Morning guys.
Is Arsenal equipped enough for another league title challenge?
GK – Raya, Kepa and Meslier
RB – White and Timber.
CB – Saliba, Konsa, Gabriel, Mosquera and Salmon.
LB – Hincapie and Calafiori
CDM – Rice, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Guimaraes and Merino.
AM – Odegaard, Eze and Nwaneri
RW – Saka, Madueke and Dowman
LW – Tzolis (Martinelli if he stays)
CF – Gyokeres and Havertz.
Firstly, Marli Salmon has signed his first professional contract with the club as he turns 17 years old today. What a birthday present for the young man who is one of the brightest defensive talents we have seen come through the academy in a long while. He certainly plays like someone beyond his years.
One thing stands out from the above squad and that’s its versatility. Merino seems to be able to play anywhere he’s asked, both Salmon, Konsa, Mosquera, Saliba and White can play anywhere on the right hand side of defence and Timber can play anywhere across the back line. Both Hincapie and Calafiori can play on the left either centrally or as full back. I think Calafiori could play on the wing too if he was asked. Gabriel is our main left sided central defender. Basically, we have plenty of excellent options in defence, a defence which will only be stronger with the return of Saliba and Timber.
Midfield is well stocked too, certainly defensively with Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Guimaraes Zubimendi and Merino although there is a lot more to their game than just defending. Attacking midfield is well stocked too with Odegaard the main man and behind sit Eze, and Nwaneri, for the latter two, I feel this is a big season for both. Saka, Dowman, Merino and Havertz are options should injuries hit us hard.
On the wings, well I think this is where we could do with an addition if Martinelli goes. I’m not a fan of Eze on the left because he’s not a player who will track back. We have a similar problem on the right when Madueke plays as he seldom looks keen to dig in when our right back needs support. The worst case scenario would be having both Madueke and Eze on the wings at the same time although I suspect that’s already happened but cannot be bothered to check.
Up front, it looks like Havertz might be Arteta’s favourite option at the moment but what a great alternative we have in Gyokeres. Personally, I prefer Viktor. He reminds me a bit of Lacazette in the way he works so hard for the team but gets knocked for not scoring enough goals. Rumour has it he might be off but I hope not. Then there’s Merino, Mr Versatility.
Forgive me if I’ve missed anyone off which is highly likely. lol
So if the transfer window shut right now, do you think we have a good enough squad to get through the next nine months and potentially retain our Premier League crown?
Catch up in the comments.
Did you get up to my neck of the woods, Cicero? The Bay of Islands in the far north.
I worked in South Africa for all of ’84, great country, great people, great rugby nation.
Afternoon Devil, thank you.
It’s crazy Limey, just get the new season up and running and then it stops again.
Stuart I’m completely neutral as far as the rugby goes. I’ve visited both countries and hugely enjoyed my visits.
17 – 14 31 mins.
I’ve just realised that the International break in a few weeks time is three weeks,and Nations league games too. At least there won’t be another soon after.
Good afternoon Rico and all.
Thanks for the last three great posts Rico. Read them all, the comments as well but didnt have time to write myself.
I would hate it when Alvarez signs. Its like asking a girl out and she tells you that she is waiting for another boy to ask her out and if it didnt materialise she would go out with you. So no. I wouldnt touch him with a barge pole and steer clear. Even if he decides to come now and scores a hatful. I still dont want him to replace anyone, let alone Vic who did everything to come to us.
Martinelli is gone as well. Who is going to replace him? at least as a squad member. Rashford? Better than no one yes. But for the past three seasons Rashford has been mentioned with us for a loan.
I hate the idea of Arsenal getting someone on loan, let alone actually loaning him. Yes we might dodge a bullet but it also reflects on the scouting group since it means they havent done their homework.
Off to read the post. I posted the above on the last post after you announced that new post was up.
