Leicester. Would prefer to stick with what we have.

Edouard + Soumare for a combined 35m pounds is amazing business. We will look back at it 1 year later and ask how did Leicester get those signings again.

Yep. 

I don’t think we can do these moves as easily. There needs to be a whole pivot from the club.

  • acceptance that targeting these types of players is riskier
  • that risk means you necessarily need to have a fluid team that constantly makes space for new recruits, even if you aren’t focused on selling for profit
  • higher squad turnover also means that you need to have a strong selling team.
  • in order to go find these players you need to have the right people in place - scouts and analysts. Relationships with the big agents are less important here
  • etc.

It just requires a different approach. United, for example, just need to have the ability to negotiate with the key agents around Europe because they can afford any player and don’t have to worry about profit on disposals. Having scouts who know the next big thing is immaterial