Summer Transfers 2025 Missed Opportunities and Regrets

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

sure, he's no-one's first choice, but it comes back to the 'here and now' argument, if he got us over the line in the PL or CL next season no-one would care less about about his age etc

TBH these age arguments irritate me.

This was one of the silly reasons why a lot of people dismissed Liverpool because they relied on the apparently "aged" Salah and Van Dijk...and wow, they ended up winning the title convincingly with those two being the stars of the show.

We sometimes forget these modern players are top athletes and actually more professional and fit than the ones we had in the past who easily succumbed to stardom.

The ones we have now take far better care of themselves and even in basketball we have the likes of LeBron James still producing at a higher level than most of the youngsters and even playing in the same team with his son!

As for Watkins or any other PL striker.....I still want to see what happens with Isak before making up my mind.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I heard on Talksport today that Harvey Elliot might end up being sold this summer so that he can progress in his career - is that true in LFC circles?

Sadly yeah he looks increasingly likely to be going. I really like him as a player but we can't guarantee him the gametime he needs.

Also seems like Konate is more and more likely to be going, if not now then next summer. He's good, but I don't think he's as good as he thinks he is.

[HCZ_Reborn]

TBH these age arguments irritate me.

This was one of the silly reasons why a lot of people dismissed Liverpool because they relied on the apparently "aged" Salah and Van Dijk...and wow, they ended up winning the title convincingly with those two being the stars of the show.

We sometimes forget these modern players are top athletes and actually more professional and fit than the ones we had in the past who easily succumbed to stardom.

The ones we have now take far better care of themselves and even in basketball we have the likes of LeBron James still producing at a higher level than most of the youngsters and even playing in the same team with his son!

As for Watkins or any other PL striker.....I still want to see what happens with Isak before making up my mind.

Surely this depends on the player, you witnessed with your own eyes the type of player Sterling is now that his legs have gone. Sports science means that players on average throughout sport have longer playing careers than they might otherwise do (most male tennis players’ careers were over by their early thirties). But there are players who rely on pace who likely won’t be able to maintain their engine long into their thirties and that’s why it’s rightly considered a short term signing buying any player over 30 unless they are a physical freak

[HCZ_Reborn]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clym65378rdo

I feel like banging my head into my desk at home

No more fucking defenders

Oh we need cover on the right hand side of centre half? Sorry what exactly are Ben White and Jurrien Timber ???chopped liver

White, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior (add Tomiyasu who we are never going to be able to sell that’s eight).


I don’t subscribe to this everything the club does is shit approach because you have to twist yourself into so many positions to justify it. But I’m only half joking when I say there needs to be an intervention on Arteta, the obsession with covering areas we don’t need covering whilst ignoring the fact that we clearly lack both a goalscorer and creativity is infuriating

A defensive midfielder that we don’t need, a defender we don’t need

How much of that summer budget is this bullshit going to eat up. Yes the squad is thin but how about beefing it up in the areas it needs beefing up. Attack, creativity and width


Everything is secondary to that, backup goalkeeper, Zubimendi, everything.


Fuck Arteta and fuck that useless Italian cunt who is his lapdog

[KSE Comedy Club]

sure, he's no-one's first choice, but it comes back to the 'here and now' argument, if he got us over the line in the PL or CL next season no-one would care less about about his age etc

I agree.
My problem is I don't think he's good enough to get us over the line. He would have been Ok to add in January to see if he could help out, but long term he's not it for me.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I agree.
My problem is I don't think he's good enough to get us over the line. He would have been Ok to add in January to see if he could help out, but long term he's not it for me.

This is where I get confused. You aren’t convinced by a striker with premier league experience who has outscored any Arsenal player by some distance in the last five years. But you’re super sure a player who again to underline it clearly has played at no higher domestic level than Portugal, is the real deal?

This is where people genuinely lose me. I’m not a fan of signing Watkins (in that I’d rather sign a much younger player) but in terms of consistency in front of goal and actually having top league experience….what am I missing here? Is it because he didn’t score as many goals in the champions league.

Is it because Gyokeres’ agent has done a better job pimping him out?


Sorry in a bit of a foul mood over transfers, was honestly happier when we weren’t signing anyone

[HCZ_Reborn]

And now to make things worse Eze

Fucking hell. Yeah I’m able to admit I judged him more on his awful performances at international level and he was exceptionally good in the FA cup final. But there’s a your mum’s snatch width of difference between him having the game of his life in the cup final and being good enough to take us forward. The point of signing a left winger is that the person needs to be better than Martinelli and sorry no he isn’t.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Sadly yeah he looks increasingly likely to be going. I really like him as a player but we can't guarantee him the gametime he needs.

Also seems like Konate is more and more likely to be going, if not now then next summer. He's good, but I don't think he's as good as he thinks he is.

Oh, I always thought he was would one of the regulars as a 'home grown lad' - but yeh fair enough.

I read that Konate was likely gonna be off too.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Surely this depends on the player, you witnessed with your own eyes the type of player Sterling is now that his legs have gone. Sports science means that players on average throughout sport have longer playing careers than they might otherwise do (most male tennis players’ careers were over by their early thirties). But there are players who rely on pace who likely won’t be able to maintain their engine long into their thirties and that’s why it’s rightly considered a short term signing buying any player over 30 unless they are a physical freak

Exactly, players over 30 that are still as good as they were in their 20's are the exception not the rule.

[KSE Comedy Club]

This is where I get confused. You aren’t convinced by a striker with premier league experience who has outscored any Arsenal player by some distance in the last five years. But you’re super sure a player who again to underline it clearly has played at no higher domestic level than Portugal, is the real deal?

This is where people genuinely lose me. I’m not a fan of signing Watkins (in that I’d rather sign a much younger player) but in terms of consistency in front of goal and actually having top league experience….what am I missing here? Is it because he didn’t score as many goals in the champions league.

Is it because Gyokeres’ agent has done a better job pimping him out?


Sorry in a bit of a foul mood over transfers, was honestly happier when we weren’t signing anyone

:lol: I think we are all in the same foul mood with our transfer activity!

I'm not super sure about Gyokores, I just think he's more proven (at scoring goals) and less of a risk than Sekso who has never proven anything other than he can score the same amount of goals in a season as Watkins (15, which is no better than Havertz)

The point is that if we want to win trophies, then we need to be going for a top level striker - like Isak for example.
We know that isn't going to happen now, but dropping to 3rd tier players is not the right answer and will lead to more predictable disappointment.

[KSE Comedy Club]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clym65378rdo

I feel like banging my head into my desk at home

No more fucking defenders

Oh we need cover on the right hand side of centre half? Sorry what exactly are Ben White and Jurrien Timber ???chopped liver

White, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior (add Tomiyasu who we are never going to be able to sell that’s eight).


I don’t subscribe to this everything the club does is shit approach because you have to twist yourself into so many positions to justify it. But I’m only half joking when I say there needs to be an intervention on Arteta, the obsession with covering areas we don’t need covering whilst ignoring the fact that we clearly lack both a goalscorer and creativity is infuriating

A defensive midfielder that we don’t need, a defender we don’t need

How much of that summer budget is this bullshit going to eat up. Yes the squad is thin but how about beefing it up in the areas it needs beefing up. Attack, creativity and width


Everything is secondary to that, backup goalkeeper, Zubimendi, everything.


Fuck Arteta and fuck that useless Italian cunt who is his lapdog

Yeh, I would say that I can't believe it but I fucking can :ilt:

It's unreal tbh.
It's likely that come the end of the window, half our 25 man squad will comprise of defenders which is a joke.

[KSE Comedy Club]

And now to make things worse Eze

Fucking hell. Yeah I’m able to admit I judged him more on his awful performances at international level and he was exceptionally good in the FA cup final. But there’s a your mum’s snatch width of difference between him having the game of his life in the cup final and being good enough to take us forward. The point of signing a left winger is that the person needs to be better than Martinelli and sorry no he isn’t.

It's ok, he only has a £68m release clause as well :rolleyes:

[HCZ_Reborn]

:lol: I think we are all in the same foul mood withe transfer activity!

I'm not super sure about Gyokores, I just think he's more proven (at scoring goals) and less of a risk than Sekso who has never proven anything other than he can score the same amount of goals in a season as Watkins (15, which is no better than Havertz)

The point is that if we want to win trophies, then we need to be going for a top level striker like Isak.
We know that isn't going to happen now, but dropping to 3rd tier players is not the right answer and will lead to more predictable disappointment.

Watkins clearly isn’t a third tier player though. The fact is we aren’t going to sign a striker who is at the level of Haaland or Salah right now. Newcastle have zero incentive to sell Isaak, and the absolute top strikers are a rarity. The fact is there isn’t a player out there who we can guarantee 20-25 goals a season from, as I said to NQ the realistic level we could expect from Gyokeres is Giroud (who certainly was no better than 15 goals per season), and for me Watkins is less of a risk because we already know he can do it.

It’s also why I’ve hammered on again and again and again about the need for more creativity in the team. The need to have an extra player in central midfield who can use pace and passing to open teams up. XG shows that we average less than 2 per game against most mid and lower table teams. The reason missed chances end up being costly is because they are few and far between.

If we don’t do that (which I suspect we won’t) it’s even more reason to sign Sesko who for me can operate in restricted space better than Gyokeres can (a player who would be fine as a transition player, once we’ve spent two thirds of the game labouring to take the lead).

[HCZ_Reborn]

It's ok, he only has a £68m release clause as well :rolleyes:

Excellent

I hope he goes to Spurs

That said, he’d actually be a very good signing for Spurs unfortunately

But better that than coming to us, and burning up our transfer budget on him

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Exactly, players over 30 that are still as good as they were in their 20's are the exception not the rule.

No one is arguing about that.

But I am saying the automatic assumption that because someone is young and has shown promise that they are only likely to improve is bull.... and I mean if any club has been burnt by that silly assumption, it's us, so we should know better by now.

Look at high profile signings like Reyes, Walcott, Bendtner, Adebayor, Nasri....all players who peaked at young ages with us and never got better even with their international teams.

IMO only Fabregas and RVP are the players we nurtured in our 15 years of project youth who lived up to their billing and in both cases, we didn't reap what we sowed....so again what was the point of waiting for so long.

Already we can see the same mistake happening with someone like Martinelli, who has been unable to display a sustained period of form for over 2 years in any team, yet it has not stopped some of us rating him like he's some sort of world beater because of what we saw when he was a toddler.

Simply put, I think the question of sustaining form trumps anything to do with "youth" or "potential". Messi and Ronaldo are the GOATS because they sustained their form for so long, and not because they had more potential than any youths we've ever seen. Kane does the same. Lewandoski does the same. Modric did the same. Kroos and Muller did the same. Sallah does the same etc.

On a sidenote though, its nice to watch Chelsea and especially Man U falling into the trap of endless team youth and potential projects, but they've achieved all their dreams so are probably allowed some time in reflection and experimentation :lol:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

It's ok, he only has a £68m release clause as well :rolleyes:

I'd definitely take Eze over Martinelli...but he wouldn't be my first choice either as I'd take a Lukman over both of them ATM.

Its a shame though that we don't seem to be seriously going after Rogers despite Villa's "travails, as he's the kind of signing that ticks all the boxes if you ask me.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I'd definitely take Eze over Martinelli...but he wouldn't be my first choice either as I'd take a Lukman over both of them ATM.

Its a shame though that we don't seem to be seriously going after Rogers despite Villa's "travails, as he's the kind of signing that ticks all the boxes if you ask me.

I get that Salah went to Italy and came back a much better player than what he appeared to be at Chelsea but Lookman really?.

You’d think your Nan was better than Martinelli so you’re not in the best place to judge

[Letters]

Has anyone mentioned MLS signed a new contract?
New signings
:bow:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Has anyone mentioned MLS signed a new contract?
New signings
:bow:

Yes it’s been covered. It wasn’t discussed much, because I think we are all in agreement that this is a positive thing

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

:lol:

When I point out that some people can't analyse anything without resorting to unmeasurable crap like "youth" and "potential", there is clearly an example of one above.

Lookman has been in Serie A for 3 full years.

In those 3 years he hasn't scored less than 15 goals a season (which he achieved in his very first season) for Atlanta despite playing less games than Martinelli in practically every season. Also, his strike rate in Europe is a goal every other game.

BTW Martinelli has been with us for 5 years and never scored more than 15 goals (his 3rd season). His next best haul for us is 10 goals which he achieved in his very first season with us. His record in Europe is a goal every 5 games despite playing twice as many games in Europe than Lookman (39 vs 18 games) (7 vs 10 goals)

In Lookman's first season Atalanta, finished 5th. In his second season they finished 4th. Last season 3rd....and like I pointed out he increased his goal contribution every season across competitions.

In the biggest game in Atalanta's history which happened in his second season, they faced an unbeaten Leverkusen side that had not lost after 51 games in any competition in the EL final. He singlehandlely took them down by scoring a hatrick with really the only chances Atalanta had in the game. This hadn't been done in Europe for 40 something years, talkless of imagining it done against an opposition everyone considered vastly superior.

It's this same Lookman that has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or, that I'm suppose to not rate over Martinelli because the latter has bags of "potential", trickery and pace? Or could it be because the former's career didn't kick off early enough for some, just like Salah, just like Gyokores, then there is little to no way he'll turn out to be anything special? Or maybe we need to wait for him to go to a PSG like Kvara, make a difference by winning the CL, and then we'd sing the familiar tune of "if only we'd known"....

Like I said, if you continue to judge players by what you think they will achieve because of snippets of magic and not on a period of sustained form, you will come up with laughable analysis.

Or maybe now we're going to face another long winded lecture on how the Serie A, EL final and CL are no longer top tier competitions.

[HCZ_Reborn]

:lol:

When I point out that some people can't analyse anything without resorting to unmeasurable crap like "youth" and "potential", there is clearly an example of one above.

Lookman has been in Serie A for 3 full years.

In those 3 years he hasn't scored less than 15 goals a season (which he achieved in his very first season) for Atlanta despite playing less games than Martinelli in practically every season. Also, his strike rate in Europe is a goal every other game.

BTW Martinelli has been with us for 5 years and never scored more than 15 goals (his 3rd season). His next best haul for us is 10 goals which he achieved in his very first season with us. His record in Europe is a goal every 5 games despite playing twice as many games in Europe than Lookman (39 vs 18 games) (7 vs 10 goals)

In Lookman's first season Atalanta, finished 5th. In his second season they finished 4th. Last season 3rd....and like I pointed out he increased his goal contribution every season across competitions.

In the biggest game in Atalanta's history which happened in his second season, they faced an unbeaten Leverkusen side that had not lost after 51 games in any competition in the EL final. He singlehandlely took them down by scoring a hatrick with really the only chances Atalanta had in the game. This hadn't been done in Europe for 40 something years, talkless of imagining it done against an opposition everyone considered vastly superior.

It's this same Lookman that has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or, that I'm suppose to not rate over Martinelli because the latter has bags of "potential", trickery and pace? Or could it be because the former's career didn't kick off early enough for some, just like Salah, just like Gyokores, then there is little to no way he'll turn out to be anything special? Or maybe we need to wait for him to go to a PSG like Kvara, make a difference by winning the CL, and then we'd sing the familiar tune of "if only we'd known"....

Like I said, if you continue to judge players by what you think they will achieve because of snippets of magic and not on a period of sustained form, you will come up with laughable analysis.

Or maybe now we're going to face another long winded lecture on how the Serie A, EL final and CL are no longer top tier competitions.

You don’t need a long lecture about how Serie A isn’t a top competition that’s just indisputable

I’m sure Lookman has performed admirably as a big fish in a small pond, and I’m sure it’s not fair to judge how poor he was at Everton

But and you’re not going to like this, he’s 28 and he’s Nigerian (so at the risk of making a racial stereotype he could in fact be a bit older than that :haha:). But seriously, I tend to be put off signing African players and until AFCON
moves to the summer again…that will be the case.

I don’t doubt he’s performed well, it didn’t escape my notice that he scored a hat-trick in the EL final (the only game Leverkusen lost in all competitions)

But as a signing for Arsenal. No thanks.

But that was a very articulate and emotive plug. I won’t forget it in a hurry

[HCZ_Reborn]

As for kvaratskhelia, he’s a bit of a one trick pony for me. I don’t think Timber is the best right back in the world (he’s a good one mind) and the Georgian had him worried for a bit, but I think Timber largely had him under control after a fashion

One of the complaints I’d say is legitimate against Martinelli is lack of upper body strength, I think in the premier league you really need not just pace and trickery but strength to get in behind your fullback consistently and he (Kvaratskhelia) lacks a bit of bulk/strength

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Apparently we're the Asda type :lol:

https://talksport.com/football/premier-league/3324715/arsenal-transfer-news-thomas-partey-christian-norgaard-martin-zubimendi/

[Marc Overmars]

Eze strikes me as being more of a Tottenham signing than an Arsenal one.

