7 things we are learning so far during the tour:

1. Turner will definitely not be a threat to Ramsdale’s nr. 1 spot unless Ramsdale’s level drops immensely
2. Saliba is going to push hard to be in the starting line-up
3. Jesus seems to adapt well to the team and the team to him
4. Martinelli is looking sharp
5. Zinchenko had a good 45 mins
6. Partey-Xhaka to still be our central midfield double-pivot
7. Odegaard to be named as our captain?

So the need to trim the squad is still there and the need to get a reliable back-up option to Martinelli is still there too. As mentioned, I d go for Barnes or Kostic. I am not sure the club is looking to buy a steelier midfielder, unfortunately…

COYG! Only a pre-season game but always nice to beat Chelsea

“We have a large squad so we have to make some decisions as well on the players that we’re not going to be using consistently and be fair and straight with them and that’s a process that is going to start very soon as well. We have a big squad and now we have to make things happen.” Arteta

So who could likely to be concerned by the squad trimming process:

• Leno (sale), Runarsson (sale or loan)
• Cedric or Bellerin (sale)
• Pablo Mari (sale)
• Nuno Tavares (loan)
• AMN (sale), Torreira (sale)
• Sambi (loan), Vieira (loan)
• Pepe (sale or loan), Nelson (sale or loan), Balogun (loan), Marquinhos (loan)
• Oulad, Azeez, Patino, Taylor-Hart (all loan)

We will be playing the EPL, Europa League and FA Cup next year…3 competitions, we need a squad of up to 26 players including 3 GKs and 2-3 youth players…we already know a large portion of our squad for next year:

GK: Ramsdale, Turner, Okonkwo (3)

DF: Tomy, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Holding, Tierney + Cedric or Bellerin (7)

DM/CM: Partey, Xhaka, El Neny, Zinchenko + Sambi or Vieira + Patino or Azeez (6)

CAM: Ode, ESR (2)

FW: Saka, Martinelli (2)

ST: G. Jesus, Nketiah (2)

That is a total of 22 players already and that already includes Patino or Azeez (one young gun).

There are 4 spots left: including 1 at ST, 2 at FW and 1 for a young player at the back (Norton?).

So we could definitely keep Balogun, Pepe, Nelson or Marquinhos but will they want to stay?

I think it is a clear departure for the Mari, AMN, Torreira though…

Let us see…what are your thoughts?

On the outgoing players:

• Leno
• Bellerin
• Cedric (?)
• Mari
• Tavares (?)
• Torreira
• AMN (?)
• Nelson (?)
• Pepe (?)
• Balogun (?)

On the incoming players:

• Left back: Zinchenko?
• Central/Defensive midfielder: Tielemans?
• Winger: Sane?

Ramsdale – Tomy, White, Gabs, Zinchenko – Partey, Tielemans – Saka, Ode, Sane – Jesus ?

Turney – Cedric, Saliba, Holding, Tierney – Vieira, Xhaka – Pepe, ESR, Martinelli – Nketiah ?

Is that it?

So it seems we are starting to also look at midfielders to bolster our squad…We got F. Vieira who is clearly one that needs a bit of time to settle given his young age and lack of EPL experience. But a few names are resurfacing more relentlessly now:

• Tielemans – a good eye for a pass, a decent ability to work in midfield to get the ball back, a good ability to drive the ball forward and a good shot as well. Could go missing in games and also prone to injuries…
• Milinko-Savic – a hard working midfielder with a very good shot. An improved Xhaka going forward but suffers from same lack of pace.
• Paqueta – a very good attacking minded midfielder. Excellent dribbling and shots and ability to get in the box.

Out of the 3, I d take Tielemans but still think we can get better players…

Test

Gabriel, Gabi Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus…3 Brazilian starters at AFC, 3 international Brazilian players, 3 exciting players…Edu bringing exciting Brazil to AFC after the early mishaps with Luiz and Willian…

Now let us see what Marquinhos has to offer too…

Yesterday, Gabriel Jesus scored a quick double and could have had a hat trick. Promising start by our new Nr. 9 – I liked his ability to get to the ball (crosses/passes) and to finish the chances provided to him.

Whenever El Neny scores, he scores wonder goals…what a strike yesterday!

We conceded goals but we fought back but let us remember that we need to shore things up…When we started playing exciting football last year, sometimes we lost our defensive shape and this cannot happen this year. We need to improve our game without the ball. For the rest, we have the players to create chances and hopefully score them now.

COYG!