Saliba is an inexperienced defender. He’s amazing. But inexperienced.
We spent this season bemoaning the overuse of kids in the frontline. Now we want to go and start a child in the back line. Losing Luiz meant that we needed another player who could lead the defense. I’ve mentioned this issue before (and gotten heat because Luiz is a figure of ridicule). Entrusting that leadership to a 20 year old seems a bit of a gamble. Does that mean that Saliba’s Arsenal career is over? No, he’s 20. He’s still got another decade in him

Not sure about the stats above, but I watched white quite a few last season, and he was a very conservative passer.

Not sure where all the hype for him bringing us up the field comes from.

Not at all happy with this transfer, can’t believe we found £50mil in this climate, and spent it on him.

Seems quick, and hopefully he is a fast learner and can develop into a top player.

Claudius wrote:

Saliba is an inexperienced defender. He’s amazing. But inexperienced.
We spent this season bemoaning the overuse of kids in the frontline. Now we want to go and start a child in the back line. Losing Luiz meant that we needed another player who could lead the defense. I’ve mentioned this issue before (and gotten heat because Luiz is a figure of ridicule). Entrusting that leadership to a 20 year old seems a bit of a gamble. Does that mean that Saliba’s Arsenal career is over? No, he’s 20. He’s still got another decade in him

If he signs another contract with us. After this year (assuming he spends it on loan), he has two more. That's time to sell or extend.

By the way, £50m in this climate…
… I think pricing will bounce back this summer. The nearly full stadiums in Euro2020 will signal to clubs that futurr cash flows will be fine. So they will invest ahead of time

BWooley wrote:

Claudius wrote:

Saliba is an inexperienced defender. He’s amazing. But inexperienced.
We spent this season bemoaning the overuse of kids in the frontline. Now we want to go and start a child in the back line. Losing Luiz meant that we needed another player who could lead the defense. I’ve mentioned this issue before (and gotten heat because Luiz is a figure of ridicule). Entrusting that leadership to a 20 year old seems a bit of a gamble. Does that mean that Saliba’s Arsenal career is over? No, he’s 20. He’s still got another decade in him

If he signs another contract with us. After this year (assuming he spends it on loan), he has two more. That's time to sell or extend.

So we extend him.

goon wrote:

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

I asked you back to get clarification on whether you were saying that spending 80m on a midfielder doesn't get you anything more than spending 30m, if you replied I didn't see it. I don't think that if you give someone 80m and tell him to get the best midfielder he can to Arsenal then he comes back with Neves and 50m cash. There are plenty of midfielders in world football, do you seriously think Neves is the best one out of everyone who would come here? I haven't watched that much football last season, but from what I'm hearing players like Neuhaus, Gravenberch, Caqueret, Goncalves or Renato Sanches would be better signings. 

I didn't say he's the best, I said he's not going to be much cheaper, if at all, than the sort of names you or I would love to see.  

How much do you think the guys you mentioned would cost? £50m (or £15m more than the quotes for Neves I've seen) at most?  If we don't sign those guys, it may be because Arteta has poor taste in midfielders, it may be because they don't find us particularly attractive or have better options (at least 3 of those guys have been linked with United and Liverpool), but because we couldn't afford them? Maybe, but that seems like the least likely explanation in a summer we're linked with £60-70m James Maddison. 

You can always pay more to make yourself attractive. It's like you haven't played FIFA career mode or FM before.

Claudius wrote:

Saliba is an inexperienced defender. He’s amazing. But inexperienced.
We spent this season bemoaning the overuse of kids in the frontline. Now we want to go and start a child in the back line. Losing Luiz meant that we needed another player who could lead the defense. I’ve mentioned this issue before (and gotten heat because Luiz is a figure of ridicule). Entrusting that leadership to a 20 year old seems a bit of a gamble. Does that mean that Saliba’s Arsenal career is over? No, he’s 20. He’s still got another decade in him

I don't think many would be unhappy with Saliba as a third choice (first choice backup). What people are unhappy about is clearly that it seems more likely that he'll be sold or loaned out. I wouldn't extend that contract if I was loaned out yet again after the previous fuck ups. If he will, then great - I don't mind one last loan if that happens.

Oh, and people have been bemoaning Saka's lack of rest, not the fact that he's been a starter for us. So I don't see the relevance there.

The difference is this. There are a lot of games where ESR and Saka aren’t at 100%. Saliba will not have that leeway in defense. You make a mistake in defense and the same cats here calling for Saliba will be the first to kill to him. Guaranteed.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

That french guy seems decent enough.

I was gonna add Saliba but seeing as he ( and Mavropranos) are in weaker leagues it wasn't really a like for like comparison.

Claudius wrote:

Saliba is an inexperienced defender. He’s amazing. But inexperienced.
We spent this season bemoaning the overuse of kids in the frontline. Now we want to go and start a child in the back line. Losing Luiz meant that we needed another player who could lead the defense. I’ve mentioned this issue before (and gotten heat because Luiz is a figure of ridicule). Entrusting that leadership to a 20 year old seems a bit of a gamble. Does that mean that Saliba’s Arsenal career is over? No, he’s 20. He’s still got another decade in him

First of all Ben White isn't ready to lead the defence. He wasn't close to being that player at Brighton and he wont be that here next season either.

Secondly no one is asking for Saliba to be a guaranteed starter or lead the defence or any other straw man bullshit. People just think he should be one of the 4 defenders next season and maybe actually play a game for Arsenal.

Qwiss! wrote:

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

That french guy seems decent enough.

I was gonna add Saliba but seeing as he ( and Mavropranos) are in weaker leagues it wasn't really a like for like comparison.

