Since Arshavin you mean.

It's done one way or another anyway. More interested to see if Felix will sign too

    Definitely feels like it's close to happening with Shakhtar milking it for everything. This will feel like a big moment when it happens.

    United have skewed the market paying zillions for a fidget spinner

    Clrnc
    Arshavin was a bit fun, especially here with all the llama nonsense. Arshavin was also the first true social media era Arsenal transfer sensation. It was quite the time.

    The Brazilian boy stories just dragged and dragged. And then Madrid said “we’ll take them, thank you!”

        That Baptista one was weird.

        We courted him throughout the summer of 2005 as a "Vieira replacement" but when we couldn't get it done we signed Hleb instead, who couldn't have been more different 😆

          Was hoping we could wrap this up quickly , big games coming up in the new year. Guess we will have to overpay or forget it

          https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/30/chelsea-open-talks-with-benfica-over-deal-for-argentinas-enzo-fernandez

          Chelsea have identified Brighton & Hove Albion’s Alexis Mac Allister as an alternative to Enzo Fernández if a deal for the Benfica midfielder proves too costly during January, while the west London club could also hijack Arsenal’s bid for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk.

          Ah, fuck off Chelsea

            That Memz from the infamous Benzema saga? 😆

            I love this guy so much. Such a sneaky fella to add that song.

            Reports that we’ve submitted a revised bid with all parties confident that a deal will soon be agreed.

            Have agreed terms with Mudryk too

            • est likes this.

            This is a done deal. Next? I'd take Ferran or João + Danilo to win the league.

            Those white pants are truly frightening

            Confirmed by Fabrizio. Look forward to seeing him tomorrow night.

            Good stuff, hopefully we can get this done soon.

            Watched a couple of compilations yesterday, boy looks mint. Powerful, knows how to change pace and touch seems soft enough.

            If Arteta is not planning on using him at RW in any fashion or frequency, then its kind of questionable given the going rate and slightly seeps my initial excitement. Particularly the implications because it suggests he doesn't rate 1-3 current players that I personally do, or rather that I don't see phased replacement as a midseason urgency or succeeding other transfer needs.

            However, if this pans out and we're going to look all the more potent across remainng comps, fantastic. One of way of striking while iron is hot.

              KingslandBarge If Arteta is not planning on using him at RW in any fashion or frequency, then its kind of questionable given the going rate and slightly seeps my initial excitement.

              You have to think Arteta is thinking of playing him (or one of our other players) on the right as a result of this signing. Otherwise, it really doesn't make sense.

              LW options
              Martinelli
              ESR
              Nelson
              Jesus
              Nketiah
              Saka

              RW options
              Saka
              Marquinhos
              Vieira

              We're very one-sided currently and regardless of what Arteta says publicly, we will have to rotate on the right (particularly if we're playing CL) at some point; our current options on that side aren't fit for purpose.

                  I think Martinelli is as likely to play RW as Mudyrk. He’s done nicely there in limited minutes, and I think he’d combine well with White and Odegaard.

                  I would also imagine ESR is feeling the heat. He needs to find a role in this team soon, and it feels more likely it will be as an 8. Could see him being moved if Mudyrk settles well.

                    Don Pacifico
                    Yeah that list really underscores a sense of skew! I thought we may be looking to loan Marquinhos, which would make that RW option list even smaller.
                    MistaT
                    Agree, Martinelli and Nelson could potentially be deployed there for any rotation but feel like we're having to think creatively and in the dark a bit. Don't think that vid Pepe just posted had a single highlight of Mudryk from the right side.

                    Around the last time we saw Smith-Rowe in the streamed U21s game, he was playing midfield and doing a great job. May his role loops back around a bit and we'll see him slot into midfield more often, pending availability and circumstance. Great that we may be on the brink of procuring a skilled speed assassin; Smith-Rowe is no slouch though. He must have one of the higher speeds with the ball in the league, boosted by his smooth control.

                        MistaT and that would be fine, because he should be second only to Xhaka (who's in his 30s now) at LCM, if he can ever get fit and adapt to the role like I think he can.

                        Lokonga will probably be sold and Vieira is more right-sided.

                          Both Martinelli and Mudryk is capable of playing RW, no worries about that at all. They are as versatile as they come

                          • goon replied to this.

                            Looks excellent with both feet doesn't he.

                            Clrnc yeah I think all you really need to ask yourself is how would you feel if you saw Martinelli and Mudryk lining up on either wing and I don't think anyone would be worried. Having inverted wingers isn't really a key feature of our style.