I like the idea of him competing with Martinelli though. Would be a decent alternative if nothing happens with Rodrygo.

[Mac76]

Apparently we're the Asda type :lol:

https://talksport.com/football/premier-league/3324715/arsenal-transfer-news-thomas-partey-christian-norgaard-martin-zubimendi/

people raised their eyebrows at Ben White - and tried to rubbish him after just one game for us - but he proved to be every penniesworth

This guy won't be starting every week if he signs, we need more strength in depth

[Mac76]

Eze strikes me as being more of a Tottenham signing than an Arsenal one.

I like the idea of him competing with Martinelli though. Would be a decent alternative if nothing happens with Rodrygo.

I'm surprised that Eze isn't more highly rated on here, he seems good to me, in particular a better and more regular goalscorer than Martinelli (who I do also rate btw and wouldn't particularly like to see sold)

[HCZ_Reborn]

We don’t need defensive cover

White and Timber can both play centre back. As can Kiwior and Calafiori

This is the constant ongoing nonsense where we over prioritise defenders at the detriment of other positions

Just like we don’t need Norgaard when we have Zubimendi, Rice and Merino

This is the same bullshit Arsenal fans fall for every summer.

I could just about tolerate Kepa even though I think a backup keeper is a distinctly low priority

Im all for bolstering the squad, but in positions where we clearly don’t have depth. Striker, winger, creative midfield….absolute bare minimum of three players. Spending money anywhere else let alone prioritising those areas is deeply, deeply irresponsible

As I said earlier I prioritised making sure we got the right players rather than bringing in players quickly

This is Summer 2024 all over again.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I'm surprised that Eze isn't more highly rated on here, he seems good to me, in particular a better and more regular goalscorer than Martinelli (who I do also rate btw and wouldn't particularly like to see sold)

Scored fewer goals in the league than Martinelli last season and has the same amount of league goals as him over the last three seasons

He’s too expensive for a player at 27, doesn't increase our overall level and has injury question marks

[Mac76]

Scored fewer goals in the league than Martinelli last season and has the same amount of league goals as him over the last three seasons


Nope, they both scored 8 league goals last season and overall Eze got three more than Martinelli - 14 v 11

That said (and to show I'm fair) Martinelli's goals per match rate over his whole PL career - 0.24 - is marginally better than Eze at 0.23

But I think Eze offers more variation and flexibility than Martinelli

Anyway I doubt we'll buy him and provided we get someone good I'm not that fussed

[HCZ_Reborn]

Nope, they both scored 8 league goals last season and overall Eze got three more than Martinelli - 14 v 11

That said (and to show I'm fair) Martinelli's goals per match rate over his whole PL career - 0.24 - is marginally better than Eze at 0.23

But I think Eze offers more variation and flexibility than Martinelli

Anyway I doubt we'll buy him and provided we get someone good I'm not that fussed

Eze’s goals are in cup competitions and include goals against QPR and Stockport (I concede that they both have the same amount of league goals, both this season and over the last three seasons overall)

Eze is physically stronger and better against low blocks for sure, but goes missing often in games (very much a purple patch player) and for his age is too expensive
(If we pay 60 million for him, why not play slightly more for Barcola or Rodrygo)

[HCZ_Reborn]

However what I will say. Is given my consistent insistence of needing creativity at number 8, a player in the Eze Mould (but younger and with a higher ceiling) wouldn’t be terrible

[Mac76]

Eze’s goals are in cup competitions and include goals against QPR and Stockport (I concede that they both have the same amount of league goals, both this season and over the last three seasons overall)


and one of Martinelli's goals was in a friendly

goals are goals (except when someone doesn't want them to count)

[HCZ_Reborn]

and one of Martinelli's goals was in a friendly

goals are goals (except when someone doesn't want them to count)

You included the friendly game not me, I look purely at league goals because a) it’s the priority competition b) it’s where we play around two thirds of our games c) it is the fairest basis of like for like comparison.

The more pertinent fact is we agree (presumably) that Martinelli’s goal return has been unacceptable in the last two seasons, if we are looking for a player who has been more effective they probably need to be significantly so, and not relying on goals against lower league opponents to bolster their output.

So I conclude, let Spurs sign Eze…he will significantly improve them because they are starting from a much lower base

[KSE Comedy Club]

We need more playa

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We need more playa

Have we become a hip-hop band ?

[HCZ_Reborn]

Have we become a hip-hop band ?

Sheeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttttt

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

people raised their eyebrows at Ben White - and tried to rubbish him after just one game for us - but he proved to be every penniesworth

This guy won't be starting every week if he signs, we need more strength in depth

We signed Ben White for good money, especially at that point in time.

BTW let me make it clear, Norgaard looks like a solid performer that fits the kind of football that Arteta seems to like.

The problem is, a lot of us think theirs more to the game than constantly suffocating it and that as a supposed big club we should be able to vary things and play an attractive purposeful game that shows we're not a glorified version of Stoke City.

Does Norgaard have the undeniable class that sees us beat a PSG, Liverpool or prevail against a Citeh and a likely more disciplined Madrid like we did last season, that can be rightly questioned.

Oh and again he is only a DM, which I'd have to agree with others when they echo the fact that defensive players are not the priority ATM.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Seems the Eze rumours has legs.

As much as I rate the kid and would love to bring a gooner back home, I still think we should be looking at the other London kid Lookman, as his performance level seems more consistent and possibly game changing.

I do think Eze is more versatile though, which would be good in situations where we need to rest Odegaard.

But I think with Nwaneri in a way, we kind of have a future Eze, another reason why I'd go for a straightforward Lookman (who is more like Trossard in many ways) and definitely spend real money on my preferred pick of the bunch, Rogers.

[HCZ_Reborn]

We signed Ben White for good money, especially at that point in time.

BTW let me make it clear, Norgaard looks like a solid performer that fits the kind of football that Arteta seems to like.

The problem is, a lot of us think theirs more to the game than constantly suffocating it and that as a supposed big club we should be able to vary things and play an attractive purposeful game that shows we're not a glorified version of Stoke City.

Does Norgaard have the undeniable class that sees us beat a PSG, Liverpool or prevail against a Citeh and a likely more disciplined Madrid like we did last season, that can be rightly questioned.

Oh and again he is only a DM, which I'd have to agree with others when they echo the fact that defensive players are not the priority ATM.

The only thing I’d say about Norgaard is if we are asking the question is he good enough to play against PSG we are asking the wrong question. He’s being brought in for cover, I heavily question the necessity for that cover given with Zubimendi we have three defensive midfielders even with Partey leaving


Just as we don’t need cover in defence


At the risk of pressing my point home further, PSG wasn’t the microcosm of where we fell short last season. Otherwise a striker alone would solve our problems


It was the failure to open up mid table sides leading to 14 draws (many of them games where we were leading and we ended up over extending trying to increase the lead). It’s therefore sensible in looking at a left sided player who can deal with a mid and low block better than Martinelli can as well as having a creative option at no 8.


What are we doing, making sure we have as many defensive midfielders as last season, making sure we have more defenders than last season.


It’s like reinforcing the foundations of your house when you don’t have a roof

[HCZ_Reborn]

Seems the Eze rumours has legs.

As much as I rate the kid and would love to bring a gooner back home, I still think we should be looking at the other London kid Lookman, as his performance level seems more consistent and possibly game changing.

I do think Eze is more versatile though, which would be good in situations where we need to rest Odegaard.

But I think with Nwaneri in a way, we kind of have a future Eze, another reason why I'd go for a straightforward Lookman (who is more like Trossard in many ways) and definitely spend real money on my preferred pick of the bunch, Rogers.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s academic as I don’t want him anyway but

Why would we only play him in central midfield to rest Odegaard

It feels like a lot of people super critical of Arteta buy into his bullshit narrative that we need to play two defensive midfielders in every game

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I think by now, we all have to accept that Arteta isn't changing his "winning" system for anyone...... if one wants an additional attacking CM starting then one is actually asking him to repeat his experiment of copying Pep and trying the 3 defenders at the back which was so disastrous the season he elected to do so by taking Gabriel out of the team.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I think by now, we all have to accept that Arteta isn't changing his "winning" system for anyone...... if one wants an additional attacking CM starting then one is actually asking him to repeat his experiment of copying Pep and trying the 3 defenders at the back which was so disastrous the season he elected to do so by taking Gabriel out of the team.

Then we have to accept equally that we aren’t going to win the title

Playing two creative midfielders especially at home to mid table sides is indispensable

I don’t think we will win the title, and that’s why I’m minded to sign players for the future that a less intractable coach could make use of with a year’s experience under their belt

Although as much as Arteta is an impediment to our title hopes, I fear that with Rodri back that the league is in the bag for City no matter who we buy or what we do (I say fear rather than think)


Thus why I was in a psychopathic fury at our failure in the league last season

[Mac76]

We signed Ben White for good money, especially at that point in time.

BTW let me make it clear, Norgaard looks like a solid performer that fits the kind of football that Arteta seems to like.

The problem is, a lot of us think theirs more to the game than constantly suffocating it and that as a supposed big club we should be able to vary things and play an attractive purposeful game that shows we're not a glorified version of Stoke City.

Does Norgaard have the undeniable class that sees us beat a PSG, Liverpool or prevail against a Citeh and a likely more disciplined Madrid like we did last season, that can be rightly questioned.

Oh and again he is only a DM, which I'd have to agree with others when they echo the fact that defensive players are not the priority ATM.

I see Norgaard as the Jorg replacement while Zubi is the Partey replacement

so it will be Zubi who generally plays those big games although Norgaard will certainly not be inexperienced enough to be a concern so it should work well.

So we're replacing two departing DMs, both of whom are needed, with ... two DMs - I don't see a problem

I also agree with signing the Christian whatisname guy as someone who can (as far as I've heard) take some minutes off both Big Gabby and Saliba, which we need to do, again to keep them fit for the big games

Add in Kepa as a good backup keeper who again can take some minutes off Raya, and I think it's all been sensible so far

ofc we are all more interested in the other end of the pitch but if you think about Gabby's injury, plus Saliba and Raya losing their heads a few times towards the end of the season, i think being able to take some minutes off them all in cup and lower table league games is very important

So now we need Gyokeres/Sesko and Rodrygo/Eze/AN Other to happen

my biggest concern is the Martinelli talk - I don't know how quick Rodygo is, but Eze's not that quick (even though btw he's literally only just turning 27 so not past it by any means) so we'd lose one of our few attackers of pace if we let Martinelli go - as much as I like Trossard, I'd rather he went than Martinelli if it came to it

btw I think there's a decent chance that if Martinelli went somwhere where they coached him better and, on the pitch, actually gave him the ball on a regular basis he could develop in the way we feel he hasn't at Arsenal

[HCZ_Reborn]

There is a very strange narrative going around about the Norgaard signing because we haven’t signed a top defensive midfielder. That’s not the problem at all. The problem was signing a defensive midfielder full stop when we didn’t need one even with Partey going. Oh it’s only £10 million + add ons, that’s ten million + add ons (plus the impact on the wage bill) that should have been spent on attacking players

Oh that Spanish lad from Valencia is only 16 million??, well that becomes 26 million that could (no not could, should) have gone to signing creative and attacking players.

I have no issue with the calibre of the players, Norgaard is meant for cover, as is the Spanish lad it’s just cover we don’t in anyway need

[Mac76]

I'd expect the fees for those players to be wholly or largely offset by selling Nelson, Lokonga/Tavares (I forget which one it is) and maybe one or two others

As I've explained above, last seaon showed very clearly we do need cover at DM/RCB, it's not an either/or with that and getting attackers

[HCZ_Reborn]

And I’ve clearly explained why we don’t

Centre back is covered (Saliba, Kiwior, Gabriel, White, Timber, Calafiori) , defensive midfield is covered (Zubimendi, Rice, Merino)

26 million wasted

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Hmmm...if reports are to be believed, this is really getting out of hand.

Apparently we've bid for another baby DM, and this time from Barcelona, Marc Casado.

Seeing as he is Spanish and plays for Barcelona, I'm pretty afraid this might be true.

https://www.football365.com/news/arsenal-wait-answer-barcelona-34m-offer-perfect-compliment-zubimendi

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I took this from a site which suggests a few ways we could lineup with Eze....if we had a proper tactical coach, he could realistically work a combination of 1&3 or 3&1 in 90 mins depending on the situation....but yeah, if wishes were horses.... so we know it's always going to be 3 (alternating between Eze or Martinelli)



https://cdn1.arsenalinsider.com/uploads/19/2025/06/lineup-image-18.jpg

https://cdn1.arsenalinsider.com/uploads/19/2025/06/lineup-image-19.jpg

https://cdn1.arsenalinsider.com/uploads/19/2025/06/lineup-image-17.jpg

https://www.arsenalinsider.com/opinion/three-ways-arsenal-could-line-up-with-eberechi-eze-including-creative-martin-odegaard-partnership/

[Mac76]

And I’ve clearly explained why we don’t

Centre back is covered (Saliba, Kiwior, Gabriel, White, Timber, Calafiori) , defensive midfield is covered (Zubimendi, Rice, Merino)

26 million wasted

Cala is suspect IMO, he can perhaps can do a job at LCB in the right game but hardly a top defender

Kiwior can also only play LCB (he may also be leaving, it's not clear)

White and Timber can only play RCB, but one of them we need at RB for any game, so you can only count one of them as available and tbh they should be alternating at RB rather than having to play CB except in emergencies, so I don't count them

So there's actually no dedicated cover for Saliba and the Gabby options are questionable

I might slightly accept the DM argument a bit more, although Rice was Player of the Season playing at 8 so we are weakening our forward play by having him at 6 - so really it's between Merino and Zubi

Of course we also only have one LB in MLS so should be strengthening there too - Cala can't defend in that position. btw all of this could be a sign we're selling Cala which I'd be happy with unless there's a potential role in MF

[Mac76]

I took this from a sight which suggests a few ways we could lineup with Eze....if we had a proper tactical coach, he could realistically work a combination of 1&3 or 3&1 in 90 mins depending on the situation....but yeah, if wishes were horses.... so we know it's always going to be 3 (alternating between Eze or Martinelli)



if he represents an alternative to Ode then I'm in, Ode shouldn't be playing every game, also sitting him down to give him time to think could help iron out all those stupid things he does

[HCZ_Reborn]

Cala is suspect IMO, he can perhaps can do a job at LCB in the right game but hardly a top defender

Kiwior can also only play LCB (he may also be leaving, it's not clear)

White and Timber can only play RCB, but one of them we need at RB for any game, so you can only count one of them as available and tbh they should be alternating at RB rather than having to play CB except in emergencies, so I don't count them

So there's actually no dedicated cover for Saliba and the Gabby options are questionable

I might slightly accept the DM argument a bit more, although Rice was Player of the Season playing at 8 so we are weakening our forward play by having him at 6 - so really it's between Merino and Zubi

Of course we also only have one LB in MLS so should be strengthening there too - Cala can't defend in that position. btw all of this could be a sign we're selling Cala which I'd be happy with unless there's a potential role in MF

I think I can only answer that by saying I respect your opinion on these matters about as much as you respect mine :)

[HCZ_Reborn]

Nwaneri is the backup to Odegaard

Eze (talking hypothetically here because my position is still consistent with him being too expensive for a player of his age and ability) would play as a double pivot with Odegaard/Nwaneri

Which then possibly means we would look at signing Rodrygo in addition who can provide cover on the right as well as play on the left. And we could in addition divest ourselves of Trossard (who clearly doesn’t want to stay), Vieira (who is the only anaemic Portuguese I’ve ever come across) and Nelson.

But again that would be expensive and we’ve wasted 26 million that we didn’t need to spend.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

if he represents an alternative to Ode then I'm in, Ode shouldn't be playing every game, also sitting him down to give him time to think could help iron out all those stupid things he does

That's the main plus to the signing, he has played in the centre and dictated play numerous times so we'd get a proper plan B to Odegaard, and one who won't be afraid to start and finish a move (though his finishing is suspect).

Rogers can do the same too....and if one insists on keeping Martinelli (there is no upward curve for him under this coach), then either makes sense.

However, if we really want to have someone as deadly on the wing as Saka ( and move on from the tired project that is Marrinelli), then Lookman remains the better choice as even Saka's direct goal contribution can't compare to his.

[Mac76]

Yeah Lookman seems a good potential option

[Mac76]

Zin to Milan looks like it's happening :pray:

[KSE Comedy Club]

Reports are appearing saying we have added Nicolas Jackson to our choice of strikers.

FUCK ME!!!!! :censored::censored::censored::censored:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Reports are appearing saying we have added Nicolas Jackson to our choice of strikers.

