A lot of Arsenal fans will be thinking about this summer transfer window and saying to themselves that the team should really make the most of this chance to strengthen their squad and gain an advantage in the title race.
So, it seems that there might be a glimmer of hope for a potential squad overhaul this summer, as Cesc Fabregas recently shared his thoughts on what Arsenal should do. The ex-Gunner suggests that, in terms of their squad, the team is still not quite where it needs to be.
According to him, Manchester City has two really strong teams in one. He believes Arsenal should improve their bench by adding some high-quality options. He believes Arsenal should work on evolving their team so that they’re not overly reliant on players like Saka, Rice, or William Saliba. He’s confident that, with a solid substitute bench and a deadly striker, Arsenal could be in a strong position to challenge for the league title.
Fabregas admitted on the BBC, “I think it’s funny because the other day you are watching both games at the same time and when you think about it you say, ‘Wow, Man City really have like two teams basically that could win the Premier League.’
“Arsenal don’t in this regard, so for me it’s a bit of everything.
“Yes, they do need a bit of depth to keep pushing, pushing, pushing during the season and not rely always on Saka or [Declan] Rice or [Thomas] Partey if he’s injured or not or on [William] Saliba.
“But also, in my opinion – and he’s done really, really well but obviously it’s not his main position – Havertz, he’s had a fantastic season, but if Arsenal can manage to get a top, top striker that can guarantee you 30 goals a season, then they will be much, much, much closer to getting it [the title].”
Fabregas definitely makes a good point. It’s interesting that Mikel Arteta sometimes didn’t show much trust in players like Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, and Fabio Vieira in games where he was yearning for a game changer. It’s worth considering what this might mean — he didn’t trust some of the players on his bench.
Hopefully, by next season, he’ll have refreshed his squad after this summer. Maybe he’ll even let go of some promising prospects to make room for quality players that he can freely rotate.
When top stars Saka and Saliba (the Frenchman played every minute of last season’s PL football) get some well-deserved rest, they will always come back refreshed and ready to go. It might take a while for Arsenal to build a better team than City’s, but if they’re to get there, it all begins this summer.
Is Cesc right, do we still have a lot more rebuilding to match Man City?
Daniel O
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We can have three teams but for what use when the manager has yet to learn the basics of rotation.
Came here to say this 👏
@HH
Real Talk…👍🏾
Yesterday while watching Europa League final, I realized Atalanta and Bayer both have done heavy rotation over the whole year, are competing.
We got lucky this year with injuries, do not expect it every year, especially with Euro/Copa and Olympics this summer.
Also, have we made a sell yet under Arteta where we made profit? No, because we do not play our squad beyond first 14-15 players, and we cannot sell those first 14-15 players.
Arteta has been sell quick, even at a loss, buy replacement, if it works out very well, else follow the cycle, replace the replacement and take another loss.
This year probably Ramdasle and Partey will be sold for loss again
We made a profit on at least 5 players under Arteta. Mavropanos, Balogun, Trusty and Turner.
This summer’s transfer window could see even more profit made if we sell the likes of ESR, Nelson and Nketiah.
Maybe you would like to teach him or provide some sensible insights.
So far no one has managed to create a squad of two first teams without oil money. I’m not sure its actually possible. Articles like this just ignore the financial question and assume there’s an infinite number of men with no names out there who are available, affordable and world beaters. In reality its probably the manager that rotates best whose squad will finish the season still firing on all cylinders. I remember Ferguson talking about rotation. He made the point that while a manager would like to play his best team every game he thought you could only do it maybe half a dozen times a season. Rather what you are trying to do is pick a team that is good enough to win each game. His other point was you need to start rotating almost from game 1 not wait until players are already struggling. However I don’t think that’s Arteta’s philosophy.
I’m not sure two teams is good idea. When a squad is too big, it comes with some disadvantages. Even Pep has always worked with relatively small groups. It’s quality over quantity.When you have versatile players, you they can cover multiple positions which removes the need for multiple bodies in the same position. I’d say 18 top class outfield players is a good number. The remaining slots should be occupied by prospects whether from the academy or purchased.
