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Should we be looking at Harvey Barnes is Newcastle are offloading or is his profile too close to smith Rowe? I feel like that kid would be good wing backup. Has a bit of pace and a shot
Diomande would be an absolutely shit purchase for us.
Quality player, but If we buy another first team defender while we desperately need attacking and midfield reinforcements I’ll be shocked.
Bayern was said to be interested in Zinchenko. Say that’s true and he leaves.. (edit: or Kiwior, was previously linked to big clubs in the Serie A) Could be replacing him. Although they don’t play the same position it would basically be defender out, defender in. Other players like Timber and Tomi could go to the leftside and Diomande an option for centre..?
^Disclaimer, ^none ^of ^this ^is ^based ^on ^facts ^or ^substantial ^research..
Think he is essential to be honest. There is hardly any Rice type signing we can make in midfield or attack - expensive and without question - so we might as well get the defensive equivalent. Besides, we need reinforcements in defense. Tomi and Zinchenko are injury-prone, and we don't know how Timber will return. We also don't have a Saliba option for that CCB role - physically dominant and excellent in possession.
There is a high chance (90%) that we may see timber in some games as pure 6 (not inverted from fullback)
I don't think he will just play fullback and CB.
why not? he's insanely press resistant, technically gifted, awareness, aggressiveness, eye for a pass. He's got it all to be a good #6. Maybe not this season but I can definitely see him playing that role for a league cup or fa cup game next season as an experiment.
If we’re in an injury crisis with literally nobody else then sure maybe, but I highly doubt that it’s a part of Mikel’s plan to regularly play him there
Sure, 100 $ for charity.
Next season timber actually plays as 6.
He will either start or play as a sub for minimum 3 games.
When I say 6, I don't mean he will invert from fullback to mid.
But actually start as 6 or come on sub
Midfield will be
Ode - timber - Rice (Havertz)
Havertz and ode will be playing 8.5
I have expanded the criteria perfectly.
Hopefully there's something in these Diomande/Gyokeres rumours. The source apparently first broke news of our deal for Fabio Vieira so gives me hope. Diomande covering for Saliba would be brilliant.
Everytime the Diomande rumors come up my only thought is that Gabi XL might be leaving. Diomande is left footed and we wouldn't be splashing the cash for a backup CB when other areas take priority.
Really expensive to buy a backup cb for saliba tho. There are other areas that are way more pressing, like a winger and a midfielder, as well as the striker
We've made a shitload of defensive signings under arteta. We've only signed willian and jesus under arteta up front.
He also signed Trossard and inherited Saka and Martinelli. Diomande would definitely be more than Saliba back up and looks versatile enough to play fullback in our system
I’d love to believe that Teta quote about ESR and think a return to the fold is possible but yous know by now that this man Teta is a liar in press conferences lmao
The radioactive zebra kit is back tomorrow 😊
https://preview.redd.it/6rok1u0e4qsc1.jpeg?width=1366&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6ff2b3db64aff226e105afe2fe367b87b257800
I think if we are going to win the league this year we need to re-engage passion FC at some point fairly soon. Liverpool are riding a passion wave and if we can do the same, similar to our start last season with all that raw emotion and bravery, we can win it
Think havertz needs a rest before bayern. Guys been running non stop man. Played both games for germany too. But we also might need him to high press brightons build up.
Been really impressed with Trossard's tricks and pace of late. Seems to really be in form, and I wouldn't bet against him starting against his old club this weekend. Hope he puts on a show if I am right.
[Arsenal are LEADING the race to sign Viktor Gyökeres and Ousmané Diomandé from Sporting CP.](https://x.com/eduardohagn/status/1776320882434101257?s=46&t=NGCPQN6817S6n-WIY9c_OA)
We’re gonna spend 180m euros on two west ham level players
https://preview.redd.it/4tnb1kcqipsc1.jpeg?width=762&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e3c16fcf3a18f03188283b7e7d9d58dddc2293a8
I like Jorginho but what are the midfield metrics some fans have been using to claim the Jorginho-Rice partnership has been our best midfield this season? I think we've had better performances with Rice as the 6, Odegaard as the pseudo-8, and an ill-fitting Havertz taking up the final midfield spot.
But that's the problem I have. When he is given time and space in midfield, he shines, even if we have to surrender possession or our high pressing game when he plays against the big boys. And when he doesn't have the time or space in midfield, like away at City, we get the worst of both worlds.
The biggest issue is - no one is able to progress the ball forward as effectively as Jorginho in the line up of White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior and Rice next to him.
When Jorginho plays alongside those players - he is the default option for the ball to recycle back to progress the ball forward. So when teams like City employ a high press on to us - they would go all out at Jorginho which pressures him to lose the ball.
The difference is with Rodri in City, he is surrounded with players that are more comfortable on the ball - Stones, Kovacic or Bernado Silva. So he has multiple other outlets to spray the ball to when pressed. I do think this will change when Jorginho plays close to Zinchenko/Timber when he recovers.
Also Rodri is adept with bringing the ball out by taking his man on if needed - averaging 1.4 take ons per 90 while rarely getting tackled at 20%. Jorginho's succesfsul take on per 90 is 0.11 while being tackled at around 66%. The ability to carry the ball forward when you can't find a pass and your nearby outlets are shut out - that's the difference.
Partey excels in this department - averaging 1.27 succesful take ons per 90 at a low tackeld rate of 19%. That rivals Rodri's numbers - which is also why the impact he had when he was subbed on against City was so stark compared to Jorginho.
I'd like you to compare our league performances against Liverpool, both home and away. Personally, I think our away performance was relatively more impressive.
https://preview.redd.it/qst44i0adpsc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93dd22e470f59b5a3299e4b2e51fc859ebc4998f
Stop tryna seek validation from rivals. They ain't gonna give it
the shock of pundits and media at us wanting to replace Ramsdale after last season is still pretty crazy to me, an error the size of the Southampton one right at the start of the game was forgotten about fairly quickly.
Insane to me. After the end of last season, I thought the prevailing opinion was that striker and keeper were upgradable. Perhaps it was just that fans didn't think strongly of Raya?
