Arsenal lacking up front…

Morning all.

Gabriel Jesus will miss the opening few weeks of the new season having had surgery on his knee yesterday morning.

Unfortunately, he had a little procedure this morning. He’s had some discomfort in his knee that caused him some issues so they had to go in. It’s not something major but he’s going to be out for a few weeks. It’s a big blow because we had him back to his best, especially with the way he played against Barcelona and he was in good condition but unfortunately we lost him. We had to look at it and we had to make a decision and the best one is to protect the player and get him back as quick as possible. We decided to do it. – Mikel Arteta.

Arteta said the injury to Jesus hasn’t changed the plans for Flo Balogun which could mean he’s still being sold as rumoured, or, he was always set to stay in any case. Personally, I think a ‘few weeks’ for Jesus is optimistic. A couple of months is more likely so if it’s at all possible, why not just keep hold of Balogun, at least until January?  You look at the teams around us and their strikers, Haaland at City, Utd have just bought Rasmus Hojlund, Liverpool have Darwin Nunez and Chelsea have signed Nicolas Jackson and could be about to add Dusan Vlahović too – all are over 6’ tall. The only tall attacking player we have is the 6’ 4” Havertz and he’s not a striker. In fact the critics say that playing as the sole striker for Chelsea heavily contributed to his three year struggles in west London. Jesus 5’ 9”, Nketiah 5’ 11” and Balogun 5’ 10” – we’re lacking. Plus, I’d hardly say Jesus or Nketiah are prolific strikers. Admittedly, Arsenal scored a lot of goals last season but most of them came from our midfield/wingers.

We’ll miss Jesus as far as numbers go but I won’t miss his constant rolling around on the floor looking like he’s been seriously injured before jumping up seconds later after realising the referee wasn’t fooled his antics. Sounds harsh I know but he just frustrates the heck out of me.

The game against Monaco last night ended 1-1 after extra-time. Captain on the night Eddie Nketiah scored Arsenal’s only goal. Five penalties converted by the home team and one from the opposition saved by Ramsdale, meant we lifted The Emirates Cup once more.

Just like that, pre-season is over and the Community Shield is upon us.

I saw this on Sky Sports “paper talk”.

A column in German newspaper Bild has mocked Tottenham for not winning a title since “the Stone Age” and said Bayern Munich should not spend £85m on “old bone” Harry Kane.

Catch up in the comments.

 

 

20 thoughts on “Arsenal lacking up front…

  1. daveg says:

    That is not Artetas real problem. //I have been saying this for months, that Arsenal ” SCORE MORE GOALS” when TOSSARD “STARTS” as a “FALSE NUMBER 9″, not as a sub, not as a left winger, but as a FALSE NUMBER 9” . Arteta must be blind not to notice this. //We also need a “NEW CENTRAL DEFENDER with PACE” over the “FIRST 10 YARDS” as we are repeatedly being caught for pace at the back during our highline defence and at in swinging free kicks!

  2. Cicero says:

    Good morning Rico,

    As I said earlier, Jesus was not fully fit after his knee operation and that accounted for his poor form. The medical staff should have been closely monitoring the player throughout the summer break, perhaps then the problem would have come to light and action could have been taken before earlier.

    I think your comment about keeping Balogun at least until the January window opens is apposite as I doubt Jesus will be back, and fully fit, before October at the earliest.

    Oh! and I fully agree about his dying swan acts, not the sort of thing I like to see in an Arsenal player.

  3. rico says:

    Morning Cicero.

    I think it’s a great shame that the club seems to have all positions covered rather well apart from up front. Imo, we lack height, strength, and a plan b for the teams who defend really well. Every other club were likely to challenging for the PL has a big fella up top yet we don’t. I know Balogun isn’t a 6’ plus striker but he always look strong to me, quick too. I’ve said it before I know but he reminds me of Toney in many ways.

  4. Silentstan says:

    Jesus is not a striker
    Nketiah is a championship level player
    Balogun is unproved in PL
    Yet we look to spend on another keeper
    Beggars belief

  5. Aussie Geoff says:

    Afternoon Rico and all.
    I have no problem with looking for a goal keeper to push Ramsdale, especially with the extra matches we have to play or in case he gets injured or suspended.
    I’m hoping ESR gets more game time this season as you never see him complaining, he just bites his tongue and waits for his time to prove he’s got something to offer this team.

  6. rico says:

    Afternoon Geoff. I think ESR will have a big part to play this season. I don’t think Arteta can afford not to rotate more after the way we faded last season.

  7. Cicero says:

    I hate to say this but one of the players who will need resting from time to time is Saka, he has already copped a few hefty challenges in pre-season games and will certainly be targeted again on Sunday. Without Jesus, I can only see Martinelli being played on the right and Trossard on the left, should Saka get injured or run out of steam.

    What I don’t ever want to see again is Partey being utilised as a right wing back.

  8. potter says:

    but he reminds me of Toney in many ways.

    I wouldn’t bet on that ! although he might.

    Balogun has a long way to go to get as street wise as Toney . He might get there but can we afford the time to find out.

  9. rico says:

    Hopefully we’ll see Nelson get more minutes this season when Saka needs a breather.

    Potter, agree in some ways but Balogun is still learning, just as Toney had to. People weren’t talking about Toney much at Balogun’s age. Or at least I don’t think they were. Three years ago he was on loan at Peterborough.

  10. allezkev says:

    Auston Trusty to Sheffield United for a hefty £5m, Marquinhos out on loan.
    Still a lot to do…

  11. allezkev says:

    The funny thing about Nelson is that he seems more effective off of the left rather than the right. So I’m not really sure that Saka is properly covered for.

  12. rico says:

    Who reported he asked for his transfer fee to be reduced? Utd have just paid more for a player who scored less goals than Flo last season in the same league.

  13. Cicero says:

    That an amazing look into a players life. Well done Aaron I hope the trolls read it and then look in the mirror, it just might make them hesitate before hitting the key pad in future.

  14. Aussie Geoff says:

    Nice article from Ramsdale, it goes to show, how you should never give up and keep trying, and how much a different coach and players around you can suddenly improve your game.

  15. rico says:

    It’s also a lesson about being decent in life. I found it quite moving and it explains why he interacts with the fans.

    New pot up.

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