Also, if Walcott is not getting a look in at our starting eleven, I say sell. He's never been much of an impact player off the bench, he's at his best when starting week in week out, and usually takes a few weeks to warm into form as well. I'd be getting rid, right now.
Just looking at our lineup today, and when sanchez is fit, walcott will almost certainly be the one to drop out of the matchday squad.
What if we sign Lemar as well?
Surely, surely gotta sell him.
That was a fun game! Don't take much out of it re: our defence, considering that is nowhere near our Starting XI.
On Theo - I'd say we'd be keen to sell him but there will be no takers considering his ridiculous wage demands relative to his talent.
Also need a certain number of homegrown players, yada yada.
It's crazy to me that the only player we've sold is Snez when, IMO, he is also someone who would've strengthened the team. Watching Cech out there made me very uneasy. Ospina is a good keeper, but he's simply not a keeper for a team who have any hope of winning the league.
a.haak
Also, if Walcott is not getting a look in at our starting eleven, I say sell. He's never been much of an impact player off the bench, he's at his best when starting week in week out, and usually takes a few weeks to warm into form as well. I'd be getting rid, right now.
Just looking at our lineup today, and when sanchez is fit, walcott will almost certainly be the one to drop out of the matchday squad.
What if we sign Lemar as well?
Surely, surely gotta sell him.
With 2 and a bit weeks to go in the window I'm wondering if players like Jenko and Debuchy might just get their contracts terminated to speed up the freeing up process.
watched the highlights from the foxes game again this morning.
man we look poor at set pieces. Just no real organisation or ownership of roles. We need to fix that asap or we will be shipping goals this year.
Eleny isn't starting quality, the man just drifts and I thought was out of position. BUT he does play nice one touch ball in the final third which contrast the usual from Welbeck, Ozil or Ox
Kola is a beast, but we need Kosc back asap.
Cech didnt command his area like he used to... i miss having Szy
Also in the rumour mill, I hear Ozil might be off back to spain with a few clubs interested. I think that that would be a big loss. even though not as much noise is made around the emirates about him as sanchez, he is still incredibly valuable to our team.
Other news; Newcastle want Jack and Perez, we wont be getting Lemar and Everton are still interested in walcott( though that was news to my toffee mates)
I don't take too much out of that defensive performance considering how many were out - however, I think we can take a lot of heart with our offensive display. I thought we were superb at times, really incisive, and Laca looked fantastic.
a.haak
Yea I'm not worried about the defence at this point. It was so makeshift. Just glad we won despite shipping 3 goals.
Our set piece defending has been pretty good over the last couple of seasons, having real CBs back in there will bring that back.
I agree on Cech kwlap, not much talk about it but he had a pretty poor game, and was lost a bit for a couple of goals. He also got very lucky when he rushed out to shut Vardy down - that was a poor decision, Vardy's heavy touch made him look good.
Cech seems to occasionally have that kind of game, but he always bounces back well with a long stretch of good form afterwards usually. Just glad it didn't cost us this time. Remember his league debut for us 2 seasons ago? Yuck.
Wilshere played for the U23s this morn, FYI, apparently looked quite decent. They won 3-2 after being 2-0 down, Nelson continued his pre-season form with a brace, one of which was apparently a bit of a worldy. Strong team too, showing our depth, Coquelin, Gibbs, Wilshere all started.
Few bits and bobs today:
- Apparently we're considering breaking the bank for Asensio - although more likely Asensio's agent going after a better contract. Would be $72M +, kind of money you'd need to spend on Lemar so not that unreasonable.
- $35M from Chelsea for The Ox - take it? Personally, I would, but only if we've got someone like Asensio or Lemar coming in.
- Henry's analysis was interesting, I think Laca up front provides a direct route we haven't been willing to play for some time, but if Xhaka can hit those long balls in behind for him he could have a cracking season.
If Kyle Walker is a £50million player then Ox is £75million
We should keep our best players, Ox is a genuine first XI in a 3-4-3
E's Flat Ah's Flat Too
If Kyle Walker is a £50million player then Ox is £75million
We should keep our best players, Ox is a genuine first XI in a 3-4-3
The only position he's a starter for is keeping either Kolasnic/Bellerin out of wing back if everyone is fit. This is a position he doesn't want to play in. $35m now or on a free next year because we can't give him time in CM.
Yeah, it's great saying we want to keep him - but he doesn't want to sign a contract unless he plays as a CM (he's doing a Theo).
I also think he's a better option than Bellerin at RWB. I don't think he is good on the left, though.
