Something interesting to think about... Given our finish and the lack of EL/CL next season, below is a list of players currently on the books that could/should be gone this summer...

Leno
Ryan
Runarsson
Luiz
Mavropanos
Kolasinac
Cedric
Bellerin
AMN
Xhaka
Elneny
Torreira
Guendouzi
Ceballos
Willock
degaard
Willian
Nelson
Laca
PEA
Nketiah

Some of those are expiring loans not likely to return
Some have asked to leave
Some could be loaned or sold while their value is high
Some no longer have value given our current place

Either way, that is a huge list of players to offload.

And so begins our annual three month reign at the top of the table. So long as Accrington Stanley doesn't make their way up from League 1 or something like that, it will continue to be ours.

Edu was the guarantor of the physio they just exited. Scouting rec handled by head-hunters. Bum signings mostly went through Kia. Wasn't sitting with owner yesterday. Brazil scandal a terrible look. Never been highly rated internally.

Wouldn't shock if they moved him on. https://t.co/m3ukwAF8Bd

— Le Grove (@LeGrove) May 24, 2021

This story also raises big questions for Arsenal’s current director of football Edu Gaspar. Why did he keep dealing with a man that is banned from international football? Why did he not speak up about the role being secretly played by a man banned for corruption?

— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) May 22, 2021

First tweet indicates that Edu was not sitting with Josh at the game yesterday. Could be on his way out. Wouldn't be opposed to bringing in Overmars and/or Ralf Ragnick (was Sporting Director for RB Salzburg & RB Leipzig).

Interesting news on Edu. I still think it would be wrong to sack Arteta at this moment.

Regarding players in and out, I would want at least 30M for Willock. Also, I would bring back Saliba (obviously) and Mavropanos as well. Mavropanos is now 23 and was excellent in Germany this past year.

I would want to bring in Odegaard, and Buendia, and Bissouma. O can play 10 and right wing, Buendia can play 8 and 10, and Bissouma would be a great partner with Partey. ESR could play 10 and left wing. Also add a RB and we would be in great shape.

Strangely Attractive said:

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Interesting news on Edu. I still think it would be wrong to sack Arteta at this moment.

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Given our record since Dec, I'd be ok giving Arteta more time but i think he needs to switch out atleast a couple assistants this window for guys with more experience. Specifically atleast one guy that can help him grow as a roster manager.

Strangely Attractive said:

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Regarding players in and out, I would want at least 30M for Willock. Also, I would bring back Saliba (obviously) and Mavropanos as well. Mavropanos is now 23 and was excellent in Germany this past year.

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Not sure Willock will go for quite that much in a COVID market. Likely closer to 20m

Saliba should be brought back and given every chance to be the starter.

Mavro should be sold. He is not HG and doesnt fit the profile of the type of CB that Arteta (and most EPL teams) want. He is basically a more mobile Sokratis. Tends to dive into challenges and can quickly be burned if/when he misses. His value is relatively high right now because he had a very good statistical year in Germany. Need to shop him to German clubs with cash and/or young assests. Leipzig may be a good start. They are rumored to be losing both Upamecano and Konate this summer and have several young MF that could be of use to us.

Strangely Attractive said:

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I would want to bring in Odegaard, and Buendia, and Bissouma. O can play 10 and right wing, Buendia can play 8 and 10, and Bissouma would be a great partner with Partey. ESR could play 10 and left wing. Also add a RB and we would be in great shape.

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Not sure I agree
Odegaard - dont think he had as big an impact as some think and the price tag is likely to be high. That money could be better used elsewhere. We will have fewer fixtures this season. Dont wanna sign someone that is gonna keep ESR off the field. Particularly when he had a significantly bigger impact than Odegaard.
Buendia - has spent his entire time in England playing as a RM/RW. While many believe he couod play as a #10 there is no actual proof that he could play in that or a #8. On top of that, Norwich is rumored to want 40m. That money is most definitely better spent elsewhere.
Bissouma - he fits a need and looks solid. Wouldnt be upset. My biggest concern is having too many Africans in the starting lineup only to lose them to AFCON next season.

We desperately neednto trim the fat and with fewer fixtures I would be running a younger & tighter rotation next season. My starting lineup next season in a 4-2-3-1 would be...

