Where have I attacked Edu over this?
Ultimately it’s Arteta who sets out what his squad priorities are.
And I find it weird that he felt Califiori was more important than an attacking player, although it does form a pattern of behaviour for him
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I don’t think I am, I’m making the point that no matter how good a side you are, you’re always gonna have several examples similar to those you highlighted from last season. Point being, you highlighting those examples doesn’t really do a good job of highlighting a particular need in our squad that has to be addressed, because such examples exist for the greatest sides in history with the most complete squads that needed no improvement in order to win things.
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The evidence that we prioritised a defender is that we are two days before the transfer window closes and we weren’t going to go in for a player in that position at all, had Jesus not been injured.
We have as I’ve said signed two forwards in almost five years under Arteta. Compared to ten defenders in the same period.
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That’s pure sophistry im afraid
The glaring issue that we lack numbers in the front three positions, as well as a prolific striker whilst it speaks for itself. It also does warrant mentioning that this ultimately cost us the title.
Considering we scored goals across the board for two seasons straight, I have no doubt we will be able to do so again.
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When you’re talking about players that aren’t naturally prolific goal scorers and we lack anyone who can be considered such, it does warrant mentioning. Not only that you’re depending on these players to not just retain last seasons form but stay injury free.
And if any of the players we rely on to get us goals go injured?
I don’t know why I’m saying if, one already has.
What are the options. If Havertz isn’t scoring, Trossard isn’t scoring…and Saka is being doubled up on…who are we relying on?. Those were the only three players who got into double figures in the league for us last season.
I think that’s where we actually benefit actually whereas teams like City and and Liverpool don’t.
Our team shares goals across more than they do.
Southampton will probably ship another 100 goals this season, a perfect statpad team for the top 3.
That’s what happened last season.
Martinelli, who was one of our top scorers in 22/23 was out of form in 23/24.
Saka was doubled down, Jesus was also not available, Havertz was struggling for 1/3rd of the season. Odegaard didn’t score as many goals as he did in 22/23.
We still had enough in the team to mount a title charge.
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Unless we bring in an upgrade on ESR and Nketiah, there was now point in selling them and because a good quality attacking player is going to cost more than we sold them for, it’s unlikely we’ll do any more business.
I do disagree with @Herbert_Chapmans_Zombie overall argument but he does have a point that losing Nketiah, ESR and Vieira is risky.
Despite their minimal contribution, it was a contribution of sorts.
I presume they’re confident the likes of Nelson and Nwaneri can inherit some of those minutes and be able to contribute to a similar or higher level.
It is a also bit of concern that last year we were knocked out of the cups quite early so our depth wasn’t tested to its fullest.
In addition, we have 2 additional matches in the CL from our pot to worry about now.
I’m not sure what there is to argue against
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If you were to prioritise any area of the squad when it cones to transfers (even if just in terms of numbers) it defence or is it attack?
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In the 4 years and 8 months Arteta has been with us (and the 9 transfer windows) regardless of what has been the need, would you say he has prioritised defence or attack?
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If you look at reasons why ultimately despite 89 points and 28 wins we didn’t win the title, would you cite defence or attack?
Neither. Id cite city’s cheating fuckery.
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I’d say it was defence and lack of concentration. In the first half of the season we were conceding some right stupid goals.
Spurs and Fulham at home. The Jorginho slip, and whichever fool let their pace merchant winger run alongside the full length of the pitch completely unchallenged for a FIFA tap-in.
This current team doesn’t make those mistakes; we get the 4 points we missed and the league last season is ours.
Having Merino + Timber + Cala as incomings; I think we’ll shut out most teams now.
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Midfield. We struggled more because we were experimenting with the left 8 position in first half of the season.
So citing Fulham at home, it wasn’t despite going behind in the third minute it took us until 70 minutes to equalise?
Or in general
Or losing four out of the seven games where we conceded first
Well, if our defence/midfield did their job it wouldn’t have needed to come to that tbh.
I’d say the instability in the first half of the season.