Few bits and bobs today:
- Apparently we're considering breaking the bank for Asensio - although more likely Asensio's agent going after a better contract. Would be $72M +, kind of money you'd need to spend on Lemar so not that unreasonable.
- $35M from Chelsea for The Ox - take it? Personally, I would, but only if we've got someone like Asensio or Lemar coming in.
- Henry's analysis was interesting, I think Laca up front provides a direct route we haven't been willing to play for some time, but if Xhaka can hit those long balls in behind for him he could have a cracking season.
0 chance Real lets Asensio go anywhere. He's the next big thing.
a.haak
I know, but imagine. That would be a transfer coup of the summer. It's all Neymar & Mbappe, then boom Arsene does a wordly and secures Asenio on $200K a week for $80m.
Would love to see it, but it's currently in the "YeahNah" category for me.
Though if we take the $$$ for Alexis (more so than the Ox, who I doubt they'll let go regardless) it becomes a possibility.
man we look poor at set pieces. Just no real organisation or ownership of roles. We need to fix that asap or we will be shipping goals this year.
The old 'Arsenal are crap at set pieces' coming out again, just as it did on MOTD. In the last five years we have conceded 6, 8, 12, 7 and 10 from set pieces putting us 20/20, 17/20, 7/20, 18/20 and 14/20 in the rankings.
Yes, we conceded two we probably shouldn't have but with BFG, Mustafi and Koscielny to come back I don't see it as a problem over the season.
FYI, it would be down to Asensio himself, Madrid would have no say, because that 72m is a release clause.
35m is cheap for the Ox in this market, but with 1 year to go we can't realistically get much more unless a bidding war develops.
He's not going to start in our central midfield, so if he's demanding that to sign a new contract then we're in a position where we may as well sell, as sad as that is (I'm a big ox fan).
With Nelson's success in pre-season, I would be happy to bring him in as back-up RWB, and then perhaps look at holding onto Chambers as CB cover so that Monreal can back Kolasinac up in the LWB role.
I think with our new formation and the personnel we have, we can manage without signing another fullback. With both our starting wingbacks being highly rated starters, and fairly young, there is not much allure for decent fullbacks to come to our club right now anyway.
Possibly.
Sounds like Gabriel is being sold, heading to Valencia.
Talk of trying to sign van Dijk with Chambers as part exchange. Surely unlikely... but what a transfer that would be if it did come to fruition.
Talk of Debuchy to Marseille on a free, and Lucas Perez to Deportivo for 13m.
Possibly.
Sounds like Gabriel is being sold, heading to Valencia.
Talk of trying to sign van Dijk with Chambers as part exchange. Surely unlikely... but what a transfer that would be if it did come to fruition.
I think the Gab deal was just confirmed. Good luck to him. Chambers for van Dijk would be something else. But im not a fan of how he has handled his transfer ordeal. wouldnt want him coming here and the stinking up the place with his attitude ya know
Really hard to say what the plan is with our defence.
We still have 6 CBs on the books if you include Monreal, so perhaps we've sold Gabriel and that's it, situation sorted.
However there are variables that affect the situation.
It appears that Gibbs is being sold, but it's not clear whether Monreal or the Ox are considered the main back-up for Kolasinac. If it's Monreal, then in the event of Kolasinac getting injured we're short a CB all of a sudden.
The Ox's contract situation muddies the waters as well, since he's apparently the back-up to Bellerin. Gabriel was our best CB at playing RB so we lose a back-up there too.
It could be that Reiss Nelson's development has convinced Wenger to lose one option... not sure.
Is Chambers now being kept? Could Holding potentially be loaned out?
A lot of questions, will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of weeks.
I still think we should sell Walcott.
Rumours of a tripple threat with Lucas (PSG), Lemar (Monaco), Seri (Nice) all coming in. That would be a hell of a climax to the window.
Letting Debuchy go on a free makes most sense to me - he is now 32 and we have another season of his wages we need to get rid of quickly.
Selling Chambers isn't ideal, makes sense to keep him and lose Gabriel. If Van Dijk came in then surely you'd loan out Holding or Chambers again.
Edit: with a view to the future if we lose Gabriel this window, then Per next season we're down to Mustafi, Kosc (who isn't young anymore), Chambers, Holding as out and out CB's.
Rumours of a tripple threat with Lucas (PSG), Lemar (Monaco), Seri (Nice) all coming in. That would be a hell of a climax to the window.
Letting Debuchy go on a free makes most sense to me - he is now 32 and we have another season of his wages we need to get rid of quickly.
Selling Chambers isn't ideal, makes sense to keep him and lose Gabriel. If Van Dijk came in then surely you'd loan out Holding or Chambers again.