ST - PEA or Laca
W - Pepe & Saka
#10 - ESR
#8 - Partey
#6 - new signing
LB - Tierney
RB - new signing
CB - Gabriel & Saliba
GK - Leno or a new signing

Martinelli in the rotation for W & ST
Find a backup #10 that can spell ESR but likely wont threaten his starting spot.
Find a young backup for Partey with the intent of replacing Partey in the next 2-3 seasons
Find a backup LB that can push Tierney and provide enough rotation to prevent injury

Also if you can find a young ST with some size and natural hold up play i would be tempted to spend on him. Seems like all the STs in our academy (or 1st team) are the smaller quick guys. It would be nice to have a change of pace aerial threat (OG or Adebayor type).

chjoak said:

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Also if you can find a young ST with some size and natural hold up play i would be temped to spend on him. Seems like all the STs in our academy (or 1st team) are the smaller quick guys be nice to have a change of pace aerial threat (OG or Adebayor type).

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I'm clearly fishing for an American on the team but what about Dike?

Until I googled him just now I had no clue who he was. Numbers look solid for Barnsley. Honestly would prefer a little higher profile but could be interesting.

Ghost of Andrew Eaton said:

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I'm clearly fishing for an American on the team but what about Dike?

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I am still pissed Juventus got such a good deal on Weston McKennie. Given our need for MF, we should have been all over that deal. Maybe even used Kola to lessen our financial obligation. Think he would have been the ideal mobile #6.

I agree I don't want anyone blocking ESR either but there is no way that he is ready to be counted on for a full season with his youth and injury history. Plus, he can play in the left wing and can be a complement to Odegaard- they often play together even now. It will likely be either Odegaard OR Buendia, but I would like both. I don't see Partey as an 8, I see him as a 6, and I could see Buendia playing next to him.

I've heard NUFC insiders saying they may be willing to pay as high as $30M for Willock. What I'm saying is if they aren't (or anyone else) willing to to reach that number, he's worth keeping. Very small number of players in EPL history that have scored in 7 straight games (Henry, Shearer, Vardy, Ian Wright, and a handful more) and he's still young, and HG. Maybe he's a better fit for NUFC's system than ours, but we need to make them pay for him. We need to sell better.

I would be willing to sell Mavro if a good offer come in.

I'm not sure about keeping Laca in your scenario. I don't like giving up free transfers, we should either extend or sell now.

We had the 2nd best record in the league the 2nd half of the season. That corresponded with getting rid of some bad influences (as alluded to by Arteta- Ozil, Mustafi), and playing more ESR and Odegaard. And that 2nd half included dropped points that shouldn't have happened (missed handball vs Burnley, horrible red card on Luiz vs Wolves).

All that to say, I'm excited to see what we can do next year, and hopefully we can keep the form going from this year. We were horrible overall this year and still only 6 pts off top 4.

Strangely Attractive said:

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I agree I don't want anyone blocking ESR either but there is no way that he is ready to be counted on for a full season with his youth and injury history. Plus, he can play in the left wing and can be a complement to Odegaard- they often play together even now. It will likely be either Odegaard OR Buendia, but I would like both.

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I wouldnt be upset about buying Odegaard. Just think we could get a player that would have a greater impact for less money.

Odegaard & Buendia with less fixtures would likely lead to ESR & Saka/Pepe getting reduced minutes. That and it would cost 70+m for both.

Get what you mean RE ESR and injuries but again we will have less fixtures and longer time between matches next season which should reduce injuries. Its nice that ESR can play multiple positions butni think it would be best if we focus on him at #10 this season and allow Pepe more matches to continue his end of season form.

Strangely Attractive said:

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I don't see Partey as an 8, I see him as a 6, and I could see Buendia playing next to him.

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Stats indicate that he is much better as an 8

Strangely Attractive said:

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I'm not sure about keeping Laca in your scenario. I don't like giving up free transfers, we should either extend or sell now.

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There were rumors a few weeks ago that we were looking to extend him 1 season. My scenario was that we would sell either Laca or PEA and keep the other to be the vet starter.

chjoak said:

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Until I googled him just now I had no clue who he was. Numbers look solid for Barnsley. Honestly would prefer a little higher profile but could be interesting.

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He's probably not ready for the premier league.

Current Senior Roster going into the summer

Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno; Alex Runarsson

Right Back: Calum Chambers; Hector Bellerin; Cedric Soares

Center Back: Rob Holding; Gabriel; Pablo Mari; William Saliba; Konstantinos Mavropanos

Left Back: Kieran Tierney; Sead Kolasinac

Central Midfield: Granit Xhaka; Tomas Partey; Mohammed Elneny; Emile Smith Rowe; Joe Willock; Lucas Torreira; Ainsley Maitland-Niles; Matteo Guendouzi

Wingers: Nico Pepe; Bukayo Saka; Willian; Gabriel Martinelli; Reiss Nelson

Strikers/Forwards: Alexandre Lacazette; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; Eddie Nketiah

Lots of work to be done.

