Plus Onomah seems to have completely dropped off and we’ll do well to get that much for CCV, though he’s likely to be in more demand because at least he’s been playing.
I think best Arsenal team as it stands is:You could be right, Brian, it would certainly be an expensive risk - and as we have shown the last few years, most of the big-money investments we've made have backfired on us drastically.
I think (one of) the issue(s) we've got is a lack of width in our team. We have no wingers that can take players on or really stretch defences/create space for others.
Most of our attacking players last season wanted ball to feet, rather than making intelligent, darting runs in behind. It became too easy and predictable to defend against, despite how many goals we scored overall.
You look at our wide options right now and you'd have to say, a winger of some sort is a necessity:
Iwobi - 23 years old, homegrown academy player on low wages. Looked like he turned a corner at the start of last season, then reverted to type. Lost confidence. Can't handle pressure. Good dribbler and strong on the ball, but his end product is sorely, sorely lacking. Not reliable.
Mkhitaryan - 30 year old winger, who can carry the ball forward well and has decent acceleration, but is weak, doesn't score/assist enough and loses the ball a lot. Not reliable.
Kolasinac - has a lot of power and is strong, but is too one-dimensional. Doesn't offer a lot. No subtly or variety to his game. Can't cross for toffee. Gets into good positions and frequently lets us down with final ball. Not reliable.
Maitland-Niles - central midfielder by trade, yet forced to play as a wing-back because we had so few other options. Felt sorry for the kid to be thrown in the deep end so often. Not reliable.
Reiss-Nelson - probably the only real attacking/wide talent we have that can take players on, get in behind, create chances and scores goals. He's not played for us for over a year though. Is it fair to pin our hopes on a 19-year old with very few Premier League minutes?
Willock - prefers playing in attacking midfield, but can play on the flanks. Not his natural position though. Only 19. Not had much first-team exposure bar EL and domestic cup action.
So out of that bunch, two of whom aren't even actual wingers but have played wing-backs & one of whom is a CAM, we have one decent winger.
It would be criminal to neglect such a crucial position this transfer window.
I think best Arsenal team as it stands is:
(4-4--2)
LENO
BELLERIN KOLASINAC
SOKRATIS KOSCIELNY
XHAKA TOREIRA
MIKARATAYAN OZIL
AUBAMEYANG LACAZETTE
Lol Arsenal couldn't afford Zaha, and why would he join Arsenal when he wants Champions Leaguie football?I think Zaha's a really good player but just lacks consistency, which could arguably be attributed by playing for Palace, put him alongside better players and I think you'd see a next level Zaha. That said, from an outside perspective, Arsenal have much bigger concerns than going for him right now. Their defence is **** and their midfield is a lot weaker now without Ramsey.
You could be right, Brian, it would certainly be an expensive risk - and as we have shown the last few years, most of the big-money investments we've made have backfired on us drastically. ...
Lol Arsenal couldn't afford Zaha, and why would he join Arsenal when he wants Champions Leaguie football?
You could be right, Brian, it would certainly be an expensive risk - and as we have shown the last few years, most of the big-money investments we've made have backfired on us drastically.
I think (one of) the issue(s) we've got is a lack of width in our team. We have no wingers that can take players on or really stretch defences/create space for others.
You look at our wide options right now and you'd have to say, a winger of some sort is a necessity...
It would be criminal to neglect such a crucial position this transfer window.
Zaha’s contract situation and the price Palace will ask for him ultimately reflects his importance to the club rather than his real quality. Not a bad player by any means but a huge gamble to take him away from being a big fish in a small pond. I wouldn’t touch him at £50m let alone double that.

Just to add to this, the bloke is 26 years of age, has played 5 full PL seasons and has failed to score more than 10 goals in any of them. If he was as good as £80m suggests, a huge club would have swooped in years ago and carted him off.
Zaha is another A Lennon, a world beater on his day but not consistent enough, doesn't score enough goals and question marks over his attitude, No way is he worth £80m! IMO his value is maximun £40mJust to add to this, the bloke is 26 years of age, has played 5 full PL seasons and has failed to score more than 10 goals in any of them. If he was as good as £80m suggests, a huge club would have swooped in years ago and carted him off. We went for Son, United went for Martial, City went for Sane, Pool went for Salah, Chelsea went for Pulisic. Real and Barca weren't even interested. And all of the above players cost far less than what Palace think Zaha is worth. That tells its own story.
Zaha is another A Lennon, a world beater on his day but not consistent enough, doesn't score enough goals and question marks over his attitude, No way is he worth £80m! IMO his value is maximun £40m
Back to Spurs:Zaha shot himself in the foot signing that long term deal last summer - especially as there was no release clause. He accepted a short term rise at the expense of a long term gain.
Palace - and rightly so - are demanding huge money because he’s their best asset and also HG.
In my opinion he’s good enough to play for a top six/ top four club (not necessarily as a regular starter for some) but not at the cost of £80m. I can’t see anyone paying that.
Apologies for leaving out Van Der Vaart and Son in naughties team! Only pick XIBack to Spurs:
Lets have a vote! Three era's of "Premier League" (not Div 1), which one was best?
1990's (nineties) = Thorsvedt, Carr, Campbell, Mabbutt, Edinburgh, Howells, Barmby, Anderton, Sheringham, Ginola, Klinsmann
2000's (naughties) = Gomes, Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Ziege, Carrick, Davids, Lennon, Keane, Berbatov, Defoe
2011's (teens) = Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Modric, Dembele, Eriksen, Dele, Bale, Kane
teens not naughties team! lolApologies for leaving out Van Der Vaart and Son in naughties team! Only pick XI
My pick of each position would be;teens not naughties team! lol