I'm not convinced on the need for a striker this summer

[Peter]

Firstly, we lead the league in goals scored, not convinced at all the an out and out no. 9 would result in more goals (sorry red).

Secondly, if you assume that Rice's best position is further forward in midfield, then there is no room in midfield for Havertz so that means he has to start in the false 9 position where he has been excellent.

I can see us improving next year by having (hopefully) a full year of Timber at LB, by buying a wide attacking player that is an improvement on Trossard/Martinelli (also providing more depth there) and by a very young team being a year older.

That should be enough imo.

I hate to say it but I agree with you

I think we need a realistic option to cover Saka (one Arteta is actually willing to use) and another midfielder. And you would expect Ramsdale to leave, meaning we will need a number 2 keeper.

[WES]

I hate to say it but I agree with you

I think we need a realistic option to cover Saka (one Arteta is actually willing to use) and another midfielder. And you would expect Ramsdale to leave, meaning we will need a number 2 keeper.

Yes, a new keeper to replace Ramsdale, a new DM option to replace Partey if he leaves and because both Jorginho and Partey are the wrong side of 30, and another attacking option would be fine.

We have depth all over the pitch but they have to improve enough that Arteta will start using them. Odegaard is a good example. He plays too much because Arteta still doesn't seem to trust ESR or Vieira enough. But if you tried to buy someone to provide depth, it might be hard to find someone better than those two who would be willing to be 2nd choice.

Goes back to my point about the team improving just by being a year older, it has to happen.

[Peter]

Yes, a new keeper to replace Ramsdale, a new DM option to replace Partey if he leaves and because both Jorginho and Partey are the wrong side of 30, and another attacking option would be fine.

We have depth all over the pitch but they have to improve enough that Arteta will start using them. Odegaard is a good example. He plays too much because Arteta still doesn't seem to trust ESR or Vieira enough. But if you tried to buy someone to provide depth, it might be hard to find someone better than those two who would be willing to be 2nd choice.

Goes back to my point about the team improving just by being a year older, it has to happen.

Trouble with Odegaard is he is always going to play when fit. He isn't just the fulcrum of our possession and captain, he is also the lead point in the high press, the organising pivot. You are talking about being able to rest him about 4 or 5 times a year, at key points.

Same with Saka to an extent. But as you say, if he isn't going to use Smith Rowe and Nelson, there isn't much point in keeping them.

[redgunamo]

Trouble with Odegaard is he is always going to play when fit. He isn't just the fulcrum of our possession and captain, he is also the lead point in the high press, the organising pivot. You are talking about being able to rest him about 4 or 5 times a year, at key points.

Same with Saka to an extent. But as you say, if he isn't going to use Smith Rowe and Nelson, there isn't much point in keeping them.

That's true but change (as in certain players playing more or less, new players coming in and others leaving) is inevitable.

We will not be the same next season; an evolving team means we don't need to think in terms of like-for-like.

[Peter]

That's true but change (as in certain players playing more or less, new players coming in and others leaving) is inevitable.

We will not be the same next season; an evolving team means we don't need to think in terms of like-for-like.

Good, as long as we are not exchanging like for don't like.

Arteta is never satisfied, thank god 😁

[redgunamo]

Good, as long as we are not exchanging like for don't like.

Arteta is never satisfied, thank god 😁

Quite right too. You never know with him. He might even buy us a two-hundred million pound striker, surprising us all.

It actually does make sense, the way it made sense for Manchester City last season. Arguably they didn't need one, but it did provide that little bit extra they wanted, perhaps not in terms of goals specifically, but in terms of FOCUS on scoring goals throughout the whole squad.

[Peter]

Quite right too. You never know with him. He might even buy us a two-hundred million pound striker, surprising us all.

It actually does make sense, the way it made sense for Manchester City last season. Arguably they didn't need one, but it did provide that little bit extra they wanted, perhaps not in terms of goals specifically, but in terms of FOCUS on scoring goals throughout the whole squad.

He won't do what we are all expecting him to do. That much we have all discovered over the years.

It is important that we don't allow the constant desire to improve to get in the way of actually trying to win stuff.