Good looking in the first half. Lot of deadwood in the 2nd

Saliba impressive. Tomiyasu and KT both with a niggle, I'm kinda wondering if Zinchenko and White will end up being our regular fullbacks…

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: @FabrizioRomano on Arsenal's agreement to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko and how Mikel Arteta plans to use him.

Full story 👇👇https://t.co/wrwmusBUGP pic.twitter.com/Mmv6kFnjUM

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) July 17, 2022

🚨 EXCL: Arsenal finalising move for Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City after reaching agreement in principle on 4yr contract. Fee £30m + £2m achievable adds & now personal terms in place too. If all goes to plan, medical then sign @TheAthleticUK #MCFC #AFC https://t.co/H1ltVpVjK5

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 18, 2022

In a podcast interview Orny also claimed that the FO is very interested in Tielemans but will need to clear some roster space before they can move on him.

FO?

Front Office

front office I assume

I'm curious. Do they fly Zinchenko all the way back to London Colney or do they do it somewhere in the USA. He's currently with Man City in Houston for their tour.

I would assume in the US but I guess it depends on whether they have access to facility/personnel to get it done here.

Thanks and apologies.

Arteta's going to come across as a psycho and I'm here for it

🚨 Fábio Vieira is now training! pic.twitter.com/5vHPVrtZ8g

— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) July 19, 2022

Geez, I can't wait. That trailer has me excited, even though I know how it ends….

All of that behinds the scenes stuff should be gold.

Anybody else feel like we take a decent step up this year?

I know everyone gets excited just before the season, but we didn't really have much of a striker this past year, until the end of the season when Nketiah made some contributions.

I just think we keep upgrading the talent level and I think we filled (or will fill soon) some pretty big holes during this window that should make a significant difference.

chjoak said:

---

No issues or problems despite some rumours. Oleksandr Zinchenko joins Arsenal, he left Man City’s camp as expected and will join AFC squad in the next hours to sign the contract. ⚪️🔴🛩 #AFC

Arsenal and Man City have already prepared documents, to be signed soon. ⤵️✅ https://t.co/14NfWL4QhQ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2022

Medical supposed to be happening in Orlando.

---

We trot him out in the 2nd half tomorrow vs Orlando City

Yep, feeling the same way. We were knocking on top 4's door last season with injuries and dead weight in key positions. I think we score a lot more goals this season. I'm imagining Odegaard with hella assists to Jesus.

Strangely Attractive said:

---

Anybody else feel like we take a decent step up this year?

I know everyone gets excited just before the season, but we didn't really have much of a striker this past year, until the end of the season when Nketiah made some contributions.

I just think we keep upgrading the talent level and I think we filled (or will fill soon) some pretty big holes during this window that should make a significant difference.

---

I think so but it's going to be tough. 3rd place in 2021 scored 66 points and we scored 69 last year. Tottenham appears to be strengthening as well. We could improve significantly, and I think we will, and we still end up out of top four. That makes me sick to my stomach to even think about happening.

Im definitely getting there. Still a little work to do...

Sell - Leno, Pepe, Mari, Bellerin, Runarsson, Torreira
Sell or Cup Depth - Nelson, AMN
Loan or Cup Depth - Nuno, Patino, Azeez, Marquinhos, Balogun, Flores
Add - Paqueta (or equivalent) and possibly a RW

You play more inverted FB and that allows A) Xhaka to play at #6 when needed and B) play a more offensive player at the LCM/AM spot. Combine that tactical adjustment with the overall improved roster & a ST that can actually score and you have a pretty good shot at top 4 and/or EL trophy.

Probably BS but seeing some claims that the surprise winger that Edu has been working on is Leroy Sane.

Sane wouldn't make sense. 400k/wk wages. I just don't see them blowing up our wage structure for him

I've heard the Sane rumors too and also doubt them. Only thing that makes it interesting is that Sane played at City while Arteta was there, plus Bayern have a million phenomenal wingers. But still highly doubt it.

Tottenham have strengthened, but not to the level we have IMO, although I've always really liked Bissouma.

Tottenham obviously have 2 phenomenal forwards but I would say we are more talented across the board otherwise. Of course others may quibble with me on that. And both those guys are towards the back end of their career.

I think Conte is excellent and he may be the true difference maker for them. But I could see a scenario where both Tottenham and Arsenal finish Top 4.

I'm still convinced it will be Tielemans (which I like) but Ornstein is saying we need to move someone first.

If Zinchenko isn't announced WWE style coming out the smoke tunnel to sub on at the 65 minute tonight in Orlando I'll be disappointed

Done deal, signed right now. Arsenal Mexican talent Marcelo Flores will join Real Oviedo on loan deal valid until June 2023. Paperworks finally completed. 🚨🇲🇽🇪🇸 #AFC

Official statement expected today. pic.twitter.com/ITCy6LmnN2

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2022

This is coming from a "neutral" as I don't really care who is better between Spurs and Arsenal as long as Liverpool are winning.

But I think Tottenham have done well in strengthening their team. They have made moves in an attempt to set themselves up to compete now. Arsenal have a bunch of talented youngsters and it will be interesting to see how well y'all can keep a hold of them to reap the benefits of developing them.

Tierney - 25
Ben White - 24
Gabriel - 24
Saka - 20
Odegaard - 23
Jesus - 25
ESR - 21
Martinelli - 21
Nketiah - 23
Fabio Vieira - 22
Ramsdale - 24

That's a heck of a young core.

But I don't think Arsenal are better than Tottenham right now, on paper.

Son (Perisic) - Kane (Moura) - Kulusevski (Richarlison)
Davies (Sessegnon) - Hojberg (Bentancur) - Bissouma (Lo Celso) - Emerson (Spence)
Lenglet (Sanchez) - Dier (Tanganga) - Romero (Rodon)
Lloris

---vs---

Jesus (Nketiah)
Martinelli (Marquinhos) - Odegaard (ESR) - Saka (Pepe)
Xhaka (Elneny) - Partey (Fabio Vieira)
Tomiyasu (Zinchenko) - White (Tierney) - Gabriel (Holding) - Nuno (Cedric)
Ramsdale (Turner)

Obviously Conte and Arteta may pick different lineups, formations, etc. but if I had a choice between the two rosters, I'm taking Spurs (which pains me to say bc I rather enjoy the fact their trophy cabinet is relatively bare).

P.S. I personally like Son a lot. Hard not to like the guy.

Need to change up your Arsenal lineup a bit...

------------------------------------ Jesus (Nketiah) -----------------------------------
Martinelli (ESR) ------------------------------------------------------- Saka (Pepe)
----------------- Xhaka (Sambi) -------------------- Odegaard (Vieira) ----------
------------------------------------ Partey (El Neny) ----------------------------------
Tierney (Zinchenko) - Gabriel (Holding) - White (Saliba) - Tomi (Cedric)
---------------------------------- Ramsdale (Turner) ---------------------------------

In all likelihood, Pepe is out and will be replaced with a new RW. And if we sell a few of the deadweight we could also see a replacement for Xhaka, who could then either be sold or kept as a backup for LCM & DM. Also possible that Zinchenko is wanted more for the LCM spot and we could see another LB move if Nuno is loaned.

P.S. Son is a dirty player (yes he is also world class) and never gets called on it. Kinda like Mane was for Liverpool