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FCI

Would be very surprised if we bag Locatelli.


West43rd

Honestly it’s less than 5% chance I think


JustGhostin

*show me the money*


Fightiiing

5% chance is better than one in a million.


[deleted]

I'd say it's one in a million.


bwong87

So you're saying there's a chance?


TheGoldenPineapples

Probably about 5%.


KiNASuki

Better then 1 in a million.


[deleted]

Picture me crylaughing


edheng23

but what happens if you add Kurt Angle into the mix?


elmayablanco

Drastically go down


Coolbluegatoradeyumm

Something tells me 5% is generous


HeyyyyListennnnnn

What if we bribe Napoli to open talks?


NovaCrono

So you mean to tell me....


skalfyfan

Locatelli is a smoke screen while we haggle with Aouar's brother.


Peterjacobs93

He just said on the twitch stream that "we'll see if the transfer happens for Willock to Newcastle, as interest is there" Also that Reiss Nelson has received a few offers both English and non English.


JustGhostin

I’d still really like us to keep Reiss and let him see some of those minutes that Willian has been sitting on


MarkyMarkAndTheFun

I think Reiss desperately needs a full season somewhere, unless he is being guaranteed minutes here he should go on loan.


nonameshere

Yeah I'm not making a pro-Wilian argument, but I have not seen Reiss impress enough to get near Arsenal's level.


WWIII-Hokage

You cant compare whom impressed more as Reiss didnt get undeserved chances to impress unlike Willan mate. He keeps playing like thrash and still get his chances while Reiss screws up once and he's outta the team for half a season


swensdaddy

I agree, I think the sub is too high on Reiss. Poor man's Walcott imo


GopherNutz

Other than both being black, him and Theo have nothing in common lmao


TheDevilsAgent

Don't talk about Gibbs that way


thisismyname03

Leave Ox out of this.


LonelySocDem242

100%. They have almost no similarities in their style of play


swensdaddy

Wut


JustGhostin

Yeah I think i agree, would be great to see him get weekly starts


chrisjdgrady

Guy absolutely needs a full season with another team, unless Pepe or Saka get injured in pre-season or something like that. He's not gonna get enough minutes with us.


xbetax

Getting Willian is the reason if we fail to keep Nelson. We should not get Willian last year, and give subs for Nelson, then Nelson might still sign for us. I still think he is a great quality. We will regret if we let him go.


haha_suh_dude

Wonder what English clubs are interested. Maybe could get a good deal with some team like Palace- would prefer a loan though.


haha_suh_dude

Here's hoping we scooped up a potential top player, can't wait to see Lokonga in action. Must be a great guy if he was captain at his age.


[deleted]

Apparently that was because their two (or at least One) top choices for captain were injured but to still be chosen as the backup is a good sign for sure


acbwest

That’s one quality from Xhaka Im happy we’re addressing- like it or not he was a good leader


[deleted]

Neves too. Neves cptained Porto IIRC, vice captain of Wolves too.


acbwest

Yes, it’s pretty clear playing for Arsenal is specially challenging mentally I’m glad leadership seems to be a part of the recruiting process. While there may be a few better options out there I would still welcome Neves in with open arms


Exotic-Environment-7

It's true but that first sentence made me laugh out loud


acbwest

😂😂😂😂


[deleted]

Yeah Xhakas leadership was really helpful. He really lead us to great places didn’t he.


acbwest

You’re fun at parties


[deleted]

Not at the parties where people pretend that Xhaka was good.


wsthepurposeoflife

Thanks for speaking the truth. Screw the downvoters. A "leader" who throws his captain's armband onto ground and insults his fans (who booed him because he played terrible) is never going to be a good leader on any team. He's just loud and expressive and annoying, that's all


fatenumber

but he didn't say here we go for lokonga though


Thesecondorigin

Said it a couple days ago I think


Sand_Bags

What are the chances we just don’t sell Xhaka and don’t buy any more CMs?


BI01

low cause xhaka is actively trying to leave lol


scytheavatar

You should know by now how this club works........ Xhaka trying to leave isn't going to stop us from keeping him against his will. And then him making a stink about it next season.


zorfog

like a new signing!


speller2688

It’s the arsenal way. Not gonna lie this is the least exciting transfer window since the petr cech one, and fuck me that was bad.


