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13 Jun 2018 15:59:31
Hi Ed's

I've seen today that us and "several clubs" have been linked with Gelson Martins. Any info on whether we're favourites or else who is.

Many thanks.

Bergkamp5353

{Ed002's Note - Arsenal have been interested in Gelson Martins for some time but he has not been first choice by far - if interest in others doesn't get anywhere we will see. His representatives are negotiating with another side.}


1.) 13 Jun 2018 18:53:19
Ed, can you tell us who are the other options for that spot at the moment?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any change in the options - it seems to be as before.}


2.) 13 Jun 2018 19:22:56
Thanks Ed.


3.) 13 Jun 2018 20:21:06
Type I saw somewhere that he had a signed a pre-contract with Benfica in anticipation of being released from his contract. I don't know how true that is.


4.) 13 Jun 2018 18:28:57
Who's the other side?

{Ed002's Note - Juventus.}


 

 

07 May 2016 17:22:11
hello Ed's what's the situation with Stones in the summer, is he a possibility, or does Arsene have other targets in mind? One other question, Kevin Strootman Roma player, any interest from teams around europe, specifically BPL? Have the feeling that he's be class in an arsenal shirt. Thanks in advance.

Bergkamp5353

{Ed001's Note - he is more likely to go somewhere else in the summer, Everton are actively looking at replacements. No idea about Strootman though sorry.}


 

 

25 Aug 2015 21:27:27
Evening eds, as usual i feel as if I'm asking to much but with the flurry of benzema, cavani, krychowiak, Lucas silva and now Kokorin rumours I wonder if you can fill us in on the current situations with these players, I suspect a lot of it is paper talk but clarification would be much appreciated.

Thanks as always, you deserve statues outside the emirates

Bergkamp5353

{Ed002's Note - (a) Will probably stay at Madrid. (b) PSG will let him leave and he might be an option but I suspect money would be an issue. (c) I am not aware of any change with Krychowiak - Arsenal need to decide whether they wish to hang on for long-term target Carvalho or not. Try the search function. (d) In taks with Marseille about a loan still. (e) I would need to check but his agent has always been quite vocal about his charge.}


1.) 26 Aug 2015 14:40:23
Thanks as ever, really hoping for cavani


 

 

11 Aug 2015 14:41:03
Eds been a very long time since we've heard anything from you regarding benzema, just used the search function, anything happened? Sorry if it's just because the situations the same. And anything regarding other players such as cavani?

Bergkamp5353

{Ed002's Note - Romagnoli is off. Interest in Benzema remains. I suspect the club will wait for Carvalho.}


1.) 12 Aug 2015 16:33:49
Thanks ed


 

 

04 Aug 2015 18:08:24
Hi eds sorry in advance but I'm hearing so much about benzema, I know you've covered the issue extensively, that I've lost track of what's happening with him. Could you shed some light on it one last time, and the Russian real winger, just paper talk? And finally what's the situation with gourcouff? Would really appreciate a reply.

Thanks

Bergkamp5353

{Ed002's Note - (a) There is nothing new. (b) Real Madrid have had a few approaches from clubs interested in taking winger Denis Cheryshev on loan or permanently this summer with Kuban Krasnodar and Real Sociedad both requesting a price. Previous interest from Everton went with David Moyes. Zenit and Metalist Kharkiv dropped whatever interest they had. As for Liverpool, I am certain there has been no bid at this time. Villareal and CSKA Moscow are showing an interest in the player. (c) I am sure Lyon would be happy to sell him and he would be pretty cheap I would think. Monaco and Montpellier remain interested.}


1.) 04 Aug 2015 19:19:01
Gourcuff is a free agent isn't he ed?

{Ed002's Note - He is now, sorry.}


2.) 04 Aug 2015 19:36:47
Was it a copy and paste job ed as you usually have to answer same question 500 times


3.) 05 Aug 2015 11:27:24
i think we need to stop bugging the eds on this benzema topic.

I really don't want them to stop posting on this forum and i'm aware they are not posting on some other forums.

so enjoy their info and keep it below the belt people. Please

it helps us all when we need some info.

im not pointing fingers i'm guilty of bugging the editors myself and would like them to stick around and not give our page a skip due to us being a bit over the top with some queries.

rather sign the eds than benzema to be fair ;)especially ed025 I hear wenger turned him down because he shakes hands with everyone for no reason or rhyme.


