2021 Summer Transfer Window

[theHotHead]

Wenger has brainwashed everyone into forgetting Petit-Vieira and Gilberto-Vieira and wanting to play #10s in CM.

We need a Petit/Gilberto type DM next to Partey and that should be where the bulk of our transfer kitty should be going!

ESR is our CAM, Saka should play there if he's not available, we don't need to be wasting big money on a star player in that position.

[swipe right]

Wenger has brainwashed everyone into forgetting Petit-Vieira and Gilberto-Vieira and wanting to play #10s in CM.

We need a Petit/Gilberto type DM next to Partey and that should be where the bulk of our transfer kitty should be going!

ESR is our CAM, Saka should play there if he's not available, we don't need to be wasting big money on a star player in that position.

You can’t win with those type of two DM formats any more. The big teams play guys like Xavi, Kroos, Modric, KdB in number 8 positions to switch play. Wenger was right in evolving our game. Fabregas, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere were good for us. We need those type of payers. Not El Neny for gods sake.

[jayramfootball]

Wenger has brainwashed everyone into forgetting Petit-Vieira and Gilberto-Vieira and wanting to play #10s in CM.

We need a Petit/Gilberto type DM next to Partey and that should be where the bulk of our transfer kitty should be going!

ESR is our CAM, Saka should play there if he's not available, we don't need to be wasting big money on a star player in that position.

[theHotHead]

Wenger has brainwashed everyone into forgetting Petit-Vieira and Gilberto-Vieira and wanting to play #10s in CM.

We need a Petit/Gilberto type DM next to Partey and that should be where the bulk of our transfer kitty should be going!

ESR is our CAM, Saka should play there if he's not available, we don't need to be wasting big money on a star player in that position.

You can’t win with those type of two DM formats any more. The big teams play guys like Xavi, Kroos, Modric, KdB in number 8 positions to switch play. Wenger was right in evolving our game. Fabregas, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere were good for us. We need those type of payers. Not El Neny for gods sake.

Do me a lemon Swipe Right don't you remember when the big teams got their arses handed to them by Bayern and Dortmund, who countered, the possession-based pass pass/tiki taka style with swift counter attacks ?? I would bet our Wenger Prime 4-4-2 and personnel against any of the current big teams.

[swipe right]

Wenger has brainwashed everyone into forgetting Petit-Vieira and Gilberto-Vieira and wanting to play #10s in CM.

We need a Petit/Gilberto type DM next to Partey and that should be where the bulk of our transfer kitty should be going!

ESR is our CAM, Saka should play there if he's not available, we don't need to be wasting big money on a star player in that position.

You can’t win with those type of two DM formats any more. The big teams play guys like Xavi, Kroos, Modric, KdB in number 8 positions to switch play. Wenger was right in evolving our game. Fabregas, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere were good for us. We need those type of payers. Not El Neny for gods sake.

Do me a lemon Swipe Right don't you remember when the big teams got their arses handed to them by Bayern and Dortmund, who countered, the possession-based pass pass/tiki taka style with swift counter attacks ?? I would bet our Wenger Prime 4-4-2 and personnel against any of the current big teams.

Nobody is railing against counter attacking. The discussion began about El Neny shooting from outside the box. Also, the case you make about Dortmund and Bayern is in knock out tournaments like the CL where you can’t play for a draw. There are plenty of teams in the prem content to come to the emirates and take a point off us. You have no choice but to break them down by passing through their banks of defenders. It’s less nowadays but between 2006-2016 this was the tactic most teams used very effectively against us. You simply played into their hands if you shot wildly over the bar and gave their keeper the opportunity to hoof it up the pitch.

[Angelito]

ESR is our CAM, Saka should play there if he's not available, we don't need to be wasting big money on a star player in that position.

ESR is injury-prone and is still only 20. We've been dire creatively. That's where we need reinforcements.

We've never played with two DMs. Vieira wasn't a DM. It's just extremely rare to have a midfielder who was technically as good as him who also was a physical powerhouse. Vieira was the box-to-box midfielder when he was here.

What we need is a CM and a creative midfielder. We don't need any more defensive players when we barely can create, or when scoring is an issue.

Some of you guys believe that Arteta has improved our defense. Well, in a way, he has even if we've sacrificed our attack to reach there. We still have the third best defensive record in the league. But we have second worst offensive record in the top-10 (after Everton).

What's the point of signing more defensive players? Since Wenger's departure, that's all we've done. In contrast, we haven't signed a single CAM. We've signed two experienced forwards in Pepe and Willian.

16 players signed, excluding loanees, 2 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 2 DMs, 1 b2b CM ('Douzi), 3 wide forwards (one of them, Martinelli).

That's a combined 12 defensive-minded players out of 16. Thomas isn't a pure DM, but he's no creative CM either.

We scored 56 goals last season in the Premier League. This season, so far, we've scored 53. It's the least we've scored since 95/96.

