Last summer while most of the Arsenal fanbase were clamouring to bring in an urgent backup for the injury-prone Thomas Partey, there were numerous rumours about the Gunners bringing in a “mystery winger”
There were whispers that Gakpo, Neto or Diaby could have been possibilities, and of course it wouldn’t be a real summer if we weren’t linked with Wilfried Zaha!
But no new winger materialised in the end, and Arteta would still appear to be short of backup, for Saka especially. The Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit thinks that Arsenal need to go for a “big winger” and preferably already playing in England. He was quoted as saying on Football365: “I don’t think Arsenal will win the title but they will definitely qualify for the Champions League and that is a big achievement considering where they were when Arteta came to the club,”
“If they are to strengthen I think they need wingers because Saka, Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have been great but they have no-one to replace them if they get injured.
“Emile Smith-Rowe is injured, Eddie Nketiah just signed a new contract, but can he be the next striker if Jesus gets injured? My answer is no.
“All the big teams have big wingers. There’s a few in England that would be my dream for Arsenal.
“Allan Saint-Maximin would be a great signing. Can you imagine the damage with all the players around him?
“Wilfried Zaha of Palace too would be great. But they also need a central midfielder and centre-back as I’m not too sure about Rob Holding.”
I should think all Arsenal fans now know that there is no chance of Zaha coming to the Emirates, but what do you think of Saint-Maximin?
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This is a question of whether the grass is greener on the other side. If there is a need for a support winger, it should be for Saka. Martinelli is good, young, and getting stronger.
Of course, there will always be a quest for someone out there who could be “bigger”.
G. Jesus is great, but do think in a crisis situation, Nketial will be fine. Arteta now stands in a place to bluff off “great players who might want to come to share the cake and should be in a vantage negotiation position than before.
Imagine taking off Martinelli and bringing in Maximin. That’s would be devastating.
However, he plays predominantly on the left wing and I don’t think we really need a LW for now at least as we have Martinelli, Nketiah, Smith Rowe and Nelson there. We only need a winger to compete with Saka.
Because the article says a winger that already plays in the PL, I would go for Bowen. But if I could buy from abroad, I would go for Diaby – he fits the profile we are currently working with. He is young, strong, pacy and most importantly, versatile as he is comfortable on either wings.
I am glad we do not panic buy anymore, if we must bring in someone, how about recalling Pepe in January? You never know maybe the mood at Arsenal right now will trigger something in him.
“Pepe”? I cannot conceive of a single Gooner anywhere, who gives such an almost impossible action as us bringing back PEPE, EVEN A ONE PERCENT CHANCE!!
I GIVE IT ZERO CHANCE AND WILL GLADLY BET HUGE MONEY ON BEING PROVEN RIGHT.
Grandad that’s exactly what the doctor ordered, a powerful midfielder should be priority over any winger.
But you are dead wrong on Gabriel, there is no other defenders in the league that plays on the left side of the defense, that offer what he does, from Man City to New Castle, his stats are impressive.
What maybe most of gunners find ourselves doing is comparing him with the world class Saliba.
Try finding a next left footed defender, with speed, aerial dominance or pass completion stats better.
Juventus knows this so too does the gaffer make him available on the market January and you dont have hand to sell him
In terms of priority, another powerful midfielder is ahead of the need for a winger.As for Petit having doubts concerning Holding, he should be more worried about Gabriel who is struggling and yet continues to be a first eleven pick?In my opinion, Holding is a very good back up for White, Saliba and Tomi, who is a natural centre back.I sometimes wonder about Petit and many other pundits who seem to feature on JA on a regular basis.On the subject of potential wingers, while he had little opportunity to shine last night, young Johnson of Notts Forest impresses me as a natural right winger who has room for development.
I cannot possibly agree with you on Holding being a more reliable player than GABRIEL, Grandad.
Holding is way too slow and just not of top quality IMO.
Gabriel IS mistake prone to a degree, but less then you consistently claim.
BUT he is far better an all round defender, esp in the air at both ends, than limited though willing Holding.
ON JA PUNDITS, I DISMISS ALMOST ALL PUNDIT REPORTS AS SAYING NOTHING OF ANY WORTH AT ALL.
