We have strengthened our defence with Saliba coming in and with Zinchenko being a huge upgrade on Tavares. The goalkeeping position is weaker with Leno's departure.

This time last season we had 3 strikers in Aubameyang, Lacazette and Nketiah. Now have two in Jesus and Nketiah. We could throw in Balogun but he is totally unproven.

The midfield is much the same, unless Vieira replaces Xhaka, which would be a surprise.

We might be marginally stronger than last year overall because of the better quality in defence, but the central midfield still looks a problem and we are too light at centre forward.

I think you raise some important points here dec. At the beginning of last season with Aubameyang, Lacazette and Nketiah, I bet more people thought we were stronger up front than they do this season with Jesus, Nketiah and Balogun. Of course last season Aubameyang fell out of favour very quickly and Lacazette showed what a mixed bag he is with generally poor finishing and good hold up play. Nketiah’s breakthrough really came towards the end of last season. Up to then, there were major doubts about him. Now he is undeniably our second most important striker. Last season he was third.

So if we are stronger up front, that’s very heavily based on how quickly Aubameyang disappeared off the scene last season. Had he not, as I say I reckon people would have had more confidence last season with Aubameyang, Lacazette and Nketiah than next season with Jesus, Nketiah and Balogun. Added to which we’re in the Europa League next season.

Last season the fewest games we could have was 40 (38 Premier League, 1 League Cup and 1 FA Cup). The least games we could have next season is 46 (38 Premier League, 6 Europa League, 1 League Cup and 1 FA Cup). The most games we can have next season is 63. Alongside 38 in the Premier League, I think I’m right in saying the finalists of the Europa League play 13 games, and I think the finalists of the League Cup and FA Cup play 6 in each. Do Jesus, Nketiah and Balogun offer a strong enough choice to play somewhere between 46 and 63 games? Personally I don’t think so.

Zinchenko is a great signing.

Opposition fans may accuse us of signing City rejects but, let's be honest, City's back up XI would probably challenge for top four.

This is a player with great technical ability, a top mentality and attitude and huge PL experience.

Ok, so he's not a shiny new foreign player who we can all heap unrealistic expectations upon even though we've barely seen them play, this is a PL proven player at a perfect age and at a decent price. Can play several positions as well which is a bonus.

I'm minded to agree, it feels that 3 strikers is enough but ideally you put Balogun out on another season loan and bring in a taller physical striker.
With Zinchenko all but confirmed the positions to strengthen are, CM, LCB, RW, FW

Of those 4 positions RW and LCB are about quality as we have plenty who can play in those positions. but CM and FW are more about quality and numbers.

CM is the biggest priority right now for me. The most irreplaceable player in the team right now is Partey, because he has such a specific role in the team I think we would need to change the structure of the team quite fundamentally if he's not there. I can't think of any other ;layer in the squad like that.

Hi Dec,

Neketiak looks a different player from a year ago. Stronger, fitter, better at running with the ball and with his hold-up play and, crucially, more confident.

Balogun looks like he's going on loan so I agree that we are light of a striker, in particular a plan B type of striker who give us something different from both Nketiah and Jesus.

I also think a topclass central midfield signing is imperative because we all know Partey is going to break down at various points in the season.

Hi Soc,

I'm afraid I'm not convinced by Nketiah yet. The jury is very much still out for me. I'd have no issue at all with him as a squad player. If Jesus gets injured, not long-term but say just a couple of weeks, Nketiah starts all of those games and is Balogun then the game-changer on the bench? There are 5 subs allowed this season. I think we are very light there.

As for midfield, I completely agree. It was a priority last summer and it still is. To be honest, Partey hasn't been a great signing. Some really good games, lots of injuries and plenty of ordinary games. He needs to improve considerably and we need another strong midfielder in there.

It’s certainly going to be interesting to see what happens with strengthening central midfield. We left Bissouma to Tottenham and Tielemans is the other option constantly being discussed. But there was talk of him being available for as little as £25m. Even if that was an underestimate and it’s £30m, still nothing has happened and the season starts in a little over two and a half weeks.

Can we be sure it is going to be Tielemans? If it is, why isn’t he on board yet as time is slipping by rapidly until the 5th August. Is it impossible that Arteta simply doesn’t fancy him? I don’t know the answer but perhaps he doesn’t. If that is the case, my guess would be someone else is being lined up because considering Tierney’s injury record, I think it’s realistic to suggest many of Zinchenko’s games might be at left back. Who knows who the non-Bissouma and non-Tielemans option might be?

There are two other feasible alternatives. Changing our style of play to not use two deeper midfielders (as I call them) with Vieira becoming a regular starter alongside Partey or Xhaka. That looks the least likely option to me, unless we’re playing a very weak side. The other is that Arteta is happy with Partey and Xhaka and doesn’t consider another as big a priority as you Rich. Back ups might be Zinchenko when Tierney isn’t injured or even Maitland-Niles.