It's clear what we need. It's clear that we need to create more and score more. Might be an unpopular opinion today, but I don't really see Saka as a creative player, nor a staple right-forward. His best games have come when he's played as an attacking full-back or a wing-back. Of course, it doesn't mean he can't do the job there, but he'd need to step up significantly.

Signing another DM won't improve us defensively. We don't have to. We need to enchance our attack. We need to create more chances. We need forward-passers. We need to score more goals. Another defensive player won't solve the glitch we have in our offensive play.

[theHotHead]

Wenger has brainwashed everyone into forgetting Petit-Vieira and Gilberto-Vieira and wanting to play #10s in CM.

We need a Petit/Gilberto type DM next to Partey and that should be where the bulk of our transfer kitty should be going!

ESR is our CAM, Saka should play there if he's not available, we don't need to be wasting big money on a star player in that position.

You can’t win with those type of two DM formats any more. The big teams play guys like Xavi, Kroos, Modric, KdB in number 8 positions to switch play. Wenger was right in evolving our game. Fabregas, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere were good for us. We need those type of payers. Not El Neny for gods sake.

Do me a lemon Swipe Right don't you remember when the big teams got their arses handed to them by Bayern and Dortmund, who countered, the possession-based pass pass/tiki taka style with swift counter attacks ?? I would bet our Wenger Prime 4-4-2 and personnel against any of the current big teams.

Nobody is railing against counter attacking. The discussion began about El Neny shooting from outside the box. Also, the case you make about Dortmund and Bayern is in knock out tournaments like the CL where you can’t play for a draw. There are plenty of teams in the prem content to come to the emirates and take a point off us. You have no choice but to break them down by passing through their banks of defenders. It’s less nowadays but between 2006-2016 this was the tactic most teams used very effectively against us. You simply played into their hands if you shot wildly over the bar and gave their keeper the opportunity to hoof it up the pitch.

Those teams that sat back didn't over-commit in attack, but we did the same thing over and over. If we had used the counter attack more often, we would have had more opportunities to score because they wouldn't have their 2 banks of 4 structure in place ready to repel us. It was Wenger's lack of a plan B that killed us in those games.

[theHotHead]

Angelito, people's obsession with defence is part of the problem with the fans. All you ever hear is defenders, defenders, provide defensive cover. What Arteta has done defensively is nothing special, any muppet could do that and claim some improvement, but if its at the expense of a fully functioning attack that is rendered as effective as a wet paper bag, its NOT an improvement. If you have a goal and you make gains in an area but then losses in another area your net gain is zilch.

I don't want to see Pepe helping the defence, I want to see him in offensive areas doing damage. Let the midfielders and defenders worry about defending.

[Arsenal Tone]

Angelito, people's obsession with defence is part of the problem with the fans. All you ever hear is defenders, defenders, provide defensive cover. What Arteta has done defensively is nothing special, any muppet could do that and claim some improvement, but if its at the expense of a fully functioning attack that is rendered as effective as a wet paper bag, its NOT an improvement. If you have a goal and you make gains in an area but then losses in another area your net gain is zilch.

I don't want to see Pepe helping the defence, I want to see him in offensive areas doing damage. Let the midfielders and defenders worry about defending.

And that is why you want two CMs who can defend. To give the front four more freedom to do their job instead of having to track back and cover for players like ceballos.

[Angelito]

Angelito, people's obsession with defence is part of the problem with the fans. All you ever hear is defenders, defenders, provide defensive cover. What Arteta has done defensively is nothing special, any muppet could do that and claim some improvement, but if its at the expense of a fully functioning attack that is rendered as effective as a wet paper bag, its NOT an improvement. If you have a goal and you make gains in an area but then losses in another area your net gain is zilch.

I don't want to see Pepe helping the defence, I want to see him in offensive areas doing damage. Let the midfielders and defenders worry about defending.

Yes, exactly.

That's why I find it baffling that people are still advocating for a DM or more defensive players. With Bellerin likely to depart, and a vacant back-up LB spot, if we spend whatever little money we have in these positions, we won't have the money to address our biggest needs. We need to sign a back-up goalie too.

Defense isn't the problem.

As I've mentioned before, I'm actually fine with Cedric at RB—rotating with Chambers—and Saka/López as our LB when Tierney isn't available or needs to be rested. The last thing we need is stimulating Arteta's obsession with hoarding defensive players.

The three top priorities are a CM, a CAM, and a forward.

The best defensive side in Prem history—Jose's 04/05 Chelsea side—still scored 72 goals. If we scored 70 goals this season and conceded 50, evenly spread out, we'd be in the top-4.

The same Chelsea side, with Ancelotti, scored over 100 goals and conceded only 32. Under Conte, they scored 85 goals and conceded 33.

Those are great defensive performances.

