Gooners of a certain age will know the company line Mr Wenger used to quote at the end of every transfer window.
The recruitment policy at Arsenal apparently was to only target players who could make the squad dramatically better. So, when we got to deadline day and the club had been unsuccessful in landing the big name on their shortlist, a fanbase was meant to be comforted by the notion that they had tried.
Between now and Tuesday, the Gunners and Atletico Madrid might try to call Julian Alvarez’s bluff to see if the 26-year-old really is willing to stay in the Spanish capital and wait for his employers to have a change of heart regarding negotiating with Barcelona.
Yet there is every chance that Mikel Arteta is telling us next week that the Champions only want an individual who can make them better, that such a player is hard to find in the market, and that he is happy with what he’s been left with.
Andrea Berta needs more than one plan
Andrea Berta might have enough credit in the bank. While he will never publicly confirm or deny it, maybe he did have a lucrative contract ready for Vinicius Jr., and maybe he’s ready to pounce if Alvarez is convinced to move back to England.
Yet wanting something isn’t the same as getting something, and our director of football is paid a lot of money to give our manager the best resources to work with.
The Italian has had months to identify names who could have improved our attack, and if he’s being judged as ruthlessly as players are, you have to say that saying you tried really wouldn’t be good enough.
In a sport where everyone talks to each other off record, the 54-year-old at the very least needs an alternative shortlist – a list of those who can replace Martinelli if your idealistic choice isn’t available.
Chelsea signed Rodgers, Liverpool are about to buy Barcola, Nico Williams has a release clause, Rashford is available, etc.
So, while there is empathy that it’s hard to finalise deals for world-class talent, not having a Plan B wouldn’t be acceptable.
Arsenal should improve from a position of strength
When you lift the Premiership, that’s a position of strength you’re meant to improve from. Others in our position would. They wouldn’t consider reducing their offensive weapons without a replacement lined up.
Even from a business point of view, for what we pay for merchandise and tickets, don’t we deserve to see the team we love strive to improve?
If our attack this time next week is weaker than last season, then that’s not okay.
The next few days will tell us a lot.
Are we scared to take that next step?
What do you think, Gooners? Would it be unacceptable for Arsenal to finish the transfer window with a weaker attack than last season, or should we trust Arteta and Berta if their preferred targets simply aren’t available? Let us know in the comments.
Dan Smith
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Apart from replacing Martinelli we are not any weaker.
that’s a weird way of saying the attack is weaker
Tzolis? Guimaraes?
Guimaraes is a midfielder and a brilliant signing but won’t play in the attacking positions
the options for the left side currently are
Tzolis , Eze and Maduake
that’s weaker then Trossard , Martinelli, Eze and Maduake
We knew for months we need to be better in attack
We didn’t know we’d have to replace Saliba with Konsa. I don’t think as a team overall we’re any weaker with Merino, Calafiori and Timber back, Dowman getting more minutes. We should recognize how much the lack of egos/salary inequities contributes to what we’ve already achieved. Getting Vini jr or Alvarez is not worth disrupting that.
Tzolis as played one good game against a side that will probably go straight back down ,even had fans saying he’s our new Sanchez ,after one bloody competitive game .
I expect one major signing on that left and then Tzolis as a bit part to play this season .
Should have gone all out for Barcola
That’s true, and it seems AFC have money but why waiting until other clubs snap our targets. The window was long but we were linked. Now the door will close on Tuesday without a left upgrade. Winter is always not easy to find the right players. Let’s learn from our mistakes.
Been saying since before the window opened that Barcola was the one. A bit pissed that he’s gone to Liverpool, if I’m honest. He’ll probably underperform there now with the shitshow going on over there and end up at Galatasaray in a couple of years.
That’s literally why we’re weaker. For all the positive work Arsenal have done in the squad they have for years now failed to significantly improve the front line. Even last summer when attack was supposed to be the priority we bought the questionable Madueke (losing minutes for Nwaneri and Dowman long-term), Gyokeres (who despite a great goal record didn’t suit our tactics, and Eze as a LW option despite mainly being a 10. Our striker Havertz is a natural 10, not a 9, and was bought for CM, just like Merino. Tzolis looks a good Trossard replacement but its early days.