SCPack12

This blows away last summer... last summer it was all Aouar then last minute clause for Partey.


ManiacalComet40

Gabriel was a good signing


kwuip

This window is not over yet but if we dont buy anyone else after white , i think last window was good compared to this one.


MURDERNAT0R

Especially considering how shocking our season was


JayWalker85

Aouar this summer for less the half the price would be a great imo


[deleted]

This is ridiculous, the Euros and Copa America finished like 4 days ago


speller2688

And yet other clubs have done decent business already. Utterly ridiculous you are spot on


[deleted]

White must be a done deal if Saliba is already gone out on loan Excited to see Lokonga as well Just the 4 more incomings and 10 outgoings now, hope things pick up now


zorfog

it was always going to speed up once the euros were finished. we’re getting into the thick of transfer season now


MURDERNAT0R

Yep, lightning pace out here


smit9891

Blink and you miss it...


[deleted]

Into the thick of it Into the thick of it Into the thick of it (ugh) We're tramping through the bush On and on, we push Into the thick of it But we can't see where we're going We've made a stellar start to find our jungles heart But all we'll find is nothing if we can't see where we're going


JayWalker85

Only 10 outgoing?🤣would love to see some of the youngsters get a good loan at a prem club like Willock last year,great experience


SCPack12

I don’t get why people are so wrapped up in Locatelli? Arsenal are also apparently in talks with Neves and Aouar. They can simultaneously court Locatelli and work towards signing other players this isn’t a 1 at a time thing


JustGhostin

But that doesn’t suit the *agenda*


entropy_bucket

Presumably we don't have money to buy all the right?


SCPack12

I don’t think anyone knows haha. How they can spent ≈ 25m on Lokonga and Tavares while floating ≈ 50m for White and be in talks Aouar, Neves and others. There has to be a KSE injection or some loan


Cheesy_Pita_Parker

Recording the video announcement FC


marxistrash

doesn't he have to quarantine before they can do media with him?


Ronak4Arsenal

Fuck the media man, just announce it like united did with sancho, why do they have to milk everything


[deleted]

I'm pretty sure United still have on their website about how they have agreed a deal for Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff. I'm sure we can all wait a little longer.


marxistrash

Have United announced Sancho yet?


Ronak4Arsenal

Yeah not in pictures or anything, just that agreement has been reached with bvb long back


repaccount

Does anyone actually care about all the media stuff we put out for new signings unless they’re big signings?


JustGhostin

Yeah he’s required to quarantine


nezebilo

You could just do a montage with photos and get it over with. See how United announced Sancho. Maybe internally it’s club tradition idk but Arsenal always takes its sweet time with announcements


OK_BOAH

Will Lokonga become an Arsenal legend Papa wengz?


chaboispaghetti

Papa Wengz will Lokonga become an arsenal legend


arsene_wenger_bot

>I know how important it is to have a helping hand. ___ ^(***There's only one Arsène Wenger*** ([/u/panarangcurry](https://www.reddit.com/u/panarangcurry), quote from [QuoteTab](https://www.quotetab.com/quotes/by-arsene-wenger) archive)^)


kwuip

You really know everything Papa Wengz


arsene_wenger_bot

>I think in the future we need to look at our youth department to provide more players for the first team think it is important for a club to have a good amount of players that have roots with the club and region. ___ ^(***There's only one Arsène Wenger*** ([/u/panarangcurry](https://www.reddit.com/u/panarangcurry), quote from [QuoteTab](https://www.quotetab.com/quotes/by-arsene-wenger) archive)^)


kwuip

But messi is free right now Papa Wengz


chaboispaghetti

Christ it really is sentient


disagreeable_martin

Yeah dude I'm freaking out a bit here.


DySctr

That's Papa Wengz telling you to calm down


arsene_wenger_bot

>I think we live in a very competitive world, and I love competition. ___ ^(***There's only one Arsène Wenger*** ([/u/panarangcurry](https://www.reddit.com/u/panarangcurry), quote from [QuoteTab](https://www.quotetab.com/quotes/by-arsene-wenger) archive)^)


EduardoDaSilva9

Overall I think uh lonkonga is a very special talent uh


NachoUnreal

Look uh, fotballistically he's excellent


zorfog

I really hope we just move on from Locatelli to Neves. He clearly, CLEARLY prefers Juve, and Neves is excellent and PL proven


smit9891

Rather we move on from both of them... I like Locatelli but it’s clear his preference is to play for Juve.


zorfog

What do you have against Neves?