I don’t know what’s going to happen with the midfield. But other than the possibilities I’ve outlined above, I’m struggling to think of anything else.

I think we now need to sell before we can buy. Once we've shifted a couple I think we're going to bring in a forward and a midfielder. not necessarily a centre forward but a wide player who can play across the line. They seem to be the kind of players we're being linked with.

See the club have been talking up Odegaards leadership credentials over the last few days in the press obviously in the lead up to him being announced as captain.

Does it not seem a bit daft I mean everyone knows he’s going to be captain. You don’t need some concerted PR Campaign to justify why you have made a big decision. He’s the right candidate it’s decided move on, bang.

They’ll probably create some wanky video. It’s like they’ve created a public agenda to announce the blatantly obvious

I’m agreeing with you lots over the last day dec. Personally, I too wouldn’t be confident about Nketiah playing lots of games. As I pointed out last night, the ultra favourable impression of him now is largely based on a smallish run of games towards the end of last season. Prior to that there were loads of big doubts about him. In my view he still has it all to prove.

I also agree about Partey. To be honest I was expecting better. His first season was pretty damn average and Partey himself said he’d give himself only 4/10 for his first season at Arsenal. He improved and was much better last season. He had some excellent matches but there were also a number of distinctly ordinary performances. Where this notion that he’s outstanding came from I don’t honestly know.

If that’s the case don’t you think Zinchenko will be announced anytime soon?

I'm not sure it's really relevant to look at how our forward line was perceived before last season started, because we now know how things turned out. Aubameyang continued his abysmal form from the previous season, Lacazette had the worst goalscoring season in a decade, and Nketiah only came into his own during the run-in. As things stand now, I would say we have undoubtedly improved in that area with the signing of Jesus and Nketiah showing he might be counted on as a genuine option. I would rather have one top class player than two sub-par ones.

Interesting discussion about who's had the best transfer window so far. For me, the three best signings on paper so far are Haaland, Jesus and Sterling because they all fill an obvious need for their clubs. Haaland gives Man City that central striker they've sometimes looked like they're lacking. He's also a player who can turn the tide of a match, and isn't dependent on team play to score. Sterling gives Chelsea an attacking player that isn't just talented, but actually has end product. In the last five years Sterling has averaged 15 league goals per season for City. Jesus gives us that clear cut number 9 we've been missing since Aubameyang went off the radar completely after signing his last contract extension. I'm really excited to see what Jesus can do as the main man up front. On paper he seems to have it all.

Other signings I think could prove successful are Darwin Nunez for Liverpool, Koulibaly for Chelsea and Perisic for Tottenham, but there's a bit more question marks surrounding them as they've never played in the PL and, well, aren't Haaland. I have mixed feelings about Bissouma - I really like him as a player, but he's mainly a defensive midfielder and ideally you'd play him next to someone progressive, not plonkers like Hojbjerg and Bentancur. He'll stabilize their midfield for sure, but a huge problem for Tottenham has been their inability to control the midfield with possession and I'm not sure he helps them with that.

Looking away from the big six, I think Aston Villa have made some interesting signings, and Everton signing James Tarkowski was a very good move for them considering where they are as a club.

If anyone still doubted we're signing Zinchenko, Guardiola has confirmed it at a press conference.

Some interesting quotes about Zinchenko here. Kyle Walker names him as one of the three most technically gifted Man City players along with Bernardo Silva and Mahrez. And also this from Guardiola:

Guardiola has always been clear that Zinchenko’s best position, in the long-term, will be as a creative midfielder. “In the pockets as the attacking midfielder,” Guardiola said in April. “That is his position, definitely. When we bought Oleks, he was a No 10, a Phil Foden position, a creative player. But the needs we had… we didn’t have a left-back for many years. He adapted and said: ‘Okay, what does the team need? I’m going to do it. He is a reliable player, honestly.”

I think Bissouma is a very good signig for Spurs, he's defensive minded but can receive the ball and is skillful enough to distribute it. Conte's teams don#t really tend to dominate midfield and dont go for the high press either. Ive seen his tactics described as a mid block - ie: they don't press right up to your area but they also don't let you get to their final 3rd, the mid block wins the ball back and releases Kane/Son/ Kulusevski and now Richarlison. It sort of fits the players. I think Spurs have bought well for the system the use. The main hurdle for them this season is replicating their form v City and Liverpool and finding a way to break down the deep block as I think more teams will use that against them this season. They don't have the technical players to pick a lock. They rely more on crosses and long range shooting to unpick a packed defence

Yeah, I largely agree with this analysis. They did well last season, but the thing is I'm not sure you'll get higher than 4th with that set-up and struggling to control games. A more technical midfielder would give them another dimension and they could still use the tactic of defending low and hitting on the break against the bigger teams.

