Ramsdale – Tomy, White, Gabs, Tierney – Partey – Saka, Ode (or ESR), Martinelli

+ Turner, Holding, Saliba (hopefully), Lokonga, ESR (or Ode), Balogun

These players should be retained imho. Does not matter if Barcelona or Real or Bayern or Liverpool or City come knocking, we gotta keep these players. They are mostly young, identify with our club and have been good performers overall, at least this season for the most part. Why shall we sell them? If you sell them, you must (i) get a HUGE sum for their services and (ii) have an equally good replacement available immediately.

What we know is that we need TWO key players in our starting XI: a better CM and a better CF/FW. Tchouameni and Nunez would be ideal but let us see who joins us – it will depend on CL qualification as well. I hope we do not get Neves and Morata for example…They are good but they won’t transform our team into a much better team, which is what we are after.

The point of that post is: KEEP THE CORE OF THE TEAM, for the next 3 years if possible.

One thing is for sure is that we are missing Tomy, Tierney and Partey…

The other thing is that Cedric, Nuno/Xhaka and Lokonga are not at the same level as our usual starters…

The next thing is that even when playing Tierney and Partey recently, we struggled to score with open play goals and that recently, we have struggled a lot with putting our chances away when we had them…sometimes due to outstanding GK from our opponent and sometimes due to our own lack of cutting edge (Ode, Laca…).

Another factor is that I have seen Saka and Martinelli getting frustrated a bit more and I don’t know if it is fatigue or just annoyance with the lack of chance creation but it is not good to see…

Without Tomy, Partey and Tierney, we are less effective defensively and offensively and for me, the only way forward is to change the formation to a 343 or 3412…the point is to use our 3 CBs and to use our Wingbacks to really create chances from the wings and to block oppositions on the wings better as well…

Holding has been in top form when coming on for us. It does not mean that he will excel if he starts but I think that he can help us greatly so I d play him…

Ramdale – White, Holding, Gabs – Cedric, Lokonga (or El Neny), Xhaka, Saka (or Nuno) – Ode (or ESR) – Pepe (Saka or Nketiah or Laca), Martinelli

I think that set up would allow us to make the most of our available players, to regain some defensive solidity and add to our width offensively…

So what do you think?

So it seems I keep on writing similar posts week-in, week-out…the margin for error to land the coveted Top 4 spot just got thinner after last week’s abysmal defeat to C. Palace. Things got also tougher with us with the loss of key players to injury: Tomy, Tierney and Partey. Three of our better players this season but we just have to accept the situation but also accept that Tierney and Partey often get injured…Laca is under pressure to score goals but it has to be said that Ode has missed some very good chances lately too, chances that could have changed the course of our games if they ended being goals…

So here we are about to face Brighton, a decent well-drilled team full of spirited players and some talented players too (Maupay, Bissouma, McAllister, Lamptey, Duffy, Dunk, Trosser, Dedonker…). It will not be a walk in the park and we need to be ready for a fight, to face pressure on set-pieces and also quick transition…

Our most likely line-up will be:

Ramsdale – Cedric, White, Gabs, Tavares – Lokonga, Xhaka – Saka, Ode, Martinelli – Laca

My preferred line up would be:

Ramsdale – White, Holding, Gabs – Cedric, El Neny, Xhaka, Tavares – Ode (or ESR ) – Saka, Laca (or Martinelli)

We cannot afford to drop any points today as Tottenham are in great form and favoured to win at Villa. Some players like Romero and Betancur are really helping Tottenham be more solid and in Kane-Son, they have a very dynamic and lethal duo so I do not expect the F*in* Spurs to drop many points until the end of the season…

LBG says: “Given Palace ( and probably Brighton) have realised that a ” dropping” Lacazette, IF GIVEN TIME to receive and turn, can feed our wide players into the space he has vacated. And having realised it, put a shadow tightly on him. Is it time to try a new “No 9″ in Lacas current position? I suggest yes, since there is no scope for any more serious mistakes from now on!

I believe, a newly bulked out and ” thoughtful”, Martinelli should be used there at the start on Saturday. Sure, he may get chopped ( and certainly wont be protected by the idiots in black), but could his improved toughness and in particular speed create the chances we need from the off at the Emirates? Discuss.”