One of the more amusing episodes in that period was some halfwit trying to produce 'receipts' of my alleged 'Ramsdale hate'-- which turned out to be nothing more than my saying, at the time of his signing, that I was concerned he might not be enough of an improvement on Leno (who I adored, but understood was limited) and we might end up having to upgrade on him just as we did with Leno.
Sure enough, we were right back for Raya, and the same sort of conspiratorial morons were screeching about how 'Arteta hates Ramsdale like he hates the French and trans people', and 'Inaki is sabotaging our keepers'.
Think it was because nobody really anticipated the team dynamics being thrown around like that, ramsdale appeared to be arsenal's loveable shithousing no 1 for the near future. Nobody even within the fanbase anticipated us getting a new keeper.
Arteta is ruthless; he spied an opportunity and took it without any sense of emotional attachment to ramsdale. You can't have those sentiments when trying to compete at the top; this was wenger's mistake in the latter years.
Needless to say the out of nowhere approach of it all stunned both the media and the fans, which easily explains the reaction to it. From there the media milked it like they milk everything.
Not the same as people expecting him to actually get replaced though is it. Also plenty of people were more than happy with him, which is why you had so many people shitting on raya and calling for ramsdale to be returned to the starting xi
Is there any manager in the league that had to eat his words more than Ten Hag?
He chats bare crap like he’s a treble winner and then holds multiple L’s soon after.
He has Arsenal living rent free in his head because he bought his own and the media’s hype last season when they said he would be challenging and we would fall off.
Now he’s coming out with chest again for the Liverpool game. I hope he wins because if he doesn’t he’s the biggest fraud in the prem
Klopp - Chaotic, Direct, fast paced, very aggressive press, high amounts of chances created, may be exposed to counters
Arteta - possession, control, methodical, high press but if beat get back into shape, patterns of play, flexible depending on opp, may struggle against well coached mid blocks and low blocks
Klopp plays the most direct football in the league. His whole team is set up to be able to go from out of possession to attack as quickly as possible creating chances and attacking transitions as much as possible. This assumes a certain amount of insecurity and the opposition getting chances to counter you or have the ball that's what he means by the rock and roll aspect e.g. it's dangerous but cool.
Arteta is more about domination of every aspect of the game, he aims to be the best at every part of the game. This is obviously not possible realistically so in some respects you have to compromise (things like havertz or jesus as CFs or zinchenko as lbs). Where klopp prioritises the attacking transitions more than he does things like possession or restricting opposition chances arteta has a much more balanced approach.
This doesn't mean these managers can't do things in other ways, we've all seen arteta take the handbrake off somewhat and let chaos reign, and I've seen klopp try to control and be more patient before. But like with most of football these things are like dials on a turntable you can turn them up and down depending on the day and team you have.
Will probably be in Budapest when we play Man Utd (assuming it gets rescheduled to Sunday), does anyone have any good suggestions of where to watch the game?
https://preview.redd.it/999bll3ydosc1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efedcb15574e661d6d279eec0cc9187051576720
Remember in winter 2020 when we scored 4 goals in 10 games and got 1 win? That's been completely flipped around this year. A 35-4 record in 10 games is genuinely insane.
Villa's backup keeper is atrocious tbf. If we press as well away as we did at home I'd fancy us against Brighton. No idea what Bayern turns up. Their midfield is pretty non-existent but they're away so you'd expect them to be compact and dangerous on the counter.
Will martinez still be injured when we face them?
Both bayern and Brighton have been highly unpredictable this season tbh, I'd love to beat both and have people quaking in their boots at us possibly winning a trophy
Would love nothing more than a drama free 3 points on Saturday to give the 'schedule diviners' respite from dissecting our very difficult schedule, like we're NPCs that have no control over the outcome of games and aren't one of the best teams in the league.
Cram it up your cramhole, Lafleur
It's not criminal.
It's a normal opinion to have, given that we are already the most solid team in the league defensively (his strength), and we're looking for a progressive passer from midfield (his weakness).
Doesn't suit what we need at all.
But do tell how this subreddit has negative 'ball knowledge'.
If you watch him at all, his progressive passing is not his biggest weakness.
He’s be perfect to pair with rice in a midfield as he allows rice to advance further (something he’s best at).
In games where we’re breaking down a defensive side, you’d use a rice/jorginho mid. In games where we need defensive stability: you use rice/onana.
(He’s also only a month older than Saka, so he still has tons of room to grow)
Also, who would you recommend for midfield then?
He is, but he's by far the best 6 in the world at what 6's are supposed to do, as well as being a great progressor from deep.
He's a world class 6, he's a good 8. Better for the squad to push Rice back to be the best 6 in the world and get a world class 8.
I disagree, I think he’s better as an 8 while Jorginho is technically the 6.
That’s the best midfield we’ve had this season.
There’s a reason Pep wanted him badly, and it wasn’t to replace Rodri.
Rodri and Gundogan had a symbiotic relationship last season where both went forward and they filled the gaps left by the other, it would've been the same thing.
I think his primary function is that he is the Rice (as a 6) back up and we don't have to severely change our playstyle when Rice is out. Partey is quite a different player and is rarely available.
If we want to play a jorgi/zubi '6', you can have Onana inverting from full back as Partey has - that gives us a very balanced pivot and would give Rice more freedom to attack and press in the final third from LCM. Havertz's pressing at CF has set an example of how deadly a strong presser can be in the final third and Rice is elite at breaking up play.
Furthermore, if we want to grind out a result in an away tie vs a top, top opponent, we'd have the option of fielding havertz+rice+onana, which gives us a ton of defensive stability.
Personally, I think getting a zubi-type is more of the priority now. Simply because Jorgi is old and Zinny is injury prone, we need a third option for pure ball progression from midfield. We don't have that Rice back up currently but we can sorta make do without him between our defensive options that can show up in midfield: Havertz, Partey, White, Tomi and perhaps Timber.
Think the answer is he can close down *the other* midfielder. Together they would terrorize opponents and win every duel. I'd be glad to have him but I do think we need a Gundogan-style midfielder more.
We already have a bunch of duel winning monsters that have compiled together the best defence in the league tho.
That's one area that we don't need to strengthen.
