Hello there! I’m writing this a couple of days in advance (It’s Friday night), so everything I’m going to say now may be out of date by the time it’s published.
The annual Arsenal-fans-losing-their-shit-at-the-lack-of-new-signings season is now in full flow. Rolls off the tongue doesn’t it?
This was initially going to be a “I hate Chelsea” post due to them ONCE AGAIN hijacking a move for a player we’ve done groundwork to sign. They’re like that person in your class at school that copies everything you do, takes all your creative ideas, and somehow ends up with a better grade than you because their parents fund something or another in school. Does that sound like a true story? Because it is.
I resisted writing such a post in the end. I’m a bigger person. But I’ll probably write that post next week.
Anyway. It got me thinking. Which is always dangerous. What were we looking for in Morgan Rogers? I fully trust Arteta and if he had a vision I’d have gotten behind him. But Rogers went to Chelsea instead – Good luck to him. I hope he enjoys his annual loan spell in Strasbourg.
I’m not much of a football tactician. My contribution there is pretty basic. Which is exactly why I believe I should spend this post talking about which signings Arsenal need to make.
I took the liberty to do a little homework and put together a crude diagram to explain my thinking. This diagram is going to appear in just a second.
Please resist the urge to scoff. At least give me a chance to explain. Then you can scoff.
Here’s my thoughts on our squad:
Wow, that came out bigger than I expected. Yes, yes – that’s what she said and all that.
Here comes the explanations. Firstly – the dark red indicates MY OPINION (that’s important to stress) on who is CURRENTLY our strongest eleven. The pale red highlights our depth. Some players are better than others in our depth. Some game-states or opposition may call for someone else to come into our starting eleven. Such as Gyokeres coming in for Havertz. Also, some players can play in other positions, such as Merino coming in for Odegaard or whatever.
In fact I see Merino as a bit of a wildcard – in a good way.
Now to the white boxes with black outlines. These are the positions where we must make signings if we want to improve this squad.
With Saliba out for an “extended” time, this means we should get someone in to cover. I’m happy with Mosquera filling in – but all it takes is one suspension or injury and we’d be severely exposed. If Timber and White weren’t already struggling with injuries I’d be ok with the three of them to cover Saliba’s absence. However, it’s not the World we live in.
I know there were talks of White leaving, but I believe we should keep onto him now. I’d actually make the argument we should find another right-back to compete with Timber long-term, whilst White plays temporary back up to Mosquera.
I know there’s a lot of talk of Konsa or Stones – if that’s the way we should go I think my preference right now is Stones on a free so it doesn’t impact what we need to do further up the pitch.
Next, it’s midfield – and I believe we should find a replacement for Norgaard that Arteta trusts. There’s the big link with Bruno. At the time of writing he is still at Newcastle. But this is a move I am up for. It leaves us with four quality midfield options we can interchange and balance the minutes in their legs so they’re not playing the run in with legs that are taped on.
On the left, I see Tzolis as our depth option. Martinelli – who I do like – I believe should make way for a better quality option on the left. Who that is, I don’t know. But this has to be a star player that can come in at a World class level. I’d hope Martinelli can bring in decent incoming funds.
EDIT: Vini Jr is exactly the type of player I had in mind. Though I question how realistic it is signing him.
There is no space for Jesus in my team. Sorry – he’s had his moments but I think that ship has sailed and it’s in everyone’s best interests for him to play elsewhere next season.
Finally – some fringe players. I know I haven’t included players like Salmon. He’s one to watch for the future but right now he should be developing his game. Dowman will continue to be a solid option on the left (or even centrally if needed). And I think Nwaneri should be given the opportunity to prove himself via a GOOD loan move before anyone decides to pull the plug. I do fear he’ll be sold for “pure profit” but I’m trying to be optimistic.
I’ve also left Kepa as second choice, though I wouldn’t be surprised if he looked for first team football elsewhere, in which case we MUST replace him with another second-choice keeper as I don’t rate Meslier.
So that’s my pennies worth.
Now you can scoff!
I’ve no doubt half of you think I’ve lost my mind, so let me know who you’d keep, who you’d sell and who you’d sign.
