Arsenal are being linked with a £60 Million move to sign the West Ham central defender Issa Diop this summer, but is there any room in the squad for him at present?
With the Premier League season having been curbed (for now at least), the rumour mill is already beginning to pick up pace. Much of that so far has been aimed at defenders and today is no different.
Issa Diop is no doubt a stand-out star in the Hammers defence, and the £60 Million fee doesn’t really scream he’s moving to Arsenal, nor am I certain that he would be a guaranteed starter for us next season.
Arsenal’s forgotten man William Saliba is still waiting to join the club after his move from Saint-Etienne last summer, due to our agreement to loan him back to his former club as part of the deal.
Despite injuries this term, the soon-to-be 19 year-old has put in a number of solid displays in Ligue 1, as well as playing a key role in the club’s run to the French cup final (which may or may not go ahead now).
Saliba was tipped for a starring role in our defence had he joined last summer, and will no doubt be commanding a spot now, while are also being linked with the young Brazilian defender Bruno Fuchs, and have an option to buy current on-loan centre-back Pablo Mari also (who has impressed recently).
Shelling out £60 Million on Diop would be a nice show of intent by the board, but it isn’t really our forte to make such statements, and we already have a host of defensive options already.
If Diop better than all our current options? Would he fit into Arteta’s playing style?
Patrick
Our “forgotten man” William Saliba! Interesting use of “forgotten”, considering he has not yet even started, I’d say! Generally , “forgotten ” is used for someone who went away never to return, NOT someone YET to arrive. But correct language and thus clear communication and lack of misunderstandings is not so important to some as it is to me. Proper communication is vital if misunderstandings and puzzlement is to be kept at bay. Surely we learned that from Emerys time here! Didn’t we?
Why splashing 60m for Diop so far not very needed..
AFC shouldn’t be talking of Defenders anylonger. Talk of Defensive Midfielders please..
* Wilfred Ndidi.
* Thomas Partey.
* Emre Can.
* Abdoulaye Doucouré. Etc
AFC need a DM more than ever.
We need a CB , Sokratis and luiz need to go and despite Mustafi’s resurgence he still doesn’t fill me with confidence.
Can we get to many good defenders? Defending is all. You protect and defend your life, the life of your closest, the honor and pride of your team, it’s history and tradition, and you defend your country. With Leno, Kurzawa, Mari, Saliba, Upamecano, Diop, Thierney… and the most important recruit 2020 Thomas Partey, we are well equipped and prepared to win Premier League and (if the lovely Lady Karren Brady is right “null and void” 2019-20, and of course she is right) The Asn’l is ready to go for the Champions League titel 2021. PS. Yeah, I know it’s Johnny Foreigner all the way. But if Johnny is the best defender, let’s go and get Johnny!
At the moment, Arsenal needs a defensive midfielder because Xhaka and Torreira are not good in their respective positions
While Callum Chambers will probably miss the season, with Saliba, Mari (we now know that he can play well at the level and it won’t cost much to keep him), Holding, Mavropanos (who has had a wildly successful loan in Germany), and David Luiz to add a veteran presence, Arsenal already has the makings of a solid, young centerback rotation. There is no need to spend additional limited money on another centerback unless they can get an exceptional talent like Upamecano at a reasonable price. He is the only one I would even consider spending money on at the position.
The same goes for the attack force, unless Lacazette, Aubamayang, and/or Saka (pay the man!) leave; in which case they will need to be replaced. Otherwise, there are enough attacking options through the middle and on the wings that further additions would be superfluous.
Where Arsenal needs to spend money is in the midfield. That’s where they are hemorrhaging points because the talent is insufficient. The young players are either not ready or not good enough. Torrierra has been asked to do more than he is capable of and wants out. Ceballos may cost more than he is worth. Xhaka is a limited player. And Ozil is Ozil and should be pushed out the door. The whole group needs to be overhauled with much better talent as much as the budget will allow. In fact, given his vision, passing ability, defensive energy, and attacking instincts, I would consider moving Saka to the center of midfield and letting him orchestrate the attack from behind the striker in order to improve the midfield. This is where Arsenal needs to concentrate its limited resources if the club is going to improve.
Arsenal do not need another defender when we have Louis, Socrates, Mustafi, Mari , Chambers and the yet to come Saliba. What we need is a good solid DM, a creative midfielder and aright winger to compete with Pepe.
Never buy a +30 player. Never guys like Lovren and Vertonghen. Or Smalling. It’s dead meat. Why can’t they change with each other? Vertonghen to Man United, Smalling to Liverpool and Lovren to Spurs. Oh, what laugh!
We need midfielders and fullbacks
The enforcement in the back is maximum,,may be other departments
coronavirus signing..
just believe in the crop of defenders we have Saliba. Mavropanos, Chambers, Rob, Mustafi, Luiz, Pablo, Papa, to an extend Xhaka… except some are leaving.
@gunnerforlife
pepe has competition already in nelson, MA just needs 2 trust him more
we need 3-4 players(partey, upamencano, kokcu/sabitzer/szobozlai). saka left winger nxt season, gabi is our replacement if auba leaves. the midfield is the concentratn