15 Jun 2018 22:13:06
Xhaka signs a new long term contract looking forward to seeing him play higher up the pitch.
16 Jun 2018 06:23:55
Absolutely, having seen him play further forward for Switzerland he looks a far better player than playing in a deep defensive midfield role, which didn't suit him. I hope the Torreira signing happens and I would like to see us sign Nzonzi or Fellaini to play alongside him, with David Luiz forming a CB partnership with Sokratis.
Leno
Lichtsteiner Sokratis Luiz Monreal
Torreira Nzonzi
Mkhitaryan Ozil Xhaka
Aubameyang
Cech
Bellerin Holding Mavropanos Kolasinac
Maitland-Niles Elneny
Ramsey Wilshere Welbeck
Lacazette
I know the above teams won't happen, but wouldn't it be great if they did.
16 Jun 2018 09:17:30
Xhaka as a LW RG? Seems a bit odd to me. He's probably going to play more alongside Torreira than in front of him, and slightly behind Ozil.
16 Jun 2018 09:36:24
You are nuts if you want to play Xhaka on the left of a forward 3 behind a striker. I really like him as a player but that would be an even worse position for him that defensive midfield.
16 jun 2018 10:01:02
lool xhaka left mid? are you kidding me? this must be a joke!
16 Jun 2018 10:41:26
Even I wouldn't want him out there! haha! Sitting in front of Torreira if we have 3 in the middle or alongside him would be ideal :)
16 Jun 2018 11:03:52
Xhaka can.
Simple as that :-)
I saw the De Gea mistake last night and thought " Xhaka would have held that plus saved the penalty and that free kick? He'd have simply headed it off the line.
Left of midfield is a doddle for super Xhaka:-)
16 Jun 2018 12:14:42
Lots of pace and width in that side too, the fresh faced youthful fullbacks will be fine with no help tracking back.
16 Jun 2018 19:20:12
It amuses me the lack of knowledge shown in respect of Xhaka, who was captain of Borrusia Monchengladbach at the age of 22, who has played over 60 matches for Switzerland, who Wenger started in almost every league match last season and who Emery decided to extended his contract as soon as he arrived at the club.
I first saw Xhaka playing on the left hand side of the Swiss national team and he looked quality. Alas, he is one of many players that were played out of position by Wenger and his natural aggressive game was not allowed to flourish under him, nor was his shooting ability. Imagine, not that it would have happened, if Roy Keane was not allowed to play his aggressive style, nor allowed to shoot. He would have been a shadow of the great player he was. Many of you are the same fans that rate Chambers! Who was relegated whilst at Middlesbrough and is a truly average centre back. Our away record was dire last season and our fullbacks received virtually no cover, whilst a player such as Xhakae would have provided defensive cover on the left and supplied ammunition for the central attacking player. We have yet to see how Emery will set up next season, but he has stated that Xhaka will be an important part of the team. I believe you will see a very different player under Emery.
16 Jun 2018 19:47:58
A different player, possibly. A left winger, definitely not.
You’ve tried to cover a bad post by a long winded post. Not working mate. He’s not a left winger. He’s slow in the middle of the pitch so will have nowhere near enough pace out wide.
16 Jun 2018 21:05:06
At no point did I state Xhaka should be played as a left winger. I stated that he should be played further forward than the defensive midfield role he played under Wenger. The player himself considers his best position is as a 'fake' number 10, sitting slightly deeper than a number 10.
I seem to recall that Emery is considering playing a 4-1-4-1, which would be interesting and could mean playing Torreira (if signed) , behind a midfield four, which could contain Xhaka, who Emery considers an important part of the team.
My post was not long winded, it simply expalined my thoughts correctly and not some concocted, incorrect nonsense that I suggested playing Xhaka as a left winger. Clearly reading and interpretation of my comments are not the strong points of thiose that responded so incorrectly and seem incapable of reading more than one line of basic English text.
16 Jun 2018 22:04:05
RG unless you have spoken to Dick personally, he said xhaka was an important member of the squad. Lol.
16 Jun 2018 22:05:49
For me, i think xhaka should be left back, in the changing room. Lol.
16 Jun 2018 22:29:06
Fair points there RG my only point with chambers is he was quite good before he joined us as many players as you say a new manager who will actually let us tackle in training might change our opinions on Young chambers I think he has promise imo and I completely agree with you about xhaka 100% ;)
16 Jun 2018 22:36:26
Whst do Poch and Toby think of him RG :-)
17 Jun 2018 04:48:22
Steve r - Emery extended Xhaka's contract soon after becoming manager and it was reported on the official Arsenal site that Emery considers Xhaka an important part of the squad.
G62 - Alderwierald is a friend of mine, so I can ask him. I have met Pochettino on a few occasions, but do not know him well enough to ask his opinion of Xhaka.