A bit far-fetched perhaps, but maybe we're playing the waiting game to reduce the price? Rodgers has been very open about Tielemans not signing a new contract meaning he'll leave on a free next year if he's not sold this summer. There doesn't seem to be a lot of teams desperate to sign him, so we might just be biding our time in the hopes of getting him even cheaper.

I think he'll be the last signing before we sell. I was including him as already done.

I thought we were on the cusp of going back to regularly finishing comfortably above sperz the way God and nature intended. But they have bought a lot. That defender worries me. It seems ever since Van Dijk clubs are now looking for that transformative central defender.

Top 6 leaves us basically where we are basically. I don't even think about City and Liverpool. They are going to finish 1st or 2nd. Chelsea is the closest of anyone to getting inbetween them.

I basically look at Man Utd and Tottenham the most and if we play well, then Chelsea. Basically 3rd place is the same to us possibly as Liverpool winning the title. Its as far as we can go frankly right now. A couple years from now, we'll see. But right now? 3rd is our ceiling, no?

He is the one player I wanted the most. I am going to have to go from being excited about him to hoping he's a bust...which I feel badly about. I hope they have gotten their Vieira-lite.

Surely that can only mean Arteta sees a deeper midfielder as less of a priority than every other player we’ve signed? Okay, Hazuki says we might be trying to force Tielemans’ price down even more. But how much money will Leicester go down from the rumoured £25m or £30m?

I’d have considered that verging on a giveaway price as it was. If nobody else really wants him for that sort of price, why is that?

Henry's American goals

Maybe he only wants Arsenal? That seems to be the story going around. I know no more than you on this so it's purely assumptive, but I think there will be more signings towards the end of the window.

You may be interested to know that in the preceding season to last when you say Aubameyang was in abysmal form he scored more Premier League goals than Jesus with 10 goals in 29 games. Jesus scored 9 goals in 29 games that same season (2020/21).

Indeed, even last season (2021/22) Aubameyang had the same goal per game ratio (4 goals in 14 games) as Jesus (8 goals in 28 games).

Antonio Conte: “Spence is an investment of the club. The club wanted to do it. I said okay, this player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us. The club decided to buy him.”

Sounds like Conte doesn't fancy and didn't want Spence!

Jesus is not a prolific scorer, and though I think his scoring rate will improve if he's played consistently as a number 9 I'm not expecting him to score 25 goals for us. However, a big difference between him and Aubameyang is that an Aubameyang who doesn't score basically doesn't contribute at all. With Jesus, apart from the goals, you still get the work rate, the pressing and the link-up play. A lot of the things that Lacazette gave us, but at a higher level and with a lot more speed.

I agree, teams that win the biggest trophies are front foot high possession based teams who tend to take the game to the opposition no matter who it is. There are very few examples I can think of that don't fit that rule. Leicester when they won the title. Mourinho's Inter when they won the CL - but counter attack can win cup comps.

I think Conte is going for a 'win now' method, experienced players coming in. To be fair it makes sense for him because why waste the talent of 29/20 year old Son/Kane by trying a 5 year re-build with young players. It does mean Spurs may have a problem in 5 years time.....

Lots of reports keep saying Arsenal are fully on board for Tielemans, it is unanimous among edu, arteta etc. The concern for me, is that if he is our first choice and we're waiting to drive the price down we may get a few more clubs showing interest. Man U are rumoured to like him but want De Jong as a priority. Wait too long and De jong collapses and then we have competition

Arsenal Mexican talent Marcelo Flores will join Real Oviedo on loan deal valid until June 2023.

Arm twisting from Levy so to speak.

Arsenal Mexican talent eh?

Brings to mind Carlos Vela.

Brighton are trying to get Tavares on loan. Sounds like the perfect loan move to me

Well done! England women Euros 2022 through to the semis. Will play Sweden or Belgium.

3 - 1 for us against Orlando.

Martinelli, Nketia and Nelson scored.

Wooo!!
3-1 to the Arsenal.
Goals scored by players as Warrior posted. Nice to view on a free stream.

First half team paled in comparison to second half. We do need reinforcements to stay competitive.

Does feel a shame that we ‘have’ to play so many players with no future at the club, feels like 3-4 more younger players could have been on this tour instead.

The other worry is the fitness of some players, they may be fit for the start of the season but they won’t be ready. Tomiyasu is the biggest worry of that lot who have niggles. Our right side when Tomiyasu and Saka are unavailable is quite poor

From the highlights I saw it looks like Lokonga is more comfortable in that advanced midfield position rather than the Partey position. If we’re not buying a player to play in deep midfield it looks like we’ll have to gamble on Partey’s fitness with Elneny as a back up.

If we sign Tielemans he will be much needed but I still think that if Partey is out then we may need to move to a double pivot and traditional 10 rather than the lone pivot and 2 No.8’s that only really works with Partey in the team

Artetas comments after the game definitely lend gravitas to the suggestion we have to sell before we buy again.