Summa 26 TW

JazzG

Hasn't Yildiz just extended his contract?

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Yes, And? 🙂

RowJimmy

Means he'll cost more.

Qwiss

I'd be looking for only the very best players or those close to becoming the very best this summer. Jesus needs replacing, especially with Kai back in midfield. Gyokeres and Alvarez would be good forward depth. On the left I'd only move if the opportunity is good enough, otherwise let Trossard run down his deal. He's as productive as a lot of the names people talk about, this would also give Dowman time to see if he can be ready for the main squad. Everywhere else is pretty solid, I'd only make moves if someone wants out or a truly incredible player is available.

RowJimmy

Qwiss
I agree with this on the whole but I also think we need to include some future oriented signings, eg. Bouaddi. Yildiz and Barcola are both interesting for that reason. But we don't have a lot of squad space (even if we have money).

Qwiss

RowJimmy I'd count those guys in "those close to becoming the very best". Although I'd say the jury is out on how ready Bouaddi is for me, especially in terms of Arteta trusting him.

Burnwinter

Yıldız is out for me. Good example of a guy whose value has leapt too much while we held an interest. Šeško was similar. £80m for a player from Serie A is bad business in nearly all cases.

So don't go for Yıldız, find the next Yıldız. We need to rebalance our average squad age back down towards 20. Alvarez is different because we haven't "solved" 9.

daredevil

Burnwinter

Back down towards 20?

It took 3-5 years of development for our early 20 year olds to grow to 24-27 and eventually (potentially) win a trophy

Burnwinter

daredevil You understand "towards 20" doesn't mean 20, yes?

lorddulaarsenal

Dixon and Mooney bring the average age down a bit

Tam

lorddulaarsenal Dixon and Mooney bring the average age down a bit

And the excitement levels up a bit!

lorddulaarsenal

But youngsters we could target are Esposito or Kroupi

Asterix

lorddulaarsenal seems like everyone is linked with Kroupi. Bournemouth will make an obscene amount of money outta him.

TambourineMan

The new kid on the block at Napoli looks interesting too - Vergara.

lorddulaarsenal

Yes they’ll certainly rekroup the amount they invested in him and a lot more

lorddulaarsenal

Think we need a proper dribbler in the eleven. Can’t think of who but we lack someone who a carry the ball centrally and evade challenges like they’re doing it in their sleep.

Pedri would be the dream

Don Pacifico

lorddulaarsenal Think we need a proper dribbler in the eleven.

My gut reaction was to agree but then technically, that's what Noni is.

I think we just need more quality in the front line. To repeat what I (and quite a few others) were saying in the summer, we need game-breakers in the front line, players who can create their own chances out of nothing, who can (successfully!) take risks when the system isn't working.

Qwiss

lorddulaarsenal Think we need a proper dribbler in the eleven. Can’t think of who but we lack someone who a carry the ball centrally and evade challenges like they’re doing it in their sleep.

They've an 18 year old English lad like that at Marseilles now. Dribbles from the centre, scores long rangers, can make his own chances, etc guys one of the hottest prospects in Europe. Would probably do better for us than Eze but I get the feeling Arteta probably wouldn't trust him enough to give him a serious role in the team any time soon.

Claudius

lorddulaarsenal we have plenty of dribblers and carriers. You can’t see it because of game states.

lorddulaarsenal

Noni can get by players but that’s more by out pacing opponents. I’d like a fleet footed agile skilful playmaker. Cherki style

Don Pacifico

lorddulaarsenal I think that's doing him a bit of a disservice. Not personally a fan of Cherki, although will hold my hands up and say I haven't watched him extensively. Looks a bit of a showpony to me.

Don Pacifico

Qwiss Nwaneri still has a lot to prove. I don't think we can say he's the answer at this stage.

Qwiss

Don Pacifico he should've been part of the squad in a much more serious way. When he's had chances in the middle he was better than Eze, when he had chances on the right he was better than Madueke.