In recent days, there has been a growing concern among the members of the fanbase, and this is simply due to our activity in the transfer window – or should I say, our lack thereof. Our need for a forward player has been blatantly obvious for a while now, which is why you would have expected the club to have made a move by now. This hasn’t been the case, and a lot of factors are to blame for that; the majority of these factors have been out of our control, which is both understandable and frustrating at the same time.
Leading the cause for discontent is the ease with which some of our rivals have been making transfers in this window. Take Manchester City, for example – they’ve aggressively attacked the market and signed some of the hottest talents in Europe while spending over £100m in the process. That is what we have to compete with, so it’s a bit disheartening that we’ve been unable to do that so far.
With that said, perhaps we should put a little more faith in the club, as they’ve proven to get deals over the line late in the transfer window before. Even looking back at the last window, we brought in two players on deadline day when we really needed to strengthen those areas.
Though Raheem Sterling and Neto have had really poor campaigns, their signings still show that Arsenal are capable of getting deals over the line very late in the transfer window. Furthermore, the fact that Mikel Arteta has made our need public is another reason we should stay optimistic as the window inches to a close.
If we are going to bring in a forward on deadline day, it’s absolutely imperative that we get it right. Citing the two earlier examples, Neto and Sterling, we just can’t let those sorts of deals happen this time around. Their signings were simply mistakes, ones we must not make again if we are to have any chance of winning a trophy this season.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how confident are you all in Arsenal signing a forward before the window’s closure?
BENJAMIN KENNETH
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Not Olli Watkins, I hope. I just don’t get it. Desperation not preparation.
This tells me we are not doing anything major
Make a bid you knew Villa won’t accept just so.you can say we tried
Haven’t Villa been busy in this window? I’d say – good or bad – that it’s a distinct possibility Watkins ends up at Arsenal
Think it be good Sue but need more to offer then 60 ?
It’s a totally unexpected development as far as I’m concerned and I made my feelings known above about waiting until the summer. He is premier league proven, an Arsenal supporter and Villa can call all the shots price wise
Reggie is understandably concerned that it’s a last minute move but I’m on the fence now. If it comes off as a transfer and works on the pitch then Arteta is a genius and we all forget the cost. There is the flip side of course
It’s interesting that we have bid just over the amount Suadis have for Duran. So gives Villa and Emery pause for thought…who do they want to keep for their no 9 !?
If I was Emery I would sell Watkins and use that money for 2 good squad players.. Villa are not going to win CL or any other trophy so this gives them a chance to sell a 29 year old and build their team better for next year
Though I think it also sends a message to other clubs the amount we are prepared to pay. Eg Sesko we offered 60 likely go to 65…so they may come to a price that’s acceptable to all
Watkins would certainly fit in at Arsenal
Dan,
I agree with you. I also thought we did it in the Wenger era at times also.
What do you suggest?
Not Ollie Watkins. Are we that desperate. 29, not a prolific striker and i don’t understand why we are going for him at the expense of a top striker. Who is going for him? It makes no sense.
All I’ve read Reggie on JA is that anyone will do at this juncture
My view has always been to ride out the storm and wait until summer .
This is the big problem. Poor planning in the summer, Watkins isn’t the player we want and at the expense of? Not getting the striker we want and need. I don’t see Villa selling🤞
Musings .
😂
I agree with you SueP, as much as I want us to find a solution now, it can’t come at the expense of signing the likes of Sesko, Gyokeres, Isak etc. in the Summer.
If we were talking about Duran, my tone may be a bit different though.
AV and Al-Nassr have agreed on fee and Duran has completed a medical in London so apparently it’s a done deal. This also means that it is even more unlikely that Watkins will be allowed to leave. I suspect the only deal we end up doing will be the kid from Norway. He may turn out to be the steal of the window if it goes through.
Thank you …. worse for the price I’ve elsewhere ….. at 29!!
And we are asked to have faith ….. for 25 years!! This proves we’re seriously taken for granted!!
**worse for the price I’ve seen elsewhere ….
I don’t think you can say that Neto has had a poor campaign “Though Raheem Sterling and Neto have had really poor campaigns”, he was brought in as senior goalkeeping cover and luckily has not been needed…
Agreed…we wanted better players in both positions.
Signed Setfoed for the future and whilst he gains experience Neto is cover
Sterling has been better than no one whatever people think of his performance esp when we were down to bare bones …better a short term loan for someone like him than spending 50mn on someone who was a panic buy
60 million pounds for Watkins? Arteta has lost his mind if he’s willing to pay that much for another Havertz but not pay up for a top striker. I’m done supporting Arteta.
How has Neto had a really poor campaign when I don’t even remember him playing for us yet?
Anyway, I think there will be a couple of incomings and outgoings but certainly do not expect a major signing at all, especially not a striker.
Fair comment. It’s a bit unkind to say otherwise
“Especially not a striker “
Might want to go on sky sports and see what our club are doing .
60 million for a 29 year old .
Rejected and apparently going back in with an approved bid .
Will Villa sell though mate ?
Need maybe Watkins to push this through
Should get Duran for the same money
Dan,
Watkins is in Villa’s line up for their game against Celtic.
I think there’s our answer right there.
My fear is do Arsenal know Villa would reject 60 million but are just making that bid so they can say look we tried ?
Cynical I know lol
As I said in an earlier post, I believe this also happened in the Arsene Wenger era.
