Daily Bits and Bobs

Is selling players in January pointless?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Emile Smith Rowe made his senior England debut last night. By the time Gareth Southgate called him off the bench, the game was pretty much over as far as the scoreline goes. Still, he’s probably feeling like a million dollars this morning. Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale weren’t called on which is good for Arsenal. One more international fixture to go.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TIJMHT26Pxk

I love the old stories relating to The Arsenal and I especially liked the above one. If only David Dein had stayed at the club eh, things might have been so very different during those difficult years for Arsene Wenger. However, we can’t rewrite history but we can learn from it. Something which applies in the real life too. The key part is recognising the mistakes in the first place and that’s sometimes the problem.

I think it’s fair to say that most of the mistakes Arsenal have made in more recent years in the transfer department, have been rectified. By which I mean they’re gone. In my opinion anyway although I’m sure we’ll differ on this view all the time Cedric Soares, Pablo Mari, Granit Xhaka and even Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are at the club. Others too but there had to be some kind of stability. Any clear-out/transition takes time and Arsenal to some degree, still have work to do. A lot of it too as players contracts run down or run out as we know will be the case for a handful of players next summer and the following one too.

Does Mikel Arteta stick or twist in January if offers come in for Eddie Nketiah, Alex Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac, Calum Chambers and Mo Elneny? Bernd Leno too who probably knows that sitting on the bench won’t do his international chances much good and with the World Cup next year, he needs to be playing regularly. He might push for a January move despite his contract not being up until 2023. The same summer as Aubameyang and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

On one hand it’s better for the club to sell players than to let them walk away for free but how could Mikel Arteta replace someone like Lacazette who since returning to the team has made such a difference? Would a few million pounds be worth accepting when his input might help us return to European football? No, not in my opinion. What about Eddie, the player who Palace didn’t think was worth a reported £12m fee last summer, is it worth letting him go for a small fee? No, not in my opinion. If he takes the opportunity which might is likely to come his way when Aubameyang heads off to the ACON, then who knows, he might even stay. But, he has to grab any chance he might get and make it count. The same goes for Gabriel Martinelli I think. He’s been a bit part player since returning from injury but with Pepe off in January, more opportunities should come his way.

Of course, Edu and Arteta might have other ideas. They might continue the rebuild during the winter transfer window as we hunt down that Champions League/Europa spot. It’s easy to suggest Eddie and Martinelli can solve the void Pepe and Aubameyang will leave but there’s a chance, they won’t. Same goes for the midfield with Thomas Partey. Xhaka might be back by then but there’s no guarantee he’ll be up for 1, 2 or even 3 matches a week which might be the case if we’re still in the League Cup.

Forget the rumours on NN or in the back pages though as I doubt any of them will turn out to be genuine but I do think Arsenal will bring in a player or two in January.

See you in the comments.

 

 

 

rico

18 thoughts on “Is selling players in January pointless?”

  3. potter says:

    According to the esteemed football. london we have about £ 200 million to spend before we fall foul of FFP so buying might be on the cards more than selling .
    That of course depends on room in the squad for players qualifying from different nationalities.
    It is difficult not to read the rumours but it’s the way you asses them that matters.
    Leno apparently is up for leaving but I am sure that I read that Hein has picked up a long term injury so that may well be the end of that in January and Pepe is up for a swap with Juventus for a Swedish winger whose stats are equally unimpressive.
    Still only a week to go before we go to Anfield , reckon we should show the 1989 match in full on the bus and let them know that it can be done.

  6. Aussie Geoff says:

    Morning Rico and all

    If Arteta has players that are not in his future plans then sell them now why we can.
    The clip about Viera above is great.

    Can some one answer this please.
    If Arsenal loan out a player and he gets injured does Arsenal have any say in-regards to what medical treatment the player receives.

  8. rico says:

    Morning Geoff, I’m sure the club will sell any player who isn’t in Arteta’s plans for the second half of the season but there’s the two domestic cups to bear in mind I’d imagine.

    Yes re the medical stuff, I’m sure the club controls things when there’s an injury if it’s serious.

  12. Cicero says:

    Women’s football has come on a bundle but sadly the referee today was not up to the standard required.

    Only two points dropped and still unbeaten.

  18. Aussie Geoff says:

    Thanks Rico I fort the players main club would have some say in injury treatment of players out on loan but was not 100%

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