Arteta might have been really class as a deeper lying midfielder in a better organized team. His best attributes were always his intelligence and technique.
Instead he was thrown into the middle during Wenger’s “roll the balls out and express yourselves boys” phase. He wasn’t the right DM for that kind of chaotic football as he didn’t have the legs.
Fabian Ruiz would be a quality addition, better than Merino IMO and can operate as a No.6 or No.8.
I would still rather spend big on an attacking left-sided No.8.
Getting a bit worried now, the deals we are most advanced for seem to be endless GKs and defenders.
When we have been crying out for a winger and CM, and ideally a good CF
Don’t worry, there is plenty of time yet. The Euros have delayed summer transfer deals. Edu and Arteta clearly working in the background. Reckon the next couple of weeks will see some movement, and some more GKs!
Most of the deals will happen in the last 2 weeks of the window imo.
Look at it this way. There’s very little smoke around Partey or Jesus leaving. We’re going to start the season with the same team we had last season and if we add some players towards the end of the window they’ll have to gel during once games are already underway. It’s not ideal, but I’m not sure it was ever going to be drastically different unless a Saudi team made a big bid on July 1 for Partey or something like that.
Let’s not forget the current squad achieved 89 points.
Timber is LANS. Young players (and most of our squad is young lol) should develop further. And we did it with Martinelli and Jesus being shit - if they contribute more (which I do expect) then our ceiling is higher again. Did it without Partey as well.
The squad is in a very strong place and we will compete again even if we did nothing tbh.
But clearly we are trying to improve. The international tournaments have delayed everybody. One more good player in each area of the pitch will lift us to break the 90 point barrier.
Let’s see what we get done before our first game. Over 4 weeks away yet. Let’s not panic yet ladies and gents.
Wot Sol said.
As some c**t working on a house next to Arsenal tube station reminded me today. We’d have won the league if his Fulham team hadn’t beaten us. “And that’s what you live for, is it?” was my response.
I didn’t hear what he muttered, my work was done.
Is it copium to pray Viera becomes a don out of nowhere.
Yes it is.
Last season I thought both Vieira and Smith-Rowe were going to elevate our squad depth.
Turns out both were essentially unused and untrusted by Arteta. They’re basically deadwood.
Arsenal careers are finished barring an injury crisis. We will sell both if we get semi-decent offers.
In that case:
I would think twice if he’s available. Been a big fan of him since I first saw him at Napoli.
If Williams is going to Barcelona then Raphinha may become available. At least that’s what the wankers on Twitter are saying.
I’d have him for £40m but I imagine those cunts will put a silly price tag on him. But for the right price it could be a good deal.
Work rate, flair, match winning quality. Now he’s got 2 seasons’ experience playing at a big club.
I don’t think we’ll see a Williams or similar marquee signing but maybe a couple of depth signings similar to Trossard and Jorginho, which also means players like Partey could stay.
As others have said, if it weren’t for the money laundering club, we’d have won the title, so we already have the players but just need some decent cover.
ESR needs to be upgraded
Nelson needs to be upgraded
Vieira needs to wake the fuck up or be upgraded
If any of these aren’t done, we are going to struggle to juggle all comps again and look burnt out in the CL knockouts should we make it. We’d have to basically sacrifice one comp to save another.
Can’t we just sacrifice the FA Cup and Carling Cup and focus on the EPL and UCL?
Obviously they’re the priority but I’d like a deep run in a cup, it’s been a while.
You want to sacrifice the cups despite it not working the last two seasons?
No, a club of our size should be competing on all fronts
Oh great Eduardo Hagn is back.
I gotta hibernate until the season starts.