burchy

We should just ask Sanson who the best DM he’s played with is and get that one as he’s also played with Kamara too hasn’t he. I like that Anguissa has high progressive carry stats

Having just watched the full 90 mins I think the 442 will come out when we’re chasing games, similar to last year. So today was a good test of this system seeing as the opposition were camped in their own half a fair bit. Personally I think Ings gives us options. He’s great off the bench in support of Watkins. He’s a starter if we want to take him early 2nd half for a fit and raring to go Watkins to go at tiring defences. He’s an option to play deeper too. As a plan A though I’d have ‘one of’, not ‘both’ in the starting line up. Nice to have options with our forwards

Talk of Anguissa going around but it might just be Twitter nonsense. I’d prefer Tchouameni from Monaco personally as he does the defensive side of things a bit better but wouldn’t say no to Anguissa as our DM.

Hoping to see the new contract tweet for him very, very soon. The guy is immense. I can’t think of him without seeing the Arsenal badge and the Goodfellas laughing gif side by side.

A bit raw but there’s a player in there, perhaps throwing him in the deep end will make him. Has the ability to break up play and then burst forward. Has a wicked shot on him as well

Guilbert is more than a decent understudy to Cash for this season. I agree, Freddie’s stats are actually better than Cashy’s in most areas to be honest.

I think I’m now a bit torn on the DCM rope as originally I wanted a better version of Nakamba. Now though, with the cash we have, we could get a better version of Luiz. For me it’s Sanson or McGinn one side of the two (in a 4231), with the new version of Luiz alongside. In an ideal world we’ve have a better version of Nakamba AND Luiz come in, which would mean we have a load of options shape wise but admit that’s a bit of a stretch. A midfield two of Sanson/McGinn and say Locatelli would not IMHO get cut apart. Plus CB cover and another forward option (Kamada, etc)

A few of them are in their 20s though but none of us seem to be suggesting the likes of Revan or Bridge as back up to Konsa. Do any of us know what’s happening with these guys? Revan and Appiah are both huge monster defenders, surely they deserve a chance as opposed to Tuanzebe (although I would love it for the song alone).

There was talk before all the Grealish circus of quality opposed to quantity and quality is circa 30-40m plus so even with only two players targeted we’d be looking at 80m odd, without the 100m added on from the Grealish sale. We’ve still got sizeable money spend I feel. It will be interesting to see who we spend it on and how much. I think there’s an opportunity for us here and I hope we seize it with both hands.

I’d be inclined to let him go if a decent offer came in for him and then replace him with a player that can do offensive/defensive duties better. If we’re not going the DCM route someone like Mahmoud Dahoud, Manuel Locatelli or Aurelian Tchouameni that can do both jobs equally well and be that deep lying playmaker.

Wasn’t his last season, his highest stats wise, at RW predominantly though?

Boooooooooooooo I was enjoying killing my phone looking at FBref stats 24/7

I think we’ll stick with our midfield for now, especially given the comments made by McGinn in his recent interview, saying he’s over his injuries and fitter than ever. We do need an extra DCM though, someone who can progress the ball forward better than Luiz or Nakamba, I think that would really help our back four. We also do need a new LW/ACM too. I know at a push Young and El Ghazi can play there but we need a Bailey equivalent on the left, an Nkunku, Kamada, Cherki level player. I’m not sure Cantwell is that player though. If we could get these two players in I think we’d be guaranteed European football. Also did anyone else read the Grealish statement and the just go ‘Oh F&£@ Off’ out loud? The king is dead, long live the king and all that. UTV

It will be interesting to see if we go a LW now or an ACM as that might point to where Buendia and Bailey are likely to play as I know Buendia tended to play RW and Bailey has played LW previously. If we sign a LW it’s Buendia as the No10 I would imagine with Bailey RW

Decent squad player, not a starter though

Good

Not sure as as a DM as his defensive stats aren’t all that. Never seen him play though and stats can be misleading. Yes to both Nkunku and Kamada

In my original post I did put Sancho esque but stupid predictive text kept wanting to add Raphael or something stupid so deleted it. I agree Bailey’s not there yet but Sancho played in a team with better possession stats than Leverkusen so he was going to get and see more of the ball. Despite this Bailey wasn’t a million miles off him. Happy days we’ve got him and his crazy step dad.

Watkins first 11, Ings as support is how I would have it personally. Ings also gives us the option to rest Watkins now again.

Don’t get me wrong I think Bailey is a brilliant signing, basically Sancho but for half the cash. When I mean statement I mean get someone that isn’t looking for a move as I believe Bailey was being touted for, someone who is a rising star, a future superstar that little old Aston Villa go and get and make people go wow, didn’t expect that. Wishful thinking on my part I know.

I want us to flex our muscles next and really go and make a statement that pretty much says ‘£&@$ you footballing world, yes we’ve lost Grealish but we’re building something here and we’re still going to tear you a new one with the team we’ve got planned’

I’m a bit meh about JWP as like I’ve said before now his stats aren’t that great, especially when compared to Sanson for example. Surely there’s better out there for the price tag mentioned.

With cash burning a hole in our pocket and talk of CB reinforcements, I wonder what’s on the cards for the academy lads such as Bridge, Revan, Appiah as they’re all in their 20’s now I believe and not as young as Bogarde or Swinkels. I thought Revan played well against Liverpool and by all accounts had a good loan at Weymouth was it? Could any of the above step in?

The only think with Kamada is doesn’t he tend to play centrally or as a second striker?

I think there’s a fair few options Am/Lw at the moment (my money would be on Nkunku first with Kamada or Cherki second). Aouar would be another good shout….would piss Arsenal off as well