4.) 05 Aug 2015 12:33:22
Keeping it bellow the belt will get you banned won't it laker! 😬


5.) 05 Aug 2015 18:15:37
haha...epic fail level 9999 right there by me


 

 

 

Bergkamp5353's banter posts with other poster's replies to Bergkamp5353's banter posts

 

05 Aug 2019 19:12:20
Bid for RB Leipzig centre back Dayot Umpamecano reported by Bild today. I'd love it to happen, young, fast decent reader of the game with tonnes of potential. Any truth to the rumours Ed's?

Bergkamp5353

{Ed002's Note - As I have previously explained, Dayot Upamecano (CB) would be available for anyone offering somewhere close to the €100M termination clause. Arsenal certainly enquired and were told this.}


1.) 06 Aug 2019 10:15:29
A world record fee to beat yesterday's world record fee! Difficult to think it will happen but I've a feeling if it should then 5th place finish wouldn't be an acceptable option.
High stakes indeed.


 

 

22 Jun 2018 01:23:09
Does anyone follow the u23's properly? I'd love to know how Nelson, Nketiah and Willock are getting on. Any of them ready for more first team football next season? Would be much appreciated if someone could shed some light.

Bergkamp5353

1.) 22 Jun 2018 07:01:41
It will be interesting to see how Emery utilises young players. It is becoming increasingly difficult for young players to break into the first team of the top 6 PL clubs. Pressure on managers for quick success doesn't allow much, if any, leeway to blood promising young players. Ideally the 3 you mentioned would benefit from a season on loan in order to gain valuable playing time.


2.) 22 Jun 2018 07:21:47
United liverpool and Chelsea have a few that are playing premier league football although in Chelsea case not for them.
Too much money to soon doesn't help in my opinion as I think many lose their edge once they get a good contract, a 5 year deal on 20k a week sets them up for life financially and all at the age of 18 to 20 years old.
Arsene did have a tendency to overpay players who had never and did never make the grade.


3.) 22 Jun 2018 08:21:11
The 3 Arsenal players mentioned are all teenagers and last season didn't appear ready for PL football. Liverpool had two teenagers who played PL football last season. One played 1 match, the other played 19 games. Whilst I couldn't find a single Chelsea teenager that played PL football for them. As I stated loan deals are the way to go. Players are so well conditioned these days that teenagers rarely match the physicality now needed.

{Ed002's Note - Two 17 year olds appeared for Chelsea last seasnon, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ethan Ampadu. Two 18 years olds featured in the squads but did not play.}


4.) 22 Jun 2018 08:54:41
Thank you for mentioning the two Chelsea teenagers, that didn't appear on the site I had checked. They made 3 late substitute PL appearances between them, which confirms my thoughts that it is extremely difficult for a teenager to play regular PL football these days. Trent Alexander-Arnold seems to be the sole teenager that played a number of PL matches for a top 6 club last season and he will be 20 soon, not 18 like two of the Arsenal three mentioned. There may be one or two others that I have missed. There appears to be a difficulty these days, as players are technically ready at a young age, but not physically ready.

{Ed002's Note - Ampadu would have played more save for a broken leg and appeared regularly in up games. Chelsea won’t play teenagers unless they are ready - it is or about age it is about readiness.}


5.) 22 Jun 2018 08:56:54
It's hard for the young players and the club because you want to send the players away on loan, but then they want guaranteed first team football upon their return. A lot of the young players you see now are there because they have been relied on to do a big job! United with so many injuries had no choice but to bring in Rashford and he made a massive impact! Bellerin, we had no RB's due to injuries so he stepped up. Maitland-Niles is similar but with a little less game time and he's been played all over the place.
I would encourage sending them on loan but then in their head they want to move permanently because of the game time they get. I think the best option is to include a buy back clause which may offer piece of mind to the player if they decide to leave purely based on playing football.


6.) 22 Jun 2018 09:12:19
Dele Alli Marcus Rashford? If your good enough your old enough and it's all about being good enough.
Clubs won't favour or discriminate against youth only play on ability.


7.) 22 Jun 2018 09:43:25
It's much more financially lucrative to be an Arsenal squad player from the age of 18 to 22 who never plays a premier league game than it is to play 15 years of regular first team football in league 1 or 2 or most championship Scottish Dutch Belgian French clubs.
That's where the problem lays in my opinion, they work hard to get a contract then if the rest doesn't happen quickly they get distracted away from being 100% football focused and enjoy their wealth in other areas.
If players under 25 were capped on wages more would come through in my opinion.


