Morning all.
I know the summer seems a long way off right now but it’s around this time of the season, if not before, decisions need to be made at Arsenal as the club plan for the summer and beyond. I’d imagine some of the most important deals to be done once this campaign is over, is extending the contracts of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli. Plus the contracts of any younger players who the club believe have what it takes to make the step up from the academy. With Barcelona rumoured to be interested in Charlie Patino, securing him to a long term deal could be on the cards.
Champions League or Europa, Mikel Arteta will need a squad deep enough to cope with the additional fixtures. Certainly the group matches.
We know Bernd Leno is leaving as Arsenal have already signed a replacement, Matteo Guendouzi is making a permanent move to Marseille and it’s likely, very likely, that Alex Lacazette, Mo Elneny and Eddie Nketiah will leave too.
Then, we have a glut of players who I would say are 90% likely to be sold.
Senior players:
Alex Runasson, Pablo Mari, Lucas Torreira, Reiss Nelson, Dinos Mavropanos, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Hector Bellerin.
Younger loanees:
Daniel Ballard – Millwall
Harry Clarke – Hibernian
Jonathan Dinzeyi – Carlisle
Tyreece John-Jules – Sheffield Wednesday
Nikolaj Moller – FC Den Bosch
Jordi Osei-Tutu – Rotherham Utd
Matt Smith – Doncaster Rovers
Tom Smith – Dagenham and Redbridge
Ryan Alebiosu – Crewe Alexandra
Jordan McEneff – Shelbourne FC
Brooke Norton-Cuffy – Lincoln City
Flo Balogun – Middlesbrough
The long list doesn’t stop there though as there are a number of under 23 players who we’ve recently seen in the first team squad and named substitutes – Omari Hutchinson, Zak Swanson and Zach Awe. Whilst many of the others were in action last night in the under 23 League Cup match which they lost to Middlesbrough. Darn penalties and the Arsenal player to miss his was Hutchinson.
But if you look at the under 23 squad and those on loan, Arsenal have players who’re already representing their country at senior international level. Omar Rekik, Karl Hein, Dinos Mavropanos – to name just three.
What about the first team squad though as there could be question marks hovering over the future of Granit Xhaka, Nicolas Pepe and Cedric Soares. Perhaps even Rob Holding, although I hope not. With European football quite likely next season, we’ll need four centre-backs in my opinion. We’ll need two strikers too and at least one midfielder to join up with Thomas Partey and Sambi Lokonga and unless Brooke Norton-Cuffy, who is doing really well at Crewe, is advanced enough to challenge Takehiro Tomiyasu, a right back too if Cedric goes. On paper at least but both White and Saliba are no strangers to playing in that position.
However, what you and I might think the squad needs and what Arsenal actually do this summer is likely to be gulfs apart. My wish list as far as positions go is probably a pipe dream because we can’t have all these academy players coming through with none of them being good enough, and if they’re good enough, they’re old enough in my opinion. Both Saka and ESR have more than proved that. Saka had just turned 17 years old when Unai Emery handed him his first team debut. ESR just 18 years old when the same manager brought him off the bench the week before Saka.
Admittedly, the Arsenal squad/team had more experienced players back then than it does now but even so, substituting young players with young players isn’t really a problem in my opinion. Changing experienced with experience is vitally important too because every good/great team needs that, especially in key areas.
I really like the fact that Arsenal have gone down the younger player route because 8/9 times out of 10, with them comes energy, excitement and keenness to prove themselves. They haven’t made it yet but are desperate to do so. Yes, they might make the odd mistake here and there but as they mature and gain experience, those mistakes should in theory, lessen.
If they’ve come through the Arsenal academy, then it’s even better. At least it is to me.
See you in the comments.
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Poor old Chelsea. Not!
Well well. Bojo got his wrists slapped by Grandpa Joe B. ‘Sanction him now, you buffoon!’
How has it taken so long?
I will watch on rubbing my hands…carefree…
Morning Rico. Yes, such a shame. Such a loveable bunch of fair-minded fans too.
Better later than never Pete. Lol
Morning Adam, indeed. Only ST holders at games, hilarious.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60689645
What a soapy mug that mug has…
Morning Rico and All
First off any player on loan or in our under 23 team that Arteta feels is less than 80 percent chance to make it into our senior squad in the next 12 months should be sold.
I’m all for giving young players a chance but we still need to look at a couple of older players around 28 yrs old who have the experience to do there job but also keep calm under pressure especially in the dying minutes of a match.
Quiet day again…
Hi Geoff.
Too busy cutting grass on a bright and sunny Norfolk day Rico. Back tomorrow. 😉
I’ll be cutting mine tomorrow Cicero 😆
Morning Rico and All have a nice day
Hi Geoff, new post is up.