DiabyKungFu We were signing him for the first XI, he's benching someone as soon as he's adapted.

Burnwinter We were signing him for the first XI,

We really were not.

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.

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.

Big Willie what did he say about Lacazette?

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert Holding was quoted in an article saying Laca told him "don't imagine the grass is greener" and apparently Laca says that while he's happy at Lyon, Arsenal is a special club.

Hope Saliba, Saka and Martinelli read that one.

DiabyKungFu We really were. You don't spend £100m on a bench player. These are fachts

Where did you here about Locatelli?

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.

Clrnc It makes sense for Elneny to go. He's barely played lately and the drop off from Partey to Elneny is the most glaring in the side.

Qwiss

Clearly that is what we are doing. We sent the boy away for surgery to heal properly. That’s because we have a strong first eleven that gives us the space to try to solve this for good.

We’ve been dealing with these ESR injuries for 3 years. I cannot see us continuing another 3 years like this. If he doesn’t come good in a year or two, his place will really be at risk.

But.. this is not today’s agenda. We have 2 or 3 things we need to do first.

Obviously if he can't get fit it changes things but this is the "OUTS 2023" thread. People seem to be suggesting a sooner push.

Qwiss IF we bring someone in to take the squad place.

I think our style of play has evolved since ESR last had a run in the team. Hence why I think he’s seen as dispensable

lorddulaarsenal
Disagree. He’s as much an Arteta player as anyone on this squad. ESR works hard and has some of the best technique I’ve seen on an academy grad. Remember before he started scoring I said the kid would score. Was always clear it would come given his ability to strike the ball in multiple ways. He also has incredible balance and an ability to control, pass and shoot well with both feet.

Arteta wants highly technical players like this on his team.

For those worried about Martinelli, look at his spider diagram. This is an elite attacker. Gets into dangerous positions and generates a ton of shots for himself and teammates.