8.) 22 Jun 2018 10:23:51
Alli and Rashford were relied on to do the job because of injuries that's why. If united and spurs had a fully fit squad at the time they wouldn't have played and made the impact that they did. I agree, younger player should be given time but it's when and where. I like Nelson and he's highly rated by other clubs which could see him leave if we don't incorporate him more often. However, when he has played in the FA cup, League Cup and Europa League he hasn't shone like Maitland- Niles, Alli, Rashford all did. Little Eddie Nketiah will be a good player as well! He's got a good eye for goal at youth level.

{Ed001's Note - who was injured to give Alli a place? That is simply an outright lie. He was bought for the first team with the full intention of being a starter, which is why he signed for them.}


9.) 22 Jun 2018 10:45:58
Although there is clearly a problem with young players earning huge sums so young, I am not a fan of wage caps.
There are many young players that, since the increase in academies and emphasis on producing players, have the ability to play at the top level. In fact it has been argued that are too many technically able players emerging from the academies, who then drift out of the professional game through lack of opportunity.
I see the problem these days as a reluctance by the top clubs to give youngsters a chance ahead of reliable, seasoned professionals. The demands on managers to bring quick success means there are few opportunities to play younger players.
Arsenal are a prime example, where we have some young players, such as Macey, Holding, Chambers and Mavropanos, who all have ability, but have players being signed ahead of them. There is talk that we have signed Sokratis and are looking for a second experienced CB. Whilst Macey has Leno, Cech, Ospina and Martinez ahead of him. I suppose only a handful of top notch youngsters will make the grade with the top 6 clubs. I believe some clubs, Brentford and Huddersfield have closed their academies as they are not cost effective and can pick up the cast offs from the big clubs, who are often quality players.


10.) 22 Jun 2018 11:16:11
The cast offs don't need to play after 5 years at Arsenal and many simply don't have the heart to start at the bottom and work thier way back up once released because they don't have the need.
In Brazil in 2014 they were saying young players work really hard to escape poverty but many seem to suddenly stop progressing as footballers once they have achieved financial security.
If your 21 released by Arsenal with 50 quid in your account £300 a week at Orient looks good but if your released with 500,000 + in your account do you really fancy all that training with all its restrictions on your social life for £300 and to play in font of a crowd of a few hundred?
It's human nature and most people let alone youngsters find it hard to go again after their dreams and the bubble has been burst unless they no other choice but to keep trying or get a real job in the real world.
People sometimes forget that players are still real people with all the fight or flight instincts we all have face at points throughout our life's.


11.) 22 Jun 2018 11:18:28
That's a nice way to put it Ed. I wouldn't say a lie but maybe more of a misjudgment. Actually I think you'll find he was brought by Spurs with the intention of him going back on loan to MK Dons which he did, and then made a number of substitute appearances before starting. However, I am right about the others. Misjudgment on Alli.

{Ed001's Note - no, Spurs only agreed to loan him back because it was the only way to get the deal done. They actually wanted to put him in the team there and then. Ok misjudgement we can call it.}


12.) 22 Jun 2018 12:32:57
Exeter were very poorly compensated for ampadu, considering he's already capable of playing in their first team.


13.) 22 Jun 2018 14:26:13
My local boys Eden. Was a shame to see him leave but it was always going to happen! Him and Ollie were fantastic for Exeter :)


14.) 22 Jun 2018 16:41:35
Where abouts are you from Glen? I'm from ottery.


15.) 22 Jun 2018 17:23:49
Newton abbot mate! So I say local but a 20 minute drive 👌🏻.


 

 

18 Jun 2018 15:01:15
Time to push a couple of buttons. Got to ask do people think it's necessary to have a tall bruising defensive midfielder anymore in the shape of Gilberto Silva or Nzonzi? Maybe I'm slaving to world cup hype but after watching the double pivot of Guardado and Herrera agaisnt Germany I'm starting to think a midfield pair of Torreira and AMN might be the way to go, even against the physical sides such as your Manchester United's/ Cardiff's next season. Opinions?