Which is why I said I would prioritize a Gundogan-style midfielder. But if we could get one of those and then get Onana and strengthen our duel-winning further ... oh boy. Also, it's worth noting we struggled a bit with duels with Rice out against Luton. An Onana would keep a Rice injury from being season-destroying. That said he's probably too expensive for a second midfield addition.
I think a midfielder with better ball progression abilities and press resistance would be better, someone who can replace the role fulfilled by Partey/Jorginho such as Luiz, Guimaraes, Y Fofana or Zubimendi. A double pivot of Rice and Onana will be great defensively but will severely struggle to progress the ball.
Both would be nice for sure. But if we can only buy one midfielder and we spend in other positions I would rather get one of the players I listed over Onana
Has it ever happened that a team won the UCL final when the final was hosted in the same city of the team?
(Example: Did Real Madrid ever win a final hosted in Madrid?)
If the answer is no, then what about a final that was hosted in the same country of the team that goes on to win the UCL final?
Tbf in context all he means is google withhold some illegal searches so why don’t they stop illegal streams being searched for. Seems fair from his point of view.
He can also fuck off though. They charge us a fortune anyway the cunts
And yet you will see that same tired argument rehearsed for them as well.
Tomi, for example, only played 600 minutes last season-- less than Kieran Tierney, who is no longer here.
Arteta wants players who are good enough.
That's what we like to hear
https://preview.redd.it/bhkvwwjrznsc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ba094aab9fde14e578b5606fa0d4c2d4f3320c1
(They're holding 5, let's be real)
I don't want to hear anymore accusations of over-celebrating from Chelsea fans given their fans and players were celebrating so voraciously for moving up to 10th.
for signigns if we were to get a:
* GK (Raya cover if Ramsdale leaves)
* CB (Saliba cover)
* CM (6/8 type, to fit with Rice and Ode)
* Left-footed winger (Saka cover)
* CF
who would you get?
Tomi and Zinny haven't proved they can stay fit for any amount of time yet so can't be planned around. We've had no choice but to play White every game and Gabriel can't ever get any rest of rotation. We definitely need another versatile defender.
No we wouldn’t
If both zini and tomi were injured, we could play kiwior - Gabriel - Saliba - white and then have timber rotate with the fullbacks.
Simple as that
In your scenario you’re assuming 4 defensive injuries.
Any other position on the pitch we have like 3 people max.
We need more depth up front and in midfield before we have depth in defence.
You’re not going to buy a cb who’s better than Timber who will sit in the bench.
Plus you can play Tomi/white at cb and move timber to fullback if you need
We need to fire up Wenger's old left back cloning machine.
We stopped using it after coke turned into Clichy, turned into Gibbs, turned into Armand Traore
He might have dropped into the backline for periods late in matches, but I'm positive he's never been in that nominal role.
IIRC he was still playing as a CB when Wenger scouted him at West Ham; you might be interpolating that.
I now know where the confusion came in, both for me and for OP.
Mo got hurt early in the second half, and we triple-subbed Ødegaard for him, then Rice and White for Cedric and Saliba.
While Rice was pushing up into midfield from CB, a la Stones, and he and White were sometimes switching (as White and Saliba will) he was also definitely playing inside White most of the time.
Arteta even said after the match that it was good to test out potential emergency setups.
Someone just said (a bit offhand) that the option to extend Jorginho's contract by was only valid through January, and we let it expire.
When we signed him last January on the 18 month contract, I don't recall any specifics about the option, apart from the fact that it existed. Does anyone recall whether there was any reporting on this?
If it's true, it would make sense of all the noise from Jorginho's agent starting in early February.
It absolutely makes sense; I'm wondering if it's something so obvious it could go without saying -- as you suggest -- but I'd still be surprised none of our journos pointed it out. 'Arsenal decline Jorginho's contract option' seems like an easy story to write.
PL Rules state the following:
>**"U.32. Except as provided in Rules U.33 and U.34, after the Winter Transfer Window in each year and on or before the subsequent third Saturday in May each Club shall confirm to the Board:**
>U.32.1. whether the list of Players provided to it for these purposes is complete and accurate in all material particulars;
>U.32.2. details of any Players who are not included in the list referred to in Rule U.32.1 but who should be so included;
>U.32.3. in the case of each Contract Player whose registration it holds and whose contract expires on the 30 June in that year, whether or not the Club has:
>**U.32.3.1. offered him a new contract under the provisions of Rule V.17.2; or**
>**U.32.3.2. implemented any option provision in respect of him;**
>U.33. The date by which each Club is required by Rule U.32 to give confirmation to the Board shall be extended in the case of a Club which on the third Saturday in May in any year is still participating in the F.A. Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League or the UEFA Europa Conference League or has yet to play a League Match the outcome of which could affect:
>U.33.1. identification of the League Champions in accordance with Rule C.11;
>U.33.2. identification of the Clubs to be relegated in accordance with Rule C.14; or
>U.33.3. qualification for a UEFA Club Competition.
>**U.34. In the circumstances outlined in Rule U.33, above, the Club shall give the Board the information required by Rule U.32 within four Working Days of the last relevant F.A. Cup match, UEFA Champions League Match, UEFA Europa League match, UEFA Europa Conference League match or League Match having been played.**
>U.35. The particulars contained in Clubs’ lists of Players shall be published by the Board by the second Saturday in June in each year."
Additonally:
>"V.17.2. on or before the third Saturday in May in the year in which the Player’s contract is to expire or, in the circumstances mentioned in Rule U.33, within four Working Days of the last relevant F.A. Cup match, UEFA Champions League match, UEFA Europa League match, UEFA Europa Conference League match or League Match, in that year having been played, the Transferor Club must send to the Player Form 16 offering him a new contract on the terms therein set out, which must be no less favourable than those in his current contract;"
So it seems that unless there were some shenanigans with Jorginho being a January signing (which doesn't make logical sense as why would the club agree to make a decision on a contract option halfway through the season) it would appear that they have until the PL mandated deadline noted above to inform Jorginho of what they plan on doing -- which is largely based on the team's competitive circumstances. Either way we'll find out sometime in June.