THEY ARE SIMPLY FILLING COPY, WHICH SEEMS TO BE NEEDED EVERY HOUR, WHETHER OR NOT OF ANY WORTH. AND ALMOST ENTIRELY, IT IS NOT!
MOST OF IT IS STATING THE EXTREMELY OBVIOUS WHILST IGNORING ALL FINANCIAL OBSTACLES.
In my opinion, Saint-Maximin is currently one of the most skilled LWs in the world. That’s why I can’t imagine him playing second fiddle to Martinelli
I’d be ecstatic if Arsenal sign a high profile LW like Gakpo, but I haven’t given up hope yet on Nelson and Smith-Rowe. I don’t think Martinelli will be available for all EPL matches, so I expect one of them to show the improvement
Saint-Maximin is no longer an assured starter at Newcastle.once again,he was on the bench for their last game.as exciting as he is,his last pass and decisions making need to improve big time.
He was injured for a while, so Newcastle had to slowly re-integrate him into the squad
Therein lies the problem, we are probably never going to get a high profile winger who is going to be content to play second fiddle and only get a game when someone is injured or needs a rest.
Maximin would be a statement signing, though Saha would be more practical in terms of acquiring,
But its the midfield in my opinion where our greatest needs is, that position that Jude Bellingham and Thomas Partey apply their craft
Don’t believe MA will go big for a winger in Jan when we already have two in the squad who can play there already when needed
Marquinhos
Reiss Nelson
Will be interesting to see come jan and really depends what fronts we are still fighting on and who might pick up injuries which I hope doesn’t happen but we have players go5off to the world Cup so you never know
Onwards and upwards
How about if we go for a cut price deal for Sergio Busquet? Barca wants him off the wage bill, of we can get him in a cut price deal to deputize or even ursurp Party it will be a coup.
Mussa Diaby will also be a good addition, he’s better than Saka, pacey, lightening speed, finishes and plays either wing.
Not convinced we need a winger; ESR has played well there and will again when he is fit. Marquinhos looking like he can become the backup, and in time compete with Saka.
Personally I hope we stick with the players we have, and give them the game time to develop and challenge for starts.
DM is the glaring need for me, and second would be a Plan B striker as Nketiah doesn’t fill that role.
Trusty could fill the 4th CB spot if he joins the first team next season.
Competition brings out the best.
3 CB’s for 2 spots
3 FB’s for 2 spots
3 wingers for 2 spots
Plan B striker
midfielders with some versatility
That would be a great option if it is possible.
Ideally we need a left-footed right winger as competition for Saka, someone who suits our inverted system (hence why we tried to sign Raphinha).
Pedro Neto would have been great but there’s absolutely no chance after the latest injury. Annoyingly, we could well have signed him in the summer if Forest hasn’t vastly overpaid for Gibbs-White.
There doesn’t seem to be too many in the prem that fit this description. Personally I’d say Bowen is the best option available who meets the specific criteria, he’d have an enormous price tag though. A cheaper alternative could maybe be Olise.
Looking around Europe there seem to be some decent options – the likes of Diaby, Zaniolo, Tetê, Kvaratskhelia (good with both feet).
Everybody has got it wrong again!!!
Another Winger, a defensive midfielder, another Center Half, all way down the pecking order!!!!
What Arsenal really need, more than anything, is a back-up “Tea Lady”
How can we possibly go into the second half of the season with just a single Tea Lady. What happens if she gets sick!
Who will make the Tea?
No, again everybody has their priorities askew.
We need that back up Tea Lady, preferably one who knows where the closest Gregg’s is, to get the sausage rolls and Cornish nasties.
Still baffled as to why Arsenal need a winger when Matinelli and Saka are doing the job adequatly well. I would have thought a Cancello type wing back and a midfielder who can stop Saliba and Gabriel from being so easily exposed to the counter attack would be a more urgent priority.
That blonde tattooed boy from Ukraine should be approached again by Arsenal this December. Mykhaylo Mudryk looks direct, menacing and ruthless. He will only get better and more relentless under Arteta. Zhinchenko might play a role in convincing him to join the Gunners. Another DM should be in the discussion as well. Xhaka and Partey are getting older. Sambi Lokonga needs more time. Better prepare now for better competition for better performance.