Hmmm. I don't know about this. I don't think the situation is as bleak as you're making it out to be. I mean, it's not great, but there will definitely be spaces available for us to make some important moves in the market with the wages we're saving and players whose contracts are expiring. And although we've signed some duds, primarily driven by agent-led recruitment under Raul Sanllehi, we've also signed some good players, too. It hasn't been all bad. Elneny, as a 5th choice midfielder on relatively low wages and who has only signed a one-year extension, seems fairly sensible to me. He can fill in where required and would be handy in the Europa League games. I don't anticipate he'll feature much in the Premier League. Cedric as a back-up is also OK, the problem was he played more games than he was meant to due to Tomiyasu's recurrent injuries. He was solid enough in a number of games. My issue is that we offered him a 4 year contract back in 2020 when he was 29. Again, this was due to our recruitment being driven by agents. Stupid move, but again, he's been linked with a move away, so let's see what happens. Holding as 4th/5th choice is fine as well, so long as he's content with being a squad player. Pepe has changed agent because he's pushing to move this Summer. We will take a big hit on him, but at least his wages will be off the books. It's almost certain he's a goner by hook or by crook. So, going back to my point, a lot of players will be leaving this Summer and that will free up a lot of wages, especially the likes of Lacazette, Pepe, Torreira, Runarsson etc. So the opportunity is there, if we can play our cards right. I'm not saying we're definitely going to get our transfer activity spot on, or that everything is going to be fine, because I'm not that foolish and the last 15 years is testament to how we've been run - but there is potential to build on something if we make smart signings like Tomiyasu, Odegaard, Ramsdale (who was very good for us up until the last 2 months), whilst continuing to implement strong academy players into the setup like we did with Smith-Rowe, Saka et al. If reports are to be believed we have a further £150m - £200m to spend this Summer, then I'll be interested to see what we do.
It may be that I'm too far away from things, but I think that you're too close to them. Holding and Cedric shat themselves against us. They were all over the shop and Elneny's just not anywhere near good enough to cover for Partey. Xhaka's just not good enough, full stop. You've got one really decent midfielder and he seems to be injury prone. In the season just finished, Arsenal had no European fixtures and only 1 FA Cup fixture. Playing Thursday/Sunday is going to put a significant strain on young players and those with a propensity to get injured. It did for West Ham in the second half of the season and without quality in depth, could damage Arsenal as well Up until January, we got away with having forwards who nicked us games, because they're top notch. We overtook you because we filled 2 gaping holes in the team with quality signings. Now, our First XI probably needs an attacking RWB and LWB, with end product and a LCB. Other than that, we're looking at players to compete with with/cover for the player we already have, given our CL commitment. Arsenal need a lot more than that, and the hardest players to sign are really good strikers (ask Chelsea and West Ham...and Everton...and Palace)...and you're looking to replace 3 departures. It's why Kane has been a generational boost to us and signing the likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette have seen Arsenal fail to re-enter the CL places. I just don't see Arsenal finishing above 5th next season...and unless you win the Thursday Night Shield, it'll be "Arteta Out" and another rebuild.
Pointless speculating about any club other than the PL top 3 (who most likely will have their pick of the talent available) .