NB: I wont be able to put a post up for the game this week-end so if anybody wants to, please do 🙂

So here is the update since our humbling loss to Vieira’s palace:

1. We lost after a very poor performance;
2. Tierney has been injured on his knee while playing for Scotland, will be operated shortly and unavailable for the rest of the season;
3. Partey also aggravated his thigh injury but could be 2-3 weeks out;
4. Tomy is expected to train again after the 16th of April…

So we are

• without our main LB for the remainder of the season;
• without our main RB until the third week of April if all goes well;
• without our main midfielder but do not know for how long.

Here are our options:

• Play Cedric at RB until Tomy comes back and Tavares at LB
• Play Cedric at RB until Tomy comes back and Xhaka at LB
• Play Tomy when he comes back at RB and Cedric at LB
• Play Xhaka-Lokonga as our double-pivot until Partey is back
• Play Xhaka-El Neny as our double-pivot until Partey is back
• Play Lokonga-El Neny as our double pivot until Partey is back
• Play a midfield 3 with Lokonga, El Neny, Xhaka
• Of course if Xhaka is played at LB, we would need to play other options in midfield…

We could also revert to a back 5 as Holding has been playing well…and Tavares may be more comfortable in that set-up together with Cedric…

Ramsdale – Holding, White, Gabs – Cedric, Lokonga, Xhaka, Tavares – Ode or ESR – Saka, Laca

Is that our best option in the end?

We do have a thin squad indeed and we have to make sure that we do our best with what we have but clearly we will need to invest in a CM, a FW and maybe we also need to consider keeping AMN (?) or bringing in another FB…

Anyways, race to Top 4 just got a little tougher…

One thing is for sure…securing Top 4 will be tough and then Tottenham is on a roll lately and with Conte at the helm, you know they will be fighting hard for that Top 4 finish…

Until we meet the Spuds, we have to make sure that (1) we always keep a 3 points cushion and (ii) we also keep up with a good goal difference…

So tonight’s game is again super important in the Top 4 race and the least we can say is that Vieira is doing a good job at Palace. They have found their shape, their style and do have some good players in Gallagher, Zaha, McArthur, Guehi, Kouyate, Edouard, Schlupp, Olise, Benteke and Butland, Gaita and even Ayew.

They play in a 4-3-3 and a rather direct style, use the wings a lot but do have some central threat as well. Andersen could be bothered though as his position is sometimes suspect and he can make the odd error. I d put him under pressure…

So here is our predicted line-up:

Leno – Cedric, White, Gabs, Tierney – Partey, Xhaka – Saka, Ode, Martinelli – Laca

My preferred line-up

Leno – Tomy, White, Gabs, Tierney – Partey, Xhaka – Saka, Ode, MENDES – Laca

I d play our FB up front as I think he could be key going forward and defensively and then I d like to bring in Martinelli, ESR and Nketiah to deal the final blow 😛

COYG!

By popular demand (especially pbarany’s :-P), here are other forwards’ names (non-English and also non-EPL) that could/would be explored by AFC as we look into building our attacking options…

First and foremost, I think that Balogun will be loaned out again next year based on Arteta’s latest interviews…same goes for W.Saliba (so expect a contract extension with another year on loan at Marseille)

Here are the other forwards:

• EPL: Mahrez, Richarlison, Dennis, Raphinha, Antonio, Maupay, Adams, Broja, Firmino, Trossard, Cavani

• Non-EPL: Abraham, Simeone, Chiesa, Dybala, Martinez, Osimhen, Berardi, Gakpo, Shick, Silva, Nunez, David, Gouiri, Ben Yedder, M.Dembele, De Tomas, Unal, Depay, O.Dembele, Morelos

Two other English names: Rashford and Bowen…

There are a lot of options and this list does not even include some lesser known players like Kalimuendo, Laborde, Terrier or players from South America…

Pick your preferred option and tell us why you picked that player ahead of others

Here are 5 English forwards currently playing in the EPL that have somewhat proven that they can be regular scorers for their respective teams. They have different profiles and also a different age but here is a little overview:

Calvert-Lewin – an overall young (25), good and tall striker that plays for Everton. Prone to injuries and slightly fragile psychologically, he has rarely disappointed at Everton or England levels. Question mark remains regarding his fitness levels and his ability to take his game to the next level. He is valued at around 50-60 Mln EUR.