FUCK ME!!!!! :censored::censored::censored::censored:

This would cause a justifiable riot and I'm pretty sure even Arteta wouldn't dare this after the crap he pulled with Havertz...so I'll discard this news, at least for now.

[Mac76]

I think I can only answer that by saying I respect your opinion on these matters about as much as you respect mine :)

Only much of what i've said isn't opinion, it's fact

White and Timber need to be alternated at RB

Meaning we don't have adequate cover for our CBs, especially Saliba

We only have one LB

We need to replace two departing DMs

We need a decent backup goalie

Rice was player of the Season playing at 8, moving him on any kind of regular basis would be an act of insanity

[Mac76]

This would cause a justifiable riot and I'm pretty sure even Arteta wouldn't dare this after the crap he pulled with Havertz...so I'll discard this news, at least for now.

While I'd prefer Gyokeres, if they want Sesko, just pay what it takes ffs and stop us being linked with all this garbage

He got away with Havertz, who happened to be half-decent playing in a position he wasn't bought for, like you say Jackson would be different, Arteta massively undervalues the attacking part of the game, while I'm not using that frustration to needlessly criticise other sensible incomings, we need to get the attacking business done plus sell players - Zin, Nelson and others should be done asap

[HCZ_Reborn]

Only much of what i've said isn't opinion, it's fact

White and Timber need to be alternated at RB

Meaning we don't have adequate cover for our CBs, especially Saliba

We only have one LB

We need to replace two departing DMs

We need a decent backup goalie

Rice was player of the Season playing at 8, moving him on any kind of regular basis would be an act of insanity

I know you can’t tell the difference but it’s opinion.

In your opinion Timber and White need to be alternated constantly plus that doesn’t preclude one or the other from covering the right side of central defence without either being overplayed. So no, not fact.

It’s your opinion that Calafiori can’t play at left back. I would probably now agree with you that Lewis-Skelly is superior there but I still think Calafiori offers more going forward, so no not fact.

Rice did excellent against the top sides at number 8, but the fact that he’s not a natural passer, dribbler and lacks acceleration relative to more creative players means playing him at 8 against mid block teams is part of the reason why our XG often averaged less than 2 against some sides, he is still also naturally a 6 so to suggest he can’t play there to provide cover is silly. So again not fact, your opinion.

I didn’t even mention the goalkeeper. I think it’s an extremely low priority but actually spending 5 million on Kepa rather than the 30-40 million we would have had to spend on Joan Garcia makes it a shrewd bit of business so I have no problem with that signing.

[Mac76]

If Cala is good going forward then play him in MF, part of a wing back's job is to defend, anyone actually watching him try and defend at LB should be quickly able to see that he can't do it

Funnily enough Saka actually did a good job at LB when he played there, but clearly that's not where we should be playing him

[HCZ_Reborn]

Calafiori started as a left back, that’s where he played for Italy but he can also play at centre back because he’s versatile. So evidently you’re stating you can see something that coaches in Italy and Switzerland as well as Arteta can’t see. I think at times he’s proven to be clumsy but to outright claim he can’t play there is evidence of your asserting your opinion as fact, and especially hypocritical given your irritation at what you claim I do.

As I say, it’s your opinion that we need defensive cover. It’s mine that we don’t.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

So the update on the Gyokores/Sesko saga is apparently both clubs have climbed down and both players are available for the same price tag of €70m (this is less than Mbuemo currently)

Gyokores remains eager but seems to be getting frustrated at how long this is taking while Our Highness Seko, also seems to be a bit more sober.

I think both clubs and players just want this deal wrapped up next week so everyone can move on with their plans (as 1/2 of preseason is almost gone already).

Its now up to our seasoned team of brilliant professionals to make the next move.

https://www.teamtalk.com/arsenal/transfer-news-viktor-gyokeres-agreement-benjamin-sesko-double-boost

[Mac76]

Calafiori started as a left back, that’s where he played for Italy but he can also play at centre back because he’s versatile. So evidently you’re stating you can see something that coaches in Italy and Switzerland as well as Arteta can’t see. I think at times he’s proven to be clumsy but to outright claim he can’t play there is evidence of your asserting your opinion as fact, and especially hypocritical given your irritation at what you claim I do.

As I say, it’s your opinion that we need defensive cover. It’s mine that we don’t.

there's no irritation from me, simply a pointing out that it's a fact that having no-one who can regularly cover for Saliba in a meaningful way is a weakness, likewise not replacing two DMs

I can only say again,we saw Gabriel get injured and Saliba lose his head a bit towards the end of last season which is clear evidence they need more support than is already present.

Arteta will want to be competing in all comps as usual and tends to play over-strength teams a lot of the time, so given we are unlikely to shake him from that, then this is the solution - I'm trying to work with Arteta's faults here

Also your attitude to Rice and where he should play is simply borne from the fact you nailed your colours to the mast early, got proved wrong and so are trying to dig yourself out by somehow claiming he doesn't help our attack which is absurd

[Mac76]

So the update on the Gyokores/Sesko saga is apparently both clubs have climbed down and both players are available for the same price tag of €70m (this is less than Mbuemo currently)

Gyokores remains eager but seems to be getting frustrated at how long this is taking while Our Highness Seko, also seems to be a bit more sober.

I think both clubs and players just want this deal wrapped up next week so everyone can move on with their plans (as 1/2 of preseason is almost gone already).

Its now up to our seasoned team of brilliant professionals to make the next move.

https://www.teamtalk.com/arsenal/transfer-news-viktor-gyokeres-agreement-benjamin-sesko-double-boost

Well we're all getting fed up with Berta's game-playing, let's go for Gyok or if Arteta insists then Sesko but just one of them please ffs

[HCZ_Reborn]

there's no irritation from me, simply a pointing out that it's a fact that having no-one who can regularly cover for Saliba in a meaningful way is a weakness, likewise not replacing two DMs

I can only say again,we saw Gabriel get injured and Saliba lose his head a bit towards the end of last season which is clear evidence they need more support than is already present.

Arteta will want to be competing in all comps as usual and tends to play over-strength teams a lot of the time, so given we are unlikely to shake him from that, then this is the solution - I'm trying to work with Arteta's faults here

Also your attitude to Rice and where he should play is simply borne from the fact you nailed your colours to the mast early, got proved wrong and so are trying to dig yourself out by somehow claiming he doesn't help our attack which is absurd

Sigh yes


Once again, people can only ever disagree with you in bad faith


Never mind that been screaming for an extra creative player for ages at no8, but yes it’s just because of an obsessive hatred for Rice :lol:


Its actually got nothing to do with Rice. Rice is playing a more typical box to box role rather than his starting position as a defensive midfielder. That position for me doesn’t work against mid-low block teams. I think in these situations you need a defensive midfielder behind two creative players. Rice has done ok but I don’t believe you need more than one defensive/holding player call it what you will against most mid table sides and in fact it’s become detrimental to our ability to create chances.
That’s not blaming Rice at all, it’s a situation that isn’t helped by Odegaard having a dreadful situation which puts all the pressure on Rice to be our chance creator and I don’t think that’s good enough for a player for whom that isn’t their primary function.

I think there’s been maybe two games this season where I’ve criticised Rice’s performances. So again, maybe just try and understand that people have a legitimate difference of opinion from you


And we have got two players who can cover for Saliba on the right hand side of defence. Three players covering two positions is more than adequate cover. Arteta has signed defender after defender after defender for the past five and a half years, it’s time to stop.

[Mac76]

except a good few of them weren't defenders - Zin is no kind of defender, Cala is suspect especially at LB and Kiwior can only really play in one position

again, we have good cover at RB with White and Timber, but unless we want to overstretch them in the multiple games we need to pay, we need one more who can play in the CB positions as apparently Christian whatisname can

and you're ignoring the fact that this could be a precursor to Kiwior leaving, as he will probably want more first team football then we can give him

jump on the bandwagon if you want but there is sense to it

[HCZ_Reborn]

I’m not jumping on a bandwagon, Ive been clear for ages no more defenders

Despite your insistence to the contrary Calafiori is a defender so therefore we have Timber, White, Gabriel, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly and Calafiori. Seven players is sufficient. I wouldn’t support selling Kiwior either

In my view we don’t need a defender and we don’t need a defensive midfielder (my preference would have been to keep Partey and sell Merino but even without him we are covered)

We are only going back and forth here because as I’ve observed loads of times you’re either unable or unwilling to acknowledge the difference between your opinion and fact.

[Mac76]

It's too simplistic to say it's 7 players for 4 positions becauae, as I.keep trying to explain, not all of the players can play all of the positions

I maintain Cala is not up to defending at LB and Kiwior can only defend properly at LCB, and may be leaving (i'd keep him too but as i tried to explain, he may wish to go elsewhere and if I were him I would)

The point of Christian whatisname is to be more comprehensive cover, it's only one player ffs

And the DMs are replacing players which have left, I didn't see you saying we had too many DMs last season unless you said it about Merino but who the eff knows why we bought him anyway

[HCZ_Reborn]

Again what you maintain and what is are not one and the same thing

For the right side of defence and central defence we have three players - Saliba, White and Timber…and should he ever come back from injury Tomiyasu (hardly likely we will sell him this summer)

On the left side we have Gabriel, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly and Calafiori

You don’t need to explain anything, you don’t need to maintain anything. Your belief (and that’s all it is) is that we need another defender and mine is that we don’t.

Jorginho hardly played. We had Rice and Partey who were sufficient, now Partey is gone and Zubimendi replaces him. I don’t think Norgaard is by itself a bad signing but it’s an unnecessary one (unless we get rid of Merino).

I stated very clearly that my preference was to keep Partey and get rid of Merino because even with Jorginho going we had too many players for one position and I think at least 50% of the time an attacking player should be at 8.

I don’t care if you agree or not, anymore than I care for your unnecessary explanations as if somehow I needed you to tell me what options we had in defence or what you maintain to be the case about Calafiori

The only thing I’ve done is sought to point out that you either can’t or choose not to distinguish fact from your opinion.

In my opinion we needed neither a centre back or a defensive midfielder, which adds up to 26 million that would have been better spent in more offensive signings. You don’t agree…plus ca change. I suppose to your intractable mindset it’s another indefensible position?

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

It's too simplistic to say it's 7 players for 4 positions becauae, as I.keep trying to explain, not all of the players can play all of the positions

I maintain Cala is not up to defending at LB and Kiwior can only defend properly at LCB, and may be leaving (i'd keep him too but as i tried to explain, he may wish to go elsewhere and if I were him I would)

The point of Christian whatisname is to be more comprehensive cover, it's only one player ffs

And the DMs are replacing players which have left, I didn't see you saying we had too many DMs last season unless you said it about Merino but who the eff knows why we bought him anyway

Quick question Mac, we've got 5 attacking positions in the team, do we have 10 first team players that can play them?

And if we do, shouldn't we really have more, like say Man U, Chelsea, Barca, Citeh and Madrid do ? Also one needs to consider that Arteta's style means that our attacking players are forced to cover more distance and work harder than our defenders on average in 90mins, so definitely shouldn't there me cover in these positions?

[Mac76]

@HCZ

The £26m is irrelevant, we already had about £200m for buying players and will raise more from Zin, tavares/lokonga, Nelson and maybe one or two others, I'd imagine that will more than level things out

Also when you talk about cover, maybe you're just talking about dealing with injuries, I'm talking about having opportunities to fully rest defensive players who generally spend more time on the pitch than forwards, who more often get subbed. For the third time, Saliba clearly was suffering from being overplayed towards the end of last season and lost his head a few times. White and Timber need to cover off RB between them so for me that is again not the answer.

It's also why Rice doesn't work as DM 'cover', first of all it's not his best position and secondly he too needs rest, not to be made to stand in for Zubimendi if he's injured/rested It was quite clear Rice was overtired at the beginning of last season because of playing with England all summer and didn't perform as well for us for a month or two.

If we want to win stuff we need to be able to rotate players more and make sure we have more alternatives for cup games etc, players Arteta will actually trust to do a job

The alternative is overplaying our first 11 and ending up with nothing again.

[Mac76]

Quick question Mac, we've got 5 attacking positions in the team, do we have 10 first team players that can play them?

And if we do, shouldn't we really have more, like say Man U, Chelsea, Barca, Citeh and Madrid do ? Also one needs to consider that Arteta's style means that our attacking players are forced to cover more distance and work harder than our defenders on average in 90mins, so definitely shouldn't there me cover in these positions?



i've written many posts here saying a) we need two added strikers and a winger and b) we should not sell any current first team attackers, e.g Leo or Martinelli, to strengthen the attack

Strengthening attack and defence aren't mutually exclusive, people are just overreacting, which I partly get because I'm impatient to sign attacking players too, but the fact is, we're replacing two departing DMs plus getting one relatively cheap but necessary stand-in which will be paid for by sales.

As per my post above, defenders spend more time on the pitch than attackers so it makes sense to have just ONE extra player to cover for Saliba and Gabby

Trust me if we don't do the job at the other end of the pitch I'll be at the front of the queue saying Arteta and Berta out

[HCZ_Reborn]

@HCZ The £26m is irrelevant, we already had about £200m for buying players and will raise more from Zin, tavares/lokonga, Nelson and maybe one or two others, I'd imagine that will more than level things out

Also when you talk about cover, maybe you're just talking about dealing with injuries, I'm talking about having opportunities to fully rest defensive players who generally spend more time on the pitch than forwards, who more often get subbed. For the third time, Saliba clearly was suffering from being overplayed towards the end of last season and lost his head a few times. White and Timber need to cover off RB between them so for me that is again not the answer.

It's also why Rice doesn't work as DM 'cover', first of all it's not his best position and secondly he too needs rest, not to be made to stand in for Zubimendi if he's injured/rested It was quite clear Rice was overtired at the beginning of last season because of playing with England all summer and didn't perform as well for us for a month or two.

If we want to win stuff we need to be able to rotate players more and make sure we have more alternatives for cup games etc, players Arteta will actually trust to do a job

The alternative is overplaying our first 11 and ending up with nothing again.

The 26 million isn’t irrelevant when for me we need to sign three or four players in attacking positions. Minimum three…a striker, a creative midfielder and a winger. These are players that clubs demand in excess of 60-70 million for…(Brentford rejected 62 million bid for Mbeumo from United for). So even with a budget of 200 million, spending 26 million in areas that are NOT a priority is exceptionally foolish.

You can repeat yourself as much as you like, the 7-8 players that we already have in defence is more than sufficient for allowing for rotation as well as injury.

For example

In 1 game you have Saliba and Timber on the right hand side
In another you have Saliba and White
In another you have Timber and White


The same consideration in defensive midfield

In the big games you play Zubimendi at 6 and Rice at 8
In other games you play Zubimendi and a creative midfielder at 8
Or you play Rice and a creative midfielder at 8

You call 6 not Rice’s best position, it’s his natural position. Fine he did well against the big teams in a more box to box role but it doesn’t change the fact that his natural ability is putting out fires.

It’s absurd beyond reason to agonise about additional cover in these positions when we are chronically undermanned in the offensive positions, we aren’t Chelsea or Man City we can’t just go beserk in the transfer market and allow for tournaments like the FIFA world club cup to facilitate our disregard for the rules.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

i've written many posts here saying a) we need two added strikers and a winger and b) we should not sell any current first team attackers, e.g Leo or Martinelli, to strengthen the attack

Strengthening attack and defence aren't mutually exclusive, people are just overreacting, which I partly get because I'm impatient to sign attacking players too, but the fact is, we're replacing two departing DMs plus getting one relatively cheap but necessary stand-in which will be paid for by sales.

As per my post above, defenders spend more time on the pitch than attackers so it makes sense to have just ONE extra player to cover for Saliba and Gabby

Trust me if we don't do the job at the other end of the pitch I'll be at the front of the queue saying Arteta and Berta out

Fair point on the subs, though subbing a player like Odegaard seems to be Arteta's worst nightmare when it should be something that happens more regularly.

[Mac76]

Fair point on the subs, though subbing a player like Odegaard seems to be Arteta's worst nightmare when it should be something that happens more regularly.

Yeah agreed I do wonder if they see Nwaneri playing there a bit although i think it might be better trying Saka at R8 and Ethan on the wing

[Mac76]

The 26 million isn’t irrelevant when for me we need to sign three or four players in attacking positions. Minimum three…a striker, a creative midfielder and a winger. These are players that clubs demand in excess of 60-70 million for…(Brentford rejected 62 million bid for Mbeumo from United for). So even with a budget of 200 million, spending 26 million in areas that are NOT a priority is exceptionally foolish.

You can repeat yourself as much as you like, the 7-8 players that we already have in defence is more than sufficient for allowing for rotation as well as injury.