This year we have repeatedly failed to get the right big signings when needed, often strengthening opposition (Guehi, Semenyo, Rodgers, Vini, Yildiz, et al). We’ve missed some great market opportunities. We’ve spent £75m on a great CM who is arguably at the end of his peak when it could be argued Bouaddi, Anderson, Scott would’ve been wiser purchases. Konsa at 29 has no resale value and doesn’t make the squad when everyones fit. We needed to replace the honestly poor Kepa but he’s still here, and although preseason was promising Meslier was deemed surplus by Leeds of all teams.
2026 has been a very poor year of business for Arsenal. We won the league and should’ve used the window to put further distance between the chasing pack but we’ve allowed them to catch up and build for the future. I’d also state that we’ve been failing/poor at attacking recruitments and tactics for a while now. Arteta needs a high profile attacking coach to come in and make a difference tactically, and point out the correct players to bring in. It’s the one thing holding us back. Would love to see a role developed for Bergkamp on the staff side of things.
All your words are true.Especially I ‘d like tó highlight that Arteta needs help from an attacking coach,as maybe with the exception of Merino,all attacking players went backwards under Arteta.Defense and midfield is solid,so most important to improve attack.
The correct things are that Arsenal should have brought in a replacement or retained Martinelli. Much of the rest is agenda based rhetoric and/or a lack of consideration of context.
Richarlison told Spuds that he wants to leave and Elanga celebrated his goal against Spuds yesterday with Henry’s iconic style
I think we’ll end up with one of them before the transfer window closes
Please god no
Elanga, I would love him here, but Richarlison 🤮
Romano said Richarlison is still thinking about returning to Everton, since he’s got three offers
Perhaps Arsenal is one of his three suitors??
You guys I don’t see anything you people see in Berta…this gentleman is over hyped and overated and for me he’s one of the worst sporting directors we have ever had…
Let me start from last season that got all of us praising him, he signed madueke for 52m, gyokeres for 65m, Eze for 68m, hacapie for 40m(made permanent this season),mosquera for 15m kepa for 5m and norgard for 10m…this is over 250m spent…now let’s be honest how many of the 8 players improved our squad? how many of the 8 even have the future in arsenal…
1. Madueke. one of the worst signings arsenal has ever made in this modern era, brainless no single hope of improving, arsenal will struggle to offload him and we are going to make a very big lose from the 52m we paid Chelsea, 5% to 10% influence on the team improvement…
2. Gyokeres. I was personally very excited with his signing, I even prayed so hard for havertz to get a long term injury at the start of last season for this gentleman to get enough playing time and funny enough my prayer was heard…the gentleman almost gave mancity a premier League trophy, we were only luck city was not at their best last season, we would have gone trophyless again, he fired blank in 90% of our games last season, he had no shot on target on 60% of our games last season etc etc…his statistics last season are not good, I dont care whether he scored 21 goals…in the 21 goals some were penalties, others were squad goals( goals scored after the opponent has surrended)…out of the 21 goals I don’t know how many of them were winning goals…I brought all this to show you that out 💯% he had 30% to 40% influence on the team improvement…
3. Eze. Out of the 7 Eze looked more talented and the one to take arsenal to the next level but Eze disappointed in most of the games last season, he went missing in most of the games, he had 5 good games the whole season, the two spurs games and another 3…that explains why he has failed to put odegard off the starting 11…40% influence on the squad improvement
4. Kepa. I thought we had got the bargain of the summer, but he showed us his greatest weakness when we needed him most…his horror show in wembly cost us the carabao cup…15% influence on the squad improvement…
5. Norgard. Brought in as a replacement of jorginho but never showed us why he was bought, bought at 10m, sold at 7m, lose of 3m in 12months excluding wages…10% influence on the squad improvement…
6. Mosquera. Out of the 7 he’s the second best in terms of performance availability and consistency… bought for only 15m arsenal can sell him for above 50m if arsenal were to move him…60% influence on the squad improvement…
7. Hacapie. Hacapie was the best out of the 7…he massively added something in our squad and defence…80% influence on the squad improvement
General overview out of the 7 players Berta signed last season their influence on squad improvement was just 45%, I know many of you will argue that these players made us lift the premier League trophy after 22years of trying…I honest view is we lifted the English premier League not because we were good enough or not because we had signed 7 players who had improved our squad but because mancity our direct competitor and other teams were not at their best…our performances in the two seasons before last season were much better than last season so Berta get a 40%…
Remmy,
Sadly I stopped reading you’re post at, I prayed so hard for Havertz to get a long term injury.