Look, don't get me wrong, I think a lot of what you're saying is entirely reasonable and, based on how the last decade and a half has been generally, the likelihood is you're probably right in terms of what you expect us to achieve (or not achieve rather). Holding and Cedric should not have been playing in a game of that magnitude, and I wouldn't shed a tear if either of them left. But they have proven to be useful in certain games where they needed to fill in e.g. West Ham, Chelsea etc. I'm not going to argue about Xhaka, although he and Partey did form a solid partnership prior to his injury. We should have sold him to Roma when we had the chance, though. Whilst I appreciate what you're saying about no European fixtures and getting dumped out of the FA Cup early, we had a very small squad to deal with that (self-inflicted, sure, but still a reality). We will enhance the size of our squad to match the fact we'll have more competitions to play, so I anticipate that our depth will be better for the coming season. Whether we get the right calibre of player, and whether our current crop can take their level up, is another question which we need to see. Nevertheless, the players we've been linked to from reliable Arsenal correspondents does provide me with a whiff of (cautious) optimism. That is why I want to see what business we get done and how early we do it. In terms of next season, whilst I think the top-two positions will not be different, as far as I'm concerned, 3rd and 4th are up for grabs. Chelsea are not guaranteed to improve or maintain their position, and we need to see what the Boelhy consortium do for them, especially as they are losing some big personalities from their dressing room. And although I think Ten Haag at Man United is a good choice (I rate him), they too are not guaranteed to perform significantly better than last season and also have ownership troubles. They have underlying issues which need to be addressed. Newcastle will absolutely be challenging for a European spot as well, but next could also be a bit too early for them in their evolution to a Super Club. Let me just make clear I'm under no illusions that, next season, we'll probably finish 5th-6th at best - but I don't think that the 3rd/4th positions are foregone conclusions at all.
Ally Gold’s done a sexy piece. Bullet points: Club believe Conte is happy with ambition being shown by the board. Conte to meet with Don Fabio in Italy - without Levy - to discuss transfers. Conte wants six in and Paratici is looking to make use of summer window with a mix of big signings, those nearing end of contracts and also freebies. Forster - as has been said by other journos - is close to being done with medical scheduled. Expected to make a move soon for Kostic as we want deals done early. Conte and Paratici big fans of Bastoni. And then the sexiest bit: Kane very excited now that Conte’s being backed with considerable funds and believes he might win a trophy next season because of it. Wants to break Greaves’ record and if ambition is indeed shown, will be open to a new deal.
I heard an interesting piece on the radio yesterday from a journo with close contacts to Chelsea, saying that whilst the club won't be run in the same way after the takeover, he wasn't expecting the new owner to derogate from the existing transfer plans and budget this summer. They will have a big splash this summer to replace departing players and worry about balancing the books after that. So, I'd have doubts that Chelsea will suddenly drop out of the Top 4...as much as I might want that to be true. If we go into next season with Conte, Kane and an empty wallet, where the £150m was, I'm struggling to see either United or Arsenal overtaking us. Nothing's impossible, but Conte's a better coach than Arteta and ten Hag and I think that he'll have a better balanced and more talented squad than both of the closest competition from last season. Next season, I'm looking up, not down...and I know that Conte is. He got our threadbare 21/22 squad into the Champions League, convinced Levy and Lewis to put £150m in funds into the club and Kane may sign a new contract...the only reason that he's not mastered walking on water, is he's too busy.
Ali Gold saying we’re also interested in Bristol City’s 18 yr old midfielder Alex Scott. One for the future obviously
Again, I totally understand your effervescence and total optimism surrounding your club right now. Logically, a lot of what you're saying is probably true, in terms of the possibilities. the ceiling you can reach with the influx of money coming in, and with such an elite manager at the helm. As we also know, though, Conte's record in the transfer market isn't perfect, his record in cup competitions is questionable, he can be very volatile and more money doesn't always equate to linear improvement - as Man Utd, Arsenal and even Everton have displayed with their incompetence. All I'm saying is nothing is guaranteed in life and while you are adamant Conte will be eyeing a potential title challenge, I'm less assured of it being that cut and dry in reality. I'm not trying to rain on your parade here, I just think football is never that predictable or straight forward. Tuchel, who is a top coach, was meant to be challenging for the title this season and they ended up in a top-4 battle which they lumbered to. If football went the way we all thought, we would never have got into this position, you wouldn't have gotten into yours and even Leicester would never have tasted their recent success.
