I'm slightly miffed we're hunting for a winger where we have cover when we have a striker and a Thomas Partey issue. Maybe the club thinks Balogun is the next great thing.

    I think it's more that they think Mudryk is the next big thing.

    I'd also imagine the thinking is that that another winger helps free up Martinelli to play centrally and Saka to be rested (if we were to use either on the right, which admittedly seems a bit unlikely).

    Can he play left and right? That would be ideal.

    This is the 3rd wide forward Ornstein has linked us with after Raphinha and Neto. Let's hope it's third time lucky, we also have confirmation fron Clrnc's source so what could go wrong? 🙃

      banduan I reckon Martinelli will play through the middle more often

        Even if we do sign this kid, do people really think he is going to be in the starting lineup right away?

        He doesn't need to be, but what he does provide at the very least is a viable option off the bench, cover for injuries and a high quality rotation option. We need to get to a place where he have 15-16 players who are genuinely starting quality across the pitch. We have that in defence I'd say, but in midfield and the forward areas is where we're lacking right now.

        Easy to see this guy earning us 3-6 points with a couple of winning goals/assists in tight games. Keeps the others on their toes as well.

        Panda Can he play left and right? That would be ideal.

        I have looked into this a few times and could be wrong, but there's no real suggestion out there he can play right.

        Bit of a problem as we end up with Martinelli, Smith Rowe and Mudryk contending on the left unless we "convert" one of them.

            Burnwinter Saka is such an important player that no one else will have s chance to play on the right. Hasn't he started all but 2 of our last 60 or so games in the league?

              Burnwinter I suspect Arteta doesn't see Smith-Rowe as a legitimate option for the left except in exceptional circumstances

                I think you're both probably right. In the bigger picture it becomes a question of whether Arteta can actually handle Premiership and Champions League simultaneously next season.

                Saka starts 95% of all our matches, sure, but is it really because he's all important or because Tet doesn't know how to rotate?

                As for Smith Rowe, we really ought to be playing him for a transfer at an absolute minimum. He has brilliant talent and scores late run goals from a different school to our other forwards.

                  I think Smith-Rowe's squad role at present is as Odegaard's competition/backup, we just haven't seen that as he's been injured and Vieira has been given that role in the meantime. Long term I think Vieira will play deeper, or maybe Odegaard will. Or maybe Arteta just doesn't rate Smith-Rowe, what do I know. Though there was a time when Martinelli couldn't get into the team because of ESR and we thought Arteta didn't rate him

                    Pepe LeFrits exactly. I suspect we'll all be somewhat surprised at how things go in the end. One thing I feel fairly certain of is that Arteta rates Smith-Rowe, but that doesn't mean circumstances will align such that he becomes a regular starter this season.

                      I think Arteta simply wants a collection of good, versatile, interchangeable attackers with their roles at any given moment in time dependant on circumstances. I reckon you'll start to see the likes of Martinelli and Saka being rotated a lot more in coming years as we build that collection of player and the demands of CL football kick in.

                      Yeah, I think increasingly who plays where will just keep evolving with very few players owning a spot in the XI (as we've seen in defence). So long as we have quality and versatility, we'll be fine.

                      On the Saka point, Vieira probably end up playing there some of the time as/when needed.

                      Burnwinter Saka starts 95% of all our matches, sure, but is it really because he's all important or because Tet doesn't know how to rotate?

                      That's kind of my point BW. Despite his importance I'm sure we could spell him for the off game here and there whilst also taking him off early in games. He plays almost every game and also finished the 90 almost each time. It's a combination of his importance, Arteta's reliance on him, as well as a reluctance to change things around for freshness in favour of keeping a working formula, which is something that works until it doesn't at which point it becomes even harder to bring others into the fold.

                          Arteta's made it clear his basic attitude is that a top player has to expect to play twice a week, every week except in special cases. Saka might just be one of those guys with the engine and durability to do it though, he's a pretty amazing specimen.

                          Given the discussions already had about the way we haven't shored up our weaknesses in midfield, it feels pretty jinxed to imagine us being on the hunt for two more forwards this winter.

                          I think Most capable teams have many top options for attacking positions so if we get Mudryk plus another top striker we should be set for years. The way I see it we have space for both of them since Nketiah and probably Nelson is not up to par long term wise.

                          This world cup has also shown us that good capable CM (6s or 8s) are not lacking but good forwards are lacking, so no issue if we are prioritising the attacking positions this January. Opportunities for people like Felix don't come often

                          I don't mind the idea of a "hit and hope" for the title if that's what the winter is trying to be.

                          I'd maintain our chances are still very low given City's strength, but they may never be better. Add goals and get lucky with injuries and we might get close.