Did they include the referee who sent RvP off in our tie against them?
Several arrested at FC Barcelona

I agree they are good options. We also have Nketiah and Nelson who can’t get a look in at the moment and should both be sold in the summer. The issue we have with those 6 players is Ødegaard is only on loan and Lacazette has contract issues than mean we need to sell him or give him a new deal. Despite this area of the pitch looking quite settled we may still need to be replacing 2 of these players this summer. I’d love to get Ødegaard back on loan next year as well.

I still think this is the area of the team that needs surgery in the summer. Elneny really isn’t good enough and this is the last summer we can shift him for a fee. Ceballos will return to Madrid with them wanting £25m to make it permanent. That’s not worth the money for me. Willock still has a big question mark on his future as well. I’d like to see a couple of central mids arrive this summer. A commanding defensive mid who can free up Partey and maybe a younger player to be 4th choice.
There’s also Guendouzi and Torriera’s futures to sort out

I hope Arteta goes with the same starting eleven against Burnley. The team combined very well to recover from being a goal down. Give these players the opportunity to build on their success.
And some more rest for the others for the Europa match.

Interesting what you say about Ceballos. It’s difficult to predict in advance what a transfer fee will be. For most clubs it is a depressed market and whilst Real Madrid might fancy £25m they won’t necessarily find many other takers. Perhaps we could negotiate a better fee.

Also, as you mentioned before, Ødegaard is a worry in that I have been expecting him to return after his loan period and just can’t see Real Madrid giving him up. I hadn’t thought of a loan extension and I suspect that your suggestion may be the best that we can achieve.

When does Torreira end his unsuccessful loan spell at Atletico? His sale value has plummeted.

I was thinking more about this season, but you are perfectly correct about resolving these issue being the priority this summer.

I've adjusted my hopes and expectations for us. In the league, if we finish top half and over Tottenham, I'll sulk but I'll accept it.
Semis of the Europa Cup at least.
Individual player goals:
Pépé to be consistent for the remainder of the season.
Martinelli to get regular minutes, even if off the bench.
Partey to play consistently, void of injuries.
Ødegaard to improve and possibly sign for us over the summer.

Hoping against all hope, Wolves can at least take a point. Big ask given both clubs form but in football anything can and does happen.

Jesus saves.... St John scores on the rebound

Sad news.

Not often we're near the good end of the injury list. Long may it continue

Is Bruno Fernandes a bit of a flat track bully? After yet another Man U 0-0 against a top 6 side I looked at his record in top 6 games and he's played 10 and scored 2 penalties and got 2 assists.
He was utterly anonymous in both our games against Man U this season.

I haven't watched enough of Man U to know but he is surely the guy that really makes them tick and they rely on for so many of their goals and assists, are teams trying to put a classic man marker on him? It seems perfectly logical, particularly if you are the smaller team who would likely defend most of the game. Just mark him out of the game.

I know that this might seem controversial considering Fernandes insane numbers, but for me their most important player is Rashford. Fernandes is a very good playmaker, but nearly half his goals (15 out of 31 for United) are from penalties. Rashford is growing into a complete player who can both score and assist, and even in the games where it doesn't really come off for him he's pretty much a constant nuisance with his speed and drive.

I've watched Man Utd a lot over the last two season, and while Fernandes does often seem to show up with the final touch, Rashford is the one I'm always left most impressed by.

I wonder what the plan is for our central defense next season. Gabriel, Mari and Holding will all be here, and I think they've all shown they're capable defenders who are good enough for a top 4 club. Then there's Luiz who's been his usual self, mixing top class performances with jaw-dropping mistakes and there are rumours Arteta wants to extend him. The Saliba situation needs to be resolved one way or another - preferably he stays here and is allowed to actually play some games, but if Arteta genuinely don't rate him it's probably best just to sell. Lastly, we have Mavropanos at Stuttgart. It seems he's once again had some bad luck with injuries, but it also seems like he's starting whenever he's fit and the Stuttgart manager has heaped praise on him. Just like with Saliba, I think it's time to either give him a chance or cash in.

Forgot about Chambers, but surely he's gone in the summer?

Since we are pretty much out of the top 4 race, I'd love to see Leicester finish runner up and West Ham finish top 4. I've always liked West Ham's seemingly working class roots. Say seemingly as I assume based on where they are.

Curious as to what the club will do about central defense this summer. Gabriel appears to be a cert first team regular. Question, does he think Holding is good enough or will he find someone else? We need more CBs anyway, but will he find a quality starter or someone young for the future? I have always liked Holding since the cup final against Chelsea and like the progress he's made. However, for our ambitions he should be a back up.

