By Matty Sadler
July 2 2020
The unfortunate reality is you could make strong cases for Arsenal needing improvements in every area of the team, but it is vital that we at least start strengthen our spine. There is a a great set of youngsters in-and-around the first team and this has given me so much joy during two disappointing seasons. Our younger players really aren’t our biggest problem, it is the senior players.
Ins and Outs? Strong cases for Arsenal needing improvements in every area
Under Arteta the wide positions (full backs and wingers) have really started to take shape recently, so unless something too good to turn down presents itself I think we really need to focus on strengthening our spine.
Centre Back
The biggest stumbling block for strengthening the defence is that we have so many CBs already. Mari and Saliba are signed up for the long term. Fortunately, worst case scenario, Luiz, Sokratis and Mustafi will all be gone by next summer at the latest. I like Chambers and Holding, certainly as squad players at least, but both could be candidates to go as well. Mavropanos has had a bit of a nightmare fitness-wise since 2018 and may want first team football and a fresh start.
In terms of central defenders, the name that has kept coming up for months now is Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano. It is easy to see why Arsenal might be interested – he’s aggressive, athletic and proactive. So proactive, in fact, that he is one of the most prolific ‘progressive passers’ in Europe’s top five leagues. It is his immense quality on the ball and positive play that I suspect would appeal to Arsenal. He’s a very unique defender, but isn’t without his bad points. A few times when I’ve seen him this season I’ve seen him get too tight to his man, or be a bit overeager, and get caught out or caught the wrong side. This isn’t uncommon with young defenders, but as well as this, it is a part of his aggressive style. Playing/ bringing the ball out from the back can be risky as well. Both of these areas can be improved with coaching and experience though. He isn’t anything special in the air either. Entering into the last year of his contract, he could be available for a lower fee than his £55 million release clause and in terms of his profile and style of play, I think he could be the perfect partner for Saliba.
Another option, not dissimilar in style to Upamecano, could be Brighton’s Ben White. He’s really impressed at Leeds this season. Aggressive, mobile and good on the ball, apparently he could be available for £35 million. His lack of top flight experience is something to consider for sure, but I think he is well worth the risk. Liverpool are apparently interested. Free agent Malang Sarr, Villa's Tyrone Mings and Norwich’s Ben Godfrey are other options.
Central Midfield
Without doubt this is the area that needs the most work. For years under Wenger the Gunners were still able to finish top four, despite having@#$%&defenders, largely because we had a quality midfield, like Rosicky-Fabregas-Flamini-Hleb for example, and good forwards ahead of them. Midfield is the most important position in football and at the moment ours isn’t up to it. A better midfield could transform us, just look at United since they signed Bruno. Both in modern football and more specifically what Arteta is trying to do, the key is ‘complete midfielders’ without limitations, or at the very least hybrid midfielders – 6/8’s and 8/10s like Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne. Unfortunately the luxury #10 player has been finished for a while…
In terms of our current midfielders: I do like Xhaka. He has his limitations but is so important for us, and has looked much better under Arteta. He is far from our biggest problem. I am a believer in Willock and Guendouzi generally, but particularly in their physical potential. I really like Smith Rowe as well. I see many compare him to de Bruyne, and whilst I can see what they mean, at the moment he is more of a ‘ball carrier’, so I’d like to see more final ball from him. All three are good but they aren’t there yet. Ceballos is aesthetically pleasing but has been so ineffective for most of this season. However, Arteta is clearly a fan so I wouldn’t be against him signing permanently, provided it’s a really good deal in Arsenals favour. Torreira has struggled to reproduce his end of 2018 form and has been linked with returns to Italy consistently ever since signing for us, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was off.
Similarly to Upamecano, the recurring name Arsenal been heavily linked with for months is Atletico’s Thomas Partey, the very definition of a ‘complete midfielder’. He’s an athletic ball-winner and good on the ball. If I’m being honest though, I’ve been sceptical about this one all along as I’ve found it hard picturing a top midfielder leaving a Champions League side for a side who may not even be in the Europa League next season, but the rumours just won’t away. £42 million rumoured fee. We will see… A less spectacular but cheaper alternative that has emerged over the last few days is Porto’s Danilo.
In terms of 8/10’s there are so many great players we could make available. If and when Villa go down, I’d definitely be looking at Jack Grealish. What a player, in an awful side. He’s versatile, a leader and a bit of a maverick, plus he has previously said how much he loves playing at the Emirates on social media… Dominik Szoboszlai is one I’ve liked this season. It could be particularly interesting as he’s apparently available for less than £25 million, but unfortunately I think he may be going to Napoli.