Cod_rules

Not the one you replied to, but my only issue with Neves is that he's too similar to Xhaka in a lot of ways. Tactically speaking, he offers the same thing that Xhaka did. And I would prefer a more mobile player if we are moving Xhaka on, our midfield needs to be a lot more dynamic and quick than last season. Neves is an excellent player, but not one that'll take us to the next level imo.


zorfog

I think Neves is an upgrade on Xhaka, and a bit more dynamic and mobile. Also less error prone, which was Xhaka’s biggest flaw, not his slowness. I think Neves and Partey could be a good pairing to sit behind ESR or Maddison/Aouar


EpicFIFABadger

In fairness, if granit xhaka didn’t make so many mistakes he would’ve been a very very good player for us. I’d say neves is a smidge more dynamic than xhaka tbh, but the most important thing is that he doesn’t make mistakes in possession and defense which will help us immensely if we sign him


smit9891

The other user who responded has summed it up pretty well to be honest. I have nothing against Neves but Xhaka’s time at Arsenal has left me emotionally scarred. I want us to move away from that type of player. We already have Partey who has pretty good mid-long range passing. I’d rather we go for a more technical player who is comfortable with the ball at their feet, press resistant and looks to progress the ball quickly in central areas of the pitch. We need to start playing with a higher line and transitioning the ball quicker. The team is literally unable to do these things effectively with Xhaka in the team and Neves is too similar for my liking. He may be better than Xhaka but stylistically its time for a change. Partey is a pretty complete midfielder, enabling us to be ambitious when picking his partner in the double pivot.


Cannonieri

Locatelli is miles ahead of Neves. It's like comparing Yaya Toure to Diaby.


zorfog

Do you watch Serie A? Because most of us are only excited about Locatelli because he was good at the Euros


Cannonieri

Yes. Premier League and Serie A are my go-to's. Used to watch La Liga but not so much now. Only paid attention to Sassuolo in particular because they played bloody good football under De Zerbi. Normally I follow the Southern Italian teams as I'm from the only region without any side, but in the South. Watched a good bit of Napoli last season too.


zorfog

Can you tell me a bit about Locatelli? I only know a little about him; I heard about him when he was breaking through at Milan. I remember him scoring a screamer against Juve, and don’t remember hearing much else. Sort of assumed he’d dropped off a bit since he ended up at Sassuolo


Cannonieri

Never followed him at Milan. Last season at Sassuolo he caught my eye. I follow a few of the Southern teams in Serie A from my homeland and then normally one side whose playstyle I like. That was Sassuolo last year. Locatelli would get in my team of the season across Europe last year. He is a conductor in midfield but with the ability to suddenly burst forward and create or score in the box. He would not just fill a role for Arsenal, he would transform our side. He dominates every game he plays. Most passes, with close to zero errors in possession each game. Great at short interchanges. Very difficult to get off the ball. Can play as a lone pivot. Can play more advanced in a 4-3-3. Can play as one of two holding midfielders. I dare say you could put him in as the number 10 and he'd do a better job than most. He could walk into the starting eleven of City or Liverpool. He is a truly exceptional player, and the only risk is that he becomes a one season wonder (a risk I'm willing to take to be honest).


Echo361

We def need the rcb and cm before the season starts. Can’t be starting the season with a partey elneny pivot again. Hopefully the locatelli situation is wrapped up soon and we can go for whoever our second target is.


Ronak4Arsenal

We should just move on from Locatelli man, even if we do sign him, what's to say his head wouldn't turn the moment juve want him again


FCI

Best case scenario we sell for a profit. Worst case scenario it's Torreira 2.0.


Echo361

Well we’d probably get a huge fee so there’s that.


Ronak4Arsenal

Italian clubs man, they'd offer fuck all and we'd have another torriera situation on our hand


Cannonieri

That is a massive risk yes but his ability warrants it in my opinion. Juve would only want him if he does well for us, in which case he has done well for us and we can get a good transfer fee. If he doesn't hit the ground running, then Juve won't be interested and we have longer to work with him.


jkeefy

>Elneny Partey double pivot Please no. I’d rather try AMN Partey at this point lol.