1 team with good backups for every position is what I care about. Whatever you calk it. I think we need a top quality CF, top quality DM and a good LB
Ever team is basically made up of 2 teams. 25+ men on a roster for a full season. It’s the quality of the back players that is the problem…Just sayin…
Don’t think you need 2 teams but you do need players that can play 2 at least 2 different positions like…. White=rb+cb
Tomi=rb.. Lb.. Cb
Timber=rb.. Cb.. Lb.. Dm
Zinc=lb… No8
Rice =dm.. Cm.. Cb
Ode=cm.. No8.. No. 10
Saka=rw…lw
Trossard=no8..lw..rw..false 9
Martinelle =Lw… Rw.. Striker
Jesus=Lw… Rw… Striker
Havaretz =no10… False 9…
City best eleven are ederson, walker, stones, ake, gvardiol, rodri, Bernardo, de bruyne, foden, doku, haaland ….. substitute akanji, kovacic, nunez, grealish, alvarez and Carson (gk) that’s 18 teams that guardiola rotate with easily without a significant drop in quality. …others are rarely used because of the gulf difference in quality. .
What makes it looks like guardiola have a large team is versatility of his players. So, I don’t know where the ideal of 15 quality players comes from. It’s unrealistic irrespective of oil money or not, no top team can boast of 25 players of top quality
Let’s take a look at our squad then, as it appeared on the final match programme and try to fit the 26 named players into round holes :
Raya – Ramsdale – Hein
White – Tomiyasu – Cedric
Saliba – Kiwior – Jorginho
Gabriel – Kiwior – Jorginho
Timber – Tomiyasu – Saka
Rice – Jorginho – Elneny
Partey – Zinchenko – Elneny
Odegaard – ESR – Vieria
Saka – Gabriel – Trossard
Havertz – Nketiah – Nwaneri
Martinelli – Nelson – Gabriel
Now we know Elneny and Cedric have left, Nketiah (it seems) is being offered around, Ramsdale also and perhaps even Partey and Nelson.
This summer is crucial if we are to overtake city115, but let’s not lose sight of the FACT that we run them very close this season and last.
So I’m not one of those who says the gap in class is troubling at all!!
In fact, if MA and Edu get it right with transfers in and out, we have every opportunity to match and beat city115.
Don’t forget, we took four points off them, beat them in the CS, had more injuries than them, that resulted in more players missing games and had one player virtually out for the whole season.
Those who read my article about our finances since qualifying for the CL, will know we have the money, fingers crossed we spend it wisely!!
I actually think we only need a replacement for Partey. Everton’s Onana would be my choice. Then a no. 8 that Arteta trusts and can play on the wings if needed, Dani Olmo (who has a £60m release clause) would be great or maybe Xavi Simons or both if we lose ESR and Fabio Viera. Then a striker or 2 if we’re not going to get cover for Saka and use Jesus there. If not then I’d like use to get Olise (£60m release clause). Sesko (£56m release clause) is going to be a superstar in 2-3 years and we would be smart to get him now. Zirkzee (£34m release clause) also interest me as he’s got amazing potential as well. And also a goalkeeper if Ramsdale leaves. I would like Wojciech Szczesny back to add to own homegrown quota especially if ESR, Nelson, Ramsdale and Nketiah leave. Don’t think we need a new left back as Timber has just returned. Plus we have Tomi who can play there and Kiwor (if he don’t leave). If he does then I would pick Guehi to replace him. He can play in both centre back positions, is homegrown, can be obtained for between £50m-£60m and would improve the quality of the squad. Imagine how good Saliba and Gabriel could be if they if they had someone pushing for there place in the first team.
All together that will probably set use back between £370-£400m. We’ve got a £200m budget after our league position and champions league finish plus the revenue from tickets, shirt sales etc And with player sales it is very possible
Ramsdale £30m-£40m
ESR £30m-£40m
Nketiah £30m-£40m
Viera £30m-£40m
Jesus £30m-£40m
Partey £10m-£15m
Patino £10m-£20m
Zinchenko £25m-£35m
Sambi £20m-£30m
Nuno £10m-£20
Obviously I don’t expect all of that to happen but maybe 4 or 5 in and hopefully 7 or 8 out
Not possible without oil money, at least not two teams of similar calibre. What we can achieve though is a world class XI, and a decent but extemely fit and available bench. That should be the model of the squad rebuild Arteta should strive for imo.
Do you mean eleven world class players, or a world class team? The reason I ask is because most successful sides have 4 or 5 at the most. Arsenal probably has two.