Arteta and Edu have backed the Partey-Xhaka partnership as our double-pivot in our 4231 set-up.
Some of us have our doubts about Xhaka and also about Partey but oh well, if the coach and the technical director are trusting them…what can we do?
We also had a chance to see Sambi play for us and he had done relatively well when called upon. He is quite brave with the ball, has a decent pass in him and a good engine. Clearly, he will be featuring in our squad on a regular basis…
Now Partey, who had his best game with us vs City, is on his way to the AFCON…A real shame to lose him but again, what can we do? On top of that, El Neny will also be playing the AFCON, meaning that we were left with Xhaka, Lokonga and AMN as players that have actually played decently as DM/CM for us in the last few months…
But here is another twist in the story…We are allowing AMN to join Smalling, Mikhy, Abraham and Mourinho in Rome until the end of the season on loan without an option-to-buy…
So we are technically left only with Xhaka and Lokonga as DM/CM…Some will argue that Chambers and White could play there but Arteta never used Chambers there and while White could feature there, why rock the defensive CB partnership of White-Gabs? We need one player to join us during the current transfer window at DM/CM…There is no way around it. With Covid and other potential injuries, it would be hard to rely only on Xhaka-Lokonga…
JM mentioned that he would be pleased to see Tielemans join us and I agree, he is a quality player but I doubt that Leicester will allow him to join us this winter. From other leagues, he has mentionned Nunes, Zubimendi as well – good players too but less proven at the higher level. The press is linking us with Guimares (disaster!) and Douglas Luiz and at one point the names of R. Neves, K. Phillips, D. Rice and M. Merino were also mentionned…Out of them all, I would love for AFC to push for K. Phillips as he wants to leave Leeds and also has a strained relationship with Bielsa – he is young, he is good, knows the EPL and is an English international…
Wishing good luck to AMN!
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JM’s last comment: “My preferences:
CF/LF/RF:
Both Alfredo Morelos, 25, 1.77m (Glasgow Rangers & Colombia national team) AND Charles De Ketelaere, 20, 1.92m (Club Brugge & Belgium national team)
(We could be losing all three of Auba, Laca & Eddie either in this winter window or next summer window, hence the two new “could be” signings in forward positions. Also Pépé’s future might also be in question).
Should the new key CF signing come from the PL (in this winter or next summer), I would prefer one of Ivan Toney (25, 1.85m) or Richarlison (24, 1.84m) AND add one of Morelos or De Ketelaere.
CM/DM:
Either Matheus Nunes, 23, 1.83m (Sporting Lisbon & Portugal national team) or Martín Zubimendi, 22, 1.81m (Real Sociedad & Spain national team).
Should the new CM/DM signing come from the PL (in this winter or next summer), I would prefer Youri Tielemans (24, 1.76m) to partner Thomas Partey/Granit Xhaka and in the future, a long term partner with Sambi Lokonga in our engine room (and that of the Belgium national team as well).”
I somewhat sad see AMN leaving, something must be behind this story that I don’t know….
Telemans, Kevin Philips or Declan Rice all would be quality addition to the team but I am just not sure that any of them could come in this window.
I really hope Arteta and Edu know what they are doing.
COYG
Give us AMN on loan and we will sell you Tammy Abraham at the end of the season.
I like your thinking LB.
Delay AMN departure till end of January
Chambers played for Fulham in CM and got player of the season
JM – Morelos is not good enough for Arsenal. He’s also a hot head and would be a disaster. I appreciate maybe youre trying to think outside the box her, from left field so to speak, but no thanks.
We actually letting AMN go damn
The smart money seems to be on Patino and Salah-Eddine being involved in some capacity tomorrow?
Hutchinson was withdrawn at half time in yesterday’s U23 game so unless he picked up a knock could young Omari also be involved tomorrow given some doubts over the fitness of Xhaka?
Vlahic win seria December player of the month
Only concern is how lukaku hasn’t adjusted to the prem after dominating seria last season
Another note what you guess think of pea night out before AFCON starts
AMN of on loan wonder how would mouriinho use him
Shame he didn’t take being a RB more seriously
Interactive Liverpool could field a side for FA cup but not league cup
What is it with us and late Sunday games!? 🤦🏼♂️😂
Abysmal display today, looked like total strangers playing, and hey they were!
Do I get my life back??
Dangerous next few games, 2X pool and spuds.
Did not Arteta know we were going to be missing players at AFCON? Seriously…
With Xhaka out due to Covid, the midfied just left town!
That was so depressing.
VAR at it again at Old Trafford, I wonder if Villa will be charged for not controlling their players?
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· 5h
Most passes into the final third in Ligue 1 21/22 (FBRef):
132 | Bruno Guimarães (Lyon)
118 | Mattéo Guendouzi (OM)
115 | Jonathan Gradit (Lens)
Most progressive passes in Ligue 1 21/22 (FBRef):
122 | Bruno Guimarães (Lyon)
116 | Mattéo Guendouzi (OM)
107 | Lionel Messi (PSG)
Hmm wonder what would happen to guendouzi next season
Apparently Eddie of to palace, always wanted him to do well with us but past 2 season realise he didn’t have what it takes to be our main striker
Watch a compilations of vlahic most of his goals this season are penalty he reminds me of how haaland plays