Is youth the way forward? by Sean O’Hara
As we all know Arsenal have alot of work to do on & off the pitch to recover from the transition that is taking place within the Club, though as we all now want to see what are we doing in the transfer market to improve the squad. We have not signed anyone yet but loads of gossip is floating about the net but what is the smartest way to go in an already inflated market?
Youth could be a way to build us up again. Young players, who though will improve at Arsenal, are showing signs of a talented player already. We have a few of our own already in our ranks which will save us money & spending our budget on youth will make us money in the future if all goes to plan in their developments. As we have always said we make stars, buy unknowns & make them ballers for a future profit if needed as all players like to change clubs these days, lets be real loyalty is very rare in football these days!
I get we need experience but the younger guys could be groomed into the elites if done properly at Arsenal & given a chance. Keeping youth has to be the biggest part of our plans in the market and should be added with one or two experienced heads. Per/Mustafi (£20m) out, Sokratis/Lichsteiner In.
We have loads of young talent at our disposal and if we invest in youth also, we could have a very good young squad heading into our new future at the Emirates.
Defensively;
Mavraponas – Could become excellent, has all the traits a certain Varane had when signed for Madrid. We have seen what he can do in 3 games, consistently playing he may thrive at the Emirates.
Holding – he has that old school feel about him, remember him with Costa? He handled him well. Under new guidance could be brilliant for him as i rate this guy’s potential more than Chambers! Beilik is there too but injuries are ruining his chances.
Bellerin – He has had loads of chances but never under a new manager or having competition. Is still young, has bags full of talent & could well improve under Emery.
Soyuncu – May be worth a sum of £35m, already-made CBs cost £70m+ these days, we could make him worth that if not more in a few years. two-footed ball playing & winning CB with an eye for a great pass whilst being very quick off the ground. Still needs work on his positioning but we have had a lot worse.
Maitland Niles is going to be back up CDM & CM, who in my opinion is near ready to challenge Xhaka, Ramsey & Elneny, what a future he has. He’s strong, can battle with the best of them & isn’t fazed by any if it. Id love to say he could become a Vieira for us but maybe that’s jumping the gun a little.
We have no CDM yet but if we want great young potential, the options have to be;
Rabiot or Torreria, both 22, young agressive hungry players who could thrive. Would rather have both come in to replace Wilshere & Santi instead of Seri. Could maybe sell Elneny & Niles could do his job in utility man? To raise more funds.
In Attack;
Ramsey, Ozil, Mhiki & Iwobi (still young, can improve we all know it) are all the attacking midfielders and we are okay here. We are good for CF also in Aubameyang & Lacazette but wingers we are starved of at the moment, this is a big if but a huge possibility in Demebele from Barcelona on Loan with Option to buy (for, i’m sure, a lot of money). Very young, baller already & Auba could be key in this along with Sven.
Eddie Nketiah & Reiss Nelson are both young with loads of potential & should be moved up from the reserves as they could do more damage than Welbeck or Campbell could if we are honest out on the wings. Welbeck is on his last year of contract, i’d get rid of him and use the money for Dembele loan fee. Have to start sometime with the big boys & learn how to rotate with Dembele if it could happen.
Best spend there is £25m each on Rabiot & Torreira, £35 on Soyuncu & Loan fee for Dembele. Wages can all be used from departing players. If you include Sokratis/Lichsteiner, aMustafi sale would cover the deals, then all is left is a good Ssrong young Goalkeeper to take the No1 spot, get guidance & challenges from Cech.
NEW & Cech
Bellerin – Leichsteiner
Monreal – Kolasnic
Mavraponas – Soyuncu – Boss
(Holding & Chambers)
Rabiot – Torreira- Niles – Xhaka
Ramsey – Ozil – Mhiki
Dembele – Nketiah – Iwobi
Aubameyang – Lacazette
Thats 23 players there. On average 100m spent & would set us up for our targets which realistically are;
Top4
Europa League Win
One of either FA or league Cup Win
Its up to Emery to then do his job & motivate this team. Very young though they are, these players could all combine to make a very good squad for this season, and a couple of realistic transfer targets as NO UCL means lesser players arrivingI im sorry to inform as Champions League is the Holy Grail of Football.
Just a thought for today. Have a good weekend Gooners.
Sean