Isco, Lacazette & Evans summer moves on? The English Conundrum….

Morning all.

Someone here on HH a short while ago made a comment about this current Arsenal team and how it appears to be playing better without many of it’s English players.

No Wilshere, Gibbs, Chambers or Walcott.

Danny Webeck is the only one who has been playing of late. Gibbs now looks like he’s our Cup/second choice left back and Chambers is nowhere to be seen. Theo Walcott has been present on the bench but even he hasn’t been given much playing time.

I know Wilshere has had more than his fair share of injuries this season but for a while now he’s been playing for the under 21’s and back on the 7th of this month, he told the official site that he felt fit, healthy and ready to play a part in our chase for second place.

So where is he?

In fact a question so often raised here on HH is where does he fit in to this new resurgent Arsenal side?

Gone it seems are the days of our players falling over under a challenge at the first opportunity. Playing Chelsea proved that it takes a bad one to knock them over these days so Jack, who struggles to stay on his feet would need to have a rethink about his game and antics. Same with Theo, although he appears to look a lot stronger in his physique. More compact if that makes sense.

Kieran Gibbs – his omission came as no great surprise to me, he plays like a winger, perhaps he’d be better off as a winger and as long as Nacho Monreal stays fit, I wouldn’t play the Englishman at left-back again this season. Especially not against Aston Villa in the FA Cup Final.

As the summer transfer window approaches, the rumours about City, Jack and a £30 million offer gather pace and it’ll be interesting to see what Arsenal do. £30 million would more than pay for Morgan Schneiderlin or someone of his quality and if City are preparing to offer that, who knows, another club might think he’s worth more and offer more.

Same for Theo, unless he suddenly develops a defensive side to his game, where does he truly fit in to this new, tough, ‘all for one and one for all’ side? And with him going into his final year of contract, he could very well find the door being opened very wide for him if he faffs around too long over a new contract. That’s if he’s offered one of course.

Calum Chambers has only just arrived and I think that after having to play so many games early in the season, the club are now just giving him a breather. Perhaps next summer we’ll be talking about him again and hopefully for all the right reasons.

Kieran Gibbs – as said above, he too attacking and doesn’t seem to be able to grasp when to attack and when to defend.

With all the rules and regulations about how many English players need to be in a squad, it’s quite unlikely that many, if any of our English players will leave this summer but if that rule was removed, I bet Arsene Wenger would be tempted too offload one or two of them.

Harsh? I don’t think so…

What’s harsh imo is Thierry Henry taking a swipe at Ollie and suggesting we won’t win the PL with him as our main striker. Perhaps what he could have said is we won’t win the league with only him as our main striker which makes more sense to me.

Ollie is the big target man, what we need is someone like Eduardo, Wrighty or Aguero, a poacher, someone who can get away from defenders at the drop of a hat and leave them standing and looking silly. Ollie isn’t the kind of player who will sprint ahead and chase a ball down, he’s not built for that. We need someone who can do what Benik Afobe is doing for Wolves.

Talking of Ollie, he makes sense:

You could see that (there is) not a lot (between the teams). (Us and the Chavs)

Hopefully we will have less injuries and if we keep this group, with maybe one or two new players coming in, we can have a great season.’

It’s been a few years now where we didn’t finish second so to do it this season would be great. The championship is not finished, we need to focus on these last five games and get that second place.

He’s right, there was very little between the two sides and to fair, we had plenty of chances to beat them and had Ollie been where Ozil was, maybe Theo where Welbeck was in the dying seconds we would have. When does Santi scuff a shot like he did or Merts fire as wide as he did?

I don’t think all is as bad as Henry is making out, a few tweaks here and there, a few out to make room for better and different and I mean ‘different’ players to come in and we’ll be good to go next season.

Whether Jack Wilshere or Theo Walcott will be part of next season though remains to be seen…

Finally, here’s todays transfer gossip:

Arsenal are set to kick off their summer spending with a £24 million swoop for Barcelona forward Pedro (Express).

