Morning all.
Do you sit and wonder what the hell is going on at Arsenal? I know I do.
We went in to January knowing that the ACON was taking place and that Mo Elneny along with Thomas Partey would be missing for anything up to six weeks. What do Arsenal do? Send AMN out on loan, our only backup to Granit Xhaka and Sambi Lokonga. Xhaka then picks up a two match suspension for a straight red card against Liverpool. Thomas Partey returned early from the ACON, came off the bench on the same day he landed on UK soil and picked up a red card of his own.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, already having had Covid and an injury, came back for one game because Cedric Soares was injured, got injured himself and what do Arsenal do? Sell Calum Chambers, although I use the word sell very lightly.
Arsenal desperately need a striker because Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in the naughty corner but as yet, no new player has arrived, leaving the team with two striker options in Alex Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, both who are out of contract in the summer and in all likelihood, will not play at 100% because an injury could scupper their future plans.
Sead Kolasinac has gone too, as has Pablo Mari.
Admittedly, the players Arsenal have let go are necessarily right for Arsenal if we as a club are to go on and challenge the best clubs in England and in Europe but as far as numbers go, I think Arsenal are taking a huge risk. Especially letting Chambers go, who in my opinion, is a far better option at right back than Cedric, as he proved against Liverpool at Anfield just a couple of weeks ago. Plus, we’ve just sold him to a club which is chasing a top four spot.
Discounting players from the under 23 squad, Arsenal now have just 21 players in the squad. Without Aubameyang, that number reduces to 20, with no Elneny, 19.
We have 3 centre-backs, 2 left backs, 2 right backs who’re both injured, three defence minded midfielders, one of whom lives on the edge as far as red/yellow cards go and the rest are attacking players. But not one out and out striker who’ll guarantee us goals.
On top of all of that, we have a manager who is not only inexperienced himself but has ants in his pants and clearly doesn’t trust his players enough to cross the white line just before kickoff and simply get on with playing the game they’ve talked about all week. Yet against Man City, with a calm Albert Stuivenberg on the sidelines, Arsenal produced one of, if not the best performance of the season. I’m not for one minute suggesting he was behind the team selection, tactics etc, but his personality is the polar opposite to that of Mikel Arteta who I think needs to sit down, calm down and stop yelling at his players every two minutes. If he’s in panic mode, his players will be too.
I know we needed to see change at Arsenal, I think we’d all agree on that and much of that change had to be within the squad and as said the other day, Arteta, Edu and whoever else is involved in this process, has done a decent job so far with a number of players having been moved on but right now, with Arsenal in with a chance, albeit slim, of returning to European football, it seems strange to me for numbers to be reduced as they have been this month. Especially when barely any money has been earned from it. Why not just wait until the summer?
Unless of course, there is a plan for this month as far as transfers go and the club will bring 2/3 players through the door but the wage bill needed to be drastically reduced beforehand. That would make sense although I’m not sure how the loan process works and who pays their wages because if it’s the parent club, we’ve gained very little.
With four days left in this transfer window, Arsenal need to get a wriggle on but there’s hope. The Chambers deal gives me hope because I doubt anyone saw that coming before the deal was announced.
Lastly, it seems like we’ve secured a deal for the USA goalkeeper Matt Turner from New England Revolution. He’ll arrive in the summer according to reports in the media. I wouldn’t be at all surprised though if Arsenal sell Bernd Leno this month. Not if there’s a good offer on the table for him.
See you in the comments.
Morning Percussionists and Rico aka Ginger Baker, it’s getting lively on here and I like it, all we need is Adam on the vocals and we’re good to go. 😃
Give a tune on your bongos Rico 😆
Seriously, Peter makes a decent point about the size of the squad, whether it be 19, 20 or 21, as that should be enough for us to compete in the remaining league games and qualify for europe. I’d be happier with 25 plus a few U21’s but it is what it is…
Morning Rico and All
Well put Rico Lets hope some new players turn up that can hit the ground running and fill the spots we need strengthening in, other wise Arteta will have no option other than bring Auba back in the fold.
I’m not 100% sure but I think that Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli and Tavares are still registered as U21 for next season.
That leaves our current 25 man squad with 13 foreign and 4 home based players.
Omar Rekik is one other, a defender whose away at the ACoN, who could come into consideration at a push as it’s doubtful that he’s going out on loan this month?