Bergkamp5353

1.) 18 Jun 2018 15:32:26
Xhaka and Torreira or Torreira and Ramsey will be fine. Even Xhaka, Torreira and Ramsey in a midfield 3 would be ideal too :)


2.) 18 Jun 2018 15:34:00
My favorite 'defensive' style player presently is Kante. Completely opposite to tall and bruising. So much energy and bite, reading the game well and moving the ball quickly. A double pivot of AMN and Toerreira could be great, and being honest, i'd find that more exciting than N'Zonzi.


3.) 18 Jun 2018 15:57:35
Trouble is 77 where do you find another Kante mate?
To play cmf you've got to have an engine be prepared to do as much to stop goals as well as create and score them and of course be able to tackle is a must. Sorry but the closest thing we have to ticking all those boxes currently is Elneny and most of us consider him a squad player.
We need energy and commitment as well as ability in the middle if we are ever going to be competitive again. I don't think physical size matters as much as the size of a players will to give everything to win, staring with not conceeding.


4.) 18 Jun 2018 16:22:40
Yes we need a tall strong midfielder to play with (if he comes) torreira. Our midfield last season with the players we played were flakey at defending. let's tighten the job up and allow the attackers do their job. AMN could be the answer next to him but until he has a few games we won't know that he is up to it. When we were away from home, players like xhaka, wilshire, elneny, ozil and ramsey were toothless and they are not going to magically improve that side of their game. We have too many flakey players and we need a bit of bite in the midfield to allow the flair players to get on with their job. Also a bit of size helps in both boxes.


5.) 18 Jun 2018 16:34:50
Kante his best game I feel is next to someone who holds aka a matic and he goes to hunt people down.


6.) 18 Jun 2018 17:00:06
He does indeed Derby mate, Kante brings everything to the table, he hunts destroys creates and even scores the odd goal too, I don't care what VAR says there is always two of Kante on the pitch in every game.


7.) 18 Jun 2018 17:12:03
Kante, quite rightly Derby plays usually next to a destroyer and is then allowed to go about his business.


8.) 19 Jun 2018 07:41:23
We have been crying out for a tall, athletic defensive midfield player since the trophy-winning days of Vieira, Petit and Gilberto.
Assuming Emery uses his 4-2-3-1 formation, the pairing of Torreira and Nzonzi would prove quite formidable and will finally give the back four the protection they require.


9.) 19 Jun 2018 16:38:36
Coq was our successful recent battering ram, nzonzi would be a bigger influence because of his size and ability, an upgrade.


10.) 19 Jun 2018 19:19:34
For me Nzonzi is very much like Fellaini, not so much as in style but the fact that on their day they can be unplayable and a real pain. But those days are far and few between. I think if Fellaini played In Spain he would also look better. Like kongogbia he looks good in Spain .


11.) 19 Jun 2018 20:39:51
Fellaini, has to be played right, in the right position and the right team, he is like a battering ram in the opposition box, where as nzonzi is a protection for the defence. Fellaini in his best position isn't required by us but nzonzi or his type is. They don't have to be fancy just effective.


 

 

11 Jun 2018 23:22:51
Hello again to everyone, also excited to see Iwobi post World Cup with a meticulous manager like emery guiding him. Got fantastic goal scoring production out of players like mata and silva (granted their incredibly gifted) for Valencia and I think Iwobi could develop into an excellent wide 10. He looked excellent against England for Nigeria and despite getting slated at certain points last season I believe he has real potential. Bold prediction but I think he could force mhikhitaryan out the starting 11 over the course of next season. Opinions?

Bergkamp5353

1.) 12 Jun 2018 05:30:09
Just a big WOW! .


2.) 12 Jun 2018 05:51:48
Sorry Bergkamp but have to say an even bigger WOW.


3.) 12 Jun 2018 07:46:45
There are players such as Iwobi and Xhaka that will no doubt improve under Emery. There are others such as Chambers, Jenkinson and Akpom, that are simply not good enough. Proof of the pudding is the fact that Iwobi and Xhaka are regularly selcted and play well for their international teams.


4.) 12 Jun 2018 08:17:14
Couldn't agree more RG. Iwobi is another interesting prospect to see grow under Emery. He's another play that has come of the gates flying and then be reeled in by Wenger and the typical Arsenal regime. " Don't shoot! " "Don't try anything other than pass and move! " is pretty much what they live by. It's funny how our stuffing against Burnley consisted of 2 goals from the edge of the box with Iwobi being one of the goalscorers. Kolasinac was the other and they were both brilliant finishes. We shouldn't write them off just yet with a new coach who will give them some freedom to show their individuality.