Of course sport is unpredictable...I was saying in November 2015 that Leicester were in with a real shot at the title and received a lecture from one of your mob on how illogical I was being. I think he was a Vulcan...and a stupid **** to boot. This season, I predicted that we and particularly Nuno, would have a tough season. Some things may not be certain but the can be significantly more likely than not. I'm not predicting a title challenge next season. I doubt that Conte would put his own money on that. I'm expecting Conte to significantly reduce the gap between us and Liverpool and City and hope that it might just put us in the mix to challenge this season or next. The cups may depend on how deep our squad is filled with quality options or a bit of luck or doggedness at the right time. Hopefully, the additional £150m means that we're on the way to having enough quality players to compete on all fronts. With Paratici and Conte working on the incomings, I have faith that next season, barring a real injury crisis, we'll have enough to improve on this season significantly. It's hard for supporters of other clubs to truly appreciate how bad we were until Conte arrived and shook the club and team up...and how the changes, that he implemented. have altered us. Some added quality in 3 or 4 positions and better rotation and competition for places will be likely to see another significant improvement.
City scraped through their end of season. 'Pool did what they needed. Chelsea really struggled We finished the season as the form team. That counts for a lot. Woolwich were decent but not enough. UTD were a shambles. Reasons for optimism
Every new owner comes in with big ideas. Under Roman, Tuchel would be gone, so straight away the new owners are doing things differently. They need to replace quality defenders who are out of contract and there is no guarantee as to how they will perform especially if they are coming from a foreign league. They are a great attacking threat without changes, but for whatever reason failed to live up to their potential ( similar to Man Utd ).
I think this is it. We've got a lot of positions sorted already, but need depth and quality. We need backup for Kane, midfield creativity and better wingback options. Looking at Arsenal's squad as a contrast, I'd suggest that they've got a lot more to do. They cleared out some deadwood in January, but there's still plenty of it left. If Lacazette and Nketiah allow their contracts to expire and leave, then they literally don't have a striker. They'll need far greater depth to deal with the Europa next season, too.
During the final third of the season is when a team has to hold it together, Spurs managed to get that period where wins were followed by losses etc "out of the system" by then. Them lot by contrast had theirs in the final third, which allowed the gap to be closed, momentum stopped, and the doubts to creep in.
Not knowing much about Kosic I had a look on YouTube, the fact that he can put in a cross without hitting the first man make me think we could do with him in the team
PNP, you were one of the people who were getting pissed with Conte for putting square pegs in round holes, moaning to the media and felt he was (partially at least) responsible for you getting dumped out the cups early. There's a part of me that feels bad for saying all this because I honestly hold Conte in such high regard (as a manager that is. As a person, I think he's a total bellend), and I promise I'm not trying to do a hatchet job on him. FWIW, for me, he's the 3rd best manager in the league. But we all know how he can be the moment things don't go his way. He's thrown players under the bus publicly, too. Maybe he'll learn to stop doing this, but this is one aspect of his management that could throw a spanner in the works the moment you face some adversity. Yeah, I think this is right. But we've been repeatedly told that this has been planned for since January (hence why we didn't invest in anyone back then - not that I agree with this strategy btw) and we purportedly know exactly what players we're getting. Now, obviously, this remains to be seen, and it will also slightly depend on who we can offload for player sales, but this Summer, there are no hiding places for anyone. Edu said two years ago that the 2022-23 season was the season he expects us to have a fully competitive squad again. Josh Kroenke also mentioned that timeline in a recent interview he did. If they don't bring in the necessary players and have us fully prepped by the time the season starts, pitchforks and banners will be out from match day one. No-one has any excuses anymore.
And I stand by all of that. He continued to make those mistakes late on in the season, too. Hopefully the square pegs thing will be sorted by buying the right players. If we don't have any fullbacks, then they can't be played as wingbacks, for example. You'd think that it would be hard for him to blame the players if they're his players. We'll see, though. It's a massive undertaking. How many players do you think you need to sign? 8, maybe? You've also got a load of loanees who don't appear to want to return to the club.