I think Fernandes is over-hyped. As you say, half his goals are penalties so that really inflates his numbers. He gives the ball away an awful lot and I'm not sure he is even a midfielder. Seems more like a No.10. He is certainly moments player as opposed to a constant presence over 90 minutes. Good player without a doubt, but I wouldn't put him in the same class as DeBruyne, for example, which is what the media are doing.

Even if Fernándes does take the penalties 23 goals and 17 assists in 40 games is a very good record for the premier league for a number 10. We are crying out for that type of player right now,

I like Partey and think he will become a fine signing. But I think it’s necessary to be realistic about his performances so far, rather than pretending he’s hit the ground running. Well if that’s hitting the ground running, I’ve seen seen 90 year olds on crutches outpace him. In addition to his injury problems, his outstanding performances have been relatively few and far between. Manchester United away perhaps? That day he was outplayed by Elneny, who few here seem to rate.

Elsewhere I saw Partey described as a watered down Vieira when he signed, meant as a positive. Well if he’s a watered down Vieira, I’m sure people will have drowned in less water.

I don’t mean this to come across as being too critical of Partey. I am genuinely pleased we bought him. I’m just suggesting a bit of realism about how he has played so far. I remain to be convinced he’s been as good as Xhaka since in the same period since he joined.

I’m more comfortable about City winning the title again than some here. For every year City do it, it means Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham won’t.

Hi Bernard,
Possibly add Arsenal to that group as well. Irregardless of getting into the top 4 at some future season. Fingers crossed we get through the rest of the EL.

Artificially infused with cash or not, City's run is incredible. Liverpool threatened that kind of run once I recall. This is the world we live in. What I fear is that eventually there will be more teams bought up by the uber rich and we'll have a quasi permanent class of clubs always at the top. Or even always in the league. Too rich to go down and by that I mean being able to buy players that will pretty much guarantee them EPL football. They may not be at the top but they won't go down.

I looked up Milan's great 58 game run in comparison. A fair amount of draws but we got a lot of draws as well. Although it must be said when we had the season locked up we were trying not to lose rather than trying to win. There were a few games I recall where we could have 'pushed the issue' and beat clubs but we just wanted to play prevent defense as they say in the NFL.

This City team sees a draw the same as a loss almost. They know they have the title locked up, they are just playing football to see how long they can win.

I haven't watched United enough to comment on Fernandes, but DeBruyne deserves to be remembered as one of the all time greats. He is a joy to watch.

I think you make a very good point, Zed.

£22m was the last valuation I heard for Ceballos https://www.football-espana.net/2021/02 ... i-ceballos. He may be worth that to another team but don't think we need another squad player for CM and so should be aiming to get higher quality.

Like you, Decaf and Rich have mentioned there are still a lot of adjustments required in midfield with some being let go and more quality coming in but there are also a few that I'd keep as they are good squad options as long as we don't overpay on salaries. In reality we also can't afford to have full strength 11's with massive salaries sitting on the bench for every position like City.

Only just watched the replay today but I'd really like to know what Arteta said to Willian and Pépé before the match as they were right at it for the full 90. Could be coincidence as it's clear that a lot of competition has been created for positions all over the pitch so maybe that has created an environment for self motivation.

I think one thing that was noticeable for Willian during his run of terrible form was that he hadn’t really lost his speed or quickness, he could still take players on so it didn’t look like his legs had simply gone. It seemed more like some sort of mental block and hopefully he’s over it now.

Hi Zed. Sure thing. Without a doubt. If Arsenal were competing for the title there’s only one side I’d want to win it. But we’re not and Manchester United in particular, but even Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham look more likely than us. Of those, I’d rather City win it.

I’ve nothing against Leicester but they’re not going to win it either. So in my view with Arsenal completely out the running for the title (I value realism more than a mathematical chance), it’s City for me rather than the others I mentioned in the first paragraph or the post you quoted.

I think with our central midfield we should start with the idea that Partey and Xhaka are the first choice two and we build from there. Xhaka isn't versatile he's always going to be the deep lying playmaker style player so if you're partnering him with someone they need to cover his weaknesses. Partey's athleticism, mobility, aggression, speed and greater defensive awareness on paper does that.

