29 May 2021 16:31:47
Central and attacking mid - the criticism of Partey is unfair. He's a nailed on starter next season imo, so it's about complementing him (not in a g62/ Chambers way) .

I thought he would be more defensive but seems to play further up, so don't know if that will change next season or if we need a defensive focused partner in midfield?

Odegard got better as the season went on, but if its him or our young players, I'd not try and get him back. ESR is a nailed starter, and think he should be our # 10. He may not be anywhere near ozils reading of the game and passing, but its a team game, and with the right movement around him and his ability to dive forward, pass and shoot, don't see an alternative who is guaranteed to be better that is affordable and worth it.

Willock never had a long run of games, has gone on loan and shown genuine ability so must be given a chance to play, or be sold. i'd keep him and play him, but he's not a DM. I think Torreira could still do a job next to partey but I saw that he's likely to be sold.

Guendouzi won't stay back enough and attitude issues so has to go. Chambers has played there and might be solid, but not tested and might be too important a position to gamble on. Elneny was 5 million, has been reliable and shows heart, so a definite squad player and backup for there.

Xhaka can do a job and is a great squad player and might be happy to play that if he was captain again, but he's not reliable enough. AMN? I really don't know. I like him, and he's grafted at west brom and might be more defensive now, but don't think he'll be trusted.

Does anyone have a view how close Ben sheaf is to being able to start to get game time? All of that means we have a decision to make about a central defensive midfield or box to box partner for a double pivot for Partey.


1.) 29 May 2021
29 May 2021 17:02:30
Another good post Jim boy BUT the only thing I will say if TP is the more attacking of the two CM then he needs to improve his shooting mate.


2.) 29 May 2021
29 May 2021 17:02:31
All of know is Partey was a good player before he arrived Jim and it seems highly unlikely he lost all his abilty on the plane over from Spain to England.

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say Arsenal will finish in the top 4 again within the next 3 seasons, I've no idea who our manager will be when it happens or even who will be our owners or who will or won't be an Arsenal player when it happens.

If we haven't finished top 4 by the end of the 2024 season or before I will do 40 hours voluntary work for the charity or good cause of the majority of posters choice.

Positive change is coming of that I'm sure, it's only the how that's impossible to predict right now.


3.) 29 May 2021
29 May 2021 17:39:55
Ox, I know what you mean about Partey. i'd be happy with goals from him, but more than happy if he keeps things ticking in midfield and helps with quick transitions which he seems to. Just lose the few mistakes.

62,yep. I'm with you on Partey, but not sure about top 4. Man c, Liverpool and Chelsea have top 3 to themselves unless egos get in the way. Man U pole positon for 4th. I do genuinely think we have better individual players than Leicester, Everton, spurs (without kane) , West ham etc, but they play better as a team, so we have work to do.


4.) 29 May 2021
29 May 2021 19:09:28
Hi Jim, your of course right mate the current top 4 is pretty solid but the heat has just been turned up on the want to be CL clubs like ourselves.

The league cup no longer carries a Europa league place so now the only way guarantee even playing int the European B league competition is win the FA cup or finish 5th in the premier league.

In my opinion the safety net getting smaller will raise the premier league bar place finish considerably.

I Mikel can't make us 5th place competitive next season he will be replaced and if he is replaced then I don't see the Kronkee's or the consortium going for an unproven manager again, I think this time they will chase the very best possible next time, that is of course IF Mikel doesn't use next season to prove himself up to the job himself.

For me, with or without Mikel or the Kronkee's the tide that's been carrying us backwards for so long now will finally turn around in the next 3 seasons.

Either than or I'm going to be giving up a few Saturdays to help out somewhere 🖒.