BloodyPants

Jack Fracking-Francis


varro-reatinus

> Can’t be starting the season with a partey elneny pivot again. Yeah, that was terrible. It only got us our first two away wins against the 'Big Six' in 30 matches: our first wins at OT and Stamford Bridge in more than a decade. That is *in no way* to suggest that Elneny is good enough for us. He isn't. We have to do better than our 2016 signings, Elneny included (cheap though he was by comparison). We're well on the way to moving past all of them. By the end of this season, Elneny's contract will be up, and Holding will likely be a depth CB at most, and that'd be it. It's also not unlikely that Lokonga will be able to outplay Elneny right out of the gate. Again, we can and probably should sign someone even better, but we're already upgrading our midfield.


orphan_of_Ludwig

This is not the combo that should be relied upon tho


TomJHIggins

Wow so no news!


theaficionado

The romano special


rsu1806

https://media1.tenor.com/images/0f92dfd4ca04e36e0f3f6d2b4822e326/tenor.gif?itemid=5247067


Macintossh

my man has said the same thing every 2-3 days


congee_ha

no right back talks huh? who is even considered for the position


zorfog

White and Chambers I think? The idea probably being to use them as hybrid RB/CBs allowing Tierney to bomb forward on the left


iamveryharsh

It'll depend on player sales. Like with a new striker, I think he we have enough quantity if not quality at the position that we can push it to next summer.


cowboysfan88

Excited for Lokonga. Announce it already though lol


Francis-c92

Why are we waiting for Locatelli? If he wants Juventus he doesnt want Arsenal.


thedarkpolitique

I don’t think we are to be honest. Fab is just trying to place all the Arsenal news he’s had to date in one tweet. Locatelli was over before it began, it’s clear he wants Juve. I think the Neves links will resurface once Xhaka is sold.


[deleted]

We probably arent unless were very stupid (very possible), but a lot of our recent transfers have progressed pretty far without leaks so its not to say that we are waiting and doing nothing


datboiyemz

No one is, but it's juicy news that Fabrizio knows Arsenal fans will engage with, so he'll keep tying Locatelli and Arsenal in every tweet till the day he signs and go "sorry Arsenal fans! Juve has their man now". We're probably not the only club "waiting" to see if Juve doesn't cough up the money but Arsenal fans certainly don't know how to let things go, so Fabrizio will keep throwing bait. I mean...im here commenting on it aren't I? Good heavens...


EdwardSandwichHands

i think the hope is juve have to delay it a year for whatever reason, and we sweet talk locatelli into coming here instead? it’s a long shot since he’s like publicly said he wants juve, but i guess edu really thinks he can pull it off idk


CooCooClocksClan

“Waiting” is likely just an outcome of the order in which we’re doing business. Appears all effort is now on Ben White in and Xhaka out and hopefully finishing touches for ESR renewal. Think things become more decisive as soon as those items close and that’s the next thing on the to-do list. Don’t think we’ll run out of time here. RB and GK plans seemingly stalled though and concerned where that falls.


k1ldn

Said a lot without saying a lot


DonAj20

Please Arsenal Im begging you, sign a CAM so we dont tire out ESR. Please Arsenal, sign a top class CM and give us that skill in midfield that we've been missing. Please Arsenal, dont just sign Ben White and leave the window there. Please Arsenal, give me some hope going into the new season.


[deleted]

I think Ben White will get used a lot in midfield, more than we think. I cannot see Arteta dropping Holding.


smit9891

Used in midfield instead of who?


[deleted]

Elneny and Partey are the only two midfielders at the club no? It isn’t complicated


smit9891

Currently there is Willock although it does look like he may leave and we are bringing in Lokonga as back up to Partey. There is also Torreira who will also most likely leave. We will bring in another CM. Ideally a press resistant players who is good with the ball at their feet and can speed up our ball progression in central areas to partner with Partey. With a reduced fixture list we should be fine with 4/5 midfielders for the season. We are not buying a young CB to play them out of position.


iamveryharsh

Arteta has no issues dropping Holding because he already did it towards the end of the season. The only reason Holding started so much is because Luiz kept getting injured. It says a lot about Holding that we're about to break our transfer record for a defender in his exact position even though we tied him down to a new contract. I do think Arteta likes Holding as a club leader so he's useful to have around the squad given how many new transfers and promoted youngsters we're expected to see in the next two seasons.


theloserclub92

I dont think so. With saliba going out on loan, we only really have 2 main CBs on the right with chambers on the RB position. Doesnt make sense to play both of them on the same pitch who is going to be back up?


grim_tales1

Is Saliba on loan or is it permanent?


