For those of you that have been watching football religiously in the 90s, there was one incredible Argentinian player who terrorized defenders in Argentina and Italy called Gabriel Batistuta but known as Batigol. He was such a talented striker, a real predator in the box with good speed, movement and good use of his body. He was so good that if you picked Argentina or Fiorentina in the Fifa video games from 95 to 99, you could just get the ball to him and you will know there will be a goal for you…I was a big fan of his. A really good forward and I would say that in the last few years, maybe Cavani is the closest player to him although Batigol was faster but Cavani may have better movement…In any case, a quality striker.
Today, Balogun showed that he can play for us in the Europa League for sure and he will certainly be given a run in the Cups and I think that Arteta sees the potential of the kid so we may even see him in the EPL. He showed strength and composure today and he was decisive. I also thought that ESR had a great game today but that’s for another day 🙂 Arteta said that they are working on signing Balogun on a long-term deal because he finds the kid superb and apparently Balogun wants to stay. So what do we do now?
Who do we bet on to join Auba up front? Laca, Martinelli, Nketiah or Balogun. Auba will find his scoring boots, it is just a matter of time. I think his best partner in front 2 may be Martinelli but maybe we could have Martinelli, Balogun, Auba as a front three supported by Partey, El Neny, Saka in the middle…
The decision is tough – we are almost out of the Top 6 race in the EPL. Isn’t it the perfect season then to give our promising youngsters a real chance at gaining experience in the EPL? We can always play competitive teams in the EPL but have younger players in it and then also play more seasoned players in the Europa and Cup League. And if we play the young guns in the EPL, who do you put forward between Nketiah and Balogun?
So the point of this post is to reflect on:
- Shall we give a chance to your young guns in the EPL and hope they develop into top players?
- Who gets the nod as starting CF between Nketiah and Balogun if we decide to bet on youth?
- Do you think that Balogun has what it takes to be our Batigol or Haaland?
Another win the Europa league tonight. Feels good. It may be our direct path to CL…who knows?
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He looks pretty impressive in the games I’ve seen him play, but very early days. He needs some full games to see if he can cut it. Tbh he wouldn’t have to do much to get a start over some of the layabouts we’ve been turning out recently
Having put my hat on Balo some time ago, I was really concerned that Arsenal were going to let him go.
He was very confident in his ability and wanted a reasonable contract, and to at least to get some minutes of playing time, but Arteta was not sure about him, and Balo was calling to be released.
I mentioned him on here some time ago, and decided to write to Arteta with a copy to Per saying they must give him hope of progress in order to keep him as it would be crazy to let him go.
I did not receive a reply, and it probably went straight in the bin.
So I am delighted that Mikel has realised that we must keep him, and they are to talk about a new contract.
I saw Folarin in the U18s when he was 17 in 2018/19, and he was just sensational.
He must not be put in the 1st team and left to his own devices, he needs to be brought onto the bench first, like Gabriel Martinelli, and introduced as a sub on a frequent basis — when his goalscoring attributes make him impossible to leave out, which won’t take long, let’s hope we have sewn up a great contract for him.
“Straight in the bin” I bet the pair of them have it pinned on their wall.
It is a very good talking point RC. I found as I was writing that it turned into a post, so I will put it up tomorrow.
Thanks for the read.
Thanks RC
As I have mentioned before, I remember Redders raving about Balogunner a long time ago.
He looks a promising young ‘un but I agree that he needs to be used carefully. If we thrust him in as a starter in the Premier League with the idea that he’s going to be our saviour, that would be very unfair on the lad.
I don’t often have much time for what Jamie Carragher has to say, but his article about Arteta in today’s Daily Telegraph makes some interesting points.
He is highly critical of the deals made for older players like Willian, Soares and Luiz and suggests that those deals benefitted the players much more than Arsenal.
He adds: “Arteta impressed me last year because he was able to win by sacrificing certain ideals to reflect the limitations of the squad he inherited. The mistake this season has been in seeking to impose the possession-game of Guardiola’s Manchester City every week when the quality is not there yet. The defeat at Tottenham Hotspur was the grimmest example.
“Arteta knows that the reason Guardiola’s system works so brilliantly is every player works in synchronicity. There are no passengers and at their best work as tirelessly without the ball as with it.
“Arteta can get on the right path by working with the top class youngsters emerging from his academy, assisted by the correct assortment of more experienced players. Bukayo Saka is one of the most exciting young players in England. I am surprised we have not seen more of highly-rated teenage defender William Saliba since his signing from Saint-Etienne, even though the youngster was sent off playing for the club’s Under 21s earlier this week.
“Arteta must stake his reputation on them as he eases out those unsuited to the philosophy, building a younger, more active team over the course of two or three windows to correct the errors of the last five or six.
“There are no short-cuts in football and despite three full-time managers and three chief executives since 2018, Arsenal remain a long way from where they want to be.
“Arteta can get them back, but it won’t be quick. His club must be prepared to endure more pain first.”
In short, I agree with his prescription that we should gamble on the young players instead of some of the older has-beens.
Ironically, if Arteta does just that and builds a team round Willock, Saka, Tierney, AMN, Eddie, Nelson and even Balogun, I think fans will have a lot more patience even if results continue to be poor.
I do agree with the point Carragher makes about the signings of Willian, Cedric & Luiz. They’re washed up journeymen.
I read a piece on 7am kick-off where he was extolling the virtues of Willian and how he would improve the team. Another by Tim Stillman on Arseblog about how David Luiz would become the Beckenbauer of Arsenal with long balls to the forwards. Didn’t buy either opinion.
Both have been about as useful as a chocolate kettle. And Cedric was about to be let go on a free by Soton.,,
If the youth are good enough they need a chance.
Areta is going to use a back 3 against Burnley judging by the formation last night. It’s an admission that he was to quick to move to the back four. Bellerin has been exposed over and over. He’s had little support form those in front of him, but he either needs more assistance or time on the bench.
It’s going to be tough game against Burnley as they will sit deep and try to break on the counter. The formation change will help but there are a number of players that seem to be passengers at the moment. That’s hard to change.
Cedric and Luiz – am not sure if they were worth the gamble.
Willian – I think it made sense given his work rate in the last 2 seasons. I am hoping he will come good in 2021 🙂
Burnley will be annoying to play but I think we can break them. I watched PSG in a 532 formation in the CL game this week and the team looked balanced and threatening. I think such a system may well work for us and it does require Luiz in defense.
Option A:
Leno – Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney – Bellerin, AMN, El Neny, Ceba?, Saka – Balogun?, Auba,
Option B:
Leno – Holding?, Luiz, Gabriel – AMN, Willian, El Neny, Tierney – Saka – Balogun?, Auba
I think Arteta will go with Option A with a question mark on Ceba and Balogun/
Well said Guys, you have all made valid points, especially you Rocket — and the article you mention from Gallagher and the points he made are spot on.
(Actually, I reckon he has been reading AA) 😁
New post, won’t be around in the morning.