I think that says a lot about you.
Derek, yeah, it was a bit sick, and he forgot to rate Zubimendi.
Derek,
I only wanted enough playing time for gyokeres but ended up being my disappointments of last season… surprisingly havertz has proved to be better…
Jax,
I forgot to rate Zubmendi, started the season well but ended up fading towards the end but nevertheless he was the 3rd best from the 8…he had 50% of influence on the team performance…
Remmy,
I haven’t got a problem regards you wanting Gyokeres getting more game time than Havertz that’s you’re opinion and that’s fine.
But to wish a long term injury on any player in this case Havertz, was in bad taste. You really shouldn’t wish an injury on any player surely.
would be a sackable offense
Elanga has a high ceiling in my book.
What would appease you Dan, and allow you to put Berta back on the Christmas card list?
Would Fofana appease you. Obviously to play behind Tzolis in the pecking order – but Fofana does have a high ceiling up in world class levels.
In my opinion, although your panic leaden articles say “the attack” can’t be left weaker, the incoming player needs to be a natural left forward.
I am happy for the Martinelli replacement in the squad is someone like Fofana, not world class yet, but with a very high ceiling.
We have so many great attackers here, and quality to the depth of our forward line, I think you are over egging just how bad this “left weaker” actually leaves Arsenal in quality of first choice starters, and depth of quality of their rotation and back up options, compared to all of our rivals.
Martinelli out, Fofana in – I am sure the bookies won’t change the odds on us winning big.
If that doesn’t make sense at all, I think it will be someone similar to Fofana, pace, dribble, coming in to replace Martinelli, back up to Tzolis, if not Fofana himself.
The attack, as you call it, is not just the 3 or 4 first choice players, surely you have to include the rotation options, squad back up options, that give you different options in how you want to play different games, attack the low block in different ways, such as with real pace from the bench to attack the low blocks tiring legs.
You are saying you don’t understand me, but “the attack” is options. It’s not just the starters. It’s how you switch up from the bench to attack the same match in different ways. It’s so many players and options being the teams attack.
That’s where we are being assessed is still much stronger than rivals, our attack not going backward and allowing rivals to get closer much at all.
we have essentially traded Trossard , Martinelli and Jesus for Tzolis so logically that can’t be an improvement
Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs all improved attacks
Okay. I now spot what’s wrong here. You are taking the line of a Fleet Street hack – which you might be – all black and white, pure logic, no subtly or nuance.
What about people you signed previously, brought through academy – and who step up from squad to play their greater part? Nanweri, KeyDac, Dowman? Eze. Noni. Gyokeres.
It’s a mistake to look at players standing still performing as only have last year, not progressed. In all sports first team runs greater responsibility transforms players.
Yeah we had Dowman, Eze , Noni and Gyokres last season as well as Nwaneri in first half of season
So if you had all of them this time last year and now take away Trossard , Jesus and Martinelli and add one player logically that is weaker
🤦♀️
But no. Because they are not those players.
We are talking about the same ones, but they become different.
You don’t just improve only through the market place, you improve your players year in year, till they get old like VVD isn’t the player he was two years ago, even though you see VVD on team sheet and think of VVD. On the other side, Andersson was not playing for England and worth £100M+ two years ago.
Also “ Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs all improved attacks”
As It Stands, that line is doing heavy lifting in your argument. Gapko {who’s on fire} and Salah out, Barcola in, isn’t that perfect example of lack of squad depth that torpedoed Liverpool last year?
Chelsea leaning heavily on Palmer like City lean on Haarland, what’s the back up plan?
And Spurs attack still contains Tel!
In the likely event of Martinelli leaving and not being replaced with at least an equal (11 goals, 7 assists in all competitions), we will be somewhat weaker.
We do have players who can play LW, but none that would elevate the squad.
I’m not blaming Berta, who’s done well with the signings so far, and has tried to bring in forwards, but now needs to work some magic.