For example

In 1 game you have Saliba and Timber on the right hand side
In another you have Saliba and White
In another you have Timber and White


The same consideration in defensive midfield

In the big games you play Zubimendi at 6 and Rice at 8
In other games you play Zubimendi and a creative midfielder at 8
Or you play Rice and a creative midfielder at 8

You call 6 not Rice’s best position, it’s his natural position. Fine he did well against the big teams in a more box to box role but it doesn’t change the fact that his natural ability is putting out fires.

It’s absurd beyond reason to agonise about additional cover in these positions when we are chronically undermanned in the offensive positions, we aren’t Chelsea or Man City we can’t just go beserk in the transfer market and allow for tournaments like the FIFA world club cup to facilitate our disregard for the rules.

That's the thing you're the one who's agonising, I'm just saying I can see the sense of it

Your White/Timber/Saliba combos make sense ofc and I was already perfectly aware of it, but it only works up to the point that one of them gets injured and it's not sensible to expect players not to get injured, Arteta made that mistake with Havertz last season.

I do btw think, as we've seen with Havertz amd Merino, that midfielders can do a job further forward in an emergency whereas they can't do a job in defence as easily, you need specialist cover there. But once again i'm not saying we don't need to strengthen going forward, ofc we do

As for budget, as I said these buys will be covered by sales so our £200m+ remains intact. It looks like Sesko/Gyok will be about 60-70m, second/backup striker should be say 40-50m and that leaves you with 80-90 for the winger, job done with a bit of give if needed

[HCZ_Reborn]

That's the thing you're the one who's agonising, I'm just saying I can see the sense of it

Your White/Timber/Saliba combos make sense ofc and I was already perfectly aware of it, but it only works up to the point that one of them gets injured and it's not sensible to expect players not get to injured, Arteta made that mistake with Havertz last season.

I do btw think, as we've seen with Havertz amd Merino, that midfielders can do a job further forward in an emergency whereas they can't do a job in defence as easily, you need specialist cover there. But once again i'm not saying we don't need to strengthen going forward, ofc we do

As for budget, as I said these buys will be covered by sales so our £200m+ remains intact. It looks like Sesko/Gyok will be about 70m, second/backup striker should be say 40-50m and that leaves you with 80-90 for the winger, job done with a bit of give if needed


I’m talking about how Arteta obsessively agonises about it

Sure plus you have to factor in the 50 million we’ve already spent out on Zubimendi.

Realistically what are we going to get in player sales. No one wants Lokonga, Get about 10 million at most for Zinchenko, Nelson at most about 20 million (and that’s because he’s English) won’t get more than a token amount for Trossard and frankly offloading Jesus will be a forlorn hope

In my view the top priority is a striker than it’s a creative midfielder (a position I strongly doubt we will strengthen in but for me that would rule out a league title) third is a winger and then if we have spare cash a second striker


I think the money we’ve spent already would rule out a second striker even if we were inclined to go down that path

[Mac76]

Ok i was forgetting about Zubi so yes that makes things tighter, but Tavares (which is who i'm talking about i get him and Lokonga mixed up) has a sell-on clause which could get us around 13m, wh8ch partly balances that out.

Also i think we may have more than £200m given CL money etc

So let's call it £220:

Zubi -50
Zin +10
Tavares+13
Nelson +20
Christian plus Norgaard -26
Kepa -5

So that's -£38m

From £220 that leaves £182m

Having re-read things Sesko is maybe 70m euros i.e. £60m

So:

Sesko: -60m
Rodrygo (for sake of argument) -60m

So that still leaves £62m for another player, either a creative player or forward (given Havertz is a forward i can see the argument for a creative player instead)

Personally I'd also look to sell Calafiori plus maybe Merino given i've not seen much evidence either of them can play the positions they were bought for, plus Cala is injury prone - if you want to talk bad signings both of them were unnecessary

Also while i don't want to sell an attacker (and given what you're saying about our needing to strengthen our attack it's odd that you do) if we sell Leo i think it will because a big offer comes in from the Saudis, otherwise we keep him.

[Mac76]

I just saw something on fbook which sets it out like this:

Raya/Kepa
Timber/White
Saliba/Mosquera
Gabby/Kiwior
MLS /Cala
Zubi/Norgaard
Ode/Nwaneri
Rice/Merino
Saka/Leo
Sesko/Havertz/Jesus
Rodrygo or Eze/Martinelli

While I don't think Cala's a very good LB, Jesus is a joke and not sure re Leo on the right, it does otherwise show how it works with the new signings so far

Basically it's short of one attacking signing

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I just saw something on fbook which sets it out like this:

Raya/Kepa
Timber/White
Saliba/Mosquera
Gabby/Kiwior
MLS /Cala
Zubi/Norgaard
Ode/Nwaneri
Rice/Merino
Saka/Leo
Sesko/Havertz/Jesus
Rodrygo or Eze/Martinelli

While I don't think Cala's a very good LB, Jesus is a joke and not sure re Leo on the right, it does otherwise show how it works with the new signings so far

Basically it's short of one attacking signing

From the above we are clearly clutching at straws with the positions of Rice, Saka, the laughable frontmen and the poor performing Left wing duo.

So that's 4 out of 5 attacking positions.

Actually 5, as Nwanerri is a kid and shouldn't be relied on to bear the burden of relieving Odegaard as the player that dictates our play.

Clearly this isn't going to be the summer where we solve our attacking issues, so I think we are on the right path by sticking to what we know best and buying defender after defender :good:

[Mac76]

From the above we are clearly clutching at straws with the positions of Rice, Saka, the laughable frontmen and the poor performing Right wing duo.

So that's 4 out of 5 attacking positions.

Actually 5, as Nwanerri is a kid and shouldn't be relied on to bear the burden of relieving Odegaard as the player that dictates our play.

Clearly this isn't going to be the summer where we solve our attacking issues, so I think we are on the right path by sticking to what we know best and buying defender after defender :good:

:lol:

To be clear it's just what a fan put up (not me)

Are you talking the left wing when you say poorly performing duo?

You're right re Nwaneri, as I said elsewhere he'd be better supporting Saka on the right, trouble is I think Arteta's inclination is still to play Saka for 90 mins in every game :rose:

I'm trying to live with what we're doing and with the idea of Sesko, i don't think he (or Havertz) is laughable but Jesus is - that said i'd prefer Gyokeres by a long way

Tbh I think there's room to move people around up front, defence less so, it's so clear when a defender is out of position

That said I'm coming around to the idea we need an Ode backup

I too am concerned we may not end up having quite enough going forward but I don't think that will be because of a lack of funds, I'm just concerned we'll mess it up. I don't like Arteta's obsession with never conceding a goal any more than anyone else, i'm only saying i understand a net gain of one defensive player when last season showed we had inadequate cover

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Calvert-Lewin leaving Everton.

Our new striker confirmed. :bow:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

:lol:

To be clear it's just what a fan put up (not me)

Are you talking the left wing when you say poorly performing duo?

You're right re Nwaneri, as I said elsewhere he'd be better supporting Saka on the right, trouble is I think Arteta's inclination is still to play Saka for 90 mins in every game :rose:

I'm trying to live with what we're doing and with the idea of Sesko, i don't think he (or Havertz) is laughable but Jesus is - that said i'd prefer Gyokeres by a long way

Tbh I think there's room to move people around up front, defence less so, it's so clear when a defender is out of position

That said I'm coming around to the idea we need an Ode backup

I too am concerned we may not end up having quite enough going forward but I don't think that will be because of a lack of funds, I'm just concerned we'll mess it up. I don't like Arteta's obsession with never conceding a goal any more than anyone else, i'm only saying i understand a net gain of one defensive player when last season showed we had inadequate cover

Thanks for the correction and I fully understand your argument that you can't really replace a defender with a midfielder ( though in our case both Partey and Rice have experience playing as CBs).

The thing is, it was crystal clear what failed us last season, and it wasn't our defence despite the various injuries.

The whole world knows that our problem is clearly our attack and I believe that even if they had managed to all stay injury free (i e. the attackers), we still wouldn't have been able to close the gap on Liverpool which pretty much started from day one.

It's really upsetting to see that our attitude to resolving this seems so relaxed and nonchalant and I am beginning to believe that Arteta and the people that matter still can't appreciate this nor understand the drive and focus it takes to win a league title (especially when we have a pretty hefty psychological block we need to overcome).

[Mac76]

Calvert-Lewin leaving Everton.

Our new striker confirmed. :bow:

many a true word

[Mac76]

Thanks for the correction and I fully understand your argument that you can't really replace a defender with a midfielder ( though in our case both Partey and Rice have experience playing as CBs).

The thing is, it was crystal clear what failed us last season, and it wasn't our defence despite the various injuries.

The whole world knows that our problem is clearly our attack and I believe that even if they had managed to all stay injury free (i e. the attackers), we still wouldn't have been able to close the gap on Liverpool which pretty much started from day one.

It's really upsetting to see that our attitude to resolving this seems so relaxed and nonchalant and I am beginning to believe that Arteta and the people that matter still can't appreciate this nor understand the drive and focus it takes to win a league title (especially when we have a pretty hefty psychological block we need to overcome).

no arguments with that - you're right I think Rice can a do a job at CB though taht's one of those cases of weakening us elsewhere if we used him for that and ofc Partey's leaving

On your point about Arteta's attitude to attackers, it's what worries about Sesko, that Arteta sees him as a project to play in some weird position instead of just having a goalscorer in the box where we all want him

It's like him considering Jesus as a striking option - he isn't, even if fit, anything near what we need, firstly he's all over the pitch and second he can't hit a barn door unless it's against Palace

Are they nonchalant? - i dunno, they must know as you say the whole world is waiting for us to strengthen our attack.,

from what i hear about him, I think the delays are down to typical behaviour by Berta of playing people off each other to get the best price - which could in theory help our budget go further, but at worst lose us all the best prospects as they get fed up of being played and go elsewhere

This next week is crucial IMO - we need to see real progress or the natives will be restless...

[Mac76]

so the Eze interest is apparently serious and he seen as an extra to a winger and a strlker, which is good and eases some of my reservations, he would add creativity and unpredictability which we desperately need and be good fun to watch

https://arsenalnews.co.uk/2025/07/01/arsenals-interest-in-signing-eberechi-eze-separate-from-striker-and-winger-pursuit/

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

so the Eze interest is apparently serious and he seen as an extra to a winger and a strlker, which is good and eases some of my reservations, he would add creativity and unpredictability which we desperately need and be good fun to watch

https://arsenalnews.co.uk/2025/07/01/arsenals-interest-in-signing-eberechi-eze-separate-from-striker-and-winger-pursuit/

Rogers would do pretty much the same but apparently Villa are no longer in financial turmoil as they're copying Chelsea by selling their women's team.

If I was a Villa fan I'd be pleased with that bit of creative accounting to save the team.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Rogers would do pretty much the same but apparently Villa are no longer in financial turmoil as they're copying Chelsea by selling their women's team.

If I was a Villa fan I'd be pleased with that bit of creative accounting to save the team.


Rogers and Eze are similar in that both are utility players, plus I think Rogers is a better player


60 million is for me too much for someone who is 27 and yes he had a good season but still injury question marks and indifferent form.

I think playing him in central midfield (alongside Odegaard preferably) would be acceptable to me, whilst certainly not a player I’d be actively wanting us to go for. I’ve softened on him to the point where I wouldn’t be dreadfully annoyed if we did so.

If Ornstein is correct and we are signing three players - winger, creative midfielder and striker. I’d welcome that news but given we would be likely spending in excess of 200 million just on those three positions, I’m still somewhat skeptical

[KSE Comedy Club]

I hope to fuck this isn't true

https://x.com/DTalkingArsenal/status/1939996940927692924


��BREAKING -
@siphillipssport
: Arsenal are expected to make a bid for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke SOON. ⏳����⚪️

The Gunners view the 23-year-old as the “perfect winger target.” �������������� #AFC

[Mac76]

WHile I don't buy into the more militant end of the Chelsea reject narrative, I would be disappointed if this was the level we were going for, we need a game raiser and I'm really not sure he's it

maybe this is another Berta 'playing people off each other' trick to speed up the Eze negotiation (for which read 'f*** the whole thing up')

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I hope to fuck this isn't true

https://x.com/DTalkingArsenal/status/1939996940927692924

Easily the worst player we've been linked with so far.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Easily the worst player we've been linked with so far.

Agreed.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Florian Plenttenberg suggests we have already submitted an offer for Madueke and talks have started - WTAF?!?!

https://x.com/Plettigoal/status/1940001156878438882



Florian Plettenberg
@Plettigoal
����⚪️ Understand Arsenal have already submitted an offer to Noni #Madueke. 23 y/o winger could leave Chelsea in the summer. Talks have started. #CFC

Madueke is one of several top profiles Arsenal are assessing for this position. Arsenal are still considering a transfer for Rodrygo should he wish to leave Real Madrid.

@SkySportDE
��������������

[Mac76]

Even for Arteta this really is tone deaf - I can only say again I hope it's Berta playing games and we're not really going to sign him

[Marc Overmars]

Kepa has officially signed.

[Mac76]

Kepa has officially signed.

no. 13 :lol:

[HCZ_Reborn]

One assumes he will have Kepa on the back of his shirt rather than Arrizabalaga

[HCZ_Reborn]

Following on from that, I was today years old when I learned that most Spaniards take on both the surname of their father and the maternal maiden name as well when it comes to their full name

So with Kepa his full name is Kepa Arrizabalaga Revuelta, Arteta is Mikel Arteta Amatriain

It’s similar but the other way round in the Phillipines (heavily Spanish influenced). My nephew has his mothers maiden name almost as a middle name

[Letters]

Following on from that, I was today years old when I learned that most Spaniards take on both the surname of their father and the maternal maiden name as well when it comes to their full name

So with Kepa his full name is Kepa Arrizabalaga Revuelta, Arteta is Mikel Arteta Amatriain

It’s similar but the other way round in the Phillipines (heavily Spanish influenced). My nephew has his mothers maiden name almost as a middle name

Names are a pain. Most systems take a fairly western-centric "First Name", "Surname" (or family name) approach but in lots of countries they don't think that way.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/17tpxxq/naming_customs_around_the_world/

[Mac76]

One assumes he will have Kepa on the back of his shirt rather than Arrizabalaga

another successful prediction ;)

https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_16x9/public/images/kepa-shirt-574748_x5jogc3m.png?h=95d7f32a&auto=webp&itok=WOC8ODVc

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Although Varandas acknowledged that Gyokeres is likely to depart, he stated that the fee will be much higher than the potential price of £60m plus £10m in add-ons.

He also claimed that Gyokeres is worth more than Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United from Wolves for £62.5m.

Varandas said: 'Today, there is a strong likelihood that he will leave. I won't disclose the amount, but the player knows what it is. I can say that Viktor will not leave for 60+10m. He won't leave, absolutely not.

'We have been watching the market and I saw [Martin] Zubimendi, who is six months younger than Viktor, leave for €65m. I saw Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both forwards but who, in my opinion, do not have Viktor's market value or quality, being negotiated for around €75m.

'Given the demands we consider fair, I believe Viktor could leave – unless he has the worst agent in the world, which is hard for me to believe, because he is one of the best footballers in the world.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14865981/amp/Viktor-Gyokeres-Arsenal-Monaco.html


When other big clubs complete their big deals early and some of us scream about the need to do so and not reinvent the wheel, these quotes from the Sporting President makes it self evident why it's a plus and not some silly deft tact to wait till the market has "apparently cooled down", so you can be left alone to dine on the scraps!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kepa has officially signed.

We're ready for the season now, all deals done. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I actually quite like Madueke as a player.

But not enough for us to get him.

[Marc Overmars]

I think Madueke is likely to be more of a fall back option. If everything else fails then we’ll go rooting around Chelsea’s bins again.

[HCZ_Reborn]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14865981/amp/Viktor-Gyokeres-Arsenal-Monaco.html


When other big clubs complete their big deals early and some of us scream about the need to do so and not reinvent the wheel, these quotes from the Sporting President makes it self evident why it's a plus and not some silly deft tact to wait till the market has "apparently cooled down", so you can be left alone to dine on the scraps!

This largely comes down to whether to pay sticker price or negotiate a lower price for a player, I tend to agree that whether we buy the player in June or August probably won’t make a lot of difference to the price. But this is less about poor transfer strategy and more about an ownership that we know doesn’t want to pay what it takes for us to be title winners, therefore we are left sending officials to try and negotiate a price against selling clubs that have the advantage. Even with Gyokeres they clearly don’t feel they have to accept a lower price for him (and that’s why I suspect he will still be at Sporting Lisbon).

