summer '22 transfer craziness and stupidity

[I am invisible]

I don’t know because it’s kind of two questions. Is the intent there to bring in someone to replace him? I’d say yes but that is tempered by the fact that coaches when asked about player transfers always tend to take this “we only want players who will improve us” response. I mean first off that should be a universal attitude, second it’s the kind of thing a coach will say if the players they are after are not available to them at the price they want.
If we take Tielemans for example, it feels almost like we are prepared to wait until we can sign him for nothing a year down the line.
Pino I accept seems too expensive for a player that isn’t likely to be a first team starter same you’d imagine with Cody Gakpo.

So yes I think the intent is there but I think the consideration is that even if we don’t replace Pepe, we’d prefer Nice to pay his wages.

I have to assume the intent is there for the forward / winger - we’d have bought Raphinha in a cold minute if Barca and Chelsea hadn’t come in so it must just be a question of opportunity for that one.

I’m not really feeling the same urgency to get the midfielder, though - that one feels more like a ‘nice to have’, but I don’t think they’re going to stretch themselves to do it. (Also I’m wondering whether we might be holding some resources back if, for example, we suddenly find that we need to buy a new 6. For whatever reason?) But personal preferences and feelings about our current players aside, I think the club probably feel that there’s more options to shuffle the pack in that area, and with the inverted fullbacks bracketing the man at the base we might be a little better equipped to get away with it.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I tend to agree and this sums up why I have no faith in Arteta

The central midfield issue is one that has been glaring for years and every year we fail to address it. Though of course Emery and Wenger are just as guilty of this. Arguably we haven’t been able to control a game in the middle of the park going back to the days when Arteta was playing for us before his legs went and when we had Diaby fit (about 8-10 years ago)

A winger would be a nice to have, even though I definitely think Pepe being turfed out leaves Saka without cover on that right hand side and we know that premier league players have taken a liking to kicking him.

But at a stretch Vieira or Smith Rowe could play in that position.

Central midfield we aren’t potentially vulnerable we are vulnerable. We can just about get away with Xhaka at home or affecting a deep block against mid table teams away from home. I mentioned Keita about an hour ago now even though I think Tielemans is a better technical player, I think Keita would be exceptional for driving runs and next to Partey we actually could control the ball in the centre of the park against almost all teams.

Seems a better option than Arteta screaming at his players for not showing enough desire to win the ball but when in reality it’s the lack of ability to win the ball

[GP]

Ornstein says we're in for Pedro Neto

[HCZ_Reborn]

Ornstein says we're in for Pedro Neto

Likely to be a loan deal if we move Pepe out

If it’s only a loan I’m ok with it to be honest. My fondest hope is that we save all the pennies we have under the couch to get a central midfielder on deadline day

[Marc Overmars]

Bit underwhelming but he’s a winger that we need and could have a few more levels to his game given his age.

Also, is our plan to have an entire Portuguese speaking squad?

[selassie]

Ornstein says we're in for Pedro Neto

I really like him, happy about this. He looked a top class talent a few seasons back prior to his big injury. He has come back and looks to be doing well so I think this is potentially a very good signing. He is PL ready and developing here along with our other young talents will be a good place for him IMO.

[Gooner23]

Yeah I'd be very happy with Neto, just surprised we're in the mix given his potential cost.

[mandela8]

Neto would be quality. Looked a goal threat before his injury, in a very defensive team and Arsenal's number 1 priority has to be another goal threat. They simply don't have enough in the squad to challenge, at the moment.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Nothing wrong with a Portuguese from Wolves tbf.

They're boss.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Nothing wrong with a Portuguese from Wolves tbf.

They're boss.

I don’t know if it was your intention but you really made that sound like getting a “cheeky Nando’s”