The same paper reports that Arsenal could launch a £22 million bid of Alexandre Lacazette too. 26 goals he’s scored this season, he’d have probably scored more goals for Lyon had he not have picked up an injury.

Then of course there is Isco. Rumours about his summer Arsenal move are really gathering pace. Or should I say, repeated by all and sundry. I really hope there’s some truth in this one.

Finally, Arsenal have been encouraged to sign Jonny Evans from Manchester United this summer, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

I’ve rambled on far too long.

Have a great day in the sunshine, enjoy it while it’s last as snow is back this weekend!

146 thoughts on “Isco, Lacazette & Evans summer moves on? The English Conundrum….

  1. tsgh says:

    Good read Rico.

    This may not be popular; but Imho TH14 is a poor pundit. another proof that most of the better or best players can never be coaches.

  2. Brian Price says:

    Hi Rico
    Good summary – here are my thoughts.
    Gibbs vs Monreal – very little difference to me, Monreal just gets the nod if both are fully fit, Gibbs can do a good job if M. has even a small knock.
    Chambers is a centre back – he will get his chance there next year as part of four, it will be up to him to prove himself, I personally thing he will. What’s wrong with Jenks as the third right back?
    Theo, I think will go this summer. I hope he does for his sake as much as anything – he has got a bit stale as much as anything and really needs a new challenge, he deserves it.
    Jack I don’t know about. He’s obviously not in Arsene’s top rotation at the moment, perhaps he could do with a fresh start as well.
    I agree about Isco – we could give him a year to fit in as next year will probably be Santi’s last and he’s just what we need.
    As for a striker, we need another one but it’s a minefield trying to get one who will fit in. A big star is probably not the answer, perhaps we can give Giroud, Danny and Chuba a go in the first half of next season, with the option of buying in the window.
    Then all we need is a replacement right winger for Theo – someone who can rotate with The Ox and stay on the wing, although Gnabry may fit the bill.
    Thats about all, although the sight of Terry celebrating a draw as if he’d won the lottery told a lot about Nosferatu’s thinking.
    Brian

  3. rico says:

    Morning Bt and Ts..

    I’ve not seen much of TH as a pundit tbh. Think he’s right about a new spine but didn’t really think he was kind on Ollie….

  4. rogerbij says:

    Howdy doody, long time! Im still feeling flat from Sunday, but it gives a lot of hope as we werent bad at all, chelskea are good and came not to lose.

    Anyway, really glad you mention Lacazette. If you dont know much about him check out his stats on whoscored and some videos on youtube. You wont be disappointed. He by far my personal pick for a new striker (who would actually be available). Strong, fast, powerful, wicked shot, makes assists too, has a good pass %. Oh and French 😉 Personally Welbeck doesnt do it for me (never has) but Im not disapointed he is in our squad -Im just saying he is not going to win us the PL. And if we do win the FA cup 2 years running what else but to put everything into winning the league.

    Isco? Totally, replacing the aging Mozart. Boom town.

    Schneiderlin? Absolutely in a heartbeat. I did the maths and it appears that Le Coq cannot play 60 games in a season 😉 That, and Schneiderlin is capable of more attacking edge so they can even play together if need be.

    Buy those 3 and I am convinced we can/will win the league next season. We are on the right track!

  5. BT62 Gooner says:

    Roger, with you on Danny Boy. admire his desire,work rate but his finishing is so hit and miss.
    As for Lacazette, i only know he scores lots of goals.

  6. rico says:

    Hi Brian, thanks..

    Imo, Monreal is head and shoulders above Gibbs right now and there’s been a few rumours relating us to another Spanish left back – can’t remember which one right now though.

    Re Jack – just really can’t see how his game fits in with what AW seems to be doing….

