Re: Balogun v Nketiah

I think lots of Arsenal fans like Balogun because we think he has a higher ceiling than Nketiah and we feel we’ve seen the limit of Nketiah.

I’ll try to be objective about it and put other arguments over.

Does anyone here rate Lois Openda above Nketiah? He’s a guy who also scored 21 goals in the French league last year like Balogun. And both were outscored by Lacazette.
Balogun also scored a lot of penalties, you still have to score them but they do inflate the stats a bit. He’s also completely untested in the league.

It’s an incredibly difficult decision for Arsenal to make. They made a commitment to Nketiah and Balogun has probably come on more than they imagined he would.

Balogun’s team Reims were a bottom 6 team, the job he did there would be very different to Arsenal. Obviously putting the ball in the net is the main job but a bottom 6 team don’t require one touch sharp link up play in and around the box. Most of his goals were from crosses, penalties or running in behind - he won’t get many running in behind chances for us against deep defences we play most weeks

For me, Balogun over Nketiah any day.
I guess Arteta's tactics does not need a Balogun type player, more than a Nketiah type.

I guess nobody can be exact about Balogun's value to Arsenal until he plays regularly for the team. Every opinion made is valid.
Case in point, there were doubts about Ramsdale transfer. Teams he was with were usually relegated, etc, etc. And we know how it played out.
My gut feel is we are making a mistake in not giving him a chance at Arsenal.

I think the issue is more that they rate him but a move is a more attractive proposition for him. He has 2 players ahead of him and I think the club and its coaches are more invested in Nketiah for some reason.

It seems an easier proposition to sell Balogun than Nketiah. His stock is high right now and they will recoup more money for him.

It’s hard because a ruthless decision is required on Eddie but the club don’t seem ready to make it yet.

One of Eddie or balogun should be loaned to a premier league side.

This makes sense but Balogun has refused to go on loan and is saying play me or sell me. We won’t loan Nketiah and I doubt he would agree to it.

It basically requires us to behave ruthlessly a bit like chelsea and boot the guy we think isn’t the better player or prospect

Saliba new contract officially announced by Arsenal, he'll wear the number 2 next year

Arsenal Premier League

Win percentage
With Saliba 78%
Without Saliba 46%

Goals conceded per game
With Saliba 0.9
Without Saliba 1.6

Shots conceded per game
With Saliba 8.3
Without Saliba 10.7

And if my memory is functioning, he got injured in a poxy Europa cup tie against moderate opposition, which we should have put to bed in the first leg, but turned into a proverbial 15 rounder which we managed to lose.

It really hurts to think about what could have been!

My only concern would be defending high balls. We did look iffy a couple of times last season.

I don’t think it’s tactics it’s just that the coaches and fans have blinkers on when it comes to Eddie. I think it’s because he came through the academy. He’s provided some great moments but if we decided to sell I think he would only command interest from clubs like Palace and Brentford which is telling.

We will sell balogun, keep Nketiah then realise we need a new striker next summer mark my words

Saliba new contract officially announced by Arsenal, he'll wear the number 2 next year

Arsenal Premier League

Win percentage
With Saliba 78%
Without Saliba 46%

Goals conceded per game
With Saliba 0.9
Without Saliba 1.6

Shots conceded per game
With Saliba 8.3
Without Saliba 10.7

I don’t think it’s tactics it’s just that the coaches and fans have blinkers on when it comes to Eddie. I think it’s because he came through the academy. He’s provided some great moments but if we decided to sell I think he would only command interest from clubs like Palace and Brentford which is telling.

We will sell balogun, keep Nketiah then realise we need a new striker next summer mark my words

I share the opinion that everyone has said here that Balogun probably has the higher ceiling. I think that would be most fans position and I wouldn’t be surprised if the club think that too.

But they’re invested in Jesus being the starting striker, there isn’t a place up for grabs with significant minutes really.

We will sell balogun, keep Nketiah then realise we need a new striker next summer mark my words

I can absolutely see that happening, but I’m not sure Balogun is making much else an option, and fair enough from his point of view. Arsenal is an amazing club if you can get the minutes you want, but like KT it must be so difficult if you’re effectively frozen out.

Eddie will probably get 6/7 games worth of minutes over the season. Balogun wanting to leave makes sense. Going to Chelsea however is not exactly guaranteed minutes, but they might be the only buyers.

If we hope to compete in 4 competitions any back up striker will get plenty of minutes and I kind of think that’s the issue.

I think Ray makes a point here, you need firepower and goal scorers off the bench we just don’t have that and next season we will be reliant on our wide players and Ødegaard again to bring the goal threat.

https://metro.co.uk/2023/07/05/arsenal- ... -19070505/

Andy Green world tour started last night ….flew to Bogota for the in laws 60th wedding anniversary bash
Out of here tomorrow night … red eye to Heathrow and then a few days in Chewton Glen with some mates
I’ve never been and I’m looking forward to it From there to Sussex to hang out with my sister for a few days and see my eldest and the Grandkids
Sunday 16th off to Dubrovnik for a week ….again never been and again looking forward to it
Hope we’ve signed Rice by the time I get back…. and Timber…

Andy Green world tour started last night ….flew to Bogota for the in laws 60th wedding anniversary bash
Out of here tomorrow night … red eye to Heathrow and then a few days in Chewton Glen with some mates
I’ve never been and I’m looking forward to it From there to Sussex to hang out with my sister for a few days and see my eldest and the Grandkids
Sunday 16th off to Dubrovnik for a week ….again never been and again looking forward to it
Hope we’ve signed Rice by the time I get back…. and Timber…

I share the opinion that everyone has said here that Balogun probably has the higher ceiling. I think that would be most fans position and I wouldn’t be surprised if the club think that too.

But they’re invested in Jesus being the starting striker, there isn’t a place up for grabs with significant minutes really.

We will sell balogun, keep Nketiah then realise we need a new striker next summer mark my words

I can absolutely see that happening, but I’m not sure Balogun is making much else an option, and fair enough from his point of view. Arsenal is an amazing club if you can get the minutes you want, but like KT it must be so difficult if you’re effectively frozen out.

Eddie will probably get 6/7 games worth of minutes over the season. Balogun wanting to leave makes sense. Going to Chelsea however is not exactly guaranteed minutes, but they might be the only buyers.

I'd be very surprised if the backup striker got only 6/7 games worth of minutes. Apart from rotation and injuries, Jesus shouldn't be playing the full 90 each game. We need fresh legs up front (or different options) in the last 20-30 minutes. Furthermore, each outing is an opportunity for the backup striker to make himself more of a contender to start. Nketiah had a big chance last season.

If Balogun goes to Chelsea is he going to be first choice? Didn't they just buy Nkunku?

We will sell balogun, keep Nketiah then realise we need a new striker next summer mark my words

Britain is *%^@** as long as these arseholes are running it

https://news.sky.com/story/boris-johnso ... r-12916924

Boris has nothing to do with the current Goverment.

If you speak to anyone who lives and drives in the ULEZ zones then ask them what they think instead of making stupid statements.

The air quality is currently safe in fact safer thasn in most cities of similar populations. ULEZ will change nothing other than boost the numbers of unemployed sole traders who need motorised transport to do their work. Wait till you cannot find a workman willing to come to your address to quote let alone do a job for you.

You seriously need to think before you post.................

This would be beyond irritating

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footb ... riker.html