Strangely Attractive said:

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I've heard NUFC insiders saying they may be willing to pay as high as $30M for Willock. What I'm saying is if they aren't (or anyone else) willing to to reach that number, he's worth keeping. Very small number of players in EPL history that have scored in 7 straight games (Henry, Shearer, Vardy, Ian Wright, and a handful more) and he's still young, and HG. Maybe he's a better fit for NUFC's system than ours, but we need to make them pay for him. We need to sell better.

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Ornstein just reported that Arsenal will consider offers of 20+m for Willock

Saliba needs to come back and be given a proper opportunity.

Not sure what to think about Guendouzi's time in Berlin. He played well, but the Hertha manager also said that one time that Guendouzi was still "going through puberty" lol

wangus12 said:

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Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno; Alex Runarsson

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Steady rumors for a month that we are working on a permanent deal for Ryan. I don't hate it as a backup but really don't like that we would then have 3 non-HG tied up in one position that only one at a time can play.

Seeing more rumors today about Freddie Woodman from Newcastle. He's been at Swansea for 2 yrs and the loan ends this season. Newcastle doesn't have the room for him at the moment. Rumors that they may offer him as a part exchange for Willock.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Leno. Rumored to want out. Came out and said that he wants to stay but I don't think he is really who Arteta wants.

Quote:

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Right Back: Calum Chambers; Hector Bellerin; Cedric Soares

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Have a feeling that we will offload Bellerin & Cedric (subsidized loan) and then find a young speedy RB to compete with Chambers. Be nice if he was HG just to help with the count just not a lot of options that meet that criteria.

Quote:

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Center Back: Rob Holding; Gabriel; Pablo Mari; William Saliba; Konstantinos Mavropanos

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I think Mavro is sold or possibly resigned and loaned again.
Hope Saliba is given a legit chance.
Wouldn't bother me if Mari was sold. Solid backup but too slow for my liking and takes up a non-HG spot.

Rumors that we are after Leverkusen CB Edmond Tapsoba. Not sure if legit or not.

Quote:

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Left Back: Kieran Tierney; Sead Kolasinac

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Kola is gone. Rumor that Schalke is desperate to keep him. Latest rumor is we are looking at 18yo Hibernian LB Josh Doig. Seems like he may be a good cheap option.

Quote:

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Central Midfield: Granit Xhaka; Tomas Partey; Mohammed Elneny; Emile Smith Rowe; Joe Willock; Lucas Torreira; Ainsley Maitland-Niles; Matteo Guendouzi

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Xhaka, Willock, Torreira, AMN & Duezi all rumored to be out (or wanting out). We probably ought to sell El Neny but I have a feeling that we keep him around as a squadie. The interesting part will be how we fill in the gaps, especially with fewer fixtures and the ability to run a leaner squad. Even then we will still need 1 starter (#6/8 type) and 2-3 backups (maybe less if we decide an academy guy is ready).

Been tons of rumors about Brighton's Bissouma but I saw today that they want 40m. For that cash and the fact that we would lose him for a month to AFCON, I would personally pass.

Latest rumor that has me intrigued is Wolves deciding to sell Ruben Neves for 35m this summer. He's not a true 6 but basically a younger and more mobile & defensively sound version of Xhaka. He and Partey in a 4-2-3-1 would be very interesting.

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Wingers: Nico Pepe; Bukayo Saka; Willian; Gabriel Martinelli; Reiss Nelson

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Willian looks to be gone.
Personally think Nelson should be loaned.
I would run next season with Saka, Pepe & Martinelli in a rotation and then plan to have a 4th (Nelson, Academy grad or maybe someone new) as a depth/injury/development guy.

Quote:

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Strikers/Forwards: Alexandre Lacazette; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; Eddie Nketiah

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Assuming buyers could be found, I would be surprised if more than one of these guys is on the roster next season. Eddie could be loaned to raise his value unless a good offer comes in. PEA is the most likely to still be here next year. Honestly, he is the one I would prefer be sold. I'm very concerned that his form this year is a trend rather than an outlier, especially if we push him to ST rather than playing LW. I would have no issue unloading every one of these guys, buying a target ST (Andre Silva, Wout Weghorst, etc...) and running with Martinelli and Balogun (or other academy guy) as the backup.

TXAggie2011 said:

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Saliba needs to come back and be given a proper opportunity.

Not sure what to think about Guendouzi's time in Berlin. He played well, but the Hertha manager also said that one time that Guendouzi was still "going through puberty" lol

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Seems we still want Duezi out. Last rumor I heard was that Marseille wanted him to replace a player they expect to leave.

chjoak said:

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Strangely Attractive said:

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I've heard NUFC insiders saying they may be willing to pay as high as $30M for Willock. What I'm saying is if they aren't (or anyone else) willing to to reach that number, he's worth keeping. Very small number of players in EPL history that have scored in 7 straight games (Henry, Shearer, Vardy, Ian Wright, and a handful more) and he's still young, and HG. Maybe he's a better fit for NUFC's system than ours, but we need to make them pay for him. We need to sell better.