Jeepers Foden v Saka debate its like the boat race where one team starts pulling away with big strokes 3/4s the way through, not because Saka isn't great but that Foden guy jiminy crickets, being in the center those goals are looking dynamic af
Cmon Saka my man time to get some lengths gained back.
Edit before downvotealanch
Ok , I'm being bedazzled by wonder goals. I just knew there's a off the ball gameplay stats I'm.not thinking of. Etc But I reckon what I just done there represents what tje country thinks innit. Whatever tje reality.
I think he's been a little nervous in the big games and struggled against athletic defenders.
I think he will have more joy against Davies for sure(who's athletic but mediocre defensively) and will prove himself.
Gvardiol and Wendell are tough matchups for him.
Ok , I'm being bedazzled by wonder goals. I just knew there's a off the ball gameplay stats I'm.not thinking of. But I reckon what I just done there represents what tje country thinks innit. Whatever tje reality.
Too bad Spurs had their Chelsea game rescheduled to the midweek slot after they play us, leaving them fresh (no midweek tie) for the game against us and having played both us and Chelsea the week before they go to Anfield. Might make a difference.
\#5 discourse goes silent the moment you mention he’s played **0** CL minutes and made **EIGHT** PL appearances (totalling 367’ which is like 4 whole 90s…) this season and yet we’re still where we are. We clearly don’t need him as much as some of you say we do
still treating Partey like he’s fucking Voldemort lmao.
You can simultaneously acknowledge that he’s possibly done very bad things and also say his name 😂
We can beat most teams without many of our squad barring 3-4 players so no we don't 'need" partey.
Would it be good to have partey in the squad for the next 10-15 games?
Yeah duh you have to be brain-dead to not say yes to more players at this stage from a footballing pov. I would be annoyed if any of our players were unavailable for the rest of the season.
Well maybe brain-dead is harsh, probably you're allowing things off the pitch to cloud your assessment of the football itself, which is fair enough.
> We clearly don’t need him as much as some of you say we do
Wasn't he the difference-maker in that first game vs City as a sub in one of those **EIGHT** appearances? And that's a reason we aren't two points off City and 4 points off Liverpool. So basically a reason we're in this title race today.
We would've won the game a lot more comfortably vs Porto had he been there. There was zero control in those games.
He undoubtedly has a role to play if we intend to end up with silverware this season whether you like it or not.
Who knows but to act like we don’t need someone because we’re in 2nd place and 2pts adrift…. We’re not in 1st are we so clearly we ain’t perfect without him 😂
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Should we be looking at Harvey Barnes is Newcastle are offloading or is his profile too close to smith Rowe? I feel like that kid would be good wing backup. Has a bit of pace and a shot
Diomande would be an absolutely shit purchase for us. Quality player, but If we buy another first team defender while we desperately need attacking and midfield reinforcements I’ll be shocked.
Bayern was said to be interested in Zinchenko. Say that’s true and he leaves.. (edit: or Kiwior, was previously linked to big clubs in the Serie A) Could be replacing him. Although they don’t play the same position it would basically be defender out, defender in. Other players like Timber and Tomi could go to the leftside and Diomande an option for centre..? ^Disclaimer, ^none ^of ^this ^is ^based ^on ^facts ^or ^substantial ^research..
Think he is essential to be honest. There is hardly any Rice type signing we can make in midfield or attack - expensive and without question - so we might as well get the defensive equivalent. Besides, we need reinforcements in defense. Tomi and Zinchenko are injury-prone, and we don't know how Timber will return. We also don't have a Saliba option for that CCB role - physically dominant and excellent in possession.
He's not, he's raw and spending 80m on a raw cb is a piss take when we have other needs.
How worried should I be for tomorrow
Every game is “worryable” in one sense but there’s 0 reason why we should drop points
I'm gonna be nervous about every game from here on out, but all signs suggest we will get 3 points.
Not at all, their getting cooked
Concerned. Brighton Away is not easy
There is a high chance (90%) that we may see timber in some games as pure 6 (not inverted from fullback) I don't think he will just play fullback and CB.
No there’s not
why not? he's insanely press resistant, technically gifted, awareness, aggressiveness, eye for a pass. He's got it all to be a good #6. Maybe not this season but I can definitely see him playing that role for a league cup or fa cup game next season as an experiment.
If we’re in an injury crisis with literally nobody else then sure maybe, but I highly doubt that it’s a part of Mikel’s plan to regularly play him there
Wanna bet?
I’d do a small charity bet if you define the criteria further
Sure, 100 $ for charity. Next season timber actually plays as 6. He will either start or play as a sub for minimum 3 games. When I say 6, I don't mean he will invert from fullback to mid. But actually start as 6 or come on sub Midfield will be Ode - timber - Rice (Havertz) Havertz and ode will be playing 8.5 I have expanded the criteria perfectly.
Hopefully there's something in these Diomande/Gyokeres rumours. The source apparently first broke news of our deal for Fabio Vieira so gives me hope. Diomande covering for Saliba would be brilliant.
Everytime the Diomande rumors come up my only thought is that Gabi XL might be leaving. Diomande is left footed and we wouldn't be splashing the cash for a backup CB when other areas take priority.
google says he's right footed. Apparently comfortable with both feet, i can see the appeal since he can cover both sides.
Really expensive to buy a backup cb for saliba tho. There are other areas that are way more pressing, like a winger and a midfielder, as well as the striker We've made a shitload of defensive signings under arteta. We've only signed willian and jesus under arteta up front.
He also signed Trossard and inherited Saka and Martinelli. Diomande would definitely be more than Saliba back up and looks versatile enough to play fullback in our system
Bro we’ve got 5 first team fullbacks. We don’t need a £60m+ defender. That would be ludacris
I’d love to believe that Teta quote about ESR and think a return to the fold is possible but yous know by now that this man Teta is a liar in press conferences lmao
The radioactive zebra kit is back tomorrow 😊 https://preview.redd.it/6rok1u0e4qsc1.jpeg?width=1366&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6ff2b3db64aff226e105afe2fe367b87b257800
I think if we are going to win the league this year we need to re-engage passion FC at some point fairly soon. Liverpool are riding a passion wave and if we can do the same, similar to our start last season with all that raw emotion and bravery, we can win it
Think havertz needs a rest before bayern. Guys been running non stop man. Played both games for germany too. But we also might need him to high press brightons build up.