5.) 12 Jun 2018 08:28:44
Would Iwobi or Xhaka be in the England squad?
This is pure wishful thinking first some but not others, Chambers did very well when he fist arrived and had 7 or 8 good games but has struggled ever since while Xhaka and Iwobi have never had a run of good games.
Nothing wrong with hoping Emery might turn players who have struggled under Arsene around but these wild predictions of greatness are based purely on personal hopes and dreams rather than proven footballing ability.
We can't base our new start on Iwobi Xhaka coming good or Maitland Niles being the one who comes good from out youths, that's just fingers crossed wishful thinking and if we were going to do that we may have well stick by Arsene for another decade.


6.) 12 Jun 2018 08:53:17
Never once have I said rely on them coming good, all I'm saying is that we shouldn't be too hasty to send them all out the door when we have other players that have barely put on an Arsenal shirt, (because they truly aren't good enough) that are still at the club. Evidently they have footballing ability or they wouldn't be at Arsenal at all surely? Yes we need a winger but Iwobi is still young and has the time to develop with a new coach and a player to take note from. Like is aid, squad depth is key is getting rid of the potentials is bad idea 100%. let's say we get rid of Iwobi and bring in Gelson Martins. Okay that's good but then we still only have 1 winger? A typical Arsenal would play Aubameyang out there but why play players out of position? Why not have Martins and Iwobi as backup? You need rotation in the form of players who actually play in that position, simple.


7.) 12 Jun 2018 10:03:48
I'm happy if Dick wants to give them a chance and I've said that many time but it's the trying to use stats and international caps as grounds to make Iwobi and Xhaka look better than what everyone has seen from them that I find difficult.
Iwobi Xhaka Mustafi Chambers all get slatted almost every time they play by most Arsenal fans 99% of neutrals and 100% of pundits simply because of what people see from them almost every time they play.
I see nothing to suggest that Iwobi and Xhaka are more worthy than Chambers of a second chance because all have been extremely poor for us so far.
And the international argument is ridiculous because by that measure a player who gets into the Gibraltar or San Marino team is better than Wilshere or Theo because they can't get into the England team.
All I'm sayng is let's accept what we and everyone has seem with our own 2 eyes for the last couple of seasons from these players and hope there is better to come from them all under Dick but not try and pretend they haven't all been pretty poor so far because that just isn't real.


8.) 12 Jun 2018 11:28:58
They have been poor and I totally agree with you mate! However, what do you expect when they're played in either the wrong position or aren't coached to their strengths, whilst also working to improve their weaknesses? Xhaka has had it tough being relied on to play in a position that he isn't comfortable with but wants to play for Arsenal and do his best. Agree he hasn't been brilliant but I want to see him play in the right position with the right players around him :)


9.) 12 Jun 2018 12:58:28
I have to say in Iwobi's defense, Ok I haven't got much! However in Wengers last few games, because he played both Auby and Lacca together, i noticed that Iwobi was still played but in a seemingly more deeper role, in which i thought he showed more potential? He is not exactly small, fairly muscular, and can pass, so with a bit of coaching to put himself about a bit more, could he become more of a CM? I mean he can't be any worse in the CM role than Xhaka can he?


10.) 12 Jun 2018 13:28:14
This summer and next season will answer lots of questions we've all asked like was it Arsene or the players he signed that wasn't upto it? Was it the club or Arsene that wouldn't spend?
This is a fresh start for everyone from Ozil to Iwobi and I think we should back Dicks judgement and whoever he retains deserves another chance simply because everything is different now.
Obviously all new signings come in with the advantage of no past baggage in an Arsenal shirt while the likes of Iwobi Xhaka Mustafi Chambers are all going to have to work really hard just to get back to where they started with not just Arsenal fans but neutrals and pundits alike, if one of those 4 emerges as a good player for Arsenal I will very pleasantly surprised 2 would be unbelievably brilliant 3 would be pushing the realms of reasonable expectations while all 4 coming good would leave Arsene looking like a much much poorer coach than anyone had previously thought he was even his biggest critics.
Time will tell on all of course but we can't still be debating those 4 next summer too, it has to be next season or never for them all as it really is time for our players to shape up or ship out.


11.) 12 Jun 2018 13:36:28
I would agree with that Epping Iwobi wasn't awful by his own standards in those last couple of games but personally I put that down to the players being on the beach both ours and the Burnley and Huddersfield players.
September to April Iwobi and co all looked well out of their depth in the premier league against the best and worst teams in the league.