It doesn’t help that players like Cunha or Pedro have gone for so much, but ultimately with both Sporting Lisbon and Leipzig it allows them to justify their high asking price rather than actually makes the price go up

[Mac76]

The owners paid £105m for one player

[HCZ_Reborn]

The owners paid £105m for one player

Yes but we aren’t after one player, we are after three

[Mac76]

and they have made the funds available to get those players, I've no time for criticism of the owners, the money is there and they've made clear statements about wanting the recruitment to happen to get us where we want to be.

It's Arteta and Berta making the decisions that's the issue - all this messing about over Sesko/Gyokeres I don't think is helpful and whichever one we get it will possibly burn some bridges down the line

As for Eze, if we can get him, then get him, no fucking around pls

[HCZ_Reborn]

and they have made the funds available to get those players, I've no time for criticism of the owners, the money is there and they've made clear statements about wanting the recruitment to happen to get us where we want to be.

It's Arteta and Berta making the decisions that's the issue - all this messing about over Sesko/Gyokeres I don't think is helpful and whichever one we get it will possibly burn some bridges down the line

As for Eze, if we can get him, then get him, no fucking around pls

And you know the funds have been made available how ?

With add ons, the current asking price if we have say settled on Sesko, Eze and Rodrygo is going to be well over 200 million. Most likely closer to 250 million (but for sake of argument we will say 225 million). Add that to the 50 million we’ve spent on Zubimendi, the 10 million plus add ons for Norgaard, the 16 million for Mosquera and the 5 million for Kepa that takes things over 300 million.

I’m sure we’ve been given what the owners consider a generous amount of money along with a wage bill budget, but it’s not a blank cheque. I also doubt we will be able to spend 300 million let alone more than that (I don’t know for a fact but that would be an unprecedented sum).


I also subscribe to Occam’s razor, in this case what sounds like the simplest explanation…the club are negotiating with other clubs to lower their asking price to guarantee we can get in the players we want within the available budget, or that we have a blank cheque and Berta and his ilk are just trying to show off to prove they are able to pull off spectacular bargains.

This rather clashes with Berta’s actions at Atletico Madrid where he paid large fees for players like Joao Felix and Kieran Trippier.

[IBK]

We seem to be getting the easier deals done, but remain unconvincing when it comes to the most important transfers. I think I am resigned to the fact that whatever happens, AFC are simply not a club that will inspire or excite its fans over transfers. Our business is so protracted that even when deals are completed their sagas have made it all a bit meh.

[Mac76]

And you know the funds have been made available how ?

With add ons, the current asking price if we have say settled on Sesko, Eze and Rodrygo is going to be well over 200 million. Most likely closer to 250 million (but for sake of argument we will say 225 million). Add that to the 50 million we’ve spent on Zubimendi, the 10 million plus add ons for Norgaard, the 16 million for Mosquera and the 5 million for Kepa that takes things over 300 million.

I’m sure we’ve been given what the owners consider a generous amount of money along with a wage bill budget, but it’s not a blank cheque. I also doubt we will be able to spend 300 million let alone more than that (I don’t know for a fact but that would be an unprecedented sum).



We don't need £300m

I explained a lot of it in the post i put up the other day but this is the essence of it

We will get money for selling Zin and Nelson, Tavares has a sell-on clause which could get us around 13m.

The widely reported budget (pre-sales) is we have '£200m plus' given CL money etc

So let's call it £220m:

Zubi -50
Zin +10
Tavares+13
Nelson +20 (your estimation I think)
Mosquera plus Norgaard -26
Kepa -5

So that's -£38m

From £220 that leaves £182m

Sesko is reportedly maybe 70m euros i.e. £60m

Eze is looking to be around £62m

So that still leaves £60m for a winger

We could raise even more if for example we sell Calafiori, as he can't play LB and is injury prone

and on wages, Partey was on a lot and Jorg probably was too, i should imagine Norgaard will be on less and also Mosquera will be on less as s younger player

[Mac76]

Our business is so protracted that even when deals are completed their sagas have made it all a bit meh.

This

If (and it is an 'if') we get one of Sesko or Gyokeres, half the fanbase will be annoyed we didn't buy the other player, and the other half will as you say just think 'finally ffs'

Arteta and Berta have wiped out all the excitement we could have had and, while I have nothing against the transfers in question, getting all the defnsive ones done first has only added to the frustration

[IBK]

This

If (and it is an 'if') we get one of Sesko or Gyokeres, half the fanbase will be annoyed we didn't buy the other player, and the other half will as you say just think 'finally ffs'

Arteta and Berta have wiped out all the excitement we could have had and, while I have nothing against the transfers in question, getting all the defnsive ones done first has only added to the frustration

Yep - like I say the deals that appear to have been done are (Zubimendi excepted) nibbling round the edges rather than getting into the real meat. To continue the analogy, we appear to be making a real meal of getting our forward recruitment - that the club has known for 2 years is essential - done. This does not inspire confidence.

[HCZ_Reborn]

We don't need £300m

I explained a lot of it in the post i put up the other day but this is the essence of it

We will get money for selling Zin and Nelson, Tavares has a sell-on clause which could get us around 13m.

The widely reported budget (pre-sales) is we have '£200m plus' given CL money etc

So let's call it £220m:

Zubi -50
Zin +10
Tavares+13
Nelson +20 (your estimation I think)
Mosquera plus Norgaard -26
Kepa -5

So that's -£38m

From £220 that leaves £182m

Sesko is reportedly maybe 70m euros i.e. £60m

Eze is looking to be around £62m

So that still leaves £60m for a winger

We could raise even more if for example we sell Calafiori, as he can't play LB and is injury prone

and on wages, Partey was on a lot and Jorg probably was too, i should imagine Norgaard will be on less and also Mosquera will be on less as s younger player


Sesko is going to be minimum €80 million which is around £67 million (and that’s the minimum I think Leipzig are trying to hold out for more). Eze will be 60 million pound minimum (plus again with add ons). The negotiation on price determines whether we get Rodrygo or we get Madueke.

If we are setting out our transfer budget by what we hope to receive in player sales, this in many ways leaves you a hostage to fortune. And many people on here can’t seem to understand there’s a difference between getting the value you want for players you want to sell, than those you don’t.

Either way it’s a tight balancing act

[Mac76]

it's tight but as I say I think there are players like Cala they could move on if they need to raise a bit more

Also while I realise he's not got a lot of interest, Vieira's still around and I wouldn't rule out a quick sale for maybe £10m at the end of the window

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We don't need £300m

I explained a lot of it in the post i put up the other day but this is the essence of it

We will get money for selling Zin and Nelson, Tavares has a sell-on clause which could get us around 13m.

The widely reported budget (pre-sales) is we have '£200m plus' given CL money etc

So let's call it £220m:

Zubi -50
Zin +10
Tavares+13
Nelson +20 (your estimation I think)
Mosquera plus Norgaard -26
Kepa -5

So that's -£38m

From £220 that leaves £182m

Sesko is reportedly maybe 70m euros i.e. £60m

Eze is looking to be around £62m

So that still leaves £60m for a winger

We could raise even more if for example we sell Calafiori, as he can't play LB and is injury prone

and on wages, Partey was on a lot and Jorg probably was too, i should imagine Norgaard will be on less and also Mosquera will be on less as s younger player

We won't get +33m for Taveres& Nelson, as the latter has very little value now and the former's terms on the sell on clause isn't that great.

If we're looking to make money, Zin & Viera are our only hopes. We really need to pray that Forests Nuno (or another Portuguese loving team in the EPL) pitys us and comes for Viera as Portuguese clubs are too shrewd to offer us good money due to our poor reputation for transfer dealings.

The thing about wasting money and going after players that are not necessary as our first purchases is it leaves us with a faux notion that we are actually recruiting and strengthening, which was exactly what happened last season when we wasted our budget on players that were not necessary.

What happened to prioritising important purchases and making secondary signings come as loans?

We could have bought a striker, go for loan moves for the likes of Rashford, Madueke, Sancho, get Jonathan David on a free as a 2nd striker. Loans moves with obligation to buy (with minimum appearance terms) could have been initiated for Kepa, Mosquera and even Norgaard.

Just like IBK mentioned, we just went after what was cheap and unnecessary first, just like we did last season with almost a £100m of "marquee" signings that we are already contemplating on selling!

[Mac76]

i totally agree that last summer's window was a disaster, Merino is a mediocre trundler who just by chance did a job up front for a while and as i say Cala can't play LB and is injury prone

and as i keep saying i think we're messing around with signing attacking players when we should just get on with it

but i'm not going to take any of the above and say that it means the business we've done so far, if you take it in isolation, doesn't make sense

the only point at which we can call it a mistake is if we find we're £15m or so short of being able to buy someone we need up front, but I just don't see that happening, if we don't get our targets it will be because we've buggered up the negotiations and other clubs swoop for these players

I realise you could say that we're only negotiating so hard becasue we've spent some of our budget elsewhere and that's valid, but again I think the money is actually there and I'm not going to sit here and say Saliba doesn't need cover or that we didn't need to replace the two DMs we've lost, because we do

[Marc Overmars]

Eze is reportedly keen on signing for us. So it looks like this may well happen if we don’t mess Palace around with the fee.

[Mac76]

Eze is reportedly keen on signing for us. So it looks like this may well happen if we don’t mess Palace around with the fee.

he was an Arsenal fan and was actually with the club when young (untill we released him :doh:) so he'd be coming home

[dazthegooner]

I still have this funny feeling that we will end up signing neither of our two targets and will be playing the ‘false 9’ again

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I still have this funny feeling that we will end up signing neither of our two targets and will be playing the ‘false 9’ again

I don't know why you feel those feelings are funny... it's the most likely outcome currently.

Let's not forget, we've got two quality no 9s in Havertz and Merino, plus Jesus will be like a new signing when autumn arrives :good:

[IBK]

i totally agree that last summer's window was a disaster, Merino is a mediocre trundler who just by chance did a job up front for a while and as i say Cala can't play LB and is injury prone

and as i keep saying i think we're messing around with signing attacking players when we should just get on with it

but i'm not going to take any of the above and say that it means the business we've done so far, if you take it in isolation, doesn't make sense

the only point at which we can call it a mistake is if we find we're £15m or so short of being able to buy someone we need up front, but I just don't see that happening, if we don't get our targets it will be because we've buggered up the negotiations and other clubs swoop for these players

I realise you could say that we're only negotiating so hard becasue we've spent some of our budget elsewhere and that's valid, but again I think the money is actually there and I'm not going to sit here and say Saliba doesn't need cover or that we didn't need to replace the two DMs we've lost, because we do

I can't shake the feeling that the business we have 'done' so far is to a degree reflective of where the manager's priorities lie - in midfleld and defence - just as they were last transfer season - which as you say was a disaster, and would have been even more so were it not for MLS emerging from nowhere into a top LB. The evidence we have seen over the past few years is that Arteta either does not value, or lacks confidence when buying forwards. I do struggle to understand why, if Areta is committed and has planned a striker and a winger for a long time, we are not further along this path and instead seem to be indecisive as to who to bring in. Of course the reason for this might be the selling clubs, but my feeling persists nonetheless...

[Mac76]

I don't know why you feel those feelings are funny... it's the most likely outcome currently.

Let's not forget, we've got two quality no 9s in Havertz and Merino, plus Jesus will be like a new signing when autumn arrives :good:

:lol:

agreed and in particular the idea that Jesus is a credible striker is so delusional that anyone seriously believing it should be sectioned

Merino has a significantly better claim to it than him

[HCZ_Reborn]

I can't shake the feeling that the business we have 'done' so far is to a degree reflective of where the manager's priorities lie - in midfleld and defence - just as they were last transfer season - which as you say was a disaster, and would have been even more so were it not for MLS emerging from nowhere into a top LB. The evidence we have seen over the past few years is that Arteta either does not value, or lacks confidence when buying forwards. I do struggle to understand why, if Areta is committed and has planned a striker and a winger for a long time, we are not further along this path and instead seem to be indecisive as to who to bring in. Of course the reason for this might be the selling clubs, but my feeling persists nonetheless...

If we want to go by the strict interpretation of what constitutes a Striker, we haven’t signed a Striker since Arteta has been coach and the last time we did sign one was under Wenger in January 2018 (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang).

But in a way that’s because top strikers are at a premium in this day and age, we seem to have wide forwards or those who can play as part of an interchangeable front three.


Attacking players in general? Yes it’s clear Arteta by the money he’s spent and where he’s spent it does not value attacking players.

[HCZ_Reborn]

:lol:

agreed and in particular the idea that Jesus is a credible striker is so delusional that anyone seriously believing it should be sectioned

Merino has a significantly better claim to it than him

https://img.gifglobe.com/grabs/peepshow/S03E02/gif/34Nm4dl1jWu8.gif

[KSE Comedy Club]

We seem to be getting the easier deals done, but remain unconvincing when it comes to the most important transfers. I think I am resigned to the fact that whatever happens, AFC are simply not a club that will inspire or excite its fans over transfers. Our business is so protracted that even when deals are completed their sagas have made it all a bit meh.

True.

The striker excitement has fizzled out to the point where, IF we get one in - everyone will be in the 'thank fuck, about fucking time' camp rather than 'Wahoo a STRIKER!!!'

[Mac76]

I can't shake the feeling that the business we have 'done' so far is to a degree reflective of where the manager's priorities lie - in midfleld and defence - just as they were last transfer season - which as you say was a disaster, and would have been even more so were it not for MLS emerging from nowhere into a top LB. The evidence we have seen over the past few years is that Arteta either does not value, or lacks confidence when buying forwards. I do struggle to understand why, if Areta is committed and has planned a striker and a winger for a long time, we are not further along this path and instead seem to be indecisive as to who to bring in. Of course the reason for this might be the selling clubs, but my feeling persists nonetheless...

yes, whatever the merits (or not) of individual purchases, he clearly is focussed on our not conceding a goal ever, which is about as delusional as beliveing Jesus is a credible stirker

as i said above he prioritised an LB (who can't play LB and a DM (who again doesn't seem to be a very good DM) over an attacking player last summer

also his tactics are too defensively minded and in some cases have lost us points

[KSE Comedy Club]

We don't need £300m

I explained a lot of it in the post i put up the other day but this is the essence of it

We will get money for selling Zin and Nelson, Tavares has a sell-on clause which could get us around 13m.

The widely reported budget (pre-sales) is we have '£200m plus' given CL money etc

So let's call it £220m:

Zubi -50
Zin +10
Tavares+13
Nelson +20 (your estimation I think)
Mosquera plus Norgaard -26
Kepa -5

So that's -£38m

From £220 that leaves £182m

Sesko is reportedly maybe 70m euros i.e. £60m

Eze is looking to be around £62m

So that still leaves £60m for a winger

We could raise even more if for example we sell Calafiori, as he can't play LB and is injury prone

and on wages, Partey was on a lot and Jorg probably was too, i should imagine Norgaard will be on less and also Mosquera will be on less as s younger player

Also, none of our signings will be paid for in full up front, they will all be in installments.

It's already been reported that Palace would accept Eze's fee to be pain in three installments.

[KSE Comedy Club]

I still have this funny feeling that we will end up signing neither of our two targets and will be playing the ‘false 9’ again

If that happens then Arteta and Berta need to be sacked.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Also, none of our signings will be paid for in full up front, they will all be in installments.

It's already been reported that Palace would accept Eze's fee to be pain in three installments.

You realise that even with amortisation of payments that we work to a Budget, mainly because we are still paying for players we bought in the last few seasons

So whether we pay up front or not is not really germane to the issue

But as I say people who want to accept a more convoluted explanation that somehow those in charge of transfers are trying to be too clever to make sure they get in bargains rather than needing to do this because they have to be mindful of how much they have to budget for, in terms not just of transfer fees but add ons and wages. Are free to do so, but maybe be careful of getting exasperated with those who prefer the conventional “the simplest explanation is the most likely” approach

[Marc Overmars]

True.

The striker excitement has fizzled out to the point where, IF we get one in - everyone will be in the 'thank fuck, about fucking time' camp rather than 'Wahoo a STRIKER!!!'

The whole Arsenal needing a striker thing is pretty much a meme at this point. Doesn’t matter who we eventually sign, the selling club are going to make it very difficult for us because of our desperation.

[Mac76]

The whole Arsenal needing a striker thing is pretty much a meme at this point. Doesn’t matter who we eventually sign, the selling club are going to make it very difficult for us because of our desperation.

Without wanting to defend anyone I think that's probably why we're playing games over Sesko and Gyokeres, to counteract being taken for a ride, it's a risky game to play though

Whatever striker we do get (if we do) needs to have really good impact pretty much straight away or the mickeytaking will get into full stride

[Mac76]

Looks like Watkins has given up and will go to Man U, there goes our backup strategy....