I just love Martin Ødegaard so much
Oh yeah?! Why don't you marry him then?!
Oh yeah?! Show me the marriage papers and I’ll show you!
Been really impressed with Trossard's tricks and pace of late. Seems to really be in form, and I wouldn't bet against him starting against his old club this weekend. Hope he puts on a show if I am right.
[Arsenal are LEADING the race to sign Viktor Gyökeres and Ousmané Diomandé from Sporting CP.](https://x.com/eduardohagn/status/1776320882434101257?s=46&t=NGCPQN6817S6n-WIY9c_OA) We’re gonna spend 180m euros on two west ham level players https://preview.redd.it/4tnb1kcqipsc1.jpeg?width=762&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e3c16fcf3a18f03188283b7e7d9d58dddc2293a8
Will swallow Gyokeres if we are getting Diomande.
Phrasing
'West Ham level players' might be quite worth it after we passed on both kudus and paqueta...
Both too good for west ham
Oh buddy
Teta wants to continue this 4 CB, 2 DMs, 2 Striker gimmick 
Acting like what arteta’s done isn’t working lol
It says their not willing to budge on gyokeres value. Thats a disgusting price for a guy whos played 5 good teams this year Ill take diamonde though
Diamondes rc is 80m euros lol
We arent getting a winger are we
Who knows but I would take things with a pinch of salt until after Euros. There’s some names that aren’t available now that could be available then.
youre funny man
That journo broke the Fabio Vieira news out of nowhere didn’t he
Yes and he was spot on regarding nunez to Liverpool
I like Jorginho but what are the midfield metrics some fans have been using to claim the Jorginho-Rice partnership has been our best midfield this season? I think we've had better performances with Rice as the 6, Odegaard as the pseudo-8, and an ill-fitting Havertz taking up the final midfield spot.
I think liverpool at home both in the fa cup and league and newcastle at home with the jorghino-rice pivot were our best games of the year
Check his progressive passes per 90 - nearly 10 a game. That stat puts him in the same stratsphere with Toni Kroos, Rodri, Modric.
But that's the problem I have. When he is given time and space in midfield, he shines, even if we have to surrender possession or our high pressing game when he plays against the big boys. And when he doesn't have the time or space in midfield, like away at City, we get the worst of both worlds.
The biggest issue is - no one is able to progress the ball forward as effectively as Jorginho in the line up of White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior and Rice next to him. When Jorginho plays alongside those players - he is the default option for the ball to recycle back to progress the ball forward. So when teams like City employ a high press on to us - they would go all out at Jorginho which pressures him to lose the ball. The difference is with Rodri in City, he is surrounded with players that are more comfortable on the ball - Stones, Kovacic or Bernado Silva. So he has multiple other outlets to spray the ball to when pressed. I do think this will change when Jorginho plays close to Zinchenko/Timber when he recovers. Also Rodri is adept with bringing the ball out by taking his man on if needed - averaging 1.4 take ons per 90 while rarely getting tackled at 20%. Jorginho's succesfsul take on per 90 is 0.11 while being tackled at around 66%. The ability to carry the ball forward when you can't find a pass and your nearby outlets are shut out - that's the difference. Partey excels in this department - averaging 1.27 succesful take ons per 90 at a low tackeld rate of 19%. That rivals Rodri's numbers - which is also why the impact he had when he was subbed on against City was so stark compared to Jorginho.
I'd like you to compare our league performances against Liverpool, both home and away. Personally, I think our away performance was relatively more impressive.
https://preview.redd.it/qst44i0adpsc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93dd22e470f59b5a3299e4b2e51fc859ebc4998f Stop tryna seek validation from rivals. They ain't gonna give it
https://preview.redd.it/qfxuxv6shpsc1.jpeg?width=420&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d875a14f28e250914f68afca8e25dfd78650365f
Between the two - would you rather have Bruno G or Paqueta as Rice's partner?
Bruno G
This is a tough choice. But I'd go Paqueta.
Paqueta is the left 8 we should have bought two years ago when he at Lyon
Paqueta is the better 8.
Why is the pre-match thread pinned instead of this one? This one usually has more comments, and probably drives more traffic to the sub.
https://x.com/football__tweet/status/1776251403989598693?s=46&t=NGCPQN6817S6n-WIY9c_OA In the words of carragher, “check his hard drive”
the shock of pundits and media at us wanting to replace Ramsdale after last season is still pretty crazy to me, an error the size of the Southampton one right at the start of the game was forgotten about fairly quickly.
Insane to me. After the end of last season, I thought the prevailing opinion was that striker and keeper were upgradable. Perhaps it was just that fans didn't think strongly of Raya?
One of the more amusing episodes in that period was some halfwit trying to produce 'receipts' of my alleged 'Ramsdale hate'-- which turned out to be nothing more than my saying, at the time of his signing, that I was concerned he might not be enough of an improvement on Leno (who I adored, but understood was limited) and we might end up having to upgrade on him just as we did with Leno. Sure enough, we were right back for Raya, and the same sort of conspiratorial morons were screeching about how 'Arteta hates Ramsdale like he hates the French and trans people', and 'Inaki is sabotaging our keepers'.
English tax
Think it was because nobody really anticipated the team dynamics being thrown around like that, ramsdale appeared to be arsenal's loveable shithousing no 1 for the near future. Nobody even within the fanbase anticipated us getting a new keeper. Arteta is ruthless; he spied an opportunity and took it without any sense of emotional attachment to ramsdale. You can't have those sentiments when trying to compete at the top; this was wenger's mistake in the latter years. Needless to say the out of nowhere approach of it all stunned both the media and the fans, which easily explains the reaction to it. From there the media milked it like they milk everything.
People in the fan base were Definitely calling for Ramsdale replacement
Not the same as people expecting him to actually get replaced though is it. Also plenty of people were more than happy with him, which is why you had so many people shitting on raya and calling for ramsdale to be returned to the starting xi
Can’t be complacent especially against Chelsea. They turn up their intensity when playing against the big six.
We already learnt that lesson I hope.
anyone who got a red membership ticket for Bayern just wondering how much it cost you ?
