Here's where we are.

[IBK]

He might? Again, we’re just assuming that he wanted Vlahovic because of his physical profile, but it might have always been purely about his ability to do the job we need: pressing, hold-up play, movement and goals. His size might have been nothing more than a bonus?

And tbf Arteta does have a track record of adapting and changing strategy depending on what he has to work with. When he first took over he regularly played a back 3 and wingbacks, then moved to a 4231 and more recently to 433. 433 looks like what he’s been building towards, but even now he’ll slip back to 4231 when he needs to, or chuck Holding on to make a back 3.

Looking at the core of trusted players we already have and the players we’ve been chasing this summer I wouldn’t be surprised if tactical flexibility and in-game adaptability is what we’re aiming for? A hell of a lot of those guys are comfortable in 2 or 3 different roles.

Aye - flexibility both in tactics and personnel who can cover multiple positions is IMO where we need to be going. The state run clubs can afford more than we can to have specialist single position players. We need to find another way. Also - re Arteta's strategy its quite possible that this has evolved since January, and in fairness Jesus has been regarded as our No. 1 target forward for some time now. Ornestin reporting that the fee is agreed. if we land this it will be quite impressive - securing our primary target in the face of interest from Chelsea, Spurs. Reports saying Rapinha closer too - with the player keen to join us. Says a lot for the confidence in our project that these top targets want to come on board.

[mandela8]

Same with this Martinez. LB, CB and apparently DM (actually his primary position in FM22).

Just signing him as a LB or a CB doesn't make much sense given we have Gabriel and Tierney (assuming this'd be the end of Taveres) so you'd assume Arteta sees him playing a lot to spend that much, suggesting it'd be more than one position.

[IBK]

Same with this Martinez. LB, CB and apparently DM (actually his primary position in FM22).

Just signing him as a LB or a CB doesn't make much sense given we have Gabriel and Tierney (assuming this'd be the end of Taveres) so you'd assume Arteta sees him playing a lot to spend that much, suggesting it'd be more than one position.

I wouldn't be surprised if Arteta sees him as sucessor to Xhaka...and a deputy in the meantime...

[I am invisible]

Yeah, you guys might be onto something there. I can’t remember where I heard it exactly, but I’m sure someone on one of the Arsenal podcasts said that out of all the players in the City squad the one who Martinez most closely matches up to in terms of his stats is Fernandinho.

If I had to guess, I would say we’re looking at him as one of those inverted fullbacks that Pep and Arteta seem to love - a LB when we defend and a CM partner for Partey when we attack.

[I am invisible]

Aye - flexibility both in tactics and personnel who can cover multiple positions is IMO where we need to be going. The state run clubs can afford more than we can to have specialist single position players. We need to find another way. Also - re Arteta's strategy its quite possible that this has evolved since January, and in fairness Jesus has been regarded as our No. 1 target forward for some time now. Ornestin reporting that the fee is agreed. if we land this it will be quite impressive - securing our primary target in the face of interest from Chelsea, Spurs. Reports saying Rapinha closer too - with the player keen to join us. Says a lot for the confidence in our project that these top targets want to come on board.

Tbf City may have spent a fortune on players, but they actually have quite a lean squad all things considered. Their model is very much what we’re aiming for - away from bloated squads of specialists and towards a smaller number of higher quality, adaptable generalists. Easier to manage and easier to keep everyone happy and engaged with regular minutes.

[cricketsi]

With the striker situation and the seeming deviation from looking at more physical types, I wonder if they may have assessed the market and decided there is nobody of sufficient quality who is obtainable for us right now, so would rather have Jesus as CF now, and keep a spot in the squad free for a big signing next summer, when Jesus can rotate in 2 positions, at CF and RW. Smarter than going down to 6th choice option and having a striker we don't really want for 4/5 years. Tried that option and it failed miserably!

[IBK]

Yep - would make sense

[mandela8]

So far so good with the improvements to the team.

New number 9 and Nketiah extended. I'm a lot happier with Jesus now than I was at the initial intradest, tbh. The more I read, I guess. Fan confirmation bias/optimism maybe...
I wasn't quite ready to give up on Nketiah either...just summin in the West Ham game for me...I think with Martinelli and Balagun there too it's probably enough. Not a title challenging cohort for me but decent enough to challenge for top 4.

Vieira still a bit of an unknown, obvs, but clearly an attempt to fill the creative void (other than Odegaard) in the squad. Hopefully he's already started his steroid cycle.

A wide player is still the priority for me. Then another CM. Really don't get the LB or tiny CB intradest but I'm unjustifiably all in on Saliba.

Two more signings would be huge. If it's Tielemans and someone even close to Raphinha's stature then I reckon it's a brilliant window.

[WMUG]

Just had a look at the fixture list and it's already clear where our season's going to fall apart.

Liverpool A, 8 Apr
West Ham A, 15 Apr
Southamton H, 22 Apr
Man City A, 26 Apr
Chelsea H, 29 Apr
Newcastle A, 6 May

There is absolutely zero chance that this run of fixtures doesn't destroy our season, whatever we may be in the running for at that stage.

[Letters]

18 points tbh.