Summer Transfers 2025 Missed Opportunities and Regrets

[HCZ_Reborn]

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 ). 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

https://talksport.com/football/premi...tin-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

https://talksport.com/football/premi...tin-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)