Well that was hardly the most exciting transfer window for Arsenal fans, but we nearly got a good young prospect in Christopher Nkunku who we will hopefully go back for in the summer, and perhaps we have got a hidden gem in Denis Suarez.
The 25 year-old has only made 46 appearances for Barca in his two and a half seasons since he returned to the club, after a season at Villarreal, and according to our old striker Alan Smith, he is only likely to be a bit part player for us as well. Smith was quoted as saying: “Arsenal fans would have loved to have seen a little bit more business, but they did manage to bring in Denis Suarez.
“How much will he play though, as you imagine he may be a bit of a squad player?
“Unai Emery knows him from Sevilla, he is versatile, while another young lad in Smith Rowe has gone out to Germany to get some game time.
“I do not think Emery would have given up on him.
“And it will be good for his education, so hopefully he can come back a better player.”
Could it be that Emery only bought him as a half-season stopgap? It is possible, considering we refused to accept an obligation to buy in the summer, and the fact is that the Spaniard has never played outside La Liga except for two years in Man City reserves. At least he knows what the Premier League is like, but how quickly can he settle and get trained for Unai’s formations?
I really hope he comes good very quickly, but is that asking for too much in such a short time?
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If we do sign him permanently. I’d say he is maybe good enough for first team football as things stands now, if he adapts that is. He has a good knack of moving with the ball and pulling men towards him, he can use both feet which makes his dribbling task a tad more unpredictable. He’s said to be a decent passer too, under Emery he averaged 2. something chances per game (I think it was 2.4 or something) and at Barca there were only two players who created more chances per game ..Messi and Dembelle. You can’t go by that alone because those are the type of stats that can be fudged, with set pieces or how much of a chance was it without seeing the chance yourself, among other things.
However, I didn’t not like what I read, and I looked up a little of his You-tube footage, but again you need more than that to be sure of anything. So I’m just telling everyone where I am at before I hazard a guess here.
I believe he will become a squad player for us, like Smith reckons. At this moment though, I think it’s fair to say that we need him to hit the ground running because the first team could do with a bit more ammunition along with some composure elsewhere besides our two CF’s. I’m not even sure where Emery intends him to play most of all. I was leaning towards wide positions, but then I heard that he can play the no10 role too. The whole Ozil thing, that, and I believed Almiron was a genuine target so to give Ozil competition, maybe this guy could be that. However, we do need wide players and we targeted allot of them for a Jan market, and Suarez sounds like your typical in-cutter from a wide position. Someone else (one of our Legends I believe) also said that they believe he was brought in to replace Xhaka. He certainly sounds like he’d be a good squad player, doesn’t he. I hope he shines no matter where, or who, he has come in to rotate with or to upgrade on.
I watched Enrique’s Barcelona regularly and Denis Suarez was better than Andre Gomes as a creative midfielder at that time
His close ball control was similar to Cazorla’s, but he was not as creative as Iniesta and not as tenacious as Rakitic. He also could not beat the versatility of Sergi Roberto
His best positions was CM and deep-lying playmaker, but maybe he could compete with Ozil because he is better in ball possession and more mobile than Ozil
gotanidea, no disrespect to Denis Suarez in compeing for a place in that Barcelona midfield!
I’m amazed at people emphasizing that Suarez spent two seasons in Manchester City reserves; how old was he then?
I may be proved wrong, but I expect Denis Suarez to be a first team player, covering a number of midfield roles for Arsenal.
“Someone else (one of our Legends I believe) also said that they believe he was brought in to replace Xhaka”
Without double checking myself, I think it was Keown… I could be wrong though.
Midkemma, I agree with Martin Keown as I can see Denis Suarez having the skillset to play the Santi Cazorla deep lying playmaker role. He is also good at running the ball from deep, as well as passing.
There is a rumour that Xhaka is not playing against Manchester City.
Hmmmmmm
i see suarez shining at arsenal.
Barca players are always good so i doubt see any reason why he won’t be good for us.
#COYG
I don’t see Suarez as a starting 11 player going forward, IMHO. If we want to fight for title we need a better talent beside Torreria than Suarez.
As a temp fix to get us through this season is fine, but I hope Emery and Raul aim higher for midfield targets in the Summer. Losing Ramsey and plugging in Suarez doesn’t get us closer to title.
Lastly on defenders. We have a lot in number, but none with top qualities. Hope to move 2 on (Mustafi and Kos) and replace with 1 top top player to pair with Sokratis. Holding and Mavro as cover.
For my money a fully fit again Holding has already proved he is a better class defender than “wrestling” Sokratis. I like his passion but wrestling will not prove any top class defenders best tactics. I do not see Sokratis as any more than a short term stop gap to our long lasting CB problem. Many on here way overhype a merely fierce but limited player. Passion is great but quality TOO is rather important, wouldn’t you say!!!
I would agree with you Jon. I think Holding has shown his qualities when afforded the playing time. Our owner is cheap and I’d happily take 1 top CB and top CM and quality wingers in the Summer and consider it heavy spending from Kronke.
I think Sokratis will be with us another year until the following Summer, and expect an unnecessarily prolonged rebuild with our owner’s all too shallow pockets.
Been reading about getting Rams coach together with Emery, ANOTHER CHEAP TACTIC; ANYTHING TO AVOID SPENDING FOR TOP QUALITY PLAYERS. That’s my take on the story, curious as to your opinion on the matter Jon.