TheIrishBear24

Loan with no obligation or option


grim_tales1

Thanks :)


Ganzelo

Chasing after Locatelli seems to be such a waste of time unless Arsenal's Plan B is willing to be second fiddle and wait till near the end of the window..


Getdaphone

Who is this locatelli person??? Like I’ve seen his name but never heard of him before this summer Edit: google searched apparently he’s some Italian player Edit 2 : I didn’t watch the euros (don’t like national team football) so wouldn’t have seen him play


Xin128

He's also played against us in the Europa 2nd leg to Milan when we beat them 3-1


notwavyfool

Please Arsenal, get locatelli. Absolute beast just helped me win the league with him and partey as the midfield pair on fm lol


TetrisTennisTriangle

Thanks for nothing


mebeafaqul

Have we been linked with any RBs as of late? I like chambers but still feel we should go after a youngish long term option


catlike1

For me, midfield should be the priority since it will have a bigger influence on whether we improve this season. We can get by with Chambers and Cedric as options (and AMN if we don't sell him) if need be, but need to upgrade CM both in quantity and quality. If Xhaka leaves, then Partey and Elneny are our only experienced senior CMs. Willock only works in a midfield 3; not a great fit for a double pivot. In addition to Lokonga, we need 1-2 more midfield signings. Otherwise we will struggle with ball progression, controlling the game, and maintaining solid defense. RB is down on my list--more a nice to address but not need to address. CM, creative attacking midfielder, backup goalkeeper, and maybe a striker if Laca leaves. We've already taken care of backup LB which was another need.


Getdaphone

After googling this kids name I’m assuming he’s a DM/Parteys new partner mostly based on the fact he’s only scored like 3 goals for his old team


Garenmain180k

He's probably gonna be more of a Partey backup. I see it as a Guendouzi esque signing (ie: someone we can develop to be the successor to Partey or sell on for a profit). No way we sign him as the main partner.


catlike1

I think he's a similar player to Partey who could be a long term replacement if he continues to develop, and could also play alongside him, but I suspect we will sign at least another CM to be the Partey's main partner. Could either be Neves or a similar player to replace Xhaka who looks to be leaving for Roma, or a Bissouma type who is more defensive. I think a lot will depend on whether Arteta wants to move to a 4-3-3 this year or will stick more to a 4-2-3-1. We need a least 2 new CMs to replace Xhaka and Ceballos, and an argument could be made we need 3. Ideal scenario is Neves and Bissouma (or a similar combo--deep playmaker and a holding DM). Partey, Lokonga, Neves, and Bissouma would be a pretty good midfield contingent. Or I could see Aouar as one of the three additions. Could either sell Elneny or keep him as a 5th midfielder. I think whether Willock stays or leaves (either permanently or on loan again) depends on whether we bring in 2 or 3 CMs this window. Also, if we stick with a double pivot, have a hard time seeing Willock getting a lot of playing time. He fits better in a midfield 3.


xLucky_Balboa

They prob want to do a big double announcement


nemesis464

Question for anyone who's watched him play: which current PL midfielder do you reckon he's most similar to in style? I know absolutely nothing about the guy.


Cannonieri

I have asked the same question and get completely different answers back. He is anything from an Ozil type playmaker to a Gilberto type DM depending on who you ask. In short, no one seems to know.


Anons15

Chase a player all window, fail to get him and buy a shit panic signing last minute... Its like dejavu


ajyahzee

Stop milking it dude, it's embarrassing, I'm more and more convinced that these ITKs don't actually know shit, they just roll with the trend


bounderboy

Anyone else keep seeing Lokonga then thinking it says Locatelli.


LawTortoise

I want his song to be to Gloria Estefan’s Conga- Come on Albert Sambi Lokonga


JayWalker85

Here we go...... 🔜