The news yesterday that Calum Chambers has been given a new contract extension by Arsenal shows that Unai Emery rates the 23 year-old and expects him to be fighting for a first team place next season, and he is certainly not on the list of players for sale.
This development means that the Gunners are now very well-stocked at the back. We already have Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Rob Holding, and the injured Laurent Koscielny competing for the two (or three?) centre-back roles, with Sokratis Papastathopoulos expected to be announced soon as extra cover for Koss. We also have Héctor Bellerín and Stephan Lichtsteiner at right back, Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolašinac at left back, and a swathe of youngsters hoping to fight for a place in the side. Hopefully Maitland-Niles will be used in his more natural position in the centre of midfield.
So why would we even need Calgar Soyuncu to come in, despite many pundits expecting the Turkish international to be named as a Gunner in the coming weeks. I doubt very much if he would even sign unless he was given assurances that he will play regularly, so how can we even justify splashing out a large portion of our transfer funds while we are already well-stocked in that position?
Unless there will be one of our current defenders sold very soon?
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OT:Kelechi Nwakali will be spending the 2018-2019 season on loan at Porto . Porto wanted a buy out clause on the loan move but arsenal rejected . shows how rated he is . hopefully , he will be able to get a work permit by the end of the season .
Yes exactly what we need next season when Joel & Perez possibly leave. He is a gem of a player. This exp will do him the world of good if he can break into a good Porto team in terms of loans it’s usually lower div teams or small teams abroad.
Wonder if this will have favourable effect on future transfers between the two clubs!
I’d take Yerry Mina instead
Agree, Mina is the towering CB Arsenal really need
But apparently there would be no more CB after Sokratis. They seem to be after midfielders instead
For me, this is a good development and i dont think we need another CB IF we get Sokratis.
I know Mustafi was terrible last season but now is probably not the right time to sell him cos he is the only senior experienced defender we have left.
That is not to say he should be in the starting line up immediately, would prefer Sokratis-Chambers partnership for a start.
I agree with you on Mustafi and with added competition and a more modern Coach you would expect him to improve next season
The Greek combo Sokratis-Mavropanos would surely have advantage over that ADHD kid Chambers. Mavro – faster, stronger, taller, better jumper, bigger future.
No, Chambers will play the League Cup. Him and Xhaka.
Calum Chambers will be a good backup but not good enough yet to start.I would’ve rather sent him on loan to play CB at another club for one full season before playing him.He needs to learn so many things about defending because people are hyping him up relative to what we have and even some of the young CB’s we are linked to are levels above him.
Also Mustafi and Sokratis won’t play together because they have exactly the same kind of character.Sokratis is just an older Mustafi in terms of playstyle.They are high risk players and why should they be coached into something their not?
Mustafi will leave and Soyuncu will come.
Soyuncu will be the better player when they develop trust me.This guy is the real deal.No jokes.He will cost a foryune in his prime.I just hope people realise that you don’t pair a player like Mustafi with Sokratis.They are high risk players.Sokratis even goes as far as midfield to win the ball at times.He really likes those things.Mustafi will be sold to make way for Soyuncu.
NO…unless we are selling one or two of our defenders,I don’t see why Arsenal should sign him,and his transfer fee is even more than/equal half our 50m/70m budget
Soyuncu will only come with assurances to play & if we are keeping Mustafi then no need to spend £35 on a youngster if we have high hopes for Chambers & Mavraponas. If Shokran is sold then we still have an Exp CB in Sokratis coming in then Koss returning around Xmas (The Boss is walking now so positive signs from the frenchman)
Torreira only replaces Jack & for what £5m for 5seasons isn’t going to break the bank paying Sampdoria. Cazorla needs replaces so maybe Carvalho on a free, we have been sniffing around him for a few seasons now, Banega touted also. Either way these 2 out of 3 are just replacements for what we lost.
