Qwiss! wrote:

Claudius wrote:

The development part is spot on. Anyone who expects this kid to land and give us an Aubameyang season in the next year will be disappointed.

Which is why you want both of them to transition from one to the other.

Yeah. Sacrifice Laca.

Claudius wrote:

Qwiss! wrote:

Which is why you want both of them to transition from one to the other.

Yeah. Sacrifice Laca.

Laca and Eddie out and it shouldn't take much extra to get Isak when you consider fees, wages, etc

IMO IF we are looking/willing to spend 50m+ on individual players to build a new spine, then those players should/need to be fit for purpose to contribute from the off and not be needing to be developed into the style or role we require. Whereas needing to adapt to a new league is something else entirely.

For mind players like White and Maddison are the former (even if IMO the CAM position and role is determined upon the type of CF), where as whilst Isak looks a talent I don't think he fits the role as being a linking forward, and neither does PEA for that matter. I'd be far happier if we were looking at the likes of Silva and Vlahovic, unless we are looking to change the role of the CF and our patterns in attack.

napoli

this would align with rumour we're looking for someone younger as a back up LB

I think we generally have the right idea this summer, in, out, age profiles, budget etc. I'm not convinced by all the names I'm hearing but they're all mostly whispers at this point bar White and Lokonga. I think what will frame how we've done this summer is our main central midfield signing, if we get that right, everything else will seem better.

And vice versa. It's by far our most important signing. Though it would also be weird if we didn't replace Ødegaard.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

And vice versa. It's by far our most important signing. Though it would also be weird if we didn't replace Ødegaard.

Odegaard wasn't that important while he was here though. He was decent when he played but he never really ended up being crucial. Maybe we were just lucky with ESRs fitness but we usually looked better with him at 10 than Odegaard. Even when they were both out and Saka played there we didn't look any worse. We have a few players who can play there in Sakas absence so I wouldn't be that worried if we don't get one. TBH I'd rather a new RB than CAM.

We definitely need another CAM in my opinion, Martinelli, Saka, ESR and Pepe is a really good/promising quartet but it's too much of a gamble fitness and form wise and I'm really conscious about running ESR and Saka into the ground.

Qwiss! wrote:

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

And vice versa. It's by far our most important signing. Though it would also be weird if we didn't replace Ødegaard.

Odegaard wasn't that important while he was here though. He was decent when he played but he never really ended up being crucial. Maybe we were just lucky with ESRs fitness but we usually looked better with him at 10 than Odegaard. Even when they were both out and Saka played there we didn't look any worse. We have a few players who can play there in Sakas absence so I wouldn't be that worried if we don't get one. TBH I'd rather a new RB than CAM.

we need a creative mid. ESR isn't ready to carry that burden for a full season

We’ve been Transfer Edging for weeks now

We are ready!

Gazza M wrote:

Qwiss! wrote:

Odegaard wasn't that important while he was here though. He was decent when he played but he never really ended up being crucial. Maybe we were just lucky with ESRs fitness but we usually looked better with him at 10 than Odegaard. Even when they were both out and Saka played there we didn't look any worse. We have a few players who can play there in Sakas absence so I wouldn't be that worried if we don't get one. TBH I'd rather a new RB than CAM.

we need a creative mid. ESR isn't ready to carry that burden for a full season

He never carries the burden, he shares it with Saka. We need more from CM anyway. Plus a full season is europe-less so its not that big a deal this year, can wait to reinforce there next summer if need be. It doesn't need to be a priority area like CM and RB.

Never heard of him. People on Reddit who have watched him don’t seem to rate him at all.

I remember he had a crazy debut with a screamer and two or three great assists, haven't heard much since then. Good age and fee for a backup left back.

Looks quality. So so athletic

Seems like the right profile, price, etc

yup. and if tierney proves to be a permacrock we'll need him to develop.

this tavarez guy is getting a coating from benfica fans online, but it mainly seems to be because he's acted like a tool on social media in the past, and also got a tattoo of a lion (sporting logo).

if we already had a striker like isak that holds the ball up and lets midfielders join in, this would be a good signing. don't think he gels with what we have despite being a good player

I see we'll somehow end up surprised if he's bad even though everyone's telling us that he is.

Record Portugal: Final agreement has been reached between Arsenal and Benfica for Nuno Tavares. Fee will be €8m + add ons

fab with the tap in. this feels like the first time we've signed someone direct from the portuguese league?

hopefully this guy will be at his bestial best for arsenal

Gazza M wrote:

fab with the tap in. this feels like the first time we've signed someone direct from the portuguese league?

First time since Boa Morte I think. My guess is Wenger didn't want to deal with them dodgy agents so at least some good has come from our criminal new brass in Sanllehi and Edu

It's probably because players from Portugal usually come with a bigger premium than English players.

Surprised this one is so cheap.

Probably because he is shit.

That's never stopped them before.

goon wrote:

It's probably because players from Portugal usually come with a bigger premium than English players.

It's just English clubs that get fleeced. Most transfers within Liga NOS or to other leagues are reasonably priced.

The transfer fees weren't the reason we didn't buy there anyway, the agent involvement most likely was. Portuguese football is 120% dodgy or straight criminal fuckery.

Clrnc wrote:

He has a really bad rep because of his antics on social media.

Won't worry about that at all. If he has one bit of bad attitude he will be banished in no time

Sounds like the type of character that Mikey would farm out on loan never to be seen again.

Most of Portuguese fans, not just Benfica but Sporting/Porto as well, on social media seem to think we are signing a stinker.

where is his welcome to arsenal compilation? is he actually any good? ive never even heard of him, let alone see him play

mdgoonah41 wrote:

where is his welcome to arsenal compilation? is he actually any good? ive never even heard of him, let alone see him play

This is his league debut. He scored the opener, got a man sent off at 2-0, created the third and assisted the fourth and fifth.

He has the physical tools and technical ability, good weaker foot too. From what I've read he seems to have lost his way a bit but nothing you couldn't bounce back from aged 21.

For €8m it sounds like a reasonable gamble assuming they've scouted him properly and he's not some LB Runnerson who we can't even give a run out.

Me wants Isak.

If Andre Silva is available for £20m I think that's the striker we should move for.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

If Andre Silva is available for £20m I think that's the striker we should move for.

Absolutely.

Qwiss! wrote:

For €8m it sounds like a reasonable gamble assuming they've scouted him properly and he's not some LB Runnerson who we can't even give a run out.

Aye he looks like he has the raw ingredients you can't coach. Like when Liverpool signed Glenn Johnson for £18m based on his potential rather than current ability. 

If arteta coaching record with fullbacks is anything to go by we should be fine he's helped KT become WC. And chambers was a horror show at FB before arteta. AMN had been excellent at FB under arteta. He almost made Cedric a passable FB. 

If the guy knuckles down and he's smart enough to listen and learn he has good potential.