We are currently only one month away from the January transfer window, and as Mikel Arteta has already stated that the Arsenal squad is still very ‘thin’, then we must certainly expect to see quite a few new arrivals in January and next summer, to ensure that we can compete on all fronts and cope with injuries and suspensions.
All the hype is currently telling us that Mudryk and Danilo are likely to arrive this winter, but if they do, then would any of our current players become surplus to requirements? Especially as we may need to free up some wages currently given to non-playing squad members.
As we have also see Elneny recover from his injury, I think that the first obvious candidate is Albert Sambi Lokonga (if Danilo arrives as well) but I think he is more likely to be sent out on loan to see if he develops further before deciding to sell completely.
As for Mudryk, he will definitely want regular playing time, so the next obvious departure would be Marquinhos. The Brazilian has shown flashes of brilliance, but like Lokonga probably needs a loan period for further observation. With Reiss Nelson as backup and the expected return of ESR, Marquinhos is unlikely to get much more game time this season.
We know that Danilo and Mudryk would markedly improve our squad, but should we also keep the two above-named players as backups for a glut of injuries? Or just let them move on?
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Our squad is small but those youngsters need the game time. I think Danilo and Mudryk would actually be first team players rather than kind of back up as lakonga and marqinhos are atm. Danilo and Mudryk would allow real rotation and competition.
Danilo and Mudryk would definitely start EVERY
EL fixture in addition to providing QUALITY PL
rotation and cover if Injuries occur in both
midfield and on the wings.
A cheeky bid for Marcus Thuram or Memphis
Depay and AFC are SERIOUS threats IMWO
to City for the EPL crown.
I can’t see Elneny or Holding leaving us anytime soon as they are both essential squad players who are happy to be just that. I wouldn’t be surprised though if Cedric and Lakonga go even though I also,think they are reliable squad players.
This was to answer the article not Ace!
Provided we get in enough replacements which is a huge doubt, IMO, then the players I would love to leave us permanently are Elneny, Lokonga, Cedric and Holding, though Holding has never let us down badly.
But truth compels me to say he is way below the level of our regular CBs. We are now competing with City, no less, and they do not have a single passenger in THEIR squad Nor must we, IF we are to seriously compete for the title.
This is simple reality and, as ever, I PUT THE CLUB AND TEAM FIRST, and individuals who are not good enough I will gladly let go without a second thought. PROVIDED, THOUGH, THAT THEY ARE ALL ADEQUATELY REPLACED FIRST , WHICH I REPEAT, I DO NOT EXPECT TO HAPPEN.
Lonkango definitely will need to go out on loan, Marquinhos seems more built for the league but the gaffer needs to find more game time for him, but it was similar handling Martinelli received and the rest is history.
Am not fully aware where Mudryk gets in as he plays on the left, and their is where Martinelli and Smith Rowe wet their bread, maybe Neto could be a better addition as he would be more of a competitor to Saka.
Danilo is not really an immediate starter in my opinion, he will need to get his feet wet before starting, which shouldn’t take too long, maybe a gentle introduction could do the trick, but I expect him to Marshall that number six role as soon as his feet wet,
Danilo mobility in that number six role is going to shore up our defense even further as he covers lots of ground, Neves is a natural starter if we ever venture there, Bennacer and Masah are two recent players to enter the equation.
So three of those players would strengthen us significantly
Danilo, Neto and Beccaner/Musah.
A loan move for Lokonga and Marquinos would probably make the most sense at this point as they will both struggle for game time if we add new signings in their positions. Cedric is a funny one, he might face the same problem but would probably keep just for his experience.
Midfield options:
Lone 6-Partey Elneny Danilo
Advanced 8’s-Xhaka Odegaard Veira ESR
Wide Forward options:
Martinelli Saka Mudryk ESR Nelson
Off topic: our premier league home fixture against Man City at the Emirates Stadium has been rearranged to the 15th February 2023 kick off 19:30pm
P.s City have a shockingly difficult run of fixtures from January
So do Arsenal mate!
Yes but I’m still confident we will beat Newcastle and Man Utd at the Emirates and come away with at least a point away at Spurs.
OT: Juventus. Again.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63785489
Italian football was once the best and because of the sheer love for the game, was hoping they find their way back and restore a great deal of lost pride.
This recent incident at the old lady make it seems things maybe a little more entrenched than I have thought, if this report is true.
Probably a good thing Gunsmoke because the rot is entrenched and it needs to be cleaned up from top to bottom. If it can be done, although I am not optimistic there is no better place to start than at Juve which has long been under the patronage of the Agnelli family and not so long ago also had the Gaddafis of Libya on the board.Back in the 70s and 80s the old lady was famous for picking up the best young talent from Seria B and C but this all changed with Bosman and like most of the big Italian teams the squad is currently stacked with a mixed bag of imports. Still considering some of the poor quality on display at this World Cup, Italia not being there is a waste.
Yup, I agree. Lokonga and Marquinhos need some playing time and I don’t think they will get it much this season. Elneny, Viera, Nelson, Nketiah, ESR, Holding, Tierney, Cedric and Tomiyasu seems to be the sufficient backups. Maybe Mudryk’s potential addition will be an extra boast.
It seems that a MAJOR assumption of this article is that we do NOT lose any players in January.
Also it does not appear to take into Account that we may need to pay some serious money in new contracts in January in an attempt to keep Saka and Saliba.
(We may well be up against PSG and Man City when trying to keep these two players)
If we have to do this, it may seriously impact our ability to bring in new players.
I think Mudryk and Danilo will be first team players but not really starters because of the current form of our first team players. however, it will help the young Marguinhos and Lokonga to go out on loan for much playing time. And
I don’t even think that Lokonga has a long future in Arsenal because he is not improving.
My guess is none
Why?
There are a few candidates but leave it until Summer.
Cedric may be shifted off when we have Norton Cuffy back but not now.
El Neny is on a one year deal but let it run until Danilo settles.
i think realistically Cedric, Elneny, Holding, and Nelson all could be sold in january. we have cover at right back and with a winger, mid and possibly a striker coming in we will actually be improving the quality of depth. Arteta is also desperate to sign a left footed centreback in to back up Gabriel so look out for a suprise possible signing there also.
Not strengthening this January would be a huge gamble. Maximising points with four decisive games against City and Newcastle plus repeats against Man.U., Chelsea, the Spuds and improving Villa and Leicester requires a strong squad with as many match winners as possible.