MistaT Arteta has already neutered Martinelli

Think Martinelli has played his best stuff under Arteta. The drop-off last season isn't anything to do with how he's been managed as far as I can see.

    ————————Raya
    White——Saliba——Gabriel—-Calafiori
    ————————-Rice
    ————Odegaard——Musiala
    Saka————-Havertz———Williams

    What are we saying 1mOrEiNtHeToLlBaG?

      lorddulaarsenal ————————Raya
      White——Saliba——Gabriel—-Calafiori
      ————————-Rice
      ————Odegaard——Musiala
      Saka————-Havertz———Williams

      What are we saying 1mOrEiNtHeToLlBaG?

      Calafiori - no
      Musiala - Yes
      Williams - I can take it or leave it, don't matter to me.

          QuincyAbeyie what about Calafiori?

          Nothing specifically about his football. He seems a good player, is tall as fuck and pretty good on the ball both coming inside and staying wide. I just never feel confident about Italian players adapting to the PL, or even coming here in the first place. These were all before your time so that's saying something but aside from Zola, Vialli and Di Canio, they all either have serious issues adapting, or simply decide to not come at all.

              Big Willie there are plenty of top Italian players who was superb in PL. Aquilaini, Emi Viviano, Scamacca, Diamanti, Nocerino, Boriello etc

                  Clrnc there are plenty of top Italian players who was superb in PL. Aquilaini, Emi Viviano, Scamacca, Diamanti, Nocerino, Boriello etc

                  I think you're kind of proving my point there @Clrnc.

                  • Viviano? That keeper we got back in the day that never played a single game for us?
                  • Aquilaini was a really good player but didn't he hardly play for Liverpool and ended up being sent on loan a bunch of times because he couldn't adapt?
                  • Don't even remember Nocerino playing in the PL tbh.
                  • Boriello was an FM legend back in the day, not sure he reached the peaks he was expected to tbh, but regardless a good player in Italy. Don't remember him in the PL though mind you. Didn't even know he came over.
                  • Diamanti, I don't even know who that is.
                  • Scamacca is a recent one so I remember him well but he was only at West Ham for a season and was thoroughly disappointing, hardly scoring at all.

                  I guess what I'm saying is none of these guys were as good in the PL as you seem to be suggesting, definitely not on the levels of the ones I mentioned if I can't even remember them being in the league, let alone setting league alight.

                  Certainly not what I'd be thinking when I think of being superb in the league. For that you'd have to be at a playing at consitently good levels in the PL over a number of years. I can guarantee you none of these guys stayed more than a couple years though which kind of shows they either didn't adapt or didn't want to be here.

                  Edit:

                  Just checked these names out by the way.

                  • Viviano only "played" for us in the PL before leaving the country and never returning.
                  • Aquilaini had one season at Liverpool before he was loaned out for two years and then left.
                  • Nocerino had one season at WHU in the PL, and only played 10 games before leaving.
                  • Scamacca only played for WHU in the PL, making 16 appearances and scoring 3 goals.
                  • Boriello also played only for WHU in the PL, making 2 appearances and and not signing permanently after his loan ended.
                  • Diamanti had two spells in the PL, first with, you guessed it WHU and then with Watford. His first season he played 28 time in the PL. His second season, just 1. His loan at Watford consisted of just 3 appearances in the PL.

                  Even Balotelli, who isn't on either your list or mind or my list, despite some great moments, wasn't someone who you though was superb throughout his time in the PL.

                      lorddulaarsenal What’s happening with Wirtz? He’d be another who would be ace alongside Odegaard

                      Would be great to get him. Sadly he isn't moving this season, and might already have his eyes set on Madrid/Bayern in 2025 according to links.

                        Big Willie hahaha I was actually agreeing with you and taking the piss mate.

                        Yeah for some reason Italian players never got to grips with the pace of England football. The only one I can think of in recent years that's half decent is Ogbonna but he's a defender which is a different profile altogether. So maybe Calafiori could work after all. Goalies and defenders don't really differ leagues to leagues.

                        Anyway I do really like the player. Noticed him whenever I try to watch Motta's Bologna. Incredibly good on the ball

                            QuincyAbeyie haha, the yes was meant to be Musiala. As in Calafiori no, Musiala yes, and Williams I'm ok with signing up, but he's not someone I desperately want.

                              If we had a chance at Wirtz or Musiala, I would be okay with spending our entire summer budget on one of them even if that meant ignoring other needs. If I had to choose between the two, I would love Wirtz more just because I think he is a superior passer and would fit like a glove next to Odegaard and Rice but it sounds like he already has been tapped up by Madrid for next summer (likely when Alonso goes there as well). Since they both are likely staying put this summer, I think we should try to target the next big thing and go in hard for Desire Doue. It's hard to project growth but he seems likely to be the next one to pop into that 100m+ range with a breakout season.

                              As the biggest Nico Williams supporter on these threads over the last year, I’m glad people are starting to see the light. If there’s a chance of getting him out of Bilbao, it has to be us. I just worry he won’t leave unless it’s to Barca since he seems to have a fixation there.

                                samthegooner also a big supporter of Nico Williams. My position is still the same - get a wide man who can go wide and narrow on the left, and also cut centrally. Such a dynamic player. And very affordable. It’s an IQ test for a DoF if he’s interested

                                  Nico Williams is more developed than I thought. Extremely dynamic and ridiculous speed of turn and power. Must get