Kai Havertz’s arrival is a good thing for Arteta’s project. However, it is terrible news for Emile Smith-Rowe and Fabio Vieira, who may have to raise their game to be relevant at the Emirates.
Heading into last season, Smith Rowe was an option for the left wing and the attacking midfield. However, injuries saw him fail to challenge Martinelli for a spot on the left wing, or even challenge for a spot in an attacking midfielder role.
With Trossard now an option on the left wing, Smith Rowe may have to contend for an attacking midfielder role. Had he had a great season last season, he would have easily been an option to replace the departing Xhaka, but unfortunately, Havertz is more likely to do so.
Smith Rowe may have to fight his way back to the team; his bright form in the EURO U21 tournament so far gives him all the leverage to try and do so, as he may have to prove a case why he ought to start.
As for Fabio Vieira, Martin Odegaard’s resurgence last season was his undoing. He failed to get enough chances to justify why, in his last months at FC Porto, he was labelled the Portugese “assist king”. Whenever Vieira played last season, he looked short of confidence and feeble.
Had he had a great start to life at the Emirates, he would have had a chance to feature more next season. He could sometimes play the No. 10 role. However, with Havertz arriving, other than Odegaard, Havertz will be his go-to playmaker.
Havertz’s experience would do Arsenal more good, and his versatility will undoubtedly take them to a new level, but where does that leave ESR and Vieira?
Daniel O
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ESR will get chances to deputy Oddegard and Kai. Viera should be loaned or sold.
“Havertz’s experience would do Arsenal more good, and his versatility will undoubtedly take them to a new level…”
Do you mean the Kai Havertz we signed from Chelsea or there is another I don’t know of? I’m confused
I’m neutral
But at least give him a chance to shine
Surely Vieira must be sent on loan to continue his development, Smith Rowe and the gaffer need to have a serious discussion, he has to handle better this time around or loan to Aston Villa.
I expect the young Englishman to be unleashed in the league as we return with blood in our eye for the next campaign.
Playing in a big team has its attractions but I also has its. One of those challenges is competition for playing time. So players should pay ready to complete.
There will be a lot of games to play too coming season. Players will have playing opportunities aplenty. It’s left to them to make good use of them.
I see this season as a defining one for the club and for many of our players
ESR, will have to get used to the bench, just like last season when he should have been used more at the end. If i was him, i would be offski. He wont get better as a bench warmer or bit part player.
Vierra hasn’t got a future.
In my opinion ESR is as good , if not better than Havertz and I’ve got a feeling he’s going to have a phenomenal season for us this season. Arteta knew he needed to get his injury situation fully sorted last season and now he has, he will definitely get chances 💯🔥🔥
Esr is a good player when he is fit. infact he have to start ahead of kaihavartz,unless otherwise. Fabio, pretty good but he look like he haven’t settled in arsenal. need more time but else where on loan
ESR does his best work through the middle, and is great competition for Odegaard.
Vieira, well, has been poor everywhere. Downright abysmal and embarrassing as a CM, too small, too frail, and his play is weak and timid; defending is nonexistent and set on 0.
On the wing he hasn’t shown he can take on and beat defenders either.
Hopeful loan him this year to increase his value then sell sell sell.
Rather see Marquinhos on the wing, who showed more and looked more dangerous than our 15 year old “assist king.”
Another 2 years won’t matter because some players just aren’t built physically and mentally for the PL.
Pepe, Mustafi, Sokratis, Vieira, the list goes on. Game time and opportunities better spent on other players.
Nelson everyday before Vieira on the wing. ESR miles better as a 10, Zinchenko as CM and Tierney as LB before Vieira as CM.
It Means we will rotate them in the many games of the season; 2x cups, 2x leagues.
Plus same players will frequently go on international duties, Fatigue and risk of injuries are other factors.
If Havertz is here to replace Xhaka, as is rumoured, then it has no effect on ESR at all. I’m not sure Vieira has a real future at the club.
I have watched ESR closely over the last few years, and his best position, as far as I am concerned, is on the left wing.
Many of the goals he scored, during his purple patch, were from the left side of the penalty area.
His problems started when Tavares played. Tavares would run up the pitch with the ball instead of passing to ESR. If/when ESR finally got the ball he had no space.
ESR got injured and Martinelli came in, this coincided with Tavares being benched.
The ball was played out to the left wing again and Nelli played really well. ESR never got his place back.
Forget Havertz, Trossard is the one ahead of ESR.
Despite Arteta’s attempts to play him in the middle as a back-up to Odegaard, he did not excel there.
This why I think ESR will struggle again this season, and I think for his own career he needs to go out on loan, or just leave!!!
I hope I am wrong, but this is my analysis of the situation.
It only means more depth, more competition and more variety. His signing can only be good for the club
I find the faulty premise in this piece to be wrong headed and unrealistic.
If ESR and Viera think it “terrible news” that we have increased our squad depth( which they plainly WONT think) then by the same “fautly logic”, ANY player who is not a regular starter in the starting eleven would also think it” terrible news” that we have MORE than eleven players in our squad.
Not sound thinking at all then, DANIEL O
If Viera doesn’t put in the effort in the gym, then he should be sold straight away. I’d give him one more season to either get his sh1t n order or move. I just have a feeling Fabio is that type of male friend who absolutely hates working out and will always find an excuse not to join the rest in early morning runs and gym sessions.
I wish congratulate Edu and Arteta for the positive and progressive steps being taken in this Summer Transfer exercise.
(1) We need a very strong reserve bench if we must go places next season. We missed the Premiership Cup last season due to our weak reserve bench. Our defence that started well at the beginning collapsed with the injury of William Saliba and we started conceeding avoidable goals. That led to our loss of the top position to ManCity. Last season, ManCity had a very strong reserve bench. In fact their reserve bench was as strong as the first eleven. Arsenal should be like that. We should have at least two strong players for each position and we should do that to prepare for INJURIES. The injuries of some of our regulars last season without equally strong replacements was responsible for our loss of the title.
(2) Need for improved pace and accurate passes. We need to develop our playing pattern by improving our pace. Our defence – midfield were rather slow and sluggish towards the second half of last season. Then they were playing as if they did not know what to do with the ball. Vieira annoyed me most on this.
(3) Shots at goal need improvement. Our players need to make efforts to hit the ball strong and hard at goal whenever they have the opportunity. Our playing pattern upfront should be more aggressive with terrific shots at goal. They should reduce their passing in the vital area but should try to shoot hard not backpassing to the opponent’s goalkeeper. High possession without shots at goal is useless.
(4) Retain some players. Players like Eddie Nketia and ESR should be retained and given more plsying time while I will suggest that Vieira should be sent on loan or sold off. He is too slow for my liking. If I have my way, I will say we should keep Partey and Granit Zhaka. Together with Odeggard they held our midfield last season and even scored vital goals.
I wish us the best next season. Shalom.