goon I think people underestimate how good a footballer you need to be to make the 9 position work in our system.

I agree. Jesus aside, I reckon Trossard would be the closest in our squad to being able to play it false, and Martinelli to play it making runs into more advanced scoring positions. And neither of them is ideal for it, but both would do better than Balogun and can play elsewhere. Even Smith Rowe might have greater potential in those areas. With the greatest respect to Nketiah and Balogun I can see the benefits of cashing in on at least one of them, not least of which is if not now, then when?

Balogun's having a great season but we've all been watching the highlights, some of the time he's up against defending that would embarrass the Championship.

    I'd also add that his profile is probably higher proportionally now than his current ability, which would be a good time to cash in.

    Don't get me wrong, I like Balogun but if he's demanding regular first team football, I haven't yet seen anything that suggests he's ready as per the commentary from others above.

    I'd like to see us keep either Balogun or Nketiah to have an option that's different, rather than an other version of same style. I probably think Balogun has more upside than Nketiah but I also think we can get more for Flo in the current market, and Eddie's more likely to accept continuing in his current role for a while longer.

      I think 'different' is overrated personally. What you want is more players who fit your style of play so that plan A is more resilient.

      RowJimmy I don't know all the forwards out there but I don't think it's inconceivable that we could find a promising youngster who'd be comfortable playing a squad role.

          Don Pacifico we are heavily linked with Vitor Roque 18 year old Brazilian striker. Fighting with all the top clubs obviously. Huge talent already scored 5 goals in 36 apps this year

              QuincyAbeyie kid you not they called him the new Gabriel Jesus 😆 . Very highly rated. Goon will love him since he wants a like for like

                22 days later
                12 days later

                https://arseblog.news/2023/05/reports-rice-and-caicedo-targetted-arsenal-want-deals-done-quickly/

                Placed this in here as the thing I wanted to discuss was the list of potential departures: specifically ESR. I know there's a been a bit of speculation about this but it feels really at odds with the piece from the Athletic recently that said we were lining him up for a CM role. I wonder if this contingent on (a) how much we're struggling to raise funds this summer and (b) whether or not we can get Mount in on a free...?

                I like him but we do have to be ruthless. My fear is that he played so little I'm not sure we'll get great value for him if we decided to sell.

                It's only on this forum that people think ESR will be sold. He's definitely part of the squad next season (but perhaps not the first 11). Arteta doesn't rush players back after a long injury and he did the same with Martinelli a couple of season's back.

                  yeah.. even if you do want him sold (I don't)... now is probably the worse time financially to sell... next year he will definitely get more games/minutes and we can re assess at the end of the season.

                    Mirth

                    It looks like his role right now is to be Odegaard's understudy - at least that's usually who he comes on for. Maybe that will be his main function next year when we're back in the CL.

                    I do feel like with the midfield additions mooted for this summer, there's only room for one of Vieira and ESR though.

                        Doc yeah.. even if you do want him sold (I don't)... now is probably the worse time financially to sell... next year he will definitely get more games/minutes and we can re assess at the end of the season.

                        This is how I see it. I think his Arsenal future's very murky but at the very least an injury free season would probably boost his valuation, and in an ideal world, he'd remind us what he's all about.

                        goon I do feel like with the midfield additions mooted for this summer, there's only room for one of Vieira and ESR though.

                        Sometimes it can be good to have too little room, there was some sense of entitlement to opportunities this season, think I'd rather see Arteta proactively rotating more, but fewer implied promises to the players.

                            I must say I never thought I'd be sad to see Granit go, but the right decision I think. Feels like something that might have been pre-agreed.

                              Given he's got a year left, it's not a terrible deal (also not a great deal). Glad he's been able to leave on somewhat of a high.