12.) 12 Jun 2018 14:27:35
Players and teams can look very different under different managers, played in different positions and using different tactics. Everton and Palace started last season dreadfully, but looked totally different under replacement managers. Alexis Sanchez looks a shadow of the player he was at Arsenal.
For a decade players at Arsenal have rarely improved and in many cases have actually gone backwards. Chambers arrived as a fine young RB and has been converted into an unbelievably average CB.
Iwobi and Xhaka have talent and under Emery they may well come good.


13.) 12 Jun 2018 15:49:34
Let's just not be talking about how good they could be in another 5 years time as we were Theo Ox Jack Gibbs Betner and Ramsey or we will get exactly the same outcome over 38 games per season.


14.) 12 Jun 2018 18:46:11
I don't think Iwobi will make it as long as he's got a hole in his jacksy but he is still young. he's got a modecum of ability, his problem is between the ears. He lacks a footballing brain.


15.) 12 Jun 2018 21:33:42
He can pick a pass at times Steve and maybe just maybe if he works hard in training listens to what he's taught he could prove us wrong yet, I wouldn't be wiling to bet on it myself but it's not impossible just highly unlikely he will become a player.


16.) 12 Jun 2018 21:48:49
Gunner he would be great at newcastle, Crystal palace, west brom etc but not at the top of the prem.


17.) 12 Jun 2018 22:36:07
I can’t even say wow as he is so bad it’s unbelievable.


 

 

11 Jun 2018 12:34:33
Opinions on Ainsley as a partner for Xhaka in the midfield? I think he's got excellent recovery pace and is neat and tidy on the ball; if we don't manage to sign Torreira I'd like to see him be given a chance.

Bergkamp5353

1.) 11 Jun 2018 12:46:20
Id replace xhaka with niles as a last resort, if we don't get a proper DM. Xhaka is part of the problem we let so many goals in.


2.) 11 Jun 2018 13:39:50
If they end up signing this Torreira lad from Sampdoria I think they’ll want Xhaka operating a little further up the pitch in Emery’s three man midfield. Not pardoning Xhaka completely from defensive responsibility but not having him be the last man in the midfield in front of the defence. Think he’s best suited for that role and It’d be worth giving him a shout there to see how he performs IMO.


3.) 11 Jun 2018 14:07:00
Maitland Niles wants to be box to box! He wants to attack and defend and has openly said so in various interviews since coming on the scene. Him and Lucas Torreira would be a brilliant pairing but obviously that leaves us with Ramsey, Wilshere, Xhaka and Elneny to find places for. We could play 3 in the middle, 1 defensive and 2 slightly more attacking midfielders. This would allow a pairing of Niles, Torreira and Xhaka, Niles, Torreira and Ramsey etc. I think this would work but in my opinion I like the idea of a no.10 role and having Ozil or Mkhitaryan in there where they play best. Thus leaving us with the front 4 attacking option with an attacking midfielder in behind tracking back to provide defensive cover. Whichever way we approach it we will be leaving players on the bench who think they should be playing but that is the key a successful squad. Depth of pure quality not making up the numbers with surplus or non experienced players. It's about time we had a solid bench to look to as well as a good starting 11. If the players want to play then work hard and show the boss you deserve it.


4.) 11 Jun 2018 14:29:37
There are some players that I am eager to see under the new regime and two are Maitland-Niles and Xhaka. Under the old regime Maitland-Niles was rarely played in his true position as a DM, whilst Xhaka was played too deep for my liking.
Torreira and Maitland-Niles would be an interesting DM pairing, but I would want to see more intensity and bite from Maitland-Niles. I would play Xhaka further forward, allow him to shoot and play with his natural aggression.


5.) 11 Jun 2018 14:34:39
Push comes to shove - Torreira and AMN in the midfield duo role for me.


6.) 11 Jun 2018 14:54:05
I hope not to start next season with Xhaka in our midfield simply because we have signed better players, then if Xhaka can displace those better players on merit I'm very happy see Xhaka in Arsenal shirt again but so far he has been awful for us so starting next season with him as first choice is a scary thought.


7.) 11 Jun 2018 14:59:30
AMN isn't a DM. He's your old fashioned box to box CM. Unfortunately, his wiki page says it all! Ainsley Maitland-Niles, currently plays as a winger, central midfielder or defender for Arsenal.


