He basically neuntralised that good start of the season with not being available for the most time since then.
Has to really show a lot and make the most of every minute he gets before the season ends if he wants to justify his existence in the squad for the next season.
Doubt he will be in a good shape to do that after so much time out of the pitch.
But he needs to earn that.
He is the closest thing we have to Ødegaard in the squad. If the unthinkable happens and Øde is out this bloke will become very handy for sure. Other than that. He is behind Havertz, Smith and maybe even Trossard in the left 8 role. Dont forget if Partey comes back too.
He’s been used as a left 8 before over Havertz, ESR and Trossard.
There can be game where we either flip the dynamics or just go with two playmakers.
Regardless, I’m ok with him being an option on the bench.
He’s the type of player that can punish teams further when we’re already ahead and seeing the game out, or a player that can add a little bit of extra creativity to the team with his delivery.
hilarious
Nah…he has had his chances at Arsenal. Sell in the summer and recoup some of the investment in him. We can reinvest in a better player.
I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t expect much from ESR and especially not as an integral component of this squad. He’s in the same bracket as Nelson or Cedric for me.
A move elsewhere would be best for all parties involved.
Personally, I’d keep ESR, but sell Vieira. When ESR was playing and fully fit he was excellent. Cannot say the same about Vieira.
That’s unfair tbh. You’d have to go back 3(!) years ago to find a top ESR performance.
Meanwhile Vieira gave us one just months ago.
https://twitter.com/Muhamedwason/status/1695690309638705374
Key words “fully fit”. Jack Wilshere and Diaby would have been integral to us IF they hadn’t constantly been injured. That’s why I think we shouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past by lingering too long on players that aren’t available.
With Fabio, I was one of his biggest detractors when he came in. The fee seemed ridiculous for a player with his lack of physicality. But I do see there’s an intelligent player with very good technique and a pass on him. I would rather take the chance on developing Fabio than gambling on ESR staying fit.
We ended up with a 2-2 draw…one performance doesn’t make him a keeper. We need players that can come in and do a job for us. His injury record and performances haven’t been good enough IMO. If we want to compete for titles we need a squad capable of challenging consistently. In two seasons he hasn’t done enough.
ESR is a far better player, and one of our own. He has proved himself when fit, so prepared to give him longer. Can’t keep the two of them though!
I agree, but I’m prepared to give him a bit longer given his quality. I think we will have more than enough changes in the squad in the summer that there will still be a space for ESR - I think Nketiah, Nelson, Elneny, Partey, Vieira, and Cedric will all leave in the summer.
So you think we’re clearing out six first team players but keeping ESR? I just can’t see that happening.
Just from that clip, we looked so rigid in our movements too. Fabio in this current iteration has the perfect platform to kick on.
Yes I do. Elneny and Cedric are out of contract so will be leaving. Based on previous transfer windows I think we will bring in 4-5 new players, so space needs to be made in the squad. Partey has one year left on his contract, but given his injury record do you think he is going to be offered a new one? No. He will be sold. Nketiah will make way for a new striker. Vieira and Nelson will be surplus to requirements.
Who replaces Odegaard if he’s injured? Trossard? I’m not saying Vieira has been anywhere near good enough to think of him as a guaranteed keeper this summer but if we sell him who plays that creative attacking role for us? It’s not ESR.
I don’t think there’s much chance of 4-5 incomings this summer. We can’t recruit that many players at the quality we want and stay on the right side of FFP.
I think it will be 2-3. One of which will be Raya (much to my chagrin).
This season, it will be Fabio. Next season? Internally it could be Kai, Trossard or Nwaneri. If we sign a new holding player, then the obvious thing to do is play Rice in the 8 and Kai is Odegaard’s role. Saka could play there I believe as well in an emergency.
If we could get 50m for Lokonga, Vieira and Nelson, I’d attempt a backflip. Their minutes can easily be given to existing players or namely ESR, who I see as a better option as a box to box or wideman. Or, even better, we could just sign another midfielder.
I’d be pretty content with 2 top quality signings in addition to Raya. I’d expect a back up goalkeeper as well though.
I think we’ll make sufficient sales to have another 200m summer and we’ll free up a good amount of wages with experienced players like Cedric, El Nenny and Partey going.
A top cm and top forward and we won’t miss Fabio, Nelson, Lokonga, Nketiah etc. one little bit.
Listen I like ESR but people are living in a fool’s paradise with the way he’s being talked about.
Clearly a fan favourite and he had a great season 3 years ago, but that was 3 years ago.
He’s still under the microscope, just like Vieira, Nelson and others. Think it’s unfair to dismiss those other players but turn a blind eye for Emile.
In fairness to ESR that he even shown that season is a lot more than what those others have done.
However he’s never around and that’s a problem.