[HCZ_Reborn]

Looks like Watkins has given up and will go to Man U, there goes our backup strategy....

Or that United have given up in their pursuit of Mbeumo/Gyokeres

[Mac76]

It's not an 'or', whatever Man U's reasoning, if Watkins goes elsewhere we've lost our main publicly-known alternative to signing Gyok or Sesko (and there's more teams who I think might swoop for Gyok if we mess up)

[HCZ_Reborn]

It's not an 'or', whatever Man U's reasoning, if Watkins goes elsewhere we've lost our main publicly-known alternative to signing Gyok or Sesko (and there's more teams who I think might swoop for Gyok if we mess up)

Gyokeres is our back up choice (and I really wish he wasn’t)

That Gyokeres would prefer us over United is a low bar. But I strongly suspect if Sporting hold out for what they are asking for him that he will end up staying

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

It's not an 'or', whatever Man U's reasoning, if Watkins goes elsewhere we've lost our main publicly-known alternative to signing Gyok or Sesko (and there's more teams who I think might swoop for Gyok if we mess up)

Of course more teams would swoop for Gyokores over an extremely overpriced "next big thing" that has not delivered like Sesko.

Just look at their numbers in Europe, the "next big thing" has played in Europe for like 4 seasons, 31 games, 7 goals. Gyokeres only 2 seasons, 17 games, 11 goals.

Gyokeres has Championship experience which means he can score against small teams in England and on the two occasions he's played against top English teams since he's been in Europe ( Citeh and us of course), he's got 3 goals (hatrick against Citeh and at least he hit our post).

On the other hand the "next big thing" has faced Chelsea twice, Citeh twice, Liverpool and Villa and has an impressive return of Zero. The funny thing is if you examine the games, the other strikers/forwards in his teams actually scored.

So it's a no brainer that Man U have tried all they can to go for Gyokores, and teams like Juve are still waiting.

IMO only little/confused clubs that don't have firm targets will be held to ransom and keep chasing endless potential. Just imagine, we even have the brat and his b-list agent dictating terms to us like he was signing for Stoke City!

https://paininthearsenal.com/arsenal-make-striker-preference-known-01jz4nz81y3z

[HCZ_Reborn]

Of course more teams would swoop for Gyokores over an extremely overpriced "next big thing" that has not delivered like Sesko.

Just look at their numbers in Europe, the "next big thing" has played in Europe for like 4 seasons, 31 games, 7 goals. Gyokeres only 2 seasons, 17 games, 11 goals.

Gyokeres has Championship experience which means he can score against small teams in England and on the two occasions he's played against top English teams since he's been in Europe ( Citeh and us of course), he's got 3 goals (hatrick against Citeh and at least he hit our post).

On the other hand the "next big thing" has faced Chelsea twice, Citeh twice, Liverpool and Villa and has an impressive return of Zero. The funny thing is if you examine the games, the other strikers/forwards in his teams actually scored.

So it's a no brainer that Man U have tried all they can to go for Gyokores, and teams like Juve are still waiting.

IMO only little/confused clubs that don't have firm targets will be held to ransom and keep chasing endless potential. Just imagine, we even have the brat and his b-list agent dictating terms to us like he was signing for Stoke City!

https://paininthearsenal.com/arsenal-make-striker-preference-known-01jz4nz81y3z

It’s a “no brainer” that clubs like United are after him?. I mean the way that club has been run in the last dozen years can very promptly be summed up as “no brainer”.

Id find it hilarious if he was still at Sporting Lisbon come September. It’s a shame he didn’t go to United because he would be removed from the picture for us.


Also I get chided for saying that two of the the three goals Gyokeres scored against City were pels, and yet apparently hitting the post is meant to count?

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I'm pretty sure 1 in 2 games is still greater than 0 in 6 games. I'll probably need to check for assists to help Sesko out :good:

[HCZ_Reborn]

I'm pretty sure 1 in 2 games is still greater than 0 in 6 games. I'll probably need to check for assists to help Sesko out :good:

It’s funny given I never mentioned Sesko, he’s my preference over Gyokeres and I think he has the potential to be a top player

But my position is far more strongly Anti Gyokeres than it is pro Sesko.

Then again in some ways I’d prefer no striker to Gyokeres. My reasoning for which is I think Arteta won’t win us the title, and I think I’d rather the next guy in 2026 not be lumbered with what to do with a 28 year old who only had a slightly better than average record in the championship (which if you hadn’t noticed given that we’ve had all three clubs go straight back down in consecutive seasons , an occurrence almost unprecedented in English football suggests a big gulf in quality between the championship and the premier league).

If Sesko doesn’t make the grade better chance of a higher re-sale because of his age.

[Mac76]

Your dismissal of Gyokeres' record in Portugal (and the CL) is silly

He clearly has Ian Wright levels of single-mindedness when it comes to scoring goals and in a team where he will have a better class of player around him to supply chances it's illogical to suggest he couldn't do well

If he even got half the goals next season that he got last season he'd be classified as a success, whereas Sesko would have to be at least as prolific as before, in what again was an 'inferior' league, to justify the buy

[Mac76]

And who cares about re-sales, we need to win and win now before the other good players we have start to give up on the project and go elsewhere or pass their peak

[HCZ_Reborn]

Your dismissal of Gyokeres' record in Portugal (and the CL) is silly

He clearly has Ian Wright levels of single-mindedness when it comes to scoring goals and in a team where he will have a better class of player around him to supply chances it's illogical to suggest he couldn't do well

If he even got half the goals next season that he got last season he'd be classified as a success, whereas Sesko would have to be at least as prolific as before, in what again was an 'inferior' league, to justify the buy

I’ve seen you make that argument a lot “if he even scores half the goals” as if somehow that’s guaranteed

He’s a player that thrives on transition play, and largely has a record of scoring against feeble defences. His record in the champions league is nothing out of the ordinary and nothing that suggests that he’s destined to be successful in the premier league.

Your insistence that we need to win and win now for me makes it even more puzzling that you’d encourage such a high risk investment. A player who at 27 has not played a single international tournament and has only played in top flight football in Sweden and Portugal, that tells me that top clubs (which Sporting Lisbon doesn’t count as) do not regard him in the way people on here inexplicably do.

It’s not even just Gyökeres, go back twenty years and Bolton must have thought they got the deal of the century when they signed Mario Jardel who scored 182 goals in 174 league games for Porto and Sporting combined, player made 7 league appearances and Allardyce called him the worst player he ever signed.


There’s a non exhaustive list of players who have torn up the ground in Portugal and bombed everywhere else. Yet I’m expected to believe Gyokeres will be the exception based on an ok champions league record and a fairly decent goal scoring record in the championship

I don’t think it’s me being silly here

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And who cares about re-sales, we need to win and win now before the other good players we have start to give up on the project and go elsewhere or pass their peak

I agree and even if we did have re-sale we'll bundle players out on the cheap anyway.

Can't really fathom the level of antipathy towards Gyokeres from HCZ tbh but it'll be interesting to see how it falls.

I've no doubt in my mind Gyokeres is the one Berta would want - he would absolutely sign him if he was still at Atleti.

[HCZ_Reborn]

And who cares about re-sales, we need to win and win now before the other good players we have start to give up on the project and go elsewhere or pass their peak

If we lose players next season that we don’t want to sell, we will make a lot of money for them and we won’t have Arteta in charge of how we replace them. I don’t think we can win the title with him in charge and I’d rather not be lumbered with players that could be harder to sell.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I agree and even if we did have re-sale we'll bundle players out on the cheap anyway.

Can't really fathom the level of antipathy towards Gyokeres from HCZ tbh but it'll be interesting to see how it falls.

I've no doubt in my mind Gyokeres is the one Berta would want - he would absolutely sign him if he was still at Atleti.

I don’t get what’s not to understand. He’s 27, he’s not played in a top European league and his goalscoring stats are actually not as good as Mario Jardel (who also had an excellent scoring record in the champions league for Galatasaray) who turned out to be a complete waste of skin.

I think because of that he’s an incredibly high risk investment. You don’t have to agree, but not being able to understand is not really my problem


Berta signed Joao Felix for over 100 million, fair to say his judgement is not beyond reproach

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Indeed, nobody's judgement is beyond reproach.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Indeed, nobody's judgement is beyond reproach.

No and I accept that I could be wrong about Gyokeres. But I’d rather not roll the dice and find out

If by his age, he’d played in the Bundesliga or even Serie A and scored even half of what he did in Portugal I’d be receptive to signing him despite his age.

I have severe doubts he would work that well in our system and like it or not that system isn’t going to change whilst Arteta is here so that creates even more reason to be skeptical

I mention Joao Felix because I genuinely worry that’s who we could end up with

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Though Gyokores has played a smaller sample of games in the CL, his games to goal ratio is already at 0.75, which exceeds Kane on the chart (8 games, 6 goals).

If he joins us (or stays at Sporting), and gets another 3 seasons of group stage CL football (24 games), he's likely to get into this all time list, especially if he keeps on scoring penalties :lol: ( though seriously, it would have been nice to have this skillset in our "arsenal" against Madrid)

As for the other guy who's played 28 CL games and scored 6 goals, the road looks much tougher especially with Leipzig not being in the CL not to mention the rate with which he is Freddy Krugering these keepers.

My guess is he'll be lucky if he can score 25 CL goals before he gets to 30. (Haaland scored 23 CL goals even before he got to Citeh in only 19 games at his age)

https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/ucl-goals-per-game-kings-1737550511-159167.png?lm=1737550534

[Mac76]

@HCZ:

You say "I’ve seen you make that argument a lot “if he even scores half the goals” as if somehow that’s guaranteed "

You know what 'if' means right? if i'd said 'when' that would sound gauranteed, 'if' is speculation, though tbh it's speculation based on his track record, including in the CL which as 21gooner says is impressive

And tbh if the best evidence you have is based on the opinion of Sam Allardyce, I think I'll disregard it thanks

As for others not wanting to sign him, most big teams don't need strikers atm, or have spent their monsy elsewhere, also he's clear he wants to come to us so probably other clubs are focussed on what seem more achievable targets

You talk about his age like he's 35, 27 means he's got some good years in him during the period when as I said our players are at their peak

Lastly the fact that Arteta, who thinks Jesus is a credible striker, wants Sesko seals it for me that I'd prefer Gyokeres

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Apparently Real Madrid have changed their minds on Rodrygo and he's up for sale again.

IMO this is not positive news as it allows Arteta& co to contine on the path of indecision in their search for the greatest deal since the Louisiana Purchase.

[Mac76]

Apparently Real Madrid have changed their minds on Rodrygo and he's up for sale again.

IMO this is not positive news as it allows Arteta& co to contine on the path of indecision in their search for the greatest deal since the Louisiana Purchase.

I didn't know about the Louisiana Purchase but the Wikipedia entry makes interesting reading.

Inreresting that the US had to borrow the money for it from British banks :lol:

[HCZ_Reborn]

I assumed it was purchasing Louisiana off the French but it was actually purchasing most of the Midwest part of the United States either side of the Mississippi and expanding as far north as Montana (or what would become Montana), and given the French didn’t occupy most of the land it was basically to give the Yanks the first opportunity to make expansive land grabs against the Natives

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I didn't know about the Louisiana Purchase but the Wikipedia entry makes interesting reading.

Inreresting that the US had to borrow the money for it from British banks :lol:

:lol: I had no idea that big brother funded it (though it is kind of logical now that I think about it) ... they hardly teach that part when they tell their version of the story.

[Mac76]

We've further talks with Gyokeres and are 'closing in' apparently :popcorn:

we're also said to be looking at Morgan Gibbs-White to give us an alternative to Ode in MF, I like the sound of that, he's creative but more direct I think

[Marc Overmars]

We’ve agreed personal terms with Madueke. Down to the clubs to agree a fee.

Gone for the weakest name we’ve been linked with. Us. :lol:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We’ve agreed personal terms with Madueke. Down to the clubs to agree a fee.

Gone for the weakest name we’ve been linked with. Us. :lol:

This is really becoming one of those tragic windows.

But I guess the flipside is this may seal Arteta's fate, so I might appreciate the dross I'm about to witness this season in the long run.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

https://dailycannon.com/2025/07/sporting-gyokeres-price/

Sporting have apparently explicitly named their price for Gyokores.....and surprise surprise it's the same price they've maintained for the past 3 weeks or so (€80m) :doh:

So much for our wonderful tactic of playing the field.

[Mac76]

We’ve agreed personal terms with Madueke. Down to the clubs to agree a fee.

Gone for the weakest name we’ve been linked with. Us. :lol:

Meanwhile talks with Nwaneri are stalling and we may lose him, you could see last season that Arteta was starting to cool on him, he got far fewer minutes than he should have

So we're letting a young Academy talent go so we can buy an inconsistent player who's certainly no better and probably worse.

Is Arteta taking bungs from Chelsea or is he starting to panic?

[dazthegooner]

Heard that Nwanari is stilll on holiday as he was part of the England u21 squad so was given extra time off so could be social media looking for more clicks. (Hopefully)

[KSE Comedy Club]

What is abundantly clear is that our summer transfer plans are basically ‘let’s see what happens when July hits’
Which quite frankly, is fucking pathetic.

For a club that has ambitions of being back at the top, makes me fully question if those ambitions are real.

[Chippy]

What is abundantly clear is that our summer transfer plans are basically ‘let’s see what happens when July hits’
Which quite frankly, is fucking pathetic.

For a club that has ambitions of being back at the top, makes me fully question if those ambitions are real.
We have reverted back to the Wenger days.
As long as we finish in the top four and line the pockets of Kroenke empire, Arteta will survive.
Dark days ahead at the Emirates.

[Mac76]

I'm not particularly interested in defending Arteta or Berta - far from it - but there is the fact that in some countries the financial year starts 1st July, it's been bandied about as a reason for some of the delays, but they've not got that excuse now

They're still haggling over sums that these days are peanuts tbh, if we're paying £65m on Havertz to play in a position he wasn't even suited to why not pay the same or a little bit more for a striker who the signs indicate can do a good job up front

[Mac76]

Heard that Nwanari is stilll on holiday as he was part of the England u21 squad so was given extra time off so could be social media looking for more clicks. (Hopefully)

Romano is saying it's because Nwaneri is asking for a gaurantee over playing time and Arteta, being a ****, isn't giving the right answers

If we lose him, especially if it's because we signed Madueke, I'm Arteta out

https://www.givemesport.com/fabrizio-romano-chelsea-eyeing-shock-move-to-sign-unbelievable-arsenal-star/

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We have reverted back to the Wenger days.
As long as we finish in the top four and line the pockets of Kroenke empire, Arteta will survive.
Dark days ahead at the Emirates.

This line of thought has been largely neglected by many ever since the Rice signing, which a lot of us at that time saw as a sign of ambition.

However the more one steps back and analyses things, the more it looks like this could be legitimate.

I mean we keep focusing on defensive players when for the last 3 years (cumulatively) we've been the best defensive team in the league by practically every metric. It seems that is the main attribute that has kept us in the top 4 and instead of logically trying to improve our attack with the same type of gusto, we seem to consistently go after and get reliably linked with B to C class attacking talent (Madueke a prime example).

Isak, we knew was never in the cards. Kvara, we knew was never in the cards. Mbappe IIRC was also mentioned immediately after our breakthrough season.

Besides Gyokores (and lets face it, he can't be ascribed as more than a B talent yet), there is no attacking player we are currently linked to that is at the top of their game or can be said to be on a clear upward trajectory.

It seems we are happy to do what we think is enough to stay in the top 4 and just like the recent past it seems the only way to get meaningful change now is to hope we fall out of it so the suits panic and make clearly obvious decisions that have been staring them in the face for years.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Not that I really disagree with your analysis but how many A class strikers are there

In the premier league I’d argue you have Haaland and Salah (Isaak is potentially there but too often injury hit)

In Germany you have Kane, Spain you have Mbappe

That’s really about it. Whilst I would question our ambitions for sure unless things pick up in the next few weeks, the really top strikers are simply not there

Looking at Madueke would be about providing cover to Saka and potentially moving Nwaneri to the centre. We need big players for sure but we also need squad depth, so it’s really a case of who else we sign

The argument about Nwaneri potentially leaving for Chelsea is that he wants more game time, he’s going to get that at Chelsea who collect players like old people collect Hummel figurines??, doesn’t exactly make a lot of sense. Bit of mischief making there

[Marc Overmars]

Zubimendi is finally official.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Zubimendi is finally official.

