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.

        Big Willie

        None of the top players in both our past or elsewhere are treated like that. The top players for the most part play every minute of every game.

        I'm all for signing players to give us more options, but not because Saka needs to be rested or subbed. Saka like any top player will need to learn how to play twice a week.

        Salah is someone Saka could strive towards emulating and he played 10 more games than him last season. This whole overprotective idea that gets bandied around needs to die a quick death.

            daredevil none of our top players in the past started playing so many games in a row at such a young age without it affecting them. Only ones I can think of playing a large number of games at 17/18 and the continuously into their 20s were Fabregas and Wilshere. The latter has retired due to his injuries and the even Fabregas was affected quite a bit from the 2008/09 season onwards.

            Not every player is a machine like Messi and Ronaldo starting so young and going strong into their mid to late 30s.

                Big Willie

                Players don't all follow the same trajectory. Some start early and finish early, others start later and finish later and a rare few last an eternity. Saka is a top player today and should be treated as such. Our reliance on him is because he's one of the best in the league and he's delivering. It makes no sense to scale back his role in the team.

                He's also nowhere near the number of games Fabregas and Wilshere (first season) played. The former broke 50 games two seasons in a row and Wilshere was 1 shy of it. In contrast, Saka played 43 games last season. That's nothing. If people are getting concerned today when we're not even in the CL, then you might as well hire a therapist for next season cause his game time will be going up.

                  Extremely well written analysis of Mudryk. If people are still not convinced about him after reading this then nothing will.

                  I think he will be a starter for us. Martinelli can play at CF

                  Start of the thread here:

                  I like that he is similar to Mitoma and Kulusevski which is exactly what we needed.

                    After this thread and your ITK stuff I'll be so disappointed if we don't sign him. 😭

                    Well chuffed we’re getting him. Will be a total weapon at away games against the big 6

                    —————--——Partey
                    ————-Saka—————-ESR
                    —Nelson———Martinelli——Mudryk

                    Imagine trying to defend against that

                    this kid will be dynamite for us

                    Looks mint, but will be a tough choice given we really need a striker more than a backup WF in the here and now.


                    A lot of links...still not convinced.

                    • est replied to this.

                      Reckon this gets done before Jan, which would be a new thing for us. Always envious of teams who get their business done beforehand and wonder why we can't do the same.