  7. scottfromoz says:

    I’m dirty on Thierry’s comments.
    They’re disrespectful and not accurate, IMO.
    Another case of a legendary player making comments just to be heard?
    Just to be seen to be earning his money?
    Our form turned when Giroud came back from injury, so where was a theory during the early part of the season?
    America….not watching, obviously lol.
    I’m with you. Rico.
    Give us a world class poacher, and Giroud would be even more dangerous.
    I thought it would be Sanchez but that’s not his game.
    Isco…..YES PLEASE.
    He’s superb.
    Morning all

  8. rico says:

    I’m torn re DW – his effort can’t be questioned that’s for sure but like already said, his scoring ratio leaves a lot to be desired when playing up front on his own. Perhaps it’s just first season syndrome and getting used to his team-mates because for England he scores plenty…

  9. tsgh says:

    Top comment Scott.

    ”Our form turned when Giroud came back from injury, so where was a theory during the early part of the season?”

    One of my replies to we look strong due to Coquelin…; don’t get me wrong I take nothing from Le Coq but he is being given too much credit than he deserves. imho

  10. tsgh says:

    Isco is very different to Cazorla imho; even though he is now playing CM for RM.
    Isco will probably replace one of our wingers.

    I would rather we went for Verratti or Pjanic to replace TR07

  11. scottfromoz says:

    Lee, he’s only partly right because on Giroud he’s totally wrong.
    Saying that, nearly everyone of us on here has said for ages we still need more top guys.
    Pundits constantly state what we all know, or something outrageous.

  12. tsgh says:

    Jedinak again has come top of all the CDM/CM in the league for the 3rd conservative season…; shame no one considers him top notch.

    Imho, this has been Schneiderleins’ worse season since he became an EPL player…

  13. rico says:

    Lee, TH said four.. 😉

    Scott. Not only Ollie, but Ozil, Coquelin, a fit Kos, Monreal replacing Gibbs… Gabriel, Bellerin replacing Chambers..

    Imo, there are many factors….

  14. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    Rico – Another thought provoking article.

    I have to agree re Giroud “Perhaps what he could have said is we won’t win the league with only him as our main striker which makes more sense to me.” I still think Olivier was bought to partner Judas. I don’t think he was meant to be a loan striker. He does what he does very well, but he does not have that burst of pace and one-on-one skill of an Aguerro, Henry or Suarez.

    It will be interesting to see if we buy another striker this summer. We are certainly being linked with a number of them (e.g. Dybala, Higuain, Lacazette).

    As for our English players, I think the biggest question marks are Jack the Lad and Theo. Neither of which are noted for tracking back and defending. Unless Arsene has already made up his mind on them, he’ll have to give them some playing time in our remaining games.

  15. Joaquim Moreira says:

    A.Madrid is interesting (very interesting) in Cazorla.
    Obviously, Wellbeck was not the solution. AW know that and in january, we tried to bring one center forward.
    It was not what he intended. It was the only solution available.
    The same reasoning to DM. Found none quality and looked to the side and saw that Coquelin was the solution.
    In my opinion, and despite missing a few games, went well.
    We have to be focused on three fronts: a) have the highest rating possible, if possible 2nd place; b) Winning the Cup. c) Start time in the “Challenge Cup” with a win. It is a game that starts 0-0 and have to mark the final turn in games against Chelsea.
    The corollary Sunday is this: although we are well on all levels, and amedrontamos inferiorizamos with chelsea. Do not shoots, throws up tense and complexed.

  16. BT62 Gooner says:

    Hopefully he’ll not be delivering mine,Rico..

    I think Rogers thoughts on the game,were close to my own….

  17. BT62 Gooner says:

    Rico, tend to agree with you on the other factors regarding our season turning, if it was all down to G Rod’s return, i think it would say very little for the rest of the players efforts.

  18. rogerbij says:

    Hi again, here is a coffee infused burst of imagination…

    Rico, Isco comes in for Rosicky imo. Cazorla will be excellent still next season, and maybe another afterwards. He could pull a Xavi or a Pirlo I think. Also, there are so many games in a season we need to rotate a quality midfield with… quality.

