Gunner89 Sure, but given that most people weren't convinced by Eddie even after last season's run in, I don't think it is, or should be, a black and white decision. I understand people's fears of risking another AMN situation, where we have completely fucked his value, but I think we have a bit more time here.

Also, is there some sort of rule against having sentimental fans? The whole point of watching football is, for me, allowing yourself to dream. As a decision maker at Arsenal, Edu doesn't have that luxury, but I do.

Gunner89 think it's tricky to find a good balance between sentimentality, pragmatism and ambition as fan/fanbase/club. If one can even put those to a venn diagram. I would hate to be one of the fanbases with no sentimentality, and players treated like cattle (over towards putney bridge for e.g.). Think of some of us can recalibrate, for sure. I prefer to be a sentimental slut.

In order not to have to make tough decisions with players we really like/rate, I would really like Edu generate profits from the other players. I can just, just about excuse him last 2 years struggling to content with outside perceptions/perceived value on players like Guendouzi, Kolasinic, Mari, Torriera. I actually think those are some decent players. It felt like he had to sell Willock because he couldn't source value elsewhere. I am expecting more than that this time around.
We should be aiming to break even on players like Mari, Soares, Holding(if he leaves). We should be prepping for substantive profit if we need to flip Tavares, Balogun. If it makes sense, we should be aiming to renegotiate terms with Nelson, Trusty, Balogun, Pépé with new sell clauses, or with intent to sell. Generate something healthy from the first two categories I listed earlier this week, and it doesn't even have to get to thinking about Smith-Rowe or Tierney.

FWIW I like both and don't want them sold. It's only about injury/availability with Smith-Rowe for me, and I otherwise questioned the Mudryk pursuit. I feel a confident Tierney as an overlapping FB is a really nice asset in the team. Maybe another development challenge for Arteta as manager is to weave in alternative tactics and sets that sometimes accommodate and complement the strengths of some his players, rather than only finding and fitting players in to predefined profiles. Used differently, Tierney would be racking up assists and goals like Chillwell and Reece-James I feel.

RocktheCasbah rom the right not only gives us the option to rest the Ealing legend, but to create space in the team for Nketiah AND Balogun

How many games is that really going to create though, half a dozen? That's assuming you don't want to play Trossard, ESR, Vieira or a potential new signing out there.

Balogun and in particular Eddie deserve/need to be starting 20+ games next year. That may just about be possible if one of them is competing with Jesus. Give them 10 games each and you're sabotaging both of them imo.

Balogun is still 21 which is young, I don't really see any rush to integrate him. Give him a more challenging loan next year where he can continue to play and develop.

You guys aren't doing the math. There's no scenario where you keep all 3 happy by keeping them around. There's no scenario where Jesus is happy playing less than 70% of available games. There's no scenario where Eddie is happy starting fewer games than this season at 24. There's no scenario where 'Ligue 1s top scorer' is either happy or developing playing a bit part role.

Fabio Vieira who has arguably been first choice backup for 3 positions this season has started just 8 games. It probably would have been less if we were playing Milan and Porto rather than Tumbleweed FC.

I'd understand if we still had Auba and Laca here stinking the place up. But unfortunately for Balo he's got two guys performing very well and heading into their prime ahead of him.

Also think there's a bit of projecting going on with whether or not he'd be happy with a loan. Reckon he'd absolutely love playing week in week out in a top half PL side or a good European side. We then give ourselves 12 extra months to make a more informed decision.

Who can play the Zinchenko style though. Who else can be the left back who also sort of players as a number 10.

Like I say if we sell Tierney for a good price and reinvest in someone more suited to the role then thats fine. I just hope we don't move a good player and replace him with someone who isn't up to it. We've already signed Nuno Tavares, thats not a mistake we can make again at left back.