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Ornstein just reported that Arsenal will consider offers of 20+m for Willock

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Man 20m even in today's market would be a steal for someone.

This is what I expect in some manner.

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Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno; Alex Runarsson

Right Back: Calum Chambers; Hector Bellerin; Cedric Soares

Center Back: Rob Holding; Gabriel; Pablo Mari; William Saliba; Konstantinos Mavropanos

Left Back: Kieran Tierney; Sead Kolasinac

Central Midfield: Granit Xhaka; Tomas Partey; Mohammed Elneny; Emile Smith Rowe; Joe Willock; Lucas Torreira; Ainsley Maitland-Niles; Matteo Guendouzi

Wingers: Nico Pepe; Bukayo Saka; Willian; Gabriel Martinelli; Reiss Nelson

Strikers/Forwards: Alexandre Lacazette; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; Eddie Nketiah

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This leaves you with 18 players (5 HG) in the senior squad currently. There are some younger players that will be classified as senior players due to age next year.

The following will be classed as senior players next season in terms of the Premier League squad: Ballard, Bola, Dinzeyi, Guendouzi, Nelson, Nketiah, Olowu, Willock.

A lot of decisions to be made.

— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) May 23, 2021

With the above squad, we could add 4 non-HG players currently

Man U just got good ebeninged

Entertaining match. Emery, Coquelin and Corzola should be proud.

When picking who stays and goes next year, keep in mind that AFCON is next season and Auba, Pepe, Partey, and Elneny will all be going. Makes the job this summer even more difficult.

agdoc2001 said:

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When picking who stays and goes next year, keep in mind that AFCON is next season and Auba, Pepe, Partey, and Elneny will all be going. Makes the job this summer even more difficult.

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Particularly when people are linking us to other Africans (Bissouma, Tapsoba, Hakimi)

Zidane resigned from Madrid so I think any Odegaard deal is off the table. His main block from the first team is out of the way.

Leaves Buendia as the main CAM target. Interst has seemed to cool on Aouar since last summer not to mention he had a bad season.

I'll forever hold onto the pipe dream that is Jack Grealish

Fabrizio Romano: Willian is leaving Arsenal. He is 100% leaving the club

— Osman 🎗 (@OsmanZtheGooner) May 27, 2021

Apparently Real Betis want a loan for Bellerin with an option to buy at the end of the season. Ridiculously stupid if we even consider that. Sell him and be done. None of this loan out crap.

Roma are interested in getting Xhaka as are some German teams.

Watch listing

Only way I would consider the Betis deal is if A) there are no offers to sell him outright and B) it was an obligation to buy.

Mourinho (Roma) supposedly has offered 15m euro for Xhaka. We are looking for about double that. Rumors that 2-3 German clubs are also interested.

Seen some claims that Torreira has backed off his demand to transfer to Boca. Hopefully we can get atleast 15-20m from an Italian club.

Seen a few places saying Lazio might want Mavropanos

Couple of GK rumors this morning.

Mat Ryan is close to coming on a free transfer. I think he is a solid #2 and honestly after watching his presence in the box, I felt more comfortable with him than I did with Leno. Granted its a smaller sample size and I do think Leno is the better shot stopper, but Ryan was better at commanding the ball and collecting crosses. More sure-handed I guess.

Also a rumor that we are close to signing Onana from Ajax. He has his hearing tomorrow to find out if his doping ban is upheld or removed. Currently banned till next January. Rumor is if the ban is upheld, we'd get him for ~2m. If it is removed, he'd cost 6-9m.

Final thing is apparently Juventus want Donnarumma, but need to let go of Szczesny. He's 31 and he'd be considered homegrown.

Not a fan of keeping Ryan. Mostly because i do not like the idea of have 2+ non-HG GKs. For me that is a waste of a non-HG spot.

Like the Onana link. He is a good young GK.

Like the Woj link. He has become a very good GK and is arguably better then Leno. I think him being a little older (and HG) is a plus, especially if we also land Onana. One issue ive heard is that he is a bit of a ***** and has a tendancy to throw his defenders under the bus on every goal.

Seeing a link this morning to 21yo Anderlecht CM Sambi Lokonga. From the video I saw, he looks like a b2b with strong positional defense. Looks to me like the kind of CM that could play with Partey against bunkering teams and rotate with him against more attack minded ones. Rumored price tag is 15-20m euro. Young, cheap and currently club captain at 21. This is the type of signing we need to be making.