I wanted to give Mikel the benefit of the doubt but bloody hell, Sane? If true, it's beginning to look like he has zero imagination when it comes to signing attackers beyond old'n'busted players that he already knows and/or academy players that force his hand.
Pepe LeFrits He was scary at times for City, remember him tearing Bellerin a new one at the Emirates a few years back. I remember that game so well as it felt like one of the lowest points under Wenger for me. Remember watching City and thinking how do we ever get to that level, they were frightening
Sane, on his day, is almost unplayable. His problem is that his days are too few and far between. I would take him as a lower priced backup to the ACTUAL players we need (like Sterling was supposed to be, but was/is not).
There is no way Sane is at the top of our list of people to get though.
USArsenal I would take him as a lower priced backup to the ACTUAL players we need (like Sterling was supposed to be, but was/is not).
He would be a free transfer in the summer window, which is why if he is any good I'd 100% be up for it. We need one top quality young player but we also need extra bodies. We also need 2 x CMs, a striker and GK. So we need to try and balance things out and if a good free transfer is available be open to it imo.
It seems like a lot of the rumors recently have been us wrapping up deals early for:
Would you deem this an acceptable window? There have been more clickbait type articles in the past 24 hours or so around Berta wanting up to 7 signings, including Guimaraes if Newcastle doesn't get UCL, but I think anything more than 4 is getting closer to unrealistic. Personally, I'd love to see if we can sell Trossard and replace with Cunha.
samthegooner that'd be a fantastic window, assuming anyone important going out gets a replacement too.
Qwiss Agreed. I'd be happy with that with the outgoings assumed to be Partey, Jorginho, Tierney, Tavares.
I think if we sell Zinchenko, Nelson, Vieira or Trossard then we should likely adopt a one in, one out strategy to maintain/build squad depth. Hopefully we lock up those four incomings early and then can work on selling and taking advantage of any potential market opportunities to round out the squad. Even if we didn't sell any of them, we'd be looking at the following:
CF: Sesko, Havertz, Jesus (injured until 2026)
Wingers: Saka, Williams, Martinelli, Trossard, Nwaneri, Nelson
Midfielders: Odegaard, Rice, Zubimendi, Merino, Vieira, Dowman(?)
Defenders: Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, White, Calafiori, MLS, Kiwior, Zinchenko
GK: Raya, Garcia, Hein
samthegooner It's a little light in the midfield. We need a creative attacking midfielder too.
There's too much to do, and we won't get it done.
Our Raheem replacement
Claudius Had a good start to the season didn't he? Chelsea peaked way too early.
samthegooner That would be a great window but possibly still leaves us a bit short if players leave.
samthegooner Short in midfield and I think we'll lose Trossard, Kiwior and Zinchenko in the summer. We may need to add a few more players but can't see us signing 6/7 players.
Didn't realise he has a year left on his contract this summer, Liverpool a bit of a shambles right now with so many key players either out of contract or coming up soon.
There are so many "Berta wants to sign this player" stories out now - it's all fun and games and nonsense, but also fun to dream. This article says he wants to sign Guimaraes to play in midfield with Zubimendi. Not sure where that leaves Declan and Martin, but would be wonderful midfield depth.
More likely to be one of the 2. Guimaraes would be a great player for us I reckon.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2026418/arsenal-news-andrea-berta-martin-zubimendi-bruno-guimaraes
Signing him would be a massive coup and definitely elevate our midfield. Zubimendi isn’t as flashy as some but he always makes the right pass
It wouldn't be stupid as long as we don't skimp on making the attack better. We need at least 2 bona fide forwards/strikers, and maybe a 'project forward'. Then we can worry about a second CM. Zubi and Guimaraes to replace Partey and Jorginho would be great, but only if we can afford both (which i doubt we can). We also need an alternative to Odegaard when he is having an off day or injured. Not sure if we see Vieira as the answer to that one. (maybe Ethan?)
Definitely Nwaneri over Vieira anywhere. The latter shouldn't be coming back I hope.
Elite LW or CF, and a smart CM to backfill Jorginho and Partey, are absolutely necessary. Then another forward.
Everyone seems to agree on that anyway. Who we might sell looms as the hotter debate of the summer.
