Ag Since 83 said:

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At least it wasn't postponed until Salah and Mane will be back

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Dusan Vlahovic - I can see why we would be interested. Despite many of his goals coming from PKs, he does appear to be a good finisher and I see a good bit of dropping deep and providing linkup play similar to Laca. My biggest concern in comparison to the other ST is that despite his size (6'3") he doesn't seem to ever challenge for balls in the air. With the exception of the lack of aerial highlights, he strikes me as a faster OG.

Jonathan David - While I think he has a good bit of upside, I am very skeptical of his fit for Arteta. What I see in the videos I watched is a better version Nketiah. I see strong pressing, good finishing, positioning & dribbling. What I don't see is link/hold up play, runs in behind and aerial ability. Don't think he would be right for us in a single ST setup. Could see him as a scoring W or as a ST in a 4-4-2.

Alexander Isak - Lot to like in his video. I see excellent speed & dribbling, good aerial ability & positioning and some solid finishing. Tends to drift wide (particularly left) like PEA and scores some very nice curlers and shots from outside of the box that look like something you would expect from Martinelli or Saka but then you see him get into a good position in the box and miss a shot (hit the GK, bounce it over the bar, etc...) that most would expect a top ST to make. There are highlights of link/hold up play and of him coming deep to get the ball but nothing of him pressing. Is that him, the manager or video editor? My concerns... needs work on his finishing to become world class and despite his size he doesn't seem physical. Will he get pushed around in the EPL?

Arthur Cabral - Playing in a weaker league but looks like the total package. Not as big/tall as Vlahovic or Isak but bigger than Laca/David. Shows speed, strength, finishing (with both feet), positioning, hold up play & aerial ability. Only thing I didn't see in the highlights is pressing but like mentioned with other players that could be tactics or editing as well.

Darwin Nunez - Strikes me as being very similar to David but with more size. His videos show good speed, dribbling, finishing, positioning & pressing. Not a lot of aerial highlights but definitely more than David or Vlahovic and looks very natural in those highlights. Right now he looks very much like a scoring winger or 4-4-2 ST. Hard to explain but there is a little something different (vs David) that I see in his game that makes me feel like he could adjust to being a ST in Arteta's system.

Youssef En-Nesyri - Has had some injury issues this season and has only played in 10 matches. Decent amount of film available but none of it that I watched showed hold up play or pressing. What I did see reminds me of a bigger & faster Laca.

Ivan Toney - Gets mentioned quite a bit on other boards. Numbers this season aren't great but Brentford as a team isn't exactly scoring much either. From what I have read & seen they have an issue with overall tactics/personnel that are causing their issues. Watching his video and reading info from fans, I see a bigger, faster, stronger Laca. I see hold up play, pressing, coming deep to get the ball, attempts at setting up wingers, etc... I see him doing all the little things that Laca is doing for us right now. I see good aerial ability and decent finishing. I think if he was already on our roster right now he would likely be giving Laca very good competition for the starting spot and could likely beat him out because of his size, speed & aerial ability. That said, I'm not sure his finishing is good enough to warrant the money that Brentford are rumored to want. Think there are better finishers on this list that could be had for the same or less money. If we had UCL next season, Toney would be an amazing #2 to play in cup games and lessor EPL games so that our #1 is fresh for the bigger games and UCL.

Ollie Watkins - Quite possibly the best dribbler on this list. Comes deep to get the ball and moves the ball forward via dribbling very well. Shows some things that make me think he could be good with link/hold up play but I don't see Villa doing much of that in their scheme. Not sure if his finishing is good enough to lead the line for team with top 4 aspirations.

Dominic Calvert-Lewan - Exceptional aerial ability. Big, strong and solid speed. Capable of link/hold up play but his biggest strength is definitely as the recipient of the final ball in the box. Most pure target man in the list.

Patrik Schick - Watched him play a few games for Leipzig. Didn't score much for them but saw him doing what Laca is doing now for us. Often doing the dirty work to help make Werner look better. Watching his video from Leverkusen and he looks like more of a target man. Basically OG with more speed and better dribbling. Basically, He looks like a guy that could do numerous things for us. Most everyone in this list is faster than him but he is actually a very good dribbler in tight spaces.

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📝 Here's how we line up in the @EmiratesFACup...

◾️ Leno starts in goal
◾️ Lokonga x Patino in midfield
◾️ Nketiah leads the line

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 9, 2022

wangus12 said:

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Damn Nuno Tavares getting subbed in the first half

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wangus12 said:

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I thought it was harsh as well, but our shape does look better with Tierney. Definitely tactical.

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