Third bid imminent
2 Likes
I don’t get this signing
1 Like
I see your point. We need a strong, reliable left back but only after we get a backup for Rice/Partey, Odegaard and Saka, and maybe a striker. But I suppose they saw an opportunity to plug a hole in the defense, and took it before other clubs could step in.
Arteta can be ruthless. Maybe he’s already thinking about moving on some of our current defenders.
There are question marks over Zinchenko and Tomiyasu when it comes to fitness. We also have Timber who may not be able to play 50 matches this season coming off an ACL. We also have to consider that Gabriel played every match he was available for with the exception of ones Arteta held him out of as punishment. I’d like to think he could play every match again this season, but it’s unrealistic to expect that.
I think one of Zinchenko or Kiwior will leave which creates an opening in the squad. It wouldn’t make sense to go into this season with fewer defenders.
Sounds like he will get a lot of playing time.
1 Like
The best thing is we’ve got Timber and possibly Zinchenko / Tomiyasu to deputise at LB whilst Calafiori beds himself in.
4 Likes
Not only does he look like a promising quality addition but you’ve got to trust the club
Hope he’s over his injury woes, don’t need another sick note.
Hope we’ll move onto bolstering the attack now also
4 Likes
Brilliant when the journalists try to act as if they know anything about Arteta’s plans, when in fact they are just guessing like we do on the forum lol.
3 Likes
Assuming we get him the only real question is who’s first choice LB. I would expect Timber but he might still need some time to recover back to his best, for now I’m putting him backup on the right side.
LB: Tomiyasu / Zinchenko / Calafiori
LCB: Gabriel / Kiwior / Calafiori
RCB: Saliba / Timber / White
RB: White / Timber / Tomiyasu
If we sell Kiwior I think we need another body. Probably on the right side of defence but with the amount of flexibility we have who knows, only really Zinny who can’t play more than 1 position.
Anyone one of us could have written this. Lazy.
we don’t need to sell.
these are the number of defenders we should have to challenge the league and all cups.
1 Like
Journalism really is a tough gig.
True, but the fact it’s the Guardian surely gives it more validity, no?
1 Like
Top tier source. One of the only sources I trust
5 Likes
Exactly hence my comment, as it seems there’s rumours swirling we might let him go on loan/sale.
If we do that then we need 1 more to replace him but I think Calafiori covers the left side so the replacement would probably be on the right.
1 Like
we should be grateful to have Tomi and Timber that can play both sides.
Bar Saliba and Gabriel, all our defenders can be CB or fullback in some way.
This is the flexibility that helps us to handle the injury crisis.
1 Like
If Calafiori signs, I can’t see Kiwior staying (as they both play in the same positions) and I don’t think he needs to. We have excellent cover with 7 defenders:
LB/LCB / RB/RCB: Calafiori / White
LCB / RCB: Gabriel / Saliba
ILB / IRB: Zinchenko / Timber (can also play ILB and cover at CB)
LB/ RB: Tomiyasu
If anything, we need an out and out LB, to balance what Tomiyasu offers on the right. With his injury, Tierney is likely to stay and maybe he can retain his place in the squad this season in this role.
Pasta Calafiori 
Looking forward to seeing that absolutely stunning head of hair roll out in our shirt.
4 Likes