Ramsey signs a new deal & Ozil can fight him for the no10 role as that is where Aaron is best (National team plays brilliant in that role) Ozil needs competition & he is either going to go 2ways… He has a point to prove after the WC & is on Fire OR this has really messed win him and is not the same player,tbh we have only saw glimpses in 4seasons at the Emirates.
Leno is in already,brilliant to challenge Cech until he leaves next summer. Bellerin now has competition & guidance from Lichsteiner. All that’s left is a big money signing for a winger, preferably left footed.
Sokartis is 29yo and Lichsteiner is 34yo
we are unsure if they will settle in and adapt quickly
Especially Lichsteiner, at 34 yo he lack the pace
Fans are already condemning a 32 yo Kos for lacking of pace
I agree with you though Exp is what these young guns will need as why I stated Bellerin will always start but needs that competition & to learn from a man at 34yrs of age who has done it all in terms of playing at big team, winning etc….
Koss again isn’t gonna last after this season though having the exp just like Per did for.last 2 season’s is vital & helps Unai out a lot. Sokratis has 3 good years in him,maybe 2 but Shrokran needs to leave then Soyuncu comes in with the potential to be a starter along with Mavraponas in next 2 season’s maybe. They get to learn from these guys then take the role themselves. Chambers in there too along with Holding.
Looking good of we get Soyuncu in for the close future of our defence line.
Sokratis at 29 still has 2 or 3 years ti give us, plenty of time to develop youngsters like Mavropanos, Chambers and Holding. If we can add Soyuncu that would make my day.
It’s not even about Soyuncu demanding playing time before he comes.The thing is we are selling Mustafi because he can’t be partnered with Sokratis.Have people watched Sokratis at all?
That partnership will be very unsuccessful because of their style of play.Soyuncu comes in to replace Mustafi and one of Holding or Mavropanos will be going on loan.
I’ve also seen their style of play is similar.Most of the tackles made by both sokartis and Mustafi are similar too.
The clear answer to the writer’s question is that some must go. Mustafi is surely the worst centre back since the dreadful days of Squillachi, Senderos and Djourou. I would also either sell Holding or at least loan him out. We also still have to pay the much regressed Koscielny for being unavailable for many months to come. UNLIKE WENGER, THE NEW MAN WILL SURELY NOT WASTE CONSTANT WAGES ON KEEPING DEADBEATS AROUND, USELESSLY!
Some will tell you Mustafi should be sold but Xhaka has potential and should remain.I hope you’re not one of them though.Some of also think Chambers is good enough.Mustafi is a bad defender because he lacks concentration and focus but in terms of defensive skills I don’t think I being an Arsenal will lie to myself that just because of mistakes Chambers has better defensive skills than Mustafi.Thats a lie and if people believe this Mustafi will be vindicated.
we ave been linked to a midfielder in tangul from france, any update abt any coming midfielder
kev, No I am not one of those who rate Xhaka or who think Emery can change him for the better. Reason? Because you cannot inject pace into someone who does not have it. Xhaka is slow in thought , in action and is tactically unaware and a liability. My regular posts have often said this so you do not read them , which I now know. No reason why you should though , so I have made my opinion plain now. I also want rid of Elneny(tedious, mediocre sideways passing , no creativity at all); Bellerin ( can’t jump, tackle, stay in position, regularly crosses badly, constanly outmuscled in challenges); both first choice keepers(neither good enough) Welbeck( reluctantly, since I admire his work rate and character, BUT his first touch is nowhere near good enough at our level and he is not clinical in finishing). I would however keep Chambers as he showed a big improvement late last season and I think him far more reliable than Mustafi and he is still clearly making progress, unlike Mustafi. Only my opinion of course.
The best thing arsenal supporters should do to it’so players is to give them maximum support in every game and not criticise players anyhow remember in on going world cup only few players are exceptional, the rest are just good players like those of arsenal, if we could be having defender like Jones of manu in our team I know most of you would be too critical on him but he is in world cup, it is actually our negative attitude towards players which made some of our players never preform nor went to world cup, for the comming next season I beg all arsenal supporters to give our players maximum support and encouragement them for over a period of six months without criticism to anyone , am seeing all our players are world beaters and also let us give maximum support to our coaching staff , remember an African saying says ,that one mistake doesn’t make you divorce you wife ,rambert wenger was given 22 year. Go arsenal go.