Forget about different leagues you can't compare defenders using stats full stop. Being a centre back for Arsenal and for Brighton you might as well be playing a different sport.

Could Ben White also share the RB spot with Chambers potentially? If so then I could potentially envision Saliba remaining involved.

jones wrote:

Qwiss! wrote:

I was gonna add Saliba but seeing as he ( and Mavropranos) are in weaker leagues it wasn't really a like for like comparison.

Forget about different leagues you can't compare defenders using stats full stop. Being a centre back for Arsenal and for Brighton you might as well be playing a different sport.

Stats for midfielders and attackers are very well-developed. You can compare them very easily. Defenders are very hard as Jones says. You are best of just watching them unfortunately

Whenever I watched Brighton White never really looked all that great. Dunks consistently been better than him but I think we are signing White more for his future upside than his current level.

Yes, I think so too. I don't mind it either if we spend on positions we need to. However, a club can't make too many signings for the future. Gabriel, Saliba, White all have massive future upside. Makes me wonder if the few reports on Holding being for sale could be true or there is no way that Saliba gets sold or loaned.

Qwiss! wrote:

Whenever I watched Brighton White never really looked all that great. Dunks consistently been better than him but I think we are signing White more for his future upside than his current level.

I've watched them a bit too and while White had a pretty decent first season in Premier League I also think Dunk - and even Webster - were better this season.

White did get Brighton's Player of The Year award though to be fair, which if nothing else tells you that he's very appreciated by their fans.

If we are looking to sell Holding then he should definitely get good value.

Mari and Holding coming out top in terms of aerials/aerials won, tackles won, and goals conceded, which is exactly what I would have guessed beforehand.

Rohit wrote:

Yeah, but Holding limited our goal scoring potential.

You can't blame a CB for our goal potential mate. That's not what they're there for. Our lack of goals are down to our manager, his structure for our team, and our misfiring midfield and attack. The defence did their job more often than the attack/defence did.

Ben White is technically a level or two above any defenders we currently have. If we aim to boss things with the ball we need players like him.

I think he's extremely good on the ball too Dules. Someone mentioned a young Rio Ferdinand and I think that's pretty spot on.

Big Willie wrote:

Rohit wrote:

Yeah, but Holding limited our goal scoring potential.

You can't blame a CB for our goal potential mate. That's not what they're there for. Our lack of goals are down to our manager, his structure for our team, and our misfiring midfield and attack. The defence did their job more often than the attack/defence did.

I was only being a little caustic mate. I recognize and appreciate Holding's contribution to our football (defence) last season. It was really his first full season of football after a terrible injury too. Fans rooting for Gabriel basis his physical potential when there are enough holes in his game. He is no less likely to fail. I wouldn't mind seeing a White Holding partnership to kick things off.

My only concern with the lad is with the tats and fake tan he looks ready for a stint on Love Island.

Go easy on him - he has been living in Brighton for the past year or so

Thanks G89, I'd totally forgotten that Love Island is starting again this Monday.

I'm not worried White being at Arsenal means the end of Saliba. I don't think that would be the case at all.
I'm worried he's well overhyped.

Saliba can always partner him as a left sided centreback.

White, Gabriel, Saliba, Holding, Mari and Chambers is a good pool of defenders.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Saliba can always partner him as a left sided centreback.

White, Gabriel, Saliba, Holding, Mari and Chambers is a good pool of defenders.

6 CB’s for a club that is going to play one game a week for the majority of the season?

1/2 will have to leave.

Sicario wrote:

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Saliba can always partner him as a left sided centreback.

White, Gabriel, Saliba, Holding, Mari and Chambers is a good pool of defenders.

6 CB’s for a club that is going to play one game a week for the majority of the season?

1/2 will have to leave.

Yep.

No chance we keep all of them unless Chambers is considered the RB.

Biggest talent there is Saliba. We have to reintegrate him in the squad.

banduan wrote:

I'm not worried White being at Arsenal means the end of Saliba. I don't think that would be the case at all.
I'm worried he's well overhyped.

He's not really hyped though is he? I didn't even know who he was until he got called up for England. Even Foden basically said he didn't know him

And then we drop 50mill on him. Just like that. I don’t really understand what we are doing, but ho hum it’s not my money.

I'm starting to wonder flobs. Would you prefer we go out and buy a cheaper defender who isn't rated as highly by the club?

I’m just all about that v word bro. Value. No one knows this cat or why he is so highly rated. At least I don’t, and I’m sure even the goon himself, who is more otfen right than wrong, wouldn’t say he wishlisted Ben White last summer or saw something special in him when he watched Brighton last season. I’m just saying. We are going to be spending money more irresponsibly than American Democrats in summer time if the prices being quoted for our main targets so far have been accurate. It ain’t right. So what he’s highly rated by the club? Are you saying the club’s evaluations are always impeccable? Xhaka plays (hopefully played) for us. Willian too. And you know how I feel about Auba’s contract.

Anyway like I said, it ain’t my money. Let them do as they please. I’m just a bit skeptical.

[/Twitter]

good a time as any to walk away

Gazza M wrote:

[/Twitter]

good a time as any to walk away

Nah. Let’s give em 10 mill more. Start a bidding war with ourselves.

Gazza M wrote:

[/Twitter]

good a time as any to walk away

I would not increase the offer by a penny. £50 mil in total and they want more? Taking the piss.

Let somebody else go in for him, we should pivot to Kounde if we really want a defender.

Wonder if Locatelli would still prefer Juve if we gave him the White money as a sign-on fee.