    Schneiderlin comes in for Arteta/Flamini. Bless them both but they wont make it another season. I wouldnt sell Wilshire just yet. Partly because I still havent learned how to spell Wilshere yet. But mainly because I just mentioned that Rosicky, Arteta, Flamini (Podolski) all wont have much of a role to play next season imo.

    Generally agreeing with most of you above that Welbeck is not THE ONE (as in the Matrix), but remember that he was in fact the only one sorta/kinda/ish available end of last summer. I think still that he was a better bet than the other options: Remy (just), Balotelli (lol!), Falcao (lol) etc. But now we want to push on for the PL, so we need THE ONE. Like I say, Im betting on Lacazette.

    I didnt hear Henry speak about Giroud because the sound got turned down at the pub. Sounds a bit harsh. But I love the guy, so Ill interpret that as meaning that Giroud is not sufficient, which is true. We need still that elusive top top striker that all title winning sides have to complement, cover, and compete with Giroud and drive us on to the amazingly dizzying heights above second in the PL and last 16 in the CL.

  19. rogerbij says:

    Oh footnote to TSGH, who I generally agree with most days.

    However, Palace havent been in the PL for 3 consecutive seasons so Jedinak cant have been above Schniederlin for 3 seasons.

    I agree that Jedinak performs very very well. But by kickoff next season he will be 31, so thats a no for me.

    Also, if this is a bad season for Schniederlin then Ill take it. His whoscored rating this season is 7.51, which puts him among the elite players (let alone DMs) in any of the top 5 leagues in Europe. Jedinak is 7.59 so not much in it.

    And consider that Jedinak has a passing success % of only 66%, compared with Schniederlin 89% and thats another no for me. Arsenal is a passing team and 66% is a liability and doesnt go with our system.

    Big Arsenal love

  20. rico says:

    roger, we haven’t a clue who is coming in and who’s leaving yet… 😉

    Although if it’s Isco, Lacazette and Schneiderlin, I’d be very happy…

  21. rogerbij says:

    ha! Youre right Rico! Next thing youll be telling me we havent secured second yet. Right, first we secure second, then win the FA cup, then do the rest. And we will allll have a happy summer 🙂

  22. rico says:

    Ah yes, four it is then Bt… 😉

    Roger – we haven’t secured second yet and are a long way off doing so….

    Let’s hope our nasty neighbours can do us a favour at the weekend…

  23. tsgh says:

    Agreed Roger re. Niles’s age. I am not saying we should buy him but on the other hand at his age he scores higher in fitness department than a younger Francis. We may attribute Coquelins’ subtitutions to injuries but AW even knows Le Coq drops off after 68 minutes…
    Personally, I have nothing against over 30 y.o players. Alonso is a typical example of an older player taking up a younger players place in the team… not forgetting even Martinez.

    Jedinak’s so far has 5 goals from 22 games due to injuries ad playing international tournament down under; he also has one assist same as Morgan., He also has the highest clearances, tackles and interceptions after missing January and March.

    Miles’s pass accuracy may appear low when compared to others like Morgan but note C.P’s passes are

    European football statistics (the biggest data base) logged Miles as the best DM in Europe 2 seasons ago and amongst top 5 best in Eurpe…

    I help EFS out on occasion so I consider them the best stats… lol 😉

    Apparently Conte (before his resignation) was keen to take him last summer if Vidal or Pogba had left Juve…

  24. tsgh says:

    Don’t know what happened there but…”
    Miles’s pass accuracy may appear low when compared to others like Morgan but note C.P’s average pass range average18 yards whilst ours is 9.8 yards.

    Also Jedinak, Clyne, and Matic still lead the list for most defensive duties… contrary to what the mirror and co. will like fans to believe re. how Coquelin is best DM since January…

  25. tsgh says:

    True Rico. re securing 2nd place first. reason I still contest I will believe we have improved when we finish above City and win FA cup…

    This current form we are experience is nothing new…
    after we beat Fc Munchen a few years back being the first team to beat BM in over 2 seasons, we only dropped 4 points from a possible 33 points to secure a UCL place….