While I suppose the story could have legs, I’ll believe it when and if I see it.
I’ve just read a piece on our so called top target Sesko. Apparently he’s just signed a new contract keeping him at his current club until 2029.
But apparently with a gentleman’s agreement that he could go in the 2025/2026 season.
Make of that what you will. 👍
60mil for a 29 year version, straight I’d grab the money if I were Villa. There’s a huge risk in keeping him beyond his current age against such a windfall
I saw that before posting and still think it’s unlikely.p, but hey we’ll see.
I think the offer for Watkins is a smokescreen as he does not fit the age profile required of a long term solution to our problems up front.Merino at 28 surprised me but the fee for him was relatively modest.
Its not a smokescreen, its a JOKE!!!!
So who’s the real target, Grandad?
😎
I am confused what to make of the reported bid for Olie Watkins, tbh. And for all of 60m!
I mean, the man is already 29; how much football does he still have left in him? It would make more sense to me if it were Jhon Duran we are talking about.
I just hope the news is false and/or that Aston Villa will stand strong and resist this strange attempt by Arsenal
Arsenal big up
0:Girona vs Arsenal:3
I know that buying a player is dependent on more than one party. But how many times do we see our club leave it to the last minute to make some kind of purchase.
And then it seems like a last minute desperate buy. Raheem Sterling anyone. (Loan I know).
I agree 100% with you Derek and it goes back to the Arsene days.
What I find doubly confusing, is that if Watkins (who I rate by the way) was part of our transfer policy, why not bid for him at the beginning of the window?
Villa know we are desperate, so they just up the anti and I don’t blame them.
He wasn’t Ken.
How do we know that Reggie?
Ken1945,
You don’t get any arguments from me there.👍
I’m worried guys Arsenal knew Villa would say no and then can say look we tried ?
Seen them do this before
Ken, at any one time, our no1 was Osimhen, (we dabbled Vlahovic) then it changed to Sesko. It was clear that Sesko was not leaving, so we looked at Gyocores. Under Edu, our no1 in the summer was Sesko, I believe that is still the case. We are not getting Watkins (thank god) so, it smacks of desperation. Hopefully we will not do anything else silly, over a loan and go back to The two summer targets. That is/was the plan.
Maybe your right Reggie, but as Grandad said smokescreens could have been used and it was our intention all the time?!
Don’t forget, we went after him a couple of seasons ago.
I don’t see the problem myself anyway to be honest.
His age, his transfer fee will mean diddly squat if he helps us win the PL and / or the CL, He is a bloody good player and a lifelong Gooner who’s always dreamed of playing for our club… A point to prove I would suggest?
He can not play in the CL and his Premier league stats are nothing to shout about.
I think they can guys
I think it resets after the group stages
Not as far a I know. I can’t find anything different.
Arsenal chances of winning EPL
46 Arsenal : Liverpool 50
Man City:4
Penalty Arsenal
J first Arsenal goal
We will get a bargain basement loan player
Kallstrom or Denis Suarez like.
Any ambition we could have got Omar Marmoush
Desperately disappointed
I hear Wayne Rooney is available.
Yes I share your disappointment.
It would have been the perfect opportunity for us in my opinion.
He could have offered him a major role in the team, and not have to play second fiddle to Haaland ( I know Marmoush can play across the front three, but he will always be in Haaland’s shadow).
A title saying “have faith” with a pic of Sterling might not be the best combo lol
Where did this Watkins story originate? As much as I like Ollie (he played for my local team for a short while), I doubt it would happen. It’s very unlikely, as Villa surely wouldn’t sell one of the PL’s best strikers, and Arsenal wouldn’t buy one with his best years already gone.
Or would they?
OK! Found the source on BBC. Seems that Villa needs to sell to balance the books.
They have sold Djuran and are ok now.
Hurt by calling Neto a poor signing as he has not been tested on the pitch. An experienced GK, played at the highest level, poor choice of words.
Ollie Watkins is someone who can push us to the EPL, am quite happy for this deal, plus he has the right character to work with Mikel, at 29 he can do the job for a season and a half, definitely an upgrade over Gabby J and Kai. At 60M+? We are AFC, and are easily hoodwinked. CFC can sell underperforming players with 6 months left for 10M. Merino cost 28M for achieving nothing at RS, Ollie has 10goals & 5 assists in 23 games, quite impressive.
Seems like I spoke too soon about Neto, what a disaster he looks to be after his balls up against Gerona, and might play against City 😱
Rumour has it that Halaand is drooling over the prospect. We’d better hold him to zero shots on goal again.
Surprise signing like sterling…funny
Did anyone else find it hilarious watching Neto dive outside the box in his efforts to save the shot.
Priceless, absolutely priceless.😂🤣😉👍
Good job he didn’t touch it
Could’ve got himself a deserved red card. And the very early footwork, almost letting in Girona forward. Worst keeper display since Runerssons’.
He’s been watching Raya too much Jax!!
I hope MA sees the stupidity of playing Partey at right back as well.
Ha! I suppose they have the same coach, and Raya must show him how to do it without tripping & then looking at his studs as if they’re to blame.
I’ve just heard that Arsenal have just put a £10 bid in for Lee Chapman. That one’s for some of my fellow older fans.
Lee Chapman, who remembers him. 🤣😂👍
He was truly terrible for us.
Herr Drier,
And that’s being kind.😂👍