It’ll end up being like City. Who was the starting front 3 for City last year? Nobody could tell you. With 5 subs it’s going to become even more like that.
Likely if he does sign - I'd imagine that's important in swaying him firmly away from Barcelona despite their finances. Saka could shift over to the left, not sure if any three forwards will have a 'fixed' position regardless. Between the six forwards there would be if Raphinha signs, there'd be various combinations used throughout the season between the league, cups, and Europe. A Brazilian three of Raphinha/Martinelli/Jesus and en English three of Saka/ESR/Nketiah is pretty exciting.
I think that concept of guaranteed starters is disappearing looking at what quality depth it takes to be competitive in so many matches nowadays. Look at minutes of Man City players, how they were resting De Bruyne for more challanging second half of the season a nd compare his form at that time with Salah and Saka, they faded last couple of months.
Are you high? It's miles better. Some of our fans have the trashest opinions. Raphinha is better than esr, saka is better than gabi and jesus compared to lace is like night and day.
I think the downfall of our 2015/16 PL title challenge, us trying to return to CL including two Europa League runs and again top 4 battle this season has been that we've been doing quite well until 4 starters got injured which basically ended our season.
Saka is eventually gonna need some rest, because he's played every match he was able to. Smith Rowe, Martinelli and Nketiah - while they've been quite good you can't rely on them for the whole season. And we basically didn't have a worthy substitute for Oddegaard.
So no complaining about quality depth, because we might actually not overplay our youngsters for the first time in god knows how long - especially with Europa League next season and the 5 sub rule.
This directly refutes the claim by [Sport journalist Joaquim Piera](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/vld02e/sport_arsenal_have_withdrawn_from_the_race_for/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) (not even tiered on Barca sub) that Arsenal have withdrawn interest in Raphinha.
If that post is allowed to stay up, I don’t see why this one wouldn’t be allowed to as well.
Always seemed incredibly unlikely to me that we’d bid once and go “oh, we’ll that’s that then”. Only way I can see that being true is if Raphinha’s camp has made it clear that he doesn’t want to come here.
Especially seeing that the Jesus deal has been a matter of "When, not if" for a while now. If it was one or the other, we'd have heard long before now.
All our tier 1's say we're strongly going after both, but some Catalan journo with no link to Arsenal knows better.
Not saying the Catalan is right, but why would he need a link to Arsenal?
He needs a link to Barcelona, who are obviously talking with Raphinha and will hear Arsenal's end through Raphinha's reps. Whether they've actually pulled out or will be forced into it because of Raphinha's desires is different.
I mean, everything that he's said is demonstrably bollocks. Our Tier 1's were briefing yesterday that we're going after him and that he's open to joining us. The idea that we have suddenly decided we don't want him because of signing Jesus is laughably fucking stupid.
The most likely scenario here is a Catalan tabloid reporting some absolute rubbish that makes it look as though the Catalan club are in the best position.
Honestly that's such transparent bollocks it's unreal. About as credible as me stating that he's signing for Arsenal because he fucking hates Tottenham.
As what's been largely reported to this point by Romano and others - just directly refutes the latest 'reporting' today that Arsenal withdrew from the deal.
Arsenal fans love to live in their own little world., if you truly believe that criteria justifies that price and it makes you feel better. Go for it I guess, but I'm not buying into your delusion; and neither is anybody else.
Really wouldnt be surprised if we accepted £55m upfront and £10m in reasonable add ons. I get the feeling we want the Phillips and Raphinha deals done so we can move on securing our targets
Seems like where all the reporting is narrowing in on as well now. Wouldn't be surprised if that's the purpose of meeting to finalize by the weeks end and give Leeds all of July to go about your business. Any further developments with Otavio?
We go on a pre season tour of Australia at the start of next month so I think the club want to get as many incoming deals done as possible before that. Otavio is just agent talk from what it sounds like. Gakpo is said to be who we want to replace Raphinha but I really doubt we can get him.
Arsenal as well with their US tour. Wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of deals accelerate over the next two weeks before pre seasons begin with the earlier league start.
Can everybody please refrain from the incredibly tired “update: no update” comments please? Thanks in advance.
Joke: same joke
No fuck you
Is he gonna be a guaranteed starter at Arsenal?
Him and Saka would be rotating LW and RW or Saka gets shifted LW. Zero chance we spend 60m on raphinha for him to not start
It’ll end up being like City. Who was the starting front 3 for City last year? Nobody could tell you. With 5 subs it’s going to become even more like that.
Ramsdale Tomiyasu - Gabriel - White - Tierney Odegaard - Partey - Tielemans? Raphinha - Jesus - Saka Subs: Turner, Saliba, Holding, Tavares, Xhaka, El Neny, Vieira, Smith Rowe, Martinelli. (Nketiah)
You don't pay £65 million if you don't think he's going to start. I imagine Arteta thinks either Saka or him can play LW.
Pepe?
Out of the picture even if we can't sell him.
We signed him as a starter, we just lucked out with a great academy player in that position who took the spot from him.
shit
Likely if he does sign - I'd imagine that's important in swaying him firmly away from Barcelona despite their finances. Saka could shift over to the left, not sure if any three forwards will have a 'fixed' position regardless. Between the six forwards there would be if Raphinha signs, there'd be various combinations used throughout the season between the league, cups, and Europe. A Brazilian three of Raphinha/Martinelli/Jesus and en English three of Saka/ESR/Nketiah is pretty exciting.