Yep

Saw an Arsenal blog post earlier saying he was being announced today

He was meant to be announced Thursday but Jota news and Partey meant it was delayed

[Mac76]

Good to see, let's hope he's not accused of anything though, because it'll obviously mean he's guilty and we'll have to get rid of him immediately

[Marc Overmars]

We are in advanced talks to sign Gyokeres and personal terms have been agreed. That’s from Ornstein.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Good to see, let's hope he's not accused of anything though, because it'll obviously mean he's guilty and we'll have to get rid of him immediately

I don’t remember saying we should have got rid of Partey, whilst he wasn’t charged and remained anonymous made sense to carry on playing him. Just it’s likely he committed acts of sexual violence

[KSE Comedy Club]

We are in advanced talks to sign Gyokeres and personal terms have been agreed. That’s from Ornstein.

Looks like the journo that broke the news to L’equipe the other day was correct then.

Romano is also saying it’ll get the ‘here we go’ very soon as well.

Gyokores has stated he only wants to join us and will not return to sporting for training. They have no choice but to sell him to us now.

[KSE Comedy Club]

I don’t remember saying we should have got rid of Partey, whilst he wasn’t charged and remained anonymous made sense to carry on playing him. Just it’s likely he committed acts of sexual violence

The whole Partey thing is an odd one, I think we all knew there was something going on behind the scenes which does reflect badly on the club to an extent, but at the same time - he was never charged at the time and he is still innocent until proven guilty.

Either way, I’m glad we’ve cut ties with him and I felt that we should have done that anyway instead of offering him a new deal.

[HCZ_Reborn]

The whole Partey thing is an odd one, I think we all knew there was something going on behind the scenes which does reflect badly on the club to an extent, but at the same time - he was never charged at the time and he is still innocent until proven guilty.

Either way, I’m glad we’ve cut ties with him and I felt that we should have done instead of offering him a new deal.

I know it sounds bad but my conscience is clear, the fact that he was anonymous meant we could hide behind that, morally dubious but I’d have done the same thing absolutely.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Hmm I can only say I hope we fail to agree a fee with Sporting

[Mac76]

We are in advanced talks to sign Gyokeres and personal terms have been agreed. That’s from Ornstein.

:pray:

[Mac76]

I don’t remember saying we should have got rid of Partey, whilst he wasn’t charged and remained anonymous made sense to carry on playing him. Just it’s likely he committed acts of sexual violence

who says I was talking about you? :lol:

it was a general comment on all the people on social media etc saying Arsenal should have stopped playing him / got rid of him

[HCZ_Reborn]

who says I was talking about you? :lol:

it was a general comment on all the people on social media etc saying Arsenal should have stopped playing him / got rid of him

The whole accused means he’s guilty line


Where as my line is multiple accusers means more likely to be guilty than not, the CPS usually only charge a suspect if they think there’s a better chance than not of conviction, although in this case I suspect the move to charge him was precipitated by his contract with us ending and a risk of him going to a country with no extradition treaty with the uk. On the other hand if they consider his accusers non-credible they’d have NFA’d the whole thing.


I do wonder if the whole innocent until proved guilty line that fans are trotting out is something to salve their conscience, much like the pearl clutching crowd. Me? My only concern was whether he’d be charged whilst playing for us giving us an unnecessary headache, in fact I more than once made the point that we might want to consider putting distance between us and him whilst we had the chance.

That’s largely because I don’t regard our players as people I regard them as tools, beyond whether they can perform for us I neither know them or care to know them. Like any group of people, some I’m sure are good guys and some I’m sure are arseholes.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

The whole Partey thing is an odd one, I think we all knew there was something going on behind the scenes which does reflect badly on the club to an extent, but at the same time - he was never charged at the time and he is still innocent until proven guilty.

Either way, I’m glad we’ve cut ties with him and I felt that we should have done instead of offering him a new deal.

It has taken the police 3 years to make a case and it's quite likely that they are only charging him now that its clear he's a flight risk, which means they never saw him as a risk to the general public. I mean anyone who is certain he is guilty and thinks this case will be more solid than Mendy or Diddys cases is in for disappointment from what I can see so far.

Initially when noises were made, the only story I heard was their was a girl he was dating that he took on holiday and she refused to put out on a certain date.... I mean it obviously makes a lot of sense to go on an exotic all expenses paid holiday with a young footballer and then play hard to get, but hey :shrug: Anyway, he broke up with her after the holiday and all hell broke loose

IMO, like most young footballers with far more money than sense, he is/was only firmly guilty of having really bad taste. (I also remember reading somewhere that he converted to Islam because of a particular girlfriend, and yes as expected that didn't last either).

Now that it's more than one accuser, I still think it bad taste but this is not a defence of whatever may come out in the trial and I really do hope justice is served and all parties get what's coming to them.

[Mac76]

The whole accused means he’s guilty line


it wasn't aimed at you, you're not the only one saying that - try and understand it's not all about you all the time

and innocent until proven guilty isn't 'a line' it's an extremly important rule to apply to any situation where anyone's accused of a crime, otherwise we're back to lynch mobs and vigilantes

how about that guy in Bristol that was accused of murdering that woman - perhaps you were one of the people who said - "oh look at that weirdo, it MUST be him"

only it wasn't - and he successfully sued the press over being dragged through the mud (though I'm sure he'd much have preferred not ot have been savaged in the media rather than have the money)

that's why it's important

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We are in advanced talks to sign Gyokeres and personal terms have been agreed. That’s from Ornstein.

No change I see.

[selassie]

Romano is saying it's because Nwaneri is asking for a gaurantee over playing time and Arteta, being a ****, isn't giving the right answers

If we lose him, especially if it's because we signed Madueke, I'm Arteta out

https://www.givemesport.com/fabrizio-romano-chelsea-eyeing-shock-move-to-sign-unbelievable-arsenal-star/

We can't just promise Nwaneri infinite minutes, in fact you can't promise any player that. He got plenty of game time last season as a 17 year old so there is no reason to think he won't get a fair bit of game time this season now he has a season of experience under his belt.

Nwaneri's agent always gives us the run around, similar things happened when he signed his first contract a year or so back. From what I've read Nwaneri wants to stay so it will be just a case of giving him the deal and development required to get him signed. I don't think for one minute the club will allow him to leave, he is a top top talent already and obviously homegrown.

[HCZ_Reborn]

it wasn't aimed at you, you're not the only one saying that - try and understand it's not all about you all the time

and innocent until proven guilty isn't 'a line' it's an extremly important rule to apply to any situation where anyone's accused of a crime, otherwise we're back to lynch mobs and vigilantes

how about that guy in Bristol that was accused of murdering that woman - perhaps you were one of the people who said - "oh look at that weirdo, it MUST be him"

only it wasn't - and he successfully sued the press over being dragged through the mud (though I'm sure he'd much have preferred not ot have been savaged in the media rather than have the money)

that's why it's important

Again please try to understand the difference between the evidence needed to secure conviction in a court of law and stating that multiple people accusing you of the same crime (especially if the aggrieved have never met and tell a very similar story) means that probability is in favour of the accused having committed the crime.

The whole Bristol comparison makes no sense, the only reason they had for arresting the guy was because he was a bit peculiar, there weren’t numerous eye witnesses putting him at the scene of the crime that was purely based on superficial judgement.

I mainly accuse you of autism in jest, but I genuinely am given cause to wonder at times, it’s really hard to know whether you’re such a complete and utter bell end that you’ll jump on anything in a need to be right or whether your brain really can’t process nuance.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We are in advanced talks to sign Gyokeres and personal terms have been agreed. That’s from Ornstein.

Checked the press again, it really does seem this is going through this time.

Finally, something positive.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Checked the press again, it really does seem this is going through this time.

Finally, something positive.

Well positive to a lot of people here :lol:

I’m hoping we fail to reach agreement over a fee

Don’t get me wrong if they can’t reach agreement with Leipzig over a fee for Sesko, it’s absolutely right to move on to another target. I just completely disagree with the club that Gyokeres should be that alternative target, I just hope if it goes through I am wrong about what an utter waste of money it will be

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

What has changed is it seems we have agreed to pay €80m.

€65m fixed and €15m ad ons with ridiculous stuff like him winning the balon d'or and we the CL.

[Mac76]

I mainly accuse you of autism in jest, but I genuinely am given cause to wonder at times, it’s really hard to know whether you’re such a complete and utter bell end that you’ll jump on anything in a need to be right or whether your brain really can’t process nuance.

getting a bit testy aren't we? ;) a sure sign you know you lost the argument several pages ago, but characteristically you just keep going - go on then, I give you the last word on this, say what you want, but as always you're wrong

[Mac76]

Checked the press again, it really does seem this is going through this time.

Finally, something positive.

I'm trying to hold myself in check but will be over the moon when it's confirmed

[HCZ_Reborn]

getting a bit testy aren't we? ;) a sure sign you know you lost the argument several pages ago, but characteristically you just keep going - go on then, I give you the last word on this, say what you want, but as always you're wrong



I think the answer to my self posed question is both. I think you are a bit on the spectrum in that you get triggered enough to make inappropriate interventions, but also you probably do understand the difference between beyond a reasonable doubt and probability so you’re just being argumentative (mainly towards me, even though you want to pretend you’re above the fray and that you don’t dislike me as much as I dislike you) and that you actually are that conceited to think what you say is factual :lol:

But I’ll tell you what chief, if you don’t want endless arguments ad nauseum, maybe think next time you need to take me to task for something you disagree with which you’ve convinced yourself I’m factually wrong about…”do I need to do this?”. Or maybe confine it to spelling, it’s probably the one area you’re on solid ground

I get things wrong, Letters for example pointed out that mosques and Muslim faith schools were getting lots of money spent on their security when I thought this was purely the case for Jewish schools and synagogues (although per capita there is far much more spent on the latter). Fine…difference is Letters can tell the difference between his opinion and fact, I’m not sure you do.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I'm trying to hold myself in check but will be over the moon when it's confirmed

Well I did wonder if I was being over the top, but actually I think my trepidation is justified having read this :lol:

[Mac76]

Well I did wonder if I was being over the top, but actually I think my trepidation is justified having read this :lol:

Likewise your aupport for Sesko concreted in my support for Gyokeres :good:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Mehdi Tahremi
Hulk
Mario Jardel
Ricky Van Wolfswinkel
Haris Seferovic
Bas Dost
Oscar Cardozo
Jackson Martinez
Carlos Vinicius
Joao Felix
Darwin Nunez

[HCZ_Reborn]

https://x.com/arsenal/status/1941814434130784361?s=46&t=n1tnxEg6k_DvSqUkaQFrjw

Is it me or does Zubimendi look a bit like Liev Schreiber

Not the worst thing in the world

Especially when Merino looks like a young Eugene Levy

[Marc Overmars]

Hope there’s nothing in these rumours about Nwaneri. Would be a huge failure on the club to lose a homegrown talent like that.

[Marc Overmars]

As for Gyokeres, I’m just happy that it looks like this mythical striker search could be over.

I like Sesko’s attributes but it didn’t really feel like he was keen on singing for us nor did it look like Leipzig wanted to do business. So fuck him and I respect the fact we have gone for the guy who has actively pushed to sign for us.

[KSE Comedy Club]

As for Gyokeres, I’m just happy that it looks like this mythical striker search could be over.

I like Sesko’s attributes but it didn’t really feel like he was keen on singing for us nor did it look like Leipzig wanted to do business. So fuck him and I respect the fact we have gone for the guy who has actively pushed to sign for us.

Apparently Leipzig wanted 90m euros for Sesko and wouldn’t back down on it.

That is what has killed any deal & rightly so imo.

[KSE Comedy Club]

I'm trying to hold myself in check but will be over the moon when it's confirmed
:gp: me too!

[KSE Comedy Club]

Gyokores apparently has offered to give up 2m euros of his salary to help push the move through.

Whatever people think of him, he is clearly desperate to join us and that has to carry some credit

[HCZ_Reborn]

Gyokores apparently has offered to give up 2m euros of his salary to help push the move through.

Whatever people think of him, he is clearly desperate to join us and that has to carry some credit

Why?

[KSE Comedy Club]

Why?

I’m guessing it’s to do with the transfer fee.

If sporting don’t have to pay him that 2m then we can pay less of a fee - (I would assume)

[HCZ_Reborn]

I’m guessing it’s to do with the transfer fee.

If sporting don’t have to pay him that 2m then we can pay less of a fee - (I would assume)

No I mean why does wanting to come to us merit any respect. I’m sure loads of players would sell their soul to play for us. Plus he will probably get a jump in wages

[Mac76]

I get things wrong, Letters for example pointed out that mosques and Muslim faith schools were getting lots of money spent on their security when I thought this was purely the case for Jewish schools and synagogues .

it was actually me that pointed that out, Letters just concurred

so wrong again :lol:

[Mac76]

We can't just promise Nwaneri infinite minutes, in fact you can't promise any player that. He got plenty of game time last season as a 17 year old so there is no reason to think he won't get a fair bit of game time this season now he has a season of experience under his belt.

Nwaneri's agent always gives us the run around, similar things happened when he signed his first contract a year or so back. From what I've read Nwaneri wants to stay so it will be just a case of giving him the deal and development required to get him signed. I don't think for one minute the club will allow him to leave, he is a top top talent already and obviously homegrown.

What bothers me is that Arteta never used to have a problem with lying to players over how much game time they'd get, it's petty clear that people like ESR, Nelson were lied to and tbh I suspect Trossard only got more because he forced his way into the team and was maybe helped at the beginning by injury

So if Arteta isn't going to those lengths with Nwaneri, does he secretly not rate him and think he can sell him to balance out the incoming players?

If so, he's underestimating the outrage from fans if he does, but then his remarks about Partey in May show he can be pretty tone deaf

[HCZ_Reborn]

it was actually me that pointed that out, Letters just concurred

so wrong again :lol:

Congratulations, will weigh that against the multiple things you’re wrong about when talking about political or social issues

[HCZ_Reborn]

What bothers me is that Arteta never used to have a problem with lying to players over how much game time they'd get, it's petty clear that people like ESR, Nelson were lied to and tbh I suspect Trossard only got more because he forced his way into the team and was maybe helped at the beginning by injury

So if Arteta isn't going to those lengths with Nwaneri, does he secretly not rate him and think he can sell him to balance out the incoming players?

If so, he's underestimating the outrage from fans if he does, but then his remarks about Partey in May show he can be pretty tone deaf

Given your homily about your dedication to accuracy the other day, you’re basing a lot on a report that’s little more than speculative mischief making.

I mean I know you’re a grotesque hypocrite….

[IBK]

This is really becoming one of those tragic windows.

But I guess the flipside is this may seal Arteta's fate, so I might appreciate the dross I'm about to witness this season in the long run.


As for Gyokeres, I’m just happy that it looks like this mythical striker search could be over.

I like Sesko’s attributes but it didn’t really feel like he was keen on singing for us nor did it look like Leipzig wanted to do business. So fuck him and I respect the fact we have gone for the guy who has actively pushed to sign for us.

Yep sums up my thoughts on this. At one stage I was convinced by Sesko's potential but (1) he is clearly not bothered or even keen on joining us - that's a snub last year and silence this transfer season - and (2) we need to win things now, and its unlikely Sesko would have been any significant upgrade on Havertz this season.

There was a dearth of striker options and I'm happy with signing a player who wants to prove himself with us.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I dunno, I think Sesko is being quite mature and grounded. Last year I think he decided he hadn’t developed enough for a big move, and probably a bit the same this season (although Leipzig in general had a poor season). Why create enmity to force a move to us, if we don’t agree a fee with them all it does is generate ill will. It’s flattering and everything to think a player will move heaven and earth to join us, but frankly to me it reeks of desperation

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

:gp: me too!

Its always nice to go after finished articles who started from the bottom and their progression is clear for all to see.

I maintain Sesko is a pretty good talent, but I'm not interested in teaching spoilt brats about the world and how decisions you make and your application have real consequences.

More importantly, lets not forget that it's getting a bit obvious that we don't even have the sort of manager that has shown the ability to be nurturing or really deal with these kind of players.

Like Mac has said over and over again, once (not "if") Gyokores is able to replicate just half of what he has done in the last 3 years, we would have solved a really silly problem that we had no business still going through at this stage, especially for a club with purported title ambitions.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Its always nice to go after finished articles who started from the bottom and their progression is clear for all to see.

I maintain Sesko is a pretty good talent, but I'm not interested in teaching spoilt brats about the world and how decisions you make and your application have real consequences.

More importantly, lets not forget that it's getting a bit obvious that we don't even have the sort of manager that has shown the ability to be nurturing or really deal with these kind of players.

Like Mac has said over and over again, once (not "if") Gyokores is able to replicate just half of what he has done in the last 3 years, we would have solved a really silly problem that we had no business still going through at this stage, especially for a club with purported title ambitions.

Exactly.

I’m still not against us signing both and letting Sesko develop under Goku’s watch.
Shame that Leipzig are being unrealistic with the fee for that to happen.