I live next door to a footballer in Hadley Wood, an area where many Arsenal and Tottenham players live and have lived. Having a serious football background I have had many friends who have played professional football and some that are still playing. The late David Rocastle was a friend of mine, as was his agent at the time Jerome Anderson, who I played football with. I also know football agents Jon and Phil Smith who I played football with in the 1980's 90's. Others are Jobi McAnuff (the former Reading captain, now at Orient) . Dale Barton (played a couple of times for West Ham in the 1980's before moving onto Aldershot and Reading) . There are many others, but these are my closest friends.
If you truly believe Xhaka is so poor you clearly haven't a clue about football. He featured in almost every PL match under Wenger, was made captain of BM in his early 20's and has over 60 international caps for Switzerland. He has won trophies. He clearly sin't suited to playing as a DM, but as I stated he should look far better played in a more advanced role, nit as a left winger, which I never stated.
17 Jun 2018 04:54:15
XCC - Yes Chambers looked an excellent prospect as a young RB at Southampton and I seem to recalll was a serious threat to Nathan Clyne for the RB spot iin the team. He looked promising in his first few matches for Arsenal at RB, but then like so many players in the second half of Wenger's time at the club, his career went backwards and was ultimately turned into a CB. He went on loan to Middlesborough for a season and was part of the team that was relegated. I simply see nothing special in him and ould let him move on, especially if we can get the sort of fee reported in the papers.
{Ed001's Note - Chambers was a centre back who played at right back to gain experience, the same way as Joe Gomez has been at Liverpool. He was only cover at right back, it was never his position.}
17 Jun 2018 05:20:23
RG. you’re full of shizzle. The end.
17 Jun 2018 05:21:11
Hi Ed001 - I belive there is some confusion as to Chambers position, as he has played at RB, CB, in midfield and even as a more advanced right-sided player in his youth. Time may be playing tricks, but I seem to recall signing him after he had some outstanding performances at RB for Southamton, covering for Clyne and I stand to be corrected, I recall him playing for the senior England team at RB. I was under the impression that the transformation to CB, came after some unconvincing performances for Arsenal at RB.
{Ed001's Note - if you say so. Your impression was clearly wrong as he played a number of times at centre back for Southampton first team.}
17 Jun 2018 05:39:40
Thank you Ed.
I did a little research and came across the following on the official site, which proves that he has played in different positions and thus neither of us are worng, perhaps both of us are right!
Report on the official Arsenal site when we signed Chambers:
Tall and athletic, the versatile youngster started his career in midfield, but established himself at right back last season and can also play in the centre of defence.
{Ed001's Note - where they start their career is irrelevant. Jamie Carragher started as a striker, but no one ever imagined he would become one. Gerrard got into the Liverpool team at right back initially. Kolo Toure made his Arsenal debut on the wing. You will find coaches will put them in positions out on the flanks, if possible, to lower risk of their performance causing problems if they mess up.}
17 Jun 2018 08:50:58
Leno
Bellerin sokiritis soyunchu monreal
Torreira
Ramsey xhaka
Miki ozil
Auba
Cech
Leichsteiner mavrapanos holding kola
Elneny
Niles wilshere
Iwobi welbeck
Laca
Emery's best bet may be to try to replicate how psg played. unfortunately that formation was based around the quality of their wingers and how complete cavani is as a cf. Miki and ozil are great creative players but don't seem to have the workrate.
If i had the choice i'd go with this
Leno
Sokiritis soyunchu
Bellerin torreira monreal
Xhaka ramsey
Ozil
Laca auba
Anyone who doesn't press and give
100 can't get into this side and the strikers and wing backs will have to work incredibly hard. I just believe laca and auba as a partnership with ozil in the hole could be devastating.
17 Jun 2018 10:02:14
Well RG I think the fact that you not only have your own private plane but also one that gives you the ability to be in two countries at the very same time really hammers home your authority to be deciding what others know and don't know about football:-)
Oh by the way you never did answer my question about which team you very successfully were manner of?
Must have slipped your busy mind time reply to that one :-)
Especially when it's so easy to debunk :-) I've a feeling you might side step those one RG mate?
17 Jun 2018 13:52:33
He's got his own plane? 😂 😂 😂.
17 Jun 2018 19:54:46
Yeah but, do you know dean gaffney?
17 Jun 2018 21:42:47
RG, you keep digging big holes for yourself, keep digging pal and you might end up in australia. don't tell me i know nothing about football because i don't rate xhaka because there are a lot more like me and a lot less that thinks like you. Its opinion and most people i talk to agree with me. They must all be wrong and you must be right because RG says so. I call it as i see it and i don't have to name drop and lie to try and make myself look good. Just stick to opinion and you are a good poster. Its the big i am bull shizzle that ruins it.
17 Jun 2018 21:46:53
Eden, i have my own plane. I've just used it to take a shaving off my door because I've just fitted a brand new thick pile carpet and couldn't shut the door.
{Ed002's Note - There is nothing new - Leno should be completed but it may need to wait until BL add a replacement - but they have had some talks with another club over his replacement already. LT is at the world cup and with interest of other sides having moved on can be completed if a fee is agreed, if International Clearance is OK and if a Work Permit is granted. So at some point going forward.}