Summer Window Update

What a brilliant performance that was from the Arsenal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Everything I wanted to see from Arsenal I saw in that game. There was fight, tenacity, intensity and most of all passion. These players were playing for the badge and for each other. Something we’ve not seen for a very long time. Even after going 1-0 down, their heads did not drop, the press was still there and the fight was ever present. Mikel Arteta has shown us what he can do in a very short span of time with a very average Arsenal side (let’s be honest here). It’s a very positive first step for Arteta and for the process that we are in.

However, let’s not paper over the cracks here, finishing 8^th is nowhere near good enough for a club like Arsenal. It has been an absolutely awful season for the Gunners. From the Unai Emery sacking to the Xhaka fiasco to the Covid-19 lockdown, it has been a long and torturous season for all Arsenal fans. But now is the time for us to rebuild. We need to get our transfers spot on from here on out. We’ll need to strengthen certain key areas (more on that in a minute) and most importantly get rid of the deadwood. We know certain players are not good enough and are surplus to requirements. We’ll have to move out the likes of Mkhitaryan, Elneny and Sokratis in order to raise funds. The club have said that we will not have a significant transfer budget for this window. Money is tight and has always been tight at Arsenal even more so now with no revenue coming in from matchday tickets. Therefore, we’ll have to be smart in the structuring of certain deals.

Now the first deal that should be done by now is the Aubameyang extension. Before we even look at bringing new players in, we’ve got to tie our talisman down to a new deal. Reports have it that its already been agreed to although I don’t know how much of that is true. I’ve been a Gooner long enough to know nothing is confirmed or official until I’ve seen an official statement from the club. If it hasn’t been agreed to, there should be absolute uproar. I wont be venting on this just yet.

Now on to the first official deal of the window, Willian. I am mixed on this one because of the fact that Chelsea wanted to keep him but on the other hand I have heard from Chelsea fans that he goes missing a lot and can be inconsistent, something we Arsenal fans are all too familiar with. Do we really need another wide player with the likes of Aubameyang, Pepe, Saka, Martinelli and Nelson who can all play in that position? Or does Arteta want to deploy him in a more central position at the tip of the midfield? We cannot deny his ball carrying ability which is something we currently lack in midfield. I will only judge him once I’ve seen him on that field for us, till then I shall remain neutral.

Moving on to the “unofficial” done deal of the window, Gabriel Magalhaes. Now he is a young lad this one, at only 22 years of age. I won’t say I’ve watched much of French football but from the clips and reviews I’ve read of him it certainly looks promising. With clubs like Napoli and Manchester United circling around he should be of quality. With a new centre back in I would now like to see two additional signings this window, a Thomas Partey and a certain Philipe Coutinho. Partey will provide good cover for the backline as we were exposed too easily many a times last season. He’ll also give us that presence in midfield that we’ve lacked since Viera left. As for Coutinho, we need a creative spark in the side, an Ozil replacement if you will. Being able to play on the counter against teams like Liverpool and Man City is great but once we come up against a Burnley or a Crystal Palace who are just going to have two banks of four and wait for us to break them down, we have lacked ideas and drive from midfield. Coutinho will also pitch in with goals, something we’ve heavily relied on Aubameyang for last season.

If we are to get the Partey and Coutinho deals done, I reckon we could be back in the top four this coming season. I`m liking the Arteta project so far but we have to back him in the transfer market or we will only fall further behind. More updates to come before the window shuts!

FA Cup Final Preview: Arsenal vs Chelsea

It has been a season to forget for Arsenal fans having seen the team finish 8th in the league, the lowest finish since the 94/95 season. Needless to say its been a disastrous season for the Gunners. However, the players have a chance of ending the season on a high by winning the FA Cup. 

We go up against Frank Lampard's men who have already secured European football for next season. Its not only a chance for Arsenal to win a piece of silverware but its also our only pathway into the Europa League. Its not Europa League football that interests me but rather the financial compensation that we will receive from it. With the club unlikely to have a massive budget for the upcoming transfer window every little bit counts. 

There is a lot ridding on this game for Arsenal which could be a double edged sword in my opinion. It could spur the players on with the thought of potential European football on their minds or it could be added pressure on their shoulders. We absolutely need to win this, as it will be a good springboard for Arteta. It'll be his first trophy in his managerial career and one that could signal the beginning of a new dawn for Arsenal. 

Needles to say, I really hope the players turn up for this game. I`m sure Arsenal fans all over the world will still remember what happened in Baku not too long ago but then again we have never done well in Europe. However, we tend to do much better in domestic cups and I hope this is one of those times. The players shouldn't need a whole lot of motivating because this is after all a cup final. The team that turns up and wants it more will win it. Every player needs to put in a performance, we cannot afford to have any passengers. We know what Chelsea are capable of with the likes of Mount, Kovacic and Pulisic. We will need stop those crosses from coming in and if they do come in we have to deal with them convincingly. Both teams have shaky defences and I believe the team that defends better on the day will win it. We do have enough fire power upfront that can cause Chelsea problems.

My predicted starting XI: Martinez, Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Tierney, Saka, Xhaka, Ceballos, Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette

I do believe Arteta will go with a back 5 as we have been more solid defensively with this setup. 

 

My predictions for the game: 2-1 to the Arsenal. Its a cup final so form goes out the window. Come On You Gunners!