Winter Transfer Missed Opportunities and Regrets

[selassie]

Caicedo is more of a Kante type, strong engine and a great tackler. What we’d lose without Partey though is that press resistance and ability to play in tight areas. I think it was Mandela who said the other day sometimes players are just so good at what they do you just have to accept you’ll suffer without them regardless.

Aye, Caicedo looks the closest thing to Kante in terms of a "emerging talent. Me personally, if he is now the primary target and the only target we believe can fulfill the needs of the team in Partey's absence and as a long term successor then we should pay the money to secure him. It's not my money and I am not overly concerned about valuations and what not. He will cost what he costs and if he contributes to us winning a title then it will be money well spent.

I personally can't see this deal happening, we have left it too late IMO.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

And I don’t think Partey is always press resistant, I think the Liverpool and United press found him wanting at times when we played at the Emirates. In fact outside of this season I know plenty of times when he’s been in the team where we’ve had to affect a deep block to stop being overwhelmed.

The issue is we lack defensive midfield cover, certainly without him and yes arguably with him. In relation to someone like Tielemans being brought in as cover, we have players in that position…Xhaka, Zinchenko, arguably even Lokonga. But we don’t have anyone who is as good at winning the ball. Now I accept that’s not what all Partey does, but I do think it’s the most irreplaceable facet of his game

Hmmm..... Arsenal might not have players that are great at "breaking up play" or winning the ball, but again I do not believe that's Partey's strength. Decided to check opta through Sqauwka to confirm and here he is compared with Youri and Caicedo; clearly he tackles less and engages in less ground duels than both- in fact it seems the only measurable defensive traits he beats both of them in are clearances (which does not bode well in Arteta ball) and air duels.

Like people have said, its the way he gets out of the press and builds play (which is probably supported by his superior passing numbers) that stands out.

[HCZ_Reborn]

And like I said it’s not really comparing like for like. I absolutely agree that Caicedo adopts a more defensive role. And when you give up more possession than Arsenal do, you are going to have to make more tackles. Tielemans is more of a typical no 8 and Partey adopts the number 6 role.
Whether it’s his biggest function for us or not, the absence of Partey does leave the defence more exposed, and it’s not just about playing through the press it’s about interceptions (United didn’t press us on the ball at Old Trafford they just broke on us and Lokonga was nowhere)

My point is I do think we can deal without what Partey brings to us provided we have someone who can win the ball back in our own half.

[Marc Overmars]

70m bid rejected now.

Give it up lads.

[HCZ_Reborn]

70m bid rejected now.

Give it up lads.

There’s a debate going on whether we should spend 80 million on him

I mean….kind of misses the point. They don’t want to sell him in January that’s just something we need to deal with

[Marc Overmars]

It’s mad but I guess that’s the market now. Plus we’ve shown our hand and everyone knows our need for a CM, we’re not going to be getting value for money anywhere we look at this stage.

[HCZ_Reborn]

It’s mad but I guess that’s the market now. Plus we’ve shown our hand and everyone knows our need for a CM, we’re not going to be getting value for money anywhere we look at this stage.

Again it’s not about value for money, we are going to have to pay above the odds for whoever.

This is about necessity

If we offer 80 million for Caicedo, they’ll reject it…offer 90 million they’ll reject it. They don’t want to sell.

[Mac76]

inclined to agree, it doesn't sound like he's going anywhere, they're fighting for a European spot so can't strip the team away too much

I hope we're sounding out other targets at this stage

[Chippy]

inclined to agree, it doesn't sound like he's going anywhere, they're fighting for a European spot so can't strip the team away too much

I hope we're sounding out other targets at this stage

Lol. I was at an evening with "The Invincibles" on Friday night and Ray Parlour reckons Edu has his eye on three players in this window! He didn't give any names though

[Marc Overmars]

Again it’s not about value for money, we are going to have to pay above the odds for whoever.

This is about necessity

If we offer 80 million for Caicedo, they’ll reject it…offer 90 million they’ll reject it. They don’t want to sell.

I don’t think we would have gone back if we didn’t feel something could happen. Obviously Brighton hold all the cards here but I think his head is turned. I read that his salary is a pittance by PL standards too.

It’s unlikely at this stage but I do believe money talks and if Brighton feel like he won’t be the same player for the remainder of the season they will need to consider selling. That or give him a new contract which would end our interest immediately.