I’m just glad we’ve gone for the player that ticks all the boxes for once.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-sporting-lisbon-gyokeres-replacement-35452786.amp

We really need to get this done fast, as Sporting has already found a replacement, who if they get, will further furstrate Man U and Liverpool (if reports are to be believed).

[Mac76]

Given your homily about your dedication to accuracy the other day, you’re basing a lot on a report that’s little more than speculative mischief making.

I mean I know you’re a grotesque hypocrite….

more insults, gosh you really are getting a bit trsty aren;t you? ;)

and it wasn't just one report, plus there are some relatively reliable sources for it so it appears to have substance

[Mac76]

I’m just glad we’ve gone for the player that ticks all the boxes for once.

Indeed, although it's by good fortune rather than design as there's little doubt Arteta wanted Sesko, just as he was so keen to get Mudryk a few years ago - when you consider how none of Merino, Cala or Havertz are much good in the positions he signed them for (and going further back people like Zin and Jesus), plus maintaining Saliba 'wasn't ready' when clearly he was a worldbeater, his judgement can only be described as suspect - not every signing has been a fail, but were some of those Edu/Berta signings that's the question

[HCZ_Reborn]

more insults, gosh you really are getting a bit trsty aren;t you? ;)

and it wasn't just one report, plus there are some relatively reliable sources for it so it appears to have substance

Again no not an insult, an observation. I’m sorry you find me telling you what you are insulting. Maybe don’t jump on people’s posts all the time in a desperate need to be right. Especially when you’re struggling badly to tell the difference between fact and opinion.

(Let me save you a reply - something, something on here all the time…arguing till the other person gives up)


There are multiple outlets reporting the same story.
Plus your logic is multiple “sources” absolutely accurate, multiple accusers….we simply don’t know.

All I can see is that Nwaneri has one year left on his contract, Chelsea May or may not have enquired about his services. If Fabrizio Romano is your reliable source this was the guy who reported that Fabregas had agreed to take over at Inter.

But I’ll tell you what, stop trying to be a smart arse with me all the time and we won’t have to waste each others time. I have no particular desire to engage with you, stick me on ignore if it makes you happier

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/35746247/arsenal-eberechi-eze-crystal-palace/

Does anyone have an idea who the talented young defender we're apparently willing to swap for Eze is?

[HCZ_Reborn]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/35746247/arsenal-eberechi-eze-crystal-palace/

Does anyone have an idea who the talented young defender we're apparently willing to swap for Eze is?

Josh Nicholls maybe?

[Mac76]

Josh Nicholls maybe?

i hope not, I thought he looked good in last year's pre-season and it was s mystery to me why he didn't get some minutes once the season started - actually it isn't, because Arteta wanted to play Partey there... :rolleyes:

[HCZ_Reborn]

https://x.com/afcstuff/status/1942907223711076601?s=46&t=n1tnxEg6k_DvSqUkaQFrjw

I don’t want this player (and I’m not going to say any more on this because I’ve set out my stall on why I think it’s a bad purchase) but what I want even less is a protracted transfer saga, if the club are going to sign him get it done (and hopefully not have massive buyers remorse) get it done quickly.

I’ve softened a lot on Eze because I think he could be useful against a low block, so as long as it isn’t silly money could be a useful player

Madueke? Well I think we need squad depth (especially if we get rid of players like Nelson) so again depends on the price

Rodrygo I don’t see happening unless we get rid of Martinelli

The Spanish defender Mosquera, I think talks have broken down because of asking price but again I don’t really want us to sign a defender

Norgaard? Done and dusted, just waiting for the announcement

[Mac76]

I abosolutey want him and think he could be at least a minor club legend if allowed to play as he can

My only worry is Arteta stifling how he plays through slow build up and asking him to play in a position or structure that doesn't get the best out of him

That said Arteta does sometimes adjust when it's plain his original idea for a player was wrong, e.g. with Havertz and Rice

[KSE Comedy Club]

I abosolutey want him and think he could be at least a minor club legend if allowed to play as he can

My only worry is Arteta stifling how he plays through slow build up and asking him to play in a position or structure that doesn't get the best out of him

That said Arteta does sometimes adjust when it's plain his original idea for a player was wrong, e.g. with Havertz and Rice

Saw an interesting vid this morning about Gabriel Heinze and how he like to play a more attack minded game, so hopefully that will convince Arteta to revert back to our more quicker paced football.
It would certainly work with Goku being added.

[KSE Comedy Club]

We have now officially opened talks with Chelsea for Madueke

Ffs.

I reckon the Gyokores deal is already done, all the paper talk drama, fee haggling, ‘stalling’ stuff is just for clicks.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Besides Gyokores, I don't really understand what the hell we are doing with attacking players.

We cannot get Eze and Madueke together....they are too similar. Also what about Nwaneri, who is quite similar to Eze with his versatility....it just looks like we've gone bonkers for a particular type of player.

Trossard is almost certainly going this summer or by January.

Martinelli, despite how much I dislike what he has become, is still far better than Madueke and it makes sense for him to stay if we get Eze, who is more versatile.

We have no player that exudes power and confidence. No player that can ride 3 terrible challenges and still go ahead and score. We could have gone for Mbuemo, we could have gone for a cheaper Kudus to bring that needed balance.

Besides Gyokores, I don't get any of the other lightweights we are being linked to currently.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

So it doesn't look like I'm just complaining I'd have preferred we'd setup our business like this, and I listed by priority:

Gyokores- CF
Eze- LW, CM, RW
Sesko- CF
Keep everyone else

Or

Gyokores- CF
Lookman-LW (he's basically what Trossard should have been)
Eze- LW, CM, RW
Kudus- LW, CM, RW
Sell Martinelli and Trossard.

Option B would change the team dramatically and is probably my favourite. I would have swapped Mbuemo with Kudus, but we're way too late, though he'd probably give both Saka and Gyokores proper competition and force them to raise the bar.

[Chippy]

We have now officially opened talks with Chelsea for Madueke

Ffs.

I reckon the Gyokores deal is already done, all the paper talk drama, fee haggling, ‘stalling’ stuff is just for clicks.

Do you remember the relief when we finally off loaded Pepe because he had signed a five year contract and was terrible.........well...... enter Madueke:haha:

You actually couldn't make it up.

[Marc Overmars]

I can see the thinking behind Eze because of his versatility and the fact he is a very good proven player riding the crest of a wave. He’s definitely a signing that will raise eyebrows for the right reasons.

Madueke I feel is a bit of a waste of money with Nwaneri as an already existing and capable understudy. It wouldn’t be Arteta though if he didn’t make at least one unnecessary signing.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I can see the thinking behind Eze because of his versatility and the fact he is a very good proven player riding the crest of a wave. He’s definitely a signing that will raise eyebrows for the right reasons.

Madueke I feel is a bit of a waste of money with Nwaneri as an already existing and capable understudy. It wouldn’t be Arteta though if he didn’t make at least one unnecessary signing.

I look at it more as bolstering the squad. Nwaneri is as much a backup for Odegaard as he is Saka, plus one would like to think Eze and Odegaard would be played together

[Mac76]

Saw an interesting vid this morning about Gabriel Heinze and how he like to play a more attack minded game, so hopefully that will convince Arteta to revert back to our more quicker paced football.
It would certainly work with Goku being added.

ok, I'd heard the opposite about him and that he was a bit more defensively-minded but hope you're right

[Mac76]

Madueke I feel is a bit of a waste of money with Nwaneri as an already existing and capable understudy. It wouldn’t be Arteta though if he didn’t make at least one unnecessary signing.

yes and I wonder whether there's a bit of sour grapes here by Arteta - he clearly favoured Sesko but Gyokeres is Berta's choice, so maybe out of spite Arteta's gone and found a signing he can call his own, even if it costs us Eze and maybe also Nwaneri

[Marc Overmars]

50m is the bid for Madueke but that’s expected to be turned down.

Walk away now please.

[Mac76]

50m is the bid for Madueke but that’s expected to be turned down.

Walk away now please.

:gp:

[Mac76]

It's absurd we're prioritising Madueke over Eze or indeed keeping Nwaneri

Arteta's burning away a lot of whatever capital he has with the fans over this

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

50m is the bid for Madueke but that’s expected to be turned down.

Walk away now please.

£50m for Maudueke when the Spuds just agreed £55m for Kudus....we seem to have a serious aversion to good deals unless they are practically forced on us (Trossard's deal is the only good one I can think of ATM).

[HCZ_Reborn]

It’s strange that Kudus is being allowed to go for 55 million when they had slapped an 80 million price tag on him, however given that Forest have paid 55million for Anthony Elanga who is about the level of Madueke (both of whom are inferior to Kudus currently anyway) it seems more than West Ham have allowed their player to go for cheap


I think anything more than 30 million for Madueke is not worth it, however it’s being reported that it won’t impact buying Eze or a striker (if that’s to be believed)

[KSE Comedy Club]

I’ve just read we’ve offered £45m for madueke and Chelsea want……

£65m


Fucking, fuck the fuck off!!!

[Mac76]

£50m for Maudueke when the Spuds just agreed £55m for Kudus....we seem to have a serious aversion to good deals unless they are practically forced on us (Trossard's deal is the only good one I can think of ATM).

And Kiwior and Jorg, plus i think the Kepa and Mosqueta ones seem reasonable

[dazthegooner]

I’ve just read we’ve offered £45m for madueke and Chelsea want……

£65m


Fucking, fuck the fuck off!!!
Well if that’s what it takes to stop the transfer Chelsea’s valuation works for me .

[Mac76]

Well if that’s what it takes to stop the transfer Chelsea’s valuation works for me .

agreed, although I still wouldn't put it past Arteta to push for it, he paid the same for Havertz and as I said above, i suspect it's hurting that he lost out to Berta on the striker option

[Chippy]

£50m for Maudueke when the Spuds just agreed £55m for Kudus....we seem to have a serious aversion to good deals unless they are practically forced on us (Trossard's deal is the only good one I can think of ATM).

A work mate Hammers supporter is gutted that they are selling Maudueke, especially to the spuds.:faint:

[HCZ_Reborn]

A work mate Hammers supporter is gutted that they are selling Maudueke, especially to the spuds.:faint:

So I’m confused

Does your West Ham supporting mate not know much about football and think Madueke is their player rather than Kudus

Or did you put Madueke rather than Kudus by accident? (Easily done given we’ve been talking about him)

[Chippy]

So I’m confused

Does your West Ham supporting mate not know much about football and think Madueke is their player rather than Kudus

Or did you put Madueke rather than Kudus by accident? (Easily done given we’ve been talking about him)

My mistake :tiphat:
I meant Kudus.

[HCZ_Reborn]

My mistake :tiphat:
I meant Kudus.

Easily done

And yeah I wouldn’t be too happy as a West Ham fan

I know Spurs have had a couple of Hammers players in the past but can’t remember recent example


I remember Kanoute and Carrick going there

[IBK]

Not so sure why there is such massive aversion to Madueke. If he is seen as Saka backup/a pacier alternative way of playing on the right then I don't think I have a problem with this. His playing style and stats suit our team, I think, and he is only 23 and a bit of a rough diamond who could be polished by Arteta's coaching/guidance IMO. We lack pace in our team. My main issue is his injury record.

Nawaneri dropped off in the last part of last season. That's an observation, not a criticism of him. I have concerns about having to rely on consistency from him at RW, and the fact that his output dropped off once other teams had focussed on him and figured him out. But he is 18 and has plenty of time to develop. ATM Maduake would, IMHO be a more reliable option on the right.

My view is that our aversion to Chelsea players might need to alter in the current climate. They are like a player - particularly a winger - wholsesalers these days given their model, and there is value to be found there. Plus we have a good relationship with the club.

The above said, my cautious approval of this deal, if it happens, is on the basis that we land Eze and Gyokores. Madueke is neither a substitute for these positions, nor really a solution at LW. My further concern is that Arteta believes he can provide cover at LW - which would not be any upgrade on Martinelli and would mean that our LHS remains unconvincing. I'm pretty sure that we aren't landing Rodrygo - and this applies whether we offload Martinelli or not.

[Marc Overmars]

Norgaard has been made official.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Not so sure why there is such massive aversion to Madueke. If he is seen as Saka backup/a pacier alternative way of playing on the right then I don't think I have a problem with this. His playing style and stats suit our team, I think, and he is only 23 and a bit of a rough diamond who could be polished by Arteta's coaching/guidance IMO. We lack pace in our team. My main issue is his injury record.

Nawaneri dropped off in the last part of last season. That's an observation, not a criticism of him. I have concerns about having to rely on consistency from him at RW, and the fact that his output dropped off once other teams had focussed on him and figured him out. But he is 18 and has plenty of time to develop. ATM Maduake would, IMHO be a more reliable option on the right.

My view is that our aversion to Chelsea players might need to alter in the current climate. They are like a player - particularly a winger - wholsesalers these days given their model, and there is value to be found there. Plus we have a good relationship with the club.

The above said, my cautious approval of this deal, if it happens, is on the basis that we land Eze and Gyokores. Madueke is neither a substitute for these positions, nor really a solution at LW. My further concern is that Arteta believes he can provide cover at LW - which would not be any upgrade on Martinelli and would mean that our LHS remains unconvincing. I'm pretty sure that we aren't landing Rodrygo - and this applies whether we offload Martinelli or not.

Definitely agree that would not be happy with Madueke without Eze and a Striker


As for Rodrygo, agree unlikely to happen. I think Madueke is more likely to be cover for both Martinelli and Saka as I think Trossard will go. Given Eze can play wide left as well, not so bad. I’m also not convinced Rodrygo is a definite upgrade on Martinelli anyhow

[IBK]

Definitely agree that would not be happy with Madueke without Eze and a Striker


As for Rodrygo, agree unlikely to happen. I think Madueke is more likely to be cover for both Martinelli and Saka as I think Trossard will go. Given Eze can play wide left as well, not so bad. I’m also not convinced Rodrygo is a definite upgrade on Martinelli anyhow

Yes - Rodrygo's diminutive size; price; and the fact that the EPL is more physical/competetive than La Liga would be a concern. Plus the danger of thinking that he would see Arsenal as a step down.

Like you say, if Madueke is cover on the right and left I don't think this would be a bad signing at a sensible price. God knows we need bodies and not every signing can be a worldie.

[HCZ_Reborn]

There are a few reports that state we are on the verge of walking away from Gyokeres because we cannot reach agreement with Sporting.

My attitude is of course that this would be immensely positive, providing of course that we have an alternative target

[dazthegooner]

Think what’s his name at Juventus maybe on the verge of having his contract terminated.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Yes - Rodrygo's diminutive size; price; and the fact that the EPL is more physical/competetive than La Liga would be a concern. Plus the danger of thinking that he would see Arsenal as a step down.

Like you say, if Madueke is cover on the right and left I don't think this would be a bad signing at a sensible price. God knows we need bodies and not every signing can be a worldie.

£50-£65m for a player that is inferior to everything we currently have is silly to me. So was signing Havertz for pretty much the same fee, and I said it clearly then.

I hate this habit of us taking underperforming players off of Chelsea's wage bill...they are our direct competitor, we're not suppose to be actively seeking to get them out of every bind they get into.

If Arteta is adamant about it, it should be less than what they paid PSV.....the same way we did with Havertz, the same way we're doing with Kepa.

I'd rather we be made a mug of by the likes of West Ham, Brentford and Palace.....they are welcome to our "clean" hard earned money, not Chelsea

[HCZ_Reborn]

£50-£65m for a player that is inferior to everything we currently have is silly to me. So was signing Havertz for pretty much the same fee, and I said it clearly then.

I hate this habit of us taking underperforming players off of Chelsea's wage bill...they are our direct competitor, we're not suppose to be actively seeking to get them out of every bind they get into.

If Arteta is adamant about it, it should be less than what they paid PSV.....the same way we did with Havertz, the same way we're doing with Kepa.

I'd rather we be made a mug of by the likes of West Ham, Brentford and Palace.....they are welcome to our "clean" hard earned money, not Chelsea

The money we’d potentially have to pay is an issue but given we’d be buying him as a squad player (because we do really lack squad depth) it’s not in principle a bad idea. The only person who has reported we’ve made a bid for him is Fabrizio Romano, and this guy isn’t exactly high in accuracy.

Ornstein has stated we are in talks but certainly hasn’t mentioned the figure quoted by Romano

If Chelsea hold out for the ridiculous money, I’d say walk away…but a more realistic figure around 30 mil? Yeah I’d go for that

[KSE Comedy Club]

There are a few reports that state we are on the verge of walking away from Gyokeres because we cannot reach agreement with Sporting.

My attitude is of course that this would be immensely positive, providing of course that we have an alternative target

A) I think those reports are for clicks
B) we don’t have an alternative target
C) what other top strikers are there - none that I have seen available