Saka and Nwaneri on the right side sounds like solid depth tbh. The priority has to be on the left side and centrally. Not saying Mbeumo couldn’t possibly make the switch but it would be a hell of a big gamble.
I mean let’s cut through the ice. Saka’s backup means watching Saka start 90%~ of games if available. Especially if Arteta feels more pressure the coming season.
You’re all gonna be frustrated. Guaranteed.
2 Likes
Saka’s backup at the least
We should be looking to get him more involved in general though
Odegaard continues to stink it up he shouldn’t have a divine right to play
Like you I hope a Odegaard back up is coming. Or more creative players in general.
We do not need more fucking squad players.
1 Like
Arteta knows the young fella is good. No coincidence that his appearances dried up once there was very little at stake.
No need to overplay him. Sometimes absence is part of the development. It’s not like he isn’t training with the big boys anymore.
2 Likes
This is the Yamal influence. Worrying about the lack of game time for an 18 year old.
At the start of the season nobody would have expected Nwaneri to play as much as he did.
2 Likes
Of players who entered this season 17 or younger, only five guys played more than Nwaneri in the top five leagues and three of them are Lamine, Cubarsi, and MLS. He’s doing just fine for a player his age.
Midfield is the hardest position to integrate as a teenager because the physical demands are so high and the tactical demands are probably the highest as well. Nwaneri just isn’t going to play a lot in that role until he shows he can play lots of high intensity minutes out of possession and do Odegaard’s job in the press.
4 Likes
I don’t see why Mbeumo couldn’t be deployed on the left, he’s clearly a much better player than both Martinelli and Trossard. Has 27 G/As in a shit side.
If we’re looking at output his numbers eclipse everybody’s on our team and everyone else that we’ve been linked with bar Gyokeres.
Nwaneri has potential, but Arteta is absolutely not starting him in any league games until Saka breaks down, or it’s a dead rubber.
Going into next season with Saka, Nwaneri, Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli and 1 of Sesko/Gyokeres is still not enough firepower imo.
That forward line needs at least 2 of these guys: Mbeumo, Gyok, Rodrygo. And they both need to be starters imho.
I don’t think it’s that simple at all
Not many players can do that switch and be as productive, he isn’t two footed. See what happened to Rodrygo at Real for example, it caps the majority.
It means that he would be easier to defend on the left because they would show him on the inside, that kind of player needs to be able to cut in.
Also it would be doubly hard because not only is he not particularly athletic but he doesn’t really dribble either, you just wouldn’t be getting the same player if not played on the right IMO
2 Likes
Mbeumo and Isak? Deal. Mbeumo is a squad player. Got Spurs or Newcastle written all over him.
1 Like
He’s way too good for spurs but definitely good enough for Newcastle or us.
2 Likes
Good player but doesn’t move the needle at all.
1 Like
If we signed him, he would be backup/rotation for Saka. He would contribute goals and assists. May not be a starter but he adds to squad depth and strength which also needs to be addressed.
Does your needle only move for a ‘starter’?
There’s not a single player we’re realistically linked with where I’m sure they would be a starter.
It’s depressing.
2 Likes
Rodrygo and Zubimendi will both be starters if they come.
I think Gyokeres and Zubimendi would be starters for us but we need game changers and I agree that several of the players we’ve been linked with are underwhelming.
I rate him, but how much game time could he expect here, playing as a RW or as some kind of striker?
He’s not pushing Saka out of position, while I can’t see him as our first option up front.
£50M is a bit much for a squad player, we should invest that money onto our starting 9 and LW.
No way we’re after him, he’s a totally wrong profile, no matter the quality.