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.

                Always suspected he will leave after this season, especially when it was said we wanted a minimum of 2 new CMs.

                And it always felt he wanted to try something new since whoring himself to Mourinho those years ago

                  Kind of poetic that when he joined we fell out of the CL the very next season and now that he is leaving we have just got back in.

                  He has had his redemption arc, plenty of ups and downs but from his point of view I can understand why he wants to move. Closer to home and a longer contract.

                  Clrnc I'd also add that I think from everything we've heard this season about Xhaka's role in the team plus the fact he's now moving on with rumours of two very different players incoming, that Arteta has always been very aware of his limitations and it was always a case of not if but when.

                  Glad he's rebuilt a relationship with the fans (which truly is to his credit) and worked hard to find a role that has made him useful but also happy that we're finally upgrading.

                    Deserves a respectful send off. Think it would nicely tie the bow on a challenging tenure, but one that should be respected in the end.

                    Glad the final game is at home.

                    Had a good season, but it's the right call. Wish him well.

                    15m seems low but I think this is a reflection of Xhaka and Arteta's agreement that was referred to in the past. It's a shame to lose him as an option but I think we can cope.

                    I hated him for 90 percent of his time here but credit where credit is due for this last season. He acted like a model pro and for once was an actual leader.

                    I wish him well.

                    He wasn't good enough in his first couple of seasons but was excellent in his last two. Not perfect but replacing him won't be easy.

                    Xhaka's biggest criticism this season is that he's not creative enough around the box, but assuming Rice is his replacement, that issue won't be addressed.

                    In the end, Xhaka has many assists as Odegaard in the league, both at 7. So I would say a creative 8 would be ideal, but Rice isn't that.

                    I suspect we will go through a transitory period as we phase out Xhaka and Partey. I hope the club is right in Rice and Caicedo being the answers because I don't think they are superior.

                      Excellent player. Recon Alonso sees a lot of his game in Xhaka’s

                      Anyway it’s exciting to see what’s ahead for that role and who will come in to fill it

                      Now that we're good again, watch how we'll suddenly get good fees for our players. And people will talk about Edu improving in this regard, when it's just that we have better surplus players to sell and are selling from a position of strength.

                      it's the right time for xhaka to go. he's coming off his best season for arsenal and leaves on good terms. we're levelling up as a club and he always had a bit of a ceiling as to what he could deliver in that LCM role.

                      I'm actually a bit excited now. the midfield revamp that's been overdue for about 10 years might actually be afoot