Also regardless of kitty available, I’d be surprised if he spent more than £70 million or so in one summer window, regardless of club’s needs.
Durand, Firstly I hope you are doing well and want to assure you that I always enjoy your mature and thoughtful comments. As to the Rams coach, I do not know enough about him to give an informed opinion. BUT on Kroenke, you and I are as one. I have littgle interest , practically zero actually, in USA sports but upon hearing that LA RAMS were in the SUPERBOWL final, I instinctively wanted them to lose. Anything tainted and owned by Kroenke , save us of course, I dislike intensely.
On Sokratis, I like his passion but recognise that he is far from the quality we need , save as a stop gap. Will he still be here next season then? SADLY, I THINK HE WILL! AGREE ON HOLDING- HE IS OUR BEST HOPE AT CB, of those currently on the books. But we need at least 6 top quality defenders and have done for many years past.
Holding definitely looking the part, and I hold very high hopes for him. If Mavroporas follows suit we should have quite a pairing with real grit.
Quite a few have grit since Emery arrived, for which I am thankful to see. Now if we had an owner with grit rather than greed, then that would be something to see. On that my friend, we are of the same brilliant mind regarding our owner.
I expected a winger instead of getting another CM, because we have got Guendouzi, Ozil, Xhaka, Ramsey, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Elneny and Willock
But Emery wants to work with his ex-players again. Maybe because he thinks ex-players could implement his strategy better
Saurez was clearly brought in for the Europa League matches not the prem
Is that what Emery told you?
If not how do you know?
Time will certainly tell but if Suarez is featured
and thrives in the CAM role the Spaniard could
be a inexpensive replacement if Ozil is shown
the door in the summer window. Miki could
also be deployed in that role, one which saw
himdominate the Bundeliga in his final season
@ Dortmund. David Brooks, Dani Ceballos and Pablo Fornals are a few more possible CAM
targets that have youth on there side and
wouldn’t cost a kings ransom.
I agree with you that Arsenal need better talent
to accompany Torreria in midfield but personally
feel upgrading Xhaka would allow for the likes
of Suarez, Ozil, Miki, new player, etc. to thrive in
the CAM position. Guendouzi is a wonderful
talent and at 19 years young has impressed
far beyond his years but AFC still imho
desperately need a athletic powerhouse to
BOSS the center of the pitch. A Franck Kessie,
Tanguay Ndombele, Abdoulaye Doucoure type
that physically dominates B2B responsibilities
on the pitch, providing cover to Toerria and the
back 4 as well as vital service and support to
the offensive creators. Guendouzi may have
that ability in his locker but atm AFC, as you’ve
eluded to Durand, need as many quality players
as possible to challenge for the starting 11.
Mustafi will hopefully be moved on in the
summer and I could see Boss returning to
France for the final year or 2 of his career. If
Chambers returns it will not effect the numbers
@ CB, leaving Mavro( frankly very little)Socratis
and Holding as the only returning players that
have EPL experience. With Mavro still very
green and Holding coming back from a serious
injury AFC must imho invest heavily in two
quality, experienced CB’s that would walk into
the first 11. A few of these players top my list
Jonathan Tah
Harry MaGuire
Eric Bailly
Will Orban
Dayot Upamecano
Malang Sarr
A Landi
Mario Hermosa
Junior Fripo
Daniel Rugani
A Diallo
Emerson
There’s not reason we shouldn’t be in for Harry Maguire. Regarding your comment about Guendouzi, I think he’s as athletic as the players you’ve named, and has a wonderful eye for a through ball to set up scoring chances. He’s always forward looking, which isn’t a quality we have in abundance. I think he’ll replace Xhaka if I’m honest, as that’s the job he does best. Remember he’s only 19 as well, so is already better than Kessie, but not Doucare, or Nbombele yet.
Looking forward to seeing what he has to offer tomorrow! I can’t see him being a bit part player… UE wants to put his own stamp on the team – this being the start of it ? COYG
I agree with you. He may not start tomorrow but I think obviously if he plays well could turn out to be a permanent fixture, like Guendouzi, who everyone thought was “one for the future”.
By the way Mr article headline writer, every player is a squad player?
?
Point taken Mr Smartarse!
I would never consider it being a “Smartarse”, Pat, to ensure that the actual headline describes accurately what the article itself says. There have been a good number of headlines on here over a long time now, which are distortions of what is written underneath. I am told that you choose the headlines and that IS WHY I took this relevant chance to address these oft thought comments of mine directly to you, Pat. Many folk read no further than the headline. THIS, AS YOU WELL KNOW, IS WHY NEWSPAPERS USE EYE CATCHING BUT LESS THAN TRUTHFUL HEADLINES. I HOPE WE ON HERE ARE BETTER AND MORE HONEST THAN THAT.
I don’t think he would start so soon, but maybe Emery has other plan
He’s been training so hopefully we’ll see him…
He should be a starter. He is too good
But if we don’t get Champions League, we won’t be able to purchase him anyway. He will go somewhere else
ForeeverGooner, the loan agreement for Denis Suarez has a pre determined option for Arsenal to buy the player at the end of the season for a set price.
Therefore, if Arsenal wants Suarez he won’t be going anywhere else.