Arsenal have been linked with a number of players this summer, with the new manager expected to be in favour of adding some much-needed depth to the squad, but with Emile Smith-Rowe now told he will play a role next term, a new number 10 may not be so urgent.
Upon Mikel Arteta’s arrival as boss, he returned Mesut Ozil into the first-team, and he went onto start every Premier League match before the Coronavirus pandemic hit, but since the break he has been frozen out.
It remains to be seen if the relationship will remain broken from this point onwards, but our need for more options in behind the striker remains regardless.
Not a single midfielder has scored more than one PL goal this term, nor have they been credited with more than two assists this term, which is dire reading for any fan.
We most definitely need to rectify the above, and while Smith-Rowe has just one more goal than any of the current crop this season, playing in the relegation-battling Huddersfield side, you can forgive him for that in his seven-month spell.
Football.London reports that the 20 year-old and his representatives have been informed that he is a part of Arteta’s first-team plans going into the new season, although the same publication claims that he could favour another loan move should the club sign both Willian and Philippe Coutinho.
For Smith-Rowe, the most crucial signings may well need to come in defence, with a view to returning to a back-four which would free up the manager to return to playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation, or with him being the most advanced central player in a 4-3-3 system.
How much playing time Arteta’s envisages for ESR next season remains to be seen, but the player has long-been rated amongst the Arsenal hierarchy.
Could Emile emerge as our main number 10 come the end of next season?
Patrick
He has what it takes to succeed. we should make Ceballos signing permanent, add Willian and Thomas Partey. That makes sense. I wish we can sign Fekir.
Our lineup for next season
Aubameyang Lacazette Pepe
Martinelli Xhaka Partey
Coutinho Saka Tierney Luiz
Martinez
COYG!
Oops! How could I forget Willian?! 😮
Aubameyang Lacazette Pepe
Martinelli Xhaka Partey
Coutinho Saka Tierney Luiz
Willian
Are you playing Willian in goal??
Good to go up gunners
Let me see if I get this,, we are going to sign a defensive midfielder (Party) to break up play and pass the ball to another midfielder (Xhaka) to play the ball on to yet another midfielder (a number 10) who will pass it on to the forward to try and score. “Dumb” is the only adjective I can think of for such a strategy right now. “It is a waste of money and players resources and only being implemented to accommodate the obvious deficiencies of Xhaka” The best way to get the optimum creativity and defensive stability from the midfield, which is the engine room for every great team, is if all of the players in there are equally adept at tackling,,running at a defense beating a player,, passing or scoring themselves. Ever since we have tried to adopt a system to accommodate someone’s favorite player because he is just a wonderful passer or is great at tackling or is a superb box to box player, the team has suffered defensively and conceded more goals, while at the same time creativity has dried up resulting in fewer chances and less goals. If you dispute my analysis,
The statistics are there for anyone to check.
akan,You write as if “stats” are proof. They are not. Never are! Only a guide and of limited use at best. Something called eyes and brains – I am sure you will have heard of them – are far more useful!