I think the system we played yesterday with Jorginho and Rice a little deeper than Odegaard is Artetas preferred system (in the big games at least) and you can really see that working well with Zubimendi and Rice. Reports are saying Arsenal will be looking to offload Thomas Partey in the Summer. If we can land Zubimendi and extend Jorginho by another year I think that will put us in good stead. We should also look to blood Nwaneri nto the squad, as the kid is an elite talent. Ins: Zubimendi & a CF (my preference would be Isak) -------------------------Zubimendi(Jorginho)--------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------Rice(Nwaneri)------- -----------Odegaard(ESR)------------------------------------------------ Out: Partey, Viera, Cedric, Tavares, Lokonga. Personally I don't think Viera is ever go to really make it in the EPL. Technically great but I don't think he fits the pace and physicality of the league.
It's a shame about Partey because he's a ****in awesome player. But he is simply not reliable enough (I hope he proves me wrong and comes back and dominates for the rest of the season, but I'm saying that out of hope rather than anything else) Jorginho has been brilliant for us and fully deserves another year. He's also apparently really good in the dressing room and lots of reports that he could eventually make a good coach too. So I think we should keep him at the club. Zubimendi would be a great addition. And I agree with the outs Vieira is a great technical gifted player, but he's simply not suited to the PL, probs better off for him in La Liga or Ligue 1 Cedric, Tavares, Lokonga out and I would be looking to replace Nketiah in the summer too.
I agree with must of the above. I would preferably like to see Ollie Watkins come to us. He scores and assists. I think he will fit in well and gives us a more clinical finisher
Showed some promise early on, but it became obvious fairly quickly that he’s just not at the required level and won’t make it here. Seems like a good lad though and always tried. Think he’s struggled to settle in Europe tbh. Good luck to him back in Brazil.
Playing a little bit of fantasy football here but... If we win either the EPL or Champions League this Season. Does Kylian Mbappe suddenly become a realistic target? The money would become available for sure. Obviously Real are his most obvious destination - but they are also linked to Haaland and Osimhen. But he has stated Arsenal, are his preferred EPL team (big Henry fan apparently)
It would be great to get someone of that calibre but would this go against our wage structure? He would be well up there with Haaland in getting goals every week, especially with the chances we create
He's earning circa £1m a week without bonuses. Our highest paid player earns £275k a week. Even if we do something spectacular by winning the league or CL, there's next to no chance of this move happening due to the finances involved. We've only recently got our wage bill back under control, signing Mbappe would be an extortionate overhead that I don't think we'd be willing to do - nor should we. Mbappe is destined for Madrid and that's where he'll go.
True but I don't think anyone is paying 1m a week - once he leaves PSG. Real only just passed FFP last year and are still being investigated, Barca are broke, Chelsea are ****, Man City are on the verge of potential FFP relegation. Unless he wants to go to Saudi - he's going to be taking a paycut. He would score a literal ****-ton of goals in our side.
Since I posted this Mbappe to Arsenal rumours have really taken off. Arteta today "We have to be in the conversation" when it comes to Mbappe this Summer.
Why is it negative to say he's not going to come to us? It's the worst kept secret in the world that he's going to be joining Real Madrid. Mbappe to Arsenal I don't think is/was ever a realistic transfer.
He hasn't signed anything yet. Of course Real are favourites - but the other aspect of this is he's out of contract in the Summer so no transfer fee. (He's scored 31 goals in 30 games this Season.)
No transfer fee yes, but there are agent fees, wages, bonuses, add-on clauses etc. A lot of reports are saying that he not only wants £70m a year in wages, but also a transfer bonus of £110m! That is an eye watering amount of money for someone who is leaving on a free transfer. I just don’t see Arsenal giving a player that much financial power (nor should we). It’s obscene.
Agree but still - arguably the best player in the World and almost perfect for us from a tactical perspective. I would take Isak or Vlahovic though if Mbappe does in fact go to Real.
Team News and Tix (the reliable Arsenal insider) on Twitter saying that we're not actively looking to sign Ivan Toney anymore. Whilst I am fine with this, I am hoping this means we are in the market for a different type of striker and are not going to rely on our current options heading into next season. Especially when Jesus is extremely unreliable and Nketiah is out of favour/not the required level.
