So you watched him for Portsmouth this season?
One of my best mates old man is a diehard Portsmouth fan, so Iām taking his word for it.
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Ok, fairs.
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Neves is someone who would perform the old Xhaka role better than Xhaka, and I see him more as protection in front of the backline, along with being an orchestrator, and key ball carrier from back to front. Tielemans would be more b2b, with more attacking contributions. Iām not sure Neves has real passion to join Arsenal though, on the back of him going after our post-match celebrations against Wolves, but who knows, and the price might be higher than last summer because of possible transfer competition.
Regarding getting 2 CMās, this is one the basis of Elneny leaving, possibly Xhaka if an acceptable bid comes in. I do see 5 players for 2 positions though, to cover for injuries and if we have CL and have to be prepared for some weeks where we have PL+CL+PL matches in the space of one week, and to cover for injuries that will happen. I have considered someone from Academy coming up. It would have been Azeez so that we could totally forget about Elneny, but Azeez is not ready yet. Patino? idk.
He did the exact same thing with Man Utd earlier in the season when he was linked with them, during a period where they werenāt found out yet and people thought they were gonna challenge.
Itās something that I actually quite like. The guy has been clearly looking at other opportunities but he always puts 100% effort in for Wolves and while he still wears their badge then everyone else is against him.
Thatās the kind of guy you want here.
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Youāve converted me, will go with that from now, I do like personalities, while still being less prone to hot-headed moments on the pitch (c.f. Xhaka). I think it is why quite a few fans have suddenly said this season they are enjoying following several of our players on the pitch again, after a long time (personalities, commitment).
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I agree.
He might not be spectacular but Neves is reliable, with a great attitude, which is what we need.
So if we can get him for around 40m and maybe sell either Xhaka or Elneny to help pay for it, weāll have a CM pairing of Partey and Neves with Lokonga, Xhaka or Elneny as cover.
If Wolves are asking stupid money then Bissouma might be another option, if Arteta wants a PL experienced player.
Bissouma was free (a realistic target) and practically begging Arsenal to go in for him last summer. Donāt know if it means Mikel has something in his mind he doesnāt like about the player.
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I would only want Bissouma if he is decisively declared innocent with respect to that nightclub sexual assault allegation.
If that happens, I would take him as long as we also get another midfielder in with a little bit more technical ability and ability to contribute in the final third as an option for one of the 8s. We need a Xhaka upgrade but we also need to think about what the midfield looks like if Odegaard is injured or needs to be rotated. ESR might be part of the long term answer but he hasnāt done that well on the few occasions when he has played in midfield this year. I think we want at least one other player on the roster that can provide some real quality, creativity, and link to the attack.
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Bissouma is decent but maybe Arteta wants a more reliable no nonsense player like Neves.
Someone like Ward Prowse might also be an option.
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Donāt let @Darkseid catch you linking that name to Arsenal lol
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JWP is a top athelte, has a great FK technique but heās mid outside of that. I do think heās better than Saints though.
Also I donāt see how Neves is more no nonsense or reliable than Bissouma if weāre taking strictly football
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Heās sharpening those blades 
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Sounds like Arteta is struggling to identify a captain.
Laca and Xhaka the ideal candidates but one is leaving and Xhaka doesnāt seem to want it.
Tierney is apparently too shy, and Odegaard is a bit similar too.
Makes this guy the prime candidate in midfield.
No one we sign in summer should be coming in with the expectation of being Captain anytime soon. Thereās plenty of candidates who have been here a while and honestly itās not that big of deal these days anyway
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Iām going off the The Athletic piece but itās clear Arteta wants more leaders in the dressing room with Papa, Luiz, Laca and others leaving the past year and a half.
Even if he doesnāt come in and be captain, he has a personality that Arteta would like in his team. Perhaps Youri could be another one but I think Ruben edges it out in that department.
Odegaard is the perfect captain
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I think the idea is for Odegaard to be captain and Xhaka to help him out.
Kind of cancels out any move for Xhaka in the summer btw.
Itās not something I would personally worry about, sure natural leadership is something we, as any good team would crave in midfield. Though Iād really just give it to Ode, White or Gabriel. Itās not a big decision in my mind.
Fine with Xhaka staying for another season as long as we effectively sign his baller replacement who will play ahead of him
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