23 Aug 2019 05:45:54
I read an article explaining that Emery has advised Elneny and Mustafi that they are not part of his plans and should look to move to another club. I like this sensible approach and the streamlining of the squad. For way to long we used to persevere with players that were not good enough and were never going to be.
{Ed047's Note - he’s certainly not afraid to say it how it is, just ask Iwobi.
23 Aug 2019 06:11:09
Absolutely Ed and in Iwobi’s case he was correct to sell him. He offered little defensively and his final product offensively was often lacking. Too many players played in the comfort zone under the old regime and in most cases the players were given the opportunity to impress Emery last season. Those that didn’t have been or will be moved out.
The basis of Emery’s signings form the nucleus of an exciting future:
Leno
Sokratis Luiz Saliba Tierney
Torreria Guendouzi
Pepe Ceballos
Add Bellerin, Xhaka, Aubameyang, Lacazette and the younger players, to form a quality squad.
Even Ramsey moving on doesn’t appear the catastrophe many thought, as Ceballos appears to have a better all round game. Let’s hope we can make his deal a permanent one.
{Ed047's Note - behind the scenes things definitely look to be better and that’s the first time I’ve even thought about Ramsey since he left!
If his season goes well and we achieve something then we may be able to talk him around. 🤞
23 Aug 2019 08:28:29
Ramsey Walcot Wilshire like iwobi Elneney Mustafi just weren't ever consistently good enough and it's positive that those who haven't been able to consistently hit the required standard are moved on but riddle me this! Why Xhaka? And why is he captain?
Makes no sense to raise the bar for everyone but one player who is allowed to consistently fall under the bar but retain his place and even be named captain.
23 Aug 2019 12:46:48
Xhaka is an enigma. He has consistently been selected to play and as captain throughout his career. Yet many fans are not keen on him.
23 Aug 2019 15:22:54
It's difficult to make a case for Xhaka and I genuinely have tried to by watching him for a full 90 minutes consenting soley on him in an attempt to see something in him I'd missed, I did the same thing with Mesut a few years back and was totally shocked by how much work he got through without the ball that is easily missed when your caught up in the whole game, but with Xhaka there just was nothing new to fund.
People talk about his long range passing but watch him! It's as often a miss as a hit and yes he has a powerful long range shot on him but how effective is it? I'd guess both Mustafi and Monreal outscore him over a season, he's not full of energy and endless running and his tackling is poor to put it kindly and his heading abilty is nothing I've noticed as exceptional.
I'm not picking on the bloke but I like almost every pundit almost every neutral fan and most Arsenal fans just don't get how he gets a game let alone made captain and I'd absolutely love someone to help me see in Xhaka what I and the vast majority of football fans have so far missed in Xhaka game.