Now I would’ve been so furious with the club for the way they handle signing when it comes to getting top attackers but we are the champion so I want to trust they know what they are doing coz they’ve earned it.
But they have to bring in a top Lwinger, our LW has been weak since last season and its even weaker now
Can you people name these left-wingers we should be signing to strengthen us? Because there arent many.
Tried Vini, got burned.
Rodgers, got outbid quite a lot.
Barcola, same as Rodgers.
Kvicha, not available.
Yildiz, got injured for months.
Alvarez, does not want PL.
Gordon, LOL and went to Barca.
Then there is Raphinha, Doku and Luis Diaz but no need to comment on them.
These are the worlds most valuable left wingers in the world so please pick one which was Bertas fault not signing.
One of those players u mentioned would do and stop finding lame excuse for the club because other clubs get their deal done anyway.
Why are we getting outbid and outmuscled, we are the champion . I can’t believe chelsea got rogers and l’pool got barcola and we got what? No disrespect to tzolis but we need to do much better.
I don’t care if we are alvarez’s 10th choice, the club should just fucking get him
We could have bought any of them that were available ,800 million to spend (so I was told ).
And let’s not bring up wages when we have players here doing nothing for millions .
Jesus 250k
Nelson 100k
Madeuke 150k
List goes on …
Artetas new wage after he signs probably 400k ,his doesn’t actually come into line with the squads numbers ,which is strange .
So we can definitely afford to go big .
but we are not being paid to name those left attackers
and if he can’t, don’t sell Martinelli
Do we actually need a world class attacker joining us in order to retain the title, and have another serious dig at the ECL?
Do we?
I think we have enough depth and quality in our attack not to have to buy a world class player, but take on a project with a high ceiling.
Dan another good article, and I have to agree regards keep strengthening from a position of strength.
All the teams that have dominated in the past have always added to their success the previous season.
You must stand still, you’re perceived main rivals are all strengthening, so Arsenal cannot afford to sit on their laurels.
Berta deserved the credit he got in his first season, but like you I think he needs a plan B and C if he can’t get his or the clubs preferred choice.
If Martinelli is sold and we don’t replace, that left side is going to rely far to heavily on Tzolis staying fit all season. We don’t want another Saka situation on our hands regards being overplayed, which as we all saw eventually caught up with him.
You mustn’t stand still, OOPS! there I go again spelling a word wrong. What am I like. 🤦♂️😂
Oh my days I’m having a nightmare. So Arsenal cannot afford to rest on their laurels.
That’s it, I’m enrolling for spelling class tomorrow.🤦♂️😂
Should have done it ages ago Derek😂
Don’t be cruel, SueP🤣.
Jax and SueP,
I tried to enroll to spelling class but they wouldn’t take me. When I asked why, they said I spelt my name wrong. 😂🤣👍
😂😂😂
Even with the status quo the situation is not that perplexing. Gyokeres and Havertz as no.9 in emergency Merino also.
In wings adaptability and versatility of players cover the gaps. For this there are Madueke Eze Dowman admitting Nwaneri Martinelli Vieira Jesus may leave.
Still if one more attacker is added okay if not it wasn’t a bad window.
In Arteta the backline is the most important as the window has bolstered it further
The new season rules don’t include scrapping the January window. If there exists glaring gaps, players can be brought in that period. Stability wins Arsenal titles
I do not think the attack is weaker, its different. Martinelli hardly played in the league last season. We have Tzolis in place of Trossard, no idea yet as to how that will pan out. We have Saka back to full fitness, Nwaneri and Dowman a year older. Haverz fit again and everyone else the same. We have plenty of choice.
I am not predicting an Arsenal frenzy BUT there are many bubbling transfers from other clubs that if go through, a domino effect will start. Arsenal need to sell players to buy certain players. To bring in a foreign player, we have to sell a foreign player etc. I think the last day of the window, will not only be busy but big money busy. We are finding it hard to shift the players we want out and it all may start late. It isn’t finished yet. I also think on the LW. If Martinelli goes, I would like to see a player that has massive potential and is around 20 years old. That we do not waste fortunes on.
Reggie, I remember Danny Welbeck coming in very late on final transfer day, and many of our fans saying WTF, but he turned out to be not so bad.
