TOP GUN wrote:
Ash wrote:
In the Arsenal first 11, in as much as you can say that now, who would you actually upgrade for a new signing? If we buy Neto for example, I don’t think he’s replacing either of Saka or Martinelli, but having the 3 across the two wings seems a sustainable situation and amazing depth but not really an upgrade/replacement per se for either player.
Obviously we’ve got timber to come in at fullback if you aren’t fully sold on our options which are currently very good with Zinchenko Tomiyasu White and Kiwior.
I would say as well as Neto or another wide forward we’re looking at two more to come in to give depth at left 8 and centre forward.
So in priority I’d say
1)wide forward who can play both sides(Neto I’d love) essentially replacing Nelson
2)left 8 to provide rotation/competition for Havertz at left 8
3) Someone at CF of a different profile in effect to replace Eddie.
I’m not sure that’s really replacing anyone in the first 11 though.
Depends on the quality of player brought in…..
Priority 1. New striker to replace Eddie and offer competition. If Eddie is on the pitch the whole team doesn’t look like scoring.
Priority 2. New wide player to replace Nelson and offer genuine competition to Saka. Again bringing on Reiss isn’t quite as bad as bringing on Eddie but you can see the drop off immediately.
Priority 3 depends on Timber really, if he comes back and impresses at left back it’s a midfielder but I think it’s likely he was brought in to cover right back and centre which means in my opinion anyway that if you are serious about winning titles you need a left back with more technical ability on the ball but critically can defend too.
As well as looking at what we need its worth tracking what players will leave in the summer and therefore where gaps in the squad numbers (as a minimum) will be:
I expect Ramsdale, Elneny, Cédric, Tierney, Tavares, Marquinos to definitely leave for a variety of reasons. The only player here who needs replacing properly is Ramsdale with a new No.2 GK
On top of this there are big question marks on the futures of Nketiah, Nelsen, Partey and maybe even Emile Smith Rowe. I would say anyone from that group leaving would need replacing and that's where we can elevate the squad.
The best of our academy still seem a little bit away from the first team, even if there are some real talents there so I'd also like to see us take some punts on some really talented 18/19 year olds, with a well set squad we're in the position to be able to do this in the summer I think.