Edit: with a view to the future if we lose Gabriel this window, then Per next season we're down to Mustafi, Kosc (who isn't young anymore), Chambers, Holding as out and out CB's.
that would be an amazing series of deals if they come off. But wouldnt that leave us with 17 wingers??? or if we got them would we offload wally and the ox? doubt that any of them will happen though
as for future windows and CBs, i think we can worry about that later. I am quite ok with having holding, Kosc,kola (who has been a CB previously) Nacho, Chambers and the Must on the books at the back. IF anything, I think we could sell chambers or loan holding out.
The most likely thing to happen;
We sell Debuchy
Sell Perez
We sign;
No one else.
Lemar looks like it's off the table and Liverpool are in for Seri too now.
a.haak
Starting side this weekend?
Some tough decisions.
My preference
Cech
Mustafi-Mertesacker-Monreal
Bellerin-Ramsey-Xhaka-Kolasinac
Ozil-Welbeck
Lacazette
Harsh on the Ox perhaps.
Seen more rumours that we are actually keen on van Dijk. Not convinced that's true, but would be a great signing if we could manage it.
PSG making guys available, Draxler for 32m apparently. We've chased him in the past, wouldn't be surprised if we went in for him instead of Lemar.
I'd be tempted to start Giroud ahead of Welbeck and drop Lacazette down. Or if you think The Ox warrants a start put him in for Welbz, he's got the drive & pace but more of a goal threat.
Can see the merit in that, especially against Stoke, to have a big strong striker mixing it with their defence, but I reckon Arsene will probably stick with the same front 3, he likes to do that to build familiarity and continuity.
If it's not working Giroud will come on and save our as*s in the second half no doubt!
Giroud currently on 99 goals for Arsenal. Would love to see him bring up the ton and join an elite list.
I LOVE giroud. Always have. And I couldn't be happier that he decided to stay despite us buying Lacazette. On top of that it seems the whole fan base is starting to love him more now, thanks to that decision, and his effectiveness off the bench.
He deserves the love, he's done a lot for us.
Averaging basically 20 goals and 8 assists a season over 5 years is not to be sniffed at.
I LOVE giroud. Always have. And I couldn't be happier that he decided to stay despite us buying Lacazette. On top of that it seems the whole fan base is starting to love him more now, thanks to that decision, and his effectiveness off the bench.
He deserves the love, he's done a lot for us.
Averaging basically 20 goals and 8 assists a season over 5 years is not to be sniffed at.
I may have written my recommendation after reading this:
https://arseblog.com/2017/08/giroud-redemption-son...
When I think of Giroud I sing in my head "I've...had...the time of my l i f e...and I owe it all to youuuuu"
Giroud currently on 99 goals for Arsenal. Would love to see him bring up the ton and join an elite list.
Don't think you are correct on that figure.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
I LOVE giroud. Always have. And I couldn't be happier that he decided to stay despite us buying Lacazette. On top of that it seems the whole fan base is starting to love him more now, thanks to that decision, and his effectiveness off the bench.
He deserves the love, he's done a lot for us.
Averaging basically 20 goals and 8 assists a season over 5 years is not to be sniffed at.
I may have written my recommendation after reading this:
https://arseblog.com/2017/08/giroud-redemption-son...
When I think of Giroud I sing in my head "I've...had...the time of my l i f e...and I owe it all to youuuuu"
That was an awesome piece! Hadn't read that
Giroud currently on 99 goals for Arsenal. Would love to see him bring up the ton and join an elite list.
Don't think you are correct on that figure.
Why?
Giroud currently on 99 goals for Arsenal. Would love to see him bring up the ton and join an elite list.
Don't think you are correct on that figure.
Why?
Because another site had him on a different amount. Not a problem.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Just random from twitter... a starting arsenal XI from the 2011/12 season for a champs league game;
Fabianski
Djourou-Vermaelen-Squillaci-Santos
Coquelin-Frimpong-Benayoun
Ox-Chamakh-Arshavin
Must've had some injuries but our depth has come a fair way since then... having said that, those guys still got top 4 though hahahahahaha!
Just random from twitter... a starting arsenal XI from the 2011/12 season for a champs league game;
Fabianski
Djourou-Vermaelen-Squillaci-Santos
Coquelin-Frimpong-Benayoun
Ox-Chamakh-Arshavin
Must've had some injuries but our depth has come a fair way since then... having said that, those guys still got top 4 though hahahahahaha!
Now we have Sanchez and Ozil and finish 5th. Go figure.
Three for me, and two for them.
Too many passengers today. Not good enough. Need a massive lift against Liverpool next week or we are looking at 3 points come September.
Three for me, and two for them.
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