Jax,
I wouldn’t mind Welbeck still being with us now. He’s still knows where the goal is, and I think that Chelsea did a good bit if business when signing him.
Oh and Merino fit again. 3 or four of them were out a lot last season.
played 30 games in the Prem last season
Mostly off the bench second half of season. The fact he only got 1 goal speaks volumes as to his in put.
but that’s different to saying he hardly played
If we don’t sell Jesus then he will effectively replace Martinelli who only scored one goal last season ( albeit a worldy against Man City) so I don’t think we are weaker at all as Tzolis better than Trossard
For.both wings we have
RW…Saka Dowman Madueke
LW. Tzoliz Eze Jesus
For CF we have
Havertz
Gyokeres
Merino
Midfield and defence we are overloaded so no. Isues there
My only concern would be in goal as I don’t think either Kepa or Mellier are anywhere near Raya level
Neil, Martinelli was our joint second-highest scorer with Saka, on eleven goals plus seven assists in all events last season.
Why are you people obsessed with Martinelli’ s 1 goal in the PL?He was our highest scorer in the CL ,addig important assists too.He scored a few in the FA Cup too.We are in 4 competitions.Madueke and Eze are not LWingers.Eze would be also a waste there as he is our most creative attacking midfielder with an eye for a goal.If Saka is injured again ,then you still put Madueke left?Yes,if we sell Martinelli and bring noone instead ,we will be weaker,as Trossard, Martinelli, Gyökeres were our Best scorer a last season.Also its hard to find a better LW than Martinelli.Should have gone for Barcola .Alvarez is pointless,waste of money , especially if you sell Gyökeres the other Way.Unless they want to Alvarez on the left,which is unlikely.Bruno Guimaraes was an unneccesary signing as well ,the midfield is good as it is.Ah ,and you know who really scored 1 goal in all comps last season?Arteta’s darling Odegaard!!
Neither Eze nor Jesus are left wingers…
Merino is not a striker
I can’t believe that Spurs have “reached an agreement in principle” to sign Ndiaye from Everton.
Jax,
I’m getting nervous, I hear Richarlson has asked for a move. Arsenal wouldn’t would they?. 🤦♂️🤔
Jax,
Actually, Richarlson could be going to Everton. Here’s hoping. 🤞😂
Derek, yeah, he had his best days there, and I think it’s part of the proposed Ndiaya deal.
Then still talking about Berta, I wanted to comment on how he has handled this transfer window…
This has been our worst transfer window of the modern era, am saying this because we are the current champions and we have resources available unlike the past times when we weren’t champions and we had limited resources, my simple question is why has Berta failed to make a statement signing this summer yet we are the champions of England and we have resources readily available, Chelsea a team not even in Europe beat us to the signing of Rogers our main target this summer, Liverpool currently behind us in performance has beaten us and signed Barcola who was also our target most part of this summer, Vinicius junior one of the statement signings that would massively improve us turned us down and signed a new contract, the most Annoying one is Alvarez whom we have spent the whole summer chasing yet we clearly know he doesn’t want us he only wants Barcelona but Arteta and Berta have spent all their time to convince him to come to us and according to David Ostein…this has 99.9% chance of not happening…4 top targets non signed but we have the impetus to sell a player like trossard then Martinili without replacement and very contented to have players like madueke as a replacement…this is idiocy of the highest order…
Trossard is sold at 17m because of his age 31years, Gabriel Jesus is being sold at 20m because he’s 28, we buy Gumereas 28year old making 29 in November @75m, we buy konsa also 28years at 51m, we are being offered less than 10m for ben white the same age bracket player…Berta spends the whole summer following up on one player who at the end fails to join yet they’re very many other players at a moderate rate up for grabs, we chased Rogers for 2-3 months Chelsea took 48hours to seal up the deal…a lot a lot a lot etc etc etc…berta leave my club
I agree with you on Berta – he really is a poor excuse for a sporting director.
But I always remember David Dein who brought us Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell and Robert Pires to name but a few..
Berta is no David Dein…
2026 isn’t the 90s either. The competition is stronger and the economic power of the PL teams are totally different today.