Morning Geoff, Kev and all.
They’ve been put away for the year Kev. Lol
Chambers imo is the crazy one, AMN too because that’s where we’re weak and both players can play midfield and right back.
Morning all or happy lunchtime.
How about signing up Jack Wiltshire on a pay as you play basis? I know it’s been suggested before but that was a while ago. Jack is still at Arsenal pottering about at the training ground. Is there a subtle plan at work, re him? He’d certainly fill a hole, if needed? Although not at full back or up front. He’s perhaps plan ‘W’, waiting in the wings and willing!
Auto correct included the t in Wilshire. Marvellous!
Good morning all.
I saw the headline “Arsenal what’s the plan?” and expected a drum roll followed by full disclosure of the Arteta/ Edu transfer strategy. 😉
But of course if there was a plan it’s gone down the tubes now. Players out, too many! Players in, zilch!
It will all be left to yet another last minute scramble.
In the early Wenger days, with the able assistance of David Dein, there were a number of unexpected and good value deals done. Since then the standard has dropped like a stone.
From what I understand, Wilshire has been training with the first team squad whilst working towards his coaching badges so he should at least be fit enough to fill a space on the bench. I suspect that he will be a stand-by option to fill a gap in the squad numbers if no other signings are completed by the end of the window.
Expect to see an announcement at 22.55 on Monday.
Jack Wilshere would be a decent fill in if we get to DD without a midfielder being added but if he’s looking to continue playing, surely he’d want a deal at a club where he’ll play rather than fill in…
He needs to prove his fitness and only by playing can he do that.
However as we seem to be willing to get anyone out of the club to save their wages , I cant help wondering whether our self sustaining model has hit the rocks .
Maybe that was the subject of Arteta’s tete a tete with Stan and maybe come May we might get a surprise and Arteta walks..
I understand to be the minority here, but I would only consider a single midfield reinforcement.
The 3 CBs are enough, we are well equipped in LB/LWB. The right flank is an issue at the moment, but that should be over within a few weeks, so it wouldn’t make sense to invest in a RB – especially after releasing Chambers on a free – as long as we have Tomi, Soares and Bellerin on our books.
Midfield is a different area, and while I still believe Elneny to be a great guy, with a calm and funny personality who doesn’t poison the dressing room atmosphere even when not playing (as he has an undisputed place in Egypt’s starting XI), but his limitations are obvious. He gives his very best, but – similarly to Coquelin whom I also liked – that is usually below the required quality. So indeed, I would sing a player while selling Mo to a Turkish club at the same time. But that is only central midfield. My choice would be Ryan Gravenberch – as Kev is my witness I advocated him for years now – but Donny van de Beek (Bergkamp’s possible future son-in-law) could be a strong candidate too.
If we keep Elneny till the end of the season, then again no reinforcement is necessary, and even if we sell/loan Mo we can survive the season with Patino and Salah-Eddine supporting the capable trio of Partey, Xhaka and Lokonga.
On the attacking front we are well equipped. So it is just crazy when I see rumors about signing Kulusevski or Solomon. We don’t need a freakin’ winger, that’s for sure. Whom should he squeeze out? Saka? Smith-Rowe? Martinelli? Even if we find a reasonable improvement on Pepe (which is quite unlikely taking the price into consideration) I’m not sure if we should go all-out for a backup RW – and that should be quite obvious for the player, too. Same applies to AM; it was a strange decision to sign Odegaard (who is a great player, no doubt about that), because it is almost impossible to have him and ESR in the same team and win.
On the striker department we still have 3 quality players. So a new signing would only make sense if we get rid of 2(!) of them. I would prefer to sign a new deal with Nketiah and send him on loan, but he doesn’t trust Arteta – and if we see what happened to Balogun ever since hi signed his new professional contract to the club, it is quite understandable. So I say: sell first and sing later. We really don’t need anybody who would make both Auba and Laca sitting on the bench.
Afternoon Rico and the House
Like the new set up Rico and the new post to go with it
If there is a plan they are keeping inhouse at the moment.
I thought it was wrong to lose AMN and now to lose Chambers and Loan out Norton-Cuffy and Alebiosu makes me think we could be making signings( I Hope)
Kev as Tavares and Smith Rowe are over 21 on Jan 1 they must be in the 25 man squade for next season. Saka and Martinelli ar e are under 21 and willnot be included.
