Got close to what you wanted. I'm optimistic with this lineup

wangus12 said:

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Got close to what you wanted. I'm optimistic with this lineup

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It's about as good as our lineup can get right now

wangus12 said:

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Got close to what you wanted. I'm optimistic with this lineup

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Still not a fan of Xhaka but otherwise I can't complain.

gougler08 said:

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wangus12 said:

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Got close to what you wanted. I'm optimistic with this lineup

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It's about as good as our lineup can get right now

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Yep. Figure out a way to offload a few guys and add a legit LW, CM & CB in Jan and we could be much better off.

Agreed about Xhaka, but I was a little more impressed with his performance against Brighton the other day in terms of positioning. He stayed deep and in the middle most of the time rather than tracking all the way wide and moving too far forward.

Also didn't realize. Bellerin was a late scratch. Maitland-Niles is at RB tonight

We need to start offering a 5k bonus for shots taken.

**** Tierney off injured.

This team can not catch a single break. Literally both preferred FBs come back from injury and now get injured on same day

And typical, deflected goal for West Ham

It took 34 points to stay up last season.

Bounces not going Arsenal way. Frustrating and maddening season.

We just get slower and slower as the game progresses in our build up. We never actually attack or move the ball with any urgency and by the time we do move we're are attacking 11 players set to defend. Its the same week in and week out. Players don't are so static and never move into space to receive a pass.

How Cresswell is still on the pitch is ridiculous.

GABBY!!!!

Nice finish! Martinelli needs more playing time.

OneBlitzer said:

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Nice finish! Martinelli needs more playing time.

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Amazing that this was just his first PL start.

PJYoung said:

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OneBlitzer said:

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Nice finish! Martinelli needs more playing time.

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Amazing that this was just his first PL start.

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8 goals in 7 starts for the club

PEPE!

PEPE + PELE

wangus12 said:

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PJYoung said:

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OneBlitzer said:

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Nice finish! Martinelli needs more playing time.

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Amazing that this was just his first PL start.

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8 goals in 7 starts for the club

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Yeah that was my point. Crazy that he hadn't gotten a PL start before today.

Pepe made that look easy. Beauty.

Pepe has a wicked left foot. Hope to see more from him.

AUBA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! Match turned quickly! Nice to see guys smile again!

Totally agree. It was creeping in at the end of Wenger's tenure with that movement of certain players and its spread across the squad. Its why we can barely move the ball forward. Its one of the things I like about Pepe, Martinelli and the younger players is that they will run all over the place most of the time so they can get the ball.

Where the hell did that 10 minute stretch come from?

gougler08 said:

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Where the hell did that 10 minute stretch come from?

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No idea, but would watch again.

We're up and we've had possession in their half here at the end. Haven't seen that in at least a year

We are staying up!

wangus12 said:

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Totally agree. It was creeping in at the end of Wenger's tenure with that movement of certain players and its spread across the squad. Its why we can barely move the ball forward. Its one of the things I like about Pepe, Martinelli and the younger players is that they will run all over the place most of the time so they can get the ball.

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My $0.02...

1st item of business... Fire Raul and bring in someone with a better track record of smart buys and youth investment.

2nd item... rebuild

Sell
Leno - Not been with us long but he is 27/28 and there are rumors that Bayern wants him to replace Neuer. Get as much as you can (cash and/or young players) to help the rebuild.
Luiz - Too old and he sucks.
Sokratis - Can be useful with the right scheme but he is 31. Need to sell him while we can.
Mustafi - No explanation needed.
Kola - given his lack of defense, he needs to go. Cash out before teams start to realize he isn't any good.
Xhaka - Just get him out.
Ozil - May be hard but we need to get rid of his payroll. Maybe convince him it's not worth staying with no Euro competition.
PAE - Hate to say it but we need to cash out. Try to send him to a CL team for as much as we can get (cash and/or young players).
Laca - Not likely going to get as much as PAE but at his age there is no reason to keep him through a rebuild.

Keep
Martinez - Just a little younger than Leno but he is HG, has minimal value right now and has looked better when given the chance this season. Find a young HG or potential HG to compete with him and hope for the best.
Holding - Still young and can be solid. Need to let him fully recover and see if he can regain form.
Chambers - Still young, shows flashes and HG. Want to see if a better manager can get anything out of him.
Tierney - Young, upside. Let him get 100% and see what he can do.
Duezy - Not sure how good he actually will but he is young, will be HG and is worth keeping around to see what he can develop into. Pair him with the right CM partner and he could become the cornerstone of the MF.
AMN - Move him to CM/DM and let's finally see what he can do. No more jack of all trades player.
Willock - Shows potential. Consider a loan depending on who we bring in.
Martinelli - No explanation needed
Pepe - Give him another year to see if he can adjust. Need to give him way more starts.
Nelson - Looked awesome at times for Hoffenheim. Need to give him another shot to prove his worth. Loan him out again if needed.
Saka - Shows flashes. May need a loan to get extra PT.
Nketiah - I'd give him a shot to earn PT for us next season. If we are going to loan him we need to pick more wisely.
ESR - Borderline on the fence because I haven't seen the flashes that I've seen in Saka or Nelson. Main reason I would give him more time is that he is HG.



On the fence
Bellerin - Given his age and HG status I would love to keep him. Given his recent injuries, his value may be down. If we go rebuild, I have a feeling he will force his way out.
Torreira - Still young. Would like to see if a new manager can use him properly. He may push his way out before that happens. Atleast we should get a solid return.
Mavro - He's young and we have no idea what he brings to the table. Part of me wants to give him a chance. I'd be inclined to loan him out and see what happens but I wouldn't be torn up if he was sold.

Also, read on another board that Edu was pissed at Freddie for leaving Luiz out of the XI today. If that is the case we may need to completely clean out the FO.

Also hearing rumors that Edu wants Vieira as manager.

I agree with the plan above if the we continue to track towards a mid table team. If Ljungberg can build spirit and fight into this team (huge if), then I would trend towards keeping more of the pieces and really try to build with better center backs. Hope that Saliba is as good as we think he is, even if he's only 19.

Otherwise I would do pretty much what you outlined. Bring on the youth movement. I would probably look hard at putting Martinelli at Striker. I think he has a knack for getting on the end of crosses and is good in the air. Has a nose for the goal. Maybe look at ESR and Saka on the Left Wing, or sign someone that fits your philosophy. Really hope Bellerin can regain his speed or I would sell him. I hope Tierney can be more durable, as I think he's great on the offensive end and Martinelli getting service from him could be a big part of a future attack.