I have very much respect for David Dein, he was involved in five league titles between 1989 – 2004, and is a key figure in our modern club history 🫶
Leon,
Now although I’ve not gone in on Berta like you have. I must admit he certainly is no David Dein as you so rightly say.
It was a very sad day when Mr Dein left Arsenal.
With just a couple of days left of this window it is imperative that we do no let Martinelli leave the club.
We have simply wasted far too much time on targets like Alvarez or Vinicius Jr who we neither interested in joining or simply using us to negotiate a better deal with their current club.
I suspect that is it now for signings…
I would rate last seasons singings:
Hincapie – 9/10 just slotted perfectly into the team from the first moment. Provides excellent cover for Gabriel and Calafiori.
Zubimendi – 8.5/10 criticised by some but I thought he was fantastic. Lost steam towards the end which is understandable because he played 60+ games
Mosquera – 8/10 a talented young defender who had a great debut v Man City when Saliba was injured in the first few minutes.
Gyokeres – 6.5/10 – found his football boots in the second half of the season. Provides some different when chasing the game.
Madueke – 6/10 – has great pace for running at defenders. Impressive against Bayern Munich. Does not have a Saka type football brain..
Eze – 5/10 – came alive in the two london derbies but has been largely underwhelming
Kepa – 4/10 – cost us the carabou cup. Too mistake prone.
Norgaard – 2/10 – a puzzling signing that never made any impact.
I quite like your assessment.
Mosqy’s debuted was against Liverpool wasn’t it. Sali injured in warm up assured boss he could start.
The thing with Eze is where does he play to bring out the amazing talents he does have. Strangely enough, MA had a go a few days ago. He said centre mid att mid and left forward. I think the management are missing something. I would say false 9 and support striker. My assessment of Eze’s talent is his strength is fearless personality type. The further forward we play him, the more his dribble and pass bravery will have an impact.
Quite a few negative comments here. Havertz and Merino were out most of last season, assuming they and Gyökeres all stay fit, the attack will be stronger. Both Gyokeres and Eze will be better integrated into the team. In addition Saka, Rice, Gabriel, Zubimendi, Timber, Madueke, Calafiori etc can all score. I’m hopeful and if we drop points I will still stay hopeful.
Last season Harvertz wasn’t available or in his best form, so I don’t agree with the narrative that we got a weaker attack this season.
When that being said I agree that we could need a world-class striker. We have bought a few young offensive players and one of them could be our third option.
In my view, Arsenal’s attack is perhaps our team’s weakest area, but it has interesting potential.
of course it is
you literally have less options then last season
you essentially have swapped Trossard, Martinelli and Jesus with one player from the Belgian League
You seems to ignore that we have players back from injuries. The window isn’t closed yet and we’ll see what happens later today or tomorrow.
that’s why the article says if
but as things stand logically it’s weaker as you have less options
Wow, Jesus and Viera look like leaving for 8mil euros ish. Pheew what a poor return from both.
Sorry pounds.
The fact that they’re going means that Berta has been at his desk after all
Sky sports are quoting £72m coming in from all 3. Vieira was a bad buy. I wouldn’t have said that about Jesus. He joined at a difficult time with Zinchenko and has been crocked for large periods. That couldn’t have been foreseen
Jesus with the add ons is £12.5m and Vieira with add ons is £10m. Add that to the £56m for Martinelli, just under £80m.
Sky didn’t quote any add ons but even if there is, add ons are not part of any sale until they are triggered. And many are quoting the euro amount and not pounds, which is very different. Whatever Jesus and Viera were bad buys/sales. But they have gone.
I wouldn’t say Jesus was a bad buy, as he helped us move up the league, but his injuries, wages and only having 1 year left on his contract didn’t help us in receiving a bigger fee.
He was bought as a striker, he never was, didn’t play a full season, was very inconsistent and could never (in my book) say he was a good buy. We should not be losing money on our strikers like we do.
I think there’s two things behind the low prices. Jesus injury history, and Prem to Prem prices are inflated.
The contrast between prem money to splash on transfers v the rest of the world is huge. But then it’s TV money due to demand to see the Premiership, demand titillated by the quality of players here, that just leads to more tv money to splash about.
think the priority peeps is reducing the wage bill
I think the priority is moving players we do not want. Thats obvious by the fees we got, we wanted more. It frees up space for incomings as well.
hope so but if no one comes in that won’t be the case
But it leaves room even in future to sign without selling.
wouldn’t help us this season.