Jon, yet another Wenger favourite getting a new contract!!
Just remind me please, who’s left for Emery to identify from Wengers favourites that are worth keeping following Xhaka, Bellerin, Ramsey, Elmeny?
Our new manager must be seeing the same things that Wenger saw, especially as those listed above were all seen as KEEPING DEADBEATS AROUND BY SOME!!!!!
In Emery we trust. maybe more than others?
I do agree with your views on Mustafi by the way, but a little bit more reserved in my judgement of Kos.
Ken , I am afriad your have not phrased your post clearly enough to properly make your point. I BELIEVE,though am not sure, that you are asking me which of Wengers favourites, I think worth keeping. If you are, then I would KEEP the following only from Wengers regulars or favourites(as you call them). In no particular order; Ramsey, Monreal, Ozil, plus all the players he bought from close season on wards2017 ie Laca, Auba, Kolasinac(though only just keep, on balance) Mavropanos, Chambers, Holding(loan out only). AM-N , Nelson, plus all fringe players not yet regulars. SOME OF THOSE I LIST WERE REALLY FRINGE PLAYERS UNDER WENGER but I think will develop rapidly under Emery. You will note I want all the Wenger regular defence, bar Monreal and Kolasinac(both only on balance, to remain) to leave. I also think OZIL is probably in the last chance saloon this coming season, as I do not think he has the work rate within his character that Emery will demand. I also think Koscielny should be released as soon as practicably possible(when replaced ). Of course we will need replacements concurrently, or thereabouts, with these leaving, so the squad numbers are not reduced too far. In particular, I would like Bellerin , Mustafi, Elneny and Xhaka to go as soon as practicable and both Cech and Ospina too.
Thanks for the reply Jon and sorry if I didn’t make my questions clear enough.
The points I am trying to have a debate over are those players who have been offered and accepted new contracts, were all seen as Wenger’s favourites.
Not by me I should add, but those who arguing against the ex manager.
Now, if Emery can see the potential in players such as Xhaka, then was the accusations against Wenger unjustified?
Or, as you suggested,they are all deadbeats and Emery has also made a mistake in giving these players mentioned new contracts?
It’s been suggested that they are so bad, that no amount of coaching will improve them.
Also, what are your views on this rumour that we have not yet agreed any transfers apart from the two already confirmed by the club?
Ah, thanks for the clarity Ken. As to the rumours first, I simply have no idea save to add that I do think, but only THINK, that Torreira will happen as it seems to be widely agreed by most . I very much doubt Banega is on the cards. As to Sokritis, yes, probably he will come. But kev seems the self styled expert so surely he would be the one to ask, unless, like me and the site Admin, you do not buy into his boasting at all. On your main point, I am amazed that Emery has , it seems, offered Xhaka a long term contract. I consider this will prove a big mistake BUT am highly reluctant to criticise a manager who has just got his feet in the door. I propose to give him a decent time to prove me wrong , which hopefully, he will do. Lastly, you know full well my views on WENGER AND THEREFORE I SEE NO POINT IN RE-STATING THEM NOW. BE ASSURED KEN THAT I ALWAYS VALUE YOUR VIEWS AND WHETHER I AGREE WITH THEM OR NOT IS IMMATERIAL. In part this is because I value the perspective that age and experience brings and appreciate those, like you, who can concisely and lucidly explain their thoughts. Though a tad less important, it is also refeshing to converse with others who can both spell and punctuate correctly.
Good news on Chamber’s signing, always felt he had the attributes and intelligence to succeed. Allot of work still to do but with enough game time, confidence, and competent teammates around him, I think he prove this to be a sound investment.
Mustafi and Koscielny, they aren’t good together because both want to press the danger. Koscielny in his day though was three times the player Mustafi looks, Per wanting to martial and being in control, of our line, had some to do with that. Age will probably decide which one sticks around unless Mustafi fails to cut out those errors.