Centre Forward
Centre Forward is the least pressing issue, depending on Aubameyang. My heart says get him signed up for the rest of his career, but my head doesn’t want another Ozil situation, and thinks we should cash in while we can. Lacazette should be sold either way. Nketiah and Martinelli are great talents who need to be given chances. John-Jules and (hopefully) Balogun could be knocking on that door before long as well.
Many online have touted Odsonne Edouard recently, who I think would be an improvement on Lacazette if he left. An interesting rumour that emerged today is Memphis Depay from Lyon. Flopped at Man United but he’s been great for Lyon and is able to play on the left, off the striker or as a “false 9”. He did his ACL in December, which is concerning, but his contract is up at the end of next season so he could be available for cheap. Worth keeping an eye on.
A bit of a left field option that emerged from a conversation I had on Twitter recently, Edinson Cavani is out of contract. The main reason I started considering this was after seeing us linked with Wolfsburg's Wout Weghorst, who basically sounds like a more mobile Giroud. Although Cavani would want big wages (though only for a year or two), there would be no transfer fee and he would bring a different profile to any of the other strikers on our books, which would be great now we have good crossers like Saka and Pepe in the squad. He would bring a wealth of top level experience and wouldn’t get in the way of the youngsters.
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It is easier said than done, but if we can get the right balance between giving our excellent youngsters opportunities and getting back into the Champions League, we could be set for years to come. With Liverpool and City already miles ahead of us, Chelsea having started spending early, Man United sure to spend, plus Leicester and Wolves right up there now as well, this next transfer window could be one of our most important yet.
A central defender, (at least) two midfielders and a resolution to the Aubameyang situation would be a great window. I think a lot depends on who we’re able to get rid of…
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Quote:weedz
Very good analysis Matty
Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Luiz's contract been extended for 1 more season?
Head on the line, I think Partey will be here next season, with Guendouzzi going to Ath. Madrid.
It's not that I don't rate Gwen, but his mentality is similar to what I saw with Nasri. Too much ego to be a great team player IMO. Torreira is turning into a sick note because of his small stature and would probably be better suited to Italy or Spain.
Cabelos should be kept IMO.
So a CMF of Xhaka, Partey, Wilock, AMN, Cabalos and Ozil, with both Luiz and Chambers to cover DMF
Rid ourselves of Laca, whose simply been rubbish for the last 12mths and try to hold on the Auba.But if Auba goes, we must replace Laca as well. I'm a fan of Depay and see him as an option, for the same reasons you gave. We do have an extraordinary number of young talented forwards coming thru, so that's where I'd look to and bring them thru
Kolasinac, Sokartis, Mustaffi, and Morvanpanos should all be sold to bring in Upanecano and a new LB.
That's how I see it. What do ya reckon?
Quote:Lewis_198four
We have that Spanish kid at left back too
Emery put him in the europa League squad
I forgot his name
Quote:Merlion96
Matty, how is John-Jule developing?
Quote:MattySadlerQuote:Lewis_198four
We have that Spanish kid at left back too
Emery put him in the europa League squad
I forgot his name
Joel Lopez? Think he's only played once for the U23s so far.
Quote:Boston Gooner
The transfer window opens 26th July.
This week we have tied Saka and Martinelli to long contracts.
Great news.
We have Saliba available next season.
The reports that we will sign Partey are hopefully true.
Have seen that Xhaka may have to be moved on for that to happen though.
Still think if the reports are true about Aubameyangs wage demands we should be keeping him.
That will also be great news.
Will be good value for a tried and tested premiership goal scorer.
He's in great shape and to replace him would cost a hell of a lot more and no guarantee that player would fit in.
So leading up to the window could look good for us.
Plus if we get Partey and keep Aubameyang players may be a bit more likely to sign for us.
Quote:MattySadler
I may be wrong but according to the latest financial news, KSE could be investing. Potentially very exciting!
Quote:Who or what is KSE?Boston GoonerQuote:MattySadler
I may be wrong but according to the latest financial news, KSE could be investing. Potentially very exciting!
😲😳🤔
Quote:Oh that twank, that's never exciting.Flava
Kroenke Sports Entertainment
Quote:SuperRob
https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/1281255992957771776
Quote:MattySadler
It might, and let's face it probably does, mean nothing, or it may be for greater financial flexibility, such as in the transfer market.
Let's hope!