People praising Arteta for our defensive improvements really don't get what we've sacrificed to achieve that. It's like drawing 38 games next season and claiming to be Invincibles! Technically, well, we would be unbeaten, but what sense does that even make?

[Arsenal Tone]

A DM next to partey should be our priority. Partey is not a DM, he's a box to box midfielder doing the job of a DM because none of our other midfielders are good enough.

[Salibatelli]

Yeah I don’t rate this claim we’re better defensively, as people said it’s at the expense of the attack which makes it pointless.

After 18 months of the same rubbish you’d think people wouldn’t need anymore convincing this guy hasn’t got the answers.

Unai Emery the manager we sacked schooled him in the EL for goodness sake, this with inferior players.

Some people will say we had our chances in the 2nd leg and could have won, but they could have buried us in the 1st leg if that’s the case. Plus we actually lacked hunger and drive in the 2nd leg which is on the manager.

[jayramfootball]

Angelito, people's obsession with defence is part of the problem with the fans. All you ever hear is defenders, defenders, provide defensive cover. What Arteta has done defensively is nothing special, any muppet could do that and claim some improvement, but if its at the expense of a fully functioning attack that is rendered as effective as a wet paper bag, its NOT an improvement. If you have a goal and you make gains in an area but then losses in another area your net gain is zilch.

I don't want to see Pepe helping the defence, I want to see him in offensive areas doing damage. Let the midfielders and defenders worry about defending.

Fixing the defence was the right place to start after Emery left.
It was easily the priority and had to involve the whole team.
The best teams defend as a team.

We've conceded the 3rd least goals in the PL - you can not say that is not an improvement.
It hasn't come at the expense of attack at all.

Goals scored is similar to last year - depends what we do against Brighton, but we may end up scoring more this year PLUS we've created more chances than last year. For sure the attack needs a lot more improvement, but it IS improving in the last few months - by a lot.

For this window, still think we need more defensively.
DM, CB and FB.

[Arsenal Tone]

Angelito, people's obsession with defence is part of the problem with the fans. All you ever hear is defenders, defenders, provide defensive cover. What Arteta has done defensively is nothing special, any muppet could do that and claim some improvement, but if its at the expense of a fully functioning attack that is rendered as effective as a wet paper bag, its NOT an improvement. If you have a goal and you make gains in an area but then losses in another area your net gain is zilch.

I don't want to see Pepe helping the defence, I want to see him in offensive areas doing damage. Let the midfielders and defenders worry about defending.

Yes, exactly.

That's why I find it baffling that people are still advocating for a DM or more defensive players. With Bellerin likely to depart, and a vacant back-up LB spot, if we spend whatever little money we have in these positions, we won't have the money to address our biggest needs. We need to sign a back-up goalie too.

Defense isn't the problem.

As I've mentioned before, I'm actually fine with Cedric at RB—rotating with Chambers—and Saka/López as our LB when Tierney isn't available or needs to be rested. The last thing we need is stimulating Arteta's obsession with hoarding defensive players.

The three top priorities are a CM, a CAM, and a forward.

The best defensive side in Prem history—Jose's 04/05 Chelsea side—still scored 72 goals. If we scored 70 goals this season and conceded 50, evenly spread out, we'd be in the top-4.

The same Chelsea side, with Ancelotti, scored over 100 goals and conceded only 32. Under Conte, they scored 85 goals and conceded 33.

Those are great defensive performances.

People praising Arteta for our defensive improvements really don't get what we've sacrificed to achieve that. It's like drawing 38 games next season and claiming to be Invincibles! Technically, well, we would be unbeaten, but what sense does that even make?

In 05/06 Mourinho had essien and makelele alongside Lampard, two DMs. In 09/10 under Ancelotti it was Ballack and Mikel alongside Lampard. What you are advocating is the equivalent to playing Lampard in the midfield 2 of a 4-2-3-1. It wouldn't work and that is why they played 4-3-3 with 2 DMs.

[Angelito]

A DM next to partey should be our priority. Partey is not a DM, he's a box to box midfielder doing the job of a DM because none of our other midfielders are good enough.

What is that DM supposed to do? Help us concede 10 fewer goals, whilst we score 50 or so goals again?

Saka and ESR aren't goalscorers. Lacazette might be leaving. So, unless, Auba, Martinelli, and Pepe score 60+ goals amongst themselves, we will be where we are come May next year.

Defensive football only works when you win trophies. Otherwise, there ain't a difference between Stoke under Pulis and Arsenal under Arteta.

The only way a DM alongside Partey works is if we have Simeone in charge, a world class CAM, and two world class forwards up top. So, if we have a front three of Martinelli - Haaland - Mbappe with Messi behind them, sure, let's go for it. We'd score 150 goals so it won't even matter.

But we don't. We won't. Signing a DM when we can't create chances, when we are enjoying our worst goal-scoring season since 95/96 is just stupid.

Now, if we have £300m to spend, well, then I won't have a problem signing a DM alongside creative/attack-minded players.