Sterling – a diminutive and experienced (despite only being 27) forwards who took his game to the next level at Man City. A threat with his dribbles and his coolness in front of goal, he has dips in a season but he is overall reliable and has a great connection with Arteta. Would he be challenging Martinelli on the left or would he play as a CF? If he played as a CF, wouldn’t that change our whole game plan and team set-up? He would be an expensive acquisition too being valued around 70 Mln EUR.

Toney – the relentless CF from Brentford. After terrorizing defenders last year in the Championship, he has been working hard in the EPL where he has made his mark as well. This strong and tall forward does not shy away from pressing and defending, is good at taking penalties and is quite strong in the air/challenges. There is still quite some room for growth but doesn’t his hunger play in his/our favour? Brentford is doing well but AFC is a bigger and better London club so why not? He is valued at 30-40 Mln. There is still a question mark about his ability to score more in open plays and also to create more for his partners.

Vardy – the man that Wenger wanted nearly 6 years ago. At 35, he is still one of the best forwards in the EPL scoring 10-15 goals per season regularly. Maybe not as relentless as before but always working hard for the team and timing his runs to perfection, Vardy is not a CF that would play with his back to the goal so would he fit our current set-up and if we are going for this type of forward, shouldn’t we look for someone younger in the veins of Sterling and potentially even David or Oshimen or Schick? He is valued at 5 Mln…

Watkins – The 26 yo England International playing at Villa and formally playing for Brentford has scored 21 goals and provided 6 assists since joining the EPL in 2020. A good goal poacher, he did have a great first season last year in the EPL but is somehow finding it harder this season. With Gerrard looking to bring in more forward reinforcements, there may be a chance for him to request a move away from Villa Park. Would he be a good fit for us? He is valued at 40-50 Mln EUR.

So, if you were to take one player from this list and bring him to our club, who would it be and why? I did not mention Maddisson, Bowen, Mount, Barnes, Wilson, Bamford or Ings but feel free to add them to the conversation…

COYG!

Saka, Martinelli are for sure staying…So here are the question marks:

1. A. Lacazette, current captain, early 30s and out of contract in June…

2. E. Nketiah, an academy product, an English youth international and also out of country in June

3. N. Pepe, our most expensive purchase to date. Has been showing glimpses of his talent but not on a consistent basis. Is there more time for him at AFC or is it time to let him go flourish somewhere else?

4.F. Balogun, an academy product, currently on loan in Middlesborough. Apparently, an amazing talent.

5. R. Nelsson, an academy product, currently on loan abroad. Was touted to be a fantastic talent but has not lived up to the hype – or just yet?

6. M. Biereth, a recent purchase for the academy. Scoring regularly but does he have what it takes to make it to the pro group?

My take on it:

• Keep Laca, Pepe, Balogun
• Loan out Nelson, Biereth
• Let Nketiah go, for his own good.
• Purchase a Nr.9

Forward players for next year:

Recruit (Schick? Calvert-Lewin? Watkins?), Laca, Balogun

Saka, Pepe, Martinelli, Recruit (Kostic?)

What’s us your take on it?

Lucas Torreira, our diminutive defensive midfielder from Uruguay currently on loan in Serie A

El Neny, our tall Egyptian midfield enforcer who seems to always do well for his country and decently when we call upon him

Xhaka, our former captain and usually one of the coaches and players’ favourites but with a contrived history with mistakes, red cards and fans

Lokonga, a promising young player with a good level of intensity but also prone to being outmuscled in dangerous areas

Patino, Azeez and M’Hand, apparently the most promising young midfielder talents from our Academy

Guendouzi is already automatically purchased by Marseilles for 11 Mln EUR (10 Mln pounds).

I will talk about Nelson in the next post as he could be seen more as an attacking player and if I am not mistaken, we talked about AMN already…

Here is my take:

• Sell: Torreira, El Neny
• Loan: Azeez, M’Hand
• Keep: Xhaka (but not as a starter), Lokonga, Patino

COYG!

Also: Happy Birthday to Arteta, in case he reads this blog too 😛