Riccardo Calafiori (33)

It’ll be mean on “The Carpet” too. I have no doubt. Calafiori will open-up attacking options on the left. Gabbi and Trossard will improve as a result.

Add a much more confident Raya in goal and we should continue our good form.

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I’m sensing more and more that it might be zinchenko we see moving to midfield.

Tomiyasu, timber and Calafiori are all better defenders and it seems mikel has had enough of zinky’s brain farts at the back, despite his ability to play the inverted role.

I don’t think we’ll never see him at LB again but I can see him being the first spare body in midfield instead.

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I think my only question with that is that Arteta has barely used him in midfield.

I can honestly recall two times he was used in midfield here and both times it was as a sub while were managing a lead.

Mind you, coming off the bench might be more of what Zinchenko does this season.

Zinchenko is going to be a squad player this season. That’ll be the final part of the process, having quality on the bench and a squad that can be rotated through the season without a drop-off in performances.

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In terms of starting position yeah but the whole point of his old role was to get him into those spots as an extra man.

Whether he can handle the different starting positions and still find the spaces to dictate play would be the question, bit easier being the extra man coming out of the backline and always looking forward.

Just a feeling I have given the moves were linked with, but either way agree he’s likely to be a bench player.

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If Arteta had any interest in starting Zinchenko in midfield, he’s had ample opportunity and indeed even necessity and he hasn’t. I don’t think he sees the player as a starter anymore.

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As I don’t live in England they come and watch me play

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Zinney will be shipped out another dud.

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Dud is harsh imo.

Nah, Zinchenko was instrumental to the big leap from top four aspirant to title challenger we made in 22-23. He helped the side learn how to play dominant possession football.

We are evolving past him at this point but I think he can still be useful this year in certain matches and match situations. If we sell him next summer and recoup a good chunk of the original cost, it’ll be a good transfer and certainly not a dud.

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Was

Sometimes, when appraising the value and quality of a player, I think the internet forgets “shit” and “good” are not the only options.

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good shit

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hmm, I’m not sure how to evaluate a player who only played exceptionally well for 1 season and was average to poor for the rest…

I thought he would’ve kicked on after his first season here and delivered more goods by now.

Same for G.Jesus tbh.

It’s just tedious how this drags. We basically know it’s all done but what can we do

Just wait until it is actually confirmed and then we have the wait until it is formally announced by Arsenal.com…the good thing is that progress is still being made.

:sweat_smile:

https://x.com/arsenalway/status/1815828604561023319?s=46&t=AXaXFdGpC85RzXwk6DBMgA

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That’s brilliant!!! :grinning: Can’t wait to sing that at the Emirates!

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That’s class tbf, hope it doesn’t fall through and we look like wankers having a song for him :rofl:

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Dud is correct. Highlights of his Arsenal tenure are about 6 months worth of decent technically based play which was refreshing after we endured KT and his rigid style.

He’s an EL talent who is good with the ball at his feet, that’s it.

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