That’s true, but doesn’t it seem more plausible that Tielemans or Paqueta would be that midfielder?
I guess we might be able to assume that Arteta wants to turn Vieira into Cazorla 2.0
Arteta needed a couple of strikers and a decent quality midfielder going into this window so with two strikers bought in I expect an upgrade in the CM position as a priority.
We have plenty who can play there but Xhaka, Elneny and Lokonga are simply not top four quality so we need an upgrade in this window.
So I would expect a player like Tielemans as a minimum although Arteta might see him as a plan B to his preferred choice.
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We have Partey, AMN, Lokonga, Torreira, Xhaka and Elneny for 2 positions currently. Maybe Vieira is an option there too.
I’m starting to accept that we won’t bring in another CM unless we shift both AMN and Torreira.
I don’t think it’s turning Vieira in a centre midfielder like Cazorla…
Cazorla----------- Coquelin
-----------Ozil---------
but
----------Partey---------
Odegaard--------Vieira
…actually signing a player who can occupy those half spaces like its supposed to.
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Leaving aside anything else that could potentially cause an extended absence from the team… we saw what happened last season when Partey got injured, our midfield went from being good/decent to basically lower half of the league quality. It was one of the defining factors that fucked our top four bid.
Once Partey is taken out of the equation, something we’ve had to do too often since he joined us, our central midfield options are drastically short of the required quality.
It remains absolutely imperative that we improve the quality in the middle of the park this summer.
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Is Tielemans good enough to bear that burden?
Although a significant drop off, I feel El Nenny can be back up to Partey. Our problems come when it’s El Nenny and Xhaka as it lacks creativity.
El Nenny, Vieira and Odegaard would work with El Nenny’ discipline.
Tielemans would be an alternative to Zinchenko no?
6: Partey, Nenny
8: Tielemans, Zinchenko
10: Odegaard, Vieira
Yes, I’ve sold Xhaka with Lokonga as additional back up.
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Jude would be a fantastic buy if we could get him for under £60m. Watched him a few times for Dortmund and he’s an intelligent lad with a high ceiling.
This feels like the Odegaard transfer last year, at least I hope so.
I guess we’re confident about getting him so we’re taking things slow, maybe working on other areas of the pitch before this transfer. I feel it’s gonna happen.
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He will cost closer to £100m and there will be a long line of clubs - Real Madrid and Liverpool have been most heavily linked but I’m sure there will be others - trying to buy him.
Not even worth dreaming on for Arsenal unfortunately.
LIGHT. BLUEISH. HUE.
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The deal ain’t dead then. But it does reiterate that the midfield is crowded right now and it’s probably not where we are focusing.
Maitland Niles needs to be sold first
AMN could be a decent utility player for a club like Leicester tbh. AMN+20m for Youri could help make the deal much more smoother to conclude.
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Getting ready to take them to the farmers market.
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Don’t think AMN would be that guy. He’s with one foot out the door already and if he’s kept it would be because of his versatility.
I think it’s Xhaka or Lokonga the ones in question.
I feel moving Xhaka now would be difficult, I don’t get the vibe he is looking to leave and Arteta would rather keep him around anyway.
My money’s on a Lokonga loan opening up a spot. Give Kompany a call and get him a full season in the Championship at Burnley.
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It has to be Xhaka rather than AMN.
Xhaka is a high earner who makes too many mistakes and although he’s one of our longest serving players, we haven’t had CL football with him.
To make it worse, he made it clear last season that he wanted a move elsewhere.
Awful player, weak personality and fake hard man.
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I think @Bl1nk was thinking moreso from Arteta’s POV.
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No way will Arteta sell Xhaka, especially this late.
He views Xhaka an essential cog, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
I mentioned AMN, but it may as well be Bellerin, Torreira or Pepe. I feel we need to free up some wages, before signing another 100k plus a week player.
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Goodbye Maitland-Niles. A sacrifice needed to be made