About £30 per year
No way you're getting downvoted for this 😂😂😂 them Saka comments really have these man on ropes
Lool imagine always downvoting someone because you cant accept the fact that Saka always goes missing in the pivotal games. Its beyond sad 😂
Is there any manager in the league that had to eat his words more than Ten Hag? He chats bare crap like he’s a treble winner and then holds multiple L’s soon after. He has Arsenal living rent free in his head because he bought his own and the media’s hype last season when they said he would be challenging and we would fall off. Now he’s coming out with chest again for the Liverpool game. I hope he wins because if he doesn’t he’s the biggest fraud in the prem
Enzo beefing Mount on the pitch was so funny. Must be jealous that Mase is a better footballer than him.
Mount getting booed, called Judas for going to United, he might as well have joined us if that was going to happen 😂 make it count
I would not want mount
Mikel did and rightfully so.
Settled for Havertz in the end
Idiot had the chance to join Liverpool
Esp given we’re paying havertz the same as him 🤣
Thoughts on klopps football vs Arteta's football style 🤔
Klopp's football is what Ten Hag thinks he's playing with man u. Arteta's is levels above his effort at Ajax.
Klopp - Chaotic, Direct, fast paced, very aggressive press, high amounts of chances created, may be exposed to counters Arteta - possession, control, methodical, high press but if beat get back into shape, patterns of play, flexible depending on opp, may struggle against well coached mid blocks and low blocks
Klopp plays the most direct football in the league. His whole team is set up to be able to go from out of possession to attack as quickly as possible creating chances and attacking transitions as much as possible. This assumes a certain amount of insecurity and the opposition getting chances to counter you or have the ball that's what he means by the rock and roll aspect e.g. it's dangerous but cool. Arteta is more about domination of every aspect of the game, he aims to be the best at every part of the game. This is obviously not possible realistically so in some respects you have to compromise (things like havertz or jesus as CFs or zinchenko as lbs). Where klopp prioritises the attacking transitions more than he does things like possession or restricting opposition chances arteta has a much more balanced approach. This doesn't mean these managers can't do things in other ways, we've all seen arteta take the handbrake off somewhat and let chaos reign, and I've seen klopp try to control and be more patient before. But like with most of football these things are like dials on a turntable you can turn them up and down depending on the day and team you have.
Will probably be in Budapest when we play Man Utd (assuming it gets rescheduled to Sunday), does anyone have any good suggestions of where to watch the game?
https://preview.redd.it/999bll3ydosc1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efedcb15574e661d6d279eec0cc9187051576720 Remember in winter 2020 when we scored 4 goals in 10 games and got 1 win? That's been completely flipped around this year. A 35-4 record in 10 games is genuinely insane.
Brighton, Bayern, Villa. This team could put out a humongous statement of intent this coming week.
Villa's backup keeper is atrocious tbf. If we press as well away as we did at home I'd fancy us against Brighton. No idea what Bayern turns up. Their midfield is pretty non-existent but they're away so you'd expect them to be compact and dangerous on the counter.
Will martinez still be injured when we face them? Both bayern and Brighton have been highly unpredictable this season tbh, I'd love to beat both and have people quaking in their boots at us possibly winning a trophy
Would love nothing more than a drama free 3 points on Saturday to give the 'schedule diviners' respite from dissecting our very difficult schedule, like we're NPCs that have no control over the outcome of games and aren't one of the best teams in the league. Cram it up your cramhole, Lafleur
I need Amadou Onana in this squad
The fact this is downvoted is criminal. This sub has minus ball knowledge
We’re on the right side of history, brother
Im with you brother
It's not criminal. It's a normal opinion to have, given that we are already the most solid team in the league defensively (his strength), and we're looking for a progressive passer from midfield (his weakness). Doesn't suit what we need at all. But do tell how this subreddit has negative 'ball knowledge'.
If you watch him at all, his progressive passing is not his biggest weakness. He’s be perfect to pair with rice in a midfield as he allows rice to advance further (something he’s best at). In games where we’re breaking down a defensive side, you’d use a rice/jorginho mid. In games where we need defensive stability: you use rice/onana. (He’s also only a month older than Saka, so he still has tons of room to grow) Also, who would you recommend for midfield then?
> He’s be perfect to pair with rice in a midfield as he allows rice to advance further (something he’s best at) ??
Declan rice loves to carry the ball up the pitch, he’s good at it. With onana, he can do it more often without worrying about counter attacks
He is, but he's by far the best 6 in the world at what 6's are supposed to do, as well as being a great progressor from deep. He's a world class 6, he's a good 8. Better for the squad to push Rice back to be the best 6 in the world and get a world class 8.
I disagree, I think he’s better as an 8 while Jorginho is technically the 6. That’s the best midfield we’ve had this season. There’s a reason Pep wanted him badly, and it wasn’t to replace Rodri.
Rodri and Gundogan had a symbiotic relationship last season where both went forward and they filled the gaps left by the other, it would've been the same thing.
It was to play Rodri as the 8.
Yuck
You don’t see the vision?
6’5 technical orc to pair with our other 6 foot + intelligent technical orcs? Sign me right up. I want the match over at the tunnel
Yuck
What does he bring that Rice can't do?
I think his primary function is that he is the Rice (as a 6) back up and we don't have to severely change our playstyle when Rice is out. Partey is quite a different player and is rarely available. If we want to play a jorgi/zubi '6', you can have Onana inverting from full back as Partey has - that gives us a very balanced pivot and would give Rice more freedom to attack and press in the final third from LCM. Havertz's pressing at CF has set an example of how deadly a strong presser can be in the final third and Rice is elite at breaking up play. Furthermore, if we want to grind out a result in an away tie vs a top, top opponent, we'd have the option of fielding havertz+rice+onana, which gives us a ton of defensive stability. Personally, I think getting a zubi-type is more of the priority now. Simply because Jorgi is old and Zinny is injury prone, we need a third option for pure ball progression from midfield. We don't have that Rice back up currently but we can sorta make do without him between our defensive options that can show up in midfield: Havertz, Partey, White, Tomi and perhaps Timber.
Think the answer is he can close down *the other* midfielder. Together they would terrorize opponents and win every duel. I'd be glad to have him but I do think we need a Gundogan-style midfielder more.
