Use this thread for general daily football discussion.

This thread can also be used to discuss Transfer rumours and to post Tier 4 sources.

  • ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    17 days ago

    Arsenal fans: “We badly need more attacking players!”

    Arsenal transfer team: “Say no more, we’ve got you covered!”

    Arsenal transfer team proceeds to sign a back-up keeper, two defensive midfielders, and push hard for a new young centreback.

    But seriously, I know they are working hard on attacking options too. It’s just right now things don’t look good in that area because of the way things are shaking out.

    • Nuggsy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      17 days ago

      It feels like it, but I think our attacking targets are higher profile players with multiple clubs after them i.e. Isak, Gordon?, Gyokores, Rodygo, Nico Williams.

      I imagine the undertaking is a bit more difficult and I imagine the club also don’t want to be dragged through the coals with transfer/wage demands as much as we just want them to pay up. Maybe the club are still wary of another Pepe type situation, which is fair?

      I think it’s also compounded when you see the likes of Liverpool, City, Chelskie snapping up their targets relatively quickly.

  • Astrealix@lemmy.worldMEnglish
    2·
    17 days ago

    Ok ik a good chunk of yall probably stay off twitter atp but like it is wild that there’s a journalist who styles himself like an ITK who’s anonymously named after Arsenal (and previously Özil) that has worked with Ornstein and Romano and just got endorsed by Freddie Paxton (who TIL no longer does journalism)

    • Nuggsy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      17 days ago

      I am too, but that means we have only have Rice, Merino and Zubimendi in midfield, with Zinny also out the door. You could argue moving MLS to cover midfield, but he’s been playing so well in his current role, I don’t see the need to hamfist him into a position he hasn’t played in at this level. You could also argue Havertz, but he seems to excel up front opposed to when he played in midfield for us.

      For me, it comes down to how many times we’ve not recruited appropriate backup when required and been left wanting. We could be one injury away from disaster again i.e. Havertz in Jan after Jesus being out injured, amongst others in the past few seasons.

      People are also getting anxious about the lack of silverware, which has been compounded since Newcastle and Spurs have since gone on to win some trophies (although the EL was easy pickings for a club like spurs).

      I think for the amount of comps we’re involved in and subsequent games, we’ll need the backup.

      • timmytbt@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        17 days ago

        Thanks for your thoughts. So nice to see civil, thoughtful discussion rather than the cesspit on some social media platforms.

        • Nuggsy@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          17 days ago

          Of course! I don’t see the need for getting personal. There’s no need for it, really. We’re all here for the same thing and we all want the same thing for the club. We can all disagree, it’s not going to end the world. I think some other countries already have that covered, lol

          In the grand scheme of things, football is meant to be a thing to enjoy and we can sometimes go a little too far (I have at times for sure).

          I have opinions, but I don’t have strong opinions. I try to keep an open mind and I’m open to being incorrect or misguided.

          But, the community here as a whole feels cordial. It’s a nice little corner of the internet :)

    • ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      17 days ago

      Yeah, we really do. With both Partey almost certainly going and Jorgingo gone we will be very light in the defensive midfield department.

      With no further additions, back-up options for Zubimendi will be:

      • Rice, who can play there, but then it deprives us of him further up the pitch.
      • Zinchenko, who Arteta doesn’t seem to like playing in that position (and who might also be leaving).
      • MLS, who I think would be great there eventually, but he’s still pretty inexperienced.
      • Merino, but I think he’s much better a bit further up the pitch, and I don’t think he really has the chops to play reliably as a DM.
      • White, who played there for Bournemouth years ago, but again Arteta doesn’t seem to want him playing as a DM.

      Having a PL battle-hardened defensive midfielder who can come off the bench and relieve some of Zubimendi’s workload will be essential. And Norgaard fits that need very well.

      • Nuggsy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        17 days ago

        It seems like a largely inexpensive purchase as well, from what the reports say. A kind of Trossard-esque type transfer.

        It seems like shrewd business.

      • timmytbt@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        17 days ago

        I see your points. There’s also Havertz in the 8 which frees up Rice for time at 6. Can’t hurt to have more experienced bodies though. As long as Mikel can find a way to keep everyone sharp and engaged.

    • Nuggsy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      17 days ago

      You might say, I’m between offices? lol. Until I figure out what I want to do next.