?
The window hasn’t shut yet.
The problems I have with this “we need to strengthen” “we are in fact getting weaker” which I am happy to call out as nonsense, are two fold.
Firstly, is that an honest and realistic assessment of us compared to our rivals? The bookies fancy us, and if anything the outs and the ins of Bruno, Konsa and Tzolis tightened our odds not weakened them.
How do fans panic we are weaker – when the work the clubs doing in the market is tightening bookmaker odds for success? This panic and moaning is bonkers. It’s fake.
Take Man City as example. Haarlands Achilles injury reported tomorrow with the good – sorry I mean really really bad news he is unlikely to feature this side of Christmas. What quality back up does Man City currently have, so they can maintain their challenge?
If you are a panicking fan in Arsenals situation, panicking about what we must do in the last rays of the summer window, what would you be like in that other situation? Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd, they have like zero squad depth.
Which brings me on neatly to my second point. Think of that Haarland Achilles scenario.
We drew away at Sunderland last season. Very disappointing – lots of wailing from us fans, rolling on the floor like Gollum crying “it hurts us, it hurts us.” We had Gyokeres, Havertz, Jesus all out injured, using 4th choice 9 Merino, and he was nearly hospitalised after a violent physical assault in the opening minutes.
We drew at Chelsea. Yet again so utterly painful. But a useful point? We had neither Gabriel or Saliba on the pitch.
Awarding points for winning title and making cup finals, it was is of the best seasons in the clubs history. Yet we achieved all that with a lot of first choice and quality back up out for key bits of season.
The bookies have priced us based on our quality strength in depth, as proved last season, in comparison with our rivals today.
Just relax.
I know the window hasn’t shut yet
the article says cannot not will be weaker
if Arsenal bring in a replacement happy days
if they don’t yes it’s weaker and I think that would be a gamble
and I’m saying the attack would be weaker not the team
yes , every chance we can retain title thanks to our defense again but in terms of failing to improve our attack that could be a costly gamble
I think it’s lets others back in it who have improved in their weak areas
Is there an argument the “whole team” is the attack. The whole team is the defence. That is not to underestimate the impact likes of Timber, Califiori, white, have in open play that leads to chances, not just the strength of defenders in attacking at set plays too.
And on same theme, where you bring in world class superstars, but – taking current Real Madrid as example – the dressing room is full of cliques and ego’s in open warfare. On paper you’d go wow, we are stronger. In reality even further away from titles and ECL?
My point being, you don’t sign those big Ego’s – you pick the character of the younger player on the road to greatness, and intergrate them into the ethos and system.
Do these three points make sense this morning?
no when I say attack will be weaker I mean the …..attacking positions
so last season your options on the left was ……. Trossard, Martinelli, Eze , Maduake and at a push Jesus
currently the options are Tzolis , Eze and Maduake on the left
so to be it’s obvious that as I write this our attack is weaker
We needed to get money as we were close to breaking UEFA’s FFP rules.
Its more the sqaud make up rules, for Europe.
Farewell Sunday: Martinelli, Jesus, Vieira. It looks like Nwaneri is staying. I hope he won’t be Nelson 2.0. I’m sure Nwaneri gets the nod ahead of Dowman. Both quantity and quality wise Arsenal have best competitive squad. We just pray for injuries not to circle us.
Owners and executives need to be thanked for the window
Weekly wages at Barca:
Rodri 500K Yamal 400K Raphinha 320K Jesus 310K Gordon 230K. Computations seem weird for us laymen
The window ain’t over yet.
Let’s all re-assess after the Aston Villa game.
A decent win and we’ll on top of the P L again.
And there’ll still be 1 day left in the Transfer Window.
A lot of positive stuff could still get done.
Chuba Akpon is out there and scoring goals😲
Berta, take note!!!
Chuba, a blast from the Academy past. My word he’s been around. I guess he’s poking some in for Ipswich now. I hope he’s finally found a home away from home still at only 30 y/o. Good enough for a glorious return? Eze’s hasn’t turned out too well yet.