Mavrapanos & Holding, I’m actually more excited to see how our younger players go under Emery as opposed to Sokratis. Not that I’m not hoping for Sokratis to steady the ship and become a rock for us. It’s just better when you know you have an early 20s player that most teams would not say no to.
Calun Chambers,one of the worst defenders i ever seen in my life,Arsenal have lost 8 of the 10 matches he started,check his statistics even on loan,no goals no assists,I’m so shocked Unai Emery wants to give him a contract, he was one of the reasons Arsene never did well!
No goals no assists?? Are you trolling or is there something wrong with your head?! He’s a center back for god sake! Scoring and assisting aren’t a part of his job! Smh
Soyuncu for Mustafi? No contest, the Turk is on different level even at the age of 22. He is mobile, tenacious and reads the game well – reminds me of a young Rio Ferdinand. Unfortunately who would want Mustafi especially for the rip-off £35m we paid for him, if we can get half that we should take it and cut our losses. I do not want him in an Arsenal shirt next season, not good for my health. Koscielny merely represents a high salaried non-player who will never regain the high standards he set a few years ago and unfortunately should be offered a free transfer. I do like Chambers, and maybe with proper defensive coaching (which has been non-existent for the past 10 years) he will develop into a top CB, he has the physique and the temperament. This will also help England in the future.
Being an argumentative old git, I TRIED VERY HARD TO FIND SOMETHING IN YOUR POST TO DISAGREE ABOUT. I failed though. Well said!
You’ve made my weekend Jon, enjoy yours. By the way I’m probably an older git than you!!!
You would need to be 69 to achieve that goal. If you have , then my commiserations to you(and to myself too!)
81 and counting (I hope).
?
We can get Meyer and Ben Alpha for free, our back line is pretty ok to me.
Lovely… Now u beat me to dat
William Carvalho … someone mentioned he is a free agent can that be true?
He is free only if he is successful in cancelling his contract, due to the attacks on the players at Sporting Lisbon training instigated by masked “so called” supporters.
I personally would have tried this season with the defenders we have without buying reinforcement, Sokratis have not lit any bulbs in my head, because he is a Mustafi, so why would you want an older Mustafi, Soyuncu who some of the fans are raving about have not done anything different than what our present defenders have done.
Defenders(young), unlike attackers, need couple seasons under their belts playing regularly with a partner that compliments their skill set to form a decent defensive partnership. unlike many fans here i think Chambers have been improving not only as a defender but as a leader in the back organising and talking to others around him. His partnership with the young Greek should be encouraged and build on, which then stability of our defensive line will grow.
Where i think our money should have been spent is in the area in front of our defensive line MIDFIELD, where opposition went through like a hot knife cutting butter, we are in need of more defensively minded midfielders who are not searching for their names to be in lights scoring goals, but more interested in controlling our midfield. A stong midfield will improve our top four finish and title challenge
I think Arsenal do need both addition at the back and defensive organisation. Some youngsters in my opinion, are nowhere near being ready. I would send Holding out for a teo year spell with an EPL side(maybe one of the newly promoted or top championship side). Its just sad that English players never want to explore outside England, but a stint in Italy would build our defenders. Mavro and Chambers should be the starting in EFL(Carabao or whatever its called this season) and some Europa games. In terms of the league, i would start Chambers a few and sub him others. While i understand Soyuncu is a string defender, without Torreira/Carvalho/Banega/Doucoure in midfield, its not gonna mattet who is t the back hence Defensive MIDFIELD is the priority. Then Winger(s) then maybe we can think of him. Unless of course like others said Mustafi leaves but we would rather keep him, improve him a little and then sell in Jan because right now, he aint work s**t.
A specialist DM (or 2) is/are the number one priority. Arsenal haven’t had a good one since Gilberto Silva left.
*He aint worth s**t
Diana, Personally I think that S**T is precisely what he IS worth!