8.) 11 Jun 2018 15:27:50
The other interesting stat I think you'll find is that Xhaka made the most passes in the premier league last season. He also had one of the highest passing accuracy percentages of the season. Oh, and he also had one the highest success rates for long balls. He has some dismal performances granted but I want to see him play and coached properly. He could be brilliant for us.


9.) 11 Jun 2018 15:41:10
Glenn1308 - I fully agree with you. Unfortunately, the previous regime didn't suit him at all. Watch him play for Switzerland and he is a different player. Anyone that suggests he doesn't have the necessary attributes be a quality player is simply wrong. He has a great range of passing, can tackle when allowed to play his natural aggressive game and he has a great shot.


10.) 11 Jun 2018 15:44:22
On Xhaka I'd say let's see it first before we talk about him as brilliant, stats can be and often are quoted and ignored to suit the points we all want to make, 99% of football fans think Xhaka has been a mistake so far.
As for Niles maybe he will be maybe he won't be what we all hope for but if he's good enough he will force his way in above new signings and if he isn't we won't have wasted more years waiting as we have on so many other young Arsenal players who never quite got there for us.
The club is desperate for now players who lift us back into the mix asap as we've been living potential and promises for years without moving forward.
Our credibility needs upgrading before we become a wanna be club as Spurs were for decades.


11.) 11 Jun 2018 16:40:50
I just hope Emery isn't a xhaka fan, the guy is a massive fraud and he is someone i don't look forward to seeing in an arsenal shirt. Even further forward we have better players to fill that role. The problem is even if we sold him, i think we would have to take a big hit on him.


12.) 11 Jun 2018 18:29:57
It's strange how Xhaka gets so much understanding despite never having performed at high standard for us yet Belerin is public enemy no 1 despite 18 months of superb consistency when he first broke through that still has the likes of Barcelona and Juve asking about him, no such interest in Xhaka from Barcelona or Juve niether Burnley or Brighton come to think of it.


13.) 11 Jun 2018 19:16:26
Gunner, if i'm wrong, i'm sure citeh or Barcelona wll be coming in with a 100mil+ offer because his stats are so good at passing. Like i say i know nobody from an opposition fans perspective who rates him, in fact its far from it.


14.) 11 Jun 2018 19:55:52
No neutral fan I know would want him to join their team Steve like you I don't know anyone other than some Arsenal fans who rate him as even average, I'm not sure how it finished by May but at one point last season and very high percentage of our goals conceed came from Xhaka giving away possession, usually extremely cheaply.
If next season rest on Xhaka coming good and Maitland Niles bursting into the big time and becoming a premier league top player next season then i might need to lower my excitement levels, dramatically :-)


15.) 11 Jun 2018 20:17:42
The hate he gets is laughable it really is! How can anyone pin point him as being a failure when the entire squad has been a failure for the 2 seasons he’s been with us? Or the last 10 years for the matter. Xhaka covers an crazy amount of distance each game and makes the most passes in the league but because his discipline and tackling is a little weak he’s no go for us? How can any player improve on something if they aren’t even allowed to practice it in training? Yet he’s relied on to defend every game? With a new quality DM he can push slightly forward and not be relied to defend all the time and try and recover the build up play so surely he can only improve? Typical Arsenal fans moan when they sign someone and moan when they don’t. Ooo let’s get rid of Lacazette because he only scored 14 goals in his first season and we have Pierre now. Hang on, Firmino scores 15 and Lukaku scores 16. Give the guy a break Jesus. You’ll love him if he has a good season and if he doesn’t under a new coach then fine, offload him.


16.) 11 Jun 2018 20:27:46
I read that he and cech were 1 and 2 at being at fault for goals. Stats can be used anyway you want, its about results.


17.) 11 Jun 2018 20:40:54
I meant, directly at fault by mistakes that led to goals against.


18.) 11 Jun 2018 20:53:28
I think it’s plain to see the player possesses quality it’s just all about what the manager is employing him to do on the pitch. If it’s to shield the defense and break up the counter attack yeah that’s definitely not his strength but If you have another midfielder with some grit to his game playing slightly behind him carrying more of the defensive duties I think Xhaka’s positives will far outweigh his negatives. Give the man a chance to play the role he shines in for his country and I think even his harshest of critics will come around.