Bruised Banana. He’s been at a total of 12 clubs, mostly loans, and the only place he’s really performed was at Middlesbrough. Got a tap in yesterday, but good to see him back.
Akpon’s had more clubs than Tiger Woods. 😂🤣
Derek
A bit of a slam dunk but still a classic.
It’s early days but I’m hoping you, me, Jax and others aren’t already being shown to be on the mark about Chelsea potentially being a big threat this season.
BB, definitely our biggest threat. We’ll have to put them down next week.
Bruised Banana,
Yes Chelsea have started very well. Going forward they look dangerous, but the early signs are they can be got at defensively.
Next weekends game looks like being very interesting.
Lets hope that we can have a 100% record going into the game as they have.🤞👍
It will be a great challenge for our defense including whoever plays beside Big Gabby. I wish the game were being played at their place instead of us having to go to the bridge on March 13 when their legs will theoretically have more in them.
Bruised Banana,
Hopefully by the time we play them away, we’ll have put some points between us and them for the game to not have much bearing on it. 🤞👍😉
👍🤞
We sold Trossard and got Tzolis (even though, we can’t judge him by 1 or 2 games). If we sell Martinelli and Jesus and do not bring in another attacker by Tuesday, we will be weaker offensively.
Yes £55-60 million for Martinelli is good business but we must have a replacement.
Selling Trossard, Martinelli, Jesus with just Tzolis and Guimaraes in return would not overall improve our squad.
So I’m hoping we get another attacker by Tuesday as Martinelli transfer looks imminent
“ Martinelli transfer looks imminent “
😭
He’s getting paid £280K a week, about 100K more, but the 180K at Arsenal – 220 based on appearance and bonus add on – was gross, but untaxed in the Sandpit it’s £280K a week net.
BUT. it’s still the wrong decision for a 25 year old Brazil starter in World Cup with so much to give to big stadiums full of people.
In my opinion.
Agreed!
After seeing Rashford start for United today I think we are out of luck regards getting in a decent left winger. If we can hold tight till January both Rodrygo and Kroupi will have returned from injury. Both of them would represent good business if they can return anywhere near the form prior to the injuries.
huge gamble from a position of strength to let everyone else improve and wait till January
I don’t agree. Not when you look at our proven quality squad depth, and compare with squad depth of our rivals.
I hope you can see the merit in my argument and it helps you relax a bit. 🙋♀️
makes zero sense but sure lol
Good. 😇
So it seems the £55,000,000 I quoted recently really was much closer to the market value than £35,000,000?!
A section of our fanbase seem to going head over heels because we’ve broken our record for selling a player, my question is this – would we get the same amount for Madueka or even Eze at this moment in time? Were either of them better than Martinelli last season?
Let’s also remember that the reported fee we are expecting for Viera is £8.5 million and that’s for a player who, again reportedly, cost us £36 million . I think he played five PL games for us as first choice starter?
If you take the Martinelli and Viera figures into consideration, then the actual profit we are making from Martinelli’s transfer is around £21.5 million…..and where are we going to get anyone anywhere near his level for that kind of money?
Don’t be fooled into thinking we have pulled off a masterstroke here just because we can now crow about our biggest transfer out achievement – we’ve still got to buy at least one replacement, unless MA is going with the squad we have now, meaning four out and three in?
Let’s hope we stay well clear of the injury problems that have haunted us for the last three or four seasons.
Are you a new poster, or have you added more to you’re name.
What happened to Hinshelwood’s transfer from Brighton? He was not in yesterday’s Brighton team
amba, probably negotiations going on between BHA and some club with too much money to waste on average talent.
He may not be with Brighton after the transfer deadline. That was a shame as they could have used him against what may be our toughest competition for the season in Chelsea.
Why are we even surprised at our transfer bussines?
we won a title and all the Arteta talk to go to the next level either fell on deaf ears or was just lip service. I personally have to say City is no wonder they win 6 tiles and CL in 10 years. They go after players and rebuilt the minute they finished second.
This club transfer business has been in shambles for a long time and aside from Rice and maybe a couple others we are moaning and groaning to save a few pennies while we allow our players to leave for short money over the years.
Lets hope we get something in the attack by next window or goals will be hard to come by.