    We always do well when we are not playing 3 games a week but concentrating on 1 game per week…

    AW needs to add to the team and stop relying on and over playing certain players all the time…

  26. rogerbij says:

    Thanks Tsgh for http://www.footballdatabase.eu/ . I hadnt been there before. I like the skill ratings breakdown. Is there somewhere that gives an overall indexed score? I get that this is a little artificial as it depends on weighting, but its convenient to start from that.

  27. allezkev says:

    Afternoon All

    Afternoon Rico

    The Gremlins are back it seems…
    Everything is taking an age to load…

    So I’ll see you all later… 🙁

  28. tsgh says:

    Roger- EFS is a top database if you are into stats and that rubbish 😉

    A bit too scientific for fans but physio’s, agents and managers use that instead of opta etc for recruitment.

    I personally do not use the others’ even though they very good starting point. Its’ geared towards fans and sports writers.

    Those with editorial access are able to track how often players sprint, body temperature etc and even look at some logs of players during training. (if the players are wearing the GPS tracker)….

  29. tsgh says:

    Shame that we have not been able to make Ems’ a fortress… until recently.

    Since we moved to the Erms we have won only 65% of home games whilst Yanited in that time have won 78%; before Fergie left it was 82% whilst before March 2013 we had only won 62%…
    Our away form although the media like to bash us is only 6% lower than Yanited’s, who win the most away games…

  30. Micko says:

    tsgh, I think it’s a case of the big girls liking their cakes too much and dying young, that’s why there’s so many little old ladies running around…..I could be wrong.

    Afternoon all.

  31. tsgh says:

    😀 Micko… well a man of wisdom.

    Last week you kindly worked out what the astronauts never did not the moon ;)… so I will take your word for it.

  32. Micko says:

    Lots of different factors why we’ve done so well since the turn of the year, Giroud coming back into the side is one and the same can be said for Ospina as well, he’s brought a calming influence to our defence and has something like 7 clean sheets in 13 games now, not bad for a vertically challenged keeper.

  33. rico says:

    Bt – re the 3 pm ko shown, that’s just a link which goes on the site. I suspect whoever ‘runs’ the link, don’t update the ko changes..

    Ts – re EFS

    ‘A bit too scientific for fans but physio’s, agents and managers use that instead of opta etc for recruitment’.

    Perhaps you are underestimating the intelligence of Arsenal fans?

    Afternoon all…

  34. rico says:

    Agree re Ospina Micko, it’s Ches who needs replacing… Well imo of course, not that I have any stats availabe to back up my view….

  35. tsgh says:

    Rico- that was not meant to be a snide comment…; just saying majority of fans don’t like stats or take notice of it…

  36. rico says:

    Big assumption there Ts, I doubt if you know how many fans like to observe stats. I know I don’t as I find them all pretty boring really as I’d rather watch a player than to look up how many times he’s dribbled down his chin but I’m sure others find them fascinating…

    Just came across as a bit ‘superior’…..

  37. rogerbij says:

    I thought it was a fair comment tsgh, how many fans trawl through stats sites? Me, you, a few others on HH. (and by stats I dont mean goals scored in a season). It takes a bit of time and effort, but I think stats are an extremely good predictor of player quality if taken over a period of time/#games. Of course there are some indicators that are difficult to measure and so first hand observation will always to be key to confirming what stats are suggesting. And heck, watching football is far more fun than watching stats!

  38. BT62 Gooner says:

    Rico, not having a go at the your tech guy, that wasn’t the 3pm ko’s i was referring to…

    More his opinion on viewing options…lol

  39. Wavy says:

    Re Gabriel’s absence on Sunday, I heard he was not available because he had an appointment for a facial makeover!

    Afternoon each.

  40. rico says:

    Bt – I didn’t think you were.. 😉

    Not sure what you mean about the 3pm viewing options though… Email perhaps? lol

    Tsk Wavy, but very funny…

    Got to nip off again…

  41. Adam says:

    We are three players from success. Or perhaps it’s four.
    However many it is, we are THAT close to success.
    I find that comforting somehow.

