Also exactly what we need in terms of how he played against a low block yesterday. That's really what did it for me. We all knew the speed and control, but he's not just a counter-attacking threat. He is what I hoped (and still do to some extent) Martinelli would become. Would also free up Saka on the other side.

We probably won't get Nico because of his wage demands. Marty should be taking notes how to improve his game from Nico cos they are so damned similar in profile, right down to the tendency to do everything but get the goal/assist.

I get the concerns over the wage demands and I agree with them to an extent but if you can get a player like him in, you do it. I think the bigger issue is that I am not sure he wants to leave Bilbao - he's been pretty outspoken about that recently and does not sound like he's got one foot out the door at all. Of course that could just be him being nice to his boyhood club that has treated his family very well but I do think it's going to be tough to get him out of La Liga. The more he tears up the Euros, the easier the conversation is internally over him becoming a top 3-4 wage earner at Arsenal though.

What I absolutely love about him is his ability on both feet. He's very ambipedal and having players who are able to strike through the ball on either foot on both wings with him and Saka would make our attack very unpredictable and dynamic. He's definitely not as technical as Saka (but few are) but he's got far more pace and can break away from defenders more easily due to that. I really hope we can get him - he'd be perfect.

He's on £170k a week. Not exactly on massive money but I am guessing he'd want at least £200k. Not exactly out of budget and if he is coming with a lower transfer fee that could be made up with a signing on bonus or something.

He's really good mates with Yamal and I think he wants to join Barca at some point so it comes down that. Bilbao will want that whole release clause paid in one payment which will make it trickier for some clubs. I think they're very firm on that.

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

Agreed, only seen clips of him before.

If you're looking to see what he can do, check out the Copa del Rey matches he played in towards the end of the tourney. He was easily the best player on the field throughout and just tore defenders to shreds in transition and in settled play. His burst from a standstill is incredible - very similar to Neto.

samthegooner I get the concerns over the wage demands and I agree with them to an extent but if you can get a player like him in, you do it.

He's not Mbappe. He's a good player but he's not quite there and if you bring him in on huge money the expectation if he actually realises the potential will be for a big wage increase. You have to be smart with these deals. He's looked pretty good at the Euros but he's not tearing up La Liga yet so doesn't warrant breaking the bank for. TBH he's probably right to stay where he is for another year. A massive move to the PL would be a lot of pressure.

Last season 31 games, 5 goals and 14 assists. The assist numbers are very good but looking at him play he can definitely push on with goals.

He is a great talent and I think it is important though to make sure he fits around our wage structure. Like I said give him a signing on bonus if he is coming for reasonable money but if you put him on parity with the top players it can cause disharmony in the squad.

Also we have one of the best projects in world football right now, attracting players like him and getting to work without our structure imo should be possible. If he just wants the money then move on, there are others but I've seen no indication that he is only motivated by money.

Qwiss I'd argue he tore up La Liga for a good portion of 2024 - what you're seeing in the Euros was a pretty game in, game out pattern since the start of the year in terms of skipping past his man for fun and putting in a lot of very teasing balls. He definitely needs to add more goals to his game but he's been on the uptick and his finishing encourages me.

I don't think he should be on Mbappe wages but making him one of our top 5 earners right off the bat shouldn't be something that kills the deal IMO.

samthegooner what he's looking for would put him above Ode, Saka, etc and a top 3 player at Arsenal. We are already trying to offload Jesus who's one of that 3.

JazzG there have been a number of reporters I've heard on podcasts that are claiming there is a pretty unique structure at Bilbao that results in these inflated player wages. They seem to think he's asking for 300k+ in order to move.

Really liking what I've been seeing of Sesko this Euros. Not being able to get him may be a miss for us.

Yep looks very good. Bit raw and snatchy with his finishing at times though

Guys left wing spot - Williams or Leao?

lorddulaarsenal If price and wages were not a factor? I'd take Nico.

USArsenal every day of the week and twice on sunday

lorddulaarsenal for sure Nico.

i have two words for all this talk about nico's wages: kai havertz.

nico williams is a better prospect than him and will add more value to our team.

Meatwad if Williams would come down to that level, sure.

Meatwad it’s weird. I’ve had so many non Arsenal friends text me this weekend to say what a beast Kai is.

I’m not worried about Nico’s goals and wages. I’d rather Nico’s 5 goals and £170k wage than Gyokeres 30 goals and £50k wage

Claudius His wage now is £170k, he wants waaay more if he moves.

Coombs I think it is down to them only having Basque players in the squad so they need to pay big money to keep them.

If it is £300k he wants then we move on, he might be worth that one day but he isn't worth messing with our wage structure for.

Big Willie Really liking what I've been seeing of Sesko this Euros. Not being able to get him may be a miss for us.

You can see why so many clubs were trying for him but you have to respect he wanted to stay. Probably for the best from his perspective, he still needs a bit of time to really hit the next level and he'll get that time if he stays.

Re: Williams wage demands - It’s all speculation at this point based on hearsay from that Arsenal “ITK”. We know he’s on pretty high wages for his age and status due to Bilbao paying more to keep their players due to their recruitment limits. Even if he was asking for the same wages, that would likely get grouped in a “he’s demanding high wages” category but also would likely be doable in our current structure. Now if he’s asking for 300k a week, that’s a different story but no one knows. I would hope Arteta and Edu try to make the case that he shouldn’t be making more than Saka but that his commercial opportunities are going to skyrocket being in London.

Exactly - It's all speculation. Who knows what he wants or if he even wants to move. What I do know is he looks ready to contribute now, and is an impact player. That's what we need. And we should be able and willing to pay for what we need. Bring him in, and 50% of our summer shopping is done.

Next must have target is harder to find - a midfielder that can do what Partey does, and possibly provide a consistent long range/edge of the box goal threat. Bruno G. would be my first choice for this.

That gets us to City level I think.

Every other incoming is a bonus.

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

Orwff

Ferdi Kadioglu , he's very good .

A not so subtle hint there.....

Barca doing Barca things.

He wants to join Bilbao?

Barca don't have money

so messi is the pappy?

Meatwad yep. He was the donor. Everyone knows this.

Keep going.......a little bit lower

Do it!

Clrnc what about Jorginho?

Mirth what about Jorginho?

Jorginho isn't the same as born and raised Italians. Didn't he come to Europe pretty much at 15/16 years old anyways? He's more of a Brazillian for me who will travel where he needs to go to make it, win stuff and make money.

Big Willie Udogie?

Mirth Udogie?

Decent shout, but he's only been here for a season. Even then, as a first or second generation immigrant, he'll still be in close touch with his African roots. Africans, even those of us born and raised in Western Europe, have no issues uprooting and moving cross continents if we believe it will get us paid and the sacrifice is worth it. I've done it myself.

Actually wouldn't even say only Africans, most people who's family still has connections back to countries of their origins rife with poverty would have similar thinking (wherher from Africa, South and Central America, or South and South East Asia.

Williams and Leao are very good, but I don't think either of them will significantly improve the team. Martinelli is on the same level going forward, but much better defensively and off the ball.

Martinelli is not on the same level as Leao. Leao is one of the few wingers in the world who beats his man 6-7 times a game.