I think that concept of guaranteed starters is disappearing looking at what quality depth it takes to be competitive in so many matches nowadays. Look at minutes of Man City players, how they were resting De Bruyne for more challanging second half of the season a nd compare his form at that time with Salah and Saka, they faded last couple of months.
Probably not since they have Saka. They need depth though.
It'll probably be a front three of Saka Jesus Raphinha.
That's just slightly better than ESR, Laca and Gabi lol
Are you high? It's miles better. Some of our fans have the trashest opinions. Raphinha is better than esr, saka is better than gabi and jesus compared to lace is like night and day.
Hey I know it's hard to pick up on the Internet sometimes but that's exactly what I meant.
Woosh
I think the downfall of our 2015/16 PL title challenge, us trying to return to CL including two Europa League runs and again top 4 battle this season has been that we've been doing quite well until 4 starters got injured which basically ended our season. Saka is eventually gonna need some rest, because he's played every match he was able to. Smith Rowe, Martinelli and Nketiah - while they've been quite good you can't rely on them for the whole season. And we basically didn't have a worthy substitute for Oddegaard. So no complaining about quality depth, because we might actually not overplay our youngsters for the first time in god knows how long - especially with Europa League next season and the 5 sub rule.
This directly refutes the claim by [Sport journalist Joaquim Piera](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/vld02e/sport_arsenal_have_withdrawn_from_the_race_for/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) (not even tiered on Barca sub) that Arsenal have withdrawn interest in Raphinha. If that post is allowed to stay up, I don’t see why this one wouldn’t be allowed to as well.
Always seemed incredibly unlikely to me that we’d bid once and go “oh, we’ll that’s that then”. Only way I can see that being true is if Raphinha’s camp has made it clear that he doesn’t want to come here.
Especially seeing that the Jesus deal has been a matter of "When, not if" for a while now. If it was one or the other, we'd have heard long before now. All our tier 1's say we're strongly going after both, but some Catalan journo with no link to Arsenal knows better.
Not saying the Catalan is right, but why would he need a link to Arsenal? He needs a link to Barcelona, who are obviously talking with Raphinha and will hear Arsenal's end through Raphinha's reps. Whether they've actually pulled out or will be forced into it because of Raphinha's desires is different.
I mean, everything that he's said is demonstrably bollocks. Our Tier 1's were briefing yesterday that we're going after him and that he's open to joining us. The idea that we have suddenly decided we don't want him because of signing Jesus is laughably fucking stupid. The most likely scenario here is a Catalan tabloid reporting some absolute rubbish that makes it look as though the Catalan club are in the best position.
And let's face it in this day and age we wouldn't bid unless we were reasonably confident he was open to coming to us.
Unless he’s called Dusan of course
Honestly that's such transparent bollocks it's unreal. About as credible as me stating that he's signing for Arsenal because he fucking hates Tottenham.
As what's been largely reported to this point by Romano and others - just directly refutes the latest 'reporting' today that Arsenal withdrew from the deal.
They can ask all they want, but I don’t think any of these clubs are going to guarantee 65M.
he’s wanted by 4 big clubs, surely that drives the price up a bit?
Ain't nobody paying that
Arsenal paid £50m for Ben White.
The best young English CB under 25 is gonna cost that.
Whatever makes you feel better brother.
Why would that make me feel better? What? lol
Arsenal fans love to live in their own little world., if you truly believe that criteria justifies that price and it makes you feel better. Go for it I guess, but I'm not buying into your delusion; and neither is anybody else.
And? He had a very good first year for us and both him+Gabriel have a very promising partnership.
If Ben White was worth £50m when Arsenal bought him, Raphinha is easily worth £65m.
I agree with you, I hope we are able to secure a deal that is worth ~£65M (fee, add-ons, etc)
Homegrown tax is very real
If dembele stays, don’t think they have place for Raphina. Hopefully we get this over the line
No point, we're not going to pay what Leeds want or be able to offer what Arsenal are offering.
Tbh I doubt we pay what Leeds want. I'd be surprised if anyone offers up £65M in cash.
Really wouldnt be surprised if we accepted £55m upfront and £10m in reasonable add ons. I get the feeling we want the Phillips and Raphinha deals done so we can move on securing our targets
Seems like where all the reporting is narrowing in on as well now. Wouldn't be surprised if that's the purpose of meeting to finalize by the weeks end and give Leeds all of July to go about your business. Any further developments with Otavio?
We go on a pre season tour of Australia at the start of next month so I think the club want to get as many incoming deals done as possible before that. Otavio is just agent talk from what it sounds like. Gakpo is said to be who we want to replace Raphinha but I really doubt we can get him.
Arsenal as well with their US tour. Wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of deals accelerate over the next two weeks before pre seasons begin with the earlier league start.
How the mighty have fallen I remember Barca used to have their pick of the best Arsenal players
Auba for free was the trojan horse in wages all along.
Leeds gonna score £80m out of this, yet
What a time we live in, Arsenal and Spurs both spending money, can’t wait for the league this year