  42. Wavy says:

    Re Gabriel’s absence on Sunday, I heard he was not available because he had an appointment for a facial makeover!

    Afternoon each.

  43. Micko says:

    Wavy, I thought we were terrific without him , probably the best I’ve see us play since the Reading game the week before.

  44. allezkev says:

    A bit harsh On Gabriel Wavy….

    Dug him out twice and all….

    Rico, I got on easy, not sure what is happening…

    Are we being scanned by MI6..?

    Hits Adam, Lee…

  45. Wavy says:

    Maybe Kev, but his cheeks are now as soft as a babies bottom! ( if I can still say that without being accused of something non PC?)
    And, he’s been signed up to do a ‘Brycream’ advert, in the guise of Dennis Compton!!
    I lie!
    But I rate him. He’s an excellent acquisition and will earn his corn in the fullness of time. I think he’s an Arsenal defender from the ‘old school’. Time will tell.
    Where was he on Sunday, then?

  46. allezkev says:

    Adam, seems the Gremlins have sodded off again…
    What did you think about the comments Thierry Henry made?
    Was he just being controversial to justify his huge Sky TV salary?
    Was he trying some reverse psychology on Giroud?
    Or do you think he meant it, especially about the spine of the team?

  47. Adam says:

    Kev. I never saw Thierry’s comments. All I know about them are the hysterical voices that I have picked up while surfing the web. He was very complimentary about Giroud last week I recall.

  48. allezkev says:

    Adam, tbh I’ve picked up snippets from other sources myself, I didn’t hear/read the quotes from TH14 himself.

    Makes sense to treat those snippets with suspicion as you say…

    I should know better…

  49. rico says:

    Evening all..

    I’ve experienced something I never have before today..

    A 90 minute traffic jam in a supermarket car park!!!!!

  50. rico says:

    What annoyed me more Adam is I went into the store and asked if they could do anything and they said it was down to an traffic collision on the M4!

    The M4 is nowhere near where we were…

  51. rico says:

    No incident, just really odd and very annoying. Mind you, we saw 3 accidents in the car park as drivers got a bit impatient…

    I thought about unleashing the Rotti on them… Lol

  52. Micko says:

    That’ll be Jose parking the bus up rico.

    Remember Thomas Vermaelen, rumour has it he’s been passed fit and may make his debut for Barca tonite.

  53. BT62 Gooner says:

    Rico, don’t fancy wrestling Rotti for the last one, they say drink is bad for the health, it’s not the drink,it’s the company..

  54. Micko says:

    Bt, that reminds me of the old saying “I once read a book on the dangers of drinking, it scared me so much that I never read another book again”

  55. Vegas Goon says:

    I always had a soft spot for the “British core” at Arsenal, but sentimentality will only get you so far.
    Id take 20 plus for Wilshire in a heartbeat, though, because the homegrown rule i cant see Arsenal selling too many brits unless he brings more in. Whats the quota these days?

  56. rico says:

    Vegas, why take 20 million if City would pay £30 million…. Lol

    Agree, would love the English players to all stay and prove they have it in them, but…. I’ve been backing Theo for years and that’s possibly been down to my heart ruling my head….

  57. Micko says:

    Bt, I’ve left a message on Stan’s mobile, told him I’d be interested in his Cup Final ticket if he had trouble shifting it lol.
    In short no, but would love to do a couple of away games next season, I’m with tsgh, home & away games are like chalk and cheese, qpr away was a great nite out in March, maybe one of the minnows at the Emirates, Bournemouth or tottenham spring to mind…..who are ya, who are ya !!!

  58. Wavy says:

    Well, Gabriel was a lusty angel, and I feel our new boy may have similar qualities!! Either that or he’ll turn out to be a real ‘mary’.

  59. Lee says:

    Morning gang…..
    Mate of mine got sacked last night…. he was working on the dodgems. He’s doing them for funfair dismissal!

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