We need another player who can come in and play in a 2 with Xhaka or a 2 with Partey. With Partey you have the option of having someone purely defensive minded (Bissouma) so Partey can have more freedom to drive forward, or you could sign a more expansive central midfielder (Aouar) and get Partey to sit in front of the defence. Put both Bissouma and Aouar in our squad and you have an incredibly well balanced midfield that can play as a central midfield 2 or a 3 and can be attacking or defensive depending on the opposition. The idea of getting both of these players in the summer is far fetched but that is the profile of player and balance in the squad I think we need.
1. A destructive central mid, tall, powerful and mobile with a good simple passing range and who is 'press resistant'
2. A more creative box-to-box midfielder who can play in the hole but also in a midfield 2 when we want to be more attacking or expect to dominate the ball
Elneny, Ceballos, Guendouzi, Torreira, Willock don't really fit in to either of those profiles which is why I think all should be sold (or not bought in Ceballos case)

Even if those are the only 2 positions we buy next year, and keep the rest of the squad the same I think we'd have a decent top 4 chance.
Or, if we sort these two positions and any other transfers are like-for-like I think we challenge top 4. ie: Bellerin is sold and replaced by a £20m right back, or Lacazette is sold and replaced with Edouard from Celtic for example.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/arteta-lac ... a-and-more

A few interesting quotes from Arteta in here

Your plan isn’t going to work.

No good relying on Partey’s athleticism if he’s being overtaken by 90 year olds with walking sticks (we have that on good authority )

Interesting analysis Rich and its this kind of stuff that makes this forum fun at times. Even if you don't agree, its interesting if not fun, talking about strategies, tactics, formations, etc.

My two cents...if we get a strong central defense, and back 5 we can do the playmaking Aouar type. If we are going to go with what we have now, then we will need a Bissouma type to make up for the weaker back 5.

Partey, Xhaka and Smith Rowe aren't bad. We won't be challenging for the title but we will do okay. Ødegaard in that mix isn't bad IF he gets better. I would expect to see a much better Ødegaard in May than I do in March. He's got a lot of adjusting to do, like Gabriel.

Saka centrally still excites me.

City win a 21st straight game, unbeaten in 28. Their performance level has gone through the roof.
I read an interesting article about tactical adjustments for this season in particular due to the condensed nature of games, no real pre-season and the possibility of players missing training. All of this has lead to more injuries and a lower level of fitness/inability to stay at top fitness levels due to condensed games. The upshot was that the fashionable all over pitch pressing games just can't happen anymore. There are fewer goals per game than at any point in the last 10 or so years because teams are being far more cautious because of lack of fitness. At the start of the season the theory was teams hadn't cottoned on to this and lots of teams still played the high press but when the fitness levels couldn't keep up with it we were seeing loads of goals in games. The article ended by saying that this affects the bigger teams more than the smaller ones and is why the games between the top teams have been very low scoring and why the smaller teams have been able to close the gap to the bigger teams.

I'm not sure I totally agree with the conclusion as the bigger teams have bigger squads so can rotate more, you can see the effect injuries are having on some teams. However, with City in particular there was a lightbulb moment after they got hammered 5-2 at home by Leicester that they couldn't approach games the same way and had to become more pragmatic

I think City's performance is in some part due to the level of play in the PL going down across the board. West Ham is playing out of their skins, but Leicester, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd, Wolves, any club that could nick a win or point have all gone down in form for the season.

The big risk with all that money is that the PL starts looking like the SPL.

The big worry is Liverpool or City will come calling for Saka...or possibly even a top foreign club (BM, Juve, etc.). I'm curious to know how much his head can be turned and what is the club willing to do keep him. To a lesser extent Smith-Rowe. If not now, in the future as he improves.

I think Tierney is good for now. It seems he loves the move up and is enjoying his football and the big stage that playing for one of the biggest clubs in England, globally known and in the biggest city in the country. If we don't improve or seem competitive in a couple years, I can see him open to a move if someone comes calling.

I am also worried about Martinelli. I think the guy can be a huge player for us. His potential can't be lost on other clubs. Especially Spanish clubs, but also obviously domestic clubs just below the very top eyeing him.

I can’t explain anyone not seeing Thomas Parteys quality

He was outstanding againest United and rapid Vienna plus other games.

His season has been stop start through injury but he’s easily in our 3 most important players.

Advance warning for the hypochondriacs that walk amongst us

He’s not going to start Martinelli at turf moor either.

He’s coming back from a repair of his knee cartilage and they always try and kick us off the pitch at turf moor.

Just thought I’d flag. Feel free to start the hysteria

Hi Bernard,
City have a better chance of being closer to a title win on Sunday if they beat MU, which they could do. It's a tight squeeze in points within the 9 teams below City. So far can't see if any catch up to City before May, actually. More to battle it out as to which team is in the top 5, wherein Arsenal might get there.

Especially the ones about Balogun. It wouldn't be the first time a player gave positive signals to his club while his agent worked on a move away. On the other hand, many thought Aubameyang was leaving when it took him so long to extend his contract, but Arteta always maintained he thought he would stay and was proven right about that. If Balogun lives up to the hype, it could be huge for the team re-build - basically a free replacement for Lacazette down the line.