I had a chat with Paul Merson last Saturday.
I am convinced he honestly believes we will finish in 4th, and he said do not rule out Auba staying and playing untill the end of the season.
Hi Rico..
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal in advanced talks to sign Joelinton on loan + option to buy. Seen as Lacazette’s long term successor + is admired for his work ethic. Talks ongoing but relations good between #AFC and #NCFC. Newcastle interested in Leno but no swap discussed yet #Arsenal (Ornstein)
These next few days are going to be mental!!!
Afternoon Rico. Personally, I’d love to see us buy a player who can score goals. I know it’s an old fashioned notion but….
Perhaps Jack will play against Reading.
My hunch is the chat with Stanley was over his contract. Or the sack. 😂
Pbarany, I suppose it depends on what Arsenal’s target is for this season. A CL spot is highly unlikely with the squad we have imo but we might scrape into Europa. With a goal scorer and midfielder better than who we have and suddenly I think we’d be favourites for 4th place.
Afternoon Adam.
Afternoon Rick, does Merse make any sense these days? 😜
Thanks re HH. Agree on AMN and Chambers but I’ve a feeling you already know that. Lol
Hi Sue, interesting. I think. 😜
I think it will be very difficult to stay in the top 4. Excluding M.City, Liverpool and Chelsea and looking at what happened on the last matchday: a) The M.U goal, it seemed to me and a lot of people that it was offside. In addition to the extra time that seemed excessive to me, has anyone seen VAR? By law, any goal must be validated by VAR, so there is a moment of pause. There was? Once again the question: what if happen if WH had scored? Would the procedure be the same? b) Again, and not just me, it didn’t look like a penalty at Liverpool. If it was Palace, would it have been a penalty? c) The Totts defender, who came from Wolves, made, among others, a foul that would probably have had a direct red card. Neither took red nor yellow. In fact, before and after this event, it remained unpunished. What if it was Xhaka? Red card, for sure. Another Xhaka from another club had taken at least yellow. But he’s a Totts player. In short: there are clubs that are protected and pushed up.
I think you’re not far off the mark Jm but it’s been like it for a long time. Doesn’t make it right I know but Arsenal players need to wise up to the reality that the officials won’t do us any favours. Or at least be fair.
Depends which Joelinton we after. The one howe turned into a powerful hard working box to box mid, I would take him in a heart beat or the 1 goal in 20 striker, I’d say no thanx
You’d have wonder why Newcastle would want to sell Joelinton now that they’re flush and don’t need to sell to buy?
I hope we get that Nottm Forest (Middlesbrough) right back, he looks a player…
I reckon they want Leno in exchange.
Newcastle are really showing huge ambition then, hey lol
Rumours we are back in for Calvert-Lewin.
Nketiah strongly linked with a move to Newcastle again which is odd as he’s in Dubai…
I’d rather we didn’t sign anyone rather than wasting money on a panic buy…
I think we need to focus on who we have rather than some big time Charlie riding to our rescue, the transfer window rumours are beginning to bore me to death and I’m as bad as everyone else, but stuff the lot of them, clubs acting like gangsters, greedy players, manipulative agents, the can all piss off….
I reckon we have got enough talent left in our squad if we can get a fair crack off of the idiots running VAR and our bent referees and we steer clear of injuries to nick top four.
17 games left, no poxy cup ties but each EPL game will be like a cup game, 12 wins and 5 draws might just do it, a tall order I know but we’re in the mix, we just need to enjoy some of the breaks our competitors have enjoyed.
Kev it’s a fair point.
Nothing other than League games to concentrate on, as long as Covid and injuries don’t cruel us, top 4 is a reasonable expectation.
Two things count against signing DCL, the first is that he is suffering from a hamstring injury the second Everton have appointed Frank Lampard as manager so will not want to sell an important player before the new guy has got his feet under the table.
Surely we can do better than DCL!!!!
Sue, who?
Who’s available and willing to come?
I genuinely don’t know.
We can all criticise the club, but unless we can offer up a legitimate option….
That’s the million dollar question, Scott! I’m sorry, I just don’t rate the guy…
As it is looking increasingly likely that Nketiah will sign for Newcastle before the deadline we will be left with just one striker, Lacazette and he will be going in the summer if not before.