🚨 @David_Ornstein
: “There is a low chance that Julian Alvarez comes to Arsenal. He’s spoken to Mikel Arteta & said he doesn’t want to come. That could change, but it’s NOT developing. If they don’t get him, maybe they stick with what they’ve got.” ❌🇦🇷
https://x.com/mertesacker/status/2093675292455813228?s=20
Great result for Forest at Anfield.
Peter Storey, Cicero. Read it a few years back. Highly entertaining stuff. Bit of a rogue on and off the pitch.
Come on you AB’s… Time for the haka.
I stumbled upon a book review earlier, True Storey, my life and crimes of an Arsenal hatchet man. Any guess who the author is?
It will all depend on fitness and availability, basically we have only two first teamers on the injury list Saliba and Timber, Saliba will be long term but Timber could be back soon however we have strengthened in defence with Konsa and have Salmon coming on. Our midfield looks much stronger but, of Martinelli goes we will need another striker.
All in all, I think we may, just, have enough.
Time to switch to rugby now, Springboks vs All Blacks episode two.
All a matter of opinion re which is the best for Arsenal out of the two Crispen.
You are right Bertie, I put him in the article but not the list. Oops.
It’s not quite the same squad though as Trossard has gone and Martinelli is expected to follow suit.
Williams has plenty more than Martinelli
Your team list does not include Merino
Remember this was a squad that won the league and reached the Champions League final last season and we’ve strengthened
I have a feeling we shall live to regret letting Martinelli go..
I pray he doesn’t go
Not for me re Williams, he’s no better, in fact probably not as good as Martinelli.
Afternoon Geoff, you’re not alone.
I still do not understand why we are after that Julian character.. Let him go to Barca.
Williams anyone?
Afternoon Rico and all.
looking at the list above, I have a few concerns about LW if Martinelli leaves,
Watching Liverpool vs NFO bit surprised that Forest keeper has not been yellowed carded for wasting time. Half time forest leading 1-0
Fabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal agree deal to sign 17 year old Georgian talent Andria Bartishvili, here we go!
17 year old midfielder has medical booked in London at #AFC next week then signing a five year contract.
He’s joining from 2027 when turning 18.
Deal worth €4.5m.
That would make sense, Alvarez can’t have things all his own way. I’d have never entertained signing him, let alone for the price he’s going for.
There are option, but now other clubs are signing in them.
Agreed Limey, we’d be foolish to sell Martinelli without a replacement.
I would too David.
It’s funny I was also thinking maybe Martinelli could stay after all,especially with him training with the main group.
In answer to Ricos question,do we have enough ? I would say yes,if Martinelli stays,if he goes we have no pace,and anyway we’ve already lost Trossard who played every big game.
Thank you. Finally, someone else who has a positive view of Gyokeres and doesn’t write him off after one season when he scored 20 goals and provided much more besides. I’d love him to prove the naysayers wrong this season.
That’s a deal breaker Rico unless we insert a buy-out clause, say €150m, that should do the trick. Tbh I’m completely bored with the Alvarez saga, surely we should just pivot elsewhere?
Morning Kev, I wish we’d just stick with Martinelli for now, it makes more sense to me.
Morning Rico, if, as seems likely, the interminable pursuit of Alvarez comes to nothing then maybe the club will have a rethink over Martinelli? Personally I wouldn’t mind as he has a one year option that the club can trigger turning his one-year contract into two.
Rumours are that the Alvarez camp want a clause in any contract with us to allow him to move to Barcelona in the future.
It’s the potential sale of Martinelli which baffles me, unless he’s replaced with another winger.
Morning Gunners,
Bruno, Hincapie, Tzolis, Meslier and Konsa represents a pretty good window in my humble opinion, the sales of Trossard, Kiwior and Norgaard suggest that the business we’ve done has definitely improved the squad.
A fit Saliba and a fit Timber might have seen the Konsa money redirected elsewhere but kudos to the club for reacting and not dithering