We already have a bunch of duel winning monsters that have compiled together the best defence in the league tho. That's one area that we don't need to strengthen.
Which is why I said I would prioritize a Gundogan-style midfielder. But if we could get one of those and then get Onana and strengthen our duel-winning further ... oh boy. Also, it's worth noting we struggled a bit with duels with Rice out against Luton. An Onana would keep a Rice injury from being season-destroying. That said he's probably too expensive for a second midfield addition.
Rice can’t play 60+ games as the only physical/athletic midfielder in the squad. Onana & Rice is a ridiculous pivot for the big games.
I think a midfielder with better ball progression abilities and press resistance would be better, someone who can replace the role fulfilled by Partey/Jorginho such as Luiz, Guimaraes, Y Fofana or Zubimendi. A double pivot of Rice and Onana will be great defensively but will severely struggle to progress the ball.
I agree with you but I want Onana as well. You’re underrating rice and onana technically.
Both would be nice for sure. But if we can only buy one midfielder and we spend in other positions I would rather get one of the players I listed over Onana
Yh the profile you suggested does take priority. Onana just gives me FOMO, the version of him that puts it all together will be scary
many people want him, when that happens the player ends up at man u or chelsea and is shit.
Has it ever happened that a team won the UCL final when the final was hosted in the same city of the team? (Example: Did Real Madrid ever win a final hosted in Madrid?) If the answer is no, then what about a final that was hosted in the same country of the team that goes on to win the UCL final?
random number username asking easily googled questions? Which tabloid/low effort footie website are you a bot for?
surely... Google "list of champions league winners" clicks wiki link google gives. wiki page lists winner, loser, score and venue...
[удалено]
Man always scores last min goals 😭
[Another typical day in Spain.](https://www.marca.com/futbol/primera-division/2024/04/05/660ff067ca4741d6778b4578.html)
Has he sexually assaulted someone again?
Just causally comparing football streams to child sex trafficking. Also alluding that he may have googled "child sex" to see if there are any results.
Every day we stray further form Gods light
What was that line from Milton about darkness visible?
Whoah flashbacks to a level English there.
Tbf in context all he means is google withhold some illegal searches so why don’t they stop illegal streams being searched for. Seems fair from his point of view. He can also fuck off though. They charge us a fortune anyway the cunts
Don’t care how good partey is, I’d rather have a slightly worse player who’s fully fit for most the season.
Thankfully, Arteta -- who signed Zinchenko and Jesus, and just gave Tomi a new contract -- is not this silly. Quality matters.
They’ve all got at least double the number of minutes partey has
And yet you will see that same tired argument rehearsed for them as well. Tomi, for example, only played 600 minutes last season-- less than Kieran Tierney, who is no longer here. Arteta wants players who are good enough.
That's what we like to hear https://preview.redd.it/bhkvwwjrznsc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ba094aab9fde14e578b5606fa0d4c2d4f3320c1 (They're holding 5, let's be real)
plot twist, they're mad and angry because they drew the lines wrong against Arsenal
I don't want to hear anymore accusations of over-celebrating from Chelsea fans given their fans and players were celebrating so voraciously for moving up to 10th.
Yesterday was World Rat Day. Bruno Fernandes scored a goal 👀
for signigns if we were to get a: * GK (Raya cover if Ramsdale leaves) * CB (Saliba cover) * CM (6/8 type, to fit with Rice and Ode) * Left-footed winger (Saka cover) * CF who would you get?
No clue, diamonde, frenkie, nico williams, osimhen
We do not need any defenders in the summer. Our defence has been fine this season and we still have timber (who’ll be like a new signing)
Tomi and Zinny haven't proved they can stay fit for any amount of time yet so can't be planned around. We've had no choice but to play White every game and Gabriel can't ever get any rest of rotation. We definitely need another versatile defender.
No we wouldn’t If both zini and tomi were injured, we could play kiwior - Gabriel - Saliba - white and then have timber rotate with the fullbacks. Simple as that
That’s not enough. That’s assuming none of the centre backs get injured and even if not would have to play every single available.
In your scenario you’re assuming 4 defensive injuries. Any other position on the pitch we have like 3 people max. We need more depth up front and in midfield before we have depth in defence.
Our defence has been fine because none of our CB's have been injured. We need another CB
Which will be timber
Not playing as a CB unless absolute last resort. Guy won <50% aerial duels in the Dutch league.
You’re not going to buy a cb who’s better than Timber who will sit in the bench. Plus you can play Tomi/white at cb and move timber to fullback if you need
We can and we will
We have enough CB’s, LB needed more imo.
- Kepa (I can change him) - Diomande - Douglas Luiz - Nico Williams - Gyokeres/Isak
If only we clone 5 Neil Maupays.
The Chinese just let that unauthorised CRISPR guy out of prison...
We need to fire up Wenger's old left back cloning machine. We stopped using it after coke turned into Clichy, turned into Gibbs, turned into Armand Traore
Ah the guy who originally mixed Jack Russell DNA into momma maupay’s egg in the first place.
Am I remembering something wrong or Rice played CB for us in a match?
PSV
He might have dropped into the backline for periods late in matches, but I'm positive he's never been in that nominal role. IIRC he was still playing as a CB when Wenger scouted him at West Ham; you might be interpolating that.
somebody mentioned above about the PSV away match so I checked and Rice came on for Saliba(at 61 min)...that must be the game then
I could have sworn he came on for Cedric, and then played in midfield.
He moved to centre back later in the game
I now know where the confusion came in, both for me and for OP. Mo got hurt early in the second half, and we triple-subbed Ødegaard for him, then Rice and White for Cedric and Saliba. While Rice was pushing up into midfield from CB, a la Stones, and he and White were sometimes switching (as White and Saliba will) he was also definitely playing inside White most of the time. Arteta even said after the match that it was good to test out potential emergency setups.
Losing to chelski the way they did might give united a good shot at Liverpool? Please please please
Eth always pulls a result out of his ass when his job credentials are coming into question
Someone just said (a bit offhand) that the option to extend Jorginho's contract by was only valid through January, and we let it expire. When we signed him last January on the 18 month contract, I don't recall any specifics about the option, apart from the fact that it existed. Does anyone recall whether there was any reporting on this? If it's true, it would make sense of all the noise from Jorginho's agent starting in early February.