The Melo deal is dragging on and looks less and less likely while the striker search has hit the wall despite attempts at signing, bottom of the barrel option, Joelinton.
The Arteta, Edu, Garlik triumvirate is getting to look NFFP. Not fit for purpose.. 😕
Sue, I didn’t say he’s my favourite target, but we all like to think we know what’s best and yet we don’t.
Imagine if the pressure was really on us?
Xbox makes us all superb managers, it really does.
Agreed, Kev, with both the boring, frustrating gossips and our squad having the quality and depths to perform well in the remaining 17 games.
I even agree with Scott, that the 4th spot is not unreasonable (albeit 4 teams of similar qualities are competing for it); it’s a hell of a Saturday.
I would personally prefer to extend the contract of Lacazette for 2 more years. In that time he could mentor both Nketiah and Balogun who would both stay for the first half of every season and one of them would go on loan in the winter, but even I have to admit that it is an unlikely scenario.
Just for a change it looks like we have shoved ourselves into a corner that is going to be very expensive to get out of and possibly in desperation quite unsatisfactory. We do appear to have a blind spot with forward planning or just too soft when dealing with agents.
Scott.. I’m not saying I know best; far from it! And just for the record I don’t even play the Xbox 🤣
If the club decide to bring him to the Emirates then so be it, I’ll have to get behind him. Injury prone?! And bar that decent spell under Ancelotti he’s hardly been prolific is all I’m saying. So inconsistent and partial to some time on the treatment table – he’ll fit right in!
Morning. You can always tell when a club is in trouble. It just doesn’t feel right. Take a long, hard and detached look at things and there’s very little to get excited about.
Whichever way I look at this, I have to admit that I can’t see much daylight. Of course, every player might up their game. Mikel might find a different and more successful way and his wins might increase.
We have no option but wait and see. I’m sure there are extenuating circumstances but our performances this season aren’t pretty.
Rico.. I’ve just finished Ozark – Darlene and Wyatt… noooooo!!!!
Sue, yep, but again, he’s not my favourite target.
Let me be clear here else I’ll be crucified.
All around social media, the club is being criticised for failing to spend what’s required to get the right players in, even though the offer for Vlahovic was pretty bloody big.
That’s Arsenal fans ON SOCIAL MEDIA for you.
We all read the rumours, none of us actually know what’s happening behind closed doors and we just don’t know how hard these deals are to complete.
It’s frustrating, but it is what it is.
Afternoon all.
It’d be strange to go from trying to sign Dusan Vlahovic to DCL. Especially after we could have had Tammy Abraham for less.
So far this season, watching Arsenal has been pretty drab, even Saka isn’t at his previous best. Mind you, he looks knackered, as doo one or two others.
I don’t think much will change after this break. One day up, the next day down.
Their relationship Sue or the double bullet? 😜
“Take a long, hard and detached look at things and there’s very little to get excited about.
Whichever way I look at this, I have to admit that I can’t see much daylight. Of course, every player might up their game. Mikel might find a different and more successful way and his wins might increase.”
Ever the optimist Adam. 😝
So a best starting 11 with an average age around 23-24 who have oridces some superb football isn’t something to get excited about?
Gold.
“oridces” equals “produced” apparently lol
Funny that of all the world class managers around the world potentially open to the idea of a gig in England, Roy Hodgson is the latest appointment.
Stevie G before that I think?
Lampard or even Rooney to Everton are the tips.
New post up
And that’s part of the problem Scott . They are kids , and they need rest while they develop . Saka is good for about a hour then his pewrformance drops . Smith – Rowe has an injury that he can’t seem to shake . Lokonga is a really good find but his concentration goes as he tires and Tavares is also subject to mind lapses .
If we overplay them now we lose them when they reach their peak not on the trasnsfer market but to the medical room . They are not fully formed yet . Man reaches his physical peak between 26 and 28 years old and whilst we have gone rightly in my opinion down the young route , I think that we have gone to far and tipped the balance.
My worry is that in these 17 remaining games too much pressure is put on them and we reap the problems in the next few years.
Potter, I agree we are short.
No question at all.
We can’t pretend we haven’t got a fantastic core group of players now though, surely.
Who is your 12.19 aimed at Scott, I thought you always named the people you were having a dig at? As you pointed out to Pbarany yesterday rather strongly.