Summa 26 TW: Page 23 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Summa 26 TW

Pepe LeFrits

We definitely need another CM option to take Norgaard's place in the squad. Someone Arteta will actually use.

Claudius

So I think we have an on the ball/off the ball balance issue. If I think about the best I’ve seen us play, it’s typically been with some combination of guys like White, Xhaka, Partey,, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Havertz and Saka. Lots of on the ball players who were constantly moving interesting space and creating for those around them.

We now have a team of players who enjoy playing off the ball, with Odegaard, Saka and sometimes Eze Havertz enjoying being on the ball. That’s why we have these challenges advancing and retaining possession, beyond the improved defenses in general. The player I most cast my eye to is Zubimendi. Love him. But with Rice next to him, could we use a more on-the-ball

The player who stands out for me in terms of ability to both carry and pass the ball forward is Elliot Anderson. Btw, Odegaard is a rare breed like Anderson who does both. And I think what’s happening with him is because so many of our players are off-the-ball, then he is being burdened with on the ball progression. Hence it looks like he’s slowing us down but it’s actually a bigger issue beyond him of connectivity, especially with injuries.

samthegooner

Completely agree with @Tactics - between Rice, Zubi, Norgaard and MLS, we have more than enough cover for DM. We need more technical ability and passing ability in our midfield though. Odegaard is better as a buildup CM, much like Bernardo. He's far too one-footed to play as the most advanced midfielder and showed it again last night. Eze in that role works although I like him best in the left half space so I would likely have him shade more towards the left as opposed to the right.

I'd love to find someone similar to Szoboszlai since I think he'd be perfect in our team as a hard worker out of possession but with ability on the ball and otherworldly ball striking that we are missing outside of Eze and the occasional Gyokeres shot.

I like the mention of Anderson but it seems like he's heading to City. Wharton is a great shout since he would instantly change our chance creation with his incredible passing vision and range. I do worry about his ability out of possession though as his defensive numbers are subpar. Guler is one that I always keep coming back to - if Madrid makes him available, we need to be all over him. Lamine Camara from Monaco has impressed me, albeit from limited viewing, but he's probably more of a 6/8 profile and I think we should be bringing in a 8/10 profile.

lorddulaarsenal

So latest round of rumours linking us to:-

Kroupi, Godts, and Livramento

Feels like we’d need a superstar to go with them.

Alvarez perhaps

MistaT

Isn’t Livramento another injury riddled player?
Hard pass.

I want Munoz from Palace to replace White.

Let Hincapie and Cali run as our starting LBs, and loan MLS until Christmas. If Calafiori can’t stay healthy in the first half of next season (after a summer break) then ship him out and recall MLS.

If I’m being ruthless, Odegaard out, and Siabari from PSV in.

If I’m being soft, Odegaard has until Christmas to figure it out before I’d heavily consider replacing him Saka, and leaving Dowman to win over RWF.

And finally, you have to ship Trossard (keep Martinelli) and one of Gyokeres/Havertz. As for who comes in to replace them, that’s certainly the million dollar question.

Alvarez has the talent, but I worry about his fit in the team.

Pio Esposito was worth a shout earlier in his season but I think he’s faded. And he would be far easier to incorporate (being young) if one of Havertz/Gyokeres had a higher floor.

Claudius

MistaT Alvarez has the talent, but I worry about his fit in the team.

I know a lot of folks think Alvarez doesn’t produce enough. Hers actually delivering 0.77 goals and assists per 90. Compare to our squad. Our 3 highest are Merino, Gyokeres, Trossard at 0.63, 0.53 and 0.52 respectively. So he is far more productive than any of our guys. The issue I realised from Arsecast is that players at the other 3 champions league semi-finalists are only playing 30-50% of available minutes. They are being fully rested in the league ahead of champs league ties, a luxury the English teams don’t have.

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