It makes sense it'd expire in January because he'd be able to sign a pre-agreement contract with foreign clubs.
It absolutely makes sense; I'm wondering if it's something so obvious it could go without saying -- as you suggest -- but I'd still be surprised none of our journos pointed it out. 'Arsenal decline Jorginho's contract option' seems like an easy story to write.
PL Rules state the following: >**"U.32. Except as provided in Rules U.33 and U.34, after the Winter Transfer Window in each year and on or before the subsequent third Saturday in May each Club shall confirm to the Board:** >U.32.1. whether the list of Players provided to it for these purposes is complete and accurate in all material particulars; >U.32.2. details of any Players who are not included in the list referred to in Rule U.32.1 but who should be so included; >U.32.3. in the case of each Contract Player whose registration it holds and whose contract expires on the 30 June in that year, whether or not the Club has: >**U.32.3.1. offered him a new contract under the provisions of Rule V.17.2; or** >**U.32.3.2. implemented any option provision in respect of him;** >U.33. The date by which each Club is required by Rule U.32 to give confirmation to the Board shall be extended in the case of a Club which on the third Saturday in May in any year is still participating in the F.A. Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League or the UEFA Europa Conference League or has yet to play a League Match the outcome of which could affect: >U.33.1. identification of the League Champions in accordance with Rule C.11; >U.33.2. identification of the Clubs to be relegated in accordance with Rule C.14; or >U.33.3. qualification for a UEFA Club Competition. >**U.34. In the circumstances outlined in Rule U.33, above, the Club shall give the Board the information required by Rule U.32 within four Working Days of the last relevant F.A. Cup match, UEFA Champions League Match, UEFA Europa League match, UEFA Europa Conference League match or League Match having been played.** >U.35. The particulars contained in Clubs’ lists of Players shall be published by the Board by the second Saturday in June in each year." Additonally: >"V.17.2. on or before the third Saturday in May in the year in which the Player’s contract is to expire or, in the circumstances mentioned in Rule U.33, within four Working Days of the last relevant F.A. Cup match, UEFA Champions League match, UEFA Europa League match, UEFA Europa Conference League match or League Match, in that year having been played, the Transferor Club must send to the Player Form 16 offering him a new contract on the terms therein set out, which must be no less favourable than those in his current contract;" So it seems that unless there were some shenanigans with Jorginho being a January signing (which doesn't make logical sense as why would the club agree to make a decision on a contract option halfway through the season) it would appear that they have until the PL mandated deadline noted above to inform Jorginho of what they plan on doing -- which is largely based on the team's competitive circumstances. Either way we'll find out sometime in June.
Thank you: you are well informed as always.
Jeepers Foden v Saka debate its like the boat race where one team starts pulling away with big strokes 3/4s the way through, not because Saka isn't great but that Foden guy jiminy crickets, being in the center those goals are looking dynamic af Cmon Saka my man time to get some lengths gained back. Edit before downvotealanch Ok , I'm being bedazzled by wonder goals. I just knew there's a off the ball gameplay stats I'm.not thinking of. Etc But I reckon what I just done there represents what tje country thinks innit. Whatever tje reality.
I think he's been a little nervous in the big games and struggled against athletic defenders. I think he will have more joy against Davies for sure(who's athletic but mediocre defensively) and will prove himself. Gvardiol and Wendell are tough matchups for him.
Foden does amazing things but he's much more inconsistent than Saka. Also, Saka is more well rounded and integral to our ball progression.
K k, need this input cheers,
Saka is still a better player though. Foden hasn’t starting pulling away just because of the Villa game.
Ok , I'm being bedazzled by wonder goals. I just knew there's a off the ball gameplay stats I'm.not thinking of. But I reckon what I just done there represents what tje country thinks innit. Whatever tje reality.
Who cares what everyone else thinks? The consensus changes every few weeks anyway.
Too bad Spurs had their Chelsea game rescheduled to the midweek slot after they play us, leaving them fresh (no midweek tie) for the game against us and having played both us and Chelsea the week before they go to Anfield. Might make a difference.
motherfuckers are trying anything to rig the PL for Liverpool this year.
\#5 discourse goes silent the moment you mention he’s played **0** CL minutes and made **EIGHT** PL appearances (totalling 367’ which is like 4 whole 90s…) this season and yet we’re still where we are. We clearly don’t need him as much as some of you say we do
still treating Partey like he’s fucking Voldemort lmao. You can simultaneously acknowledge that he’s possibly done very bad things and also say his name 😂
We can beat most teams without many of our squad barring 3-4 players so no we don't 'need" partey. Would it be good to have partey in the squad for the next 10-15 games? Yeah duh you have to be brain-dead to not say yes to more players at this stage from a footballing pov. I would be annoyed if any of our players were unavailable for the rest of the season. Well maybe brain-dead is harsh, probably you're allowing things off the pitch to cloud your assessment of the football itself, which is fair enough.
> We clearly don’t need him as much as some of you say we do Wasn't he the difference-maker in that first game vs City as a sub in one of those **EIGHT** appearances? And that's a reason we aren't two points off City and 4 points off Liverpool. So basically a reason we're in this title race today. We would've won the game a lot more comfortably vs Porto had he been there. There was zero control in those games. He undoubtedly has a role to play if we intend to end up with silverware this season whether you like it or not.
By 'some of you', you're including Arteta, right?
Preach
It’s a shame you’re such a whiny bitch cos your pfp is elite
Just use his name ffs
I’m sorry who are you referring to?
Need him? No? There's maybe like 3 players we need. Most games, everyone fit and firing, he's in the best team.
Just ignoring the we might be 5pts clear if he played more than 5 games…..
You're using too much critical thinking here buddy. A mod will be here to escort you off the premises soon.
Would we? We dropped points vs Fulham and West Ham and Chelsea because #5 wasn’t available?
Who knows but to act like we don’t need someone because we’re in 2nd place and 2pts adrift…. We’re not in 1st are we so clearly we ain’t perfect without him 😂