So long as there's a real plan for him. He was born to play attacking midfield. If he doesn't get regular matches, his valuation's gone in twelve months along with his exit to a club good enough for his potential. Not saying he won't, but if Arteta doesn't say so … he won't.

We have to be realistic as we tie down the first team youngsters to the bumper contracts they're demanding. Anyone who's not 100% in that bracket has to be viewed as saleable, it's good for them and for us.

That's the sad truth isn't it. I love ESR but the fact is his position is going to be congested very soon.

He needs to stay fit for the 2nd half of this season and win his place back

A few days ago we were signing Mudryk to play ahead of Martinelli to play ahead of Smith Rowe. Now we have Trossard and it's not quite the same story, but it's not far off.

If that doesn't motivate him to the next level, the one that might result in him benching Xhaka, I don't know what you do. But the time's clearly now to get fit and break through again.

    I grt what you are saying. But if we have European competition and he stays reasonably fit then I can't see any reason why he wouldn't get plenty of minutes. If we were to sell him then it would logically be to replace him in the squad with a player who is at least as good, otherwise what is the point? And unless that player comes from within, then how much would it cost us to buy? We've seen how fucking wacko "the market" for quality players can be. We need at least 5 quality players rotating through the front 4 positions and ESR is certainly capable of being one of those. If he's playing regularly and we're doing well, why would he want to move elsewhere? If he isn't happy with a role like that in those circumstances then that's a different matter.

    Yeah I get it too. And he's Hale End.

    But we're going to need to start looking at our world a bit differently if 2023 Arsenal is to go beyond being a one off squad that plays nice-looking football and threatens to win a couple of trophies. I don't mean being pointlessly ruthless.

    Some of you guys clearly suffer from short term memory loss.

    Was just 18 months ago this guy came into the side and transformed how we started playing. Arguably the spark for progress in this side. It was less than 12 months ago this guy stormed into double figures for goals in the Premier League at the age of 21. We're not talking about someone who had a good game in pre-season once.

    Groin surgery later and we're projecting his failure and trying to ship him off in a world where a guy who's the same age but with less experience just went to Chelsea for €100m.

      We were signing in him for the first XV I'd say and anyone in that group could legit have a shot of starting any given week if they get to the levels we are pushing for from our top 15/16 players.

        goon I'm with you, I find this chat staggering. We've all been discussing a lack of depth in the squad for months - we sign one player and it's adiós Emile!

        I read something a few days ago that suggested Arteta was looking to try Emile as one of his two 8s before the injury intervened. So, whilst the forward line just got a little more crowded, it's not as if he can't play anywhere else - especially given that pretty much everyone here has identified Xhaka as someone who could be improved upon as one of our two 8s.

            Big Willie Yep. That's what we are trying to achieve.

            I hope this source is a shit source and ESR get clear of his injury issues

              I believe it is. Think Arteta quite likes ESR, as we all do. And it's unfair to compare him to AMN or others who may have clashed with Arteta.

              ESR doesn't look like he'd ever kick up a fuss, he certainly didn't last season when he was our top scorer putting one in almost every game only to disappear from the starting lineup.

              Now that we are challenging for the title, and have a pretty good and settled team, I find it even more doubtful he'd push for a move or put his place in the squad at risk by doing or saying anything that will get him on Arteta's bad side. You seen what Holding was saying recently about Lacazette? Think everyone wants to be here and be part of what we're building, first XI or otherwise.

                A lot of talks on Elneny out now.

                And heard a certain Locatelli coming in

                  RocktheCasbah Everyone spends the season lamenting our lack of depth and worrying about what an injury to Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, etc would mean and now they're talking about moving on quality players because they aren't "first XI". We need to shake off this midtable mentality, we are beyond that now.

                  The idea of selling off probably the 2nd best talent we've produced since Wilshere doesn't sit well with me at all. We are talking about a 22 year old who's done way more in the league than alot of other 22 year olds. I'm not seeing any value in selling him and replacing him an unknown quantity. I'd rather bet on ESRs fitness than bet on another Fabio Vieira.