10 Jul 2017 06:55:27
The squad that went on tour confirmed the certain departures;
Szczesny, Debuchy, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Campbell and Perez. These should raise approx £40m.
Players in the final year of their contract; Ox, Ozil, Wilshere and Sanchez. I would expect Ozil may sign as clubs would be unwilling to pay a large transfer fee and match or better the wages on offer. Ox and Sanchez appear to want out and I can't see us keeping them for a year, only to see them depart for nothing. Hence why Wenger is trying to buy Lemar, as a possible replacement for Sanchez and we will have to bring a replacement for Ox. We also need to sort out the Bellerin situation, where we have th upperhand due to his long contract. We can't see Wilshere as he is currently injured. Perhaps he is worth one last chance as a replacement for Cazorla who I can't see playing for s a aging ue to his age and serious injury.
I envisage the following signings;
A replacement for Sanchez, possibly Lemar or Mahrez.
A back up keeper if both Szczesny and Ospina leave.
A replacement for Ox, although Maitland-Niles may be considered or Walcott could be played as cover for Bellerin, but he lacks defensive ability.
Thoughts?
10 Jul 2017 08:21:06
My thoughts are if Ox stayed and played at wing back it wouldn't be long before people got on his back, the lad needs to play regular football and in CM to be all he can be and that means leaving Arsenal.
Theo at wing back would be a huge mistake.
Belerin is excellent for the role we just need decent cover who can do a decent job if Hector is injured loses form of needs a break.
Does this player need to be world class? No because that would cause more problems than it solved, we just need a decent proper full back who is good going forwards.
Send for Joel Ward from Palace, extremely dependable defender who is quite versatile and effective down the line too.
Don't think fantasy football think real life squad building and bringing in a few solid players who see a move to the Arsenal is an honour and are likely to want to work hard and if their chance comes do all they can to take it.
{Ed001's Note - you like Joel Ward? I think he is awful. Can't defend, no positional sense, weak in the tackle, can't pass, cross or shoot. Only thing he does well is stay fit imo.}
10 Jul 2017 08:38:53
Fair comment Ed001 I think the lad is a decent not brilliant full back who would be decent cover especially in a back 5.
He's been a premier league regular for quite a few years now and lots and lots of Palace managers keep picking him and haven't bothered to replace him so he can't be that bad mate :-)
{Ed001's Note - except they keep trying to buy replacements, so he can be they just buy poorly. They bought Martin Kelly as a replacement, but he can't stay fit, for instance. I would hardly say Pardew picking him regularly is a sign of quality anyway. Ward is simply not good enough for the Prem and is a weak link for Palace.}
10 Jul 2017 08:53:41
Ward! Not good enough for Palace, never mind Arsenal! Ox wants to play more centrally, but is clearly an excellent wide player. Walcott could play the wing back role, even though he is defensively suspect, as the three man defence with two defensive midfield players provides decent cover. Although, perhaps Maitland-Niles can cover for Bellerin.
10 Jul 2017 08:56:39
We all see things differently mate personally I think he's a decent ( long way from brilliant) premier league fullback who would make Ideal cover myself.
Totally respect your right to see it differently though.
10 Jul 2017 09:07:34
RG how long has Ox been at Arsenal mate? What's his longest run in the team? Of the games he's started how many has he finished? What is his position in the Arsenal squad?
At 23 there shouldn't be so many questions about a player who has been with us so long we don't know the answer to.
In my opinion and that's all it is the Ox needs to go where he is treated as a mature footballer not an up and coming kid anymore and where the new manager has a plan and position in mind to get the very best out him.
I personally think he's wasting his career with us simply because he's seen as having time on his side and is someone who should be patient and not expect to be a regular yet.
10 Jul 2017 10:20:57
Why can't chambers be cover for bellerin.
10 Jul 2017 11:36:30
Don't think we need any cover for the rb/ rwb position as we have maitland-niles, mustafi, gabriel, holding, chambers and ox (given that he stays obv) who have all covered or played in that position before. It's lb/ lwb where the squad might be short with presumably just monreal and kolasinac to cover two positions if Wenger want's one of them at lcb. Granted ox could put in a shift like in the FA-cup final and holding played lb a few times at bolton but that feels sub-optimal.
10 Jul 2017 11:43:51
Forgot about that guy Cohen Bramall that was signed in january, he's a lb. Sure he came from non-league but every career has to begin somewhere. Will be interesting to watch during tour but if he's not up to par then surely Gibbs will have to stay or someone has to come in?
10 Jul 2017 11:46:30
Might get more than 40 mate I hope 10 million each for shezza Gibbs Campbell and Perez easy i think can't wait for lemar.
10 Jul 2017 14:41:51
Coquelin will probably act as more of a utility player this season and cover both wing back positions when required. He had an excellent run at right back a few years ago but he does seem to pick up more injuries there due to the demands of the role.
If this is indeed the plan then a central midfield signing seems even more likely.
Also, Maitland-Niles will be prove to be an excellent squad player this season I reckon.
10 Jul 2017 18:22:32
i would rather play with 10 men than have walcott at rwb. would be expecting about 70 from those lot, RG.
20+ for szczesny
20 for perez
5 for debuchy
release jenkinson?
10 for gibbs
10 for campbell.