19.) 11 Jun 2018 21:09:11
hes got 13 goals and 14 asists in his entire career. 224 games 13 goals 14 assists! his tacklings atrotious he's a red card waiting to happen, but push him further up where he's so much better!


20.) 11 Jun 2018 21:12:58
I just personally and it is only my oponion, hope i never see the fraud in an arsenal shirt again. I don't see this "quality" at all. didn't rate him before we got him and i have seen nothing in two years to suggest he is good enough for us. Total waste of money. I just get fed up with too many of our players who are going to come good and they dont, why? Because they are not good enough. There is a reason we are slipping and the reason is quality and lack of.


21.) 11 Jun 2018 21:37:23
Can any of us really judge any player for last season. They have all been under coached never be critised for a poor performance or I expect even told what is going on.
The whole team has looked lost at times we've got to wait see what the setup is like and see what Emery can do with what we have and what comes in.
Its going to be a window unlike any we have had for years but that don't mean we can't have fun with all the speculation. but give it time guys.


22.) 11 Jun 2018 21:45:58
Statistics, especially goals and assists, are an idiotic way to determine the value of a midfielder. Xabi Alonso scored like 5 goals in 150 appearances for Real Madrid you think they were shouting for his head at the Bernabeau?


23.) 11 Jun 2018 22:19:43
Quoth, you aren't trying to compare xhaka to alonso are you, because there is no comparison. One is a quality footballer, the other is a fraud. I will let you work out which. Lol.


24.) 11 Jun 2018 22:44:07
Nope, not whatsoever. Just an example as to why whining about the lack of production from a goal/ assist standpoint is silly when judging a midfielders play.

And look, I completely understand why there’s a lot of skepticism around Xhaka. He’s been poor. I just think he was being frightfully misused and the player deserves a chance under the new regime in a new position.

I think it’s pretty indicative that Mislintat and, probably to a greater extent, Emery rate Xhaka seeing as A) they’ve been heavily linked to a true defensive midfielder and B) there have been no reports of Plans to move on from Xhaka this summer whatsoever. I see him in the middle of a three man midfield inbetween Torreira and Ozil or Ramsey.


 

 

 

Bergkamp5353's rumour replies

 

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29 Jul 2019 23:18:41
In fairness Ed they have signed Romero, Demiral and De Ligt this season. All of who I believe are under 23 and they’ve loaned out Romero. Perhaps it could be part of club policy to loan out their Cb’s of the future whilst the old guard are still around. Much like Real have with Ceballos.

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26 Aug 2015 14:40:23
Thanks as ever, really hoping for cavani

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12 Aug 2015 16:33:49
Thanks ed

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26 Jun 2015 00:21:38
Hummels isn't necesarily what we need, he captained a side in a worse league to Europa league football last season and is not the player we need next to mertesacker if hummels is signed he replaces meet not koscielny, at least in my eyes. Varane however could replace koscielny but I don't think we have a chance in hell of signing him.

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I have to respectfully disagree on that one, during the World Cup he was shown up by the better teams, aside from Colombia, mainly because Brazil kicked James to pieces. Hi passing was well bellow par. Viera was such a good defensive midfielder because he had great technical ability particularly passing range. I feel it would be a backwards step signing Gustavo as he is not champions league quality and will ne'er be.

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27 Jul 2019 14:27:06
He’s twice the player Zaha is and far more suited to our needs in my opinion. At times looks like a one man counter attack, much like Zaha, and considering our struggles in away games that’s no bad thing. The key difference is end product, Pepe has an excellent array of finishes in his locker from inside and outside the box and he’s a really decent provider. Expect all teams bar none to be scared of A-L-P next season in a 433.

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17 Jun 2018 18:42:40
Hirving lozano is welcome at the emirates any time, what a first half. Secondly if our midfield played like Herrera and Guardado every week I’d be a very happy man; so much intensity.

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02 Sep 2014 18:11:49
I reckon Liverpool have a few more
Sturridge
Sterling
Lambert
Henderson
Johnson
Lallana
Allen
Possibly Flanagan as well

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02 Sep 2014 00:28:25
dags that's an 8 year old's joke mate, I excpect corny jokes but come on

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02 Sep 2014 00:26:58
completely agree, I think that with welbeck we have a player who will press for 90 minutes as well as sanchez and if in the team the ox. I can see our attack becoming faster more fluid and most importantly less of us sitting on the 18 yard line creating nothing

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